A nice little grouping...

Well, we had fun last night! There were 5 of us, Myself, Ann and 3 new ladies, Maya, Gina and Anna.

All good fun, knitting, nattering and teaching, as always.

See you all next week!

Tomorrow

Hi

Thanks to Nikki for giving us her details. If you are reading this but can't post to the blog, just email me at erssiemajor@yahoo.co.uk OR angelknitslondon@gmail.com and I will up a post up for you (provided it isn't offensive or SPAM)

Anyway, as I said before due to unmentionable health reasons, I won't be at Angel Knits but I know Nikki, new member Maya and possibly Maggie will be there tomorrow night plus others who haven't let us know yet.

I am hoping that my 'housebound' spell will end soon so I can get back to an AK night. See you next week hopefully and have a good night tomorrow if you are going.

Try to let us know if you are going by leaving a post on the blog or emailing me so I can put a list up.

Just so we have a pic on a blog to look at, these are my current WIPS and for animal lovers, this is Marnie Maclean's dog. Marnie Maclean also has interesting free patterns etc on her blog. See my blog www.erssie.blogspot.com for a link to Marnie and other crafters.


This hat pattern is available in the on line magazine www.spindlicity.com
they are looking for submissions so if you spin, or write patterns and articles involving hand spun yarn then do contact them, see their website for submission guidelines.

Also, I have had an email from For The Love of Yarn on line magazine and they are looking for designs for their Spring issue of their online magazine. Even if you are a beginner, have never had stuff published, if you have a design you think would be suitable or an article on a particular yarn subject then do look them up and contact the editor. Their submission guidelines are available at their website http://www.fortheloveofyarn.com

I will keep you posted on any other knitting news

Member Intro: Nikki

Angel Knits London Questionnaire

Name: Nikki
Email address: NikolaAnne AT purplekitchen DOT org DOT uk (Spam-free version!)

Area in which you live: South East London
Website/blog/page URL:
1)http://www.purplekitchen.org.uk
2) http://www.fluffenstuff.co.uk

Textile interests: Knitting, Crochet, Dyeing, Sewing
How long have you been practicing your craft?: 3 years, 2 months!, 1 year, 6 years
Knitting or Crochet level: Very Advanced "Beginner" Knitter, Beginner Crocheter, Intermediate/Advanced Dyer, Intermediate Sewer.

What are your favourite types of projects? Small projects (just love those hats, scarfs and bags!) with BIG yarn and fat needles. / Not sure yet, I seem to get good results wiht thinner yarns for Crochet. not done enough to decide! / "Point-and-Squirt" Microwave Space-dye technique on Wensleydale! / Flouncy or Circle Skirts.

Do you follow patterns or do you design your own items?: I suspect that what I does counts as "freeform!" ;-) I started out followin patterns, but now I either "just knit" and see what happens, or take a pattern I like, and then normally use a completely different yarn, needles size ands scale! One reason I don't like garments is that I just don't want the hassle of "making gauge!

Have you ever studied for a qualification in a textiles related subject or worked in this field or been published? Nope. Cookery is where my "hobby" Qualifications are!

Do you or would you like to work on group projects in the future?: Sounds like a giggle! Up for that, but it depends what it is. I've worked on a Secret Afghan for Liz from NW London KTOG group in Golders Green, and Blue squares for "knit a river"

Would you be happy sharing/teaching a skill to new members?: Oh gosh yes!

Are there any skills which you would like to acquire from another member?: Not thought about it.

What are your favourite magazines, books websites or craft links?:
http://knitty.com
http://www.knittinghelp.com

How often do you attend Angel Knits: As often as I can, at least three times a month unless "life" is happening!

How long have you been a member?: I think its been about 18 months now!

Do you belong to any other knitting organisations? If so which ones?: Used to regularly attend NWLondonKTOG, but having moved Southwards in both Work and Home, the trip isn't that viable anymore :-(

What are your current WIPS (works in progress)?: 3 scarfs, 2 bags, some random crochet and the unpacking of a house!

Which FO's (finished objects) did you complete within the last year?: Some wrist warmers, a felted "boogabag" and not a lot else. I knit for the process and the fun, not always for the results. :-)

Can you tell us about your worst knitting/crochet/textiles disaster?: Luckily, haven't had any :-)

Introducing another new member.......... Maya Bing is coming to our group for the first time next Tues.

