Friday Morning

Hitchin Stitchin'

2012-08-27T00:46:00.041+01:00

We're knitting together with Hitchin Stitchin'

at The Sun Hotel, Sun St
Hitchin SG5 1AF
01462 436 411

Friday Group: Every fortnight. Fridays from 10am - see dates and venues in right-hand column of this page.

'Tis the season

2011-12-09T15:06:00.001Z

Setting out the food

for having fun and celebrating the friendships formed through the knitting group, by attending the Kristmus Koffee Knitting session. The food was fabulous and the coffee and tea provided by the Sun Hotel was excellent.

Krismus Koffee Knitting

The members of Hitchin Stitchin' are a very thoughtful bunch. There was gluten-free chocolate and orange cake, gluten-free sandwiches and dairy-free tea-bread, as well as the usual offerings of mince pies and sausage rolls and some very upmarket smoked salmon rolls and spicey samosas.

The Angel

We had a minor panic at the beginning as there was no heat in our usual meeting room The Angel. The hotel has had some renovations done recently and the staff had yet to get to grips with the new boiler. Great efforts were made on our behalf, two portable heaters were brought in but were not needed as the radiators finally began to give out heat.

Advice and ideas shared

More Krismus Koffee Knitting

There was some knitting going on throughout the morning with the usual exchange of ideas and advice. Then we had great fun with Secret Santa, thanks to Pam's fast-paced story that had us all passing parcels to the left and right and collapsing in helpless laughter.

What a wonderful way to end another great year.

A Summary

2011-12-03T15:19:00.001Z

Fine wine and food, friends and fun

in pictures (click through for larger images)

of the knitting group's recent away weekend.

Seal just a few yards out from the beach

Two seals visited the windswept beach at Sea Palling when Sue and I went for a walk on Saturday morning. I waded into the sea to get a closer shot, forgetting that my jeans, like my waterproof overtrousers, were outside my wellies.

Other members of the group weren't so lucky on their trip to the neighbouring beach. There was no access to the beach and no sign of the promised seals.

A Saxon tower on the medieval parish church of Beeston St Lawrence. Sue and I stopped to take photos and discovered that it was open.

A spot of shopping at Wroxham Barns.

There were ~~three~~ five in a bed .....

Lots of silliness during the 'tour' of the suite with the super, super, super King-sized bed,

More fine wine and fine food.

There may also have been some knitting done

We enjoyed it so much that we have provisionally booked for a similar time and date next year when there will be additional accomodation in a nearby cottage.

Useful Resource

2011-11-19T22:53:00.001Z

I don't know if youre like me, but I have great difficulty making buttonholes look really neat.

I came across this following video when looking at the notes made by another knitter. I find it veryuseful and have downloaded it to my laptop.

If anyone would like a copy, I'll be bringing said laptop to this coming Friday's meeting (25th November)

Christmas/New Year Celebrations

2011-10-30T09:08:00.002Z

By majority decision, we will have a Christmas Coffee Morning at our meeting on 9th December. There will be Secret Santa, mince pies and Christmas 'nibbles'.

For your Secret Santa gift, select something(s) with a link to either or both the words 'Hitchin Stitchin' (max £10 unless hand-made).

On 6th January, there will be celebration group -lunch at The Sun.

New term and a new start for me

2011-09-16T13:37:00.000+01:00

back at knitting group yesterday thanks to the generosity of a friend who picked me up at home and drove me there. She lives across the other side of town so I am not exactly 'on the way'.

We had a guest speaker, Diane, from a yarn shop in the neighbouring town of Baldock. She told us the story behind Wool 'n' Things' early days and the recent expansion into the shop next door as well as the plans ~~for world domination~~ to take over more premises on the street.

There was also cake at coffee time. I bought it in celebration of my return to the group after such a long absence and as a 'thank you' to everyone, especially the core members.

Thanks to Rhys who was off school with a rugby injury, all the cake was gone by the end of the morning.

Some members brought finished items to show the group.

Keran's fabulous Zumba jacket modelled by our 'dancer'.

Sue H's lovely lacey shawl and Enids baby jacket

I've said it before but it bears repeating - Hitchin Stitchin' members are lovely, supportive, fun people.

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” ~ Marcel Proust (1871-192...

Sunday viewing

2011-07-17T11:37:00.002+01:00

Knitting with Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks

Ninja Knitting

2011-07-16T15:45:00.001+01:00

Hitchin Stitchin's contribution to the Hitchin Festival was this very tactile scarf which Jane attached to the Gatward Clock in the Corn Exchange Square.

Apparently, even the police on duty in the square 'turned a blind eye' to the knitted grafitti.

Thanks to everyone who contributed and to Jane for submitting this photo.

Don't forget that Tim's Art Supplies is offering 15% discount throughout the Festival month of July.

New members

2011-06-24T12:52:00.000+01:00

and new dates for the diary,

We had a lovely meeting this morning where we welcomed two new members, Caroline and Angela.

Stella, from Tim's popped in to let us know that all yarn will be discounted by 15% throughout July. So why not browse your pattern sources and visit Tim's on one of our July meeting days.

Philippa has booked a talk from the owner of Wool 'n' Things (Baldock) for the 16th September. She will also bring a selection of yarn.

Meeting old friends and a weekend-away.

2011-06-10T14:08:00.006+01:00

It was so lovely to see so many members at this morning's meeting. I have missed all of you during my absence in France. The nougat I brought back was certainly a hit and I am reserving two bottles of finest French Champagne for our visit to Dairy Barns in November.

Away-weeekend

Many many thanks to Alicia (and Philippa) for organising this. A reminder of the details.

Two nights, dinner, bed, and breakfast for £88 per person.
An optional 'practical flower' workshop on Sunday morning - £15 including tuition and materials.

