If you are ever considering doing a fairisle pattern, think again. I have just bought all my Debbie Bliss Fez camel/merino mix wool, ready to make the funkiest hoody in the world, but I'm not sure I have the balls to start it yet, as judging from my swatch, it's going to be wonky, wibbly, and all the wrong size!
     Basically I am trying the impossible, which is to knit with my left hand and right hand simultaneously in 2 different colours, whilst standing on my head and drinking a beer. Well, not quite, but you get the idea. I was so excited about starting it that I couldn't wait to teach myself to knit with just the left hand on its own; if that wasn't enough, I'm finally trying to teach myself how to hold the yarn 'properly', and not like a 'beginner', as my Mum kindly pointed out, . So I've got a new hold on the right, a left hand that is floppy one minute and tight the next, and knitting which looks like it's had the breath squeezed out of it as a result. Maybe just picking up one colour, putting it down, and picking up the next would be easier. But surely I have to move on from the 'beginner' stage some time?

After a freezing cold winter, full of snow and shivers, members of Knit 'Ting are starting to find their creativity again. We've seen a variety of interesting knitting-related Christmas presents, including Julie's Knitted Cakes - what will they think of next? The only problem is what to do with them. Could they be miniture poufs for dolls?

Having created so many presents for people (see my projects section), I'm now slightly at a loss as to what to do next. I think it's going to be BIG! The only problem is I can't justify buying more yarn when I have so much to use up. Perhaps I should do some E

We're starting back again with the snow in 2010 - hope to see lots of you there tonight from 7:30!

   As Cambridge was turned into a white wonderland, we continued to furiously knit a variety of christmas presents with only a week to go for the final deadline! On comparison  with his own scarf, Jake was rather dismayed to discover that he'd only knitted a third of his present for his mother - looks like it might have to be a cravatte instead!
   I was amazed at how much more Jo had completed since last week, despite being publicly criticised by her colleague on air about the quality of the knitting. How rude! Keep going, Jo! The one amazing thing about knitting is the more you do, the better you get, and it will never be as bad as the first row you do. You can only get better! On that note, here is the link to the radio interview Jo did with us on BBC radio Cambridgeshire. The Knit Chat starts around 48 mins, with the actual piece with our interview at about 53 mins. Hopefully I'll be able to record it
   Have a lovely Christmas, everyone, and see you on 7th Jan 2010.

We were lucky enough last week to have had Jo from BBC radio Cambridgeshire come to interview our group. Having ga mindlessly into the microphone, I went on to attempting to teach casting on and knitting, whilst describing every minute detail so that it might be comprehensible on radio! After a clicking of needles and an oink of the pig, it was all over. Watch this space to find out when to listen to our Knit 'Ting interview.

Well, over the last couple of weeks we have sat elbow to elbow not only with other knitters, but also with decorations and merry punters. At first I wasn't sure but now I just think it all adds to the fun and frolicks of it!

We are still getting new members every week, which is absolutely super but I'm terrified of the week when we take over the entire pub! I'm sure Dave likes the extra custom, but I'm not convinced he'd like a pub full of knitters! One of our newest members, apart from the pig, who incidentally caused havoc by running off with several balls of wool, is my friend Jake - yes, it's a boy! Hurrah! Lets hope he keeps it up and influences other unsuspecting men around. We could start a revolution!

Anyway, I want a big turn out next week: Thursday 10th December, as we have captured the attention of a woman from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire who came over after the group was finished to ask if she could do an interview. So please come one, come all - all abilities, ages, sexes. Fingers crossed that next week could be fun. Apparently she will contact me on Wednesday to confirm it so we'll just believe it when it happens and until then I'll try not to get too excited!

Keep knitting! Check out my Christmas decorations that Thea sent in, in Links and Resources.

   Having written to Innocent, I was amazed to see I received a really lovely personal reply from them. Apparently we can still send in Woolly Hats to them before the end of November, so guys, GET KNITTING! If you want a simple hat pattern you can find it here on their website, or here for the more outrageous designs: pineapples, Homer Simpson, and xmas puds amongst other amazing ideas. It should only take a couple of hours to knit these tiny things, so if you can, please bring it to the next Knit Ting on Thursday, 19th November. Or if not, I guess 26th Nov at the latest, so that I can send them all of in a bundle as a present from Knit 'Ting.
    It was really super to be able to welcome 2 new knitters who braved the disgusting weather last week to join our group - many thanks to Jill and Sue for coming along - it was great to meet you!
    We proved our worth enough for Owen to reserve us an area each time now, so Knit 'Ting is really becoming established, hurrah!
   Hoping to see many of you there next time!
   

Hey fellow knitters,
I hope everyone enjoyed the fireworks last weekend. Pauline and I were particularly pleased, yet surprised to find a new knitter there waiting for us at the pub, happily knitting away in the corner on her own! Aah! I felt awful for not being there to welcome Grace our new member, but she wasn't to know about the fireworks.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to getting the group underway again this Thursday 12th November as it's been a while and we were just gathering momentum!

One last thing - do check out my link to the Innocent Smoothie website as you may have seen the knitted bobble hats on their drinks in Sainsbury's - well it's all in aid of charity, and I'd love our group to get involved the Big Knit. I also have a Hatometer on my Homepage and in Links and Resources which shows how many thousands of hats have been knitted altogether!

Looking forward to seeing you lovely ladies (and maybe men!) on Thursday!.

Just a quick reminder that there is no Knit 'Ting tomorrow night due to the fireworks that nobody wants to miss. However, please do come along to The Empress afterwards for a pint or too - it would be lovely to see a few knitters there socially.

Well, I think the sheer size of the group last night was enough to win some grins from bemused passers-by. There were some valiant efforts from members to recruit men into the group, but sadly we have yet to achieve this ultimate goal. However, Knit 'Ting is now growing so fast and becoming so successful that I daren't do any more promoting!

Knit 'Ting will now even be running itself without me next week, and the following week will be 5th November, so I'm expecting everyone to be going to the fireworks. Do join me later for a drink at the Empress, though.

Looking forward to seeing most of you for some knitting mayhem again on Thursday 12th November.

PS: Check out this week's featured video -