On to the fun stuff!

Craft Retreat Dates

The Craft Retreat hosted by the Creative Crochet Guild has dates now! It’ll be held November 6-8 at Camp Concharty in Shiloh. If you need more info, let me know and I’ll get you in touch with Judy, who expertly handles this bi-annual gathering of crafty ladies.

Some Answers on the Fayette Fair

The Fayette County Fair—we finally know when it is! It’ll be held October 15 through 24. We had thought about getting a booth, but the cost is $250, and it bumps to $300 after Sept 25—and I didn’t win the lottery, so…if you’re still interested, call Larry Adams at 770-461-6397 or Geneva Weaver, 770-461-0014.

There was no fee to enter items in the Fair’s craft competitions last year. I expect that will stay the same, but keep watching for more details as we get them.

Looking for Other Cross Stitchers?

For anyone who loves to cross stitch, there’s a group that meets locally at members’ homes. If you’re interested in joining them, contact me and I’ll send more info.

Demo Opportunities Still Open

You can demonstrate spinning and offer your wares for sale at some upcoming events. I’ve been involved in both of these, and I can heartily recommend them as an enjoyable day spinning, sharing the love of the craft and meeting interesting people. And if you have something to sell—BONUS!

The 4th Annual Farm Heritage Day in Pike County—contact Brenda Fayard at fayardb at bellsouth dot net.

Sept 19 & 20 are Buggy Days—another very fun event. Contact Sally Weber at clayshapers at gmail dot com.

Stuff to Click On

From the Peachtree Handspinners Guild group—some inspiration: http://ladiesandgentlemenhome.blogspot.com/2009/08/mega-doily-mention-on-ds.html

The ultimate wedding dress came from several sharp-eyed browsers:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1205007/Shepherdess-bride-marries-stunning-dress-wool-flock.html

South Side ATL Open Knit/Crochet Meets

Places to meet up with fiber friends; times are approximate and drop-ins are very welcome!

Mondays Barnes & Noble in Fayetteville, 7-9pm

Espresso Lane in Newnan, 6-8pm

Two Sisters Knitting Nook in Newnan, 6-8pm

Hastings Books & Music in Newnan, 6:30-8pm

Tuesdays Books A Million in Peachtree City, 7-9pm

Knitting & Crochet Club, Heritage of Peachtree, PTC, 3:30-4:30pm

3^rd Tuesday Creative Crochet Guild, Towne Club in Peachtree City, 7-9pm

Wednesdays Grand Coffee, Tyrone, 10am-12noon (Can anyone confirm this?)

Thursdays Sugarfoot Yarns in Peachtree City, 6-8pm

Ewe Knit in Carrollton, 6:30pm

2^nd Sunday Southside Spinners at Towne Club in Peachtree City, 1-5pm

(knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, etc welcome)

Please help me keep this current with additional open meets and updated info.

Calendar

September

3 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta

5-7 – Powers Crossroads Country Fair & Art Festival, Powers Crossroads, Newnan

12 – Pike County Farm Heritage Day (Fiber demonstrators welcome!), contact Brenda Fayard, fayardb at bellsouth dot net

13 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, Towne Club, PTC

15 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC

17 – Opening reception for Fiber Artistry – Journey of the Imagination, 7pm, Jacqueline Casey Hudgins Center for the Arts, Duluth; exhibit runs Sept 17-Oct 24, www.artsgwinnett.org

18 – Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, 7pm, North DeKalb Cultural Center, Atlanta

18-20 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild Fall Retreat, Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, Monticello

19-20 – Buggy Days, Barnesville

19 – Spin In Public Day

19-20 – Shakerag Arts & Crafts Festival, Shakerag Knoll, Peachtree City

19-20 – Old Town Sharpsburg Festival, Sharpsburg

October

1 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta

11 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, Towne Club, PTC

15-24 – Fayette County Fair, Kiwanis Fairgrounds, Fayetteville

17 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild Meeting, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur

17 – Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, 10am, North DeKalb Cultural Center, Atlanta

20 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC

23-25 – SAFF, Asheville (actually Fletcher), NC—a must for fiber freaks!