Deposit £28 per person. (payable to Alicia at the next meeting.)
ETA
This weekend is now fully booked for 4-6 November

Countdown to Fibre East

2011-06-01T16:17:00.000+01:00

It's not too late to think about going to Fibre-East, our region's showcase of British fibre crafts.

Summer Workshop July 30th, 10am - 4pm

2011-05-30T10:50:00.001+01:00

We're back from nine weeks of work (in glorious weather) on the boat and are now struggling with a mice infestation in the house. This is the reason I couldn't make last Friday's meeting.

While in France, I had an email from the Triangle (Ransom's) Community Garden. We had hoped to attend an Indigo dyeing workshop last year but the Pavillion wasn't finished. It's operational now and we have been , offered a workshop day of July 30th, 10am - 4pm.

The workroom holds a maximum of 12 people and, if we made a group booking, we would get a reduction on the usual price of £40 per person. Participants would need to provide a packed lunch but tea and coffee is included.

Anyone wishing to take part, please let me know by next weekend so that I have an idea if we have viable numbers. If we have more than 12, it'll be on a first come, first served basis + waiting list for any last-minute cancellations.

Details about the workshop can be found here Dyeing with woad

looking forward to seeing you all at the next meeting

Pat Harris

Super Group

2011-03-18T15:56:00.016Z

Today we had a very full meeting where we welcomed a new member, Polly.

Three regular members were absent (I'd taken a book to loan one of those absent and have given it to Fiona to pass on at the next meeting). Even so, we filled the meeting room by squeezing an extra chair in at the top end of the table. In future, we may use the upstairs' room which will seat more people in comfort.

Members had brought along many completed projects. Jane showed us her beautiful sockweight 'Ishbel' shawl.

She also brought along a pretty pair of gloves in cheerful colours

and a pair of socks worked in a shell pattern.

Fran modelled this lovely cardigan in graded shades of purple.

and Alicia wore a V-necked sweater in a complementary shade of lilac.

Pam wore this longline cardigan worked in Rowan felted tweed aran.

Philippa wanted a 'headless' shot of her modelling this unique wrap,

while Sue kept her head on to model the poncho she'd knitted for the cruise to see the Northern Lights, in Rowan Chunky, shade Northern Lights.

Sue also brought along the trio of baby gifts for a friend who is expecting a girl.

I wore my recently finished Spring Jacket and Sue kindly took this photo.

I'd like to thank all the members for a great meeting today. Particular thanks go to Margo - for bringing a birthday cake to share with the group (our 2nd birthday is March 24th), Alicia for the jamjars, Jane for helping me out with a 'bottom-up seamless cardigan' problem, and 'the other' Jane for sorting out the return of my deposit.

I've said it before but it bears repeating - this is a lovely, talented and supportive group and I am grateful for each and everyone's contribution.

All-day workshop

2011-02-04T16:44:00.001Z

Patchwork session

Hitchin Stitchin' had a very successful workshop today. We welcomed a new member, Elizabeth, who joined in with the Patchwork session, expertly led by Linda.

The Sun Hotel allowed us free use of the second, smaller conference room which was ideal for Linda's purposes.

Some regulars couldn't make it and were missed, especially Alicia who was going to run a repeat of her 'professional finishing' workshop. I was disappointed by this as I was going to make a second attempt at finishing the cropped bolero which has been waiting for almost two years. It's now finished, thanks to Jenny (on the right) who heard my complaints, tried to help me finish it off, and finally twigged that my whining was a plea for her to do it for me.

Dorset button

An ad hoc 'button making' session filled Alicia's slot and I now have the perfect button to add to my bolero once I've finished weaving in the ends.

Drop-spindle spinning

The drop spindle spinning tuition went ahead as planned. Martina demonstrated throughout the day and set people going whenever they showed an interest.

I, unfortunately, had to give up just as I was getting the hang of it as my right hand (the one holding and teasing the fleecy stuff) suddenly flared up in a mass of hot blotches. Seems I am allergic to lanolin - a common complaint but one of which I was unaware until today.

Jane's spinning wheel

Jane and Martina also demonstrated spinning with a wheel throughout the day. At one point, Martina brought out the torture device (a carding machine) and showed us how it worked.

Hitchin Stitchin' lunch

A very big thank you to everyone who helped make this day such a great event.

Special thanks to the staff at The Sun Hotel for the smooth running of the catering, especially the lunch which met everyone's requirements and was delicious.

All-day workshop

2011-01-25T16:46:00.000Z

We have an all-day workshop coming up on **4th Feb.** to which everyone is most welcome. The Sun has generously given us the use of two rooms. There will be drop spindle spinning (Martina), spinning (wheel) demonstrations and the chance to try (Jane)), finishing projects (Alicia), and patchwork (hand sewing)(Linda). The event will run from 10am to 3pm. Lunch (two main meals for £9.95 or a choice from the set menu) is available from 12noon.

If you haven't already done so, please let me know if you are attending.

It's Christmas!

2010-12-25T16:57:00.000Z


Hitchin Stitchin' Christmas 'do'.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Last meeting of 2010

2010-12-17T17:16:00.000Z

We had a great meeting today. Sixteen members turned up for a couple of hours of knitting, a Secret Santa present swap, and a Christmas lunch provided by the chefs at the Sun Hotel.

The conference room looked very festive with the great pile of Secret Santa presents in the middle of the table. Everyone was busily knitting away by the time I arrived. Secret Santa was a big success. My plea to people to 'think creatively' paid dividends. Linda owned up to being the creator of some tiny beaded Ferraro Roche chocolates 'hats' which adorned the top row of the familiar 'plum pudding-shaped' chocolates in their festive gold wrapping.

