Hiya, I'm Kim!

Hi there Ho there! My name is Kim Smith and it's really nice to meet you. [: Jackie is so sweet to ask me to be involved with this blog, and I'm pumped to bring you lots of fun wooly inspiration as well as (hopefully) share photos of our knitting nights! I'm a bit silly and 'freestyle' in terms of my photos and knitting, but life's too short to take too seriously, right? Anyway, lets get down to 'business'...

How long have I been knitting for?
Well, my Mum has always been involved in Quilting and we did our fair share of card making with a group of ladies when I was smaller. Knitting was kind of a seasonal thing to me growing up, and I remember getting the hang of it when I was around 10 years old. (wow, that means I've been knitting for 10 years! crazy!) But, I'd say I've been 'more focused' for about 3 years now: trying new stitches, finding my own knitting books, buying my own yarn, taking it on public transport, adventuring away from just scarves and having get-to-gethers at my home. I remember I always used to like teaching people how to knit and you can't beat sitting around with a couple of girl friends while flashing those needles!


Why did I start knitting?

It was something fun to learn when I was smaller. Good mother/daughter times. Keeps my hands busy while watching t.v. or on buses. Another craft that I fell in love with. It's magical. We all know I'm secretly a Grandma.

Why do I knit?

Mainly, just because my cat likes to play with wool. No, seriously. [: I live alone (with my cute kitty cat) and also deal with an illness that makes me incredibly tired, so I've been picking up my needles more often than not because it gives me something to do while I relax after a difficult day. I've always been the type of person who doesn't like to waste time, and when I was told that I need to take it a bit easier, I turned to something that comforts me and also gives me a sense of accomplishment. I love trying out new patterns and even making them up sometimes! I'm working up to the stage where I'll be able to incorporate some knitting into my Illustrations more, but at the moment I'm 'practicing' and making things for fun.

How did I find out about/get involved in Wednesday Knit?
Well, most of my fondest memories of 'girlfriends' have all involved something of the crafty sort. I used to love to tag along with Mum and hang out with her friends while they all stitched away, and when I moved to London for Uni, I knew I wanted to find a special group of my own. Jackie and I had been chatting online for a while (y'know how it is, bloggers) and I was pretty excited that here was a girl of 'my type' right in London. haha. Now, this year a lot of people from my illustration course want to learn how to knit- so hopefully they'll tag along with me to Wednesday Knit²

(This is a photo I took at my first meeting at the travel bookshop!)

Do I have any tips for wannabe knitters?
Relax and start small. Get someone to show you how to start and pick an easy yarn to work with. Don't try and make a fair isle sweater or pair of socks for your first project! Once you get the hang of it and can recognize your stitches a little bit, pick a slightly harder project and learn as you go! I found that using a book with pictures and instructions worked well, but if you're more of a visual person, look on Youtube or ask friends. Don't be scared, have lots of patience, realize that knitting can be very repetitive and don't get discouraged if you mess up!

Oh and start looking in your local 99p stores and charity shops and markets for bargains on wool and needles!

What else do I do other than knit and crochet?

I'm currently doing a BA in Illustration at Camberwell (UAL), and it's wonderful! I also take a lot of photographs and decorate my home and cuddle with my cat and make milkshakes and dream about riding my vespa again. Oh, and I keep a blog/online shop called Art Equals Happy which I hope to one day make my full time job.

It was nice to meet you, if you have any Q's just leave them in the comments.
See you soon! Kimxo

Hello! I'm Jackie...

...and I am the lady person that decided she wanted to set up a knitting club. I'm going to set this out as a Q&A style session with myself as both questioner and answerer (I think I just made up 2 words there, haha), and if there is still something you want to know, just pop the question in the comments section and I'll answer them in another post! Right, you ready? Here goes...

How long have I been knitting for?

On and off for several years but properly for, I'd say, the last 2. I'm a very visual learner and couldn't pick up things easily unless I watched another person do them so it took me a while but once I understood the basics the more complicated stitches have been easier to understand and get to grips with.

Why did I start knitting?

I've seen my mum knit for years (she's the one who taught me over and over again until I finally caught on) and decided that I wanted to do it. I think I picked up on knitting just as it was re-surging in popularity and so bought lots of books at the bookshop I was working at.

Why do I knit?

Right now, I knit for pleasure. I find it very relaxing and it's a great way to take my mind off anything that's bugging me or that I want to forget about for a while. Christmas is another matter though, and I've been recently making all my family's gifts! Haha, yes I'm behind...a couple of people will be getting IOU's (Whoops! Hehe) Knitting is not something I'm using to make money from right now, but hopefully in the future I'll be able to sell patterns/garments that I make...I'm just starting to design/create my own knitting patterns and am finding it very rewarding when the pattern works! Haha.

Why did I set up a knitting club?

It's something that, since I became serious about knitting, I've wanted to do. I went to a couple of other knitting groups/clubs around London but didn't really feel like I was able to chat to many people - too noisy, too many people, too many formed groups of knitters who knew each other. I know this sounds weird, and the people that I did talk to were very welcoming but like any community you get little cliques or just feel like you don't really belong or are getting out of the situation what you expected to. So I decided to set up my own - firstly The Last Wednesday Knitting Club in Notting Hill, which has been a success in my eyes, i.e. people actually turning up each month, and from January 12th Wednesday Knit² will be taking place in East London. I've made new friends and have a great time each month just getting to chinwag with a group of like-minded women (men haven't come along yet, but they are very welcome!) and knit!

Do I have any tips for wannabe knitters?

Yes. Don't give up! It is really frustrating to begin with when you can't remember what you're doing or meant to do and when all these holes turn up in your scarf and it gets thinner and fatter at certain points. But don't throw down the knitting needles just yet! Knitting gets easier the more you do it, like everything! And I've still got the first piece of sample/practice knitting I ever did and look back at it fondly and think, "Yeah, I've got skills now!". I have taught knitting and crochet and watching someone get past the knitting wall of frustration is very rewarding for both me as the teacher and them as the student.

What else do I do other than knit and run knitting clubs?

I am literally a Jackie-of-all-trades! I am a teaching assistant, bookshop worker, casual shop assistant, admin assistant, blogger, wannabe illustrator/writer/artist.......I do lots of things and enjoy them all. Hopefully 2011 proves a little calmer in terms of my employment but at this stage in my life I guess I can just chalk it all up as life experience that I will look back on fondly and tell tales of when I'm old and greyer! Haha.

For those who are eagle-eyed you may have noticed that I'm crocheting in one picture. This blog won't purely be for knitting - any crochet that takes my or Kim's fancy will end up on here for your viewing. We love all yarn crafts and welcome knitters, stitchers and hookers alike! Hehe.

So I hope you have enjoyed this wee introduction. Kim's is up next and I hope you enjoy reading hers and stick around to check up on what we blog about and find interesting in this little woolly world.

xx Knitter Love xx