We’re in the midst of redecorating so yesterdays Knitting Group was even more of a haven than usual. I did a stint of painting before and after so a couple of hours at the Storey Institute for the Lancaster Knit Cafe was the perfect break.
On the way home I stopped by the newsagents and treated myself a copy of The Knitter and Yarn Forward, and there were a few things that I thought I would share.
Kids Company and Yarn Forward
Kids Company is the Yarn Forward Magazine Charity of the Year. I was so pleased to see this because it’s an organisation that I have huge respect for. As a result I knitted and crocheted a bunch of hats and gloves for the young people they support this winter. I also enlisted support from Ravelry friends and collected up two large boxes of hand knits to send off.
As part of their support for Kids Company, Yarn Forward have lanched a design competition to design a toy. This will raise funds for Kids Company through online slaes of the successful pattern download. If you fancy having a go, the details are available here. Designs have to be in by May 16th so you have a bit of time.
You can also donate £2 or more an be entered in a prize draw again with the proceeds going to Kids Company.
Knitting for International Women’s Day
The Knitter was also promoting the 100 Million Stitches Campaign which involves knitting 6 inch squares, of which each stitch represents one of the 100 million women missing from the world today simply due to gender discrimination.
Follow the link above for more information – Squares have to be posted to Glasgow by March 1st for sewing up. Do explore the weblink if you’re going to be in Glasgow the first week of March and have a look around the website a bit more as there are lots of knitty things going on.
I’m sure the Blackpool Knitting group which meets in Blackpool’s Womens Centre will want to get involved and they’re a whizz with squares due to our own blanket project.
Knitting Breaks in Blackpool
I was really pleased to see The Knitter was promoting Paula’s Knitting Holidays in Blackpool. Paula has lined up some wonderful short breaks at her hotel in Blackpool with some great tutors, including Vikki Harding of Wildfire Fibres, Susan Crawford and Debbie Tomkies.
There’s a great range of weekend knit-aways and 4 day breaks .
You also get to experience Blackpool and there’s even a break that includes a trip to Woolfest.
Paula also hosts a knitting group every other Tuesday evening, so if you’re local to Blackpool do pop along. I haven’t been able to go often as I don’t live in Blackpool, but when I have I was made very welcome and had a great time. The Westcliffe Knitters have also been fantastic contributors to our Home From Homelessness Blankets.
Then when I got the to end of the magazine and saw the giveaway, there was one of Julie’s Bags. I first met Julie at the Tuesday group at the Westcliffe and she makes very striking and practical knitting bags for all sorts of projects. Julie will also be at Woolfest.
So lots to be thinking about