Spring Break

Hi. Hope your spring break was wonderful. I was sent "documentation" over the weekend to prove that Noelle, Diana, and Julie were "working hard" dying yarn with kool aid over the break. Noelle tells me that the yarn came out really cool, and they are looking forward to show n' tell. They certainly look like they were having fun at the same time. Thank you for sharing your photos.



Since I will be out of town this week. Linda L will bring her camera to take pictures for us.

Vest & Free Form, 8

Alas, here is the beautiful felted bag by Diana. Made using the backgammon pattern, this purse turned out amazing; the colors are exquisite. Diana also showed us a bag she bought that says, "Knit or Die."
Vickie made these cute felted bags. One pattern is the log cabin.Bev is in socks mode this week; the pattern of these socks make them look like the real store bought kind.Candie's daughter, Kristen, showed us these baby hat and booties she made in Germany. The yarn was dyed in someone's kitchen.Shopping frenzy over alpaca yarn in the back row. More alpaca yarn photos at the end of this blog.Pat purchases alpaca yarn from Hailey of Snowy River Alpacas; Hailey is also a student in Linda's beginning knitting class.Ruth is happy with her choices, and Teri is busy writing her check for yarn.
We have a lot of fun in class; here is Andrea and Candie holding the very soft yarn of Riza, the alpaca. Below, Candie is winding yarn hanks into yarn balls. Thank you to Teri who brought in her yarn swift and yarn winder; it is a time and tangle saver.

We had wonderful guests tonight. Hailey and Gina from Snowy Rivers Alpacas came to sell yarn, and Candie’s daughter, Kristen, and Vickie’s daughter, Bailey, joined us with their projects. Julie, wearing a red, zippered sweater like Mr. Rogers', announced that April 20 is “National Wear a Sweater Day” in honor of Mr. Rogers’ birthday. She explained that many of the sweaters he wore on the television show were knitted by his mother. Mark your calendars for next April 20.



Ruth finished this pretty brown vest, and Louise wore her lovely green vest. Both vests look so nice on them. Gina from Snowy River Alpacas is next to Louise.

There is no class next week because of Spring Break. What a great time to catch up on our vests.

After Spring Break, handouts for free form will be passed around. If you are interested in free form, bring complementary color yarn to class. There will be an evening for yarn sharing with each other; the date has not been announced yet.

Extension Sign Up
Linda hopes to have a sign up sheet for the extension when we come back from Spring break. The fee will be $30 for adults under 55 and $15 for adults over 55; the extension will have 7 sessions with no classes on May 8 and June 12.

Carolyn invited us to a pool party at her house this summer; we had a great time last year having a potluck, knittng, swimming in the pool, and especially soaking in the jacuzzi. Linda suggested meeting in the month of July.


Last Shirt Order
Today was the last day to order the knitting shirts for this semester. However, if at least 5 students (no less) would like to place an order, another group ordering could take place. Each shirt is customized just the way you like. Linda shows the shirt she ordered; it has a basket of yarn and needles on one side and her name on the other. (Click on any photo for a larger, detailed view.)

Yarn Tasting
Did you see the sign up sheet with possible dates for the class Yarn Tasting? Yarn tasting is a time for us to get away, enjoy, and sample yarn that we have not tried before. It is important to have a good showing since the store will open just for us on a regular off day. I think there are a few who have not signed up yet but raised their hand that they would be interested. Sign up or email Teri B. as soon as possible so a date can be set. The fee is $30.

Happy Easter!

The photo and name of the alpaca is labeled on each hank of yarn. Here are yarn from El Diablo as a cute, little baby and a regal adult.


I was told that their prices are less than what is sold in some stores. Look at the warm colors. Can you feel how soft they are? :)

Vest & Free Form, 7

Finally :), here are Linda L’s notes as told to Irene:

Some wonderful projects were completed. Bev finished another sweater cardigan. Sharon made some cute, tiny Easter baskets. Julie is working on rainbow socks. Diana and Liz participated in the pin cushion class at the Tin Thimble and were given undivided attention for being the only two in attendance. And, the most unique design that wowed everyone is Diana’s backgammon purse; it is gorgeous. We hope Diana will bring it back to class so a picture can be taken for the blog. Linda brought a Japanese knitting book to show; she loves the patterns in the book although it is written in Japanese.

More Corrections to the Bra Pattern
Linda showed the cup portion of the bra she is knitting. A handout was given. She used worsted weight yarn, size 8 needles, and the gauge is 4-1/2 inches per 1 inch. The cast on for the small size is 90 stitches; this pattern should be worked in the round. For the band, the cast on is 6 stitches.