Phillipa wore her complicated ribbon yarn creation which she'd agonised over for many weeks. Here she is tucking into her main course of sliced breast of duck with seasonal vegetables.

Our table was ready on the dot of 12noon, as promised and the lunch was delicious. Many members commented at how pleasantly surprised they were at the quality and presentation of the food. Service was excellent and efficient without being intrusive. I was so sorry to hear that two of our members were unable to attend for personal reasons. Despite this, they made the effort to get their Secret Santa gift to the venue and their swap presents will be waiting for them at our first meeting of 2011, on January 7th.

Aren't we a productive lot?

2010-11-26T15:18:00.000Z

There was much evidence of the growing confidence and skills of the group members at today's meeting. So much so, that Alicia's suggestion of a series of in-house workshops met with unanimous approval. We're booked for a whole-day on 4th February 2011 when we will have the use of two rooms.

A jacket-in-progress by Jenny. I love this yarn and the stitch on the bottom edge.

Pam's Felted Bag No.2 and Alicia's Ruffle Scarf are a perfect match.

Sue's Mara shawl in Posh Yarn Elinor Aran. Her first knitting project for many years.

Friday, 12th November 2010

2010-11-12T21:32:00.003Z

Another good morning at The Sun - although there seemed to be more financial dealings than knitting going on today! Six more names taken for the Christmas lunch on the 17th - and I think our numbers are up to 15 now. Everyone decided on their menu choice - with much humming and cogitating going on. How do you decide what you're going to feel like eating in 4 weeks' time?

Jane showed us some of the brooches she had made - supposedly destined for the Crafty Cupcake in Gamlingay. But they were so lovely that she had sold most of them before the end of the morning - oh well, back to the grindstone Jane!

Hope you feel better soon Pat

Friday Morning

2010-10-29T21:58:00.001+01:00

It was a very cosy meeting today with just ten of us in The Angel room at The Sun Hotel. It being half-term, I reasoned that most of our absentees were on holiday. We welcomed a new member, Sue who is knitting her first Mara in Posh Yarn.

Arrangements for out Christmas 'do' are well in hand. We paid our deposit today and confirmed the date (17th December) and time (12noon onwards) for our celebratory lunch. The group agreed to meet beforehand for a knitting session. Those attending the lunch should confirm their menu choices at our next meeting (12th November) Forms will be provided on which you can make your selection for each course and any extras. The balance owed should be paid to me by 10th December.

Each person is asked to bring a Secret Santa gift (spending between £5 and £10) to the event. Gifts can be anything relevant to Hitchin Stitchin'. Be creative in how you interpret 'relevant' and have fun.

New Home

2010-10-15T14:03:00.003+01:00

This morning, we met in The Sun Hotel, Hitchin to try out the facilities and make a decision as to whether this was the location of our new 'home'. We were booked into 'The Angel' conference room which was already set up when I arrived at 9.55am. There was some confusion about the tea and coffee facilities and, because members were arriving at irregular intervals, I opted for the 'individuals order at the main bar' option.

I think the photos illustrate how 'at home' we all felt.Click throughan image for a larger version.

Half past ten and the group is already busy and settled but everyone stops to welcome Jane.

Lots of co-operation and help (as usual) for those undertaking new projects.

Happy knitters engrossed in their work but not too busy to chat or offer advice and encouragement.

Pam proudly displays her very first attempt at 'felting' - and rightly so, it's a fabulous little bag.

Linda and new member Elaine seem happy with the venue.

The unanimous verdict is that we are here to stay. Tea and coffee, with biscuits (at £1.50 per serving) will be set up at 10.15 at future meetings. and we've already booked our Christmas 'do' for the 17th December - a morning's knitting, followed by Christmas Lunch with 'Secret Santa' gifts.

1st October at The Radcliffe

2010-10-01T13:30:00.003+01:00

Sixteen knitters braved the wind and rain to try The Radcliffe for the second time. They had obviously taken Pat's comments/criticism to heart as they had set out plates of home made biscuits and cakes "on the house" to make up for their failings the last time! Very nice they were too, although there was far too much for even 16 of us to eat, so as we are all against waste, we decided that it was our duty to help them out by taking some home. We were provided with one long table which just accommodated all of us. The only down side was that those of us seated against the wall were a bit hemmed in. Drinks were served to us, and the service was cheerful and speedy, so no complaints there. We decided to have our next meeting on the 15th at The Sun and then take a vote on which we venue we prefer.

Notable highlights: Jane finished her socks and Eileen has started a new scarf!

edited by Pat to add photo

October 1st 2010 - Update notice

2010-09-27T14:22:00.001+01:00

This week's meeting will take place in the Conservatory at The Radcliffe Arms - 10am - 12ish. Breakfast is served until 11am.

Following that, on 15th October, we shall be moving (possibly permanently) to The Sun, Sun Street, Hitchin.

There is parking in the courtyard behind The Sun - entrance from Sun Street. If the car park is full, the public car park behind the market backs onto the courtyard and there is pedestrian access (not wheelchair, I don't think) to the Sun from there.

The Radcliffe Meeting

2010-09-17T18:28:00.004+01:00

We had our first meeting at The Radcliffe Arms this morning. Fourteen members attended. The Radcliffe staff had set up a table for 12 in the main restaurant. There had obviously been a breakdown in communication as the arrangement agreed with Stuart (that we would meet in the Conservatory Room) had not been passed to the staff on duty. The noise level was way out of my (and others') comfort zone and I was pleased when We de-camped to the Conservatory.

Although I, personally, found sitting at smaller tables much more comfortable than at one large table (wearing hearing aids has a lot to do with this), some felt isolated, particularly as a couple of the tables are out of view of the others.

