Anyone have a history of joining the knitters’ parade of MKALs and not completing the mystery FO?
To quote Marshall McLuhan, “We look at the present through a rear view mirror.”
I’ve just started looking at the art of affirmations. • I am grateful for my past as it brought me to the present.
A last minute decision to join @feller.carol MKAL Grainchloch Shawl. Factor in that Vivacious 4ply is my stash and an online purchase for some luxurious fluff, Manos del Uruguay Cabrito in Tiza and Sea Salt.
There’s great community support and plenty of Knitworking opportunities on the Stolen Stitches Knit Hub.
Note: Just a note to those buying a ticket to the Knit and Stitch Social that the price reflects menu price increases. I set the ticket price to cover the cost of food and gratuity.
I am extremely fortunate to be able to use the Mezzanine of the IFI Cafe Bar once a month. As it is in the city centre, this is an excellent venue for knitters and crocheters to meet.
Although I am the host for these socials, my other half is the event planner and organiser.
January is a long month, so we choose to keep things cheap and cheerful with tea, coffee, mini cakes and pastries.
Enjoying the auditory, visual and tactile pleasures of knitworking alongside some incredible makers is an incredible experience.
In the coming week or so, I will make an announcement regarding our next Knit & Stitch Social.
Keep an eye on my Instagram, @diane.villamaker for the most recent updates.
Happy New Year to you all and hope you had a great Christmas. Now, it’s time to get together for our Knit & Stitch social.
Going forward, the Knit and Stitch social will be monthly with a break in the summer.
I am absolutely delighted to be the host of our first knit and stitch social of 2024. A warm welcome to all knitters, crocheters and other stitchers, be it embroidery, cross stitch, etc.
I am mindful that it can be financially stressful for people right after Christmas. I was able to arrange something a little different for this social get together. And will arrange platters for our future monthly socials.
Date: Saturday 13th January Time: 1:30pm to 4pm Venue: The Mezzanine at the Irish Film Institute
Cost: €7 includes one coffee/tea and a couple mini desserts from a selection of mini cakes and mini pastries and gratuity)
It’s been several years since I got myself involved with the Guild and when the call out for “fiber helpers” at this year’s Dublin Maker in Richmond Barracks, I jumped right in to help Máire set up the Guild’s demo area.
Boy oh boy, we were fortunate to be outdoors, under the big tent, what must have been the hottest day in September.
There were people and people and people who tried their hand at spinning and weaving.
It was so busy ( we heard thousands of people walked through the entrance!) I really never had time to catch up with my fellow members Ailbhe, Liz and Máire.
If you have to opportunity to volunteer for any event with the Guild, I definitely recommend Dublin Maker (that’s only because I LOVE the souvenir lanyard and t-shirt we receive as volunteers).
Two weeks following Dublin Maker was World Wide Spin in Public. Another fine opportunity to get involved with the Eastern Region of the Guild. For this world wide event, we celebrated the day at a new to us venue in Dublin 12, The Green Kitchen & Garden Shop.
We had a lovely group of spinners arrive with their spinning wheels and drop spindles.
The curious arrived wanting to give spinning a try on a drop spindle.
What a lovely way to get my spinning mojo back, while catching up with my friends from the Guild.
While a song from the 1980s kept
spinning in my head,
You spin me right ’round, baby, right ’round Like a record, baby, right ’round, ’round, ’round ~ You Spin Me Round by Dead or Alive
We’re halfway through Soctober and I’ve been toting my current sock wip in the first Japanese knot bag that I made at the start of the Pandemic.
Making these little project bags were a perfect stashbuster, using up cotton fabrics from sewing cloth facemasks.
Last year, I went to a party and needed an evening bag .
So, I whipped up one, out of a vintage art deco style damask fabric and lined it with gold silk satin.
I had no pockets and this Japanese knot bag was the perfect little carry all for my essentials – phone, money, lipstick, hotel keycard and my salbutamol inhaler.
My latest collection of Japanese Knot Bags will only be available by made to order soon.
Kandinsky Knot Bag
This Kandinsky inspired knot bag is a work of art . The abstract artist and colour theorist was well known with his bold and brilliantly coloured paintings.
