Blog Archives

Stitch London Secret Santa Knit

1/7/2013

Since finding out about Stitch London craft community through Deadly Knitshade, I got rather excited when I received news about a secret Santa knit. There were two ways to join in; either take part in the free Stitch London Christmas Shindig (which sounded amazing and included stitching your secret Santa, the really rather marvelous raffle raising money for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, booze, craft and merriment) or go postal; which was my choice, as making a trip to London was not feasible.

I joined the global secret Santa postal swap on Ravelry (a free site for knitters and crocheters) as instructed and waited to be sent further instructions. I received my email informing me it was going to be a three way stitch up. I was to make something lovely for Tstar and expect a delightful surprise from EccentricOwl (Vicki) where I would be posting my creation out to Tracy (Tstar) who lived in Oklahoma, USA!

Eager to make sure my creation made it to Tracy in time for Christmas, I got to work on making one of my famous knitted pea pods in true festive style, complete with sparkly green wool and of course, googly eyes. I finished it off with a little label saying "Hap-pea Christmas" and added a tag so that she could hang it as a tree decoration. I just wished I'd remembered to take the needle out from where I left it! This was Tracy's reply upon receiving her delivery. I think you can say my mission was accomplished : )

Receiving my secret Santa

Photo of my secret Santa knit from Vicki

When my secret Santa arrived from Vicki (EccentricOwl), I peeled back the layer of tissue paper to find a new friend sat waiting patiently to be discovered. Vicki had made me the sweetest handmade knitted greyhound I have ever seen. It bought a tear to my eye at how perfect it was and filled me with warmth that a stranger could create such a thoughtful gift for me. Vicki is one clever lady as it is perfectly shaped - just like a greyhound. How she knitted it is beyond my own creative ability and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for such a lovely gift. Vicki you are one clever lady!

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The first of many Knitty friends

1/4/2013

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My sneaky picture of Lauren visiting Muncher in London

I've always been a wannabe knitter. Ever since my Nan taught me how and ever since, I have always made some crazy creation - well, that was until I discovered a knitted BT telephone box called Muncher (who I immediately fell in love with). I went off in search of this amazing monster with friends in July 2012 and was in awe when I finally met him in the knit. I'd done a bit of research into the creator and oddly on the day I swore I saw her.... Too nervous to just say 'hi' in case it wasn't her, I took a sneaky little photo. I then found Muncher's creator via Twitter and posted the photo to ask if she went to visit her London monster creation. It was the highlight of my day when she replied to say excitedly that it was in fact her with the blue hair and was glad that I managed to meet Muncher; despite him being covered in people.

Some people say some things happen for a reason and I am a true believer of this. When paths cross they often cross for a reason. Thanks to discovering the creator of Muncher - the Deadly Knitshade (a.k.a Lauren O’Farrell) and befriending her on Twitter and Facebook, I soon discovered that we had a few things in common, one in particular being she is a member of the Marmarati (more on my ramblings with the Marmarati to follow shortly) and appears to be just as mad as I am, which always helps when you have experienced life at its worst - another common ground we share.

Since having a rather shitty (sorry, but no word could probably describe this better) year, with no end in sight, you can really hit rock bottom and give up on your hopes and dreams. For some, life's experiences can be sole destroying, but I am adamant I am not going to let this happen to me or the Martian. We WILL continue to take strength and courage from others and fight his cancer to the end by laughing as much as we can along the way and living life to the full. Lauren's willpower and sheer determination is a true inspiration and something I will hold on to forever.

You can find out all about Muncher from the Deadly Knitshades blog and more about Lauren and her inspirational story from"Book worm dreams, Grim Reaper wrestling and hatching a woolly Godzilla: Part One"

My Muncher gallery

Knit along

For those that are keen or wannabe knitters, Lauren has the most amazing books available, which I can highly recommend. Sales from the Stitch London book support Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

I'm just off now to order her new book - Stitch New York : )

Happy knitting everyone!