In summary - today was a learning experience. With a larger group (potentially 16 -20) than we are used to at Tim's, it will take some trial and error to devise seating arrangements that suit us all. In response to members' requests, I will approach the manager about the possibility of using of the upstairs conference room.

The group did agree that we cannot meet at Tim's when such large numbers are involved. No one wanted the group to split into an Upstairs/Downstairs arrangement. Phillipa is still actively searching for alternative venues.

Some members would like to meet at Tim's once a month. So far, six of us have agreed to meet on a date outside the scheduled fortnightly meetings.I propose that this 'ad hoc' group's maximum number be ten.

Saturday morning workshops

2010-09-15T08:01:00.003+01:00

Tim's is offering knitting and stitching workshops on Saturday mornings.

For 7 to 70+ year olds, learn to knit, patchwork and felt. Classes run from 10 - 12.30 and cost £12.50 including all materials

2 Oct - Sarah Wiggs

Big knitting

T1001

6 Nov - Sarah Wiggs

Easy peasy patchwork

T1002

4 Dec - Sarah Wiggs

Fun felting

T1003

Contact Tim's on 01462 455376 for further details.

2010-09-03T16:43:00.003+01:00

My goodness, Tim's was bursting at the seams this morning. Six new members came along and we only just managed to squeeze into the room. Had it not been for the fact that two regular members were away, we would have overflowed onto the stairs. We did run out of chairs at one point and Jane and I each found a spot on the window ledge to release chairs for other members.

It's fortuitous that we have already booked our sessions at The Radcliffe Arms. Three members joined me there for lunch after our knitting session today. I arrived ahead of the other three and the Manager, Stuart showed me round the Conservatory room which will easily accomodate our growing numbers.

Lunch was delicious. Service was friendly and efficient. With the promise of croissants, pain au chocolat or toast with our teas and coffees, I'm lookong forward to our first knitting meeting on 17th.

Parking is a little restricted (7 spaces at the moment with the summer tables in the car park) but we should have the place more or less to ourselves between 10 and 12 on Friday mornings. There is pay-for parking in the Queen Mother Theatre car park a short walk from the Radcliffe.

Woad dyeing workshop

2010-08-24T18:17:00.005+01:00

I contacted the webmistress at The Triangle Garden site about the possiblity of a Woad Dyeing workshop this year.

This is the reply I had yesterday.

"Our natural dyeing workshops are run by local dyers and spinners Ashley Walker and Susan Dye. We have no dyeing workshops planned for this year but would be happy to organize one for your group, dependent on the availability of the tutors. I will contact them to find out if and when they might be able to run a workshop for us/you."

Can you let me know how many people roughly would be interested in taking part please.

I've replied asking for costing for between 10-12 people.

Watch this space.

While you're watching (and waiting for an update), you might like to download the Woad Dyeing Factsheeet (Opens in a new tab) Can you spot one of our members in the photographs from last year?

Home-grown

2010-08-20T14:07:00.006+01:00

There was an art class running at Tim's this morning so the group met at my place. The weather forecast was overcast but humid. I set up in the conservatory so that we could knit beside the open doors and windows.

Alicia and her daughter Phillipa were the first to arrive, on the dot of 10am. We settled into our chairs and were chatting so much that we didn't notice the time passing. I was just beginning to worry that the others who had confirmed their attendance hadn't arrived when Alicia noticed someone making their way through the house towards the conservatory.

Something interesting

Jane, her sister Lesley, and new member Pam, had been ringing the doorbell for over 20 minutes and were concerned that something must have happened to me. Jane discovered that the porch door was open and they made their way in, hoping they weren't going to find my lifeless body in the hallway. They were relieved to find me safe and well in the conservatory.

The quiet corner

Jane had brought her copy of 'toe up socks' for me to browse as I want to knit a long pair without the worry of running out of yarn. Her sister, Lesley, is the 'Sock Princess' so it's a great pity that she is only visiting the area. I wonder if we might persuade her to re-locate?

There's always a rowdy moment - sometimes more than one.

I set to and made the tea and coffee. Shortly after we had all served ourselves from the cake stands, JaneM arrived and we settled into our normal pattern of knitting, chatter and laughter. Eventually, Hilary, who'd been absent from the group for long time due to work commitments, joined us.

No, not the head of the capo di famiglia. Hilary arrives carrying a marrow

I've mentioned it before but it bears repeating, how wonderfully caring and sharing are the members of this group. Alicia and Hilary brought home-grown vegetables for me and Jane gave me a pot of recently-made berry jam. Knitting magazines and books are freely shared as is expertise and experience (not just about knitting). One of our members has moved from the area and we are already planning a visit next Spring for a knitting weekend at her new home.

I think everyone had an enjoyable morning. I know I did.

New Venue

2010-07-29T14:16:00.000+01:00

With numbers of regular attendees rising, the room at Tim's is fast becoming overcrowded. This, together with some clashes with art classes in the Autumn Term, have led to the search for an alternative venue.

The Radcliffe Arms responded very favourably to my enquiry about holding some of our meetings there. We will not be charged room hire fees providing we have something to drink during our sessions. The pub serves breakfast until 11am so our refreshment break could include some of their 'morning goods'.
The conservatory is spacious and airy and we have been offered the use of the room upstairs should we require more privacy.

Our links with Tim's will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Tim's is our first 'home' and we will continue to meet there when the upstairs room is available. Tim's will also continue to be our 'postal address' and will appear on our contact cards and flyers.

2010-04-29T22:17:00.002+01:00

Thursday 29th April was Knitting Group Workshop Day.

In the morning, we learned how to 'finish' a project professionally. The afternoon session was 'free knitting' where each member worked from her imagination to create a piece that would be added to a group wall hanging later in the year.

