Summer Knitting and crocheting, aka Getting Ready for the Holidays

Summer knitting and crocheting

Once the flip flops and beach apparel have been created, it’s still too hot to knit or crochet large items.   It's also probably too hot to think too hard for patterns.  Quick and simple to complete projects are great.  Now is the time to think of what you might want to gift to co workers for the upcoming holidays.  Now is the time to think of what you might want to craft for your decorations.

I offer the following ideas.  All are small and won’t make you much hotter.

1.       Decorations for a specific holiday or year round appeal.

          a.      Crochet wreaths

          b.      Snowflakes

          c.      Holly leaves, knit or crochet

          d.      Nativity figures

          e.      Mini mittens, hats, sweaters, socks

          f.       Ice skates
               g.      Easter Eggs
          h.      Butterflies
          I.       Acorns
          j.        Pinecones
          k.       Autumn leaves
          l.        flowers

2.       Amigurumi Christmas animals and people

3.       Hats mittens, cowls, mitts, socks

4.       mug rugs, mug hugs (keeps a  hot cup hot longer or cold drinks cold longer, depending.  The rug will also keep the sweat from running down to stain the tables or the heat from leaving a mark.)

All of the above ideas are available in knit or crochet ideas.  Patterns are available all over the internet.  Search for the item, either knit or crochet and free pattern.  You will be amazed at what you find.

I wrote this before the summer was much of a thought.  Summer was a hope at the end of the winter that never seemed to want to end.  At I type this update, today's high temperature was 80.  Yesterday it didn't make it above 74.  This is the end of June.  For the past 30 years or so, it gets HOT, as in 90+, and is very dry at this time of year.  So far we have had a very wet late spring and early summer.  I'm not minding the larger projects yet.  But be assured, these ideas will be needed soon.  I think.

Another Sale!!!! And the new classes for October, November, December

Here's a shock for us all.  The Discover Knit and Crochet classes are on sale until Halloween for $20 each.  Those that are priced less than that stay the same.

And finally pictures of the new classes.  For Crochet the new offerings for project classes are

Crochet Cowl featuring woolspun from Lion Brand Yarn  A very warm garment that can be made larger or smaller or glammed up with a different yarn choice or ribbon choice.

Cross Stitch Potholder using Sugar and Creme  A great gift idea for the hunters in your life!  They can use this while cooking up their catch.

Fingerless Gloves using Vanna's Choice  A great gift idea for a lot.  Change them up by doing in different colors for each recipient!

Boot Cuffs using Red Heart Super Saver.  These are well loved by the twenty something women in my store!

And finally the strawberry cake scarf in color choice 1.  This is just fun and exciting.  Makes me hungry for cake.

 And now for the new Knit Classes......

This is the Knit baby hat and booties.  

These cup cozies are a quick knit and great for co workers presents! 

This slouchy hat is also a great gift idea for teens

And finally the new kids projects.

The mannequins are wearing the multi strand necklace and headband.
In front are the basketball necklace and bracelet.  Super easy and stylish for the kids!  

Kid Crochet 2 are cuff bracelets.  Individuality is gained by color choices and the buttons chosen.

The animal pouches are #3 even though they use the same stitch as the cuff bracelets but there is more to do for these.

New Schedule!! Sale on Classes

The sale on classes!!  Saturday, September 20, is our Open House.  All day classes over $20 that are purchased will be given a $20 coupon good for class supplies.  Open House will be running from 11am to 2 pm in the Lebanon store.  Come in and see me.  

Here are my new schedules through December.  As you can see from the calendars, there are new projects for Adult crochet (Monday and Wednesday nights), Adult knit (Thursday and Friday nights) and Kids Crochet (Saturday mornings).  We are still running the beginner classes, arm knitting and kids weaving classes.  Samples will be available for everyone to see.

Hope to see you on Saturday!  

Please note the October 11 class for kids crochet has changed time from 930 - 11 to 1030 - 12.  

Summer Fun

Summer will officially start at the end of this week.  Summer started unofficially in May with Memorial Day.  This past month has been hot, warm, cool, sunny, cloudy and rainy.  The weather might be confusing but my knitting and crochet projects aren't.

