Hey Everybody!
Now that I have a bit of breathing space, I’m working on updating some of the techie aspects of our fiber groups.
First, I’ve moved my blog. I was on blogspot, but I’ve relocated to WordPress. There were some compatibility issues between blogspot and my Macs. You’ll now find me at http://kathytv.wordpress.com/. I’m hoping to become more active with my blogging, but there are no promises, at least until after the wedding, and probably not until after my grandson makes his debut. After that, I’ll have a forum for “isn’t-he-so-cute” photos, as I pose him with my latest knitting and weaving projects.
Also, I’ve started up a Yahoo group for the Southside Spinners. I’ve sent out invitations for spinners and knitters who’ve been to our Sunday meetings. (If you are or have been coming to the group and haven’t gotten the invitation, please let me know. Trust me—it’s not an intentional slight; it’s just my faulty memory.) This should be a great solution for us. I have good intentions (and we know where THOSE lead) to send emails regularly. But with daily life getting in the way, it’s often weeks before I get the chance.
If this Yahoo group is successful, I’ll do a similar one for our Tuesday evening Sit N Knit in PTC. And, if Creative Crochet Guild members want to, we can set up one for that group as well. All this group-ing is due to the success of the Chain Gang’s and Peachtree Handspinners’ Yahoo groups. (Thank you!) I’ve been part of their groups for a while now, and I love how easily the communications move between members.
Keep in mind, if/when you join the Yahoo group, you can choose to receive emails for every posted message, just once a day with all the updates, or not at all. If, however, you choose ‘not at all,’ you’ll need to visit the group’s page to find out what’s happening.
Fiber Shops
Mark your calendars! The shops’ grand openings are: Sat, March 21 for Sugarfoot Yarns and Sat, March 28 for Two Sisters Knitting Nook. I’ll be at the Crochet Retreat on the 21st and at my son’s wedding in SC on the weekend of the 28th. So everyone has an opportunity to shop before I go and start cleaning them out!
For you Ravelry folks, join the Sugarfoot and Two Sisters groups there. You’ll stay up on shop news and get a chance to communicate with the owners (both are wonderful, friendly women).
Crochet Retreat
It’s that time! Can’t wait! WOO-HOO! March 20-22 is a weekend of friends, food and fiber…and food. I’ll be bringing my USM along to demonstrate just how fun and fast machine knitting can be.
Holly Got the Grant!
Holly Monahan stopped by at the Southside Spinning Group this Sunday with the fantastic news that she has received the grant money and is getting the spinning wheel and supplies for her special ed kids at Rising Starr Middle School in PTC.
This could be a groundbreaking idea for the students and teachers—and for getting fiberwork into the schools. (Hey, I dream big—we all should!) If you’d like to talk with Holly or demonstrate spinning to her class, please contact her directly at hmonahan at bellsouth dot net.
Maggie gave Holly a quick and effective tutorial on using a drop spindle. (And made me realize that I GOTTA GET a Golding drop spindle. Thanks!?! Maggie.)
Heritage Knit Club
We’ll be meeting with the seniors to knit on Tuesday, March 17. Drop in from 3:30 to 4:30pm at Heritage of Peachtree (across from Gold’s Gym and the Dive Shop on Hwy 54). We always enjoy ourselves.
Crochet Teacher Needed
They’re looking for someone interested in volunteering as a teacher at Christian City Independent Living Community. Quite a few of the ladies meet every Thursday afternoon to crochet and they’d love to have someone teach them more advanced crochet techniques. If you can do it and you want to touch some lives in a meaningful way, please email me and I’ll get you the contact info.
Weaving Workshops—and more
Carol Strangler will be teaching a workshop on weaving bamboo, Bamboo Garden Structures, on Saturday, March 21 at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, NC. For details and registration, visit www.ncarboretum.org and click on Adult Education, or call 828-665-2492, xt 317.
Knitting on TV and Radio
Be sure to watch CBS Sunday Morning (9am-10:30am) this coming Sunday, March 15. They’re doing a story about knitters. (Thanks to Wilma for letting us know about this.)
Oh, and for you WWDTM (Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me), NPR fans who heard Mo Rocca’s comment on how he doesn’t like homemade sweaters because “they’re itchy,” be assured that he is going to be corrected soon. Ravelry knitters have a group, “Sweaters for Mo,” and are making a sweater to present to him that will prove him wrong. (Franklin Habit is also sending a copy of It Itches!)
From Maggie—Tips for Stitches South
You’ve been waiting and we’re just about six weeks away. I hope you’ve been stashing cash for this!
Here’s a little advice from a vendor and ex-attendee:
The Stitches Map is your friend. As soon as the vendor map is posted on the Stitches website (see calendar below for link), go through all the vendors, visit their websites and make notes of the booth numbers you’d like to visit.
Always carry a big bag to carry your purchases. It keeps you from having to run back to the car.
Wear comfortable shoes. This is the best advice anyone can give you.
Buy your tickets online if you’re not a student. Students get in with their student pass, while attendees pay a small amount to get in; tickets will be available online as the date gets closer.
Try to do all the little things you can. During one show, I sat in the eating area and watched the fashion show of attendees and vendors walking by with their handmade items. It amazes me how much talent we have in our industry.
Take time to make friends and see another world open to you. I’ve met people standing in line to enter the market floor, standing in line to pay for items and in the eating area. I’ve never gone to a Stitches event without meeting wonderful people.
From Holly, via Maggie
Yes, I had a small coronary when I saw this. I still get quite flummoxed at any “kit” that doesn’t include the pattern, won’t disclose how much yarn you get or show you a decent photo of the finished project. I might expect that for a cheap item, but really, anything over $1,500 should include an award-winning pattern, the needles and, as Cheryl pointed out, “knit itself” – even if it is cashmere!
http://www.stringyarns.com/shopping/kits/luxmiteredthrow.html
Calendar
Mar
13 – Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, 7pm, North DeKalb Cultural Center, Dunwoody, Helen O’Rourke presents a program on Shifu, www.chgweb.com
17 – Heritage Knit Club, 3:30-4:30pm, 1967 Hwy 54, Fayetteville
17 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, NOW AT TOWNE CLUB, PTC
20-22 – Crochet Guild Spring Craft Retreat, $50 members, $60 non-members, contact Judy Powell at pow599 at aol dot com to register.
21 – Sugarfoot Yarns opens in Peachtree City! www.sugarfootyarns.com
27-29 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild’s Spring Retreat, Salem Campgrounds, Conyers, www.peachtreehandspinnersguild.org
28 – Two Sisters Knitting Nook opens in Newnan! www.2sistersknit.com
Apr
2 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, www.atlantaknittingguild.org
18-June 7 – Georgia Renaissance Festival, www.georgiarenaissancefestival.com for details. This is worth it just to visit with the Peachtree Handspinners, but I’m sure you’ll want to get a turkey leg and pickle on a stick.
18 – Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, 10am, North DeKalb Cultural Center, Dunwoody, Carol Strangler presents a program on The Beauty of Bamboo, www.chgweb.com
19 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, Towne Club, PTC
NOTE: Our normal date, Apr 12, falls on Easter, so we’ve moved back a week.
21 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC
23-26 – Stitches South in Atlanta, www.knittinguniverse.com/flash/events.php
25 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur, www.peachtreehandspinnersguild.org
May
7 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, www.atlantaknittingguild.org
16 – Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, 10am, North DeKalb Cultural Center, Dunwoody, www.chgweb.com
17 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, Towne Club, PTC
NOTE: Our normal date, May 10, falls on Mothers Day, so we’ve moved back a week.
30 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur, www.peachtreehandspinnersguild.org
For an extensive list of upcoming fiber events, etc: www.spinweave.org/news/festivals.html
