Get Involved
In the run up to Perthshire Amber Festival one of the best ways to get involved is to knit knit knit! The "Big Knit" is not only comprised of the raffle for the gorgeous alpaca blanket, but we also have a knitting lounge right at Amber Central (in the Royal Hotel, Dunkeld) where we sell knitted items that are done during the year and then available for purchase throughout the festival. People began by sending us knitted hats (and now items like wristlets, headbands, key rings, cuddly animal characters and much more) from all over the world. Every penny made from the sale of the knitted goods goes to our chosen charity...this year it is The Cyrenians who work with homeless or vulnerable people, providing support on a variety of challenging issues.
During the festival we welcome people to come to the knitting lounge and join in! You can bring your own knitting projects or grab some wool and needles (available to anyone who wants a go) and knit squares for the next charity blanket. Every click of every knitting needle helps support our charity.
We look forward to having some gorgeous "Hats for Homeless" available for sale again this year. And why not stop in and knit a square or two for the blanket? You are likely to run into many other knitters and have a wee chat with some lovely people from around the world... and it just might even include Dougie's mum.
Raffle tickets or silent auction details relating to how to win the 2016 Big Knit Blanket (and other special prizes) will be available soon....along with a photo of this year's blanket! You will also be able to buy or bid throughout the festival and the draw will be held at the Farewell Concert on Sunday, 6th November 2016. We will ship anywhere in the world - and you do not have to be present to win. Watch this space for further details. Good Luck with the knitting and thank you for all your support!
Knit some Big Knit Blanket Squares!
We are happy to accept squares for the Big Knit Blanket at any time throughout the year as long as they are knitted with Artesano DK wool in one of the autumnal colours. You can order the wool online at www.artesanoyarns.co.uk (they offer a 20% discount to anyone connected to the Perthshire Amber Festival Big Knit!...so make sure you mention it. There's also a phone number on their website if you'd prefer to call them (Tom and Jenny Coomber). Here are the colours we use in the blanket.
DK 100% Alpaca
Chile 1532
Venezuela 4345
Cocoa SFN33
Biscuit SFN21
Wholemeal C969
Ecuador 8774
Guyana 2133
Fern C743
During our Perthshire Amber Festival Artesano provide wool and we can supply it free, but between festivals knitters buy their own as a contribution to the charity (which, as you'll know, is this year The Cyrenians).
The square knitting info we use is: with 4mm needles and DK yarn cast on 30 stitches and then knit (garter stich) until the square measures 6 inches. The actual number of rows to be knitted can be variable, usually 54-58 but the important thing is the "squareness" which you check by folding the square diagonally and the two sides should match.
Normally squares are 'garter stitch' (knit every row) and a single colour but if you are an experienced knitter who wants to 'show off' your knitting skills by knitting fancy patterns using combinations of the colours above do feel free to!...as long as the finished square measures 6 inches.
We look forward to receiving your squares!...any contributions really appreciated. Post them to:
Perthshire Amber Big Knit
The Old Schoolhouse
Butterstone
Dunkeld
PH80HA
Scotland UK
Kind Regards,
Jennifer
