STAYING BUSY IN
In a new series of features, we look at different ways you can make the most of your time at home with activities all the family can get involved with...
Whatever your skills, from non-existent to being a cracking clickety-clacker, this is something everyone can have a go at.
Enthusiast Janet May, who runs her own knitting website, Kazoncrafts.co.uk, says:“All a newbie will need is needles and yarn initially, a pair of scissors and a tape measure.
“Then there are other bits and pieces, such as a row counter and stitch holders once you get into more complicated things.”
She says that most people starting use thick wool and thick needles.“This is because it will knit up quickly,”she says.
“The stitches are big and so it’s easier to see where you went wrong.”
While a wool shop would be the best place to get advice, if shops are not open,
Janet says there are books and magazines especially for newbies.
“Knitting For
Dummies is good and these magazines often include‘how to’ instructions and patterns, and sometimes yarn so you can start straight away.”
Shorter needles and thinner yarn for smaller hands are available if teaching children.“Depending on their age, you will need to bear in mind their attention span might be quite short,”she adds.
“I’d suggest starting with a small project, such as a sleeping bag for Barbie or a scarf for teddy.”
Janet, who was taught to knit by her mother when she was seven, says there are lots of tutorials on Youtube, and then it’s just trying it. There are a lot of knit-and-natter groups you can join for further instruction and moral s upport but, sadly, these are being stopped for obvious reasons,”she says.
“Instead there are groups forming on Facebook, where you can ask for advice or join in on a‘knit along’. This is where everyone knits the same thing at the same time and sends pictures of their progress or can ask for help.”
For the older generation, Janet says they may have learned to knit when they were younger but given it up – and now would be the perfect time to rekindle their interest.
“It’ll come straight back to them once they start again,”she says.“However their eyesight may not be what it once was, in which case a lamp with a magnifying glass on would be helpful.”
If you can’t or don’t want to use the internet for patterns, ask someone to print some out and pop them through the letterbox.
Janet adds:“It’s good for the older generation to focus on a particular project, such as blankets for the dogs in refuges or hats and scarves for the homeless.
“There are many charities that want such things and more, and post patterns online.
“Not only does this make you feel calm and mindful but you get a glowing f eeling knowing that you are helping others too.”
For lots of helpful information, visit www.sheepandstitch.com
This is the art of decorating an object by glueing coloured paper cut-outs on to it, combined with special paint effects, gold leaf and other decorations.
To start, you’ll need a specific type of glue called
Mod Podge, scissors, craft paint, brushes and decoupage papers. They’re all available from Hobbycraft (www. hobbycraft.co.uk) which also has lots of tips and ideas on what and how to make things including a dinosaurs and how to decoupage on to wood.
In these unprecedented times, it’s likely most of us won’t be able to get to a card shop and mark a loved one’s birthday or anniversary.
So why not make your own?
Starter kits are available from Hobbycraft and come complete with templates, folded card blanks, envelopes, toppers and embellishments.
Easy to do and fun for the whole family.
Something handmade always adds an extra special touch.
A great craft for beginners, kids especially will love making some cute animals for their bedrooms.
Hobbycraft (www.hobbycraft. co.uk) has loads of felting kits available to help you start. There are lots of tutorials online, check out Youtube.