From the tightly-knit community of Oswestry in
Shropshire, meet the knitting enthusiast who tells us
how to knit one and purl one, without dropping a stitch…Crafts...Lojuujoh
KNITTING IS ONE OF THE OLDEST CRAFTS,and can now get yarns made from animal fibres (such
one of the most widely practised. But while it dates as wool, silk and cashmere), plant fibres (cotton,
back as far as Egyptian times, it didn’t take off linen, bamboo, hemp and coconut) along with
until much later, in 16th-Century Paris. And by the synthetic fibres such as acrylic.
time knitting machines had been invented, knitting
by hand had become a non-essential craft, evolving Q: What tools and materials do I need? Craft Diary - October
into a social activity that’s been in and out of A: To get started with hand knitting, your basic kit
fashion many times over the past two centuries. will include knitting needles, yarn, a pattern, a
4th Oct: Scatter Cushion Workshop.
Today it’s happily enjoying a revival. But while darning needle and a pair of scissors.
Includes all materials & lunch. £75.
some say it’s never really gone away, this latest
Colly Brook Fine Furnishings,
reincarnation is less about make-do-and-mend and Q: Where can you obtain materials?
Eastham, Tenbury Wells, Worcs.
more a statement about individuality and building A: Local stockists include Knit One, Purl One and
Tel: 01584 781255
community ties. So, with National Knitting Week RKM Wools, both on Beatrice Street in Oswestry.
coming up this month, what better time to get to There’s also an RKM shop in Shrewsbury and
11th Oct: The ancient art of
the point with Debbie Marais, a Shropshire knitting independent knitting/wool shops in Chester,
embossing, perforating and cutting
enthusiast and expert? Newport, Welshpool and Newtown. Looking up
with special tools on parchment
paper to create lacy designs. £25.
wool shops on the internet or in Yellow Pages will
Aberglasney Gardens, Llangathen,
Q: What is knitting? give you a list for your local area.
Carmarthenshire. Tel: 01558 668 998
A: Knitting is a way of linking loops in a yarn or
thread together, using a variety of stitches, to form Q: What about the costs?
11th-12th Oct: Arts, Crafts and
a knitted fabric. This can then be made into an The costs vary depending on what you’re knitting,
Heritage Exhibition. 11am-5pm. Various
item of clothing, accessories (such as bags) or toys. the yarn you use etc. To keep costs down, check
locations throughout village of
out your local charity shops for needles and yarns
Carrog, Nr Llangollen, Denbighshire.
Q: What different kinds are there? and search the internet for free knitting patterns.
Tel: 01490 430644 or visit
A: You can do finger knitting, use a knitting dolly or
www.neuaddcarrogvillagehall.co.uk
use a knitting machine. There are various styles and Q: Where can I learn more?
methods and you can change the type of yarn, A: There are lots of useful websites, like 18th Oct: Charity sale of knitted
needles and stitch you use to produce knitting which
www.ukhandknitting.com (The UK Hand Knitting items. 10am-4pm, Festival Square.
differs in texture, colour, weight and appearance. Association), where you can find patterns, Plus, ‘Knit and Natter’. 2-4pm at
instructions, knitting events and news. For a
Knit One, Purl One, Beatrice Street.
Q: When did you start knitting? large directory of free patterns, there’s also
Both Oswestry, Shropshire.
A: I started nearly 30 years ago, but in our knitting
www.knittingpatterncentral.com. Literature on
Tel: 01691 661157
group, Knit2gether, members include seasoned the subject is also plentiful, with magazines such
knitters of many years and newly awakened as: Let’s Knit, Simply Knitting, Knitting, Vogue
25th-26th Oct: Ludlow Designer
knitters that have only recently picked up their Knitting, The Art of Knitting and lots of books
Makers ‘Showing Off’ event. A
needles again, having learnt the basics as children. on the subject too. Finally, check out your local
chance to buy or commission the
community centres for courses. If you live in
best contemporary craft. The Harley
Q: What materials can you use? Oswestry, Knit One, Purl One is soon starting
Centre, Market Square, Ludlow,
Shropshire. Tel: 01584 831445
A: The recent knitting revival has coincided with a regular workshops for people who want to learn
huge increase in the types of yarns available. You how to knit or develop existing skills.
Country & Border Life88 October 2008
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