More Rugs - What a Surprise!

More rugs, again demonstrating the types of squares and rugs that are donated. We always have a large number of "odd" squares - sometimes from one person, more often from a number of different people. Various group members will take home a "matching" set - i.e. a set where the size of the squares is similar and where the colours seem to blend in reasonably well  (note the italics!!). That person then arranges the squares to the best of their ability (and believe me, it can be HARD!), sews them together and either edges them with a crocheted or knitted finish, or returns the rug to be given to an "edger". 

WWL always appreciates edged rugs, as it gives the squares stability and better lasting power, so we try to make sure that any rug from our group, whether knitted by us, or donated, is sent off with an edge.

Wing and Penny, above and below, with rugs made from odd squares.

Wing and Penny again, showing the variety of ways that squares are put together.
The crocheted rug below is an exercise using small balls of "leftovers" to make a warm,
serviceable  and attractive rug.

Two more rugs - the darker colours in the rug above are lifted
by the squares of red and turquoise. 

Penny shows a rug knitted by Jen - always a work of art and NEVER needing
 any sewing to complete. We are constantly amazed at Jen's planning, colour
coordination and knitting  skills. This rug is smaller, so will go to
 Mahboba's Promise  for a child in need in Afghanistan.

Squares and Rugs ...

are continuing to roll into the Library - how is this one for a masterpiece? Made by Jen , it's an amazing piece of work, knitted to eliminate the need for sewing up, and clearly designed with colour and pattern in mind. We are all in awe of her skills.

We've also received an other parcel of squares from Val and her patchwork friends and a bag of squares from Geok. Thank you all for your hard work. The cold weather at the moment certainly highlights for us the need for warmth for those who receive the Wrap With Love blankets.

Vale Jean Bennett

On Saturday, in accordance with her wishes, Jean's ashes were scattered at Bilgola beach, and a large group of family and friends gathered to farewell her. Unwell for some time, Jean was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer only a week before she died.

Jean was a relatively new member of our group at Epping Library, but she brought a lot to our meetings apart from her knitting   - her friendly smile; her cheeky sense of humour;  her film reviews;  her "tell it as it is" attitude to life. Some of the group had the privilege of meeting her extended family at her farewell - although she was an only child, and had never married, it was very apparent to us that Jean was part of a large, loving family. It's so often the case that we learn more about people at their farewells, than when they were alive - and we learnt from her family and friends of the full, active life that Jean had lived - always a member of many and varied community groups; swimming weekly with a large active group of friends at Bilgola; bushwalking; backpacking, alone,  around the world at 60 after her retirement - it seems there is so much we still had to learn of Jean's life.

Jean's presence will be greatly missed at our weekly get-togethers.

Rugs and more rugs ....

I'm behind again in posting - too busy sorting rugs at the library! The number of rugs completed by the group and by generous people in the community - we are up to 100 at the last count (give or take a rug or too - it changes everyday). I'm no longer able to cope with taking photos of individual rugs - mainly because I've left my camera at Temora - and lost the battery charger for the other one! So a few more photos:




I'm constantly amazed at the variety of rugs that are made - some are knitted, some crocheted; some so colourful that you need sunglasses! and some pastel soft; some plain, some fancy - every person has an individual style. Then there are the rugs that we put together from squares that have been donated. These are miracles of design and engineering, given the variety of colours, materials and sizes of squares that end up with our square dancers!
And some more:









There are plenty more to come - all now being packed up for transport to Hornsby Library for the Knit-In.

More Rugs ...

Now, some of the rugs here may have appeared in the blog before - I haven't kept up with the photography and so many look alike in my files! The numbers are correct though - so apologies if you've seen them before (I'd appreciate a comment to that effect so I can remove the duplicates) - enjoy the amazing way colours and patterns are put together - some are planned by the knitter, many are sewn together by the group making the best we can of a mixed bag of loose squares that have been donated or knitted by the group. Often, an amazing use is made of odd fragments of knitting or crochet that have been included in donated wool.




Some time ago Cecilia (Cecilia1 on Ravelry) gave the group a lot of yarn and needles as she packed up her ho me to go overseas to work. We have been very grateful for that donation - these needles have become used more over the last six weeks or so as knitting skills improve and people have been keen to try new techniques and thicker yarns. Thank you again, Cecilia.

















Most of the yarn we use has been donated or bought with the grant we received from the North Epping Bendigo Community Bank. With some of our grant money were very fortunate to be able to purchase a lot of yarn at a very reduced price from Janette (Janette on Ravelry) as she destashed the yarn from her online business (styk.com.au).

Thank you again to all those people and businesses who support our knitting efforts either by donations of yarn, needles or knitted items, grants or discounts, or donations for our functions - we are very grateful to all of you.

Feral wool on the loose ....

Today we extend a big welcome to Chris, another new member. We are looking forward to getting to know her and to hearing about her homeland, Korea, as we knit.

It was business as usual this week - knitting and chatting. However, once again, the librarian's office had become over-run by rugs and bags of wool. Genny and Kris decided to tidy it up, and as I left I could barely see them for feral balls of wool and rampaging rugs. I hope they lived to tell the tale! :-)

Today I spent a few hours with Patricia of the knitting group at Pennant Hills Library, helping her to set up a blog for that group. I'm not the best teacher, as I've learnt through trial and error - but I discovered today how much of what I do is automatic now, as I couldn't think without the mouse in my hand! This group has very good links with others in the local community, and Patricia told me they have taken 144 rugs to Wrap With Love this year! So go over to their blog and check them out.

I'll be posting some photos of our knitteds for children in Afghanistan, as soon as the camera batteries recharge - stand by.