November

5 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta

6-8 – Creative Crochet Guild Craft Retreat, Camp Concharty, Shiloh

8 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, Towne Club, PTC

17 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC

21 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild Meeting, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur

18 – Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, 10am, North DeKalb Cultural Center, Atlanta

December

3 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta

13 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, Towne Club, PTC

15 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC

19 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild Meeting, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur

See something I missed or messed up? Let me know so I can fix it.

First off, be sure to plan and come by Spinning this Sunday! Elizabeth Ravenwood will be there, demonstrating Navajo plying with a drop spindle. If you haven’t met Elizabeth by now, you’re missing out—she’s one of the most genuinely nice and fun teachers/designers EVER! This is a free demo she’s doing just because she likes us (and we love her)!

Click on the links for the local yarn shops. There are classes getting underway and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to increase your fiber knowhow! Also, Ewe Knit is moving to bigger digs!

BTW, I think there’s a knitting group meeting in Tyrone. I stopped in Grand Coffee in Tyrone (if you haven’t been there, you should try it—they have wonderful Roobios Red Cappuccinos, Lattes, etc—all the taste, none of the caffeine or bad stuff!) and noticed that there was a calendar tacked up on their bulletin board. On a few of the Wednesdays, someone had penciled in “Knitting Group, 10-12.” If you’re in the area at the time, be sure to head that way and report back to us!

Also, as if I haven’t mentioned it to everyone 20 times yet, here’s 21: Go to Daisy Bakery! It’s between PTC and Fayetteville on Hwy 54 between the World Gym and Ace Hardware. You won’t regret it. They have smoothies, coffee drinks, bagels, and wonderful pasties; best of all, they offer samples! I can recommend everything in the place, but be sure to try the Lemon Pound Cake. YUM!!!

Starting this month, the Heritage at Peachtree Needlework Club will be meeting every week. Please feel free to drop in on any of these Tuesdays at Heritage at Peachtree, 3:30-4:30pm to enjoy your favorite needleworking and great company.

Congrats!

Gay Lynn has won the chicken-knitting contest sponsored by Knitch with her darling entry Sally Eggstein & Her Offspring. To see her award-winning work of art, along with others, visit Knitch Knitting and click on the Knitch Blog link at the bottom of the page.

Well Wishes

We got word that Judy Fruscione had emergency gall bladder surgery this week. We’re sending prayers for a quick recovery.

Demo Opportunities

If you’d like to demonstrate spinning and offer some of your wares for sale, here are some upcoming events and contact info.

The 4th Annual Farm Heritage Day in Pike County—contact Brenda Fayard at fayardb at bellsouth dot net.

Sept 19 & 20 are Buggy Days—another very fun event. Contact Sally Weber at clayshapers at gmail dot com.

Stuff to Click On

Maggie sent the link for her new fave spindles by Kevin Rhodes. http://high-lowwhorldropspindle.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=131&limit=1&limitstart=0

Janet sent: “Free patterns for chair cozies…yes, chair cozies.” These are for those ubiquitous molded plastic chairs seen worldwide. Here’s your chance to dress them up and make your chairs uniquely yours while you recycle some of the soda pop bottles (acrylic) extrusions in your stash.

Article:

http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/now-knitting-the-chair-cozy

Blog: “The Knitted Chairs” with patterns: http://knittedchairs.wordpress.com/

There is a movement afoot to create a Textile Center here in the area—the Atlanta Fiber Arts Center. Below is an excerpt from the write-up in the Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild’s newsletter. To clarify: CHG has not made any formal decisions yet. In fact, tomorrow’s CHG meeting will include a presentation on the Center and discussions about it.

(Many thanks to Roxie for letting me know about this!)

…Members of the Long-Range Planning Committee have been dreaming big—4,000 to 5,000 sq. ft. with a large meeting room, classroom space, a dye lab, a gallery/sales area, a library, a kitchen, bathrooms, ample parking, and an accessible and safe location. They’ve also been reaching out to other fiber organizations in the Atlanta area with the hope of forming a collaborative that would have the means to make the dream of a fiber center a reality. A collaborative will not only allow resources to be pooled for the benefit of all, it will also enable more comprehensive services to be offered to collaborative members and to the public which will, in turn, increase available funding opportunities.

