Knitting Diary

The Wool Sanctuary diary has now been moved. Please CLICK HERE

Ok, as from today, I am moving my diary to my blog. You can see this if you follow this link. It will mean that you can write to me if you wish to by commenting directly on my blog. Let's see how we get on. If it is as hard as it was to set up then we can abandon it and return to here. But let's not give up just yet.

Saturday 26th September 2009

I don't know how it happened but I had to let the first four people in for Knit club in my dressing gown and slippers. Luckily the Wool Sanctuary was ready. For some reason I forgot completely what time it was. It was a really busy one today too. I had to have half the people in the kitchen dining area. We had a great day though. Above is a picture of Annie with her bunnie, he is so cute- and so is Annie- of course.

we all crammed into the lounge for 'Once round the room'. Cath made a gorgeous scarf using Kidsilk Haze from Alison Crowther Smith's new book Little Luxury Knits. It was lovely to see Val today. She is knitting a lovely waistcoat for her dad in Pure wool DK in grey, it looks lovely and she bought a Draught Excluder kit to take home to knit.

It was really nice to see Hannah. She had fallen down some steps after leaving Knit Club last month and had broken a rib. We compared injury pictures, her back, my foot. She is doing really well with her knitting and has already made handwarmers, she just needs to sew them up.

Here she is, my good friend Kate. She is making a red jumper for Roddy and she is going to make one to match for Gethin- ahhhh! And she is not going to undo any of either of them. She is going to finish them both. I love that shade of red. It is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I have some here if you want some. Ok, off for chocolate buttons and a cup of tea followed by knitting.

Thursday 17th September 2009

Oh no I think I might have to put the heating on already. It is so cold. I am going to knit little draught excluders for all the sash windows. I think it will save me quite a bit on my heating bills.

My cat knitting kit seem to be very popular at the moment. I like to stuff their feet with lavender and then hang them up over my bed to help me sleep. Does it work? Don't know but it looks good and smells lovely.

Rachel came round last night for a cup of tea and to look at the yarn. She bought her Humbug mittens and Lavender bag that she had made. You can see them on the Knitting Gallery page. She bought some Debbie Bliss Cotton to make a cushion cover. It is going to be so nice when it is done. I hope she brings it to Knit Club next Saturday.

I am so tired. I have been working at the Hospice tonight, which after a long day at work, was quite exhausting. I have been working on some more designs for the my business. I hope to have them on my website early October. I have just been so busy the last few months. It has been brilliant but I really could do with some time to design. Ok off to bed, will not make a detour to the kitchen for chocolate fingers or tunnocks tea cakes before hand. Good night x Bad traffic on the motorway tomorrow, my aim at this point in time is to get the train. We'll see.

Monday 14th September 2009

This is Monroe, I met him at 'I Knit'. He is gorgeous. And below is Monroes mum and dad. His mum  is Rockpool Candy a fibre activist.

I really enjoyed the 'I Knit' show last weekend. I loved being in London. I have not been for years. My mum used to take me and my sister every year until the year when the Harrods bomb went off, we were in that area and that frightened her.

I met some lovely people there. I met a lovely lady called Suzanne who runs a knitting club in Reading. Some of her members were there too. I loved all the knitting that they had done. Here is a link to Suzannes blog and her Etsy shop. I hope to see her again she is my sort of knitter. She is ace!

Scroll to the bottom of this page if you want to look at my poorly foot. It was a beautiful blister and it didn't hurt when it was full.

Monday 7th September 2009

I have just come back from a lovely weekend teaching workshops at the Nimble Thimble in Buckingham. It is a lovely shop that has only been open 4 weeks but is already very busy with lots of customers thirsty to learn techniques in quilting, patchwork and knitting. Jane and Val who run the shop are lovely and very welcoming. I strongly suggest you take a detour and go and see them, they will make you very welcome. 

I was there to teach two workshops. Sock making on Saturday and Inspirational knitting on Sunday. I had a fantastic weekend, it didn't go without a bit of a drama though. I didn't tell you that when I went camping with my nephews I spilt a pot of boiling water on me and one of my nephews Daniel. Daniel sustained a burn to his knee and I one to my foot. Anyway, to cut a long story short. Daniels is healing nicely and so was mine until it got infected and I had to go to casualty on Saturday night whilst away, my foot looked like road kill. I still can't walk and now have a pain in my left arm too where I had to have a tetanus too. The doctor in the hospital wanted to refer me to a plastic surgeon too- that sounded a bit too much. I am on antibiotics now and they have wiped me out. I feel a bit rotten and helpless not being able to get around. And to top it off they gave me a tetanus at the hospital yesterday so I can't move my left arm without it relly hurting. Off for a bowl of porridge with syrup.

