Contrary to the programme, we will be meeting as usual on Monday evening in the Red Squirrel from 6-8pm. We had planned to have a social event but the fact that it’s a Bank Holiday coupled with uncertainty over the weather plus a slight lack of imagination means that we decided to meet as usual and discuss what we’d like to do. Rhian and Jen are going to be organising some social events in the next few months so let them know if there’s anything you’d like to do.

Meanwhile, it’s a drop-in on Monday (and I’m sure we can manage to be sociable!).

Finally, there is still one outstanding copy of Song of Achilles due back to Edinburgh Libraries. Could the person who has this please return it immediately to Central Library? We would like to borrow books in the future, and we’re jeopordising that at present.

See you on Monday!

Drum roll please. Just in the nick of time before we were all hurled into an angry pit of confusion, the Granny Green summer schedule is done! Some of the detail still needs to be confirmed, but the next few months are pretty much mapped out for those of us who like to know what’s happening on a Monday evening. We’ve had to make an executive decision about choice of books for the reading group due to availability of books. We hope that works for everyone. So, without further ado, here it is:

The last few weeks have been pretty hectic with holidays, gigs and…er…weather. However, Spring is definitely here in tropical Tollcross (see picture), and it’s time for an update on crafty matters.

Next week is a drop-in then those of you who are sharp-eyed will have noticed that our programme ends on Monday 29 April with our third Surgery of the year – ‘How to Crochet a Granny Square’. As usual, our resident experts will be on hand to help you and we have spare crochet hooks and wool, so you don’t even have to provide your own equipment. The new programme will be available shortly, and will include such exciting additions as a social event, a workshop from the lovely Jen Pickett on fabric flower-making and a swap shop event. As you may have noticed last night, we’ve been given some crafting equipment and fabric from a number of people recently so we’ll make all this available at the swap shop (and hopefully create some space in my office!).

It’s also time to choose a new book for the book group. Conveniently, our friends at Edinburgh Libraries, happen to have updated their list of books available to groups – you can access it here. I’ll bring a copy next week, put together a list of options and set up a doodle poll. Democracy in action, people.

We’ve had a few emails from people interested in sharing information with us. Stellar Quines, the Edinburgh-based theatre company, has a new Heritage Lottery funded project called Knit 2 Together aimed at celebrating the female stories/histories interwoven with the Scottish Borders textiles industries. The K2TOG website has more information about events and ways you can get involved.

Meanwhile, we’ve been approached by a PhD candidate called Kate Lampitt Adey who is looking to interview people about why they are involved in textile production. If you are interested in contributing to her research, please drop an email to greensnightout@gmail.com and we can put you in touch.

Finally, we’d love to do something sociable fairly soon, especially as there are a number of people new to the city who have started coming along on Monday evenings. A few of us were chatting about the fact that it would be nice to spend some time together in a slightly quieter environment! More information on dates and suggested venues will follow soon.

Look forward to seeing you armed with your crochet hooks next Monday, usual place, usual time. Have a great week!

This weekend is the Edinburgh Yarn Festival and the plan is to meet at 11am for coffee/cake/bacon rolls/glass of tap water in the cafe at Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street (off Leith Walk).

In other news, we’ve set up a Facebook group for people who attend Granny Green’s. It’s a closed group, but all you have to do to join is request it and any member can approve you. Search for Granny Green’s Big Night Out under Groups and look for the daisy emoticon (there wasn’t anything remotely crafty!)

This week Granny Green’s is meeting at Central Hall (2 West Tollcross, EH3 9BP) for a Quilting and Patchwork Workshop with Rhian and Jen. This will be an introductory session with some advice and demos, so you don’t need to bring anything in particular. If you are working on something, please bring it with you, otherwise just come prepared to be enthused.

If you don’t fancy this, normal crafting service will take place in another part of the room so don’t be put off coming if you’d rather knit, crochet or chat. We’ll be serving tea, coffee and a selection of snacks and if you’d like to make a donation (either in food or couple of quid) that would be most welcome.

We’ll also have copies of the next book available. See you on Monday!

Here is the proof that it really does exist – The Museum of Innocence on a damp Sunday morning. Well done, everyone, for finishing, or attempting, this epic book. If you didn’t manage to contribute your thoughts or musings last night (it was particularly busy in the Squirrel) then feel free to continue the conversation next week, when we’ll be holding a regular drop-in. The next book is The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Copies will be available to borrow next week, and if anyone fancies doing a fact-finding mission to Greece, don’t forget to take a photograph for the blog! We’ll be discussing the book on Monday 16 April.

A number of of people have expressed an interest in visiting the Edinburgh Yarn Festival on Saturday 16th March. If anyone fancies going as a group, we’ll be meeting at 10am at the Drill Hall Arts Cafe in the venue (coffee and bacon roll before the plunge into the wool optional).

Finally, although we’re at the Squirrel next week, the following week we’ll be at Central Hall, Tollcross, for a patchwork/quilting workshop run by the lovely Rhian and the lovely Jennifer. More details next week on what to bring and what to expect.

Have a great week!

Tonight is book group night! In addition to all our usual crafting activity there will be the opportunity to discuss ‘The Museum of Innocence’. You may not have finished it, you may not have started it, you may not have liked it, but you’re welcome to chip in on what will probably be a wide-ranging discussion on memory, obsessive behaviour, love and Istanbul.

Discussion will begin at about 6.30pm. Crafters will be in the pub from 6pm. Look forward to seeing you there.

This Monday (28 January) is the first of our Granny Green surgeries. This week our resident experts will be advising you on how to knit a scarf, covering the tricky basics of casting on, knitting plain and purl stitches and casting off. To make the most of the surgery, you will need to provide your own wool and needles. To produce something quickly, you’re best to bring chunky wool and needles.

If you are a more advanced knitter then I’m sure there will be plenty of people to answer any questions you may have, so don’t be put off coming. Of course, if you don’t like knitting or you’re in more of a crochet mood, that’s fine too.

In other news, we’ve put in a bid to win £300 from Galaxy Hot Chocolate to help us put on workshops in the future. To register to vote for us in the ‘people’s choice’, simply go to http://www.hotgalaxywarmheart.com/fund/granny-greens-big-night-. Tell your friends, your grannies and your passing acquaintances too…

And finally, Edinburgh Yarn Festival is happening on 16 March at Out of the Blue in Leith. Follow the link, or follow them on twitter for more information.

We’re back! Granny Green will be big night outing it up this Monday at the Red Squirrel from 6-8pm. Join us for drop-in, catch-up, hang-out time and don’t forget your knitting.*

Monday 14th January 2013

Red Squirrel pub

6-8pm

(*Other craft activities are acceptable)

The new books have arrived! They will be available to borrow from the first week back, but if you are able to beg, borrow or download a copy before then, you might want to get cracking over the Christmas holidays – it’s a big read!

In the meantime, enjoy the break and we’ll see you in the Squirrel on 14th January 2013…