The Knitters Thread

nursemaggie

mrs-moneypenny I used to knit that pattern. It was originally a pattern for the Snow White and the 7 dwarfs in a women's magazine. I think it was Women's Own. It would be over 30 years ago. I used to make things all year round for a stall in aid of my local guides. The local RNLI used to have a big coffee morning in the summer and just before Christmas.

I made the dwarfs at first and then I adapted it to lots of different things. My most popular were the brownies. I also did a pattern for baby booties that was in 2ply, I kitted them in double knitting and did various lengths of feet so that they fitted most ladies sizes. Because they were booties they had a ribbon. I crocheted the tie. The old ladies in the village loved them they were nice warm bed socks that did not come off.

When Jean Greenhough's books came out I bought each one. I wish I still had them now but I gave them all away when I stopped knitting for about ten years because of my arthritis. I used to be able to do two the little figures a day without their arms on and faceless they would be lined up along the skirting board waiting for me to do all the extras (all knitted just not sewn on).

My ten year old, at the time, walked in to the room one day saw all the figures lined up and said " they're armless mum!"

I made so many mittens I can still remember the pattern. I often knit a load and take them to a charity shop. I think it is a muscular memory rather than the brain. I have to think hard to write it down.

I had yarn passed to me from all over the village the only colour I ever had to buy was pink or white for arms, legs and faces I only ever got given that horrible orangey pink.

I gave up making the figures when the law came in that said you had to have a licence to make soft toys and follow the regulations. I was using the correct stuffing and only sewing the eyes not using the made ones. You had to pay £1000 per year for the licence even if you were selling them for charity.

I have knitted most things out of Jean Greenhough's books but I never have got round to doing the Nativity Set.

Your elf is lovely. You made the ears. I could never be bothered with the ears, they are so fiddly. I made sure either the hair or the hat covered where the ears would go.

Katzen

Afternoon all! I joined the fly lady thread this week full of good intentions. Instead I have spent the morning sewing up a knitted gruffalo, so I though maybe this was my more natural home :rotfl: May I join you?

nursemaggie

Welcome Katzen we are always pleased to have new members.

Katzen

Thank you for the welcome nurse Maggie.

I've done my fly lady chores first this morning so now I can sit with a coffee and a film on Netflix and knit in good conscience Determined to get this damned gruffalo finished. I hate knitting that I have to sew, don't know why I even started it to be honest!!

nursemaggie

Well that makes you normal all knitters hate sewing up. I tend to have to be in the mood and do them several at a time unless I have a deadline.

mrs-moneypenny

Welcome katzen, think sewing up is every knitters least favourite part of the craft.

Did some more jumper last night but 4ply is slow going, I'm only about 3 inches into the back still that's the first bands of beading in place.

mardatha

Instead of getting on with my knitting, I'm drooling over Icelandic wool...
https://www.shopicelandic.com/collections/alafoss-lopi

Katzen

You're brave, doing a jumper in 4-ply Mrs-moneypenny. I see beautiful ones on ravelry but I'm not ready to tackle such a long-term commitment yet, I don't think!
Maratha, that's naught leaving a link like that lying around. 'I will not buy more wool. I will not buy more wool...'

mardatha

Ahhhh... but I need more wool! My current stash is a pathetic one ball of pink auracania sock. It's lonely! It's cruelty to wool!

nursemaggie

What about the over £25 worth of wool you ordered for the waistcoat Mar.