Hookery in the Bookery went to Bessbrook-ery

Supper and shop was how it was described, and who could resist?  What could be nicer than a wee festive treat for our ladies, a group excursion to a quaint little village tucked away in the Co Down countryside, to spend an evening at Crafty Wishes?  The welcoming Christmas windows were spectacular with an old-fashioned fireplace and a knitted fair isle Christmas stocking hanging on it.  Moreover, no parking issues, which was the icing on the cake.

Lorna advertised her November/December friendship evenings on 2^nd October and I think it took us all of 24 hours to book our visit.  We did not want to go too early because we wanted to be as festive as possible, but we didn’t want to get into the midst of the December rush and vie with other bookings that the women in the group might have had.

We set out from Newtownabbey at 5.40 and it took until 7.10 to get there - soooo glad I don't have to negotiate that rush our traffic every day.  the evening flew by and soon it was time to make the reverse journey but I imagine many of us will definitely be back.  I have my eye on the Christmas table cloth ....  Just saying.

Knitting, crochet and craft are all about sharing ideas and time, helping others or encouraging those who have lost their mo-jo, assisting the inexperienced and finding new challenges for the confident crafter to make or do.  It’s about the fellowship of time spent together, relaxing, the problems shared and the problems halved. 

A few of us have been there on a couple of occasions in the past, including for the Macmillan coffee morning in September, and we have found that the welcome is always warm and friendly.

This shop is a real treasure trove, a treat for the dedicated, enthusiastic knitter and crocheter, many beautiful gifts for sale, yarns to die for and patterns a-plenty.  There are seasonal Christmas patterns for festive characters and decorations, scarves and hats as well as all the usual array of patterns from all the major suppliers.  Accessories from buttons and bows to yarns of all ply, from the very fine to the super chunky.   And lots of already knitted and crocheted items on display, which give her customers ideas.  

Lorna also sells some costume jewellery such as brooches and long necklaces to adorn your yarny creations.  The shop even has a loyalty card!

We were presented with festive treats of (non-alcoholic) mulled wine, mince pies and other festive goodies.

It was a real winter's treat.  Thanks to all the ladies for coming along and than you Lorna for hosting. 





Sunny summer's days?

Well I don't know about you but I'm certainly not experiencing a great British Summer!  What has happened to our weather?  So far we've had six days of our family holiday on the North Coast and five of those have been days of rain!  Warm rain I might add - very sticky and close.  But at least it gives me a chance to hook .....  One friend had similar weather in June when caravanning in Dublin and Cork.  Some of my other hooking friends are in England for their holidays, hopefully experiencing just a little bit less rain than me.

I'm working on the Zooty Owl Seaside Winter Blanket CAL at the minute which is my token gesture to a British summer.  I have been very good by using up DK greens and blues from both my stash and my odds and ends box.  Confession - I did buy three 50g balls in shades of blue for highlighting purposes alongside what I already had in my stash, but I'll not publicise that too loudly!

The squares have been named after seaside areas in South Africa - Umzumbe, Ramsgate, Umtentweni, Margate and Scottburgh so far, with Port Shepstone being released on Friday 15th July.  Zelna, who IS Zooty Owl, seems to be doing about 7 different colour versions of the blankets and she has posted patterns for two different sizes, babyghan and afghan.  As you can see, I initially joined the squares with a contrast colour but then frogged and replaced it with the same mid-grey of the borders which makes the patterns in the squares stand out a bit more.

It's really good CAL and quite easy.  It's very interesting seeing the colours other ladies have been putting together and connecting with crocheters from South Africa to Scandinavia, Australia to America. This is week 6 which means we are half way through and we've seen some beautiful work.  I've been watching all the pics of other people's work and I'd really like to try the CAL in another colour scheme.

I have also taken one of the patterns for one of the  squares, Umtentweni, and have repeated it 6 times (in Aran) to make a cover for a large roll cushion.  I'm just ready to join the squares and come up with two circles for the ends.  I've bought some lovely large, chunky wooden buttons in Mullan's Fashions in Portstewart to use with it.

Looking ahead, I have two things to ask -

Firstly I hope you have all been remembering to take pics of your holiday WIPs? Lots of knitting or crochet in unusual places?  Who can take the most unusual pic?  The funniest?  Who can take the furthest from home pic?  We'll post them all at the end August.

Secondly would anyone be interested in going to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum's craft day at Cultra on 11th September? It's a while since we've had a field trip.  Check the link and let me know what you think.

I had planned to head off this afternoon to a local wool shop to see if they had anything interesting in pinks/purples for my second version of the Seaside Winter Blanket afghan.  Instead I went back to Mullan's and bought wool for the Liquorice Allsorts afghan in Crochet Now, issue 3......

Camellias

I've written about camellia here. Camellia real and woollen...

Owed to Spring

Didn't we have a Bliss-ful day the day we went to...

 Heather and Niqi and I entered the Aladdin's cave that is a converted outhouse on a working farm surrounded by lamb-filled fields and bordered by bursting daffodils. I have to emphasise the signs of Spring because they were the only ones I saw and it was COLD.

 Lots and lots and lots..

 And lots..

 And lots more very soft fairy puffs of yarn.

 And lots and lots and lots..

And lots of other delights too. All within a quick drive of Toast, where it is warm. And delicious and very wheel-chair, child, hooker-friendly. End of year jolly anyone?

Giro d'Italia meets Hookery

The Giro d'Italia is coming to Northern Ireland this weekend  One of the 3 big cycling races each year along with the Tour de France and Vuelta a España.  Towns and villages of Northern Ireland are awash with a sea of pink streamers, bicycles, monuments lit up in (what has become locally known as) 'Giro pink' in the evening ....

Newtownabbey Borough Council's Giro Tree Cycle statue

Belfast Telegraph's pic of the iconic Harland and Wolff cranes at night

Belfast Telegraph's pic of Belfast City Hall at night

 

And so the Hookits decided that they would have a go at going 'Giro pink' as well ...

It all started with a pink bike

The most 'pink' attendee

Beginnings of 'squaring the circle'

Pink nails too

Strawberries and ice-cream

Pink lemonade

A riot of colour to end the night

A very special picture from our 'Artist in Residence'

Thanks to all who came dressed in pink and made the night a little bit different.

Bags of style ...

These are some of the bags which I (or friends) have picked up when they have been
wool shopping.  These make a great change from the ubiquitous plastic bag!

 This is Knit - a lovely wool shop in the Powerscourt Townhouse, Dublin.  As you can see, I've been more than once!

Neil the Knit travels round the country's many craft shows and also sells wool and patterns online

Yarndale took place for the first time last year in Yorkshire and was a very successful festival celebrating all things woolly

The Glen Gallery is a wonderful Aladdin's Cave outside Cullybackey selling all things crafty.  Their website is quite new but has all the information you need to plan a visit

 

And lastly, here is a special bag to remind folks where in their local library they can find craft books specifically on wool, crochet and knitting.  The bag and other themed goodies are available from Cafe Press