Hooks in Texas October Conference

A friend of ours is organizing a great crochet conference in San Angelo in October. Arnie is THE person for Tunisian crochet. It would be fun...and it's very reasonable.

Check out the details at...

http://www.hooksintexas.blogspot.com/

Sock KAL/CAL

Who wants to learn how to knit or crochet a pair of socks?! As of this posting, only 158 stitching days until Christmas! It's never too early to start on your gifts. :)

We have a basic pattern for knit socks for the knit-along. You'll need:

• 100g sock/fingering weight yarn (at least 400 yards) – maybe 2 skeins
• Stitch markers (knitting stitch markers are rings)
• Set of US 2 DPNs (double point needles) (If you’re knitting 2 at a time get 2 sets)
• Blunt bent large eye needle

For the crochet-along, we have two patterns to choose from -- Crochet Sock 1 and Crochet Socks 2. You'll need:

• 100g sock/fingering weight yarn (at least 400 yards) – maybe 2 skeins
• Stitch markers (crochet stitch markers are clasps)
• Crochet hook – Size C-2
• Crochet hook – Size D-3
• Blunt bent large eye needle

You'll feel great after making your first pair of socks. It's a marvelous accomplishment!! You'll be hooked. If the creating doesn't get you, all the varieties of sock yarn will. :)

So get your stuff.

We cast on Wednesday, July 21, at 11:30 a.m. in Bryan Conference Room.

World Wide Knit in Public Day

Not sure if y'all know this or not but Saturday, June 12, is the start of World Wide Knit it Public Day Week. Time to come out of the closet and knit/crochet out in the open.

IF we had a deli, I would suggest we meet there but… :( Wish we had picnic tables then we could sit outside. If I was more organized we could yarn bomb the atrium with crocheted flowers by the creek. ::snicker::

SOOOOOO…how would y’all like to celebrate knitting/crocheting in public next week?

Check out the website for World Wide Knit in Public Day. Maybe there's a gathering near you to join on Saturday.

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! It's amazing how time flies!

This last Wednesday, we talked about possible places to donate our lapghans to and I think we decided on injured vets who are wheelchair bound and/or with lost limbs at Brooke Army Medical Hospital. I've talked to the volunteer/donations contact there and they would love to have them. We can either mail them to her or we can deliver them ourselves to San Antonio... BUT... we would not be able to meet with any of the recipients. After they received the lapghans, we'd get a letter confirming they were distributed as we requested.

So as of today, we have eight completed lapghans with three project bags ready for someone to make them and I believe there are about 5 more lapghans in the works with various people.

How about this for a goal? Can we try to get these all completed by the end of April 2010? Then we could have them delivered by either Memorial Day (May 31) or Flag Day (June 14).

If you'd like to help complete one of these projects -- let me know.

We're also tossing around new ideas for new projects -- hats, bed socks/booties, etc. Something fast and easy that we all can do after we finish the lapghan project. Let's talk more next Wednesday.

Just remember: If you teach a person to knit, they'll be in stitches for the rest of their life.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

...Everywhere I go....And my Christmas knitting is NO WHERE near being finished!! But what do I want to do? Of course! Add another UFO to my pile of WIPs!! I want to make these slippers to wear during the holidays. Anybody want to join me in a CAL? Let me know – I've got the pattern ready to go...just need to get yarn and a larger hook. I'm wondering even about doing an elf version with green....hmmmm....

So...I was wondering if y'all would be interested in having a crochet/knitting themed white elephant Christmas party. Whatcha think? Check your emails for voting buttons to choose what works for you. Maybe have a $10-15 price limit. I know there's lots going on but go vote it would be fun! :)

Keep up the great stitching! And...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

AWESOME NEWBS!

Welcome to all our wonderful newbies today!!! We're so glad y'all have joined are "skeinky, loose hookers" group. We have a reputation to live up to and I will make every effort that we all hold up our end of the bargain.

It will be frustrating at first but keep practicing the basic stitches. These are the foundation of many wonderful things you can create later. Once you get the chain and single crochets down...the sky's the limit!

Check the links here and on YouTube. You'll be able to find lots of help or ask Debra or me if you have any questions.

And a SPECIAL THANKS to Debra for all her help and patience in getting us starting and learning how to crochet. YOU ROCK, SKULLY!!

Kid N' Ewe Time!

http://www.kidnewe.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1
Be sure to check out the class listings.

WOOHOO-we got class

Ok, for all you intrepid "Gassers" out there. We are set for a "Learn to Read a Crochet Pattern" at Yarntopia on Saturday September 19th, 10am-12pm. Mosey on over to Yarntopia.net for contact info so you can get signed up and paid for. This class is going to focus on a shoulder bag (of my design) and will be intended for felting. Yarntopia rules state that you need to buy your yarn there....so good luck with the choosing just one color(hee,hee). Hope to see y'all there.
Also, for anyone interested, there are 3 chapters of CGOA (Crochet Guild of America) in Houston. One up by Willowbrook Mall called H-town(it was the first); one in Humble-Yarn Fantasies and Crochet Dreams; one on the westside-Westside Chain-Gang.
Westside meets the 3rd Sunday of every month from 2-4 at Dunn Bros Coffee on west Fry. Next meeting is 9/20/09-come on out! There are exciting things happening.
http://westsidecrochet.blogspot.com/
ok, ok....I'm promoting my chapter...so sue me.....

We have AFGHANS!!!

Look at these gorgeous afghans!!! Griselda, Ernest and Debra have been busy sewing squares together. Aren't they awesome!!!! And the afghans are wonderful, too!!! Great job, y'all!!!

In Just Nine Short Months...

I was totally amazed and thrilled at our GAS lunch today. As I sat there with five other stitchers, I watched and remembered how just nine short months ago we didn't have a clue what to do. We still might not BUT it was awesome watching everyone helping each other. It was just nine months ago that most of us didn't know which end of a crochet hook to use much less how to make a chain to get started!

But look at us now!!! We're branching out and gaining more confidence as we trying new patterns and even working on personal projects. We're reading patterns and learning new stitches and helping each other out and doing BEAUTIFUL work. Nine months ago...our eyes would have glazed over at the mere mention of a 3DT TBL YO CH2 (3 double-treble in the back loop yarn over chain 2) but now...NO WAY!! We've got lots of blocks and afghans in the works. We even have a fantastic high school Senior who is now hooked -- HE just loves it!!

It's addicting yet so relaxing. Thanks for all your hard work and time!
Keep up the fantastic and beautiful stitching!!! <3