Thursday 3rd September 2009

I am sooooooooooooo busy this week. I was camping in Derbyshire last weekend with my nephews it was brilliant and I really did have a rest from everything but back in the thick of it again. I have to get my finished item for the Kirstie's Homemade Home book finished by tomorrow morning for a photo shoot on Monday. I have finished it but was trying to make something to go with it. Can't say anything more at this stage.

The picture above is what is on my landing as you turn at the top of the stairs. Below is what the inside of my toilet looks like- not literally of course!

I am off to Nimble Thimble this weekend to teach two workshops. Saturday I am teaching a sock workshop. Sunday I am teaching Inspirational Knitting. I am really looking forward to it. I hope the traffic isn't bad. Oh my god! I nearly forgot. Last Friday, I set off to go to Manchester from Weston Super Mare at 1.30pm. I didn't get home until 11pm. I was stuck on the M5 between Junction 19 and 20 for nearly 7 hours. There was a man threatening to jump off the Avonmouth bridge. I think he did in the end, poor man. I made lots of friends on the motorway. My best friend was, of course, the man who was driving the Somerfield lorry full of food including giant chocolate buttons. I nearly finish knitting my stripey scarf in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK whilst stuck. Oh too tired now, off to bed, and off to the doctors in the morning after tipping a pan of boiling water over my foot during my camping trip, it turned into a blister the size of a mars bar but  I now have a hole in it that looks like 'road kill'. Sorry to anyone who is reading this whilst eating.

A nice picture below to finish with tonight of one of my new designs. It should be on here by the end of next week. Good night! x

Monday 24th August 2009

The best thing about Fibrefest?- the Alpaccas. What a lovely weekend, camping in Devon for Fibrefest. The mini was packed to the rafters again and a little less full on the way back. It was great to catch up with old friends and make new ones too, including the little fella above. He was gorgeous. You need an acre to keep about 4 I am told. So I could probably fit a sixteenth of one in my front garden and passage combined.

There is a book coming out for Kirstie's Homemade Home and I will be writing a pattern for it. I will let you know more of the details when I have them.

If you are a customer from New Zealand welcome to The Wool Sanctuary. If you would like to make a purchase from The Wool Sanctuary can you please bear with me, I am having problems with my shopping cart. It will not currently let me set it up so that I can ship abroad. I am sorry about this, I intend to put this right as soon as possible. I will put a note on here as soon as the problem has been resolved. Off for some porridge with syrup-mmm!

Tuesday 18th August 2009

I knitted this coat nearly 20 years ago, the colours have not faded at all. I need to get a new computer. The 'D' key is no more, when I want to type one, I have to stick my finger in a hole on the keyboard where the 'D' should be and press really hard.

I don't really know what to expect from Fibrefest this weekend. Judging from their website, it is going to be full of stalls with natural yarns. Mine is going to stick out like a sore thumb, at least I will be able to find it easily after having a wander. I love having a stall, it is great to get out there and meet knitters you wouldn't normally meet.

I made these signs for Jo's shop at Cowslip Workshops and a pin cushion with the word Cowslip on it. Is Pin cushion one word or two? I haven't got my Bernina out of it's bag yet. I am not sure I am going to have much chance this week, what with preparing for Fibrefest. I hope that some of you can make it down there and will come and say hello. I had some Batternburg cake tonight, it is a very small cake, it just isn't enough. I need to knit some slippers. I am going to start designing some tomorrow night I think. I am also going to make an 'Engaged' and 'Vacant' signs for my toilet as I have no lock on the door.

Sunday 16th August 2009

I have made an extra page on my website called Knitters Gallery. It is to showcase knitting by pupils who come to The Wool Sanctuary workshops, lessons, Knitting School or Knit Club.

