HRYC

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....

I'm a big Twitter user. Like, big: i'm on there constantly. I love how it means I can chat to people all day long even though I spend most of the day working on my own. Same with Ravelry - it enables connections between knitters that may otherwise never meet.

There aren't many occasions here in NZ to have a Ravelry party, so I decided we need to have one of our very own!

Ravelry & Twitter Meet Up

Saturday 2 June
12.30pm - 2.30pm
HRYC Knit Lounge
Oceania Room
Te Papa

It's free to one and all - and we have a limited number of Ravelry badges so you can out yourself as your Rav or Twitter pseudonym.

The event is all part of Handmade 2012 - so come along for a bit knitty fun and the chance to meet some new (or not so new) people!

Hip hip hooray!

We have a 'Twice as Nice' pass to give to one lovely person...and we're going to spot you a couple of vouchers for High Tea at Sweet Pea (valued at $40) AND a $50 Holland Road Shop Voucher....

So what do you need to do in order to win?

Simply comment below (make sure you include your email address in the comment form), post on our Facebook timeline, or Tweet @knitsch of what you're most looking forward to doing at Handmade. Simple as that! Just be sure to do it by 5pm Monday 28 May NZ time.

We'll draw the winner at random at 5.30pm on Monday, and will be in touch via email/FB message/DM straight away so you can get planning your weekend!

Quickly, to be clear:

WIN: A Twice as Nice pass to Handmade 2012, High Tea for two at Sweet Pea in Petone, $50 HRYC gift voucher
HOW: comment, facebook, or tweet us what you're looking forward to
WHEN: by 5pm Monday 28 May NZ time

Small print: If we can't get in touch with the winner by 5pm Tuesday 29 May we will re-draw the prize. Winner will be able to choose which classes they go to subject to availability. Winner will need to make their own way to/from Wellington if they are from another city. Twice As Nice pass entitles the winner to attend two classes and two lectures at Handmade 2012. High Tea Voucher entitles the winner to 2 x $20 per person High Tea to be booked at the winner's convenience. Please not Sweet Pea is very busy on weekends so you may not be able to book for Handmade weekend.