Knit and Natter at the Blue House Frome

Monday, 24 January 2011

As you can see from the photos, Sara, one of our regular members had a very productive Christmas.

this is the same doll, you just turn Cinderella upside down and inside out and she changes from sad rags to glad rags!

Friday, 7 January 2011

Blue Threads fundraising event - March 20th

From ancient Celtic and Roman history, to the middle ages with weaving and dyeing blue cloth in Frome, to the iconic fashion of blue jeans, the thread between these seemingly unrelated elements is Woad - the European Indigo plant.
On March 20th 2011 we are organising an afternoon of free activities and teas at Rook Lane Chapel for everyone between the ages of 2 and 92 to come and enjoy.
There will be face painting and drawing with Celtic symbols, 'give it a go' demonstrations in weaving, spinning and knitting or making embellishments for your blue jeans, perhaps a few games in Latin? Also, a wonderful, story telling session to enthrall adults and children alike, which revolves around a 'Cloak of Invisibility' .

What is all this about you may ask? well, 3 years ago, Michael, speculated that the cloak of invisibility apparently mentioned by the Romans and Celts might have been dyed with woad.
Last September at the 3 day Garden Show at the Shepton Showgrounds, Carolyn dyed hanks of donated English wool, in shades of blue using woad. Since then, over the past few months, the Blue House Knitter & Natterers have been making hundreds of squares that have been joined to make the cloak of invisibility which Michael will be wearing during the event but which of course you may not see!! We hope to raise funds from this event for the Frome Open Story Tellers charity as it seems a natural fit.
Food Frome will be serving teas, juices and a selection of savoury bites and sweet delights from across the centuries. From the Romano Celtic period there will be spelt bread or oat and barley cakes to spread with a Roman soft cheese dip. Then there will be blue cheese scones, Alexandrine dates, gingerbread, chocolate cake and Victoria sponge with blueberry jam.www.foodfrome.org.uk
During the event we will be running a raffle and we have already received a number of donations including items by the Royal Navy, and a beautiful silver necklace by Christina Oswin a local jewellery maker. At the end of the event, we really hope that you will have enjoyed yourself and that you will choose to give a donation to Frome Open Storytellers Charity www.unlimitedstorytellers.org.uk
We are really looking forward to making this a fun community event for everyone.

Saturday, 11 December 2010

Congratulations

I thought you should add this news to the 'Knit and Natter' Club blog: Wendy

'Knit and Natter' are pleased to note that Monica and Veronica (Mon and Ron) were on the winning table of four (called 'The Misfits'!) of 'Rosie's Christmas Quiz' at Frome 3A on Friday, December 10th, 2010. It is good to know that 'Knit and Natter' have two bright Northern brains in their midst -we are very proud of you both, as some of the questions were quite difficult! Very well done, Mon and Ron!'

Saturday, 27 November 2010

Wendy's knitting tips

THREE HANDY KNITTING TIPS

1. If you forget which row you are on when knitting an item with
    a two row pattern which is nearly similar both sides,
   remember that the loose end left on the needle when you cast
   on will always be the first row.

2. If you cannot buy the same dye lot of wool all at the same time
    before you begin your project, then work the borders such as
   cuffs or collars in the odd lot, as it is less likely to show if it is a
   slightly different shade.

3. Always try to buy the additional materials you require for your
   knitted project (such as zippers) at the same time as buying the
   obvious. ( wool and knitting needles)Buttons are usually best
   left to be chosen after the garment is finished so that you can
get a sense of size and the most appropriate design.