 Thursday 13th August 2009

Kirstie Allsopp came to Cowslip Workshops on Saturday to talk about her series 'Kirstie's Homemade Home'. She answered questions and talked about the book that will be coming out next year to accompany the series. She said that they were going to ask me to design a knitting pattern for it. There is also talks of some Christmas specials. That makes me think of Morecombe and Wise. I want to be Angela Rippon.

Wednesday 12th August 2009

Well I am back in one piece. My car was so full going to Cowslip that the radio kept turning on and off everytime I went over a bump as there was so much stuff pressing on the dashboard. I had to move bags and wool when I needed to change gear and use the handbrake. Luckily I did quite well at Cowslip and sold a fair bit of yarn, but I bought a sewing machine whilst I was there and so had the same problem on the way home.

There was no room for a suitcase with my clothes in the car so I took everything in a bin liner, how classy. The marquee was fantastic. It was full of the most amazing quilts. I was in one corner with the Kaffee Fassett quilts. He visited there last year and taught a number of workshops. I think he is going to be there next year too. So keep your eyes on the Cowslip Website for more news if you are interested.

Opposite me was a wonderful french camper van with quilts draped over it. It was so old. It drew so much attention. People kept asking me if I had driven it down and was I sleeping in it. It looked great opposite my stall. It belonged to Christine, a neighbour of Jo's, and a keen knitter I might add. They still go away on holiday in it.

Kirstie Allsopp came on Saturday, more about that tomorrow just off for a caramel Kit Kat they are so nice.

Tuesday 28th July 2009

I have been preparing all the yarn that I am going to take with me to Cowslip workshop, there is so much to do, I am really looking forward to it. I have put another order in today to extend my stock. I can't wait for it to turn up. I am still designing kits to take with me too. I love knitting with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, I have ordered about 10 more colours on top of the colours I have already.

I have sent my forms off for Fibrefest and I knit Weekender. I am really looking forward to doing these shows too, it is lovely to get out and meet other knitters.

The dates for the Autumn workshops are now on the Workshop page of the website. As well as learning a new knitting skill, if you come to one of the workshops, you will get the chance to meet other knitters and spend the day relaxing in the wool sanctuary. I love teaching workshops here. My good friend Jude does the catering too, she is brilliant, I normally end up eating too much.

Wednesday 22nd July 2009

I can't believe it is two weeks since I last wrote on here, sorry I did have it in my head that I was goingt to make the effort to write in here everyday- I will try harder. I had the 'Learn to Knit 1' workshop on the Saturday just gone, I enjoyed teaching it so much. It was really nice teaching people from scratch.

I bought Knit Today today (if you know what I mean). There is an article in there about the knitted house and the Draught Excluder.

I have taken delivery of more Debbie Bliss silk, I love it. It is so beautiful to look at let alone knit with.

I went to see Dean Friedman last Thursday at the Thunderbolt in Bristol, he was amazing. I think I am going to see him in Cardiff in August, I would see him in Edinburgh too but I am either at Fibrefest or Cowslip. Have to go, just put Rocky on to watch and an orange kit kat is calling. Have a lovely evening. x

Wednesday 8th July 2009

I have spent most of the evening putting away my wool order. The colours look amazing. It is so hard not to just keep taking balls off the shelf and use them. What am I talking about? I do that all the time. I am still putting kits together to send out. I have lost count of how many Draught Excluders I have sent out ( there are still places left on the Draught Excluder workshop if you are interested). I lost my scissors the other night and one of my socks, I had put them in with someones order. Luckily I noticed they were missing in time.

I bought Selvedge yesterday, I love that magazine. It is so beautifully put together. Ok off for a cup of tea and some peas. Speak soon. x

Tuesday 7th July 2009

I love this yarn, pure silk. I can't wait to use it in my knitting kits. My wall is falling down outside my house. It is turning into a bit of a saga. It had a weed growing through the centre of it. So I pulled it, unfortunately half the wall came with it. 

Did I tell you I am going to Cowslip? Only joking, I won't go through it again. Ok, off for a French Fancy and a cup of tea. x

Sunday 5th July 2009

I can't believe it is July already. The weather is fantastic, I have been camping this weekend in Dorset, it was the first time this year and I had forgotten just how much I liked it. Spent some time in Lyme Regis, if you ever get there call in on Rosamund Higgins, she has a studio near the sea and her work is amazing, the colours she uses are breathtaking and she is such a lovely person as is her husband.

