Sashay yarn

This is an interesting yarn to work with.  It actually looks like ribbon.  You work through the mesh-like holes rather than around like you would with regular yarn.  In the picture, the "above" is how it looks opened and before it's worked, the "below" is the ruffling effect you get when you work with it.  Once you get the hang of it, it works up rather quickly.

I crocheted my scarf and will figure out how to knit with it next.  I hope to offer this as a class at Michaels soon.

The funny thing is...

After finishing all those projects, only one was on my "to make" list! 

Sorry I haven't written, but I've been busy knittin'...

and crocheting!
Look at the things I've either started and completed in the last week or finished from having started earlier!

Pillows for my sister from the book Crochet Pillows with Tunisian & Traditional Techniques - Loop-de-loop and Furry Fun pages 12-18

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/childs-crochet-earflap-hat

I made this hat while he was napping and yes, that's a crochet hook and yarn he has!

I knitted this cowl for myself last year but wasn't able to wear it due to too much hair

I made these fingerless gloves to go with the white cowl.  These are one of the projects for the Michaels knitting class

Hooded scarf for me. From the book Hooded Scarves to Crochet pg 11

Polo collar cowl, for me- from Cowlgirls the neck's big thing to knit pg 34

Frilly ruffle scarf - for me

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/frilly-crochet-scarf

Oh what a night!

Tonight's gathering was a reunion of sorts.  Stephanie hadn't been with us in a while so it was good to see her again and hear about her knitting/crocheting adventures.  Susan was back after a little accident, we're all glad that she's doing better.  It was also good to have a new knitter with us.  Heather took to the needles like she was born to knit!  We had our regular regular Francine and our new regulars, Jenny and Amadi.

If you missed it, you missed a good time.

We were so busy knitting and catching up I didn't take any pictures!  Thanks again to the Haughville Library for allowing us the space to gather and share!  Ladies, I look forward to seeing you next month. 

Yarn & Needle Night at the Haughville Library

I'm looking forward to tomorrow evening when I'll be at the library with other knitters and or crocheters.  Can't wait to see what everyone has been working on!

Another great class!

Thanks to Nickie, Amanda and Wendy, I had my 'biggest' class at Michaels ever!  Yep, 3 whole students.  They were all new to knitting and each left knowing more than when she started.  They all worked on the hand/wrist warmers and were able to get quite a bit done.  Once again, I forgot to take a picture.  But trust me, we all had a good time.

Ladies, it was a pleasure to knit with you! 

WOW!

I am so excited that in 3 weeks I've had over 600 views to my blog!
That may not seem like much to some of you but to me it's a whole lot.    Thank you all!!!!!

I hope that you're getting useful information and are becoming even more excited about knitting and crocheting.

Thanks to Karen for coming to my first crochet class on the East Side today!  We laughed the whole time.  That's what crocheting (and knitting) are about.  Making friends and having a good time while creating something beautiful.

Today's Tip...

MEASURE!
While this hat is adorable and was fun and easy to make, unfortunately I won't be wearing it this week as planned.  It's just a little too small.  I'm always reminding my students to count (which I did) but measuring is important too, especially for an item that is supposed to fit.  So the pattern says fits head circumference 21 in and it turns out a 'proper' measurement of my head shows it's 23" and I can't blame it on my hair this time!

So someone with a smaller head than mine will be getting this hat and I'll make it again with a few adjustments so it will fit me.

The pattern is in "Celebrity Knit Slouchy Beanies for the family (Leisure Arts) pg. 13

http://www.leisurearts.com/products/knit-celebrity-slouchy-beanies-for-the-family.html

New Page!

 

I've added a new page!   Click above on the Warm Up America tab to get lots of information including both knit and crochet section patterns.  I also have links to the locations that I will be donating the completed afghans to so be sure to get your sections made and to me.  Your donations will be greatly appreciated!


