Holiday sweaters and names for knitters

Have a look at these great winter woolies on the interesting blog Marginamia. It's a blog dedicated to design, beauty and creativity but, above all, NAMES. It's aboout the names in the margins, the marginalia. So, if you are every looking for a name, for a child or even a pet, this is a great resource: http://marginamia.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-sweaters-names-for-knitters.html

Happy Christmas everyone!

Christmas cheer

Yesterday, I bought a Christmas tree and went ice skating on the Wapenplein with Lieven and the children - Oostende is sparkling at the moment. The Christmas lights are very pretty (espcially noteworthy is the old sailing ship, The Mercator, which has twinkling lights up the two masts and the rigging, and the floral clock in Maria Hendrikapark). So, if you are not yet in the mood for Christmas, or feeling festive, here are Rozemie's marvellously cheery winter wonders to get you in the mood. Perfectly executed, as always, and totally loveable - aren't they great?

Fashion!

Beautiful people = beautiful knitwear! Here we have Marian and Ines (sisters in law) modelling their latest creations. Marian is wearing her fabulous Kaffe Fassett design (a real labour of love) and Ines is wearing 'Date Maker', knitted from a vintage pattern. It's a real gem and is just as successful today as in was 1940s (we hope you get asked on lots of dates, Ines, please let us know...). Another thing of great beauty is Ines's new hat, in blue and red. Not only is the pattern a delight but it is fantastically well made - the inside is just as perfect as the outside. Marian and Ines's recent work led to huge whoops of delight and admiration amongst the group. But that wasn't all, and Chris and Rozemie had other treasures in their knitting bags..... but that's for a another day (watch this space). Barbara and Jan were absent and much missed, everyone sent their love. Barbara, get well soon (and good luck in LA!).

Quartier Bricole

Quartier Bricole: there are lots of new things going on in Brugge. Have a look and click on the PDF links for more info ... http://www.quartierbricole.be/

Scarves for winter

I keep coming across amazing knitting related discoveries. Check out this Etsy shop for the most gorgeous handknitted accessories. Now, I'm not advocating copying another designer's work but, wow, wouldn't it be great to take inspiration from this and knit your own super big scarf for the winter? So do-able! So easy! Just pick a colour and go. The best project ever for anyone who likes to knit in front of the TV of an evening....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Yokoo?ref=pr_shop_more

Kaffeslabberas

KAFFESLABBERAS // MADS AND ERNA (SUBTITLED) from Kaffeslabberas on Vimeo.

Danish pensioners knit for fashion designers. Do watch this great film (in Danish with English subtitles). In between HD and Vimeo are four arrows pointing outwards - click on this to watch the film on full screen. It's an inspiration.

Also see 'Knitted by Nanas' in the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/fashion/fashion-blog/2011/nov/15/denmark-knitting-fashion

Finished!!!!

Doubts and difficulties are a thing of the past! I don't often write about my own work but I could not resist showing you all the famous baby blanket now it's finished. After all, if you've been coming to the knitting club regularly, you'll have lived with this project as long as me. I'm sending it off tomorrow and I'm sorry you won't have the chance to see it in the flesh. Needless to say, I worried for nothing - it's actually turned out very well and I like it alot. It's colourful, soft, pretty and cosy with a vintage, but quite contemporary feel. It's lovely! I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino (from Stoffenidee in Ghent), a size 4.0mm hook and a basic Afghan pattern. To finish, I crocheted two rounds of double crochet in white, then a row of treble's in green, a row of trebles in purple, a row of trebles in white and then a simple picot stitch edging. What more can I say, except that it took A LOT of time!

Here are the 2011-2012 dates for your diaries:

Volgende afspraak: zondag 4 december, 11am - 3pm.

Geen brei club in januari.

Terug op de eerste zondag in februari, zondag 5th februari, 11am - 3pm.

And have you seen Sini's Etsy shop? Ladies and gentlemen, if you ever doubted you could sell your knitting on line, you CAN!!! Let this be an encouragement to us all and, Sini, we wish you lots of luck and success with your new venture. Let us know how it goes. http://www.etsy.com/people/sinthashop?ref=pr_profile