The first collaborative meeting was held in March when several members of the Long Range Planning Committee met with Jolie Elder, President of the Atlanta Knitting Guild, and Junco Pollack, Associate Professor of Textiles, Georgia State University. It was a small meeting since quite a few organization representatives were unable to attend, but quite a lot was accomplished.  Participants agreed on a name, the Atlanta Fiber Arts Center, and a goal: To establish and maintain the Atlanta Fiber Arts Center—a resource to preserve fiber art skills and traditions, to provide fiber arts education, and to promote fiber arts.

The next major steps are to organize, to find a location, and to fundraise. To see a good example of what the Center could be, visit the website for the Minneapolis Textile Center — www.textilecentermn.org. If you have any questions, ideas or concerns, contact Suzi at 478-934-1594 or sgough at bellsouth dot net.

Notes

Barb is heading up North for a spell, but she reports about her cardiac test:

Everything went well. No blockages. There was a 40% narrowing of one of the arteries but nothing needs to be done right now. Just diet and weight loss—easy!! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.

Barb

Trindles, Etc.

Maggie has sent the link for the trindles, for the drop spinners among us:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=26103708

Kathy Mc says: My husband shared this with me because I have a husky who sheds 24/7 365 days a year.

http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&vid=45da79ae-0425-43ed-b6d8-94b8ceae1db5&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:1bc177d5-a07a-4d68-9f8b-92f3ddccf395%2C8dd0552e-29a7-4fa2-8e5b-0c096a7dfc14%2C5be37290-3040-4cb7-92d2-32fa3aa0d369&from=MSNHP&tab=m1233601335183&gt1=42007

South Side ATL Open Knit/Crochet Meets

Lotsa spots to meet up with fiber friends; times are approximate and drop-ins are very welcome!

Mondays Barnes & Noble in Fayetteville, 7-9pm; Espresso Lane in Newnan, 6-8pm; Two Sisters Knitting Nook in Newnan, 6-8pm; Hastings Books & Music in Newnan, 7-9pm

Tuesdays Books A Million in Peachtree City, 7-9pm

3^rd Tuesday            Creative Crochet Guild, Towne Club in Peachtree City, 7-9pm

Thursdays Sugarfoot Yarns in Peachtree City, 6-8pm; Ewe Knit in Carrollton, 6:30pm

2^nd Sunday Southside Spinners at Towne Club in Peachtree City, 1-5pm

(knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, etc welcome)

Calendar

June

20 – Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, 10am, North DeKalb Cultural Center, Dunwoody

20 & 21 – World Wide Knit In Public Day (or Crochet, or Spin, etc.)

23 – Knitting & Needlework Club, 3:30-4:30pm, Heritage at Peachtree, Peachtree City

27 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur

July

2 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta

12 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, Towne Club, PTC

21 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC

25 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur

July 31-Aug 2 – Crochet Retreat with The Chain Gang, Ellijay, Carrie at kudzu03 at yahoo dot com or Lisa at ladyp34 at gmail dot com or call 678-644-5769

WWKIP Day is almost upon us. This year, it’ll run for two weekends—Sat & Sun, June 13 & 14 and Sat & Sun, June 20 & 21. 

If you’re interested in participating, be sure to check with your LYS (local yarn shop). There are plans brewing at 2 Sisters Knit Nook (Newnan), Sugarfoot Yarns (Peachtree City) and Ewe Knit (Carrollton). 

Ashley at 2 Sisters reports that Redneck Gourmet in Newnan has graciously agreed to host a table for 6 for WWKIP—all 4 days! In addition, 2 Sisters will have tables set up outside the shop with refreshments and goodies inside. 

Cheryl at Sugarfoot says that Beef O’Brady’s is open to sharing their benches by the shop with knitters—but she’s working up more ideas, so check in with her to see what she’s cooking up. 

Lin at Ewe Knit will host a WWKIP day event at the shop on Sat, June 13, 10:30am-12noon. 

