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

Christmas in July day 12

E-readers are a big thing again this year.  Will you be giving one?  Do you know someone who is going to get one?

How about giving a felted sleeve for it?  For felting, you will work at a larger gauge than usual and use larger needles or hooks for the patterns.  Paton's Classic Wool is great for this type of project.  It will felt.  Synthetics won't felt and neither will superwash wool.  Plant fibers also don't felt.

http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/cases_caddies.php  This link has a bunch of electronic case patterns to felt.

Christmas in July day 10

Tote bags are incredibly useful all year round.  For holiday time, create them in holiday colors.

trendy-tote-bag

ruffled tote

every day tote 

Christmas in July day 7

Today is all about shawls.Whether they are triangles, rectangles, squares, circles or half circles, they are incredibly useful and stylish.  They can be just for show or keep you warm as well.

Here are links to just a few

Lacy Shawl

Square in a Square shawl

Here is a link to the Patons Yarn company list for shawls

simple work

Why would anyone ever work the plain garter stitch xxx?  Why would anyone just make a simple crochet block all the same?  There is nothing wrong with plain and simple.  For beginners it is all about practicing the new and that is great.  We all need to practice the new.  It's how we get better at what we are learning.

It also holds the power to soothe a troubled person.  Recently, my family had a minor tragedy occur.  Everyone is fine as in not in a hospital. Everyone is not fine in the respect that we carry on as before.  We see this all the time when major tragedy hit our country in 2001, when loved ones are lost, when tragedies strike whole communities.

Simple garter stitch, plain granny squares, double crochet squares, garter and ribbed slippers, all these are quick to craft but more importantly, they hold the rhythm that lulls us into not feeling overwhelmed, kind of like a rocking chair for some, back rubs for others.  They give the rest we sometimes need and can't get watching television or cleaning or any of the things we have to do to get through our days.

What has helped me?  Garter stitch dish cloths.  I now have quite a few and these don't wear out nearly as fast as those I bought.

Here is the pattern I prefer to use.  I don't have to think for any of it.

Materials needed:  worsted weight cotton yarn.  I use Lily Sugar & Cream and Peaches & Creme.  They are affordable and easily found in my area on store shelves.  Mid sized needles, with my favorites being US size 6 - 8.  Use whatever size gets you the density you desire.  When I'm stressed, I have been known to go up to size 11 or 13 to get a gauge that doesn't result in cardboard.

Cast on 3.
Row 1: knit1, yo, knit 1, yo, knit 1.  (5 stitches now.  This will increase by 1 stitch every row)
Row 2 - 35 -50:  knit 2, yo, knit to the end of the row.  
Next Row:  knit 2, yo, knit 2 together, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row.  (The yarn over keeps the pattern the same on the decrease side.   The first knit 2 together keeps the stitch count the same.  The second decreases by 1.  This row will decrease you back down to about 4 or 5 stitches.)
You decide when it's big enough.  Want a blanket instead?  Keep increasing.  Then continue down the other side.  For a blanket I would use something soft and easy to use that doesn't have a lot of "stuff" for me to think about.  But that is just me.  On better times, I might use a novelty yarn with an easy pattern.  I'm on familiar ground but still get something that looks different and unique.

Simple Shapes

I've been giving a lot of thought to simple shapes.  You know the kind, square, rectangle, triangle, circle.  There has been some small controversy over some projects offered for demos and classes and the like.  Some things are boring.  This could be true.  But then again, it might not.

As I've been going about my daily routines, my mind has been free to think on this.  The basic drop shoulder sweater is 4 rectangles (front, back, and both sleeves).  Kitchen linens are rectangles or squares.  Bath linens are rectangles or squares.  Basic fingerless mitts are rectangles.  Scarves are really really long rectangles or a series of squares or small rectangles.  Simple hats can be wide and short rectangles.  Long stocking caps are very long, thin triangles.  Coasters can be any shape to protect your furniture or floors.  Socks in their most basic profile are two rectangles with a square.  Skirts are usually rectangles but could be squares, depending on length.  Purses, bags and most other mundane things are rectangles or squares.  Circles can be almost anything but hats (tams) and skirts (circle with a hole in the middle) come to mind first with purses a close third.  Trapezoids, or triangles with one point cut off straight across, are great for A-line skirts and more importantly sleeves.

