Vest & Free Form, 12

Roberta is almost done with a beautiful crochet baby blanket for her great grandchild.
Linda shared with us her almost completed purse.
Thought you would like to see how the inside looks; there are no dangling yarn anywhere.

Everyone is busy finishing her vest or starting free form that there was no show ‘n tell tonight except for Linda who is almost done with her purse. She showed us how she is filling in around open spaces by putting a shape on the plastic form every so often to see how it fits. She forms a shape by casting on a few stitches and every few rows put it on the form to see how much more rows she needs to knit to cover up the space. She used slip stitch to piece the shapes together. She shared with us that free form has spurred her creativity with knitting and inspired her to take it to another level.

We watched a Knitty Gritty episode that Linda L. taped for us on free form slippers by Myra Wood. Wood demonstrated how to scrumble (fill in around free form shapes) to cover the top of a slipper, how to sew the pieces together and then how to sew it to the slipper. There was a lot of good ideas on embellishing with buttons, beads, charms, eyelash yarn, and ribbon. Learn more at myrawood.com.

Linda also brought brown lunch bags for anyone participating in the hit and miss scarf on Monday, May 12 and 19. The hit and miss scarf is a fun way to make a beautiful, one of a kind scarf. Place a yarn of your choice in the brown bag so no one can see it and bring it on May 12 along with 36” circulars with size 10.5 needles.

Tonight was the last night of the regular 12-week session. The extension starts next week, May 1, but make a note that there is no class on May 8. Class will resume on May 15.

Intermediate Class
The intermediate class was approved by Placer School for Adults starting this Fall semester on Tuesday nights.

Art Walk
Linda asked our class if we would like to participate in the Auburn Art Walk on June 12. She would like to display our “challenge.” Linda will be flying in late that evening, so Diana volunteered to be the coordinator setting up the event. The Art Walk starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. sharp. Please let Linda know if you have any ideas on how to display our work. We may also bring items we make to sell.

Challenge
Therefore, the deadline date for the bra challenge has been moved up to June 5, so Linda can preview our handiwork before the Art Walk.

Outside the Box
Diana mentioned that we should not miss the art exhibit called “Outside the Box” that is going on. She says it is definitely worthy to see how each artist decorated a plain box. The exhibit is across from Monkey Cat.

Reminder, this coming week is also the yarn tasting and the yarn shop hop.

I forgot to wish all April knitters a Happy Birthday this month -- Happy Birthday! Have fun knitting, everyone.

Vest & Free Form, 11

Pat and Irene finished their vests! The back of Pat's vest is beautiful too; click to enlarge this photo to see the colors in detail. Irene's pattern came from the green "One Skein" book by Leigh Radford; it took more than one skein though. It feels good to complete a big project.

Irene completed this scarf just in time for a cherry blossom festival. Teri B. found the pattern online at knitty.com; it is called "Nagano Sakura."
Here are both sides of Sharon's free form purse. Linda commented that she did a great job, and her colors were well chosen. Sharon found the purse in her closet; this has inspired us to complete ours too.

Free Form Instructions
Wow, we were very good and quiet while watching a 30-minute video in class on Prudence Mapstone demonstrating free form crochet onto canvas. It was inspiring to see her clothing/purses and learn about arranging colors from dark to light shades. Next week we will watch one of Prudence Mapstone’s fan, Myra Woods, demonstrate free form slippers. Thank you, Linda L., for recording the programs.

Linda spoke about resizing the plastic purse form. The form may be cut down if you prefer a smaller size purse. For example, if the purse is too wide for your taste, cut it along the sides then whip stitch the two forms together with light weight yarn; if the top of the purse is too tall just cut the top part off to the desired height.

If you need help learning to crochet, Vickie and Diane have offered their services to help anyone during class each week.

Color Theory for Knitters
In the back corner, Linda gave anyone interested a crash course on color theory using a color wheel. We saw various related shades of color put together on charts and learned a great deal which colors work well together. It is important that one color does not stand out more than others since the eye will travel to that spot instead of seeing the whole object. Linda used the color, baby pink, as an example. She would not use baby pink in her purse since she is working in shades of dark red; the baby pink would stand out instead of blend into her color scheme. One book Linda showed us is called “Color Works” by Deb Menz.