By the way, if you haven’t visited these shops, head over as soon as you can! They’re just awesome—cushy yarns, breathtaking selections of needles and notions, full rosters of classes and meet-ups, and all the help you can stand from friendly, knowledgeable knitters and crocheters! If you need more info, check out the links to the shops, as well as events, fairs, etc. 

If you want to organize your own WWKIP day event (over-achievers that some of us are), visit their website (see the link) for details, flyers, press kits, etc. 

A Small Revelation

I’ve always been frustrated by too few hours in the day—and I know I’m not alone in that. My growing fiber stash and piles of unread books are just iceberg tips of all I’ve not gotten around to yet. 

I don’t know why this hadn’t occurred to me until now, but after listening to David Reidy (Sticks & Strings podcast guy) and his recommendation of the audio books at Audible, I signed up for a free audio book and trial membership. (It’s a special offer through Sticks & Strings. Click on the Sticks & String link, and there’s a link to Audible for the free offer.) Now I can knit AND “read” at the same time—with less stress on my overworked eyes! 

Notes on Friends

Please keep our friends in your thoughts and prayers:

Agnes, one of our Crochet Guild members, is resting at home with her family. She’s recently been diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer. Julie recently visited her and delivered our card and prayer shawl. Agnes was very touched and extends her thanks to all. 

Gay Lynn, who frequents as many of our groups as possible, will be going into the hospital this coming Tuesday for knee replacement surgery. She’s been told that the recuperation will be slow, but the payoff is well worth it and she should be back to buzzing around soon—sooner with our prayers. 

Barb Weckel comes to both the Newnan and Peachtree City knitting groups. She will be going into the hospital in early June for a heart procedure. Again, please keep her in your thoughts so the operation has her back on her feet quickly. 

Heritage Knit/Needleworkers Club

June 9 & 23 are the dates for the Heritage Knitting Club—we’re now expanding to become the Heritage Needleworkers Club. People who enjoy any needlework are welcome, and we’re finally getting around to changing our name to reflect that! 

Visit us at Heritage of Peachtree (across from the World Gym on Hwy 54), two Tuesday afternoons a month, 3:30-4:30pm. We have a great time sharing our love of the yarn arts with the seniors.

It’s Not Too Early

…to start on your county fair projects.

          Coweta Co: Oct 8-17

          Fayette Co: (I’ll post info once I can get it! No luck so far.)

          Georgia National Fair: Oct 8-18

          North Georgia: Sept 24-Oct 4 

…to plan for SAFF, Oct 23-25. Check their website for classes and accommodations.

…to save money and vacation days for Stitches South 2010, April 22-25.

 Any more to add? Let me know

Fun Stuff

From Sandy Fields: Thought you folks would enjoy the photos from this exhibit, entitled “Fiber of Life.” http://www.puckergallery.com/Catalogue.Wolinsky.pdf

Not quite Mister Foster, but fun knitting with sock monkey theme:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/3260106673_95be79466a.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3260107159_ef79beaa2e.jpg 

South Side ATL Open Knit/Crochet Meets

Lotsa spots to meet up with fiber friends; times are approximate and drop-ins are very welcome! 

Mondays            Barnes & Noble in Fayetteville, 7-9pm

                              Espresso Lane in Newnan, 6-8pm

                              Two Sisters Knitting Nook in Newnan, 6-8pm

                              Hastings Books & Music in Newnan, 7-9pm 

Tuesdays            Books A Million in Peachtree City, 7-9pm 

3^rd Tuesday       Creative Crochet Guild, Towne Club in Peachtree City, 7-9pm 

Thursdays          Sugarfoot Yarns in Peachtree City, 6-8pm

                              Ewe Knit in Carrollton, 6:30pm 

2^nd Sunday         Southside Spinners at Towne Club in Peachtree City, 1-5pm

                                 (knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, etc welcome) 

Please help me keep this current with additional open meets and updated info. 

Calendar 

June

4 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta 

9 – Knitting & Needlework Club, 3:30-4:30pm, Heritage at Peachtree, Peachtree City 

13 & 14 – World Wide Knit In Public Day (or Crochet, or Spin, etc.) 