I, for one, am looking forward to having a Scandinavian perspective and seeing if I can pick up any tips for my colour work. (But I won't be showing her the back of my Fair Isles eeeek!)

Here are a couple of her WIPs Please make her feel welcome, and here is what she has to say about herself

Name: May Linn Bang, I normally use Maya
Email address:on file, to share with AK members only
Area in which you live: North London (address on file)
Website/blog/page URL: http://www.maya-b.com
Textile interests: Knitting and crochet
Knitting or Crochet level: Somewhere between intermediate and advanced
How long have you been practising your craft? My granny taught me how to knit when I was 6, my Mom taught me crochet when I was 9, but for the last 4-5 years it has become a passion.
What are your favourite types of projects? It depends very much on my mood, and how fast I want to get finished. After finishing a large project I prefer small ones, and the other way around.
Do you follow patterns or do you design your own items? Both
Have you ever studied for a qualification in a textiles related subject or worked in this field or been published? No
Do you or would you like to work on group projects in the future? Absolutely
Would you be happy sharing/teaching a skill to new members? Yes, very much so.
Are there any skills which you would like to acquire from another member? Nothing that comes to my mind right now, but I love to learn new techniques so I have to answer yes on that one.
What are your favourite magazines, books websites or craft links? I’ve just started buying magazines like Vogue Knitting, and it is a shame it is really expensive, because I can’t keep myself from wanting to see and knit all the beautiful projects in there. I have a lot of books, mostly in Norwegian and a long list of blogs and other links. Too much to mention them here, but if anyone is looking for something particular, I’m sure I can help.

How often do you attend Angel Knits? Well, I’m planning to come every Tuesday.
How long have you been a member? I just joined
Do you belong to any other knitting organisations? I belong to some Norwegian web-communities, but haven’t attended a group before now.
What are your current WIPS (works in progress)? Oh my God... Well there is the Pink Cardi, the Seablue Sweater, the Pinwheel Jacket, the Purple Dress, all being worked on at the same time. And of course some UFOS back in the closet which probably never will be finished.
Which FO's (finished objects) did you complete within the last year? Some shawls, some sunhats, some bikinis, a dress for my daughter, a lot of fingerless gloves, more shawls, caps and the list goes on and on (I told you this is my passion).
Can you tell us about your worst knitting disaster? Well, right now the Seablue sweater looks like it’s turning in to a disaster, and I also made a green sweater once where the neckline ended up so wide that nobody (I really mean nobody) could ever wear it. But isn’t that a part of the knitting experience....making something really ugly and still having the nerve to start a new project? (BTW I never tell my Hubby how much I spend on yarn.

Here is a closeup of the Basket Knit stitch Maya is using

Who is going next Tues?

We have some new members and old who have said they might be going to our club night next week. Could you leave a comment to say whether you are going or not?

Also, I am going to an I knit club night. details as follows:

Where? The Phoenix, Cavendish square nr Oxford Circus so very central
When? 18 March evening see website news section for more details. Here is what G has said

After the fabulous night at the Old Vic in December we've been sorting out the next soirée for knitters and their cohorts. On Sunday, March 18th we'll have more knitting debauchery in the basement of The Phoenix, Cavendish Square (just off Oxford Circus) with live acts, music and celebrity DJs, plus Gerard's homemade cakes. Knitting in a club most definitely allowed!

An Established Member Introduces herself

Hello Angelknits

Maggie Peake is the 2nd person to fill out my members questionnaire but the first person who has said she wouldn't mind sharing these details on the blog.

Here are some WIPS she is working on.