Spring Break Coming Up
Reminder, there is no class on Thursday, March 27, for Spring Break. After Spring Break, free form or other projects such as a purse or socks will begin. If you are interested in free form, start gathering complementary color yarn. There will be an evening for yarn sharing with each other.

Yarn Tasting
A sign up sheet was passed around for the class Yarn Tasting. There is no date or confirmation from Fibers yet, so a suggestion was made to ask Lisa at Auburn Needleworks. Sign up with Teri if you haven’t already.

Extension Will Go to June
Placer School for Adults has approved our knitting class extension to the end of June. There will be no class on May 8 and June 12. The fee will be $30 for adults under 55 and $15 for adults over 55.

Fall Classes
Linda is open to suggestions on projects for the Fall and also on how to solve the problem of classes being too large. One idea is rewarding students who have good attendance with a certificate at the end of class, and those who have missed no more than two classes may be able to sign up a day early for registration.

Shirt Orders
Several students have already ordered their I Love Knitting shirts. Shirt sizes run small, so make sure you order the correct size. See Linda L for orders. By the way, Linda was complemented on her shirt by the photographer on Stitch n’ Ride; he asked to take a picture of her.

Alpaca Yarn for Sale
A student in Linda’s class sells the yarn from her alpacas. Linda will have her come sell the yarn in class one night.

Thank you, Linda L, for taking time to take notes, order shirts, and embroider the logos. As Vickie Howell wrote on Irene’s bag: XOXO, Knit on!

Vest & Free Form, 6

Another vest is done! Bev's soft bolero was blocked beautifully by submerging it in water, wrapping it in a towel, and pinned to dry. No steam iron was necessary.
Diane made this cute felted Easter basket and bunnies. The Easter basket pattern was shared with the class, and the bunny pattern comes from the new 2008 knitting calendar. The lovely felted baskets were made by Donna that was a project from Linda's beginning knit class.
Noelle turned the backgammon pattern into this beautiful tote bag that is perfect for Spring.
Liz knitted these pretty hats for her granddaugther for Easter.
Above and below are the fun items given away and shared in class.

Happy Birthday to all March knotty knitters. What a wonderful night for freebies! Louise brought us beautiful grapefruits. Ruth brought vintage baby yarn. Noelle brought knitting magazines and a couple of calendars. Diana brought us delicious brownie cookies "for no good reason." :) Thank you, everyone!

Challenge
It is not too late to sign up sheet for the class challenge which is the Big Night Out Bra. More than one person can sign up for the month or theme she would like to represent. Due date is some time in May. You may participate even if you do not sign up; signing up helps us not to duplicate too many bras in one month or theme.

Extension
Placer School for Adults has approved our knitting class extension for the month of May. The extension will not cover the month of June as Linda hoped, but she suggested we meet for dinner. Details will follow in May.

Phone/Email List and Class Logo
The new email list was sent to us by email from Linda L. If you did not receive it and you are on the list, send Linda L. an email message so she can email you back. Her email address is lindaleman@mailpass.com.

Class shirt orders are now being taken; there is an order form on the back table during class. Detailed information was sent to us via email from Linda L. this week.

If you received an invitation to view my new blog from blogger.com, you do not have to log in as requested. I have made it easier by adding it to the left side of this blog. It is called “Our Class Knit Trip.”

Alpaca Yarn for Sale
A student in one of Linda’s classes has an alpaca farm and sells the yarn from her alpacas. Each skein has a label with the alpaca’s name on it. If enough students are interested, Linda will have her come sell the yarn in class.

Class Market
Which reminds me, Linda announced the last class be open for a class market. Anyone in class may bring items to sell such as Teri’s knitting needle earrings, Vickie’s polished rock accessories, and Julie or Noelle’s candies.

Upcoming Events
A vintage pin cushion class will be held at the Tin Thimble this Sunday, March 9, from 11 to 3:30. The fee is $25. A picture of the pin cushion can be viewed on last week's blog. If you would like to participate, contact Diana at fourwesties@yahoo.com.

A day for our class Yarn Tasting at Fibers was voted on; April 20 from 1-4 p.m. is the winning date. Teri will let us know if the date will work for Fibers. The cost will be $30 per person made out to Fibers to be collected in class prior to the event.

Vickie is looking into a summer trip for our class. Yeah!

There is no class on Thursday, March 27, because of Spring Break.

Come park n’ knit on Monday and/or Tuesday evenings in Linda’s beginning knit class.

Have a great week and knit on!