Are you all gung ho on that first sock, but find yourself losing interest and enthusiasm for the second?  This class will teach you to knit both socks at the same time.

Hello to everyone. Happy back to school and almost autumn. For me, this month is marked by fresh bold colors and patterns, email entanglements, the beginning of our annual hickory nut bombing, and yes, first sightings of Christmas decorations. In August. So let us knit a little story from these disparate parts and see what becomes of us at the end, shall we?

First I have to apologize to all of you for the many email invitations to Design in Fair Isle. I would be absolutely thrilled to see every single one of you, especially since Fair Isle is going to be the “IT” knitting this fall, but the truth is, I was playing around with my email and somehow sent out invitations to everybody in my contacts list. You can imagine how embarrassing. People I haven’t seen in years…people I can’t even remember…all looked at their email boxes (the ones without the spam filters anyway) and emitted a collective “huh?” The best part is that it happened not once but TWICE, and that on one occasion, the class times weren’t even correct. Then, since I couldn’t figure out how to un-invite everyone without being rude, I just decided to let the things stand and send out a general apology to all, which of course, you are now reading. And so the end of chapter one of our story.

Chapter two begins with Amy drooling, yes, over Fair Isle designs that were splashed all over the pages of Debbie Bliss’ latest magazine, dreaming about ways to bring Fair Isle and stranded colorwork into the hands of her compatriots in WNC and the Upstate. That’s where the Christmas decs come in…I actually saw an entire section of an art supply store dedicated to these just today. In August. But I guess it really isn’t too early to think of presents and handmade decorations, so you’ll see some great workshops designed with your gifting needs in mind coming up in September and October. Also new and just for you is the Washcloth Club, where you’ll explore new patterns and techniques in easy to manage, pint-sized squares that you can gift, hmmm, or collect to make into anything you wish. The Beaded Fob and Amigarumi Owl workshops will also be great fun; hope to see you there!

As always, we have, faithful as falling hickory nuts, always in demand, classes for sock knitting, lace making, and the like. You can get help with any project Friday mornings from 10-12 pm. As always, if there is a specific type of knitting or crochet in which you or your group have a particular interest, let me know. I’m honored to develop classes especially for you, your group, or even your party (you CAN serve your guests a skill with their hors d’ oeuvres). And that concludes the story! (Bet you didn’t think I’d bring in the hickory nuts) My full schedule follows.

Happy stitching, see you soon!

Classes

1. Join the Washcloth Club! Starting Thursday, 9/23 and continuing each Thursday thereafter, 1:30-3:00 pm, We’ll work a different cloth or related item each week, just think of the techniques, the gifts, the afghan you could make in a year! cost $5 per session, patterns provided

2. New to Knitting starts Thursday 9/23 and runs Thursdays 3:30-5:00 pm until 10/14 We’ll make the lovely Sampler Scarf (designed by yours truly) in worsted weight, while you learn to read patterns, troubleshoot and make repairs, gauge, choose yarns and read labels, so much more! cost $45 pattern provided

3. Top Down Socks in sock weight, using the Sensational Knitted Socks book by Charlene Schurch, starts 9/23 and continues each Thursday thereafter through 10/14 5:30-7:30 pm You’ll make one or a pair (depends on how fast you knit!) of the socks using Schurch’s amazing and versatile system. Her book is gold, you can make hundreds of different socks using the pattern system she has devised…I’ll show you how! This is not an advanced class, and it isn’t a bare bones basic sock class. Cost $45, book is required. Please purchase prior to class

4. Design in Fair Isle: Christmas Stocking This class is a blast. In July, the Fair Isle students designed their own hats. each student takes elements from a number of resources, chooses his or her own colors, charts the design, determines gauge, and knits a project. I have books to use as resources or you can bring your own. Cross stitch books are also great sources for Fair Isle designs. You’ll learn the process from start to finish. an excellent experience. I’ve scheduled a class on Fridays, starting 9/24 from 12:30-2:30 through 10/15. Cost $45. patterns will be provided, you’ll need to bring graph paper. 

Second Tentative Session of Fair Isle Stocking: If there are enough people interested in the Design in Fair Isle class for a Saturday session, I have a time slot available from 10:00 to 12:00 am starting 9/25 through 10/16

5. Lace Shawl: Victorian Lace Today is a classic book full of eye candy…if you never make a single project from it, just borrow a copy from the library to gawk at the photos. The shawl for this project is on page 134 of VLT. It’s an intermediate project, a great 1st shawl for those who may have been making lace in smaller pieces but never quite had the courage to attempt a larger work. Here is your opportunity! You’ll stay organized, learn how to avoid mistakes, how to read charts, how to predict what your yarn choice will do for your final product, much more. Lace is as much of a tactile treat to make as it is to wear and enjoy. Fridays, starting 9/24 through 10/15 cost $45, book is required. please obtain a copy prior to class.

6. Knit or Crochet with Amy: Help with any project you have. Fridays, 10:00-12:00 Cost $15

Weekend Workshops 

1, Beaded Fob: This lively little fob looks great on a key chain, book bag, or as a zipper pull. It’s a fantastic way to learn one way to knit with beads. Saturday 9/25 12:30 - 2:00 Cost $15 pattern included, materials fee $5 or bring your own beads please just let me know in advance what you need

2. Kollage Cassandra Knitted Cowl, second in our 10-month series, this cowl uses one skein of “Scrumptious” by Kollage yarns, an angora/silk blend that feels like butter. Saturday 10/2  12:30-3:30 Cost $35, kit can be purchased at Northwoods for a discount if you take the workshop and includes the pattern.

3. Amigurumi Owl From Knitted Critters, Whoo wouldn’t love this adorable little owl? Makes a great Halloween decoration or child’s toy. Saturday 10/23 12:30-3:30 Cost $35, Pattern included

4. Fair Isle Coaster set, learn Fair Isle knitting techniques as you make these simple coasters in colors of your choice. Includes steeking…yes! Patterns will be provided. These coasters are quick and easy; they make great gifts for yourself and for others. Oct 30 12:30- 3:30 Cost $35

 Wonderful time to sit and visit and knit and share.  Sometimes several of us are all working on an agreed upon project and sometimes everyone is doing something different.  Great time for those who cannot get away during the day.

or  Join us for our Tuesday morning Sit and Knit form 10am to noon and Thursday mornings from 10-noon.

 This is our new farm home and home for the mill and soon to be home for the yarn shop!

I anticipate moving the yarn shop the end of December 2010. 

The Yarn Shop is still in Campobello at 221 North Main Street.(864-468-4220)

 Thank you for your business!