I'm working on the Tunisian crochet table cover, the knit phone cover, the jersey pillow (the yarn reminds me of my husband's old comfortable t shirts), and the crocodile stitch stole I designed for class.  So far, the table cover is good.  The phone cover is too big.  I need to reduce my needle size, probably by 2 sizes.  The jersey pillow is soft and smooth.  The stole is fuzzy.  I started this with Paton's Lace in Aran color.  The fuzzy yarn doesn't work well with black or navy colored clothes.  It sheds a bit.  It could be my dogs but I don't think so since they are short haired and this is long and lightly kinked.  I'm looking forward to this being done since I intended it for summer for those times when I go to dinner and am seating right in the blast zone of the AC or the store I go to is frigid (grocery store frozen foods aisle I'm looking at you).  

Make a note these are smaller projects.  I will also be starting work on the kids weaving class projects with the weaving sticks soon, also small projects.  What will I do when these are done?  I plan to work on other small projects.  I will also be working on my church's festival for 2 weeks in July.  I won't be teaching those weeks or really be in touch with things.  I won't even be knitting or crocheting.  I know it's hard to believe but I work shortened hours at my day job, long hours at the festival and by the time I get home and showered, I'm too tired.

I know I will be working on Warm Up America blocks.   I keep yarn and hooks/needles stashed in both vehicles for the down times as well as scratch paper for notes.  I will be working on new stitch patterns good for this effort.  I don't know about you all but I get bored with garter, seed, stockinette, single crochet, double crochet and the like.  I need a little pattern to liven my work up.  I might have a post stitch design or a shell pattern.  It all depends on what hits me in the off moment and what I see when I look out the window to inspire me.

Aside from all this fun and excitement, I look forward to seeing family and friends for cookouts and picnics, the fireworks for the 4th, fresh fruit from our trees and bushes.  Our strawberry patch has already produced a pint or so.  I know there are car shows and carnivals coming up as well.

What kind of fiber fun are you looking forward to?  

New Classes!!! New Schedule!!! SALE!!!

There's a sale!!!  Classes are on sale!!!  
Here are the details.  They will look a bit familiar.  Any class that is $25 or more is now on sale for $20 on June 7 only.  Sign up online here or in the store.  For those who come into the store, there is a $20 voucher good for class supplies!!  Please take some time out from the Good Samaritan Hospital Street Fair to come to the store to sign up.  The sale is good all day.

Now onto the new classes.  Some classes are retired.  Some classes are new.  Please note, most classes (Wilton may be the exception and need more.  I don't know.) will need 2 paying students.  Consider bringing a friend if you want to be sure of a class.

These are the new crochet offerings.  Small enough to not make you hot just thinking about yarn in summer but large enough to be useful and fun.

Child's Purse

Crochet Basket

Tunisian tablet cover

Colorful  Creatures

 These are the new knit class offerings.  Again small enough to not make you too hot in summer with yarn but some useful and fashionable things.

Simple Knit Scarf

Jersey Pillow

Twisted Headband

Baby Hat

 We also have a new pompom class.  This would be a nice, decorative item to decorate a dorm room in the fall for the grad who is heading off to college or for any teen's room in school colors or their favorite team.

Pompom Wreath

 We haven't forgotten the children either.  New for the kids is weaving with weaving sticks.  This is a very old technique but still has some modern and fashionable and fun applications.

Monsters

Monster Scarf 

Headband with bow

Now for the new schedules.

Beginner Crochet Classes

All Classes are Mondays 6pm – 8:30pm

Crochet Beginner 1 – Skinny Scarf or Phone Cover                     June 16

Crochet Beginner 2 – Pillow or Scarf                                             June 18

Crochet Advanced Beginner – Cloche or Scarf                             June 9  retired after this date but if you started it and need more help, let me know or come to a yarn night.