My diary is filling up fast. If you want me to come and run a workshop or give a presentation then get in touch ASAP. I love travelling around seeing you all. Although, you do all feed me a bit too well.

Above is a picture of one of my knitted boxes I make, they will appear on here soon as a kit. They are great to put presents in or to keep small items of jewellery in. I use mine to keep my troll beads in. Don't get me started on troll beads. They are an addiction that I am trying to ignore.

I am off to Cowslip workshops soon. Do I keep saying that? I forget who I have told but it is such a lovely place. I think you should all come down on the 4th-11th August and say hello to me. I will have a stall there (repeating myself again). I can't wait, I am going to be camping in the field for the whole week. I will have all my kits with me to sell.

It is my 'Learn to Knit 1' workshop next weekend. It is full but I do still have places left on 'Learn to Knit 2' and my other workshops. My 'Knit a Draught Excluder' workshop is starting to fill up now. I can't wait to teach that one. Please do contact me if you need anymore information on the workshops.

Ok, off now for a meringue nest. Speak later.

Monday 29th June 2009

Julianne Moore is so beautiful. She is nearly 50. I bought Vogue to take on my cruise but never got to read it until I came home because we were entertained so well and because I took so much knitting with me. My draught excluders are really well travelled and my knitted houses. We had the 'Finishing Off' workshop on Saturday, it went really well. It was such a beautiful day too, the light in the Wool Sanctuary was amazing. It got so hot in the afternoon though. Jude did the catering again, she is a brilliant knitter and a brilliant caterer. She makes my life so much easier and after everyone has gone I don't have to spend hours washing up or clearing up. I am starting to prepare now for going to Cowslip Worshops  for the Summer Garden Quilt Exhibition, in August. I am there from 4th August to the 11th August, I will have a stall and will be selling my yarn, knitting kits and workshops. It would be lovely if you could come and see me and say hello.  There will  be other stalls there too. I think Dean who was the Blacksmith from Kirstie's Homemade Home will also be there. Check out Jo's Website for more details. She has the most fantastic cafe on her farm that sells the most beautiful food.

Thursday 18th June 2009

I bought some beautiful glass sweets on the island on Murano in Italy. They were quite expensive, but good quality Murano glass, I was assured. So I didn't mind parting with my money. Of course I then saw them on every other market stall in Venice. They are still beautiful though. I love the colours. I am going to use them as inspiration for a future knitting kit.

Wednesday 17th June 2009

I loved knitting these letters for Annie's wedding. They took me a while but they were very much appreciated. I put pearl like sequinns on them so that they caught the light, I was told they were to be hung from a cherry tree in New York botanical gardens. Wow, I wish I could have gone with them. I lined the back of all the letters with fabric too. They just look so colourful with fabric on them. It has inspired me to stock fabric too and to design kits with both yarn and fabric in. I just love, love, love colour so much. I took delivery of my first batch of fabric last week and was so excited when I opened the box. They are amazing. I need to calm down.

My next purchase will be a sewing machine, I will never have to enter a clothes shop again. I will be clothed head to toe in Kaffee Fassett and Amy Butler.

I make knitted letters as commissions (prices range from £7 per letter for basic letters knitted in 100% wool to cashmere mix letters backed with fabric and with sequins from £10 per letter- expensive! But well worth it). I am designing a house handbag, just a small one at the moment. Ok off for some porridge now.

Monday 15th June 2009

I have just got back from a week away on a cruise in the Adriatic. It was amazing. The places I visited were so beautiful. I went to Koper in Slovenia, Venice, Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia, and Kotor in Montenegro which was breathtakingly beautiful. Above is a picture I took on the island of Burano, just outside Venice. All the houses were painted bright colours. Everywhere looked so clean. It has got me thinking about designing some more knitted houses. I bought a kilo of cherries here, didn't know the italian for half, I ate them all anyway.

Venice was beautiful, Eira told me about a beautiiful wool shop but I never found it. I decided not to take the directions with me as I thought a week without thinking of knitting would be a complete break. Not so, I was having withdrawl symptoms more or less as soon as I got on the ship for my beloved wool. I spent the whole day looking up and down the streets for the wool shop. As I said I never found but I did find this amazing glove shop, the colours look really vibrant.

