Summer Crafting 2011

Although it has been a busy summer it has also been a productive summer creatively. Before it began I had begun to knit a vest top for myself. Knitting is NOT my craft but as the daughter of a consummate knitter I was determined that at some time in my life I would be able to knit. By the start of my holiday in Scotland I had the back finished and was almost finished the front...but...I had a problem...I did not know how to do the edging of the neck and the arms. What was I do? My plan was to wait for a few weeks until I saw my mum. However, I found my solution a few miles from our site......Cafe Craft in Garelochhead, Argyll and Bute.

In a way we found it by chance. There has been a coffee shop here since we began to visit this area but when I first visited it a number of years ago it didn't really appeal to me. We dropped in this year only to see if they sold any paintings of the area as I thought I had seen some on display as we drove past. Imagine my pure, absolute delight when I discovered it was not only under new management but it was also a form of craft heaven where GORGEOUS, DELICIOUS yarns were for sale, fabrics could be bought and copious amounts of other delights could be found! I spent a long time browsing, my husband had to eat lots of cake, the children were mollified with sugar and I SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY on more supplies!!
Oh how I wish I lived closer to Garelochhead and didn't have to put up with an annual visit. The classes that are being held sound sooooooo tempting.

Anyway, back to the vest! I got talking to Trisha, the owner, about the vest and the problem I was having. She told me to come back in a few days and to bring the vest with me, which I did. With a few cups of coffee in hand and Trisha's patient tutoring, I learnt how to knit the edging. Once I was confidently working on the neck I was able to head home and finish up my vest...

By the way, the vest isn't wet!! I couldn't get a photo without shadow!! LOL!

I finished it up with a little brooch that I bought from Cafe Craft as I feel the vest is part of there!!

Project no.2 was a life long ambition and is also a result of my trip to Cafe Craft. I have ALWAYS wanted to knit socks and have tried in the past but soon gave up. One of my purchases was the sock wool and the needles. Before I got to my mum's in August I had the leg knit and when I was visiting her she showed me how to turn the heel and graft the toe. I was so excited when I finished the first sock! When I got home I knit the second one (with a few calls to my mum when I reached the heel again! LOL!)

The third project is a Ballet Style cardigan. I began it on holiday when I finished the vest and am about two thirds finished. It is knitting up really nicely and I can't wait to get it finished.


A crochet project was also started but not much progress has been made yet and I have no photos!!

I was not the only one though to start knitting this summer. Amy had started to knit a scarf (taught by granny) a while ago but didn't get very far. In July she started again and did BRILLIANTLY! Her first scarf is complete and she is sooooo proud of herself! She has started a second project...a baby jacket (for her teddy!!!!!!!).
So all in all a busy busy summer BUT a fantastic one. If you can get to Garelochhead, Cafe Craft is definitely a fantastic stopping point. Who could ask for more when you get coffee and craft combined?! My idea of bliss!