Knit Belgium

Until further notice

2007-12-04T00:59:00.001+01:00

We are very sorry to announce that the launch of the new KnitBelgium.com website has been unavoidably delayed and because of this, this Web Log will continue to be our home.

So you'll be pleased to hear that blogging will recommence .......... sadly, only if, a new 'blogger' can be found!

If you are interested then further details can be obtained at our meeting this Thursday.

See you there!

We'd like to hear from you!

2007-06-19T11:35:00.000+02:00

The countdown is almost over......

BUT to make the new website really special we are looking for YOUR contributions. These can be photos, articles, news, tips etc. The only stipulation is that they MUST in some way relate to Knit Belgium.....

And, a gentle reminder, copyright laws will apply!

We look forward to hearing from you.

Editorial: Articles can be written in Dutch, English, Flemish, French or German

See you on Saturday!

2007-06-08T14:56:00.000+02:00

Don't forget, details below.

Countdown

2007-06-04T11:24:00.000+02:00

It's begun.....

Worldwide KIP Day 2007

2007-06-03T11:30:00.000+02:00

Saturday 9 June 2007

1.30 pm Gather at the Lepelblad, Gent

for coffee/light lunch and knitting

3 pm Boat trip and knitting

Afterwards, Stoffenidee for more knitting!

Don't forget!

2006-06-08T16:50:00.000+02:00

Saturday 10 June 2005

Het Huis Van Alijn, Gent

2-5 pm

We are moving!

2006-04-05T20:45:00.000+02:00

Knit Belgium is pleased to announce that we are moving to our very own website.

If you would like to receive email notification of when this happens, please send us an email (use the button in the right hand column).

We look forward to seeing you all very soon at our new address.

Love

Helen and Lizzie

An Apology

2006-02-15T09:39:00.000+01:00

We would like to apologise to all our readers for the lack of postings this year. Owing to major technical problems we have not been posting, but we hope to be back online by the weekend.

We would like to say thank you for your understanding and take this opportunity to wish you all a very belated

Happy New Year

Best Wishes

2005-12-23T21:27:00.000+01:00

Merry Christmas

from everyone at KnitBelgium

Christmas is coming....

2005-12-08T10:30:00.000+01:00

Accessorising November

2005-11-30T14:47:00.000+01:00

Despite one of the gatherings very nearly being 'washed out' owing to inclement weather, it was yet another busy month for KnitBelgium. Sadly there are not a lot of photographs to show as Lizzie forgot her camera for one of the meetings! We hope you enjoy the creations that were captured on film....

Accessories were once again all the rage at KnitBelgium.

Helen in Trinket

Lizzie finished Trinket from Kim Hargreaves.

Lizzie's Trinket

Marie-Paula completed yet another amazing creation.

Marie-Paula

A crocheted scarf using various motifs gathered from many different publications including those Italians again!

Marie Paula's Scarf Detail

Each half of the scarf is a mirror image of the other highlighted by switching the colours.

Marie-Paula's Scarf Detail

Lizzie had also been busy working on some flowers from The Accessories Collection using the Impression, KimonoRibbon and Sari Ribbon yarn by Louisa Harding.

Lizzie's Flowers

The Rosette flower is knitted using the Impression yarn. Lizzie added an interesting detail of a wire beaded flower centre.

Lizzie's Rosette Flower

There were of course more than just accessories. Gaby finished the jumper for her grandchild.

Gaby's Jumper

And last but not least.... We finally managed to wish

'Happy First Birthday Nell'

Helen and Nell, one year ago

Sadly we didn't get to wish it in person, BUT we did get to wish it to the next best person, her mother, HELEN! Yes, Helen managed to get to one of the meeting. The proof is at the beginning of this post - did you spot her?

Nell received lots of presents from everyone, here are a few.

Gaby, beautifully and skillfully knitted a jumper which Nell is happily modelling.

Nell modelling Gaby's Jumper

Lizzie knitted Nell, the wonderful Alphabet Blanket from The Baby Knits Book using Baby Cashmerino by Debbie Bliss.

The Alphabet Blanket

Alphabet Blanket Detail

Nell and the Alphabet Blanket

Sweet dreams everyone!

Love
Helen and Lizzie

October Happenings

2005-11-08T11:36:00.000+01:00

From the recent lack of postings (owing to technical problems!), it may well have appeared that not a lot has been happening at KnitBelgium.... Well, you would be wrong. Take a look!

Remember Birch?

Accessories were popular this month. Perhaps this is with the onset of winter?

Anne is modelling her fantastic Karis designed by Sharon Miller. It was featured in Rowan Magazine Number 36 and uses Rowan Kidsilk Haze, here in shade 582 Trance.