Thursday 28th May 2009

Due to a fantastic response to the draught excluder and the house kits, I am going to run a workshop, probably in July for just that 'Making a draught excluder/house'. Watch this space. Please let me know if you are interested.

I worked at the hospice tonight on reception. I took a knitted house to get on with and was making some good progress only it came to a grinding halt as I sold a kit to one of the ladies who worked there and had forgotten to put the pattern in it so had to give her mine. I then spent the next 2 hours feeling very frustrated reading Hello magazine. What a beautiful evening it has been.

Thursday 21st May 2009

I spent last Saturday at the Rowan Mill in Holmfirth looking at the Autumn/Winter 2009 collection. It is going to be a very strong collection. But I have to admit that I was much more mesmerised by the fabrics. I have put my first order in for fabric. It should arrive any day now. I will be designing knitting kits that will include fabric in the future. The colours of the fabrics and yarns look absolutely amazing together, I don't know about you but just putting all these colours together makes me smile so much. I can't wait to get started.

Thursday 14th May 2009

Whoops! I forgot to include the pattern for the door of the beach hut in the Draught Excluder knitting kits. Please see the Amendment page that I have created.

Most of you should have your orders now, except those waiting for wool Draught Exlcluders. I am still waiting delivery of one of the colours. Please bear with me. I have been told that it will be in by early next week. I will keep you informed on here. I will get your kits out to you as soon as possible. I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Wednesdat 13th May 2009

The wool draught excluder is currently out of stock, I am awaiting a delivery of yarn any day now. I still have the cashmere one in stock (the same as the one that I made for Kirstie). I can't wait to see pictures of them all knitted up, So if you have bought a kit then please send me a picture of it when it is completed.

Monday 11th May 2009

I am still getting orders for the draught excluder and the knitted house up to two weeks after my knitting appeared in Kirstie's Homemade Home. It is fantastic, I am so glad that people have found it so inspirational. I was up until 3am Saturday morning putting knitting kits together. I had Knit Club at 9.30am Saturday so only ended up getting five hours sleep.

Most of the kits have gone out but if you haven't received your kit yet then please bear with me, I have not forgotten you, I am waiting for another order of yarn to arrive.

I still have one place left on the 'Inspirational Knitting' workshop on Saturday 30th May. It is my favourite workshop and people leave this one feeling really inspired- funnily enough. It shows you some of the many techniques you can use to recreate texture and colour.

Saturday 2nd May 2009

Happy Birthday Mikey! I designed these egg warmers back in January, to be honest they still have boiled eggs underneath them from then. These warmers will be available in kit form soon (once the excitement over the draught excluder has calmed down a little, not that I want it to). Keep writing to me, I love it.

Just imagine doing something for years on your own and really enjoying it but not many people being interested in it to this! It feels really good.

Friday 1st May 2009

Wow, I am so glad people like what I am doing. That means so much to me. I love hearing from you so keep talking to me. I can put my knitting down sometimes to reply to you. I have lots of ideas in my head for my next draught excluder so watch this space- and other ideas for other kits to keep you all busy. I got home from work tonight and had lots of e-mails and phone calls to respond to. I am off to bed now, need my sleep so that I can spend tomorrow watching DVDs and knitting. Goodnight!

Saturday 25th April

This morning I was interviewed on Radio Bristol. I really enjoyed the experience. I had a lot to say so I spoke really fast and gave the longest answers to the questions I was asked. When I tell a story I feel I have to go as far back as I can remember, just to set the scene. Anyway they seemed to like it and I suggested a knitting surgery one saturday, they seemed to like the idea and are going to get back in touch. Not long now until our appearance on 'Kirstie's Homemade Home' on Thursday 30th April 2009, Channel 4, 8pm. Once the show goes out I will put the knitting kit for the draught excluder on here. I really enjoyed knitting it and I like the fact that the children can play with it too- it does stuff! You will see what I mean on Thursday. Above is the first prototype of the sign I made for the series. I had to make another house as the one above is white and does not look good on film. It also has no bottom, which is why the stuffing is hanging out of it.

Wednesday 15th April 2009

Kirstie's Homemade Home starts tomorrow night, 8pm on Channel 4. The Wool Sanctuary will be in the third episode now on the 30th April, not the second but the titles will be on each week. There has been some mixed press about the series, the Radio Times has been a bit harsh, but that lady who is the critic can be very cutting- I think she has issues!

