Woolly Christmas Trees

The Meldrum Church Christmas Tree Project runs throughout December and is now in its fourth year.  Our village church is decorated with trees contributed by local community groups, raising awareness, appealing for volunteers or just showing we exist! 

The first year my local knitting group, The Naughty Knitters, contributed a tree was 2022 - and it was made entirely from pompoms!  

My lovely late father-in-law made this tree, with its broom handle trunk and dowling branches, ages ago for me when I used to help out at Sunday School. 

 

After liberating it from the attic, and covering it in gold tinsel, I hung every pompom the knit group had made on it and added some fairy lights.  Voila - our very simple, but effective, first tree!

We'd more time to prepare for Christmas 2023 and the knit group started knitting these mini Santa hats well ahead of time.  They're designed to fit over a Fererro Rocher chocolate making cute, edible Christmas ornaments.  Small amounts of leftover wool in red, green and white were knitted up.  By the end of November we had collectively knitted over 100!  Some required a little finessing so I attached hanging loops, sewed on jingly bells and glued on tiny pompoms as required. 

Over the years I'd accumulated a lot of metal knitting needles, mostly unwanted craft supplies folks thought I could use or some, just one half of a pair.  The talented supportive spouse of one of our members (a retired engineer) fashioned them into a Christmas tree for our display.  Hanging up all our tiny knitted hats was very satisfying.

Ethmay helping to hang the hats!

We'd always intended to give the hats to Susan, our knit group member who fundraises tirelessly for the cancer unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.  

With Fererro Rocher generously donated by Oldmeldrum COOP, Susan was able to fill the hats and sell them at Meldrum Primary's Christmas Fair.  So far she's raised £67!

How to top that?  Well, during the latter half of 2024, the knit group decided to knit hats using any shade of green wool to decorate this year's tree.  Here's my contribution - three adult hats and two for kids.

As a group, we managed to use up a lot of  leftover green wool and knit a total of  64 hats and nine pairs of mittens.  We are not primarily charity knitters and fit this knitting in between our other personal knitting projects.  There's no obligation to take part - but everyone does!

This time the hats were attached to a traditional tree using clothes pegs I'd sprayed with silver paint.  Adding white lights enhanced the tree without detracting from the hats.  

It's our intention, after Christmas, to donate the adult hats to a charity for the homeless and the kid's hats and mittens to a local group which supports families in need.

Such is the enthusiasm of The Naughty Knitters, I've already received suggestions for next year's tree!

The 12 strong Oldmeldrum Naughty Knitters meet every Wednesday morning at Lochter.

 

Christmas Wreathe Round-Up

Trust me to pick the year no-one's allowed to visit to learn how to make a wreathe for our front door!  

Thanks to the current Covid restrictions, we're not allowed to have any visitors in our homes right now so I hope the postie and courier drivers are pleased I made the effort!

The tradition of decorating our homes with wreathes dates back centuries.  Wreathe is derived from the Old English word 'writhan' meaning 'to twist'.  Seasonal evergreens entwined with flowers and decorations frequently hang on front doors at Christmas nowadays but in times gone by, the greenery signified the coming of new life life as Pagans celebrated Yule.  For Christians, the circular shape evokes God's everlasting love and advent crowns may hark back to the Crucifixion.  Our Victorian forebears tried to make use of everything and 'trimming the tree' meant loping off lower branches so the Christmas tree would actually fit in the house!  Using excess greenery for additional decorations may have its origins in this thrifty practice.

Whatever the derivation, we do love our Christmas decorations in this house and wreathes are no exception.

One year I even made a wreathe of woolly pompoms - it's currently adorning the handmade shelf!

Back to the real McCoy.   I booked a Christmas wreathe making workshop with Kelly at Blooming Good Flowers back in October, fully expecting to be sent a kit and joining instructions for an on-line class.  Thanks to Kelly having a log cabin studio in her back garden, I could attend in person as we were able to adhere to all the current safety guidelines.  It was fun to be out and about again, learning something new.  

Kelly's studio was overflowing with floristry supplies and Christmas decorations and it wasn't long before she had me covering my round wire base with moss, then affixing spruce branches with string.  The air was filled with the pungent scent of the greenery as it was cut to shape.

Next, I'd to choose a ribbon for my feature bow.  Talk about being spoiled for choice!

I'd taken some rose gold decorations from home and found the perfect ribbon in another big bin of contenders.

I was so busy wiring cones, baubles and slices of dried lime that I missed taking  photos of the array of gorgeous items Kelly had in her workshop for me to choose from to adorn my wreathe.  

The frosty lawn next morning was the perfect backdrop to showcase my effort.

Whilst I worked alongside Kelly, we chatted back and forth as if we'd been friends for ages, though we'd actually just met.  Floristry is not Kelly's main occupation and she's managed to turn her hobby into a successful small business, providing welcome relief from her potentially stressful day job.  She managed to make two wreathes in the time I made one as she had lots of orders to fulfil before Christmas.  Those who've previously attended her workshop can purchase kits which include all the items needed to make a wreathe at home.  

Needless to say, I came home with a kit! 