14 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, Towne Club, PTC 

16 – Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, 10am, North DeKalb Cultural Center, Dunwoody 

16 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC 

20 – Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, 10am, North DeKalb Cultural Center, Dunwoody 

20 & 21 – World Wide Knit In Public Day (or Crochet, or Spin, etc.) 

23 – Knitting & Needlework Club, 3:30-4:30pm, Heritage at Peachtree, Peachtree City 

27 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur 

July

2 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta 

12 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, Towne Club, PTC 

21 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC 

25 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur 

July 31-Aug 2 – Crochet Retreat with The Chain Gang, Ellijay, Carrie at kudzu03 at yahoo dot com or Lisa at ladyp34 at gmail dot com or call 678-644-5769 

August

6 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta 

9 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, Towne Club, PTC 

18 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC 

22 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur 

September

3 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta 

13 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, Towne Club, PTC 

15 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC 

18-20 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild Fall Retreat, Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, Monticello

Click on www.lexmed.com/babies/4_20_34.htm for a photo of Jace, just about one day old, taken by a professional photographer at the hospital—and yes, that’s Sheldon the Turtle that I knit for him (pattern on Knitty.com). 

For those of you who went to Stitches: How Much Fun Was That? And good news for those of you who couldn’t make it this year—they’ll be back in 2010. Start saving your mad money now for 4 days of fiber bliss. 

The market was a real treat. I found roving: alpaca/silk hand painted called “Stormy Sea,” alpaca/bamboo chocolate brown—and a cool drop spindle that all the chemists were flocking to, because it resembled a molecular construction. I also bought yarn for knitting, crochet and weaving, including a cashmere/silk blend in lavender for a lace scarf, and rayon multicolor perfect for a rainbow-hued shawl. 

There were handmade leather handles and liners for knitted bags and purses, books, needles, hooks, spinning wheels, unusual and discount yarns, book signings, FREE gifts—and a grand prize drawing! Yes, I won $250—third place. First place came away with $750—and that was CASH, folks. 

Oh, and the classes! I took (and LOVED) Cable Variations with Melissa Leapman (and learned from her why a designer’s life is no more of a fairy tale existence than that of a writer) and Fiendishly Difficult Stitches with Merike Saarniit (of Estonian lace fame). Both teachers were fun, informative and very friendly. In addition to the 3- and 6-hour workshops, they offer one-hour classes and demonstrations throughout the day, but I was too busy shopping! 

A Note from Robin

For those of you who haven’t heard, our knitting friend, Robin, has moved to California. Here’s an April 14 note from her: 

We just moved last week. Things were so hectic the last month in Georgia and I had been meaning to come each Tuesday, but the time slipped away with all the last minute things to do. 

The move was a sudden decision. Our house was sold and we were looking for a new place closer to Atlanta. At the end of February, Jack and I came to California for a funeral. While we were out here, we discovered a pet shop for sale in the lovely little beach town of Carpinteria. It is 10 miles south of Santa Barbara. Having family in Southern California was an added bonus. 

Please say hello to everyone on Tuesday. I really appreciate the friendship from the group. When we visit our son in Smyrna, I’ll stop by. 

Take care, Robin Niederpruem 

Heritage Knit Club

We knit with the Heritage seniors on select Tuesdays of the month. In May, we’ll be there on the 12^th and 26^th, 3:30-4:30pm. 

Crochet Teacher Needed

One of our local shops is looking for a friendly, patient soul who’s up for teaching crochet. There seems to be a lot of requests for crochet lessons. Please email me for details at ktvogeltanz at earthlink dot net. 

Fun Stuff

From Janet: Miniature knitting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT5MFdAB7fI 

Weekly Evening Open Knit/Crochet Meets

Lotsa spots to meet up with fiber friends; times are approximate and drop-ins are very welcome! 