Thursday 26th March 2009

I have been very tired today. I took some strong painkillers for a headache I had and fell fast asleep into a very deep sleep, at my desk at work. I know I was in a deep sleep because I had a number of dreams the most memorable was about a reindeer skin.

I finished filming last weekend for 'Kirstie's Homemade Home', Friday I went to the renovated house and was filmed giving Kirstie her draught excluder I had designed and knitted for her. I think she liked it. It looks great in the children's playroom.

On Sunday there was some more filming when I was invited for lunch. My friend Jo from Cowslip workshops was there too. She made a beautiful quilt for the boys bedroom. It looked amazing. The childern liked the draught excluder, when I went to show it to Jo I could only find the beach huts. It is all held together by magnets and press studs so that they can pull it apart. I eventually found the fish under the settee and the sand castle in a box of toys.

This week I have been knitting Rich from Rowan magazine 40. I am knitting it in Cream Wool cotton with Ice Cream Kidsilk Haze around the cuffs and on the collar. It is looking amazing. I don't think I have made anything for myself for over a year.

I know that the warmer weather is coming, but for some reason I have been selling lots of Humbug Mittens knitting kits. I am going to order some more colour combinations in. I am thinking a pair with orange and yellow and pink and purple maybe- the possibilities are endless.

Thursday 12th March 2009

Sorry I have not written on here for so long.  I have been so busy and my computer packed up. It has been repared now and is running quicker after Keith from Weston worked his magic. He did a brilliant job, so if anyone wants their computer fixed just let me know and I will pass on his details.

Hopefully one day soon, I will find the strength to enter all my stock onto this website. I just want to be knitting all the time but it has to be done.

I realised today that I have not knitted anything for myself for over a year. I can't stop thinking about an electric blue jumper that I have designed in my head.

It has only taken me two years to work out how to take close up photos with my camera, these things don't happen over night. Here is a picture of my fingerless mittens in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Dk and Rowan Kidsilk Haze, the Kidsilk Haze is so soft on your hands, they are lovely. They come in a kit for £18 if anyone is interested. They will be put on the website when time permits.

Off to bed now, speak soon.

Thursday 5th February 2009

I love this weather. Getting snowed in is heavenly if you want to knit. I have so many things to knit at the moment, I am spoilt for choice. Did I tell you that Kirstie Allsopp was here on Friday? I was teaching her to knit, it all seems a little surreal still, it all happened so fast. Anyway, there will be more details on here as time goes on. But it should be shown on Channel 4 near the end of March.

I have discovered how to do close up work on my camera. I have only had the camera 18 months so this is perfectly usual. Look at those eyes, those buttons look great.

Saturday 24th January 2009

I can't believe we are nearly in February already. My new labels arrived yesterday. I am so pleased with them. I went to see the Wrestler last night with Mickey Rourke, I mean he was in it not that I went with him to see it. It is brilliant. It made me want to take up wrestling. No knitting today as you read this but as soon as I am finished here I am going to sit down and spend the rest of the evening doing just that.

I am going to knit some of my Suzani wrap that I started two years ago. you can see on my Current Projects page how far I have got with it. I did six rows of it the other night when I was working at the Hospice.

Anyway must go and knit, here is a picture of my new labels. Let me know what you think.

Tuesday 13th January 2009

Well what an exciting start to the week.  Can't say much at the moment but will do in due course.

Friday 2nd January 2009

Happy New Year to you all. Below is a picture of the teddy bear I made for Emma. I Promised I would show you after Christmas. I loved knitting this, especially the clothes. I think she has called it Brandy, not sure why.

I hope to see you all at Knit club that will be at Jacky and Sally Norman's in Bristol this year. It is more central for you all.

Friday 12th December 2008

I am sat at home on the settee this afternoon. I went to the dentist at 11.40 for a filling and ended up having an extraction. It didn't hurt but my face has blown up like a balloon. Just had a tin of Heinz chicken soup through a straw. I have the Knit Club Christams party tomorrow so I hope I am up to going, I am sure I will be. I have been so busy knitting Christmas presents. I have just finished Emmas present.  I will take a picture and put it on here after Christmas. Don't want to spoil the surprise for Emma. I am still knitting the Earth Stole Shawl. I am well over half way. It is beautiful. I can't wait to wear it. I knit it in the car in the morning on the way to work. I have taken to holding a torch between my knees when I can't see what I am doing. It is not ideal but it works. Off to have a bath.  Speak later.