 

New Classes

Tunisian Crochet Table Cover                 July 2                   September 3        

    Crochet Child’s Purse                               July 23        September 15           

    Crochet Colorful Creatures                      August 4     September 29

     Crochet Basket                                                    August 18

Advanced Crochet Classes

All Classes are Wednesdays 6pm – 8:30pm, unless noted otherwise

Discover Time to Crochet Classes

Crocodile Stitch June 11

Ornaments for Summer and Winter August 20

Hairpin Lace Sept. 3

Broomstick Lace September 17

Filet Crochet    October 1      

 Last Chance for these classes

       Discover Crochet – Coasters                                             June 4

         Discover Crochet – Flower Scarf                                          June 24

         Discover Crochet – Flower Beanie                                        June 23

         Discover Crochet -  Spring Bunny                                            June 25

NEW ** Pom Pom Wreath Class               July 26 9:30am – 12 pm  **  NEW

Beginner Knit Classes

All Classes are Thursdays 6 – 8:30 pm

Knit Beginner 1 – Hat or Wristwarmers       June 19

Knit Beginner 2 – Neckwarmer or Tassel Hat      June 20

Knit Advanced Beginner – Cable Scarf or Fingerless Gloves            June 12 retired after this date

 

New Classes

Simple Scarf                 July 3                   September 4

Jersey Pillow                  July 24        September 18

Baby Hat                                          August 7

Twisted Headband with Bow                           August 21      

Arm Knitting                August 8    6 – 7 pm

Advanced Knit Classes

  All Classes are Fridays 6 – 8:30 pm, unless otherwise noted

Discover Time to Knit Classes

Intarsia            June 13

Socks              July 25            

Entrelac  August 22               

Ornaments September 5         

Fair Isle September 19

 

Last Chance for these Classes

Discover Knit – Head Wrap            June 26

Discover Knit -   Phone Cover                   June 27      

          Discover Knit - PomPom Hat           June 6

          Discover Knit – Scarf                          June 30

                   

PomPom Wreath           July 26  9:30am – 12pm

 

Arm Knitting                  August 8  6 – 7pm

KIDS CLASSES

Discover Kids Classes

All crochet classes are Saturday mornings 9:30 – 11AM unless noted

Discover Kids Crochet 1 (Necklace and Bracelet) 

August 9

September 20

Discover Kids Crochet 2 (Zipper Pull)

August 23

Discover Kids Crochet 3 (Monsters)

September 6

****NEW FOR KIDS****WEAVING****

     All weaving classes are Saturdays 11 – 12:30 unless noted

                    Discover Kids Weaving (Monster Scarf)

                          August 9          September 20

                       Discover Kids Weaving (Monsters)     August 23

                     Discover Kids Weaving (Headband and bow)       September 6

The extras -- Here are the dates for the yarn nights and when I will start Warm Up America joining parties again.  I know you will all join me in a sigh of relief that there won't be any in the summer.  I can't think of anything to make me feel hotter than an afghan in my lap.

 Yarn Nights are times for you to get a question answered about a stitch, yarn or pattern question that doesn’t require a full class.  You can also sit and stitch with me at this time.  Time is 1pm – 4 pm unless noted.

June 14          June 21        July 5 (1-2) July 26        August 9     August 23   September 6                   September 20

 

Warm Up America Joining Parties are times to help join afghans blocks to help the homeless here in Lebanon with the donation of warm afghans.

Joining party time is 2pm - 5pm unless noted.

                                                            September 21

Arm Knitting -- It's What's New and Exciting

Today was the social event at Michaels for Arm Knitting.  I talked to a lot of people and even had two people complete a five foot long scarf each from the demo.  This mother daughter duo has it altogether and they are ready for whatever the weather forecast has in store for us tonight.  I don't want to know what it is.  They did their scarves in Cozy Wool with an awesome royal blue for the daughter and nice bright red for mom.

Sadly, I was so busy talking to people I got no pictures.  I'm not surprised by this though.  I tend to talk a lot when I really like something.

Classes for those who missed today's event can be registered at Michaels either in person or online.  I have three classes scheduled for March 29, April 12, April 26.  These are Saturdays and the classes are from 10 AM to 11 AM.  The cost is only $10 for the hour.  Patterns, instructions and hints and tips come your way in class.  As with all the classes, when you sign up, you will receive a syllabus with a list of supplies needed for the class and a bar code at the bottom for 10% off class supplies. 

What can you do with arm knitting???  All kinds of things.  Start with cowls or scarves, move up to shawls and bags (definitely not for small items) or even afghans.  Can a project be completed in an hour?  Yes it can.

Please note that the classes I teach are at the Lebanon, PA store.  Other stores have different class calendars.  I hope to see you there.

