Guild meeting bliss

Attending HWSG monthly meetings isn't always an event which inspires enthusiasm. As I give my group reports, I'm sort of obliged to go. However, having said that, I'm always eager to go for the many gifts I receive, some anticipated, some complete surprises.

The gift of friendship is the most important. Good friends and guild friends, people I only see at these meetings, all are a delight. Fun, laughter and, of course, communing about all things fibre related. I'm not sure people realise how much this is appreciated and lifts my spirits. Yesterday was no exception.

The gift of learning. There is always a small workshop/gathering, and this month we were offered the delight of learning Tunisian crochet. Having never attempted this before, I purchased my needle, a cross between a crochet hook and knitting needle, from Lorraine at Woolybutt. Arriving a little late, I eventually go so caught up in this lovely, addictive craft, I spent the formal part of the meeting, starting over again and getting it right. Well, almost right, I kept forgetting to chain 3 at the beginning of the return row, so the sample is slightly lopsided.

My 'Complete Encyclopedia of Needlework' by Th. de Dillmont (always a wealth of knowledge on all the ancient arts!) says of Tunisian crochet that it 'has more resemblance to knitting than any other kind of crochet"......"stitches are all worked on the right side, and produce a soft and elastic fabric". It give a couple of stitches and patterns. I'm intrigued by it all.

The last gift was an actual gift from Peter. He's always at guild meetings, spinning away. (He's also part of the legendary mailout team for the guild). Anyway, he's give me this gorgeous and very sturdy small picnic basket filled with a little coloured fleece and a very big bag of what we think is cashmere. These all belonged to his sister who can no longer make use of them. So, very generously, he's given them to me.

The basket is gorgeous and I'll use it as a travel bag, with spinning goodies in it. The fibre has to be spun up, but what about all that cashmere. Peter is so generous with his spinning and knitting, he gives away most of what he does, that I feel the need to do something special. It will need thinking and suggestions......

However, for the moment, I'm frantically busy...well not quite.......yet.....making various pieces for our Sheep and Wool show entry. What a mystery it all is.....what fun!