Even though I'd let a fortnight elapse since the class, covering another ring in greenery wasn't too much of a challenge and I remembered how to make the wired bow.

However, I'd assured Kelly I had plenty of decorations at home so didn't take any from her extensive  trove.

This didn't turn out to be entirely true.  After I'd had a good rummage through our Christmas decoration storage tubs, I had to spray paint some pine cones, gathered on my daily dog walk, and pilfer some pre-used silk poinsettias from the tin of Christmas cake adornments.  

I also asked Mum to look out any extra floral bits she might have.  She loves making Christmas decorations and is skilled at flower arranging so I knew she'd have some suitable bits for me to use.  I didn't tell her I was making the second wreathe for her!  

Here's the finished gift hanging on my front door to have its photo taken.

Mum's house is adjacent to a busy thoroughfare in our village where I hope her Christmas wreathe will be enjoyed by many passers-by this festive season.

You can read more about Christmas Wreathes at

https://www.santasquarters.com/origins-christmas-wreaths/

Swaps, surprises and the joy of giving

 Everyone loves getting a parcel!

But a lot of the post I receive on a daily basis is pretty boring - bills, glossy ads from companies I once patronised, lenders pressing me to sign up for yet another credit card and unsolicited charity mailshots.  Most goes directly into the recycling bin.  I love getting packages in the post and that's what first made me curious about swaps. 

I signed up to the Perfect Strangers swap when it began in 2013.  Throwback to a younger me!  At the time I was subscribing to Oh Comely magazine which organises this on-line event. 

Here's some of  the goodies my American swap partner sent me.  I never took a photo of the contents of the parcel I posted to the States - I only know I enjoyed assembling the contents and wrapping them up in the knowledge they'd make someone, somewhere smile.  The downside was that the postage cost me more than the contents were worth!  Hey, ho - you live and learn.

The following year I signed up again and you could tell your partner a little bit about yourself and what you liked.  You could also choose to have a partner in the same country as yourself so postage costs were more manageable.  I knew my swap partner was a young woman with a sweet tooth who liked Disney.  Here's what I sent to her.

I crocheted her a scarf...

... and must have mentioned that I was a knitter as here's what I received.

Two years ago I took part in two swaps for knitters.  I'd started listening to knitting podcasts around that time and was enjoying being part of the crafting community on Ravelry, the world-wide on-line go-to site for knitters, crocheters, spinners and dyers. I joined the groups associated with the podcasts I liked and followed the discussion threads.  

The Caithness Craft Collective podcast is hosted by lovely Louise Hunt, who I've been lucky enough to meet, and she organised a swap where you had to make a decoration and include something for the other person to make or do.  Here's my parcel contents, destined for Oregon, including the crocheted Christmas tree I made, one I bought and some Scottish bits and bobs - a calendar and National Trust tea towel.  I also included a wee kit to sew a felt gingerbread man and some stickers.

Caroline, my swap partner, blew me away with her thoughtfulness, even including some treats for our pets.  I got a Christmas themed project bag, handy snips, glitzy tape, a pad of postcards to colour in and a multi-tip gel pen.

But it was her handmade item which nearly made me cry - hand knitted bobble hat bunting!  How cute is this?

Another Christmas swap  from 2015 was coordinated by the Shinybees Podcast, hosted by the inimitable Jo Milmine for her listeners.  This time the swap was yarn related and all participants had to upload a photo to reflect the colours they liked.  

Unfortunately, I didn't keep note of what I sent to Katy from London but she saw my inspiration photo of a vibrant tree in spring and sent me this gorgeous zingy hand-dyed yarn from one of my favourite indie dyers, Jess from Ginger Twist Studios.  Katy also included a Christmas tree decoration and family favourite Lindor chocolates. They didn't last long as I remember!

These swaps were such fun that this year I decided to take part in the Caithness Craft Collective Podcast swap once again.  My partner this time is Laila from Denmark and we had to make, or buy, a decoration to fit with our partner's holiday traditions and tell them about where we live.  

A few days ago my parcel arrived from Laila containing the most beautiful natural Christmas tree decoration, a handwritten note about Laila's home and some delicious mint chocolates.

I had real fun making my decoration for Laila.  Following this cute pattern by Sarah at Imagined Landscapes, I followed her pattern modifications to knit Santa-esque Gnicholas Gnome.  In fact, I may have made more than one...

Gnicholas was accompanied on his journey to Denmark by some Scottish soap, tablet, biscuits and a key ring.  I also enclosed a tourist map of my village and a personal letter.

Swapping with a stranger I have found over the years to be a heart warming experience and there's as much to be gained from the act of giving as there is in receiving.  Making something personal for my swap partner is something I enjoy, as is finding appropriate little gifts for their parcel.  I love wrapping the items carefully so the package is pretty.

I will treasure my new Danish tree decoration from Laila and hope she likes her knitted Scottish gnome.  They say 'it's better to give than to receive' and I couldn't agree more.  (but getting stuff rocks too!)

Christmas is coming - knit faster!

I know I'm not the only one who cannot resist the compulsion to knit gifts for Christmas.  It's so satisfying to think of the ones we love wrapped up in the woollies we've made.