The purpose for these is making straight sides and ends, or if your aesthetic is asymmetrical, a straight slant that is consistent (but that is not a simple shape).  The real artistry lies in the patterns you choose to execute, the stitch pattern you choose to use once you have the basics and the embellishments you add to your projects.  Everyone starts with the same basics when learning to knit, crochet, quilt, sew.  It just needs broken down no matter what skill we are learning.  Sewing requires accurate cutting, straight seams and even hems to avoid the homemade look as opposed to a handmade look.  Quilting needs consistent seaming and straight cuts.  Knitting and crochet work need to have straight lines so you know that you are not increasing in unexpected places or a "perfect" circle so you know you are consistently increasing.

 How many shapes that are simple can you see in your life?

Getting ready for Open House

Open House  September 9

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Come meet the instructors!

As the knitting and crochet instructor, I know I will be there all 4 hours to talk to anyone and everyone who wants to discuss classes.  I know someone will be available to discuss the Wilton Cake Decorating, Grumbacher Art Painting classes, Bead Corner Design Academy classes, Paper Ed classes, Spotted Canary School, Martha Stewart classes, kid classes, birthday parties, and more.  Come check out what we have available.

My display will include projects from all available classes.  I start with the basics of knit and crochet and offer classes in some of the advanced techniques, such as loom knitting, sock knitting, double knitting, broomstick lace, intarsia, mosiac crochet, filet crochet, beaded crochet and knitting, and how to work with some of the newer novelty yarns.  If there is something you want to learn and don't see an offering for that class, let me know and I can tailor a class for you and any interested friends.  

My classes include individual attention and learning the basics of the stitches and pattern reading.  There is also a yarn department tour where a quick discussion about the variety of yarns and tools available take place.  We will also cover gauge and gauge swatches and their uses during classes.

Crochet Classes start with the basics of chaining and how to do the foundation stitches that all crochet is built on up to and including the common shells, clusters and granny square.  More advanced Crochet classes are available after the basics are learned and textural stitches, working in the round, natural folds, construction, reading charts and lace are tackled.  

Knit classes start with the basics of casting on and how to knit and purl and move through patterning and cables in the beginner classes.  The more advanced classes include learning more about shaping, working in the round, touching on fair isle, charted knitting and mitered knitting.

I even offer ideas to get you started on how to take the most basic pattern and change it so you have something completely different looking but still stay within your skill level.  Discussions can take place about trying new techniques you want to learn and how to incorporate them into something smaller to test.

Christmas in July continuation

Sorry it's been a bit since I posted anything.  My church had its annual carnival and I co-chair the whole thing.  We got rained out a day and a half and had a day and a half of good weather.  Better luck next year.  This is why my mind has not been on knitting or crocheting.  On the up side, I had my yearly review at Michaels today and found some interesting new yarns to play with.

I picked out Loops & Threads Poodle and Pompom and Flaunt yarns, Red Heart's Boutique series Chic, and Premier Yarns' Starbella.  I then headed over to Ravelry after checking out the patterns available for these yarns on the company sites.  As much as I hate to admit it, some of these yarns are very popular in scarves.    They take the work out of projects and allow you to use simple stitches to complete a scarf in a small amount of time.  The finished items look stunning and you can get all the glory.  Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

I have also seen some interesting and unique ideas for some of these yarns, shawls, purses, hair scrunchies, adornments like flowers for other items, purses/clutches, pillows, blankets, cuffs and mitts, and strangely tea cozies.  For as much as I like a nice cup of tea when it's cold out, I never really thought about these for tea cozies but they are there.  And they look really interesting.

And now since a tornado watch is in effect for my location, I must get off the computer and shut things down.  This weather system arrived earlier than expected.  At least I don't have to go out right now for a class and I'm home from my day job.

Day 2 for Christmas in July

In thinking of what all I want to make this year, I know I want to do slippers.  I always knit them.  I even made myself dpns to knit the early ones.  More on that adventure later.

The pattern is one from the toastytoes.org site that has since been taken down.  This site back in the late 90's and early 2000 was a person who donated or collected donations of knit or crocheted slippers to send to sailors serving in the Middle East.  I enjoyed being able to donate a few pairs to help those serving in our military to know that we at home have not forgotten them.

