HRYC

It's officially winter...and we're thinking about hoodies to hide under while we sit on the couch knitting, or wait for the bus on a grey day.

First: one for the kiddies...

Roo by Kate Gilbert

Ysolda Teague's Melia from Little Red in the City (a great knit, and we have both a knit sample for you to try on and the book in stock)

I'd really like this for myself: Neville's Sweater by Joannie Newsome

The ever-popular Central Park Hoodie. I've want to knit this FOREVER. Should probably get on to that.

Are there any great hoodie patterns you've come across lately? Share them with us! And if you like any of these, click on the image and you'll be whisked off to the pattern page on Ravelry.

A quick run down of our plans for this weekend:

Saturday 2 June:

Knit Lounge open 8am to 6.30pm

In the Knit Lounge:
Ravelry & Twitter Meet Up
12.30pm - 2.30pm

All day: help us knit a GIANT blanket on super size needles with the bulkiest yarn EVER. Also bring along any knitting technical questions, or just hang out and knit with us. There will be chocolate and yarn sales all day!

Yarn Class walking buses
Meet at the Knit Lounge 15 minutes before your Yarn class starts and walk with classmates to the venue (about 5 minutes away by foot).
9.15am: meet for Blendy Knits Socks & Crocheted Garland
11.30am: meet for Knitted Frangipani Flower & Knit a Warm & Pretty Wrister
2pm: meet for Cotton Crochet Necklace and Two-handed Stranded Knitting
4.15pm: meet for Spinning a Yarn and Learning to Read Your Knitting

Sunday 3 June

Knit Lounge open 8.30am to 6.30pm

In the Knit Lounge:
Spin In
BYO wheel or spindle and spin the afternoon away!
12.30pm - 2.30pm

All day: help us knit a GIANT blanket on super size needles with the bulkiest yarn EVER. Also bring along any knitting technical questions, or just hang out and knit with us. There will be free chocolate (YAY!) and yarn sales all day!

Yarn Class walking buses
Meet at the Knit Lounge 15 minutes before your Yarn class starts and walk with classmates to the venue (about 5 minutes away by foot).
9.15 am: meet for Blendy Knits Socks and Crochet Garland
11.30am: meet for Knitted Frangipani Flower & Knit a Warm & Pretty Wrister
2pm: meet for Cotton Crochet Necklace and Just Add Beads
4.15pm: meet for Spinning a Yarn and Learning to Read Your Knitting

Sometimes, when things a little crazy and busy, I have some silly ideas. When putting together the ad for the Handmade 2012 hand book, there was this silly little idea that wouldn't go away.

An alternative ad, featuring The Gos.

The ad that wasn't:

There would probably be trouble if I used Ryan's image in a print ad... so here is the ad that was:

Petone is The Best. It's especially good for nice cruisey days of wandering around, browsing, drinking coffee and eating great cake.

If you're visiting Wellington for Handmade, or are a Wellingtonian that doesn't get out to Petone often, here's our pick of the best (and instructions on how to get here)

Best Brunch:

Go Bang
182 Jackson Street

If only I could pick Go Bang up and move it next door to the shop. They serve the BEST grilled haloumi in town, make great coffee and ENORMOUS cakes.

Second best brunch:

Caffiend
233 Jackson Street
The closest and best coffee in relation to the shop, Caffiend has happy staff, great food (we love their salads and afghan cookies) and very good coffee. It's only a block away from us...if you make it past Sweet Pea on the way, that is.

Best Cupcakes & High Tea

Sweet Pea
259 Jackson Street

WE LOVE SWEET PEA. The best cupcakes, amazing range of tea, cabinet food, and incredible High Tea. If you are hoping to have High Tea here during Handmade weekend, we recommend you attempt to make a booking now - word is they are booked out for High Tea on weekends four weeks in advance, but it's still worth giving it a go.

Sweet Pea High Tea

Best shopping:

Wanda Harland
148 Jackson St

I used to work here! A bright and happy shop full of beautiful design and fun home wares. Also great clothes from Chalky Digits, bags by Saben and the ever-awesome Babylicious range of kids clothes.

Gloria's Treasures
Next door to Go Bang, i'm not even sure if that's the proper name of this shop: my favourite second hand store on the street. But it's owned by Gloria, and she has an excellent eye for great second hand treats.

St Vincent de Paul
opposite Holland Road Yarn Co

The best charity shop (we reckon) - great furniture, loads of good quality clothes and all the other things you find at charity shops.  They close at 12.30pm on Saturday so you need to get in early.

Best way to get to Petone:
Catch the 81 or 83 bus to ANZ Jackson St for $5 or $3.50 on a Snapper (bus is purple and orange and will say to Eastbourne) from anywhere on Courtenay Place, Willis St or Lambton Quay
OR the Flyer to ANZ Jackson St about $10 (bus is orange and will say to Queensgate or Upper Hutt)

The bus will go on the motorway and turn off at Petone. It’ll turn right at the train station on to Jackson St. The ANZ stop is about the third stop along, just past the clock tower on your left.

Once you’re off the bus, keep walking in the same direction as the bus was driving for another 2 blocks. You’ll see the National Bank on the corner and we’re right next door - keep an eye out for our knitted leafy power pole :D

Oh, my, this is brilliant. Gary Barlow and Will Smith do the Fresh Prince theme song on Graham Norton.

I know you were singing along....