Kandinsky saw the dot, or point, as a small circle. He argued that this was the most basic, fundamental element of painting, observing “everything starts from a dot.” From this basic dot, one could go on to create any variation of line or shape.
Circles were a recurring feature in his abstract art, and he painted them in a huge range of variations, from planet-like orbs to repetitive concentric designs.
Made from a Kandinsky inspired tapestry textile and lined with re-homed drapery fabric.
And knot forgetting one of the famous Impressionists, Van Gogh
Impression by Colour
This knot bag is inspired by Van Gogh’s colour palette. The post-impressionist artist became well known for his techniques in passionate brush strokes in symbolic and intense color, in surface tension, and in the movement and vibration of form and line.
**Disclaimer** I personally purchased this book this past year. I am not affliated with the author, publisher or yarnshop. This is not a sponsored post.
I love knitting and wearing handknit socks.
There is nothing like a handknit pair of socks, made with your special skein of 4 ply / sock yarn.
When I heard that my LYS were taking pre-orders for Ready Set Socks by Rachel Coopey, I jumped outta my shoes and submitted my order.
When I received the book, I quickly flicked through it. I’m really like the general layout of the book, which is geared for knitters who want to be Sock Knitters.
Starting off by choosing the knitting needles and yarn, then straight into the nitty gritty of top down sock basics.
I like the way the book is written, and typeface/font is easy to read.
There are 10 top down sock patterns which range from simple to interestingly challenging for Sock Knitters at any level. However,
There are tutorials on the variations in the cuffs and heels which appealed to my sense of adventure.
At this time, not one particular pattern is calling out to me. However, I do like that there is a hashtag for each sock. So, when I have more online time I will start looking thru the hashtags on IG to get some inspiration.
Overall, Pompom published a good reference book for Sock Knitters and any knitter who is curious about the Sock knitting experience.
*originally published on Dublin Knit Collective June 2023
I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers ~ Anne of Green Gables
I’m back trading as a stall vendor at our first Libertine Market Crawl, today (1st October) . It’s The Murphy Leaf’s first time to leave the comforts of D12 and into the buzz of The Liberties. Exciting times as I launch a collection of handspun yarn at the Market.
The Autumn In-Vest KAL wraps up this week and I’m only partway on the Aldwych Vest.
After the huge success and soldout event of the SnB at the IFI Café Bar, I wish to announce that the opportunity has arisen to have a monthly social at the IFI Café Bar and I’ve seized this opportunity to make it our regular city centre venue for the forseeable future.
Most importantly is that we have exclusive use of the mezzanine. So, the next social will be in celebration of Samháin on Saturday 28 October, 1230pm to 4pm.
It will be a ticketed event going forward as the feedback I have received is that people like the idea of food being provided. To be clear, there is no profit to me. I simply charge what it costs for the food and gratitiuty. I will try to keep it as reasonable as possible. Again, it will be €6.50 which includes cafe style afternoon tea of a selection of sandwiches & chips. And you can purchase whatever you wish to drink.
Today also marks the first day of Socktober. Over the years I hosted Sock KALs, however, this year I’m stepping back and joining the Knit Up Philippines Sock KAL over on Facebook.
I’ll be casting on a true favourite, the Basic Sock Recipe pattern by the Yarn Harlot. I’m getting a head start on my Christmas socks with a sparkly ball of WYS sock yarn that I got as a birthday pressie, which I I contrast with some red from my stash.
September is the beginning of a new season of making.
My planner is overflowing with amazing events that I am taking part in.
01 September
I’m launching the Autumn KAL over on the Dublin Knitwork. This season’s theme is INVESTMENTS. Knit or crochet a sleeveless body hugger as we transition to the cooler weather.
Keep an eye out on my INSTA stories for local meet ups during the KAL
It’s World Wide Spin in Public Day. Watch this space, the Eastern Region of the Irish Guild of Weavers and Dyers is currently organising a venue for an afternoon of spinning and fibre.
23 September
I’ll be hosting monthly Knit & Stitch events. All will be revealed soon.
VillaMaker 