These can be done in solid colors, stripes, 2 different colors together to make a tweedy effect.  You can put a flower or pompom on the top of the foot somewhere or another type of trinket.  Done in acrylic yarns they are easy care and since they are a quick knit, you can make a whole rainbow of colors.

Edited:  I did not remember the correct name of the website above.  The correct web address is http://www.operationtoastytoes.org/  They have not been taken down.  There are a myriad of patterns on this site that are military approved for those who wish to contribute.  The patterns are just as welcome here at home as well.

Time to start thinking about Christmas

It's time to start thinking about what gifts you are going to make for family and friends.  Does Mom need a new pair of fingerless mitts?  Maybe Dad or Husband needs a new hat to stay warm while working on snow removal.  Warm socks would find a welcome home with anyone on your gift list.  Does someone need an afghan in a drafty house?  Classes that teach the techniques for these ideas and more are going to be starting up in August.

What is your knitting or crocheting gift list looking like?  Are you doing anything for coworkers?  Do you create for charity?  Let the me know in a comment.

Are there techniques you would like to learn that I have not offered?    Let me know of interests you have.  I'm always interested in what others might want to learn.

Do you have a wish to see matching hand crafted stockings to hang by your fireplace?  A Granny pentagon or an elongated sock design can both help fulfill this wish.

How about a knit tree skirt?  Crocheted snowflakes or icicles?  A nice crocheted popcorn garland to wrap around the tree?

Have you had a desire to knit a sweater for a gift?  Pattern ideas will be coming in the future.  Check with yarn companies for patterns for a start.

         www.lionbrand.com  www.caron.com    http://www.patonsyarns.com/       www.redheart.com
           http://www.michaels.com/Yarn-Needle-Crafts/projects-yarnandneedlecrafts,default,sc.html

Getting Ready for Open House!

Open House is a little more than a week away.  I'm getting things ready to show off and hopefully inspire people to create and maybe even want to take some lessons.

In response to a class I recently taught on granny squares, I have been adding to that portion of my curriculum.  I have added advanced granny squares and now a sweater of grannies.  All I have left on the sweater is button bands, collar and cuffs.  Baby clothes are a wonderful way to play with techniques and patterns to see if you will get the desired effect before committing to a lot of time and money in yarn if you won't like the finished article.

I have also been working on my samples for classes.  There are some really interesting things in the advanced beginner classes.  The baby rattle is my favorite so far. 

Pictures will be forthcoming of finished items.  I just have to find my camera cords.  They disappeared at Christmastime and have not resurfaced.  I could use my cell phone's camera feature, but the pictures from there are not the best quality for seeing detail.

Remember to tell a friend, classes are all on sale on March 3.  Wilton's classes are a different percentage off than the rest.  Knit, Crochet, Bead, Knack, Scrapbooking, and the fine painting are off 25%.  Class schedules should be available and paperwork in the book.  Come join us for the fun!

March's Discover Time for Crochet class will be Tunisian Crochet.  I will be starting off with learning the basic afghan stitch and moving forward from there.  April's Class will be Hairpin Lace.  There is more to this lace pattern than meets the eye.

March's Discover Time for Knit class will be double knitting.  This is a wonderful technique that can have so many applications.  April's Class will be all about learning some of the more advanced techniques that you use in knitting that don't get explained too well in written instructions.  These techniques also have many uses, some of which I will go over.  None of these techniques are involved enough to need an entire class but are still worth learning.  Some covered will be short rows, Kitchener, and i-cord.

February Class Schedule

February 2012
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
			1	2 Discover Knit	3 Discover Baby Knit	4
5	6 Discover Tall Stitches	7	8 Discover Throws & Wraps Crochet	9 Discover Purl	10 Discover Throws & Wraps Knit	11 Demo 11 - 1
12	13 Discover Texture Stitches	14 Happy Valentine’s Day	15 Discover Gifts Crochet	16 Discover Pattern Stitches	17 Discover Gifts Knit	18
19	20 Discover Granny Squares	21	22 Discover Time to Crochet Filet Crochet	23 Discover Cables	24 Discover Time to Knit Socks Pt. 2 Toes	25
26	27 Discover Single Crochet	28	29