Mondays—Barnes & Noble in Fayetteville, 7-9pm

Mondays—Espresso Lane in Newnan, 6-8pm

Mondays—Two Sisters Knitting Nook in Newnan, 6-8pm

Tuesdays—Books A Million in Peachtree City, 7-9pm

Thursdays—Sugarfoot Yarns in Peachtree City, 6-8pm

Calendar

May

7 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, www.atlantaknittingguild.org 

12 – Heritage Knitters, 3:30-4:30pm, Heritage at Peachtree, Fayetteville, 770-631-2370 

16 – Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, 10am, North DeKalb Cultural Center, Dunwoody, www.chgweb.com 

16-17 – Old Courthouse Show, Fayetteville 

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. 

19 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC 

26 – Heritage Knitters, 3:30-4:30pm, Heritage at Peachtree, Fayetteville, 770-631-2370 

30 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur, www.peachtreehandspinnersguild.org

June

4 – 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 

16 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC 

27 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur, www.peachtreehandspinnersguild.org

July

July 31-Aug 2 – Crochet Retreat with The Chain Gang, Ellijay, Carrie at kudzu03 at yahoo dot com or Lisa at ladyp34 at gmail dot com or call 678-644-5769 

For an extensive list of upcoming fiber events, etc: www.spinweave.org/news/festivals.html

Spinning this Weekend

Due to Easter weekend, the Southside Spinners will be meeting at Towne Club THIS Sunday. Note that May’s meeting is also bumped back a week to leave Mother’s Day free.

I was planning to demo my spinning at Clayshapers Kiln Opening on Saturday until my weekends got filled up with baby concerns. However, any spinners who would like to demonstrate at Jim & Sally Weber’s home/shop in Milner this weekend should contact Sally at clayshapers at gmail dot com. You can see more about this magical spot at www.clayshapers.org.

Heritage Knit Club

Our next meeting with the seniors to knit is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21. Drop in from 3:30 to 4:30pm at Heritage of Peachtree (across from Gold’s Gym and the Dive Shop on Hwy 54).

Fiber Shops

Sugarfoot Yarns is starting a Beginning Knitting class on Tuesday mornings with Jeanine Waldrin—and don’t miss their Thursday evening Purl Jam! There are more classes coming up soon, too, like Sock Anatomy 101 and How to Read a Pattern. Visit www.sugarfootyarns.com for the details or give Cheryl a call at 770-487-9001.

Two Sisters Knitting Nook is starting a Knit-along this week, the Great American Afghan, on Thurs, Apr 16 at 6:15pm. (Yes, it’s the same evening as the Taste of Newnan, so it’ll be easy to grab a bite to eat on the way.) Call Ashley at 770-683-3809 to learn more.

Crochet Retreat in the Mountains

Our sister crochet group, The Chain Gang, is hosting a Crochet Retreat this summer—July 31-Aug 2 at the Scrapbook Lodge in Ellijay, GA. The cost, meals and snacks included, is $150. There is also a Day-Treat rate for Saturday of $35, which includes lunch and dinner. This looks like a lotta fun—if you’d like more details, email me and I’ll send you a flyer. Or you can contact Carrie at kudzu03 at yahoo dot com or Lisa at ladyp34 at gmail dot com or call 678-644-5769.

Fun Stuff

From Wilma: Knitting For Your Health

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4917058n

From Janet: Psychiatrist knits anatomically correct woolly brain

http://tinyurl.com/995zr4

And: A must see for all sheep and dog lovers

(the accents are Welsh in case you’re wondering…)

Once Stitches is Over…

What else is there to do? Elizabeth Ravenwood (aka Margaret Heathman) has the answer!

Hi All,

Below is the class description for a class that I will be teaching at SAFF. Again, because I want to time the class and see what kinds of questions I will get at SAFF, I am inviting you to participate at a reduced rate. The SAFF class fee is $44. The fee for this class at my house will be $35. And, there is a bonus with this class that they will not get at SAFF! You can knit either a small tote bag that will work fine just as it comes off the needles OR you can knit it with bigger needles and then felt it! There will be instructions for both tote bags, but you will only have time to knit one of them in class – knitter’s choice.

Class date and time: Saturday, May 2, from 12:30-4pm at Elizabeth’s house.

