Cold and dark...

Saturday's big storm felled trees that took out multiple phone poles and our area transformer.  We've had no power since.  While I love my new iPhone it just isn't the same as a monitor and qwerty keyboard.  Thank goodness for the public library.

PSE&G is promising we'll be back on the grid by midnight tonight.  One can only hope.

11/3 -- Cold and dark no more.  Power was restored yesterday.  Cable and internet this morning.  ..and my heart goes out to all of you who aren't back up.  This was not easy!

Introductory Broomstick Lace & Tunisian Crochet Workshop - CANCELED

PROGRAM CANCELED 
By the Director of the Hackensack Library due to an HVAC installation.  
No new date has been selected at this time.   

Wednesday, November 2 

from 6:30 - 8:30 pm 

at the Johnson Public Library Meeting Room

  led by

Craft Yarn Council Certified Instructors 

Rose Garrison and Susan Leibowitz

This is an experienced beginner level class. 

Bring your own supplies.  

An afghan hook, crochet hook - size H, I or J, size US 35 or 50 knitting needle and 2 skeins of contrasting color worsted weight (CYC 4) yarn.

Pre-registration is required as class size is limited.

Contact Barb at 201-343-4169 x10 or schuit@bccls.org

The Johnson Public Library is located at 274 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ.

For directions and parking information, go to http://hackensack.bccls.org/

Meet Millie

Millie is 10 years old.  

She started out knitting with her grandmother who learned to knit 

as in girl in Peru.

Millie attended four Discover Knit classes this past August at the Clifton (NJ) Michaels with her mom Vicky.  Vicky recognized Millie's natural aptitude and wanted her daughter to be able to read knitting patterns and expand her range of techniques.

Millie was born to knit.  She quickly absorbed everything I offered her.  

Above is a striped hat she knitted with some coordinated Red Heart yarn and a pattern from a knitting book for kids all found in Michaels.  I got her started with reading and interpreting the pattern and she took off on her own with these wonderful results.  

Here are the fingerless gloves Millie knit up using the pattern from the Discover the Cable Stitch class.  We adapted the pattern for gauge so Millie's gloves would match her hat and fit.

Millie - When you become a famous knitwear designer, send me an invite to your first runway show at Fashion Week!  

Fire up those GPSs! There's a new yarn spot in town.

Yesterday I ventured (GPSless) into the industrial area south of Teterboro Airport and north of the Sports Complex.  It's not your usual shopping mall haunt...more reminiscent of early Secaucus Outlet shopping adventures.  There tucked at the end of Kero Road -- a road with one sharp turn and several bumpy patches -- was Lion Brand Land. 

I walked into the Outlet Store thinking I'd find dark and dingy warehouse but I should have known better.  The first thing you see through the glass doors is a large yarn art installation.  Look to the left as you enter and there's the skating lion who once graced the window of the 15th Street Studio.  Look to the right and there's an open, freshly painted, cavernous room with great signage filled with yarn -- well organized and packaged...some discontinueds at great prices...some high end Lion Brand not available through the big box arts and crafts stores here in NJ.  (The Outlet's stock also does not duplicate what is carried in the big box stores.)  The lighting in the store is fabulous. 

There's a computer kiosk with access to the Lion Brand patterns.  A table and chairs near the back where you could spread out your pattern and choices to sit and do your math.  And an almost competed lounge -- big with a variety seating options.  And a ladies room.  (My three criteria for any great destination---yarn, a ladies room and a Diet Coke machine. Two out of three works.)

I met Brenda at the register.  She told me they are looking to be the CostCo of yarn.  I'll take that.

Well done...again...Lion Brand!

The Outlet is open to newsletter subscribers -- check your inbox -- until 9/6/11 when it opens to the public.  (If you're not a subscriber, find a friend to forward you the email.  I bet they won't mind.)  If memory serves, it's open Monday through Thursday from 11 - 7 and Friday from 11 - 4.  They are closed on Saturday and will be open on Sundays after the full opening.  It is located at 140 Kero Road in Carlstadt, New Jersey.  

Baseball and knitting, anyone?

Stitch 'n Pitch with the NY Mets

Tuesday, September 13 at 7:10 pm

$18.00 for each designated Promenade Reserved Infield seat

Citi Field, Queens, NY

Christine -- the East Hanover and Parsippany crochet teacher -- and I are so there! 