Anne in Karis

Another of her designs made an appearance. The Angela Wrap beautifully and skillfully knitted by Vera in Heirloom Knitting's Merino Lace yarn in ocean blue.

Vera's Angela Wrap

Big Favourite

A big favourite of KnitBelgium, Kidsilk Haze, featured in many of the projects.

Lizzie has almost completed half of Trinket from Kim Hargreaves in the new colour 578 Swish.

Lizzie's Trinket

Vera was crocheting a fantastic scarf using a Rowan motif.

Vera's Kidsilk Scarf

If you unsure about how fine the yarn is, take a look at Christine casting-on with it!

Christine casting-on with Rowan's Kidsilk Haze

Big Hit

There was another big hit. Can you spot it?

Vera's Wilo and Eowyn

Here's another clue.

Christine and Rika

It is Wilo from the current Rowan Magazine Number 38 in Rowan Kid Classic and Rowan Lurex Shimmer.

Lizzie has used Kid Classic in 832 Peat with Lurex Shimmer in 331 Claret.

Lizzie's Wilo

Vera has used Kid Classic in shades 847 Cherry Red and 849 Sandstone for both Eowyn and Wilo with a slight variation to the the scarf pattern.

Vera's Wilo

Christine has used Kid Classic in 844 Frilly and Lurex Shimmer in 333 Pewter again with a slight variation to the pattern.

Christine's Wilo

And here is Rika practising with spare yarn to make Wilo....

Rika practising

Bigger Projects

There were many bigger projects being worked and finished. Here are a few.

Marie-Paula finished her amazing wrap-over cardigan which has an intriguing crochet trim around the collar that becomes the ties. Why amazing? The pattern was featured in the magazine Rakam which is only published in Italian. Marie-Paula cannot speak Italian but has somehow managed to decipher the pattern!

Marie-Paula's Wrap-over Cardigan

One of our most prolific knitters, Gaby was working on yet another garment for one of her grandchildren!

Gaby

Marie Rose was working on the back of her jumper using a beautiful tweed yarn.

Marie Rose

And Lizzie was busy knitting Plaid from Rowan Magazine Number 38 for her husband, Patrick. She is using one of her favourite yarns, Rowan Yorkshire Tweed DK in shades 347 Skip and 352 Goose.

Lizzie's Plaid

Big Welcome

October also saw the arrival of many new faces to KnitBelgium, some you may have spotted already! A big 'official' welcome to Jenny (good luck with the house move), Lucette, Marie-Paula and Rika.

And finally....

It is quite noticeable that we all start off with good intentions....

Vera and Christine

but end up....

Marie Rose

Cheers!

Love
Lizzie

Happy Birthday Marie Rose!

2005-09-10T20:36:00.000+02:00

Best Wishes
from
Everyone at KnitBelgium

Feeling Magazine

2005-08-31T17:55:00.000+02:00

We are delighted to report that KnitBelgium appears in the latest edition of Feeling magazine.

September 2005

We feature in the article 'Vriendenclubs' on page 226.

The magazine is available from all good newsagents, price €3.60.

Love
Helen and Lizzie

Happy Birthday Gaby!

2005-08-26T09:00:00.000+02:00

Best Wishes
from
Everyone at KnitBelgium

Happy Birthday Lizzie!

2005-08-20T09:02:00.000+02:00

Best Wishes
from
Everyone at KnitBelgium

On 21 June it was founder member Lizzie's birthday. We all got together to surprise Lizzie with the ultimate in everlasting flowers - a knitted bouquet! Thanks to the creative talents of Christne, Gaby, Helen and Vera, we ended up with a colourful burst of flowers of all shapes, sizes and colours!

Happy Birthday Christine!

2005-08-11T09:00:00.000+02:00

Best Wishes
from
Everyone at KnitBelgium

Happy Birthday Martha!

2005-06-04T08:06:00.000+02:00

Best Wishes
from
Everyone at KnitBelgium

Th(r)ee Sisters Update

2005-06-01T10:45:00.000+02:00

Friday 26 May saw our first 'Tree Gathering'.

Marie Rose, Nell (under the table!), Helen, Gaby and Vera

We were overwhelmed by the turnout and the amazing amount of 'lapjes' that had already been created.

Yarn Donations

We were amazed by the number of yarn donations!

Wool Donations

Thank you to everyone, especially to the Family Lannoye and Rowan Yarns.

Fantastic Progress

Despite two of our 'Tree Jumper Leaders', Anne (her car broke down on the way) and Martha being unable to come, we made fantastic progress.

Lapjes

In closer detail, here is the 'organic' tree jumper.

The 'Organic' Jumper

Anne's 'bright and funky' tree jumper.

The 'Bright and Funky' Jumper

And the 'romantic' tree jumper of Martha.

