The Knitters Thread

bellaquidsin

Well done tooties, I just knew you would have a big stash of yarn and what better than to turn it into something useful for those in need. Those twinnies are going to look such a picture in their knitted cardi's and they'll be nice and snug and warm in winter.

Well done to your son too for being such a caring friend.

Think there's a New Year's resolution here girls, lets all turn our yarn stash into something useful to help someone out. Let's hear your ideas.

Bella

rosieben

Great idea Bella, I'm looking forward to suggestions

bellaquidsin

rosieben wrote: »

Great idea Bella, I'm looking forward to suggestions

My stash busting tactics will be to carry on knitting little garments for the new babies around here (three since September) because I'm sure all young couples are feeling the pinch when the little ones come along.

I have just knitted two jackets in Sirdar Confetti which was bought in the Sale in the summer. I have 1 and a bit balls left over and to my joy when I went into my local wool shop the other day I found that they have the same yarn again in the winter Sale. For £1.49 I have another ball and will get another jacket and save increasing my stash with a yarn which really wont do anything else but knit with more of the same as it is quite thick. There's another baby snug and warm this winter.

Bella.

bellaquidsin

Baby number three has arrived and it's a girl! That's my second matinee coat, hat and bootees set pressed into service. I have my third Sirdar Confetti jacket on the pins now, so even though it's blue it has lemon, pink and lilac flecks in it and made up 'girls way' it will be super for the new arrival.

Must get clicking,
Bella.

bellaquidsin

Looks like there's only me here. Guess you're all busy knitting those last minute pressies.

Baby number three arrived at the weekend. I saw her yesterday and she is GORGEOUS. Being 12 days late she's all filled out with no wrinkles and looked beautiful. She was wrapped in a patchwork shawl made by her grandmother.
It was mostly knitted squares and I think a few were crocheted. The squares were done in various shades of pink and some white but were all made up in different stitches then an edging of white crochet had been added and it looked most effective.

Now there's and idea for stash busting. I'm off to look in my cupboard to see what I have in pink and blue so that I can start now and do a girl one and a boy one ready for the next round of babies.

Bella.

meanmarie

Bella,

I'm here but I should be knitting or cleaning or something else anyway! Have two matin!e jackets and a shawl knitted for baby due on 25th, then I have to get moving on something for GC5 due 5th February and in between there is the Christmas knitting to be finished...can't seem to realise that it is 17th and that I should be moving faster

Good work...baby blankets from squares good idea, I have done a few and then stopped knitting for years so am just now building up my stash again so might do that whenever I get round to it

Marie

Seakay

I'm here too! Couldn't check in yesterday because of some local problem (with servers? cable?) but did manage to complete second bead row of scarf a la Mrs Twit. Also completed hooded sweater for my niece's Christmas present.

Actually, there's a lovely story attached to the latter. I've been using a yarn which I bought in a local pound-type shop, and I thought I'd got enough to complete the garment, but as I started the hood I realised that I was going to run out. I'd bought everything from the shop I first went to, and wandering round some others didn't reveal any more.
In desperation I Googled to find a number for the distribution company, HK Trading Ltd, mentioned on the ball band. Kevin in the office gave me the number for Tony in the warehouse, who looked up the yarn and told me it would be £25 plus p&p for a box of ten packets, the smallest amount that they dealt with. However, he did say that he would look up all the suppliers in Cardiff for me. I rang back in 20 minutes and he had but unfortunately I had visited them all! I was resigned to buying a box (perhaps I could sell some on e-bay?) when Tony said that he would spaeak to te manager and see if anything could b done, and would call me back in 40 minutes. 35 minutes later he rang to say if I put a cheque for £3.75 in the post he would sen 4 balls of yarn, and a it was for quite a small amount he didn't have to wait for the cheque before posting! This was Tuesday, and the yarn arrived on Thursday!
I honestly think that this is the best example of customer service that I have ever experienced! I put a CHristmas card in with the cheque to say "thank you" an I am going to write to the manager of the company as well.

rosieben

Seakay, what excellent service!! glad you got the wool you needed.

Bella, I like the idea of a blanket knitted in squares. I remember seeing in one of my books (have to have a rummage to see if I still ahve it) a beautiful bedspread knitted in large - probably about 12" - squares (sorry I havent got metric!!) and each one knitted a different pattern. I think it had a crocheted edge too, looked wonderful in the photo. I'd need rather a large stash for that one though.

Marie, I know what you mean about building up a stash. I gave all my wool away years ago - thank goodness I kept all my needles etc. So I am now building up a stash again. I seem to have lots of baby colours (which is a bit unfortunate as I dont know anyone who's having a baby!) but found some lovely yarn in the local market. I bought some and will be going back after christmas to buy more.

Do any of you buy yarn online? I like to get a touch of if before I buy but if I knew the brand name it might be possible to find it cheaper on line?

tooties

Hi Bella still here still beavering away, i had to put the twins cardis on hold as i had to knock up a mini shaun the sheep and a fred flintstone for emergency xmas presents and i still havent finished 1 of the cardi's yet. now to cap it all my daughter in law delivered a brand new granddaughter for me this morning somewhat early though but they are both fit and well and expected home this evening so i have to do some knitting for her. (I was planning on knitting for this grandchild after xmas as that was when she was due) best laid lans and all that
regards
tooties

bellaquidsin

So lovely to know that you're all still there.

Marie - You're so busy I can hear the needles clicking from here.:D

Seakay - What a heartwarming story, so glad you got the yarn you needed.:p

rosiben - just do a blanket anyway, babies seem to pop up from nowhere and a little square is so portable you can take it anywhere with you, especially if you use children's needles - only 7" long - sorry I'm not metric either. But if you do a bit at a time you'll be ready for the next arrival. Sorry I can't help with the online buying, I try to only buy from my local wool shop - got to try to keep them open as long a possible and he does have some very good Sale bargains, well most of them are in my cupboard now.:rolleyes:

tooties - congratulations on the birth of your new grand-daughter. I was wondering how you were getting along with the 'twin cardi's' but, wow, you're going to have sparks flying off your pins.:j

Do all keep us posted with your progress, it's such an inspitation to know what others are doing.

Happy knitting to all,
Bella.