The Bath Crafting Cranny: April 2010

New BBC Show looking for Knitting Clubs

Details below! :-D

Contributor information form is here: Download Contributor Information Form

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Objective TV are producing a new BBC entertainment show fronted by award winning comedian John Bishop called “John Bishop’s Britain”.

The show will be based around John Bishop’s stand up comedy, but will also feature vox pops and mini interviews with members of the public. These will be shot in a very stylised way and will relate directly to each person’s profession or interest. Each show is based on a different aspect of British life, such as love and marriage, work, sport, growing up etc and we are looking for outgoing people to give their views, opinions and funny stories on these topics. Anyone looking to be involved does not have to be an expert – it’s more important for us to hear what a variety of real people have to say about Britain.

One type of person we are particularly keen to hear from members of a Knitting Club who might have funny stories, opinions, or views. Essentially this is a fun, comical show about Britain and we are looking for interesting characters who have something to say.

I have attached our advert for the show if you know of anyone that may be interested please feel free to forward on my details or if you have a database of knitting enthusiasts that you could send it out to that would be perfect. I have also attached our application form for anyone that you know directly that may like to be involved.

We are looking for a mix of people from all over Britain and are happy to travel to the most suitable person anywhere in Britain.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Many thanks,

Laura

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Laura Clark - Associate Producer

John Bishop's Britain

Objective Productions

15 Apr 2010 13:37:30 | Bath Stitch'n'Bitch natter & knitting

Research student questions

Graphic design student from Bath Spa Uni with some questions. If you have the time to answer them please email them to me and I'll pass them on!

Thanks,

Jess

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I'm a Graphic Design student from Bathspa University and I am hoping if you could help me with a few questions about 'Stitch n Bitch' and making issues for a project that I am doing?
 
Firstly I'll quickly explain the project: I am looking at how to persuade makers, (groups such as yourself) to make their own clothes to keep warm.
I am interested in knitting because i have noticed a growing number of people have taken up the craft and was wondering if these makers make functional clothes for themselves to keep warm.  
 
 
- Do you make your own clothes for yourself or other people?
 
- If so why? are there more reasons behind making than just the enjoyment side for example environmental reasons, energy prices? if so please explain?
 
- When making clothes do you think about how warm and functional they will be or do you tend to focus on the fashion or both?
 
- Do you make more clothes in the winter to keep warm?
 
- Do you recycle your materials that you use? 
 
- Do you find it easy to recycle or make new clothes out of old clothes, if so do you do this?
 
- Do you encourage makers to make their own clothes?
 
 
I would also be interested on your views about knit wear and the quality of clothes in general that are in the shops:
 
 
- Do you think that knit wear in shops are thick enough to keep you warm? or do you feel that they are made thin to encourage people to buy more clothes?
 
- Do you think that the quality of hand made clothes are better than bought clothes?
 
- Do you think that by making your own clothes you would buy less clothes?
 
 
 
Thank you and it would be great if you and perhaps other members of the 'Stitch n Bitch' group could help me out, any other views or making issues would be great to hear!

15 Apr 2010 13:34:32 | Bath Stitch'n'Bitch natter & knitting

Knit-a-square charity

A plea from a blog reader!

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I am currently knitting 8" squares to send to South Africa, where they are sewn into blankets for AIDS orphans. If anyone in your group is interested, here is the link to the wonderfully, informative website, created by the McDonald Family:http://www.knit-a-square.com/index.html

15 Apr 2010 13:31:55 | Bath Stitch'n'Bitch natter & knitting

Angelbear: providing sick children with teddy bears

A request for hand-knitted bears from Melanie below - 160 bears were posted to hospitals on Monday...but plenty more are needed..!

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I recently established a not-for-profit organisation called Angelbear which is dedicated to providing sick or disadvantaged children in UK hospitals with a hand-knitted teddy bear.

