Help from the workroom - Celebration Bunting!

Not just for Jubilee Celebrations and Parties. Bunting will cheer up any corner of your home or garden, all year round.
It doesn't have to be triangular in shape either, Bunting comes in all shapes, sizes, textures. Knitted, appliqued, embroidered and i recently saw some beautiful crotched granny squares blowing in the wind.
I like to see bunting made from recycled fabrics and trimmings, it looks much more appealing when the fabrics has been through the washing machine regularly. It floats on the breeze rather than hanging stifly to attention, with neatly pinked edges.
Edges are important! Does it really matter if they fray? Those little extra bits add more charm and you can always tidy them up with a sharp pair of scissors if you find its too much!. Definately not worth sewing two halves right sides together, turning through and pressing before sewing on to the tape!!
Make your bunting fun, quick and 'more' is definately better!!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BUNTING

You will need:

Lots of fabric It will take more than you think, you can recycle old clothes, curtains, anything!!!

1" wide cotton tape, or ribbon -  as much as you need.

Scissors and or pinking shears.

A sewing machine.

Thread.

A template - fold a piece of A4 paper in half down its length. Decide on half the finished width and length and draw a line, cut both halves in one go to make a symetrical triangle.

Choose a theme or a colour.

Time! Enjoy an afternoon with friends making bunting together with plenty of tea and cake!!!


Method:

Using your paper template and keeping your theme or plan in mind cut out all your triangles first.



Arrange them in the correct sequence to assemble them, this will save time later.


Thread your machine, making sure there is plenty of thread on the bobbin!!

Mark where the beginning of each triangle will start on the tape, do this with a pencil mark or with pins. decide how much of a gap to put between the triangles.

Fold the tape or ribbon in half and stitch 30cm without any bunting attached.

Start sewing your bunting in, placing the corner of each triangle on the mark and folding the tape exactly in half enclosing the top edge of the triangle.

Enjoy your bunting along with your family and friends!!!

Help from the Workroom - Casting on Cable Style!

Learning how to cast on using the Cable method will give you a beautiful firm rope edging whether you are a beginner or have been using another method for some time. It will not stretch and go 'baggy' and looks great with a rib, stocking or garter stitch.

The first step is to make a slip knot. I tend to hold the tail end of the yarn between my thumb and index finger and wrap the yarn twice around my first two fingers, crossing over the top of my fingers.

The next step is to pick up your knitting needle and place it under the lower of the two yarns.

Flip the needle to the other side so that the yarn crosses.

Remove your fingers and pull the loop on the needle until the knot tightens.

Holding the yarn attached to the ball, pull the needle and the slip knot will tighten. Pick up the other  needle and wrap the yarn around your fingers.

Holding the tail between your left thumb and index finger, place the needle behind the first stitch. Not into the first stitch, as this can create a loose, baggy stitch.

Wrap the yarn around the right hand needle, moving in a clockwise direction, under the needle, up and over the needle.

Bring the new loop through towards you and place the left hand needle into the loop from under the stitch. This gives a nice twist to the stitch.

Place the right hand needle behind the new stitch before you tighten the yarn. This will give you nice even stitches that are the correct tension. Repeat the previous four steps to cast on your required number of stitches.

As you can see this method of casting on gives a beautiful foundation to your knitting.

For more information about our knitting workshops click here