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Wool & The Gang: Crochet (& Knit) Capers in Caernarfon!

Ar Y Gweill, Successful 1st Meeting, 6th May 15
Gerry: Apple Tart (her words)
Excitingly, May has seen the debut of a new knitting & crochet club in Caernarfon! 'Ar y Gweill' (literally meaning 'on the needle' in Welsh) is a weekly group to knit/ crochet, chat and eat cake together, 5.30-6.30pm, at Palas Print bookshop. The intention is to create a relaxing and sociable environment to support and inspire each other. For more news/ pics/ our ongoing adventures please follow: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Ar Y Gweill Tumbler Blog. It's important to get off on the right foot so the first meeting dealt with the important issue of cake. Part icebreaker, part genuine scientific (ok, cakey) research, everyone was required to state their first name and favourite type of cake. Lemon drizzle cake and coffee cake (with the strident caveat of 'no walnuts') emerged as favourites although clearly the best answer was 'large cakes' (unanimous agreement on this one). Some stickers continued to amuse me all evening (see photo).

Woollen Woods, Cumbria, 2014. Inspiring stuff.
In addition to the enjoyment of cake and working on our own woolly projects, the hope is that some or all of the group will work together to create occasional public art. First up is a yarnbombing installation during Gwyl Arall cultural festival (Caernarfon, 17th-19th July 2015). Inspired by the wondrous Deadly Knitshade and the Woollen Woods & Blooming Marvellous projects, we're working on an 'Enchanted Garden'. We'll be posting photos of some of the creatures, plants and quirky things we're making for this but to appreciate it's assembled glory, you'll just have to come and visit during the festival!



Crochet Ladybirds, Beetle & Bee
One of the things I'm clear of is that an enchanted garden must have plenty of (pretty, nonthreatening!) bugs in it. I found a perfect pattern for Crochet Ladybirds on Attic24's blog. Simple to make and so cute, lots would look adorable. I made 2 sizes of the 'large' version with a magic ring to start + dc2tog rather than skipping stitches. Also, since my bee-keeping Mum wouldn't forgive me if bees didn't feature, I've written my own pattern for an (accidentally giant) honey bee. It measures c. 9cm long (not including antennae) with a 10cm wingspan. The large scale of these will hopefully make them ideal for garden decorating but possibly not so brilliant for wearing or aiming for realism! If you fancy making your own here's the pattern (sorry, no time for step-by-step photo instructions!) . 


Do scroll down past the pattern for a tiny bit on Emma Hobbins marvellous the 'Fragmented Museum' at Gwynedd Museum...

Crochet Bee (UK terminology, dc= sc in US terms)
Using 3.5mm hook, DK yarn in yellow, black & white.
[repeat] (no.of stitches by end of row)

Body: With black yarn:
Rd1: 4 dc into Magic Ring (look on YouTube for videos of how to do this brilliant & simple technique) (4 stitches)
Rd2: [2dc, dc in next] (6 stitches)
Rd3: [2dc, dc in next 2 sts] (8)
Rd4: [2dc, dc in next 3 sts] (10)
Rd5: [2dc, dc in next 4 sts] (12)
Rd6: [2dc, dc in next 5 sts] (14)
Rd7-8: Change to yellow yarn: dc around (14)
Rd9: [2dc, dc in next 6 sts] (16)
Rd10: [2dc, dc in next 7 sts] (18)
Rd11: [2dc, dc in next 8 sts] (20)
Rd12: dc around (20)
Rd13-14: Change to black yarn: dc around (20)
Rd15-16: Change to yellow yarn: dc around (20)
Rd17: [dc2tog, dc in next 8 sts] (18)
Rd18: Change to black yarn: [dc2tog, dc in next 7 sts] (16)
Rd19: [dc2tog, dc in next 6 sts] (14)
Rd20: [dc2tog, dc in next 5 sts] (12)
Rd21: [dc2tog, dc in next 4 sts] (10)
Rd22: [2dc in each stitch] (20)
Rd23: dc around (20)
Rd24: [dc2tog, dc in next st]
Rd25: [dc2tog, dc in next st]
Rd26: [dc2tog around]

Antennae: With black DK yarn, chain a length long enough for the total length of both antennae, 2dc in end stitch. Slip stitch along to other end, 2dc in last stitch. Fasten off, sew in ends neatly. At half way point sew onto head of the bee.

Wings (make 2):
With white DK yarn.
Rd1: 6 dc into a Magic Ring (6sts)
Rd2: [2dc in each st] (12)
Rd3-4: dc around (12)
Rd5: dc2tog in 1st st, dc around (11)
Rd6: dc2tog in 1st st, dc around (10)
Rd7: dc2tog in 1st st, dc around (9)
Rd8: dc2tog in 1st st, dc around (8)
Rd9: dc2tog in 1st st, dc around (7)
Rd10-11: dc around (7).
Sew each onto bee, high up on back.

Hopefully that all makes sense! Coming soon, the dragonfly pattern I'm finishing off!

Custard Cream, Emma Hobbins
Digestives, Emma Hobbins


In other news: well worth a visit is 'The Fragmented Museum'  at Gwynedd Museum, Bangor. A couple of weeks ago I trudged off to the museum in the rain, in a slightly bad mood and found a room of such loveliness that I cheered right up. This mini exhibition by Emma Hobbins features enchanting illustrations, papercuts and a mixed media 'Anthropology of Biscuits' collection. I don't know Emma Hobbins but I think I love her. 

 
Garibaldi

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