lovinghands

Hi all

I've taken up a new challenge myself - accepted the position of Division Commissioner for Grantham (Lincs) and will be badgering my units to learn to knit and make stuff that I can send up to you as a challenge for our Centenery in 2010 - what do you all think? I thought that scarves and squares might be the best way to start with jumpers for the more advanced - any other ideas??????

Hope you all had a fab holiday and all the very very best love and wishes for 2009

Em xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I realised that not everyone will know what I'm on about - this happens a lot!! I'm Commissioner for Girl Guides - thought I'd better clear that up before you start thinking I have some sinister thing going on!!

Fantastic idea get them clicking !

I think it is an excellent idea. Younger generations need to be encouraged to use their creativity more. My friends and colleagues (I am 29) look at me a bit oddly when they find out I love to crochet, which is such a shame - but they seem to appreciate the pieces that I can't resist making for their babies, and a couple have said they are jealous and asked me to teach them.

I was a brownie, guide, young leader, then leader when I was younger, but it all dropped when I went away to university.

Best of luck in your new role!

Great idea, hope it goes well. I was assistant divisional commisioner many years ago so I knew what you were talking about.
Nita

So glad you clarified that - I read your first post and was just away to ask if it was Guides or something like that when I saw your second one! I teach knitting in local primary schools from time to time so squares and scarves are definitely a good beginning point - the Oxfam T shaped jumpers are great as a way to get them into following patterns as well and they are delighted when they realise they have made a garment!

Keep up the good work there - and keep us informed as to how it all goes - we are all rooting for a great success rate! :0)

Congratulations on the new appointment Em. I was heavily involved in Guiding for many years...but was never a "BIG-WIG". My friend was made County Commissioner and I called her Baden from then on. I think the knitting with Guides is a great idea...can you get them all to do their Knitter's badge if that still exists? Last year our local Guides did the French knitting thing and had great fun with the old bobbins and nails! We do not want old craft skills to disappear. Good Luck in your new appointment. Hope you are not too exhausted by all that it entails..mind you the pleasure it gives outdoes the weariness.
Love Maureen X

Congratulations Em - that sounds very worthy, indeed. I'm glad you explained as I would not have had the first clue. Sounds like you're doing a grand job and have great advice and support from those that experience in that type of thing. Maybe I need to come to your class just to learn how to hold the knitting needles! Yes...you probably guessed, I crochet but can knit in my own little way...we'll leave it at that!

I've just started a Guide unit (for purely selfish reasons - I've got two Brownie daughters and I wanted them to join a Guide unit when they are old enough...and there aren't any around here..)

With 12 girls who have trouble making friendship bracelets - ie:- plaiting and knotting some yarn - I think I may have my work cut out teaching them to knit or crochet ... but it would be a great idea for their craft badges and they could do things for charity ... 12 girls ..2 squares each... one blanket for the dogs home?

Do not mention FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS to me. We went through that phase...you could not move in this house for them! Good Luck
Love Maureen X

Sorry Em haven't looked in the Suggestions thread for ages and hadn't realised what was going on.

Anyway, congratulations Division Commissioner for Grantham I was a girl guide many moons ago and thoroughly enjoyed it all, especially the camping. Thought it was great making gadgets out of bits of tree branches and lighting fires with birch bark Those were the days.

Best of British with teaching them all to knit, my grand daughter has a go every time she comes to stay but hasn't got very far yet. Dot

Hi Emmam

A great starting point for new knitters is a simple knitted teddy bear. It was the first thing I ever made at the age of 5 at the feet of my Grandma. It took me about two weeks to do it then but around 20 mins to do the knitting part now. Pattern below.

It's all in garter stich on 4mm needles and any double knitting wool.
Cast on 8 stitches work 16 rows break yarn and leave on spare needle.
Cast on 8 stitches work 16 rows
Next row work across the 8 stitches and then the 8 from spare needle
Across all stitches Work further 7 rows
Cast on 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows
Work 8 rows
Cast off 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows
Work 32 rows straight
Cast on 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows
Work 8 rows
Cast off 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows
Work 8 rows
Next row - knit 8 stitches turn
Working on these stiches only work 15 more rows
Cast off
Return to stitches on needle
Work 16 rows
Cast off
Fold in half. Using back stitch sew all round outside but not between legs
Turn inside out and stuff. Sew up gap between legs
With length of wool make running stitch just above cast on 8 stitch rows and pull up and tie off to form neck. Decorate with ribbon tied in bow or plaited wool to make a scarf
Sew 3 stitches on top of each other diagonally across each corner of head to form ears.
Embroider black eyes and red mouth

This is very similar to the Teddies For Tragedy pattern. Very easy