KnitNell

February has been a busy month and  March has snuck up and caught me unawares.  I realise that I haven’t even painted my March Harvest picture for this blog’s background and Illustration page.  I also realise that my Post publishing in February was scant.  I blame the weather and leaves on the line.

February was, however, full of fun and activity.   I had a go at needle felting last weekend and produced a hare.  I haven’t thought of a name yet.

It’s a hare – kangaroos* have pouches……

For a first go I didn’t think it was too bad.  At least it looked like some type of animal*.    The morning of the workshop my friend and I were concerned  that we would return home with little more than a couple of grubby lumps of mangled fleece.  In the event we were able to present our finished creations  with pride and not a little smugness – the menfolk were most complimentary, scorn and derision to be reserved for another time.

The workshop was run, as part of the Farnham Maltings Unravel show, by Jenny Barnett who produces the most delightful felted animals.  As well as her website do have a look at her Facebook page showing loads more lovely creatures.  I didn’t think that I would enjoy needle felting as much as I did but there was something rather satisfying about stabbing a bit of carded fleece with a very sharp needle for three hours.  Mmm a bit voodoo perhaps…..

Unravel this year was very, very busy.  I think there must have been pockets of Surrey devoid of  people as the Maltings fairly heaved with the throng of yarn worshippers who had discovered paradise off the A31.  Certainly those left in Reykavik must have rattled around a bit as  a fairly large group  of Icelanders – resplendent in their Lopi sweaters – had come over to take part in Unravel.  Not a vastly populated country at any time – although I would happily return there tomorrow if they needed to make up the numbers for a short while.  I haven’t stopped thinking of the place since I visited there one Xmas.  Fabulous.

Showing part of the display on the back wall of the cafe.

On the Wednesday before Unravel the members of KnitWits (a weekly group of knitters and crocheters who meet in the Farnham Maltings cafe) pooled their contributions to the ‘Under the sea’ theme.  The cafe was duly decorated and looked quite resplendent.

Close-up of fish tank with its knitted occupants

My friend and I attended the show both Saturday and Sunday as there was so much to see as well as the workshops and talks to attend.  The only slight disappointment of the weekend were the number of pieces participating in the ‘Best in Show‘.  The standard and diversity of the entries were excellent but it would have been great to have seen more – particularly considering the amount of visitors.  It may be the name ‘Best in Show’ that puts people off as it might be confused with other events that choose one best item from each exhibitor to show in a central room.  I have managed to put in an item one year but the KnitWits’ display keeps me occupied most years.

“Forget it matey – no chance – two legs bad”

KnitWits’ glorious leader has already suggested the theme for our next Unravel display in the cafe.  Like March this year, February 2014 will sneak up very, very quickly – my needles and hooks gather no dust.

And so I’ll cast off this particular bloglet – cheers until next time.