Lunch was in an 'un-mucked-about-with' pub in the village, just across the road from the workshop venue.

This is an unusual pub - it doesn't have a bar. There are various-sized rooms connected by a wood-panelled corridor. In the middle of the pub is the 'back room' which houses the drinks cabinets and till. Transactions are conducted in the doorway of the 'back room'. The group was served in the largest of the customers' rooms at the rear of the pub, adjoining the kitchen.

Monday 19th April 2010

2010-04-19T16:28:00.000+01:00

I managed to get along to the Library on Monday morning and put up the display on the board. The new banner made an excellent 'base' from which the rest of the display flows.

I chose some books that might be of interest to both beginners and more experienced knitters and left some group leaflets with the Librarian in case the ones on the display shelf are all taken.

The display will remain on the board until May 1st.

Group Members Only

2010-03-31T19:12:00.001+01:00

The group has received an offer on a new Knitting publication that may be useful to those of you who are interested in the social history of knitting. Here's the text of the email I received a couple of days ago

Black Dog Publishing is proud to present its latest book release; In The Loop: Knitting Now. To coincide with your knitting group, I would be delighted to offer you and your members a 40% discount on all orders for this title and I do hope this sounds of interest to you.

In the Loop explores the progression of knitting, a craft which has come a long way from its fuzzy image of thick socks and embarrassing motifs on Christmas jumpers. Now there are knitting groups that meet in quirky venues throughout the country, as well as hundreds of clubs and contemporary artists intent on reclaiming the craft. In the Loop maps knitting’s journey from solitary hobby for old maids to mainstream, contemporary trend.

In the Loop features essays and images that show the progression of knitting and discusses the topics of knitting in art, international knitting traditions, knitting as social activism, the oral history of knitting, and knitting technology.

The book include case studies on knitting clubs, artists using knitting in their work and provides an attractive and informative review of the subject. An essential book for anyone with an interest in contemporary crafts.

Amazon has the title in stock but is offering only 25% discount.

If anyone is interested in a copy, please let me know asap so that I can reply to the email and get details of how we order.

Details of book

2010-03-23T09:09:00.003Z

The Friday morning meeting was magical - for me, at least. I learned how to turn a heel on a sock and we've organised a study day for the weekend before I go to the boat. But before all that, the session started with a present from one of the group's founder-members as a 'thank you' for all that I've done (and do) to keep the group ticking over. She'd bought some chocolates that she'd meant to give me at the 1st anniversary celebration at the beginning of the month, but she'd forgotten to take them to the venue. She'd returned home to discover that her husband had opened them thinking they were for the family.

Undaunted, she'd set to and, remembering I was still a little above my target weight in the first week of March, she baked a low-fat chocolate cake for me. It was ginormous. Fearing not only for my own weight but that of my hubby and visiting sister-in-law, I shared most of it with the knitting group as we drank our coffee (fresh filter coffee provided by another member) or tea. There were just 3 small slices left to take home. Hubby and Sis-in-Law rated it 'absolutely delicious'.

Knitting together is not just about knitting.

2010-03-06T12:59:00.003Z

We celebrated our first anniversary at our co-founder's home on Friday 5th March 2010. Alicia set up a large table in her beautiful conservatory and we drank tea, knitted, chatted and laughed until lunchtime. Then we cleared the table and Alicia served home-made soup with fresh crusty bread, followed by a huge cheese board, and finishing with home-made cheese-cake. We toasted the group with sparkling wine from the Loire valley and then wished our hostess a happy birthday with another glass.

The weather was perfect, bright, sunny, with just a nip in the air to remind us Spring has barely begun. The conservatory was toasty warm and filled with luscious plants; orange and lemon trees, succulents and evergreens.

It was such a lovely day. The core members of the group are a lively, irreverent bunch. We tease one another mercilessly but there is genuine friendship and cameraderie.

Exhibition

2010-02-24T20:33:00.002Z

Hitchin Stitchin' is mounting an display at Hitchin Library from 19 April - 1st May.

There will be displays, books, leaflets, and copies of free patterns

What fun we had

2010-02-05T15:20:00.018Z

We met at a member's house today as there was a class at Tim's. I don't think I've laughed so much in ages. Inappropriate discussions of having one's loved ones' ashes made into diamonds or coral reef was at the heart of laughter that is evident in the photos from this morning's meeting.

Phillippa models her coat of many colours, made some time ago, but we think it's wonderful.

Maya is rightly proud of this lovely scarf, which fastens as a neck warmer with a tiny hand-made felted bobble button.

The colour of my 'Mara' shawl was much admired.

Next week, there is a planning meeting at Maya's house. Contact me for details of the venue.

A good turnout

2010-01-22T15:27:00.000Z

There were 10 of us this morning, knitting in the yarn section of the shop. While it's lovely to be among all that glorious colour, it really is a bit difficult without the use of a table. Some members had brought books and magazines for sharing, others needed help interpreting parts of patterns. A large table would have made things so much easier. Even making tea and coffee and sharing Maya's birthday cake-bites proved difficult. There was also a feeling that we were 'in the way' when staff members needed to get to the store-room, and customers wanted to browse the yarn shelves.

In the light of all these difficulties, the next meeting - i.e. the 5th February will be hosted by Fiona. For details of how to get there, leave a comment to this entry and I will email the address.

There will also be an extra (planning) meeting at Maya's on 12th February to discuss the Lavender Fair and Christmas Tree Festival.

A new, exciting development, is the suggestion of an away-weekend. Phillipa is researching suitable locations at reasonable cost. The proposal is for a winter-weekend break. Perhaps we might use it as our pre-Christmas celebration/shopping event?

