The Mad Month of May

What a busy month May was.....

Knitting In Public in Gent

The month started with a little KIP. Sandra invited us to join her on the Graslei in Gent to celebrate May Day.

KIP on the Graslei

The weather was glorious, the place was buzzing and the company was most enjoyable. Lots of fun and lots of knitting was had by all.

Tine, Ann, Helen, Lizzie and Sandra

We had a fantastic time and made lots of new friends - Thank you Sandra for such a wonderful idea!

T(h)ree Sisters

The artist Xavier Tricot invited us to work with him to create his artwork 'T(h)ree Sisters' for the summer exhibition at Het Wit Huis, Spermalie. We were absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to make these wonderful 'Tree Jumpers'.

T(h)ree Sisters

Donations of yarn have been pouring in and if you want to see what happened to our 'Wool Mountain', be sure to read our next posting!

Wool Mountain

Our Knitting Projects

Despite most of us being busy on 'T(h)ree Sisters', lots of progress has been made on our own individual knitting projects.

Helen is busy with the A-Line Ribbed Jacket from Cathay by Debbie Bliss in Cathay shade 06, a most wonderful green.

Helen and her Cathay Jacket

'Birthday Girl' Sandra came to one of our gatherings and finished this fantastic sweater for her son. Honestly!

Sandra and her son's jumper!

Vera brought in the beginning of Deli from Classic Cafe by RY Classic in Cashcotton DK.

Vera and Deli

We also got to see the progress Anne is making on Martha from Rowan Book 37 in Cashcotton 4 ply.

Martha in progress

The RY Classic range is fast becoming a KnitBelgium favourite!

And last but certainly not least.....

Once again we we saw many new faces at KnitBelgium. We would like to welcome Lisa and Nina.

Lisa

Nell and Nina

Love
Helen and Lizzie

T(h)ree Sisters by Xavier Tricot

Xavier Tricot

This summer, Xavier Tricot, will dress three trees in knitted jumpers as part of T(h)ree knitting sisters, an exhibition for the blind at Het Wit Huis (White House), Spermalie, Loppem (near Bruges).

Het Wit Huis

In this extraordinary work, the trees will look like they are dressed in beautiful knitted garments but at the same time, the texture in the knitting will provide a richly tactile experience for visually impaired visitors.

The Three Trees

Xavier's vision is very poetic, playing on famous historical and literary themes. This plastic work refers to the three sister goddesses (in Greek mythology) who preside over birth, life and death of men. Clotho fabricated the thread of a man's life at his birth. Lachesis measured its length and determined its character and Atropos cut it off with her shears. But it refers also to the Three Sisters, a famous play by Checkov and the sister Brönte (who were very creative).

The Three Trees (close-up)

KnitBelgium has been invited to create the garments. On Thursday 12th May, Xavier joined us in the Lepelblad to meet everyone and talk about the project. This was a wonderful and inpiring afternoon.

Xavier meets KnitBelgium

We are absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity as this is a great social project and one in which everyone can participate.

Xavier showing pictures

The jumpers have been designed to be knit in panels. Everyone can bring their own ideas and skills to the panels they work on by using different yarns and stitches to make the work varied and interesting.

A Panel

We hope to involve as many knitters as possible, no matter what their ability. Even if they can only knit one panel, do a little bit of oneor even just one row, it will all help.

Another Panel....

We also need lots of yarn. So if you have any old balls, no matter what type, colour or quantity, which you can donate to the project please save it for us!

---

Xavier Tricot
For more information click here

Het Wit Huis
www.ki-spermalie.be

Would you like to help us?
If you would like to participate in this project then please contact Lizzie via email.

Next 'Tree' Meeting
Friday 27 May 2005
1000-1600
Drongen (more details can be obtained from Lizzie via email)

Wool Donations
Please contact Lizzie via email.

Happy Birthday Sandra!

Best Wishes
Everyone at KnitBelgium

Sorry we're a little late - we didn't know!

A Date for the Diary

Saturday 11 June 2005
Gent

Exact details to follow....

April's Highlights

New Faces

A very warm welcome to Maggy, Marie Rose, Gabby and Sandra.

Maggy, Marie Rose and Gabby

Sandra

Vera's Special Birthday

Although a little late, we celebrated Vera's very special birthday.

Vera and Lizzie

Sorry about the terrible photo. That's why Lizzie prefers to stay behind the camera!

Martha's Back

It was lovely to see Martha again after such a long absence.

Martha and Anne

Despite all, she's been very busy knitting.......

Martha's Knitting

Stockings in Rowan's Yorkshire Tweed 4 ply, and Butterfly from Rowan Book 37 and a camisole in Cherry Tree Hill's Merino Lace.

Edging of Butterfly

We would also like to take this opportunity to send Roger, Martha's husband, our very best wishes for a continued recovery.

Another Martha makes an appearance

This Martha is from Rowan Book 37. Instead of using Rowan 4 ply Cotton, Anne has used Rowan Classic Cashcotton 4 ply in a pale silver blue together with clear silver lined seed beads.

Anne's Martha

The combination is simply beautiful. We look forward to seeing the completed cardigan!

Denim People

By coincidence at the same meeting, Anne and Lizzie brought with them garments made from Rowan's Denim People.

Anne modeled her Paris cardigan, made in Rowan Denim shade Tennessee beautifully detailed with a beaded button designed and made herself.

Anne in Paris

Lizzie brought the Action sweater she made for her husband Patrick. It uses the three blue shades available.

Patrick in Action

Lucky chap!

And finally....

We're going to be in the news again! Feeling magazine came to interview us...... Look our for the July issue!

Love
Helen and Lizzie