Blog Archive for the tag 'Meet Ups'
July 19th 2011
Filed under General
So another year and another Knit Nation has gone… I took things a lot easier this year only volunteering on the one day and not doing any classes, but at least I got to shop! I was meant to be on the registration desk during the Friday night preview howver I did manage to get over to the marketplace and have a wonder around. I have to confess this year I avoided the Wollmeise stall (it was too busy and on my limited timescale I opted to check out the other stalls).
Last year, I entered the marketplace with a definite plan, a shopping list of yarn and intended pattern – this year I wasn’t so organised. However I did spot this pattern online and knew I had to have it. I hadn’t seen Pippa’s yarn in the flesh so I was excited to see her vibrant yarn in person.
Without a shopping list I mainly browsed, but without any idea what to knit, I was really hoping for inspiration. I also enjoyed seeing more of Alice’s yarn in person as well as old favourites like Natural Dye Studio, but opted not to buy yet more sock yarn.
I did however fall in love with a lace yarn at Juno Fibre Arts (a stall I regretted not buying from last year) and then went a little mad at the Bothered Owl stall buying not only some more fabulous stitch markers (a Telephone Box and Hot Dog), but also the most amazing Batman project bag.
August 2nd 2010
Filed under General
I wish I had been more organised and blogged each night about Knit Nation, but I was far too tired each night to even think about doing anything other than sleep, it did manage to tweet a little on the tube journey home.
I offered to help Alice as a volunteer on her crew, which meant lots of early starts! After a morning of helping out in the registration area, and then in the afternoon I did the Advanced Lace class with Anne Hanson. If I had to grade myslef as a knitter by level, I would say I was an immediate, so I was little concerned about how I would cope in the class. But is was exactly what I needed – it was a little confident booster, and I can’t wait to start working on my next lace project.
After class, it was time for the market preview, which really translated to 250 knitters all in the rush to get to the Wollmeise & Rohrspatz stall, I had popped in the marketplace earlier during the day, and was amazed at all the yarn they had but was still a little worried that they might run out!
I was very restrained with my purchases, all I really wanted was some Wollmeise in My Old Blue Jeans to make a shawl and some brown for a shawl and beret (maybe the Ishbel shawl). The rush at the Wollmeise stand was too much for me, so I only managed to score on skein on sock yarn in the right colour, and then found the most amazing dark chocolate brown at the Old Maiden Aunt stall. My purchases where topped off with a Zauberball – I had a few ideas of what to do with this – either another blue shawl or some socks. I also got some lego stitchmarkers (not pictured).
Friday, I was down to help on the desk all day and intended to do not purchasing, however after lunch Jaq appeared from the marketplace with a skein of Woolmeise lace in My Old Blue Jeans, and mentioned they had loads more there, so of course my no buying policy ended! In the evening I helped out setting up for the Ravelry Talk. It was amazing to hear Jess and Casey talk about the history of Ravelry, and some of the new features they have added. It is clear they are passionate about their work and I got the impression they still have several more idea of how this site is going to grow!
Saturday was more of the same, helping out on the desk, buying more Wollmeise lace even though I don’t need it! After a brief break for pizza and cake, it was off to set up for the Ravelry party. Finally a time to sit down, relax and catch up with friends.
Like most I found the whole weekend truly amazing, I have so many little stories from the weekend that just prove to me that knitters are the most amazing people! I got to catch up with some old friends, turn Ravelry friends into real friends, meet new people, learn some new techniques and also enhance my stash. I am hoping for more of the same next tine!
September 17th 2009
Filed under Socks, socktopus club 2009, Stash Enhancement
Before going away on holiday I popped into Socktopus to see a few of my favourite knitters. It was also the day Alice was getting the sock club parcels ready so it gave me a chance to pick up my yarn and goodies (there were two lots of bells and whistles to make up for last months parcel).
Your eye’s do not deceive you that is some lovely skein of Wollmeise, on an exclusive colourway. Now I have to be honest I hadn’t yet cottoned on to the whole wollmeise craze, I seem to always miss the shop updates, I have not yet had a chance to fondle this yarn or seen it knitted up… so this was a real treat for me. After a bit of knitting I have to say I get it, smell and all!
