Crafty Threads 'n' Yarns

Aknita · Last edited by Aknita on Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:49 pm; edited 1 time in total

I'm not feeling much like myself at the moment what with one thing and another. Too much uncertainty at work, never knowing what the day is going to throw at you next and too many unsuccessful job interviews are taking their toll.

Yesterday was as good a day as I have spent for ages. I went along to my LYS, The Knitting Parlour to attend a workshop with Debbie Abrahams and what an absolutely brilliant and wonderful day it was - I feel much better equipped to deal with the day today.

The workshop was all about how to achieve a professional finish. Now Blossom, I know you sat very patiently at Colinette a couple of years ago and showed me how to do mattress stitch but I've never really "got" it so I thought the workshop would be a good opportunity to reinforce the principles and more besides.

Debbie had provided us with "homework" - a little teddy's sweater to knit which we were going to start by blocking. Not mentioning any names, but someone misread the pattern and her sweater had a scoop neckline Embarassed

unlike all the others but hey ho!

It was so lovely to meet so many other knitters - some of them Ravellers, some of them who had no idea that the internet was such a useful tool for us all. There were sock knitters and almost complete beginners and it was fab to meet them all.

Debbie was simply lovely Very Happy

She was wearing a beaded hand knit in Rowan 4-ply soft which she said had washed and washed - there was no sign of pilling at all.

We started with a three needle bind off - now I didn't know that it's best to use a needle one size larger than you've knitted with to do this, it makes it less tight.

Picking up the syitches on a neckband was a revelation - I taught myself to do this, it's amazing what CAN be achieved when it's done correctly.

And as for mattress stitch - well by George I think I've got it! Very Happy

I haven't finished teddy's jumper yet, Debbie said she wanted us to do a sleeve and side seam and leave the rest to work on at home. But I have sewn the best dropped sleeve ever and the best side and sleeve seams too Very Happy

and am chuffed to bits.

I learned a lot yesterday, the workshop ( which included a lovely lunch ) was very good value for money, and I wouldn't hesitate to anything similar again there. I have a list of 2009 Rowan workshops at The Knitting Parlour if anyone would be interested in going.

I bought Debbie's DVD, entitled funnily enough "A Professional Finish" and also there was a little retail therapy I'm afraid ( it's not often I pass on 10% off Embarassed

)

I bought some Sirdar Click Aran in shade 128 and pattern no 9073

A great way to recharge the batteries Very Happy

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Ravelry ID ~Thimblina

Aknita's Knits

Race for Life

franney · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:41 am Post subject:

So glad your day has provided you with such a great pick-me-up Joy, plus you've learned some stuff while you were at it too! Very Happy

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pictish · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:00 am Post subject:

Oh what a fantastic day it sounds Joy and exactly what you needed by the sound of things!!!! I would love to do a course like that. Debbie Abrahams came to Twistfibre but did a course on beading and I didn't do it and regret it now Confused

And you had me laughing at your scoop neck teddy bear jumper

That is a lovely pattern and a great colour - you need to join the Relaxed Weekend Living KAL cos ther are a few of those cardis on the go as we speak Wink

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Ali xxx

Jobo · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 4097 Location: East Sussex

Glad you had a great day Joy, the pictures look like everyone was enjoying themselves.

I love workshops Very Happy

KnittingLadybird · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:04 am Post subject:

Sounds an absolutely fab day (well deserved too). I love that jumper pattern, great choice!
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Snag me

Auntie Noo · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:09 am Post subject:

That sounds a fab day! I recently taught myself matress stitch from the stitch n bitch books - what a revelation!!!!! - Bet the picking up stitches was good too - I'm like you and taught myself. I'm sure there are better ways!

Glad the day provided just what you needed Smile

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Claire

RavelryID:~ Auntienoo

loobyj · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 1648 Location: Swindon, Wilts

Sounds like a fab day Joy - looking forward to a pic of the teddy sweater Very Happy

I shall have to keep an eye out for another course like that somewhere, I'm sure it would do me a power of good!

Lovely yarn - and lovely pattern choice too (says she nearly having finished hers Wink

) Come and join us on the Relaxed Living KAL, I think there's four or five of us doing the same pattern!

lj
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Ravelry - auntiemabel

Completed in 2009

Landgirls, Cassidy cap, Monkeys x 4, Baktus x 2, Granny blanket,

ygymraes · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:17 am Post subject:

That sounds like a lovely day Joy. Very Happy

I tried to book on this course at Get Knitted but they're fully booked so I've put my name on the waiting list.
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www.allknittingnosleeping.blogspot.com

malteser · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 1339 Location: Derbyshire

I went on this course at Yarn in Nottingham and really enjoyed it. Debbie was great. I am hoping to do the advanced finishing course she runs sometime where she covers short row shaping.

I must see if the dvd is available at Amazon.
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Anne

Blossom · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject:

Fantastic...so glad you had a relaxing day and learnt so much! Smile

See...mattress stitch isn't that scary! Wink

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Sarah

Ravelry ID ~ Blossom

FO's ~ 21