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.