June/July Knitting Retreat

At Last I have managed to put some photos of the June/July Knitting Retreat

9 lovely people from Glasgow came over to St Abbs for a few days knitting

BUT we did a little more than knitting as you can see.

We had fabulous weather, so we were able to eat and drink outside

and do a little bit of knitting

We even did a little bit of knitting in the pub, 

My Daughter , Trudi was able to come and help me and I don't know how I would have managed without her, she just worked hard in the kitchen and wherever I needed help. Thank you Trudi!!!!!!!

We did a little knitting with wire

 A good time was had by all

They have even booked to come back in 2016

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL!!!!!!

June Knitting Retreat

 Yippee found a way to get photos!!!!

Our June knitting Retreat

Apparently 9 O'clock breakfast was a little early for some!!

Here we are practicing 'Bobs Mums Cast On' or I think it should be 'Bobs Mams Cast On' 

this was named by 'the girls' who are obviously Bob Dylan Fans.

The Official name for this cast on is 'the Elizabeth Zimmerman Elasticated Cast On'

I think 'Bobs Mams Cast On' has an interesting ring to it

 No need to look any further for wool than just outside the front door

We had such a laugh

and managed to get some knitting in too

along with some steeking !!!

Here are a couple of quotes of what was thought

Dear Louise

Thank you so much yet again, for your hospitality, great food, good music & wicked sense of fun.

suppose I should mention the great knitting tips & my final mastery of Swiss Darning (hurray). The retreat, in this beautiful part of Gods own Country!! helped me to recharge my batteries, forget work and have fun. My beautiful felted hot water bottle cover will remind me of the great break I had here. Best of luck with all the future plans - love Colette

Dear Louise

Thank you for a fantastic week of eating, drinking & of course knitting!! I've really enjoyed spending time in this lovely part of the UK. It was a fantastic relaxing time away from the hassle of everyday life plus the added bonus of learning new craft skills (win - win)

Look forward to a return visit

With Love

Dana

For lots more testimonials go to our web site

ps    I would like to thank Tracey, Dana and Colette for all their positive suggestions and help for future Retreats and for giving me a little more confidence and trust in what is being offered here.

Problems problems

Just a wee note to say that i am trying all sorts of ways to download photos to my pc but am having huge difficulty.
While i should have been sleeping i have just thought of  something.  So watch this space.
All sorts of exciting things have been happening here and i am dying to share lots of photos with you.

Crewel Workshop - May 31

Crewel Workshop on 31st May 

                 

The above is an example of Crewel Work I did while teaching at the Adult Education Centre in Berwick

Just a couple of simple stitches are used to sew these Dafodils

The ABC is one of the first pieces of Crewel Work I did about thirty years ago.

The Pansy is a very small example of long and short stitch and stem stitch. I made this into a kit.

Below is an example of Scottish Crewel Work worked over 450 years ago.

when I did some research about Crewel Work, over 450 years ago, patterns were sent over to the east to be drawn up and sent back over here to be embroidered.

When you examine the faces, they are extremely delicate compared to the coarseness of the Crewelwork.

This picture belonged to my Greatgranparents, but we do not know where it came from before that.

And More from the April Retreat

Even though we started this phone sock yesterday, here we have Alison casting off, which is so exciting just seeing the knitting open up

 and then turning it right side out (the way we/Louise knits the Double knitting is Wrong side out)

Didn't she do well???!!!!

 This is some simple lace knitting. also we learnt how to attach beads as you are knitting, instead of adding beads on to the yarn

Isn't it very effective

Can you remember when we went to the beach looking for shells....

Well... we took them home and washed them

we then threaded them onto the wire

Can you believe that both these girls had never knitted with wire before and look what the achieved, I thought their bead placement was wonderful

You know.... even though after the Retreat I was dead tired, I thoroughly enjoyed being host to two wonderful girls, I laughed loads, and had a really enjoyable time( Is that allowed, when \i am running the thing)

Day 2 of April Retreat- 'Incontinental' Knitting

Well, after having Porridge, Kippers and fresh orange juice, we used the Nostepinne and made these lovely wool balls

 looking through the ball of wool

 we then practised continental knitting (or as Alison called it -after a pint later on in the day- incontinental knitting), we then used this method to 'do' double/tubular knitting, which we will show the results in the next couple of days.

 After lunch, we went to a beach to collect broken shells so that we can use them with our wire knitting instead of beads

 After having a pub meal drove past our house and just 2 mins by car this was the spectacular scenery

 I love clouds

 and more

we are all feeling a bit jaded after having a great time, doing crazy things and having such a laugh

The Awe Inspiring Wonder of Trees

About 1/2 hours drive from where I live is a lovely little wood. I went there with a friend for a walk a couple of weeks ago. It was extremely calming and inspiring at the same time.

 I was amaaaaazed at the bark of this tree and have tried to copy it in knitting, I havent got there yet but will let you see it when I do

 Isn't nature wonderful

 wow

 'Think of the muscles 

a tall tree grows

in it's leg,in its foot,

in its wide-spread toes - 

not to tip over

and fall on its nose

when a wild wind hustles

and tussles and blows.----

Aileen Fisher

 These roots reminded me of friendships, that if they are deeply rooted they will stand the test of time and will become stronger because of tests. Where there are many trees, their roots become intertwined and so together stand stronger than if they are on their own.

 In Bible times 'massive' trees especially Cedar were likened to vigor

Oak trees were/are renowned for their sturdiness and strength

 a few snow drops in the distance

even though the weather was not so favourable, being near nature is always wonderful