Extension
Next week is the last week of the spring class. The extension starts on May 1 and ends on June 26. The code numbers for the class extension are 085000 for adults over 55 and 805000 for those under 55. The fee will be $15 for adults over 55 and $30 for those under 55; this includes 7 sessions with no classes on May 8 and June 12.

It was announced that the beginner knitting class will be having an extension as well. On May 12 and 19 (Mondays), we are invited to participate with them in making a mystery scarf. This is a fun way to make a beautiful scarf. If you are interested in participating, bring yarn in a bag on those dates.

Challenge
Reminder, the bra challenge is due on June 19, the second to last week of class. The project does not take a lot of time; a cup can be made in a couple of evenings.

Class Knit Trip
Yarn Tasting. This fun class event will take place on April 27 (Sunday) at Fibers in Grass Valley. The cost is $30 to be paid in advance this week. Sorry, no refunds will be given due to the extensive preparation by Fibers. We will leave the parking lot near Long’s on Hwy 49 at noon.

More Fun Knitting Events
Yarn Shop Hop. A yarn hop will be held this year sponsored by several yarn shops in the following counties: Sacramento, Placer, Nevada, and El Dorado. The dates are April 27 through May 3 (one shop says it starts on April 30 ?). This is a good time to go from yarn shop to shop to visit the stores you have not been to before and/or to take advantage of the special sales all of them will have for this event. If you plan to visit all of the stores listed on the flyer, there is a special “passport” to be stamped at all locations so you can be entered for a grand prize drawing.

Conference of Northern California Handweavers. Do you love yarn, color, texture, and fabric? Visit galleries and be inspired by creative one-of-a-kind handwoven, handspun, handknitted, dyed and felted originals of clothing, accessories, jewelry, rugs, baskets, household items, and art pieces. This event will be held on May 3-4 from 9 to 4 p.m. at the Double Tree Hotel (Capital City Freeway/Business 80 & Arden Way, Sacramento). There will be free demonstrations and a fabulous marketplace. Admission is $7 per day.

Alaska Cruise for Crocheters and Knitters Too with Prudence Mapstone. July 6-13, 7 nights onboard the Star Princess, priced as low as $1049. For details, go to http://fastnettravel.com/cruises/alaska2008/index_2.php. You can bring your family.

Hope the projects this week have inspired you to KNIT ON!

Vest & Free Form, 10

Lovely felted purses by Laurie (above) and Sharon (below).
Sharon finished her tank top; it is beautiful.

Free Form Instructions
Do you know how to make a bullion? A new word I learned last night. Linda demonstrated how to crochet a bullion which is in our handouts; it is simple even for those of us who are just learning to crochet. Some have already finished quite a few free form shapes. The purse lining pattern was available for anyone to trace into a template using a paper bag. Linda suggested a free form lending library be started next week by bringing yarn to share; this way we do not have to buy so much yarn. Noelle and Julie found a good site on u-tube on how to crochet; the website address will be posted here soon since there are so many to choose from and they found a really good one.

Challenge
Linda announced that the bra challenge will be due on June 19 so there is still plenty of time.

Extension
Our sign up sheets are being turned into the Placer School for Adults office; it is not too late to sign up. The extension starts on May 1 and ends on June 26. The code numbers for the class extension are 085000 for adults over 55 and 805000 for those under 55. The fee will be $15 for adults over 55 and $30 for those under 55; this includes 7 sessions with no classes on May 8 and June 12.


Teri in her Knotty Knitters shirt; we will be wearing our cool shirts to the Yarn Tasting.

Yarn Tasting
What is this about? Fibers started the yarn tasting because they cannot figure out why some of their yarn is not selling and want knitters to try them and give them our input. There will also be needles to try and, as I remember, they have some beautiful wooden needles for sale in their shop. This event will be perfect for gathering yarn for our free form project. It was well received last month, and the 3 hours was not enough time to try out everything so she is preparing a goody bag of yarn balls for us to take home to make a beautiful small scarf. (I have always found beautiful yarn at Fibers that I have not seen at other shops.)