Would your group consider knitting some bears for us at any time in the future at all? Although we have only been online for two months, we have already had a fantastic response and are hoping to be in a position to send the first batch of bears at the end of February. We also have knitters in the USA knitting bears currently and are achieving a minimum of five-thousand hits on the site every month thus far.
I designed the bear myself and have endeavoured to make it simple so that knitters at all stages are able to follow the pattern easily. The pattern can be downloaded for free at angelbear.org.uk or printed directly from your web browser.
I hope you will find the time to consider helping our cause and maybe sending us a few bears. Please visit the website for full details about Angelbear and our aims. I will be happy to promote your group on our site and would love some photos of any knitters who become involved in the project to add to the page also.
Thank you very much for your time,
Kind regards
Mrs Melanie A Smith

15 Apr 2010 13:28:55 | Bath Stitch'n'Bitch natter & knitting

In The Loop: Knitting Now

Details of the In The Loop: Knitting Now are below: and an offer for Bath S'n'B members from the publisher...

You might have seen the photos in yesterday's Guardian. Press release is here: Download InTheLoop.

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Black Dog Publishing is proud to present its latest book release; In The Loop: Knitting Now.

To coincide with your knitting group, I would be delighted to offer you and your members a 40% discount on all orders for this title and I do hope this sounds of interest to you.

In the Loop explores the progression of knitting, a craft which has come a long way from its fuzzy image of thick socks and embarrassing motifs on Christmas jumpers. Now there are knitting groups that meet in quirky venues throughout the country, as well as hundreds of clubs and contemporary artists intent on reclaiming the craft. In the Loop maps knitting’s journey from solitary hobby for old maids to mainstream, contemporary trend.

In the Loop features essays and images that show the progression of knitting and discusses the topics of knitting in art, international knitting traditions, knitting as social activism, the oral history of knitting, and knitting technology. The book include case studies on knitting clubs, artists using knitting in their work and provides an attractive and informative review of the subject. An essential book for anyone with an interest in contemporary crafts.

15 Apr 2010 13:23:17 | Bath Stitch'n'Bitch natter & knitting

Woolly Thinking Ltd

A new wool shop in the SW - hurrah! Just had an email from Nicola Woodhall (below) - details of her shop are: Woolly Thinking Ltd, 6 Clifton Arcade, Boyces Avenue, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA (tel: 0117 973 4444).

10% discount for meeting-attending Bath S'n'B members - see me for a voucher! :-)

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I am a small, newish wool shop in Bristol. I know I'm not too local to you but thought I'd let you know of my special offer just in case any of you come to Bristol occassionally.

I am currently giving out vouchers to people who buy something, offering 10% off your next purchase (available on yarns, wools, books and patterns).

If you haven't heard of me or don't know where to find me I am in Clifton Arcade next to Primrose Cafe on Boyces Avenue. My shop is called Woolly Thinking and I specialise in sustainable and ethical yarns.

15 Apr 2010 13:16:33 | Bath Stitch'n'Bitch natter & knitting

Bath in Fashion

It's Bath in Fashion week!

I'm going to the 'Ten 1960s Fashion Designers' talk tomorrow - will report back! :-)

15 Apr 2010 13:04:50 | Bath Stitch'n'Bitch natter & knitting

Shorpy

I've been reading the Shorpy blog for a while and the pics are absolutely amazing! Thought I'd share some of the crafting pics:

August 17, 1937. Joseph's coat of many colors had nothing on this unique quilt which is now being completed by Mrs. Ethel Sampson of Evanston, Ill., after six years of collecting. Parts of wearing apparel from President Roosevelt, Mrs. Roosevelt, members of the Cabinet, diplomats and notables from all over. From Hollywood, Bing Crosby sent a tie while Mae West and Shirley Temple contributed parts of dresses. Former Emperor Haile Selassie's neckties and a linen of Windsor are also included on the quilt. Diapers from the Dionne Quintuplets are also prominently displayed.