The Round World of Entrelac Knitting

You have made beautiful entrelac scarves and shawls. Now take your skills to the next level and learn to do entrelac in the round! Caps, sweaters, and tote bags are all within your grasp when you learn the simple differences between flat and round entrelac knitting. Come and learn this technique and leave with new skills and a little tote bag. For those who do not already know how, we will learn how to make entrelac easier by knitting-back-backwards.

Prerequisite Student Skills: Helpful, but not required, to have taken a basic Entrelac knitting class. Students should be comfortable working in the round with double-pointed needles. Basic skills needed: must be able to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off without assistance.

Contact Elizabeth to register at dogyarns at gmail dot com and for homework and materials info.

Calendar

April

Apr 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

18 – Clayshapers Kiln Opening, Milner, GA www.clayshapers.org

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

25 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur

May

2 – Entrelac in the Round class at Elizabeth’s home (see details above)

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

16-17 – Old Courthouse Show, Fayetteville

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.

19 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC

30 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur

June

4 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta

16 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, Towne Club, PTC

20 – Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, 10am, North DeKalb Cultural Center, Dunwoody

27 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur

For an extensive list of upcoming fiber events, etc: www.spinweave.org/news/festivals.html

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

Hi All!

I’ve not been too chatty lately, I know. Sorry, but I’ve had my fingers and brain busy with making: a wedding afghan for my son and daughter-in-law-to-be (end of March) and baby things, including Sheldon the Turtle, for my grandson (ETA May 9). All I can say is THANK GOD I’ve learned how to use my USM (Ultimate Sweater Machine).

I would have thought knitting on a machine was cheating until I started learning how to use it. It takes patience and still requires skill and concentration, but I can manage 20 rows of a lace and cable pattern in about 20 minutes, so the afghan may actually get done in time.

Update on Kay

Keep Kay in your thoughts and prayers. They’ve stopped the chemo because she’s been getting so weak from it. Hopefully, she’ll regain her strength and health—and be back to knit with us soon. You can email her directly at cskipkay at gmail dot com to send some love and support.

WOO HOO!! Yarn Shops in PTC & Newnan!

We’ve got more info on the yarn shops—and I’m happy to welcome both to our area of fibery delights.

Ashley Murray will be opening Two Sisters Knitting Nook at 15 Greenville St, Newnan at the end of March. She’ll be offering yarn, knitting and classes, and says that spinning supplies will also be coming soon. Visit www.2sistersknit.com for more info. 

Cheryl Drury’s shop, Sugarfoot Yarns is opening, also in March, in Peachtree City, in the Kroger shopping strip on Hwy 54 & Peachtree Parkway. You can reach Cheryl at through www.sugarfootyarns.com.

Both Two Sisters and Sugarfoot have groups on Ravelry, so join to keep up on the news!

Also, Maggie reports that Hobby Lobby is also coming to Newnan in the old Belk’s building, according to the Times Herald.

Heritage Knit Club

The March meetings for the Heritage Knit Club are set for Tuesday, March 3 and 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).

The Chain Gang

Our February meeting had special visitors from the Kennesaw Chain Gang—many thanks to them for making the trip. We loved meeting our new sister group and several of us are planning to get up to one of their meetings soon.

The Chain Gang’s next meeting is Tuesday, March 3^rd 6 to 8 pm at St. Catherine’s Church (1618 Ben King Road, Room 204, Kennesaw).
Caryn Southwick from “The Whole Nine Yarns” in Woodstock will be their guest speaker. Caryn will bring new and exciting fibers that are out on the market, crochet books, crochet patterns and a list of crochet classes offered by “The Whole Nine Yarns.”

Crocheters of all levels are welcome to join. Please RSVP to Gina O’Leary at 404-723-4446 by Friday, February 27.

(Materials needed for this class: If you would like to participate in our “crochet” swap to celebrate National Crochet Month, please bring a taped brown paper lunch bag and enclose in it anything crochet related that you would like to share. You bring a bag and bring home a bag that another member has brought. Your items can be something as simple as some neat patterns, a skein of yarn, a crochet hook, something crocheted that you made….only caveat is that it MUST fit inside of the brown paper lunch bag. Be creative. Have fun!)