Also included was an amazing Zigzag Stitches knitting bag, this is a tiny version perfect for carrying around sock knitting. I adore her stuff, I have added a few bags and a sock and go needle case to my birthday wish list. Finally, there are the lovely mini Russian doll stitch markers by Atomic Knitting.
Whilst I was there Kat was knitting an amazing cardigan in lace-weight so when I was fondeling the yarn I saw this cashmere yarn, I knew it was screaming to be turned into a lovely cardigan.
| Subject: |
02Babaa City attacks ﻈ 4ậđ ŴờÌғ |
| Sent: |
on 17/09/09 at 06:16:10 am |
|
|
|
January 28th 2009
Filed under Socks, socktopus club 2009
Last Friday I met up with Alice, Trisha and Arianna for a trip to the Houses of Parliament and girly lunch. It was a chance for us all the have a mini London meeting of the Leyburn KAL. Arianna took this amazing photo to see all the different variations of the one pattern – I love the fact two are knitted toe-up and two cuff-down. Even though I had only completed the toe by this stage, you can clearly see range of colours.
I had also arranged with Alice to receive my first Sock(topus) Club parcel (yes my first silver shiny packet). The pattern is the Om Shanti Sock designed by Alice herself! The yarn is Evolution in an exclusive colour (Peppermint Cheer), and the extras are a mini pedicure kit from the Rocky Mountain Soap Company (Canadian just like Alice).
September 10th 2008
Filed under General
Without a doubt the day most knitters in London have been looking forward to this year was iKnit Day… think about it, the chance to buy yarn, meet other knitters and hear Yarn Harlot speak – what more do you need!
A weeks worth of planning on the Ravelry board and we sorted out a meeting place and somewhere to get breakfast – building up some energy for the long day ahead… In the end, there were 14 of us for brunch, I don’t remember the last time I had a greasy spoon breakfast and it was amazing!
Once inside, my first port of call was the Socktopus Stand – which was three deep with people eagerly wanting to get their hands on some Malabrigo sock yarn, unfortunately I didn’t get there in time to purchase any of the yarn, but I did sign up to the Sock Club (there goes the stash busting for next year).
There was so much to see and buy, I am still not sure I made it around all the stands. Undoubtedly the most amazing thing were the world’s largest needles, for a donation (to Breast Cancer Research) you could have ago at knitting with four metre long needles. I managed to complete two stitches and I have to say it was quite an arm workout!
Of course the reason I was there…
June 17th 2008
Filed under General
As Saturday was Worldwide Knitting in Public Day, the guys at iKnit organised a little knitting themed treasure hunt in London, taking in some of the many venues from the Knitting nights. Mel, Sally, Justine and I formed Team 4-Ply. As well as the 61 questions we had to answer we were also given several tasks including buying souvenirs beginning with the letters K-N-I-T, taking photos of London Landmarks beginning with P-U-R-L. Of course the obvious London Landmark beginning with a U, is the Underground!
Another task was to try to take a photo of you knitting, next to a policemen, Pearly Knit or Queen, Street Performer of a Famous Person… whilst we enjoyed a cheeky half pint in the Royal Festival Hall, some fellow treasure hunters stopped for a chat, and they recognised Miss Flip Knit’s voices from their podcasts, so of course we decided they were our stars!
The whole way around the course we carried out lovely yellow balloon (you got an extra 2 points for returning your balloon) and knitted a skinny scarf… upon returning to the store our balloon was sabotaged (we will get our revenue next year!) However our scarf was the second longest and overall we won (I think I am still in shock about this).
For more photos check out the iKnit Pool on Flickr
April 4th 2008
Filed under General, Socks
Last night was the first meeting of the the Socktopus Sock Club at the Troubadour Coffee Shop in Earl’s Court. Some of us arranged to meet up at the tube station first, and planned on walking to the cafe together.