Here are the details she has given me
Angel Knits London Questionnaire

Name: Maggie Peake
Email address: maggie.peake@popmail.bta.com
Area in which you live: North London - N1
Textile interests: e.g. Knitting/crochet
Knitting or Crochet level - advanced
How long have you been practising your craft? More years than I would like to remember!!
What are your favourite types of projects?
larger projects i.e. bigger than a hat
Do you follow patterns or do you design your own items?
Design own patterns and also modify others.
Have you ever studied for a qualification in a textiles related subject or worked in this field or been published? Have a BA in Textile design. Sold designs via an agent.
Do you or would you like to work on group projects in the future? Yes
Would you be happy sharing/teaching a skill to new members? Yes
What are your favourite magazines, books websites or craft links? Rowan and free knitting patter sites. The V&A also have a few vintage knitting patterns on their website.
How often do you attend Angel Knits? As often as possible
How long have you been a member? About 18 months
Do you belong to any other knitting organisations? If so which ones? No
What are your current WIPS (works in progress)?
Have just finished a largish project and will be starting to knit a rug for our hall way when I am satisfied with the design.
Which FO's (finished objects) did you complete within the last year? Baby and children's clothes for my grandchildren. Toys. Project at Central St Martins using a suguaro cactus as inspiration.
Can you tell us about your worst knitting/crochet/textiles disaster?
My first attempt at lace knitting when I was 15 - just couldn't manage the increasing/decreasing AND the lace pattern.

I will store her details, make a note of the fact she is quite willing to share her skills, and the fact that she has a vast amount of experience too! We often chat about our ideas and I find her one of the most interesting people at AK. She is putting together a portfolio for further studies as well so she is a great inspiration to me on many levels.

If you want to view all members information, I will put a label of Angel Knits London Members Introduction on all posts containing our info and you can click on the label to get all members info so far. See also other labels such as etc at the bottom of posts because if you click on this, you should be able to view all posts which are linked.

New Blog

New Blog? Old Blog?

Hi Angels. I have updated the blog to run on the new blogger system. Ah but it looks the same you might say. This is true, the style that Anna designed for us and our template are all the same. However, posting should be faster and pics easier to upload.

We also have a new email address essential for running blogger which I will try to moniter as best I can, so anyone who wants to register as a member who has not given their details to any other Angel, could you send me an email? I will also work on trying to get links up to all of our blogs, websites and pages.
I Need to talk to Anna about that because blogger has templates that are easy to manage but she has a customised version she designed for us.

This does mean that signing in to make a posting has changed ever so slightly so now you need to sign in to

The New Blogger
Name: angelknitslondon@gmail.com
Password: Not changed, same as before (only a few members have this and this will not change at the moment)

However, if you don't know the password to contribute don;t let that stop you! You can email me at either
erssiemajor@yahoo.co.uk OR angelknitslondon@gmail.com
If you wish to contribute to the blog, send your Word Doc of what you wish to say and JPEGs as attachments in an email and I will copy and post up as fast as I can.

We can chat on gmail as well, so perhaps we can have live discussions!

Anyway, members new or old, do contact me at the following address

angelknitslondon@gmail.com

with the following information

Angel Knits London Questionnaire

There is no obligation to give all details but if you would like to introduce yourself to other members fill out this form and give it to Erssie or email to her angelknitslondon@gmail.com

Name:
Email address:

Area in which you live: E.g. Enfield or North London (do not put full address see below)
Website/blog/page URL:
e.g. http://www.erssieknits.com,

Textile interests: e.g. Knitting/crochet/spinning/weaving
Knitting or Crochet level: e.g. Do you consider yourself beginner/novice/intermediate/advanced

How long have you been practicing your craft?
What are your favourite types of projects? E.g. small projects hats and socks

Do you follow patterns or do you design your own items?
E.g. I use patterns for inspiration but like to adapt them for my yarn choice and colours and shape

Have you ever studied for a qualification in a textiles related subject or worked in this field or been published?

E.g.

Do you or would you like to work on group projects in the future?

Would you be happy sharing/teaching a skill to new members?

Are there any skills which you would like to acquire from another member? (We could have group tutorials given by members on a particular night e.g. How to crochet a flower or How to do Kitchener stitch (on a sock toe), I would be willing to teach for a pint!

What are your favourite magazines, books websites or craft links?

How often do you attend Angel Knits

How long have you been a member?

Do you belong to any other knitting organisations? If so which ones?

What are your current WIPS (works in progress)?

Which FO's (finished objects) did you complete within the last year?

Can you tell us about your worst knitting/crochet/textiles disaster?

Lastly, would you be happy to share the information above? (In accordance with the DPA)
a. Not at all, totally confidential

b. with other members only via email or at AK Tues night

c. Quite happy, please put up on the AK blog

Could we have a jpeg of you and your current WIP (work in progress)?

Also, not to be shared or put up on the website i.e. confidential

You do not have to give these details and they will not be used or given away for marketing or any other purpose than keeping in touch with Angel Knitters.

Your telephone no:

Mobile No: if different from above Address: