Vest & Free Form, Ext 7

Ronnie knitted a sweater for a child.Laurie finished her vest!
That's Bea with her latest project.
Bailey, Diane's granddaughter, made mice out of balloons. Our guest model showcases Linda's bag.

We had plenty of delicious food.


Shopping Spree Below
Linda made these bags with vintage embroidery doilies.Candi hand dyed silk for scarves and a sarong.Teri's knitting needle earringsVickie's polished rock pendants above and Laurie's glass bead jewelry below

Although it was our last class for the spring semester, we had a festive time eating, visiting, shopping, getting free stuff, and dying yarn. It was our biggest group in several weeks. Did I mention knitting? Not much going on there. Linda brought a thank you card for the Art Walk for us to sign. She also showed us a nice booklet with hooked rug designs that have been made into playing card art; she brought a sample of the card she and her sister designed. Linda L. brought vintage trims, patterns, sewing and embroidery notions, etc., free to good homes. A thank you card and a beautiful cross pendant was presented to Linda to show our appreciation for being a fantastic instructor.




Four handouts for dying yarn were distributed. The indigo dying was fun and amazing to watch. The yarn comes out of the pot a lime green color and within minutes turns deep blue from oxidation. It is a beautiful color. The red onion skins were used to make a soft, pale brown color. Linda talked about the rinsing of the yarn. It has to be rinsed and soaked with a little vinegar with water for 30 minutes to counter-act the alkaline effects on the wool; rinse several times until the blue is all out. The leftover dye from the pot can be stored in containers for another time.

Summer Challenge
So for our summer challenge, Linda would like us to come up with something fantastic with the yarn we dyed. The yarn can be used in combination with other yarn. Bring your finished challenge to class during the Fall semester for show n’ tell. Are you up to the challenge?



Summer Help
Linda is making herself available by phone to anyone needing help on her vest. If you are stumped and don’t know what to do to complete your vest, feel free to call Linda this summer.

Good News
Our bras have been accepted to be displayed at the California State Fair! Thank you to Diana for the work she did getting us entered into this statewide event in a short amount of time.

Julie will look into getting the bras displayed at the Gold Country Fair. Regarding the vintage pattern exchange, Julie pointed out that patterns made before 1965 were sized differently. A size 12 pattern then is now our size 8.

Linda asked again if we would be interested in shipping our bras for a display in St. Louis since the shop owner has a lot of connections and the idea might spread across the states.

July Pool Party
Look for Carolyn’s email about the potluck and directions to her house this summer. It is a good time to knit, visit, cool off in her pool, and relax in the jacuzzi.

Linda asked if we would like to meet in August at her house in Foresthill. This is a possibility if there is enough interest.

For Your Calendar
July 17. Summer Pool Party & Potluck, 6 p.m., Carolyn’s house.

August. Possible party at Linda’s house.

All summer. Send photos to me on your summer projects for this blog and save yarn labels for the Fall project.

This blog will be updated once a week throughout the summer so email me at ibergh@sbcglobal.net about your latest projects or you'll only see things from me. My plan is to finish all of my UFOs; there are only a few left. Have a cool summer and a wonderful vacation. I will miss you all and hope to see you at the July potluck. Knit on!

Vest & Free Form, Ext 6

Roberta looks lovely in her tank top.Sharon and Noelle winding yarn on the knitty knoddy. This is Sharon's third tank top.
Vickie made her first sock. She recommends the booklet below because there are sock patterns for fingering, worsted, and chunky yarns.

Linda's Navajo weaving project.
Linda bought some skifs from Design House in St. Louis. Skifs are knitted sweaters that can be worn right side, inside out, or upside down. Here's the front and back of one.

Worn right side and upside down below.

Carol Leigh's pamphlet on natural dyes and prices.
Natural dyes made from flowers and beetles below.
Retro patterns ready for the exchange

It was a nice evening; we spent some time reporting on the Art Walk which was a big hit. Torsos were brought back for us to take home. Linda met an owner of a high end fashion studio, Design House, in St. Louis who would like to display the bras in her studio window; Linda asked us how we felt about it.

Linda gave a brief history on natural dyes. She brought natural dyes made from dried flowers for yellow and beetles from Mexico for red. She also had several show ‘n tells: skifs from Design House (knitted sweaters) that the owner designed, Indian weaving, and a Carol Leigh pamphlet about natural dyes and the cost. Although a few students were missing, the retro patterns were exchanged; those of you who were absent, please bring patterns next week.

Students continued winding yarn using the knitting knoddy for next week’s class. In fact, next week is our last class. It will start early at 5:30 p.m. Linda will arrive around 5 p.m. to prepare. Besides indigo and onion dying, she will also bring a walnut dye.

For the June 26th class, the yarn will need to be soaked for 30 minutes before class; bring the yarn wet (but not sopping wet) in a plastic bag or container that you don't mind getting stained. Add a plastic tag to identify your hank. Wear old clothes because the dye will stain and not come out. Onion skins are still needed; please save your onion skins, either yellow or red. It is also potluck and student market night. If you have anything you have made that you would like to sell, please bring them. Linda will bring knitting bags that she made to sell.

