the debate on why handknits cost so much

Someone on Etsyknittersteam, photostream here and team info here, forwarded this blog post about why do handknits cost so much

A good read!

Whilst you are pondering that, stroke the gorgeous yarn. Over on Ravelry, the wonderful Skein Queen has her own group of SQ addicts. I have see wonderous yarn and knittiing and this particular image comes from Maverick......................... mmmmmmmm. yarn.


For further etsyknitters info read here

Call for seaside postcards

Would you like to contribute a ‘seaside postcard’ to be displayed in folders within the exhibition?

We will welcome creative responses on the theme of The Sea, in any medium as long as it is postcard size (15 x 10cm), fairly flat so that it can be slipped into a folder (so collage, painting, photography, stitching, drawing, printing, writing etc. actual works rather than photographs of works please).

We will welcome ‘postcards’ from individuals or sets of ‘postcards’ from groups of artists so please tell you colleagues.

‘Postcards’ can arrive at the museum at any time during the summer.

We will do our best to return work if you include your name and address on the back of the ‘postcard’ but, as the folders will be for public browsing, we cannot guarantee it.

The Sea, the Sea
10 May - 5 October
The sea in all its moods has inspired generations of artists. Paintings and drawings from the museum collection evoke the cry of gulls, the smell of salt spray and the feel of sand beneath your feet. Complementing the artworks are seldom-seen objects collected and created by people who lived, worked and dreamed by the sea - from shells, fossils and birds to tools, models and ceramics. The exhibition includes works by important artists as varied as Johannes Lingelbach, Julian Trevelyan and Maggi Hambling with plenty of things for all the family to see and do.

See Reading Museum for details

knit night is still a wednesday

So it is half term , you might really need too escape or even bring any wee bairns with you (you don't need to if you don't actually have any)

Knit night is tonight from 7pm at the workshops but in the meantime, I came across this handy book if you really love coming too knit night but really don't want too knit why not use the ideas from here - the uninitiated would never know!

Check out their blog

Knitting, cake and beer?

Last week I think I was a little optimistic regarding the sunshine, but at least we all enjoyed a quick drink en plein air before retiring to the sanctuary of the workshop area.

This week we are probably having a visit from the knithappens in Newbury group. so I am planning to make some cake. Not the cake in this picture as all the cake gets eaten. In our house we have decided it is cake week, just because we can, so every day a new cake is made.



Cakes aside, I think it will be a busy night - Teresa V-B needs help with her environmental display piece, Knitwit and Trudie are being interviewed by a journalist and CraftyYarnGirl might be bringing some sale yarn she has got and Skein Queen has a competition to celebrate her one year anniversary.... check out the blogpost

And one final note, to bring the tone down, I found out something new about SEX today - it is an acronym for Stash Enhancement experience = buying yarn according to The Ravelry Knitting Lingo.... but if your partner says any chance of a quickie and a wink I doubt if a yarn spending spree is what they had in mind ; )

anyone for a beer?

mmmmm, beer and sunshine - quick, only sunny for at least the next 36 hours….. want to meet at the pub tomorrow instead of inside?

You could always have a glass of wine instead or a cup of tea ….

So knit night is from 7pm, sat outside the 3b’s - sounds perfect

If only my special Ravelry beer glasses were here..... get them whilst you can on Ravelry!

It is so very quiet out there.....

Have you noticed?

The number of knitting blogs that are slowing down?

This is the reason: The Detonator


Sock Wars III is now game on! I know there are a few Berkshire knitters taking part in this worldwide deadly knit game but who will survive the longest?

For those who aren't fighting for their lives with some yarn and a pair of sticks, come along to knitting tomorrow night, Wednesday 14 May from 7pm.

The knit is on

Knit night entertainment

A multi talented Outcastian is playing in her band tonight 'Dolly and the Clothes Pegs'. You can see them play after 9pm in the bar next door to Knit night.

See you there.

Stitchy Mcyarnpants

From www.stichymcyarnspants.com

The Museum of Stitchy McYarnpants is Knitclicking's faveourite book. This book celebrates embarrassing and cringe worthy knitwear collected from decades of knitting faux pas with hilarious commentary and observations. Stitchy McYarnpants is a true 'Knit Wit'. This book is sarcastic, honest and very funny.

“The Museum of Kitschy Stitches’s hilarious tour through the annals of yarn history is a not-to-be-missed comedic cautionary tale.”—Debbie Stoller, author of Stitch ’N Bitch


Check out her blog. I particually like the post about "The Ballad of Dusty Sorrow"



Her website also offers free knitting patterns like the 'Beer Can Hat' - pictured above.......and she has an etsy shop too......