Sunday 19th October 2008

Yesterday was the first Wool Sanctuary Knit Club at Jacky and Sally Normans house this year. To be honest I was a little nervous about starting up again after the stress of my business up until May this year, but it was bloomin fantastic, I loved it and came away wanting to knit loads more.

It was so lovely to see so many friends, it was a really good turn out. There were two new ladies, Amy, from Knit Today magazine, writing an article and Jane, a friend of Jennys. They both really enjoyed themselves and are going to return. 

The next Knit Club meeting is on Saturday 8th November, places are limited as there is only so much room so if you do want to come e-mail me on susiejohnson1@btinternet.com ASAP. Have a great week.

Monday 15th September 2008

Today I have been to Cowslip workshops hand quilting. Pictures to follow. Sorry I have not be writing on here for ages. I have lots to show you, watch this space.

Tuesday 8th April 2008

Blimey, I can't believe how long it is since I wrote on here. I have been so busy with work. I have also started walking a bit more., but most importantly I have been knitting like mad as my sisters third baby is due on the 21st April. I just want to knit everything for it. I have so far knitted a wee willie winkie hat, half a blanket, started a papoose, a teddy called dill and a cardigan, oh and half a jumper most of it in baby cashmerino. I promise to put some pictures on here when I have got myself more organised.

Tuesday 4th March 2008

Gooey is still in the freezer, I have not, so far, been successful in finding a taxidermist to turn him into a paperweight. I will have to get myself to Hobbycraft and give it a go myself. took him out of the plastic bag he was in and gave him a bit of dignity by placing him in a 'Clip- It' container, he only just goes in it, I used to put butter in it.

I have been knitting loads this weekend. My sisters baby is due in April so I have finally started the blanket for him/her. I am really pleased with it, I will take some pictures of it when I find the charger for my camera. I am telling you, things go missing in this place, I seem to spend most evenings looking for stuff. Everytime I go home my nephew asks if I have found his Pokemon DS game, it is tiny, there is no chance, don't tell him though.

I am also finishing a matinee jacket that my mum started knitting for a baby years ago, but in a moment of madness forgot what she was doing and at the moment it would fit a creaturethat is a cross between a giraffe and a monkey.

Ok, must go now, take a look at the workshops coming up in the next few months, I am so excited about them, they will be brilliant.

Thursday 7th February 2008

Gooey Arthur Johnson 200?-2008

Gooey is dead. He took ill on Sunday, for the last time and never recovered. On thursday he passed away. Not to worry though, he is in the freezer ready to be made into a paperweight. He had a good life.

Friday 1st February 2008

It is three years ago next saturday when I started Knit Club, back in the days when I worked at John Lewis in my spare time. I loved working there, it was relatively stress free, the only thing I had to worry about was whether or not the room had been booked and if the tea and coffee had been ordered. Next weekend is Knit Club and it will be a day of celebration. I am amazed how we have all stayed together for so long. So much has happened, People have come and gone but some have been with me since the beginning.

I have been working from home today, I have taken on some extra work in my day job and have therefore had very little time in the evenings for knitting, I have been working until very late, but this evening I am going to just sit and knit. I am not sure what yet, I am going to look through my unfinished projects and try to pick one that will keep me occupied the whole evening.

I finished the teacosy for Claire, I think I told you that already, and the socks for Kate. They were both pleased with the results and I felt better that I had actually managed to finish something.

I really enoyed knitting these for Claire, I have seen her once in 20 years but we have stayed in touch all that time, I have to admit she has beem much more organised about it than I. I hope to see her soon though. I don't want to wait another 20 years.

Kate is my very good friend who I met in Edinburgh when I lived there four years ago. She was buying wool to felt with in John Lewis when I worked there and I knew the moment I met her that she was going to be a very good friend of mine. She is so kind and has the biggest heart in the world. I am so pleased I finished these for her.

Monday 21st January 2008

I have so much work on at the moment but I managed to squeeze in a day of knitting yesterday and watching DVDs. Martin and me watched five films, four of which were so boring. I won't name them for fear of reprisals, oh and I can't remember them they were that rubbish. Anyway the good news is I managed to finish the teacosy and egg warmers for my good friend Claire.