I hope to have a couple of gatherings at Michaels stores to work on combining the sections together into afghans so stay tuned!
~Denise

Check out this good cause

 Michaels Teams Up with Warm Up America!  

Special Demo Event • November 11th • 1–3pm

• Learn more about this industry charity and how you can be a part.
• Drop off afghan sections during the event.
• Plus, meet Craft Yarn Council’s Certified Discover instructors and learn about the exciting new crochet and knit classes being offered. 
•  

Check your local Michaels store for availability and details.

 

Find out more about Warm Up America history and download free afghan patterns.

For more information visit WarmUpamerica.org

Drop off your 7" x 9" blocks at any area Michaels store or contact me.  The ones that I collect will be made into blankets and given to Riley Hospital for Children and University Hospital in Indianapolis.  This is a great way to use your leftover yarn and make a difference!

 

Welcome to the world of crocheting!

Had a great class tonight with 2 new students.  Amanda and Patti picked it up quickly.  We planned to take a picture at the end but I forgot.  I'll have to be sure to get it next time.  

 

Thanks to Nickie for stopping by and hanging out with us.  

 

 

Are you wondering about the hand?  It's to display the wrist warmers for the knit stitch class.  I decided to buy one - and tonight they were on sale!

 

 

 

Cute!

I might have to get these bumper stickers.
http://www.yarn.com/webs-knitting-accessories-gifts-jewelry/zippy-pins-bumper-stickers/?utm_source=FB&utm_medium=products&utm_campaign=zippy-pins

Do you have a Michaels Rewards Card?

If you are a regular shopper at Michaels you may want to get  one.
As a MichaelsRewards^TM member you get:

$5 Reward for every $100 you spend * $5 discount every time you take a class 20% off your entire purchase as a special Welcome Offer 20% off your entire purchase as a Birthday Gift Exclusive Members only special Invitations to special events Free Membership                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            All your MichaelsRewards** rewards will be loaded on your card. There’s no need to bring in your coupons. When you spend $250 in a year, you’ll get special rewards just for you! In addition to your great MichaelsRewards™ benefits, you'll also receive these exclusive Gold Status benefits: Invitation to Gold Events and Webcasts with celebrity hosts, like Tim Holtz and Crafty Chica Access to Special Events, like our recent trip to The Martha Stewart Show Special Sale hours, like our Extended Madness Event Exclusive Product Giveaways and more!

Doo-dads and gizzmos

Ever wonder what some of the doo-dads and gizzmos are that you often see in the yarn department?  Well, I've added a list of some - complete with pictures and how to use them.  Check both the Knit Helpful Hints and the Crochet Helpful Hints pages.  Scroll all the way down.  Along the way you'll also see what I hope is useful information about yarn and other knit and crochet related things.

New info

Today I've added to the following pages:
My Crochet~ Finished
My Knit ~ Finished
Helpful hints in both Knit and Crochet about yarn standards

Next - knitting and crocheting abbreviations- Enjoy!

My loyal crochet students

The ladies tonight, hard at work on their granny square throws.  Good job as always!  I should have taken another picture to show how much you were able to finish. 
Thank you for being able to reschedule the class I had to cancel last week. 

Good people, good time!

Today I showed off my  new story board for my 2nd Michaels store and met some great people.  Thanks to everyone who stopped and talked to me.  Can't wait to see you in a class soon!  Click on either the E. Washington St or Avon tab above and see my schedule of classes for both locations.

In a knit and crochet frame of mind

Doesn't this cooler weather have you thinking of knitting and crocheting? 

I've updated my calendar of classes for the month of October and made some other changes to the blog.
If you sign up for email notifications, you'll receive an email when I add to the blog.

I hope to add information about yarn to the Helpful Hints sections later this week.  I need to make sure that I'm ready for my demo on Wednesday and class on Thursday.

Read for the record!

I'm reading with Jumpstart on Thursday, October 4th so that one day every child in America will enter school prepared to succeed.  Join me for Jumpstart's Read for the Record at http://bit.ly/JRFTR