Since my last blog, there's been a flurry of activity here in the workroom. I spend most days either knitting crocheting, sewing or doing admin, sat at my desk in the upper levels of my huge house! Well that's not quite true. I do spend all my time in my workroom, but my house is tiny and the workroom is just upstairs, converted from a bedroom. It sounds very grand but it's more functional than anything (and often a mess).
The Somerset Bag Course
We officially started the course on 15th August with our first FaceBook live workshop in the series of four.
However, I was so excited that I did a couple of live tutorials in the group before that, just to get everyone started. We looked at how to crochet basic stitches, working some rows and then producing a granny square KMK (Kath Morgan Knits) style. To say I'm proud of all the Somerset Baggies group members is a huge understatement. We have seen fabulous photos of granny squares from complete beginners and experienced crocheters have posted their brilliant squares in such glorious colours. Everyone is enjoying the challenge and it's not over yet. We have 2 more weeks to go and I know we'll see some beautiful Somerset bags completed. It's a huge success so far and I hope to be able to bring similar courses in the future, both knitting and crochet.
Kath Morgan Knits
My Facebook group is growing. I met a lovely lady only yesterday, as Neil and I sat at our favourite café having some lunch. Of course, my knitting came out of my bag whilst we were waiting for our food and soon a conversation arose about what I was knitting.
Never one to miss an opportunity to extol the virtues of knitting in public and in general, my new friend and I chatted about my knitting, my business, my FB group and her love of knitting. She joined the group immediately and I'm hoping she'll have a great time with us. Welcome Caroline, it was lovely to meet you!
During our usual Tuesday evening live in the group, we had fun knitting and crocheting. We saw how to make curlicues, or spirals or tendrils - the name is of far less importance than the fun we had.
During a conversation about how we would use our newly acquired skills, I felt I should provide a pattern or two...
The Curly Collection
Here are two new patterns to start the collection.
Kiss Curl - a chunky ribbed hat, knitted in the round with curlicues atop instead of a bobble.
Curly Top - the same hat but not the same - knitted flat with a few more curlicues at the top.
YouTube
There's always something to be said for keeping up with the crowd. So, my YouTube channel is very slowly gaining momentum. I've added a new video this week, dedicated to a particular technique and if that goes well I'll be adding more of the same. This is as well as the chatty stuff we do in the group. If you find yourself with nothing to watch on the TV, try the videos on my channel, Kathryn Morgan Designs. I'm never going to make loads of money from it, that's not my motivation, but the more subscribers I get, the happier a bunny I'll be.
Future Plans
When I first started the Kath Morgan Knits FaceBook group, I never dreamed that people would be interested enough to come back week after week, to watch me live in the group. I felt that a weekly event was perhaps too much and that people may get bored! Well it seems, and this is the opinion of those watching, that a regular weekly live on Tuesday evenings, is as exciting to viewers as it is to me.
So, apart from one date early in September (5th), when I've already agreed to do something elsewhere, I'll be live in the group every Tuesday at 7pm. The content will not always be revealed until we meet but sometimes I will introduce a PDF, a challenge, or a plan ahead of time.
If you want to join the group, look for Kath Morgan Knits, enter your request to join and you'll be let in - if you've answered the joining questions. It's a free group with loads going on and a post from me at least once a day.
Oh and I forgot, if you're a member of the group, you get 10% off every new pattern released in the shop until the next one is added. The code is announced in the group.
Other stuff to come
In the next few weeks I plan to bring you more in the Curly Collection, so I'll keep you posted on that score.
I hope soon to announce plans for the next series of workshops on Facebook but at present it's a secret!
More patterns in the shop
More videos on YouTube
Perhaps some videos on the website too.
Finally, I thought you might like to meet some of my family
This is Lily, the 12 year old Chihuahua showing Frank, the 18 month old Dachshund, how the do the gardening...
...and here's Frank, practising but not quite getting it right somehow!
Noodle, the 8 year old Chihuahua/Poodle cross (mongrel), just likes to join in with the "butter wouldn't melt..." pose!
Finally, this is us. Neil is my right arm, my biggest fan and my soulmate.
Well I think I'm all caught up. So until the next time, take care and happy yarny stuff!
Kath x
Hi Kath, love your way of teaching us , only ever just knitted, recently taught myself crochet ! The things you are showing us has given me new ideas too, keep up the good work, my todo list is growing xx
What a lovely chatty newsletter and lovely photos of the family. Sorry I haven't been participating much during this month, I just seem to be so busy with so many other things. Ever a fool(!) I already run two local clubs and have now been persuaded into the vice chair position at U3A but ask a busy person etc etc. I'm planning on catching up with your curlybits over the weekend and to get up to date by the middle of September. In the meantime thank you for all you are doing xx
Lovely update and nice to see the barkers and the smiling one. So glad you are keeping busy creating yarny content for us lucky people xxx
Love the family pictures Kath must go now to do more crochet lol