I also know I'm not alone in making this decision way too late in the year, often as December is well underway, thereby putting myself under yet more pressure.  There's cards to write and post, presents to buy and wrap, food to procure and prepare and a myriad of other tasks demanding attention in order that Christmas will be all ready come 25th December!

Still doesn't stop me from thinking I can knit more than I can...

The answer to the shrinking knitting time available to me was to tackle small projects.

I made my Mum a Neck Warmer to tuck inside her sweater.  I made it for her birthday on Boxing Day (which I still count as Christmas knitting).  To be finished in time I even had to knit anytime I was waiting in the car.  Here I'm parked up waiting to collect my husband from the airport.

I kept seeing this slogan on Facebook and Instagram "Christmas is coming - knit faster!"

This is the second neck warmer  I've made for my Mum as she really found the first one so cosy.  I used Rico Design Baby Classic DK so it won't irritate her neck and it can be easily washed.

Hats were my favoured project for Christmas gift knitting this year.  I managed to knit three hats as gifts, including one for my Secret Santa.

I got my sister-in-law, Fiona, in our family Secret Santa draw.  I decided to make my gift and chose to make her a Baa-ble Hat.  The pattern, designed by Donna Smith, was the official pattern for Shetland Wool Week in 2015 and this event is held every year in Shetland to celebrate Shetland wool and its associated crafts.  To date, over six and a half thousand Baa-ble Hats have been knitted!

I used one of the recommended yarns, Jamieson and Smith Shetland Aran in the wonderfully named colours Snaa White, Peat and Silver Grey.  The sheep are knitted in Drops Alpaca Boucle which gives them fleecy wee bodies.  Wool is stranded across the back of the colour work sections making this one of the cosiest hats I've ever knitted!

I made my husband, Geoff a hat last year for his birthday.  Gorgeous Birlinn yarn the Hebridean Isle of Berneray.  Here's the last recorded siting of it before it got lost!

So I made him a new hat for Christmas.  This time I used New Lanark Aran in Limestone and liked the texture created by the Bankhead pattern from Knit Natural.

I also made a hat for my daughter, Eilidh, last birthday.  Soft Na Dannsairean Aran from Ripplescrafts in the North West Highlands of Scotland and the popular Acai pattern by Clare Devine. It's not lost but has got a bit stretched...

... so I made her a new one for Christmas.  It's squishy and soft in Rowan Wool/Cotton and I repeated the Bankhead pattern .  Eilidh wasn't sure about the fake fur pompom though - so it had to go!

Finally, here are the hats on happy heads!

Work, work, workshop

This is the third year in a row I've been asked by Community Education at my local secondary school to organise a craft workshop for a group of mums in the village.  The group meets monthly to support mums who have children with additional needs.  There's a brief two hour child-free window to make something, accompanied of course by chat, coffee and cake.  Susan brought these delicious homebakes to yesterday's workshop.

Each year I've chosen the craft of needle felting for the workshop as it's a craft which requires no prior knowledge on the part of the mums but everyone is able to complete a project to take home, even in the short time we have together.

In 2014, we made a winter picture.  I used the video tutorials at feltedsky.com to form the basis of what we were going to make.

Last year, we made these brooches featuring a robin.

At this year's workshop, which was held yesterday, the aim was to make a needle felted bauble featuring Santa.

But reaching the decision about what to make can take more time than the making itself!

I'd never tried this before myself so I started off with the only polystyrene shape I had in the house - an egg - possibly left over from when the church craft group made these fabric covered eggs for the Easter display in 2012  (throughback to a much younger me!)

I tried needle felting the polystyrene shape with merino roving wool and a felting tool.

That worked - so I tried some more eggs and added a bit of decoration.  I bought some polystyrene spheres and had a shot with them, adding some sparkle this time.  I felted a spiral tree onto the red bauble and topped it with a sequin star.  I decorated the green sparkly bauble with a reindeer but it looked terrible - more like an angry fox - so I removed it without even taking a photo!  I spent far too long seeking inspiration from Google images of needle felted Christmas decorations when I should have been doing housework.  Finally, I had a light bulb moment and covered the egg with red roving, fashioned a hat, added pompoms, eyes and a beard and Santa materialised.  Even then, the eyes didn't look right - they reminded me of a bird...

... so I tried making a robin - but it looked liked the scary penguin from Wallace and Gromit!  Besides, we made robins last year.  Then I found smaller beads to make eyes and refashioned the robin into this Santa with which I was finally happy.

Then I had to see how long it would take to make one - by making lots more of them.

Only then could I write up an instruction sheet, gather all my craft supplies together and feel prepared for the workshop.

The reward for my 'work', and I use this word loosely because it was mostly a lot of fun, is seeing the finished decorations at the end of the workshop and feeling that the participants have had a good time.  I'm delighted that the ladies have agreed to let me share their decorations here. 

Here's the handiwork of Elizabeth, Susan, Karen, Gina, Gillian, Rebecca, Lisa and Biff.  They all did a fantastic job yesterday and made wonderfully unique Santas!  I hope they'll be part of their Christmas decorating traditions for some years to come.  

I wonder if they'll ask me back next year?