CGOA Contest

If you’re a member of the Crochet Guild of America, check out their upcoming contest at http://www.crochet.org/pdfs/2009_DC_announcement.pdf

If you’re not a member, visit www.crochet.org to learn about becoming one.

From Maggie

Here’s a site to keep you up on the latest festivals, events and other fiber related fun:

http://www.spinweave.org/news/festivals.html

Online spinning mag: http://spindlicity.com/2009_01/index.shtml

For Peeps lovers like me:

http://www.materialwhirled.com/Peepy-Basket-Kit-pr-48.html

From Janet Kent

Hahahaha—someone should inform this reporter it’s not an inexpensive hobby:

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6805423

From Wilma

A very important fundraiser:

http://www.needlenookatlanta.com/specialevents.html

From Elizabeth Ravenwood

New book available! http://www.leisurearts.com/items/4765/Stars-in-the-Making/c/Knitting/s/newest/default.aspx

With getting to know – and love – my rigid heddle loom, I have discovered that I no longer need my 7″ Tri-Loom from Carol Leigh. For those who have never woven on one, there is no weaving experience necessary to use this loom. It warps itself while you are going over and under the threads.

The 7′ adjustable oak loom, its oak stand, and instructional video cost $370 in 2000, so I suppose they are more now. I am asking $300 for the whole thing to get it out of my studio. Note that there are no shed sticks included as I bought those separately and am using them with my rigid heddle loom. (For those who don’t know, shed sticks are used to clear the shed if you are using especially fluffy yarns like mohair. Though I bought them, I never used the shed sticks with the tri-loom.)

The little great wheel is in kit form, still in its package, ready to assemble with a hammer, screwdriver, and white glue, and then decorate as you desire – photo of two decorated little great wheels is attached. I bought this kit thinking I needed a second little great wheel for cotton projects, but find that I am getting plenty done on my first, beautifully painted, little great wheel. Please note that this is a spindle wheel, not a flyer wheel. The cost of this little wheel was $125 when I bought it, but am selling it for $100 (no charge for the dust on the wrappings).

You can pick up the loom and/or little great wheel at my house, or we can make arrangements for pick up at an alternate location. Please email me at dogyarns at gmail dot com if you wish to purchase either of these great items.

From the Spin List

Spin Off has a new site and some networking is going on there: http://spinoffmagazine.com/

Lonely Hungarian Sheep

Another funny website, this one on the plight of Hungarian woolmaking. http://lonelyhungariansheep.blogspot.com/

It’s not quite Cake Wrecks, but it’s good. (I love the bit about “Budapessimists.”)

You don’t know Cake Wrecks? Get over there NOW: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

Need more snarky humor? Google “You Knit What” There are a few sites that answer the question hysterically.

BTW, I found a Hungarian Knitters Group on Ravelry and I’ve invited the Budapest Knitters to become a sister group of ours—no response yet.

Calendar

Feb

28 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild, 1-5pm, North Decatur Presbyterian Church,            Decatur, www.peachtreehandspinnersguild.org

Mar

3 – Heritage Knit Club, 3:30-4:30pm, 1967 Hwy 54, Fayetteville

3 – Chain Gang, 6-8pm, St. Catherine’s Church, 1618 Ben King Road, Room 204, Kennesaw, Gina O’Leary at 404-723-4446

5 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, www.atlantaknittingguild.org

6-8 – Work of Our Hands, www.workofhands.com/folkschool.htm for info

8 – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, NOW AT TOWNE CLUB, PTC

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@aol.com to register.

27-29 – Peachtree Handspinners Guild’s Spring Retreat, Salem Campgrounds,            Conyers, www.peachtreehandspinnersguild.org

Apr

2 – Atlanta Knitting Guild, 6:30 social hour, 7:30 meeting, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, www.atlantaknittingguild.org

TBD – Southside Spinners, 1-5pm, NOTE: Our normal date, Apr 12, falls on Easter, so we’ll plan in March for an alternate date.

21 – Creative Crochet Guild, 7-9pm, NOW AT 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

For an extensive list of upcoming fiber events, etc:

http://www.spinweave.org/news/festivals.html

You can reach me at ktvogeltanz at earthlink dot net.