Potential New Venue

Due to the unpopularity of Isaacs and the steady decline in numbers over the last few months, those of us remaining have decided to take the "bull by the horns" and look into find somewhere new for us to meet, that may address the negatives at Isaacs that put people off coming.
Last night a small group of us tried out the Brewery Tap, just a few yards down the road from our old stomping group at the Ship Launch Inn.
We all thought it was very nice and comes pretty high up in our requirements, namely:
Good parking
Comfortable atmosphere
Good lighting
Cheap (no admission or hiring fee)
Friendly staff
Not too busy and trendy - one of the major negatives of Isaacs seemed to be the walking through the busy throng of "young things"
So in order to make a decsion and decide on a venue where we can hopefully grow as a group and be at for many years, we would like as many people as possible to come to another test drive on Thursday 12th November (our normal meeting fornightly at Isaacs will continue for time being - next one 5th Nov).
Based of what we all think we'll either carry on at Isaacs or move to the Brewery Tap, so if you want to be able to have a vote please try to make it down there on the 12th.
Once we have decided on our home for the group, we intend to do a major poster campaign. Groups evolve over the years, and peoples lives do change, but we want to make sure that all those potential members who are wondering where we are, can join us.
Hope to see you on at 7:30pm the 12th at the Brewery Tap, get in contact if you need any details on how to find it etc..
Thanks

On my ipod

On my ipod nano I listen to lots of podcasts related to knitting and I thought it might be fun to share my thoughts and recommendations here from time to time.

I recently came across a video podcast called LetsKnit2gether which is of a very high quality and has some very interesting articles. I just finished watching one about Bijou Basin Ranch who own yaks and produce blended wool from their animals. The interview was beautifully filmed and recorded and you could clearly see the quality of the product.

What I like about this podcast is how close you feel to another culture which shares our love of knitting. Cat who is the presenter takes us with her as she visits yarn stores and fibre festivals and does so in a way that makes you feel part of what you are watching.

I would thoroughly recommend this video podcast which you can download through Itunes or you can watch on your pc at their website which you, hopefully, will find by using the link above.

If you have some podcast recommendations then don't be shy about sharing them as I would love to know what you are listening to.

(posted by Teresa)

New courses in Ipswich

Hi all
Emma left a comment on an earlier post here about some new courses that she is running with Su of Purl and Co and I thought you would all be interested;
Hi
This is not really anything to do with your request for ideas for KIP day (although they sound great!) but I am involved in running Learn to Knit and Learn to Crochet workshops in July (with the lady who used to run Purl and Co in Ipswich) and I wonder if you know anyone who would be interested? You can contact me via emma.magnus@virgin.net.
Her blog is here for more info

World Wide Knit in Public day 2009

Hi all
Have just seen that its world wide knit in public day on 13th June. Do we want to try and get together as a group somewhere? If anyone has any ideas then give me a shout :-)
the website is here

the knitting noras

One of my friends, Vicky, over on Ravelry (Crobbles) is involved with the Knitting Noras which is a group of knitters from Bolton trying to raise money for the Christie Hospital. Sadly and poignantly their co-founder Sarah Richards was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2008 and very recently passed away.

The group has had publicity in Simply Knitting, Knitting, Let's Knit and the just out Rowan May newsletter if you want to read more about them.

They are selling calendar's with artfully posed nude pictures based on the Women's Institute Calendar Girls idea. The calendars can be pre-ordered from www.theknittingnoras.co.uk and you can get more information about their progress at http://nakedknitting2010.blogspot.com .

Vicky is a very encouraging and helpful knitting friend on Ravelry so do look her up there or visit the Knitting Nora's site. I hope you might be tempted by the idea of a knitting related calendar which will make someone a very interesting gift!

