Fall 2009 Gathering

At least 28 ladies gathered to stitch and enjoy each others company.  Our community room was almost filled to capacity.

Delores lined up to get her plate and she browsed through the new books on display.

Savory and Sweet dishes taste even better in good company.

Phyllis's creativity produced this beautiful fall scarf.

Natalie created these whimsical crochet dolls for Nancy.

She gives some of her creations away, but this kitty she'll keep for a little girl in her family.  She reported that the cat's ears were a tad larger and she had to make some adjustments so the creature would stand. He's got personality.     

                                                

Rita continues to make progress and creating one of a kind gnomes.  Her favorite place to acquire wool for felting is the Goodwill Store.  The hats are lined and she uses wire to keep them in place.  She uses wool for the beard.  Here's another very cute version of a gnome.  Looks like it would also take less time to construct.  Click on the word gnome.

The gnome's feather is from a guinea fowl.  Rita knows someone in Montawk, Long Island who collects them for her.

Rita also made this turban from a pattern Shelia shared with the ladies.

Pat's collection of chemo caps continues to grow.  She is delighted to be able to use leftover worsted weight yarn and eyelash yarn to make these.

Coming together is a beginning.  Keeping together is progress.  Working together is success.  ~Henry Ford

Pink Day

Pink, the color that reminds us of Breast Cancer awareness was seen in all around during our October 13 meeting. 

Ashley came bearing gifts from Charlotte Radiology to celebrate October Breast Awareness Month.  The 30 ladies in attendance received a neat nylon bag like the one Ashley is holding along with other free goodies that came inside the bag.  Patterns for chemo caps are available from Shelia for anyone interested in donating caps to the Presbyterian Hospital in Matthews. This pattern is for a knitted chemo cap.  The Loving Georgia Lee Tyler crochet pattern can be made using worsted weight or sport weight yarn.

Some of the delicious treats served were also in pink and enjoyed by all.  I especially loved the Pink Fluff. Click on the link for the recipe.

Everyone has appreciated the fleece donation from Delores.  The fleece is being used for blankets which will be donated to Project Linus.  See Shelia if you would like to make a blanket using this fleece.

 

The refreshments and books table.

 

Sheila is new to Mint Hill Stitch In and crocheting as well.  She is using a basic crochet stitch to make blanket in Carolina Blue colors.

 

 Rita has been mastering the art of making  gnomes and adds her very own unique touches.  Each felted boot has a hand sewn edge which is time consuming she reported.  She is also thrilled that one of the gnomes has already been sold.

 

First Day of Fall 2009 Stitch In

On this first day of fall Mint Hill Stitch In participants numbered 21. It is a fact that many people prefer to knit or crochet when the weather is cool. The weather conditions have not really slowed down Janet. She has been busy making blankets and hats which she wants to donate to the Battered Woman's Shelter in Monroe.

Pat is very much in to making baby items and has found a pattern that came with the yarn she purchased.

Shelia had a wonderful show and tell. She won a beautiful quilt during the Make a Blanket Day event sponsored by Project Linus. Mint Hill Branch Library is a drop off point for all donated blankets. She will attend the Project Linus meetings which take place on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 pm to
8:30 pm at Candlewyck Baptist Church, 7200 Providence Rd. The church's telephone number is: 704-366-2310 These meetings are open to the public.

This is Rita's gnome design and creation. She used recycled wool for the boots and hat. The nose and face were also made with recycled material. For the beard, she cleverly crocheted a base and hooked the yarn strands. He has a name, I'm sure. I just forgot to ask Rita.

Nancy's asymmetrical sweater can be worn in several ways. The Bernat Bamboo wool has a luxurious feel. Her toddler socks were made using self striping yarn.

Nancy loves yarn; she showed me this colorful yarn by Manos del Uruguay. The price is not bad for the amount of yarn in the skein.

The softness of this silk blend yarn is perfect for the scarf Nancy is making. The colors, rich and warm remind me of the wonderful season of Fall.

Crochet Edging - 101

The beautiful edge on this pink flannel blanket was stitched by Claire.

This video clearly shows step by step how to make the crochet edge. You can use flannel or fleece. This is one of the quickest methods of making a blanket. Project Linus stipulates the fleece blankets should be done in a single layer in the following sizes: For a child - 36" by 45", For a baby - 36" by 36".

Mint Hill Branch has been designated as a drop off location for Project Linus. Several ladies are enthusiastic about this and have put their needles and hooks to work. We have received approximately 12 hand made blankets.

Zelma who recently joined us demonstrates her pineapple doily creation.

Julie completes one baby blanket and starts another one right away. She said, "Babies just keep coming into the world". This knitted pattern is one of her favorites.

Christmas in July

The countdown to Christmas has begun, there are approximately 5 months until Christmas.

Delicious spinach salad was served; it was a good choice, green and red make me think of Christmas.

Everybody's favorite made the time spent together sweet.

Everyone fell in love with Aura's gnomes which she made last Christmas.








Rita's sock doll is almost complete. Every part of the sock was used and she was pleased with the way the hands turned out. I found these instructions which walk you step by step in the process.









Rita enjoys very much meeting with her Red Hat Society friends. Hats are very popular at the meetings so she has been making these hats which I'm sure will sell well.

Nancy modeled this shawl made from a luxurious bamboo yarn. The price per skein was at least $20.00.

The picture on the left shows a very
quick and easy pattern Nancy found
online in the Lion Brand Website.
The picture on the right shows one
her creations. Her needles don't
get much rest as you can see.

Good News for Mint Hill Stitch In

Happy Month of July to all!!

The Mint Hill Stitch In group will continue to meet twice a month as they have done since the beginning because the group falls under the category of Civic Engagement. Most of those who come regularly contribute handmade items to the community which falls in this category. Presently the ladies have been working on the scarves which will benefit the Men's Homeless shelter. In two weeks, fifteen scarves were collected.

Star Shaped Bread and Apple Cake made by Janet in honor of Julie's birthday was enjoyed by all those in attendance.

On recent visit to Target, Rita found cute children's knee highs. She could not resist the pretty bright colors. She followed her sock monkey instructions to create a doll.

Striped body doll begins to take shape.....

Natalie's clowns are what I consider vintage. She found these patterns in the April 2000 issue of Crochet World Magazine.

If the apron fits well use it. This one really fits and it was designed by Rita to to fit a woman's figure.

Mini Crochet Flower Tutorial

Crochet flowers can be used to embellish hats, blankets, headbands, etc...I like to use this mini 5 petal cards to decorate cards I make. It's a great way to use up your leftover yarn.