Tag Archives: derby

Dice Knitting Pattern and Yarn Bombing Derby Feste!

Posted on by Abi

This past weekend was Derby Feste and Anne organised to once again Yarn Bomb Derby’s Silk Mill. Many enthusiastic individual knitters and knitting groups got involved and between Anne’s wonderful patterns and everyones hard work (many a knitting needle was worn out) they managed to produce this wonderful tribute to everything game related!

Unfortunately the display was somewhat obscured for part of the day by a giant blow up snake (interesting planning on the part of the event organisers there) but when it was visible the yarn bombing was hugely popular with adults and children alike. All the contributers came along to visit and there was a general feeling of pride that their combined efforts had managed to produce such a wonderful display. Unfortunately it had to be removed at the end of the day but it is due to decorate the local hospital over the next few days.

Knit A Dice

The dice were particularly popular with the Feste visitors so I am very pleased to be able to share Anne’s knitting pattern with you all here today.

Using double knitting yarn and size 8(4mm) needles.

Cast on 20 stitches and knit every row.

Knit until it makes a square, I had to knit 34 rows (this may very on how tightly you personally knit).

Cast off.

Knit 5 more squares in the same way for the other sides of the dice.

To Make Up:

Firstly sew 4 sides together.

I found it best to sew the cast on edge of the first square to the side edge of the second. The side edge of the second was sewn to the cast on edge of the third and then the cast off edge of the third was sewn to the side edge of the fourth.

Sew the first and fourth pieces together so that all four pieces are joined.

Now attach the fifth square to start making it into a cube. Again stitch a cast on edge to a side edge and sew around all four sides.

When stuffing the dice I wanted it to look as square as possible so I used foam cut to size, each side measured approximately 8.5 cms. I had to use several pieces of foam to form this particular cube.

Once it has been stuffed with the foam attach the last side.

I cut circles of black felt to make the spots. They were roughly the size of a 20 pence coin.

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Summer Fun in Derbyshire!

Posted on by Abi

We’ve been fortunate enough to have some lovely weather recently, good for the Olympics, great for the garden and even better if you like to venture out and about into the countryside!

Today I’m just sharing a few summer photos taken over the last few days.

First I’ll introduce you to this little chap (or chapette, I’m not sure how you tell the difference??). I first heard a few stones moving, instantly fearing some nefarious plot was afoot I ventured to find out the source. When I saw two green legs I was somewhat alarmed, although further investigation proved it was infact quite a sizeable frog. At this point my husband stepped in and scooped froggy up to show the kids. Froggy was then placed back in the garden where he (or she) spent a few minutes sitting by the dogs ball before leaping off to pastures new.

These next few photos were taken at Middleton Top, where the Spotty Crocodile watched over the children as they searched rocks for signs of fossils. We also encountered many bees, moths and bugs, who for the most part were happy to stay still while their portrait was taken.

The spotty crocodile also discovered an extreme fondness for long grass!

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer and managing to get out and about when the sunshine allows.

 

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Derbyshire Well Dressings

Posted on by Abi

Well dressing is a wonderful traditional art-form practiced across many towns and villages in Derbyshire. It is believed to have originated in the small village of Tissington back in 1349. The dressings were said to be a way for villagers to give thanks for the pure water given from the well during the harrowing threat of the black death.

Unfortunately by the 19th century the art had all but died out, but thankfully enthusiasts revived it in the 1920s and 30s and it is now once again practiced throughout the whole of Derbyshire and some of her neighbouring counties.

The pictures are made by constructing wooden frames which are then covered in clay. A design is sketched on paper and then carefully hand pricked into the clay. Some towns and villages insist that only natural materials are used in the dressings but others allow the use of coloured stones etc to make the designs easier to construct.

In Derby this year the well dressing pictures were put together over a three day period at Quad and (due to a lack of surviving wells in the city) left in the windows for visitors to admire. With the Olympic torch visiting the city this weekend they are sure to have a large audience.

Here are some pictures of work in progress:

Anne took along my twins and they were able to make their own small design which has been placed in one of the windows for all to see (cue a proud Mummy moment!)

They began by choosing their design (a rabbit), they then outlined their picture in black peppercorns.

Next they chose which colours to use and how to fill in the background. I gather that they worked very hard for an hour and were very proud with the final piece.

All the well dressings can be seen in Quad this weekend along with a chance to see the Olympic Torch passing by.

Details and dates for all of the Derbyshire well dressings can be found here www.welldressing.com and they are well worth seeing.

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