This was the teacosy on Saturday night. I will put some more pictures on here later in the week of the teacosy and the egg warmers too, they are gorgeous.

Saturday 19th January

Today was the first Knit Club of 2008, I didn't think that many people would turn up to be honest but it I found myself running out of chairs again. Lisa helped out with lunch and  I actually managed to sit down and do some knitting, not much but a few rows is better than nothing. Everyone helped themselves to drinks which gave me much more time to catch up and see what everyone has been knitting.

After everyone had left I drove down to the sea and took some deep breaths, don't know why I did it, but it felt better.

Martin, my lodger, and I decided that Sunday would be spent watching DVDs so we started early and watched Zodiac tonight, it was a bit confusing, but we both enjoyed it. You forget how small my television is when you get really into a film. Anyway, the important thing is that I got my teacosy finished.  I am going to knit some matching egg warmers tomorrow when we watch Capote and Transamerica. I will photograph and put on here or on my blog. www.thewoolsanctuary.typepad.com in case you have forgotten.

Every year when it is the Oscars I  attempt to watch all the films that are nominated for best film, most years I leave it too late and only manage one if any , a couple of years ago I managed four. I will try harder this year. I might see if I can get away with knitting in the cinema with my needles with lights in them, doubtful!

Really tired now so will say goodnight. xx

Sunday 6th January 2008

Caroline came to stay on Friday night, my friend from Manchester, I think most of you have met her before. I took the opportunity and had her model some of my knitwear. There was a housefull yesterday. Allan and Jack came to do the skirting board in the kitchen then Ian, Alison, Dot and Tom came over. We all had fish and chips for lunch and Alison and Ian put my new sink together for me. When it will be plumbed in I don't know, but the day is getting closer. I finished off Artic last night, all I need now is to get the buttons and it will be completely finished.

Debbie Abrahams will be at The Wool Sanctuary next Saturday, she is teaching the Blankets and Throws workshop. It will be lovely to see her, it has been so long. I used to work with her when I worked for Rowan, she was my boss. I hope you have all managed to find my blog. www.thewoolsanctuary.typepad.com could you all let me know if it is easy to use the comments facility on it. I have only had one comment on it so far from my friend Sheryl.

Tuesday 1st January 2008

'Happy New Year'. I have spent today knitting the scarf for Artic, it is taking ages but I am perservering. I am determined to finish off all my part knitted garments this year. There are about 20 all together but I am being very strict with myself. I don't know whether you noticed but the picture below of the cape was taken on my NEW kitchen floor, yes you heard me right. I havea floor in my kitchen and by the end of January I will also have a kitchen sink.

I have a blog, I love it, you can get to it by clicking on www.thewoolsanctuary.typepad.com .I would really like your feedback on it, so please follow the comments link on it and let me know what you think.

Don't forget it is the Knit Club holiday in March, a chance to relax and escape for a few days to Cowslip Workshops in Launceston. There will be more details on here over the next month. I can't wait for the break.

Friday 29th December 2007

Sorry I haven't written for a while. I have been home to Manchester for christmas. I finally finished the red poncho I was knitting for Emma, it is gorgeous. I can't wait for Sheryl to send me a picture of her wearing it. I will put it on here, I promise.

 Look what I have, needles that have lights in the end of them, they are brilliant. I have them for sale in sizes 4mm, 4.5mm and 5mm and I have 5mm crochet hooks too, they are lovely to knit and crochet with.

Tuesday 11th December 2007

I have been knitting frantically this evening, the christmas present I am making for Emma. it is looking gorgeous, I would put a picture of what I am making on here but I don't want Sheryl, Emmas mum to see it, it is a surprise for christmas.

I can't wait for the knitting christmas party on saturday, it is Knit Club from 10-12pm then we are going to Fuds in Weston for a Christmas lunch. The best part is that Rik, Judes husband is going to play Christmas Carols in the morning whilst we are having Knit Club, I will definitely be singing.

I spoke to my friend in Cornwall, Sue Mayo tonight, she sells beautiful yarns that are hand dyed. I will  be stocking them in the new year. I promised I would put a picture of my pincushions on here for her. So here goes.