From TNNA (The National NeedleArts Association www.tnna.org) Stitch ' N Pitch brings together two wonderful traditions — Baseball and the NeedleArts. Come to a ball game and knit, crochet, embroider, cross-stitch and needlepoint. Sit among friends, family and colleagues and cheer on the Mets! Beginners, intermediate and experts are all welcome. We will be at the Met's Citi Field Sept 13th.

Here's the scoop on Stitch 'N Pitch http://www.stitchnpitch.com/

Here's the ticket sales info flyer: http://www.stitchnpitch.com/pdf/flyers/2011_mets.pdf

I also friended the recently created <Stitch 'N Pitch, NY Mets> facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stitch-N-Pitch-NY-Mets/162933147096319 I expect details will be posted there as they become available.

There will be an opportunity for charity knitting through Warm Up America (Craft Yarn Council - http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/?q=node/4 ) and yarnbombing.

Close Knitters

Check out the July 20, 2011 blog entry on Close Knitters.  http://closeknityarns.blogspot.com/

Stop in at Close Knit located 300 Franklin Avenue in Wyckoff.  It's my go-to local yarn shop.  They have a well chosen selection of yarns, tools, project ideas and a knowledgeable staff.  

I recommend Happy Hour offered each Friday from 3 - 6 pm. It is open to all and there is no fee.  Make some new fiber friends.  See what's on their needles and get inspired.

Visit their website http://www.closeknityarns.com/ for directions, hours and more.

Pantone Fall 2011

Don't get me wrong, I love the summer...but when there's multi-day air quality alerts with high humidity and temps above 90 degrees, I do look forward to a crisp, cool fall day with breathable air.

So, with that in mind, crank up the AC and take a look at the ten gorgeous, fashion forward colors for fall. Click on here and you'll go to the Pantone site with a listing of the Fall 2011 -- The Art of Color -- Sensible and Spirited.  You can also explore the page a 36 page fall fashion report and more. Click on downloadable pdf to the right above fall 2011.  I love the silhouette of the Adrienne Vittadini boucle sweater vest. 

Happy Summer!

Wahoo! CYC Discover classes on Michaels' website

http://www.michaels.com/Exciting-Classes/classes,default,pg.html

Image sourced from www.michaels.com

World Wide Knitting in Public Day is here again!

And here’s how I’m celebrating...

The Big Circle World Wide Knitting in Public Day

Saturday, June 11, 2011

12:00pm – 4:00pm | Lawn at Bryant Park, NYC

Bryant Park is the NY Public Library’s beautiful backyard which is an easy walk due east from Port Authority. The park sits between 40th and 42nd Streets facing Avenue of the Americas (AKA 6th Avenue). 

Free Classes in the Park

Join fellow knitters and help create a giant Knitting in the Round Project in celebration of World Wide Knitting in Public Day.

Yarn and needles provided. 

Produced in partnership with Knitty City - a wonderful yarn shop on the Upper West Side on 79th Street. 

What is WWKIP?  http://www.wwkipday.com/history.htm 

No invitation to the Royal Wedding?

With just one week to go to the Royal Wedding,

knit and create your own Will & Kate.  

Go to http://www.jamesgalt.com/index.cfm?page=1083  They will ask for your name, surname and email to be able to download the pattern.

If you like, you can show Galt how you get on! www.facebook.com/GaltToys 

I'll post photos of any completed couples here on the blog, if you like.  Leave a comment below...comments are moderated by me first before putting up on the blog.  I do not post emails or phone numbers or anything personal.

Some UK/US equivalencies:

There's no gauge on these patterns.  The yarn and needle size you choose will determine how large the dolls end up.  Know that when you knit figures like this, you want your knitting tighter than usual...no fiber filling coming through the stitches, please.  Whatever yarn you choose, come down 1mm in needle size as in...if it calls for a US8 or 5mm, use a US 6 or 4mm.

• Double wool is like our medium weight or worsted yarn CYC 4
• 4mm needles are the same as US6 
• 4 ply is like Sport weight or Baby yarn CYC 3 
• 3mm are the same as US 2.  You can also consider a US 3 which is 3.25mm

Photo from www.jamesgalt.com

Getting Gauge

One thing many of you ask me about is knit gauge and what it means.  

Here's an extreme example of what happens when you don't "get gauge."  

LOL.

Reblogged from 

tuxandpebbles

The Easter Bunny brought me...