2010-01-15T14:17:00.000Z

Today was Knitting Group Day, the first since before Christmas. It was so good to knit in company again. Not that I did much, but I remembered to take my camera and a recently finished shawl that I'd fringed over the break.

Fiona kindly modelled the shawl and her beautiful Kidsilk Haze scarf she'd knitted for her sister. Isn't the colour stunning? This version was done without the required grafting, by working the chart backwards from the middle onwards. It's barely noticeable that cast-off end is slightly less scallopped than the cast-on edge.

Delayed start to 2010

2010-01-06T19:23:00.000Z

We are snowed in (or rather, iced-in) and not venturing out for the rest of this week. Unfortunately, this means I shall not be able to attend the first Hitchin Stitchin' meeting of 2010. The Festive Season was a right-off because both of us had a boomerang virus that kept returning. I still have all the food in the freezer and we haven't yet exchanged gifts with The Daughter and Son-in-Law.

We are not amused.

If the weather eases next week, I suggest we meet next Friday (15th January)

Stay safe and warm

Pat

What an excellent year for knitting

2009-12-15T08:42:00.000Z

That was a lovely end to the year for the Monday Evening Group. Six of us gathered at Tim’s for some companionable knitting, Secret Santa, Christmas Stollen, and a good old-fashioned knatter.

Thank you one and all.

The group meets again the second Monday in January and will change to a twice monthly meeting schedule; the second Monday of the month at Tim’s, the fourth Monday at The Cooper’s Arms.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Christmas Celebrations - Lunch and Lavendar

2009-12-11T18:55:00.000Z

The Friday morning group had a wonderful time this morning, knitting in the shop at Hitchin Lavendar Farm

I arrived just as the Victoria sponge was being carried from the farmhouse to the shop. The barn was well heated and nine of us spent a couple of hours amid the relaxing fragrance of lavender.

Secret Santa proved popular and some of us bought lots of goodies from the shop to add to our stocking fillers.

Additional Meeting Venue

2009-12-03T20:44:00.000Z

Kim has arranged permission from the Landlord of The Coopers' Arms for us to meet once a month on Monday evening.

First meeting will be the 7th December, 7pm - 9pm. Partners are most welcome at these evenings (so long as they sit elsewhere and don't interfere with the yarn) . Who knows, we might train some of them in the old-fashioned art of skein-holding while we wind the yarn.

Come along, bring your partner, and enjoy a home-cooked evening meal, or a sandwich in good company.

Oh - and there might be some knitting going on as well.

Knit in

2009-11-28T15:54:00.000Z

We had a most successful Knit-in at Tim's this morning. Members who took part: Jane and Fiona from the Friday group, and Kim representing the Monday evening group. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so can't show you Fiona's beaded Christmas Tree ornament, Kim's beaded phone cover, or Jane's cabled waistcoat.

ETA Snagged a photo from Jane's Ravelry page of the said waistcoat. It looks really good on her.

We had a great time, helped a few customers with their knitting needs and even managed some productive knitting. I finished this scarf in Noro Silk Garden. Jane had arrived wearing a scarf in a different yarn but using the same 1 row pattern by Stephannie McPhee.

Beaded Knitting Workshop

2009-11-20T20:57:00.001Z

The workshop was a great success. Everyone had fun and most people said they'd learned at least one new skill.

The day in photos

Getting started. Jenny leads the workshop.

Beading is fun - and easy.

It's going well so far.

There was much concentration,

and biscuits.

And then there was lunch -

.... a working lunch.

with Winter Mess Pudding

There will be lots of little beaded 'purses' heading for Christmas stockings and at least one garland of beaded Christmas Trees for one mantlepiece as a result of our day's work.

Invitation

2009-11-20T20:46:00.000Z

I've had word back from Cadwell Farm about their tea room/gift shop facilities. They will be heated throughout the December opening.

Invitation to Christmas lunch Tea-Party.

Venue:Cadwell Lavender Farm
Date: 11th December 2009
Time: 1pm - 3.00pm

Meet at Cadwell Farm at 1pm. Bring sandwiches as Cadwell cannot provide us with lunch. Tea, coffee, cake and mince pies are available for 'afters'.

Secret Santa: Bring a knitting-related gift, wrapped, to add to Santa's sack. Presents will be randomly allocated after lunch. Value of gift not to exceed £5, unless already in own 'stash' or hand-made.

RSPV - may be left as a comment to this entry

Monday Evening Group

2009-11-17T12:20:00.000Z

Plans are afoot to change the frequency of meetings - watch this space.

Finally have some projects from members of the evening group to show you. First a pretty shawl PetitFiloux made using Posh Yarn.

and Martina's lace baby blanket made from Hand spun merino tops to a personal pattern.

Member's projects

2009-11-06T20:33:00.000Z

There was a good turnout at today's Hitchin Stitchin' meeting. A new member came along from Stevenage and I think everyone had a good time planning future events and making preparations for the workshop on the 20th. Several members brought finished projects to show the group.

Jane brought her lovely, warm, cardigan that she'd knitted top-down in one piece. She's chosen some chunky buttons for a lovely finishing touch.

The pattern detail continues on the back.

A second Jane brought this fine gilet to show us. With lace detail on the front and big deep pockets, it would make a special addition to anyone's winter wardrobe.

Charlotte uploaded this photo of her finished beret - very slouchy and looks toasty warm.

Last time I saw these socks, they were still on Charlotte's needles. How I envy people who can knit socks. I find them scary.

What a lotta hats!

2009-10-13T18:22:00.000+01:00

I'm just parceling up the pile I brought home from Tim's on Monday Evening. But before I put them in their brown paper packeage, I took some photos. I've assembled a photo of each group at work with a shot of the hats lined up on the windowsill and sent it off to The Comet. Well, you never know, it's worth a shot.