Fine Cell Work Exhibition

Fine Cell Work is an exhibition coming here in the Town Hall Galleries in Ipswich from 14th to 25th April 2009. I went to see it at Layer Marney Towers where Kaffe Fassett gave a talk explaining what it was all about. Prisoners are being shown how to embroider which is encouraging them to spend their time in both a theraputic and productive way that has a financial value too. The items, which are mostly cushions like the one in the photograph, are for sale and the proceeds go towards expanding the programme and buying materials.

I have found that there are some very strong opinions about the idea, ranging from utter horror to complete belief that creativity can be a healing and reforming process.

If you are interested go and have a look and I would love you to leave a comment here to see what you think of the idea and the work.

(Teresa)

destash night

We are having a destash night on 26th March so bring along anything yarn related you dont want.

You can bring it to give away or make a charge for it, its up to you!!

A new era!

Last night was our first time at Isaacs and I have to say I was impressed. We had a private room which was useful as the bar was very busy and the manager seemed genuinely welcoming. There were a lot of us, 17 I think, and we fitted in the room quite comfortably. I hope we will continue to be happy there, as long as we keep spending at the bar I don't see why not :-)
Again, everyone was knitting(and crocheting)some fab stuff. There were socks and shawls, crocheted scarves and Sandie brought a fab felted bag made from a recycled hand dyed tank top she had made some years before. It was gorgeous!

Farewell to Purl&Co

Last Thursday was our last meeting at Purl&Co before it closes :-(
We all had a great time with lots of lovely nibbles and cakes :-) as you can see!
More new members joined us so the group is going from strength to strength and we had a good turnout despite the poor weather.
See you next time at the new venue!

Pattern links

I have put a list of free knitting pattern sites on the blog, its on the right hand side if you scroll down a bit!
Let me know if there are any more out there :-)

Venue decided!

OK so the poll didnt have a clear winner so lets go for a new place altogether!
Our new venue will be Isaacs on the docks. We can use their car park in the evenings, its on the docks one way system after the Lord Nelson bend on the left or theres always Fore Street pool or Slade Street.
I will try to do a map if I can work out how!!!

Venue decision

Right all
I cant make a decision as both options have pros and cons so its down to you!
I have put a poll up which will close before next Thursdays meeting so get voting
If anyone wants another option to be added give me a shout
Lois x

Another busy night

Well, it was a whirlwind last night! Another really busy meeting with loads of people(including me-oops!) doing some shopping in Su's half price sale. Nearly everyone came up the stairs with bulging green bags!
We had more new members, Laur and Lesley learning to knit and Lynn showing some lovely crochet. There was much discussion about a possible new venue and also sadness at the shops imminent closure. However, Su has some exciting plans for the future so a reborn Purl and Co is possible?
The meeting seemed to go by really quickly and I didnt get much knitting done, especially as I left my yarn at home!
The next meeting is going to be our last at the shop so we are having a farewell party. Feel free to bring along cakes etc
See you in a fortnight :-)

Another Knitterati baby

Katherine had a baby girl, Sofie on 7th January
big congratulations to her and her family :-)

Sad news

Sadly, Su has decided that she is going to close Purl and Co. This will be a great loss as it is a lovely shop and we dont have another like it in the area. Unfortunately, competing with online retailers must be very hard and this must have been a tough decision for Su to make. We all hope she will continue to come along to the knitterati group
If anyone has ideas for a new venue give me a shout

One for Clive? ;-)

I saw this on Ravelry and thought of our Clive!

Fancy a new project Clive?

A busy night!

Our first meeting of the new year turned out to be very busy indeed, we had to have a 2 storey group with a select few choosing the calmer atmosphere of the shop and others having a natter round the table upstairs.
We had several new members come along. It is good to see new people coming to the group and we hope they soon become regulars :-)
I really enjoyed catching up with everyone as it seems like ages since I got to a meeting. Everyone was knitting such fabulous looking projects, loads of socks in progress as usual as well as fingerless mitts, baby bootees and a gorgeous throw among many other things. Also Dr Sara was able to help Ivy with a shaping problem on her fantastic looking Colinette coat.