After waiting for a while the call of knitting was too strong and we headed to the cafe, but concerned we might have left Alex behind we left her a little note, thanks to Mel and her Post it Notes!
Once we got to the cafe (and found Alex), we discovered it was buy one get one free on cocktails, I figured it was safe to have a couple of Cosmo’s and knit, fully expecting that I would have to rip back my knitting this morning!
It was great to catch up with everyone, meet some new knitters and even watch as we converted our waiter into a knitter! It almost makes up for having missed Alice’s Hen Do.
All in all a perfect night, knitting, greats and some rather lovely Stockey Tiffee Pudding!
October 14th 2007
Filed under General, Stash Enhancement, Sweaters
Like most of the knitters in London, yesterday I headed up to Alexandra Palace for the Knitting & Stitching Show. Originally, I was meant to go on Thursday, but due to a heavy workload, I decided to go on Saturday, luckily Alice brought a ticket which she no longer needed, as she was now exhibiting, so I used her ticket. This helped me as well as I got to meet up with the girls – who had a list of stalls they wanted to visit.
1. Rooster Almerino Aran, 2. KnitWitches Pure Silk, 3. KnitWitches Pure Silk,
4. The Natural Dyed Studio – Alba, 5. KnitWitches Sock Yarn/4ply, 6. KnitWitches Sock Yarn/4ply
I managed to get some yarn for the swaps I am currently doing (not shown), and of course a lot of sock yarn – I also discovered a new store – KnitWitches, as well as selling some amazing, sock yarn they had some fabulous silk dyed in the most amazing colours. All I wanted to do after the show was go home a knit – but I decided to go to the pub and watch the rugby.
September 18th 2007
Filed under General, Stash Enhancement
I had one of those amazing weekends where I got to spend time with friend (and meet some new friends) and see some family (most of whom I haven’t seen since my wedding).
A few weeks ago, Alice announced that she was planning a launch party for her online store, knowing that we were going to a wedding over the same weekend, I had to decline the invitation, but over the last few weeks the buzz on the Ravelry London Board has all been about the party.
So I managed to convince the hubby that as the wedding wasn’t until the afternoon we could travel down in the morning.
As well as getting to see the iKnit regulars Alice, Emms and Laura (and Ross), I also got to finally meet Sharon and Arianne. Then there was the lovely ladies from Ravelry – Anna, Gabrielle, Izzie, Mel, Mulene, and Sarah. (I am sure I have forgetten someone – sorry if I have).
Aside from the wonderful company and food, the real reason were all there was to sample Alice’s wonderful finds – over the last few days she has been tempting us on the Socktopus Blog with images of Shelridge Farm, Dream in Color Smooshy and Chameleon Colorworks, and of course we all had to buy, buy, buy.
Of course, what you really want to see is what I brought…
June 28th 2007
Filed under General
With the summer approaching, it seem like an excellent idea to get out and about in this fair city and knit. So last night I arranged to go to iKnit London Wednesday Night, in Clapham.
Before leaving the house, I realised I am not really organised enough for knitting away from home. I tend to knit in the comfort for my four walls, when we go on holiday I don’t knit, when we dog sat last summer, I took a box with all my knitting supplies – not really an option when knitting in a pub. So, I put Hedera, some stitch markers and my Chibi in a ziploc bag thinking I would be alright.
After meeting up with Laura (and Ross), Alice and Emma we walked over to the pub, everything was going well we found a nice corner, got in some drinks and volia I said down to knit – but I in my stupidity I forgot to pack my fourth needle – there I was unable to knit! It still was a fun night – but I do feel extremely silly.
In an attempt to be more organised, I am going to get an knitting bag for knitting nights…of course I would love to get a Jordana Paige Bag, but maybe I should start smalled with a Go Knits Pouch but then what do I use to store my knitting notions. So inspired by Face Your Pockets website and and the "Whats in your Bag" flickr pool, I am encouraging bloggers to post there knitting bags online so I can get ideas of what I need in my knitting bag and don’t feel silly again!
My Photos are uploaded here
Older Entries »
