The second Saturday of the month is when the Inner City group of the Knitters’ Guild NSW meets. This month’s meeting was a little different as Lyn and I were convening the meeting for the first time. Having expressed an interest in the position prior to the AGM, we found ourselves nominated by default since many members have already done a stint and were happy for someone else to take a turn. The Inner City group has about 80 members but many are unable to attend every month so we were probably only speaking in front of about 30 odd knitters and crocheters. We don’t just get together to socialise over our knitting and crochet. The Guild’s constitution states that the object of the Guild is to
- encourage and maintain high standards in design and techniques
- provide a forum for the exchange and provision of information
- provide the opportunity for education in the craft
With these aims in mind, we had a bit of a brainstorm and came up with suggestions for talks and skills/techniques development for the coming year. We also collected lots of other excellent suggestions from members and now have the task of putting together an interesting and varied programme for 2016.
After the Guild meeting the knitting fun continued…
The Thursday night knitting group traditionally goes for afternoon tea in December. So we hopped on a train and travelled down to Circular Quay to enjoy a delightful tea at the Sir Stamford Hotel. Not having knitted enough already, we were working away on our projects before we’d even had a sip of bubbly!
There were fourteen of us and we were seated around one large table in a private room which was great for chatting. Thanks to Kelly, the organiser, there was some lovely Christmas fun and games with ‘guess the yardage’ of an anonymous skein, a lucky draw, and a Secret Santa Skein Swap. Here’s the lovely yarn I came home with.
This is a hand-dyed skein from Hawthorne Cottage Yarns. It’s a 4-ply wool/nylon blend that feels sturdy enough for some great socks. But the reds are so stunning that perhaps it should be a little something for around a neck? Choices, choices!
Whilst having tea, we even came up with a more appropriate name for our Thursday group. We’re easier to find now on Ravelry – we’re the Sydney CBD Knitters. So if you’re ever in Sydney on a Thursday evening, come on by!
However, once I got started, I began to wonder about the tension. Is 1funkyknitwit a tight or loose knitter? Would the 379 metres of yarn be enough if I were using larger needles? I decided to play safe and start the first lace section a little earlier – when I had 9 stitches fewer than instructed, since the pattern repeat is 9 stitches wide. I then continued to knit each section so that I finished with nine stitches fewer than stated in the pattern. I knitted the final lace section and still had yarn over. A not-insubstantial amount for someone who likes to use every last inch. I knitted the first 6 rows of the lace section again. Still plenty of yarn. I knitted the middle 6 rows. Yarn left? Yes. I knitted the last five rows and realised I didn’t have enough for the picot cast-off so I just did a stretchy cast off. I cut it more than a little fine – that tail dangling down is all that was left!
It’s Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal. Several of us bought it for the same scarf. The hardest part was deciding on a colour; they were all fabulous. One knitter even cast hers on while we were there.
This is my home knitting. Since Mr Soknitsome is away I have a little more time, so I listen to various book readings on the BBC while I knit. Some are classics that make great audio dramas especially as you know you’d struggle to read the book; others are new publications. They are always good.
It’s a very 
So at the end of Week One of Something New, I’m finally sharing a project I finished recently. Those of you who kindly voted on your favourite colour combinations may well have wondered whether I’d taken any notice of your choices. This lovely little bag doesn’t actually take long to make. It’s a very straightforward project.