Fashion Yard Sale
Diane’s daughter is having a Fashion Yard Sale this Fri, Sat, and Sun (June 20-22) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. She owns Secondhand Chic from her home at 6345 Arcadia Avenue in Loomis. Most items are new or like new at inexpensive prices. Her website is www.secondhandchic.org. Directions from Auburn: I-80 W towards Sacramento, exit Loomis/Horseshoe Bar Rd, Right on Taylor Rd, Left on King Rd, Right on Arcadia Ave; follow pink garage sale signs.

Teddy Bear Project
If you are making a teddy bear for Africa, Vickie will be collecting them to ship to Africa. The deadline has been set for July 17 at Carolyn's potluck. Contact Vickie if you need to make other arrangements before then.

For Your Calendar

June 26. Last Class, Party, and Student Market. Starts 5:30 for indigo dying. Bring wet yarn, container for yarn, plastic tag, beverage, potluck dish, any hand craft items to sale (optional), onion skins if you have any. Wear old clothes. Some students have been assigned to bring pots, burners, etc.

July 17. Summer Pool Party & Potluck, 6 p.m., Carolyn’s house in Auburn.

All summer. Save yarn labels for a Fall project.

Hope I’m not forgetting anything. See you next week.

Vest & Free Form, Art Walk Night

Did you see our photos in The Auburn Journal? The Journal Staff Writer, Loryll Nicolaisen, wrote a very nice article, and the photographer, Ben Furtado, took lovely photos. The online pictures can be seen at http://www.auburnjournal.com/detail/86562.html. And for your convenience, here they are too.






The bra exhibit was a huge success at the Art Walk; we were surprised how warmly received it was. The visitors enjoyed it, and their comments were very positive. Several people took pictures and some asked how to purchase a bra. We all enjoyed talking and listening to them. Please post comments you heard for us to read.

The Promenade was a great location for us; it is a beautiful building, air conditioned, and the dixie band was just outside on the porch. Linda's other displays by students, the chairs and oil paintings, were classy and amazing.

Diana and team who helped her set up did a wonderful job. The display looked beautiful, and the torsos were a good idea. Liz took a lot of wonderful pictures for us too; a few are below and others are under Our Knit Trips on the leftside column. For some reason, the pictures are not coming out the same size on all photos; I'll keep working on it. By the way, the bras just finished have been added to last week's blog. A big Thank You to everyone.

Vest & Free Form, Ext 5

The BRA CHALLENGE (click on any photo for a larger view)
January by Laurie
February by Liz and Louise
March by Andi and Noelle

April by Diana
May by Teri, front and back

June by Candi and Irene

July by Fran
August by Linda and Julie

September by Vicki
October by Diane
November by Jackie and Mary JaneDecember by Karen

The revealing of the bras was too fun and exciting. Linda wore hers which was hidden under her jacket. Unfortunately, my camera would not work at that time. I missed a really good photo opportunity to show you. There is no class next week since we will be at the Art Walk. Come out next Thursday evening between 6 and 8:30 for the art showing and wear your knitting shirt. The bras will be displayed at The Auburn Promenade, 853 Lincoln Way, I think. The map and information for the Art Walk is under "Knitting Events" on the leftside of this blog.

Donna and Sharon finished their hit and miss scarves. Both were really pretty, and I forgot to take pictures due to the excitement of the bra showing. Sorry about that.

We started winding yarn using the knitting knoddy. On the 26th, the yarn will need to be soaked for 30 minutes before class; bring the yarn wet (but not sopping wet) in a plastic bag. Soaking helps open up the fiber for dying. Onion skins are needed; please save your onion skins, either yellow or red. And, find some kind of plastic with your name on it to tie and identify your hank.

June 26 Potluck. Don’t forget to sign up.

Retro Pattern Exchange
The date of the exchange has been changed to June 19. Those who signed up need to make 12-15 copies of a 1970s or earlier knitting pattern and put each one in a sheet protector. 12 have signed up for the class, but it’s a good idea to bring extras. Last week Linda said 1980s and earlier; this week she said 1970s and earlier. I don’t think it will matter if you already have something from the 80s copied.

For the Fall Class
Yarn Labels. Start saving yarn labels for the Fall class. A lot will be needed for a project.

EZ Bobs. Also for the Fall intarsia class, Linda recommends students to buy some EZ Bobs which are bobbins used in intarsia knitting. They are light and easy to use and cost around 45 to 55 cents depending on size (small, medium).

Linda and Her Sister's Monthly Newsletter
A new link has been added to the blog; it is Linda and her sister's, Nola, monthly newsletter: www.nolahooks.com. You will find their class schedules and Linda's designs. It is on the leftside on the blog under "Our Websites." If you have a website or blog you would like linked, let me know.

For Your Calendar

Save onion skins for dying class. Altogether 3 lbs is needed.

June 12. Art Walk, 6-9 p.m. No class. Preparation starts about 5 p.m.; tear down at 8:30 p.m. Wear knitting shirt.

June 19. Class night. Retro Pattern Exchange, 12-15 copies (12 signed up).

June 26. Last class and party. Starts 5:30 for indigo dying. Soak yarn 30 minutes prior to class and bring yarn wet. Also bring beverage and potluck dish.

July 17. Summer Pool Party & Potluck, 6 p.m., Carolyn’s house.

All summer. Save yarn labels for a Fall project.

Happy Birthday June knitters!