Workshops aren't really work!

Life's irritation number 5 -

Don't you just hate it when people don't seem to be on your wavelength!

But don't you just love it when they are!

In everyday life we all spend time with others who are not interested in the things we are and sometimes they have an interest in something that bores us rigid, it would be a very strange life if everyone was the same. We do all, however, feel an infinity with those who share a common passion so it is extra special when we can spend time with like minded people and I have been luck enough to have a few of these special occasions lately

Instead of the usual Saturday morning at work I got to spend a whole day with knitting friends a few weeks ago and it also provided an opportunity to bring together friends from different parts of my life. A group I had first met through a knitting retreat had arranged a workshop at Proteus Creation Space in Basingstoke and accompanying me were two friends from my regular monthly knitting group.  There was plenty of time for knitting, chatting and catching up as well as a bit of learning something new.

Rachel of Porpoise Knits shared her knowledge of cast ons and cast off's (or bind off's as she calls them - forgive her, she is American).

Most of us are guilty of using only one or two methods of casting on, usually the one we were first taught; I know I am and I have been using the thumb method for as long as I can remember. Sometimes the one we choose is not the best tool for the job and I have fallen in love with Judy's Magic Cast On which I learnt as part of a toe up sock knitting workshop. It truly is magic, producing a fabric that is knitted from each side which has no lumpy seams so is perfect for sock toes. We also learned a tubular cast on and it's companion cast off, as well as an i-cord cast on which works perfectly for top down hats.

The venue was just right for the size of the group and we had home-made soup for lunch, plus a selection of home baked goods. Everyone seemed to have fun, even some newbies who were getting to grips with knitting. And it was great meeting up with new people and old friends.

The next Saturday I learnt how to make lined curtains thanks to Sue of Sweet Seams who provides sewing lessons in my community centre. Our very small group discussed all the things you need to think about even before you look at fabric when it comes to making curtains. Then once we had practised a mitred corner and herringbone stitch, we each made a small sample curtain.

That tiny grey patterned one is mine, it is lined and has weighted corners and I am extremely satisfied with a day well spent.

I have also attended a couple of craft sessions that are being run by Nicole of Think Make Do at The Rose Theatre in Kingston upon Thames. They have both been on very different types of fabric printing, this weeks was block printing and the first one was heat transfer.

They are both techniques that were new to me and ones I wouldn't have attempted at home particularly the heat transfer due to the specialist equipment needed.

Although the workshop is only 2 hours there is a chance to try the technique out on a number of samples and also to print a final useful item to take home.

These workshops take place on the first Tuesday of each month and I am already interested in the Japanese Shibori style heat setting which is being offered in May!

PS: My knitting group ladies have made it into the local paper. 

And what's on my needles right now?

Well, what's not on my needles! I still have my sock, have started the heel but not done very much knitting on it as I haven't taken it out anywhere with me. 

And the Waterlily is ready to divide for the lace yoke but I am not sure if it is too big and I need to decide whether to frog (that means undo for the non knitters who may be reading) it and start over on a smaller size. While I am considering my options I have started something else but I don't want to tell you about that now as I want to talk about it next week.