The $30 fee is to cover the cost of the different yarns we will be trying, and there will be yarn for us to try that they have not even taken out of storage yet. It will be held on April 27 (Sunday) from 1 to 4 p.m. We will meet in Auburn around 12:30 to carpool together (location will be announced at a later date) and pick up students from the Grass Valley area at Long’s on Combie Road. So you want to know who is going? Here is the list: Linda P, Teri, Bea, Georgia, Pat, Diana, Julie, Noelle, and Irene. I will bring some sparkling cider and cheese sticks for a tailgating party in the parking lot before or afterwards. Anyone interested? It will be an enjoyable time for us to be together on a beautiful afternoon in Grass Valley and discover new yarn for our knitting pleasure.

There is room for 8 more. Contact Teri B. as soon as possible so the owner can make preparations; money was collected Thursday evening, but it is not too late since the deadline has been moved to next Thursday. Because of the extensive prep work for Fibers, there will be no refunds but you will still be able to get the goody bag.

Knit Trips
Yarn Shop Hop. A yarn hop will be held this year sponsored by several yarn shops in the following counties: Sacramento, Placer, Nevada, and El Dorado. The dates are April 27 through May 3. A copy of the flyer will be available soon. This is a fun time to go from yarn shop to shop with friends or alone to visit the stores you have not been to before and/or to take advantage of the special sales all of them will have for this event. If you plan to visit all of the stores listed on the flyer, you can get a special “passport” to be stamped at all locations then you will be entered in a grand prize drawing.

Conference of Northern California Handweavers. Do you love yarn, color, texture, and fabric? Visit galleries and be inspired by creative one-of-a-kind handwoven, handspun, handknitted, dyed and felted originals of clothing, accessories, jewelry, rugs, baskets, household items, and art pieces. This event will be held on May 3-4 from 9 to 4 p.m. at the Double Tree Hotel (Capital City Freeway/Business 80 & Arden Way, Sacramento). There will be free demonstrations and a fabulous marketplace. Admission is $7 per day.

Oh, what fun we have. Knit on!

Vest & Free Form, 9

Hi. I just came back from Florida a few hours ago. I had a good time, but I missed some great show n' tell projects here. But to my rescue, here are the notes for the April 3 class as told to me by Linda L with help from Liz.

Teri and Vickie look great in their tops, and Bea looks great holding her vest. :) This is the second one made by Vickie.
Linda admires Laurie's lovely vest and helps her with the fitting.
Liz's vest is coming along beautifully.
Candi models the warm dickie she made for her sister-in-law, just in time for next winter.

Free Form Instructions
Linda went over the handouts for free form and brought her yarn stash (at left) to show us the different textures and complimentary colors she will use for the project. We will need to know how to crochet so a mini lesson will be taught in class. The Tin Thimble is also willing to give crochet lessons, and Vickie showed students how to crochet during class this week. We learned that crocheting takes 25% more yarn than knitting. If you want to buy free form books, Linda recommends the ones from Prudence Mapstone that she showed us in January and February. For the April 10, bring worsted weight yarn and a crochet hook size G.

Tin Thimble Class Discount
It was announced that the Tin Thimble in Newcastle will be giving us a 10% discount from now on. Yeah! Let’s support these three yarn shops who are giving us a discount; they are listed on the left side of this blog.

Knit Trips
Yarn Shop Hop. A yarn hop will be held this year sponsored by several yarn shops in the following counties: Sacramento, Placer, Nevada, and El Dorado. The dates are April 27 through May 3. A copy of the flyer will be available soon. This is a fun time to go from yarn shop to shop with friends or alone to visit the stores you have not been to before and/or to take advantage of the special sales all of them may have for this event. If you plan to visit all of the stores listed on the flyer, you can get a special “passport” to be stamped at all locations and then you can be eligible for the grand prize drawing.

Yarn Tasting Update. Teri updated the class on the yarn tasting event. It looks like it is scheduled for May 22, a Thursday at Fibers. Linda L could not read the notes taken on this subject (hee hee), so on the next blog the information will be confirmed. Correction: The date is April 27. Bring $30 this Thursday, April 10, to class so Teri can deliver our registration fee.

Extension
A sign up sheet for the extension was passed around. The code numbers for the class extension are 085000 for adults over 55 and 805000 for those under 55. The fee will be $15 for adults over 55 and $30 for those under 55; this includes 7 sessions with no classes on May 8 and June 12.

Fall Classes
Linda is planning to have three levels of classes for the fall on different nights: beginning, intermediate, and advanced.

Thank you, Linda L and Liz, for keeping us informed. See you all Thursday.