The 'Romantic' Jumper

Thank you

We had a wonderful day as pampered guests of the delightful Vera and her lovely family. THANK YOU!

And Finally....

Just thought you might like to see this picture....

Helen with Cappuccino and Cake

No KnitBelgium get together would be complete without the regulation cappucinno and cake!

Love
Helen and Lizzie

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
Thursday 2 June 2005
2.30-6.00pm
Lepelblad
(more details can be obtained from Lizzie via email)

Wool Donations
Please contact Lizzie via email.

The Mad Month of May

2005-05-31T21:50:00.000+02:00

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

2005-05-22T22:30:00.000+02:00

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!

2005-05-19T19:54:00.000+02:00

Best Wishes
Everyone at KnitBelgium

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

A Date for the Diary

2005-05-10T18:31:00.000+02:00

Saturday 11 June 2005
Gent

Exact details to follow....

April's Highlights

2005-05-05T10:15:00.000+02:00

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

Mé-tissages

2005-04-05T08:57:00.000+02:00

Several members of KnitBelgium were invited to work with British artist Shane Waltener on a knitting performance to mark the opening of Mé-tissages, an exhibition focusing on contemporary art and textiles in the MIAT, Gent.

Shane is an artist who uses knitting as his primary means of expression, creating works and performances that focus on the social and communal aspects of the craft.

For Mé-tissages, Shane created a work for five people, who sat in a circle and simultaneously knitted in the round.

The wool was salvaged from old jumpers and the end result was a three-inch perfect circle of brightly coloured knitting, which the artist plans to eventually exhibit together with photographs of the knitting group.

What we weren’t prepared for was the level of public interest in the performance and KnitBelgium was besieged with questions about the work and requests from visitors to join in. Needless to say, we quickly made lots of new friends and encouraged everyone to join us in the Lepelblad.

The highlight of the evening came when five men took the piece over, including Lizzie and Helen’s husbands, the artist and friends.

A fantastic end to a fun and inspiring event in an impressive setting.

For more information about Shane's work visit his website www.shanewaltener.com

Mé-tissages
Biënnale rond kunst en textiel
Van dinsdag tot zondag
Van 10 tot 18 uur
26 maart tot 16 mei 2005
MIAT Museum voor Industriële Archeologie en Textiel
Minnemeers 9, 9000 Gent
+32(0)9 2694200
www.miat.gent.be

March Happenings

2005-04-01T08:50:00.000+02:00

March was a busy month for KnitBelgium. We saw lots of new faces, visited Creativa and had our first real venture into KIP!

Faces

A warm welcome to Anne, Julie, Kathleen, Lolita, Maria and Martine.

Julie and Lolita

We're wondering what Lolita (Annick's daughter) has chosen for her mummie to knit!

Maria

We saw a lot of regulars too!

Vera and Christine

Can you spot Birch, Kiri, the Flower Basket and the Heirloom Bag?

Annick

Creativa, Brussels

A few of us visited Creativa in Brussels.

Helen and Anne

Check out Anne's scarf. It's Chantel from Rowan's Vintage Style. Isn't it beautiful?

Creativa, Brussels 2005

Sadly there was not a lot of knitting yarn to be had but we still managed to spend a lot of money!

KIP

Finally there was our first real venture into KIP - Knitting in Public. Several members of KnitBelgium received special invitations to take part in the opening of Mé-tissages.

The full story will be published soon....

Happy Knitting!

Love
Helen and Lizzie

Welcome, Welkom, Bienvenue

2005-03-01T11:54:00.000+01:00

Welcome to KnitBelgium, the new blog for the knitters of Belgium and beyond.

The circle first met in September 2004 as a result of Rowan International sending us a list of members in Belgium. There were only a handful of us! It was our idea to create a knitting circle in order to meet other people who share the same passion as us. Six months later, we now have twelve members who come from all over Belgium to knit and chat. We meet on the first and third Thursday of every month from 2.30 pm. Our venue is the Lepelblad cafe in Gent, run by the wonderful Marian and Cathy who let us take up ever larger amounts of space every month and keep us supplied with great coffee and delicious food.

We, Helen and Lizzie are both British and married to Belgians. At first our group was small, with just four members - us plus two Belgians, Anne and Martha. English was our common language. Now we have more members the balance has shifted. We switch between Dutch, English and French, which keeps everyone on their toes and leads to lots of laughter!

If you love knitting or would simply like to learn, why don't you come and join us in the Lepelblad. You can't miss us and we'll be are there every first and third Thursday of the month come rain or shine! Otherwise, just enjoy this blog. We'll be posting regular news and information updates about the group, as well as ideas, stories and gossip to keep you all entertained!

Love
Helen and Lizzie