Third Yarnbombing Workshop - Hobbycraft, York

Settling in at Hobbycraft

Our third Yarnbombing Workshop took place in Hobbycraft, York on Saturday.  We were made very welcome by Carol and her staff who had set up a great space for us and even brought us all hot drinks!  It seems to be a bit of a thing at our workshops because we needed more chairs yet again!

Hard at work

It was mostly new faces at this workshop probably because we had moved to the other side of York for this one.  Also, as it was on a Saturday it gave people working during the week a chance to come along.  Mostly people had made a special trip for our workshop but we did rope in some visitors from Pickering who were just shopping in the store!  Our venue had an added bonus - everyone could check out the Hobbycraft store and all the different activities and workshops they have on offer!

Yarnbombing Goodies

It was a very productive session.  Take a look at all the things brought & made.  Don't they look great!  Can you spot the lovely bluebird that Suzanne made nestling amongst the yarnbombing goodies?  Two of our attendees, Sonia & Fiona, have been busy making all sorts for the day including flowers and owls.  We were lucky enough to get a sneak preview of one of the owls - and he was so cute.  Worth coming to the event just to see them, I'd say!

Trying out extreme knitting!

And of course there was the opportunity to try out some extreme knitting which everyone was great at!

Our last Yarnbombing Workshop before the actual Yarnbombing Event on Saturday 13 July 2013 is:
Friday 5 July – 10:00 to 12:00

Rowntree Park Café
Rowntree Park, Richardson Street, York, YO23 1JU

Do come and join us!

Made in York - Saturday 22 June 2013 (Sneak Preview)

Just thought you might like a sneaky peek at some of the things that I'll be taking along to Made in York tomorrow! So here goes ...
 

People & Places Brooch & Map Pouch

Vintage Map Notebooks & Pouches

Vintage Map Badges

"X Marks the Spot" Map Cards & Envelopes

Vintage Sheet Music Cards & Envelopes

Knitted Wire Bird Brooches

Resin Button Brooches

Fabric Necklaces

and more (& some carrot cake but I haven't made that yet!)  So come along and have a great afternoon out - there's lots of great things to see & buy (and eat!).  Here's the details
 

Extreme Knitting on Extreme Needles

Extreme Knitting

I'm very excited because my super large knitting needles are now up and running (perhaps that should be up and knitting!).  They were made locally and are just great.

The first time I tried them out, they were too long (my fault - they were as I specified them!).  But now they are a little shorter they are fine.  At approx 1.9m long and 50mm wide they are quite an impressively sized pair of needles!  

Extreme Knitting

 
Unsurprisingly they work just the same way as any other knitting needles.(Although with a bit more of a workout!)









Currently the "yarn" I am using has been "made" from an old blanket and I'm doing some test knits to see how it all works out.  I have also tried knitting with about 6 balls of yarn together and that works fine too and produces a more open knit effect.

Extreme Yarn

Anyone who wants to try them out should come along to one of our Yarnbombing Workshops or down to Rowntree Park on Saturday 13 July to our Yarnbombing Event to have a go at extreme knitting.
http://hippystitch.blogspot.co.uk/p/events.html 

Extreme Knitting (detail)

To find out more about the Yarnbombing Event and past workshops take a stroll through my blogposts for May 2013 onwards.

Craft Group at Explore Acomb, York - Yarnbombing Preparations in Full Swing!

Some of the members of the Craft Group at Acomb Library

Today I went to visit the Craft Group at Explore Acomb (Acomb Library) in York to see how they were getting along with their preparations for the Yarnbombing of Rowntree Park on Saturday 13 July 2013 (more details of the Yarnbombing Event at  ... http://hippystitch.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/yarnbombing-in-rowntree-park-york.html)

More members of the Craft Group at Acomb Library

They have been making squares - but not just any squares ...

Colourful and decorative knitted & crocheted squares

A little snail & flower on a knitted square

in fact not just squares at all - baskets of flowers and blankets too!

Basket of flowers

Lovely crocheted blankets

And for that matter, not just knitting and crocheting either - a knitting frame was also in use ...

Knitting with a frame

Their work is looking fabulous and I can't wait to see it all in situ at the Yarnbombing Event in Rowntree Park, York on Saturday 13 July.  Thank you, ladies! 

PS If you want to join the Craft Group at Explore Acomb, it meets on Saturday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00.  You can get in touch via the Library on (01904) 552652

Mixed Media Knitted Birds Workshop

Everyone hard at work at Grace & Jacob, York

Had a lovely day on Saturday taking the Mixed Media & Knitted Birds Workshop at Grace & Jacob in York.  It was just like having a crafty day with friends - so thank you to the fab ladies who came along to have a go!  Thought you might like to see the wonderful results ....

Heather's Wire Bird & Nest

Heather's Woolly Bird

Kate's Wire Bird & Nest

Kate's Woolly Bird

Suzanne's Birds in their Nest

Suzanne's Woolly Bird

And when all was finished ...

Fibre Storm in Fife - Twist Fibre Craft Studio Celebrate 10 Years

Twist Fibre Craft is 10

I can't remember how I came across Twist Fibre Craft Studio in Newburgh, Fife but I'm very pleased to have discovered them. They sell all sorts of yarn, felting fibres and equipment and have an extensive workshop programme.  On my annual sojourn to Fife I pop in and always come away with something fabulous!  This year my trip north of the border coincided with their 10th birthday celebration which was held at The Steeple in Newburgh.  Outside The Steeple was an impressive fibre storm - I would have said yarnbomb but I think fibre storm may be a better description! Looked like the whole community had contributed to it. Here are some of my photos ...

Fibre Storm Fish

Fibre Storm Galleon & All the Trimmings

Fibre Storm Mermaid

Fibre Storm Fish & Snake

Inside, there was an exhibition of customer's work (and very talented they were too!) and you could "have a go" at spinning, wet felting, needle felting - or, as was completely new to me, hula hoop weaving.  Of course I had to have a go at that and I can't wait to try it out at home.  (I'll share when I've got something to show!).  There was also tea and birthday cake.  I had a fantastic time and it certainly looked like all the other folk there were enjoying it too. Happy birthday & thanks, Twist Fibre Craft!

http://www.twistfibrecraft.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/twistfibrecraftstudio