Our First Square

HURRAH
We have our first square for the Wool for the Wall competition.
Only 543 more to go.

Update from Wool for the Wall

We have given out lots more leaflets and we're getting some great coverage about Wool for the Wall. 
Don't forget we need plain squares as well as fancy ones, and we will be judging the winners on how much effort and work went into the square so even if you can only do granny squares, or you've only just learnt to knit, you have just as much chance of winning. 

The Andover RDA has other fund raising activities going on this year as well as our Wool for the Wall.  Archie (my rescue horse) and I are taking part with some friends in the Abbotts Ann Fun Ride on the 7th May.  This is a beautiful 10 mile ride along tracks and through bluebell woods, with fun tasks and prizes.  The link for the ride, if you'd like to take part, is below and I'll let you know how Archie and I get on in a couple of weeks.

http://www.ridingdiary.co.uk/details.asp?eventid=25703

If you're stuck for inspiration why not try stitching 10 cm squares in that stitch you've always wanted to try, and crochet them all together.  Do them all in different colours for a nice jazzy square, or keep to the same colour for a sophisticated look.  You could do a square when queueing at the post office or sitting in the waiting room at the Docs and help promote knitting at the same time.  Its amazing who you get talking to when you have your needles out in public!

wool for the wall update

Its been an exciting week for Wool for the Wall.  I've been talking to lots of you about what you're doing and I can't wait to see the ideas in the flesh (or I should say in the fibre). 

Here are a couple of facts about Andover RDA.  They help 60 - 70 riders and drivers each week, mostly in term time from April to October with 120 regular volunteers. 
Their junior riders come from the four special schools in the Andover area, and they help adults from Mencap, Enham, Andover Mind and Andover Day Services, along with a few individuals.
More facts next week.

If you're struggling for inspiration why not try knitting a small garter stitch square, then pick up and knit the stitches along the edge in another colour and keep going until you have another square, then change colour again and knit along another side.  If you keep going you'll have 50cm x 50cm in no time.  It's a great way to use up some of your stash!

Wool for the Wall update

We've had lots of interest in Wool for the Wall.  There are so many of you out there with great ideas for your squares and I can't wait to see them.

Here are a couple of facts about the Andover Riding for Disabled group (charity number 1073578) who we're raising money for.
Andover RDA has been providing disabled people with the opportunity to ride and/or carriage drive horses since 1972, when it was started by Mrs Dinah Murdoch and some of her Pony Club friends.  Its  current organiser is Elizabeth Maclay.

The Andover Group of the RDA is one of over 600 in the UK giving over 437,000 ride/drives last year to over 26,000 participants. 

There will be more facts in our next update.

If you're stuck for inspiration for your square why not look through old jumper patterns, especially those with pictures, and knit the pattern without the shaping.  You can add a jazzy border if doesn't fit 50cm x 50cm.

It's finally here!! Wool for the Wall is open

Today is the day.  The competition is finally open and I can't wait to see what people come up with.  There's been a lot of interest so here's hoping.  We need 544 squares to fill the wall, and if we do then we'll raise over £1000 for Andover Riding for Disabled.  Even more when we auction off the throws made from the squares at the Michaelmas Fair in September.  So get knitting folks and send in your squares to:

Beaker Button
Studio 11, Fairground Craft and Design Centre, Weyhill, Hampshire, SP11 0QN.

Click on the Beaker Button website link for more details and competition rules.