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Knitting Club Banned from Library for Being Too Loud

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no knittingThis sort of sounds like a story that would come from The Onion, but it’s true, far as I can tell: the Knit and Natter group in Cramlington, Northumberland, has been banned from meeting in the city’s new library because they take up too much room and are too loud.

The group of up to 30 women has to find a new home by the end of September. Organizers say they were never told they were too loud at the old library, and they’ve done good things while meeting there including knitting a Christmas tree for the library in 2011.

What do you think? Are knitters too loud to meet in a library, or are county councilors going too far?

[Photo, which has nothing to do with this story at all, from Flikr via Buzzfeed.]

Looking for more Christmas themed Knitting patterns? Check out some of our favorite Knitting patterns on Etsy and

These Christmas Knitting Pattern Books on Amazon

 

Comments

  1. Well, knitting needles are dangerous – they could poke out someone’s eye. Same way books are so dangerous because you could get a papercut…
    I went to a facility once where I wasn’t allowed to take in my knitting needles (size 20’s!!!) because I might use them to take drugs.
    I think the world has gone mad sometimes!

  2. Knitters may be too loud but they’ve been there a while so why ban them now? Maybe they can find a community room that will let them get together.

  3. What they didn’t like the clicking noise by all those knitting needles? That is really dumb call there.

  4. Many areas in the UK are facing libraries closing as councils try and cut costs………So craft clubs, childrens groups and mothers groups meeting in them enables a community library fit into the social life of its area.
    If a group stays in the library all day long it could be a nuisance for other users yes, but for goodness sake, meetings are what, a couple of hours?
    Leave them alone Northumberland Council!!

  5. We can’t really judge how disruptive they might be without being there. I must say, though, that we have a couple of rather small libraries in our area. When they put on any sort of lecture or kids program, they can’t help but present it to the whole library. There’s no escaping it. I guess the librarians figure drawing people into the library for an activity trumps the inconvenience to other patrons. Our big local library, fortunately, has both flexible community rooms for activities like knitting, and a quiet reading room for those who really need quiet. Oddly, they sometimes let a community group use it. Libraries are, first and foremost, for reading.
    I like the phrase “knit and natter” better than “stitch and bitch.” And my curiosity was piqued by the activity in aid of breastfeeding. Hard to picture.

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.