Christmas Open House in Brighton

If you are anywhere near East Sussex next weekend make a visit to this wonderful Open House, see here

wooden honey dippers

There are some gorgeous gifts for Christmas including paintings, textiles, woodturning, felting, jewellery and knitting.

Open Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December 2013.

Freeform crochet, patchwork crochet and colour work crochet workshops in Sussex

Designer and author Jane Crowfoot is tutoring the following Crochet workshops in Sussex. Freeform Crochet is on 12th February at Kangaroo just outside of Lewes, Crochet Patchwork is at Hummingbird Studio in Brighton on the 26th March and Colourwork Crochet is on the 16th April, also at Hummingbird Studio in Brighton. The price of the workshop includes tea, coffee and biscuits, materials and 10% discount on any purchases from Kangaroo during the day. For more information or to book, click here

Patchwork/Domino knitting workshop with Fiona Morris

We still have spaces left for this great workshop with City and Guilds tutor Fiona Morris. The workshop explores creative ways of making your own original garment or accessory using knitted strips and shells in different stitches. Exciting combinations of colour and texture will make something totally unique that requires minimal sewing up.
The workshop is at Kangaroo in East Sussex and can be booked here. Participants are also entitled to 10% discount on purchases made on the day, so come and browse through our selection of yarns, patterns and accessories and take advantage of the sale.

Christmas workshop

We have a room full of knitted robins upstairs at Kangaroo! Anne (Makepeace) is filling the place with Christmas spirit, everyone seems to be enjoying knitting christmas decs and gifts. It seems strange that this is the last workshop of 2010, where has the year gone! We have lots of exciting workshops coming up in the New Year. Finishing Techniques in January is already fully booked so if you want to take part in any of the other workshops, don't leave it too late to book.

Professional Finishing Techniques workshop with Jane Crowfoot

We have another finishing techniques workshop booked with Jane for Saturday 29th January 2011. This workshop is so popular that we always end up with a waiting list for cancellations, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Book Here If you can't get to Sussex for the workshop Jane's book 'Finishing techniques for hand knitters' is the ultimate knitting bible.

Kangaloonies knitting group member Wendy

When did you start knitting? I learnt as a child, but I didn't do very much until my daughter reached her 20's and asked me to teach her, so I did and that started me off again. In fact, I actually like the process of knitting more than I like actually wearing anything I've made.

Why did you come to Kangaroo? I wanted to knit socks, so I came to Kangaroo to learn. Not everyone understands knitting socks (comment from Jo: I can't see the point. Why go to all that bother and then hide them in your shoes?!), but I like the challenge.

Favourite project? Debbie Abrahams Mystery Cushion (pattern available to Knitter subscribers only). I'm a real fan of Debbie, I love everything she does.

Favourite yarn? Rowan Cotton Glace and Noro yarns.

Current project? Which one? I've got several on the go, but at the moment I'm trying out the Double Knitting technique with the Cuthbert Hat by Judy Furlong (the one that Wendy is knitting in the image, whilst modelling her trailing leaf sweater knitted in Rowan Pima Cotton DK). It's for a friend's husband, so I hope he likes it.

Ambition for 2010? To finish what I've started. I've got 'hideous' to finish (a camouflage jumper for my husband which involves lots of bobbins, see a hint of it in the top right hand corner of image). I'm also doing Debbie Abrahams mystery blanket and another mystery cushion from my Knitter subscription, plus a Noro jumper and a Noro waistcoat to finish. I really enjoy following other people's patterns, but ultimately I'd like to design my own patterns!

Kangaloonies member Diana

When did you start knitting? I'm a newbie. I've only been knitting for 18 months, although my first project was a fairisle beanie! I got the pattern when I was still living in the States - it was designed by a weaver/dyer and is really beautiful.

Why did you come to Kangaroo? Knitters are wonderful, the whole world over. I'd just moved to the UK and was so relieved to find a fun knitting group right on my doorstep who made me feel so welcome.

Favourite yarn? Well, it is an American yarn called Cascade. The one I'm using at the moment is 100% merino wool. I really like natural yarns especially wool. It's nice to work with and very sturdy. My top tip is to always buy the best yarn you can afford.

Favourite needles? Oh definitely bamboo and the Denise Interchangeable knitting needle set, all you'll ever need.

What is your favourite project? I knitted a baby alligator scarf when I was on holiday in the US, which was great fun.

What are you knitting now? Well, I'm having a go at cables and using 4 needles for the first time. I'm knitting a pair of fingerless gloves, I think they are coming on quite well.

Kangaloonies member Sally

When did you start knitting? I used to knit years ago, but then it became so much cheaper to buy knitted things rather than knit them yourself, especially for the kids, so I stopped.

What made you join the Kangaloonies? I'd started knitting again and was doing the Rainbow cardigan in Rowan's Kasbah Collection, but I had got in a mess with it. In fact, the dog had decided it served a much better purpose as a nest! So I came to Kangaroo to see if anyone could help me sort it out. We decided to change to the Sunshine jumper in the same book and I am delighted with the result. I even had enough Rowan Summer Tweed to make a matching scarf out of all the left-overs!

Was this your favourite project this year? Well, I also made some Noro gloves, the frilly ones from Mini Knits Two and the child's hat with ear flaps for my grand-daughter, they were great fun.

Favourite yarn? Noro - I love the colours and textures and it's great to knit with.

What other projects have you tackled? I've done a few of the KnitKits bags from Kangaroo which I've enjoyed doing - the Rosebud one in moss stitch and also the mitred purse in denim yarn.

And now? Well, I have an on-going project knitting squares (mainly when I'm travelling) for the Picnic blanket in Debbie Abraham's 'More Blankets and Throws' book, but have also just started a project using Rowan Siena which is lovely.

Favourite needles? Skinny Prym's - they'r my favourite needles as I love fine, plain knitting.

Aspirations for 2010? That's easy - learn to knit faster!

Kangaloonies knitting group

Happy Birthday to the Kangaloonies! (the image is of the birthday lunch, which was delicious, they don't always eat quite as much as this.....)

It was the first anniversary of our wonderful knitting group last week. We have a great bunch of ladies who turn up every Thursday clutching their knitting, sandwiches and cakes and sit down to knit and natter all day. A year ago they were all complete strangers and now they know each others most intimate secrets......

To celebrate the anniversary Amanda interviewed each of the members, I will put one a day up on the blog (in no particular order).