BIG KNIT (Round 2) Daytime Group

2009-10-09T16:36:00.000+01:00

Today was BIG KNIT day for the daytime knitting group. Lots of little Smoothie hats flew off the needles. Lots of little pompoms flew off the pompom makers. The promised biscuits had been left at home.

But the company was good, as always.

Jane won the raffle and chose the 'Posh' contents in the sunflower bag. Maya's disappointment was soothed by the present of the 15mm needles and skein of yarn from the 'Beginners' contents, at cost.

BIG KNIT (Round 1) @ Hitchin Stitchin'

2009-09-28T21:43:00.000+01:00

The evening group met today and did some knitting for Age Concern. There were just five of us but we had a good time. Becky got in touch with her inner child and set about making pompoms, Louise snipped and clicked her needles to produce some sweet little pompom-headed hats. Jane added to to the growing pile of 'Jayne' hats, while Kim produced some weird and wonderfully fluffy concoctions of her own. My production rate lagged way behind but I did manage one little green olive.
Everyone tucked into the choccy biscuits.

There will be no evening meeting next Monday. See you all again on Friday morning on the 9th and Monday evening on 12th when we'll have a final tally and parcel everything up to send to Innocent HQ.

Alpacas, spinning wheels, and tea and cakes.

2009-09-25T15:39:00.000+01:00

November Workshop Date confirmed

For details, see Dates.

My thanks to **Martina** for organising this morning at Millbrook and for providing the teas and absolutely scrummy cakes.

I thought members (and followers) of this group might like to see what we got up to.

We met some of these guys

Some of us had a go at feeding them

And there was a bit of this going on too.

It was a lovely morning with great company. Thanks to everyone who bought raffle tickets for the Hitchin Stitchin' 'goodie bag'.

Message from PetitFiloux on Ravelry

2009-09-22T13:40:00.000+01:00

For all Hitchin Stitchers who are not on Ravelry, I bring a message from the Monday Evening group co-ordinator.

Message to all Hitchin knitters (please read on it’s important!)

We have a major event coming up: the Big Knit. This involves knitting little hats for smoothie bottles that will be sold in Sainsbury’s from 4th November. For every bottle sold with a little hat on, 35p will be donated to Age Concern and Help the Aged.

As you know, the Monday evening group started a few weeks ago. Hesadevil has had some leaflets and business cards printed out, so hopefully people out there will know that we exist once I find a little time to hand them out.

In addition to this (here’s the exciting part!) I contacted the Comet newspaper and they’ve agreed to write a little article about us and the Big Knit. This will help promote our knitting groups and charity work of course. They would like to send over a professional photographer to take a few photos so I need to know who is planning on attending the Big Knit events – we need as many people as possible to turn up!!

The dates are the following: Monday 28th September for the evening group and Friday 9th October for the day group (we need to send the hats in by the 16th October). If you can make both dates, even better.

If you are planning on attending, please send me a message or reply to this. I need to have an idea of numbers so that I can tell the photographer whether it’s worth him coming along or not. Please make it worth it! The more the merrier!

You can contact PetitFiloux on Ravely or on her Blog.

Wisp of a Wimple

2009-09-16T17:54:00.000+01:00

Have finally finished the first Wisp, in 4ply Posh Yarn in the most wonderful colours I've ever worked. It's in the blocking stage but I just had to share. The flash has bleached out some of the glorious glowing ochre and burgundy.

I have some lovely oval wooden buttons that will transform this into a versatile garment; it's a lacy wrap, a wimple, or a hooded scarf.

The close-up shows the detail of the fish-net lace pattern. This is such an easy, fast knit. All garter stitch and a few rows of YO and K2TOG. 15 rows of easily memorised pattern is repeated 17 times. I added two more repeats because I couldn't bear to cast off.

I have a blue one in Posh two-ply on the needles and I'm still working on the red one which is proving tricky. I think it may be because it's in 2ply that's prone to slip off the needles. I've frogged it 3 times. Perseverance is my middle name.

2009-09-14T17:54:00.000+01:00

Raffle - A cotton Hitchin Stitchin' Project Bag . The Winner has choice of one of the bags pictured above with a selection of contents.

Choice 1. Beginner

Bag contains

1 Skein of Lion Brand Homespun in Corinthian with scarf pattern and pair of 15mm needles.

2 skeins of DK yarn and Tea Cosy pattern.

And other useful knitting goodies

Choice 2. Posh

1 Skein of Posh yarn Lei in Zen (ice blue) with Posh Party Scarf pattern and beads

2 Stitch markers

and other special knitting accessories and embellishments

Raffle open to both Daytime and Evening groups. Starts 14th September. Raffle Draw 9 October. Tickets £1 each.

Funds raised will go toward the room hire for the November Rowan Workshop.

Excellent start to the Term

2009-09-11T14:30:00.000+01:00

We had a good turnout at Hitchin Stitchin' this morning and a good time was had by all. There was discussion and agreement about hosting a Rowan Workshop event in November.

Fiona showed us her holiday photos from Bermuda. We were all suitably envious.

We welcomed a new member, Jane. Waves to Jane.

Laura showed off her lovely Bits 'n' Bobs bag.

I, for one, am very impressed with her ability with the cable needle and her skill at lining and inserting a zip.

New Sister Group

2009-09-01T12:26:00.000+01:00

Now that the children are back at school, why not join others for a morning of stitching and chatting in cosy surroundings, with tea and cake.

A new daytime Sister group has been proposed by Alicia. It will meet on Friday mornings of the week that Hitchin Stitchin' doesn't meet. Members of the Hitchin group will be there to welcome newcomers.