New and Exciting Classes + Class Schedule thru June

We have new and exciting classes to offer!!!  There are ruffle scarf classes for both knit and crochet and for each ruffle yarn available.  Some use special techniques, while others are generic.

We have the Crochet Spring Bunny, just in time for Easter.    

 We have Crochet Coasters in time for those cold summer beverages to sit on while we sip and complain how hot it is.  These are great to protect furniture.

 We have the crochet flower beanie for the early spring weather to help keep our toddlers warm.  What to do if you have a boy and not a girl?  Not to worry, choose boy colors and omit the flower.

 We have the crochet flower scarf.  This is a great fashion statement for early spring.

 We have the garter stitch head wrap for those early spring walks or runs.

 There is the Pompom Hat for those late winter/early spring snow showers.

 The knit scarf is great for when just a little warmth is wanted or some style.

 Here is the Knit Phone Cover, designed to protect your phone from scratches and falls.  It can be upsized or down sized as needed to protect your mP3 players/iPods or your eReaders and tablets.

All Classes are Mondays 6pm – 8:30pm

Crochet Beginner 1 – Skinny Scarf or Phone Cover

March 3     April 28     June 16

Crochet Beginner 2 – Pillow or Scarf

March 17     May 12     June 18

Crochet Advanced Beginner – Granny Square Scarf or Market Bag

March 31     May 27

Crochet Advanced Beginner – Cloche or Scarf

April 14     June 9

Please see a store associate for details about any classes

Yarn Nights are times for you to get a question answered about a stitch, yarn or pattern question that doesn’t require a full class.  You can also sit and stitch with me at this time

March 22     April 5     April 19     May 3     May 17

May 31     June 14     June 21

 Warm Up America Joining Parties are times to help join afghans blocks to help the homeless here in Lebanon with the donation of warm afghans.

March 9          March 23        April 6            April 27          May 4

All Classes are Wednesdays 6pm – 8:30pm, unless noted otherwise

Crochet Advanced Beginner – Hooded Baby Blanket

March  5

Crochet Advanced Beginner – Lace Wrap

March 19

Discover Time to Crochet Classes

Crochet Cables  April 16

Crocodile Stitch June 11

NEW CLASSES – Limited Time Only

Discover Crochet – Coasters

April 2     May 7     June 4

Discover Crochet – Flower Scarf

April 9                        May 21                        June 24

Discover Crochet – Flower Beanie

April 30                      May 14                        June 23

Discover Crochet -  Spring Bunny

April 23                      May 28                        June 25

Pom Pom Rug Class

April 26 12 – 2:30pm             May 24 12 – 2:30pm

Please see a store associate for details about any classes

All Classes are Thursdays 6 – 8:30 pm

Knit Beginner 1 – Hat or Wristwarmers 

March 6     May 1     June 19

Knit Beginner 2 – Neckwarmer or Tassel Hat

March 20     May 15     June 20

Knit Advanced Beginner – Hat or Legwarmers  

April 3     May 29

Knit Advanced Beginner – Cable Scarf or Fingerless Gloves

April 17     June 12

NEW  Arm Knitting  NEW

Demo – March 16

Classes 10-11AM            March 29   April 12      April 26

Please see a store associate for details about any classes

All Classes are Fridays 6 – 8:30 pm, unless otherwise noted

Knit Advanced Beginner – Baby Blanket/Booties or Baby Kimono

March 7

Knit Intermediate – Patchwork Blanket

March 21

Discover Time to Knit Classes

Sock class April 18                Intarsia            June 13

NEW CLASSES!  Limited Time Only

Discover Knit – Head Wrap

April 4            May 9              June 26

Discover Knit -   Phone Cover

                                                April 11          May 23            June 27                 

Discover Knit - PomPom Hat

April 25          May 16            June 6

Discover Knit – Scarf

May 2                        May 30                   June 30

Please see a store associate for details about any classes

Discover Kids Classes

All classes are Saturday mornings 9:30 – 11AM unless noted

Discover Kids Crochet 1 (Necklace and Bracelet) 

April 5

Discover Kids Crochet 2 (Zipper Pull)

March 8 cancelled due to Open House

April 19

Discover Kids Crochet 3 (Monsters)

March 22     May 3

Please see a store associate for details about any classes