... Patons tote bags perfect for carrying knitting projects to class.  And I want to share with you, so...

Each student attending one of my Discover Knit classes will be gifted one of these bags.

Here are Monica and Jody with their new knitting totes.   

One bag per person distributed at the first class taken on or after 3/28/11.  Supplies are limited.

Spring 2011 Colors

Thinking about knitting for spring?  Click on share and you'll go to the Pantone site with a listing of the TOP 10 COLORS for SPRING 2011.  Every one of those colors beats the white we've been staring at all these many months. 

Explore a bit further and click on the spring 2011 download just to the right of the color swatches.  Great fashion stuff.

Class Photo - Michaels Parsippany

Here's a class photo of five happy knitters at the Discover the Pattern Stitch Class at the Michaels in Parsippany this past week.  Three are sporting their neck warmers from the previous week's Discover the Purl Stitch Class.  Two are wearing their Garter Cuffs from the Discover the Knit Class held two weeks ago and one is wearing her hat from the same Knit class. 

Supply Lists for the Discover Knit Classes

You are entitled to a 10% discount on all regularly priced class supplies.   

For all classes

Consider purchasing a Discover Knit and Crochet Starter Kit.  It is a Boye product with a SKU number 166806.  It contains many the accessories you will need for the knit and crochet classes.   In some stores it is found on the bottom shelf below the knitting needles.  In Wayne, they are on the knit and crochet class display shelves. 

It would be useful (but not required) for you to bring a pen or pencil, note paper, small scissors and a large (gallon size) zip lock bag. 

You may also like to designate a 3-ring binder for the hand outs you receive in class.  One and three-hole punches are now permanent items in my carry-all. 

Discover the Knit Class

1 skein – Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick  Choose a color that is light to medium.   Choosing very light, dark or variegated colors can make seeing the stitches difficult. 

1 set of US 13 straight knitting needles  Use may choose any material – bamboo, wood, plastic or metal.  It is easiest to learn on the shorter length needles. 

If you do not purchase the starter kit, you’ll need one large eye yarn needle.  The choice of plastic or metal is yours.  There is a set of yarn needles with upcurved ends and screw top holder.  It is made by Clover and found near the bottom of the display near the other Clover accessories.  Addition yarn needles can be found in the embroidery section in a nearby aisle. 

Discover the Purl Class

1 set of US 8 straight knitting needles  Use may choose any material – bamboo, wood, plastic or metal.  It is easiest to learn on the shorter length needles. 

2 skeins of Caron’s Simply Soft in contrasting colors  Choose colors that are light to medium to make viewing stitches easier. 

One Large Eye Yarn Needle - See Discover the Knit Stitch for details. 

Discover Pattern Stitches

1 set of US 9 straight knitting needles  Use may choose any material – bamboo, wood, plastic or metal.  It is easiest to learn on the shorter length needles. 

1 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver  Choose colors that are light to medium to make viewing stitches easier. Avoid multicolor skeins at this time.

One Large Eye Yarn Needle - See Discover the Knit Stitch for details. 

Discover Cables

1 set of US 7 straight knitting needles  Use may choose any material – bamboo, wood, plastic or metal.  It is easiest to learn on the shorter length needles. 

1 skein of Paton’s Classic Wool in the color of your choosing.  Go for it...pick any color.  If you have a wool allergy, check the Classic Wool ball band for gauge information and select a comparable yarn in a hypoallergenic fiber. 

If you did not purchase the starter kit, you will need a cable needle and two stitch holders. 

One Large Eye Yarn Needle - See Discover the Knit Stitch for details. 

Doug, my letter carrier

In early December, my letter carrier left a holiday greeting in our mailbox.  Doug is the guy who delivers all my knitting magazines, books and other goodies.  He also makes our Netflix movies appear and disappear.  He has his head in the game and does a great job. I wanted him to know we appreciate him.  What else would I do?  I knit him something...

Using a selection of cross stitch alphabet books I got from my library's treasure room (recycled bookstore), I charted and designed Doug a scarf.  It has the feel of an old time letter sweater.  I knitted up on my my mid-gauge knitting machine.  Now you might think that would make it easier but know the challenge with a knitting machine is that as you work, you see the back of the work...the purl side.  That means that all the letters were done backwards. 

I think it came out great and apparently Doug does too.  I see him delivering the mail sporting his new scarf.  Thanks, Doug!

Here are some photos of the scarf, as well as Doug's thank you.