Venue: The Crafty Cupcake 28 church Street Gamlinggay SG19 JH

Inaugural Meeting: Friday 4th September, 10am

The Big Knit 2009

2009-08-24T11:55:00.000+01:00

This year, Hitchin Stitchin' is taking part in Innocent Smoothies' Big Knit campaign, raising funds for Age Concern and Help the Aged (now Age UK). I hope our newly-formed evening sister-group will join the fun on 28th September.

For every smoothie sold wearing a little knitted (or crocheted) hat, 35p will be donated to Age UK. Not as much as in previous years, but every little helps. Last year the campaign raised over £250,000.

Day Trip - Alpacas in Ampthill

2009-08-07T21:01:00.000+01:00

Venue: Millbrook nr Ampthill MK45 2HY.
0753 239 2788 for info
Date: Friday 25th Sept

Programme:

10am Meet and tour the farm

12.00 Picnic Lunch (bring your own) - Venue to be decided.

1.30 Return to Hitchin for an afternoon's follow-up stitchin'.
Transport: By car - sharing available.

News

2009-08-03T22:19:00.000+01:00

I'm back! Ten weeks aboard have resulted in a number of completed projects, including some lace knitting -

A small shoulder shawl for a fellow-narrowboater's birthday in July.

While I was away, there were a number of requests to start a ‘sister’ group that would meet (probably in members’ homes to begin with) in the evening.

If you’re interested in attending, email me your contact details and address.

We could then arrange events and outings that would take place at the weekend to include members of both groups.

Pat
email to hesadevil @ ntlworld.com

Friday 15th May 2009

2009-05-16T12:32:00.000+01:00

There was an ad hoc meeting at my house yesterday. Just two of us cosy and warm with knitting and tea and biscuits on an extremely wet and windy day.

Fiona brought 3 pattern books from Drops but I managed to resist the temptation to cast on yet another WIP.

I won't be at the next meeting at Tim's on the 22nd and will be away for some time. Fiona has copies of some basic lavender bags that those who are coming to the Lavender Fair on 12th July might like to try before the day. Cadwell Farm (Would anyone like a trip there before the Lavender Fair?) will provide us with lavender for the filling. In addition to yarn and needles, some of the patterns require material to line the bags. Some scraps of pretty viol or organza in complementary colours is very useful.

For those with access to their own printing facilities, here are some links to the free online patterns. All of them are freely available but the patterns and the finished items may not be sold.

Lavender Sachet
Lavender Hearts
Knit Strawberries
Lacy Hearts Sachet
Lacy Sachet
Beginner's Lace Sachet

2009-05-08T21:24:00.001+01:00

We had a lovely meeting this morning with two new ladies, Anne and Pam, joining us for the first time.

Thanks to Fiona for sending me these photos of her first two tea cosies and a poncho for her daughter.

Next meeting: 22nd May at Tim's.

News

2009-05-03T11:26:00.000+01:00

Tim has made the very generous offer of extending our hours to 3pm. Meetings will run from 10am to 3pm every second Friday, starting on May 8th.

Christina invites all Hitchin Stitchers to join her in her home on Tilehouse Street on the in-between Fridays.

Martina will be helping Maggie Stearn at the Living Crafts' Fair at Hatfield House.

That was a surprise

2009-04-18T10:17:00.000+01:00

We were expecting to meet in our usual room on the 17th, but, it being the school holidays, there was an art class taking place. I would have liked a little notice of this, as knitting in the shop is very different and it is a little more difficult to communicate with everyone because of the layout. Having said that, there was a good turnout and we welcomed new members, Christina and Ursula.

Fiona brought along some completed projects - her teacosy which did duty on the pot at teatime, and a stunning lacy pattern scarf in Posh Yarn 'Pucker Up'. She's promised to email me some photos for this Blog.

I finally finished 'Something Blue' and bit the bullet and blocked it. Thanks to members of the Posh Yarn Group on Ravelry, this was slightly easier than I imagined, although I hadn't reckoned on sleeping in the guest room while it dried. I'm quite pleased with the finished product, despite the two mistakes that needed covering up with beads. Like the first one in red, it knitted up much longer than the pattern suggested and grew with the blocking.

There will be a meeting next week, 24th, (I'll be at The Daughter's wedding) and the group will be in the shop again.

I've had a look at the new program and it looks as though we will be in the shop throughout the Summer Term as there are workshops scheduled for Friday mornings.

2009-04-10T10:23:00.001+01:00

**Happy Easter** to all Hitchin Stitchers.

Don't forget, there will be an extra meeting on 17th April to make up for the one we miss today. Hope to see you all there.

Today's meet

2009-03-27T16:41:00.000Z

There was an excellent turnout, with two new members, Maya and Martina joining us for the first time. We're very rapidly out-growing our room in its present configuration.

All pics can be viewed larger by clicking through the image.

Hilary brought along the wrap knitted by Alicia

and kindly modelled for this photo.

Everyone seemed very busy and there was lots of interaction and help given.

Only Hilary appeared to have made little progress with her WIP because she arrived late and spent much of her time making the tea and coffee.

New member Maya invited the group to take part in The Hitchin Festival in July, at the Lavender Fair hosted by the Museum and Physic Garden.

A reminder that our next Meeting will be on 17th April (the 10th is Good Friday), with a second meeting the following week to resume our fortnightly schedule.

Next Meeting

2009-03-24T09:59:00.000Z

I'm so excited about the brand new daytime knitting group in my home town. We're Hitchin Stitchin' and meet every fortnight on Friday mornings 10am - 12noon, at Tim's Art Supplies, Hitchin. Tea, coffee and bikkies are supplied by the shop. The cost is £1 per head.

Friday, 27th March - including a Yarn swap. 10am-noon followed by lunch in Hitchin anyone who wants to join the Ladies who lunch.