Review of The Knitting Book

Thank you 'butterfly reader' for your review of The Knitting Book:

'I do use other books as well as this one but this is the one I return to when I can't remember how to do something'

read the complete review at:
http://butterflyreader.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-knitting-book-by-vikki-haffenden.html

Sequin yarn on a drop spindle

Its that time of year again when I become inspired afresh to spin when I freshen up my skills to teach basic principles and practise of spinning to the first year knit students. This year, I am concentrating on using drop spindles as the wheel can be quite intimidating as an introduction to spinning. Drop spindles are so accessible, and the look of pleasure on their faces when the first successful section of yarn is spun is so rewarding makes them the ideal introductory tool.

We start with tops so they don't have to card (time is short for the workshop), and I buy both tops and spindles from Wingham Wool Works http://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk, and find the dyed Merino tops a really easy one for beginners as the long fibre is more forgiving of slipping fingers and fumbled drafting.
I have made a few quite successful drop spindles out of chop sticks and wooden toy wheels which work well for those who choose not to purchase their own spindle (although as these cost less than a round of drinks I try to persuade them to invest). I discovered the wheels weren't quite heavy enough, so have added a few pennies secured with BluTak as an interim measure - seems OK for the moment.
So whilst demonstrating I have spun a reasonable amount of purple tops up, and spent last evening plying this with a thread onto which I have threaded sequins - so have now got a pretty decorative yarn I will knit up and post here when done. Hopefully I have balanced the yarn sufficiently - but we will see. The fibre length for this was much shorter than merino so it is consequently a more woollen effect yarn.

Report on cross-breed sheep for higher quality wool and John Arbontextiles in North Devon

Devon Mule sheep cross bred Devon breed with Blue Faced Leincester produces softer but strong wool, used in this instance for walking socks.

Countryfile BBC1 Sunday 24th January 2016.

http://bobnational.net/record/357114

Or catch up on iPlayer 

How Zen is Your Knitting?

Do you enjoy knitting in a group? 

Mary Mussett and Dr Vikki Haffenden are very excited to be bringing these developmental Knitting Workshops to various venues in Brighton during 2016. In these workshops we will be combining our professional experience to provide you with the opportunity to enhance your skills in both mindfulness and the craft practice of knitting. 

More information to follow soon

https://www.facebook.com/howzenisyourknitting/

Correction to 'Felted Tote Bag' in The Knitting Book p 350-351.

Correction to 'Felted Tote Bag' in The Knitting Book p 350-351. Corrections in bold and italics. 

Pattern.
Cast on 50sts.
Starting with a k row, and working in st st, inc at both eds on 5th row. Work 10 rows without shaping. (52sts).
Row 16 (WS): Inc in first st. p15, cast off 20sts. p15 inc in last st. (54sts)
Carry on as pattern is printed.

Apologies - just have to remember that those wonderful pattern checkers are not infallible. It's all in the numbers...

British Knitting Awards 2015

A big thanks to all of those who voted for The Knitting Book in the British Knitting Awards 2015.

'The Knitting Book is the book of all books for the knitter, whether you are a beginner or have been knitting for years...This book is so full of great information that it's an essential companion for every knitter.'
(Knitpicks.com )

The Knitting Book is available in Australia and the US, and has been translated into Dutch German and Croation.

Knit Step by Step
is also available in German and Portugese.

Patterns on Ravelry

My hand knit patterns from Rooster Book One are downloadable from Ravelry:

Man and Babies's Hat

 Soft Baby Blanket

both patterns are worked in the lovely Rooster yarns.