January Show and Tell

Delores is one of our regular attenders and I believe her specialty is children's sweaters. Last month I saw her knitting a black and white sweater I have named the Penguin sweater. She has finished it and is planning to sell it. She also brought other children's sweaters, some were worn by her grandchildren.

Kangaroo Detail on Sweater

On this month's first meeting Shelia informed everyone about the Valentines for the Troops program. Jan who is always ready to craft, knit or cross stitch took the time to make some beautiful cards. Thank you, Jan. I'm sure these will touch someone's heart.

Jan's one of a kind Valentines for the Troops

Iola has found very rewarding knitting dishcloths. A special handmade or natural soap wrapped in a washcloth/dishcloth is the perfect gift anytime of the year.

Hummingbird Detail on Dishcloth

I searched and found these neat patterns.

Scrubber cloth

Shell crochet dishcloth

Checker dishcloth

Little ruffle dishcloth

On a Cold January Afternoon

I spoke to Rita first and she was working on something different. She's a very good seamstress and has designed a gown she will wear during the Red Hat Society Convention which takes place this year in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Satin Rosettes made by Rita

Jill and Jan have a friend in common and they both worked on what they will give her for her upcoming birthday in February. Their friend is a flute player in the Charlotte Symphony.

Jill's Embroidery

Jan's Cross Stitch Bookmark

Phyllis brought her sister Delores who is trying to start a prayer shawl group in her church. She was glad she came and encouraged to begin this new venture. We hope she comes back.

Speaking of shawls, I saw three other ladies working on shawls; Pat, Claire and Jill. Claire shared with me she had looked everywhere how to do a half double crochet and had not been successful.

This video demonstrates clearly how to do the half double crochet.


Our refreshment table was graced by a snowman unlike any other I've seen. The carrot nose was knitted by Shelia.

Donna brought her knitted market bags and shared her patterns.

December 2008 Holiday Gathering

Many ladies gathered to enjoy good food and each other's company on our last meeting of 2008.

Shelia made sure everyone present took home a goody bag. Once again this year the ladies brought Christmas ornaments to exchange.

Shelia received a very special gift from the ladies who appreciate all she does to make our meetings special.

Shelia's Money Wreath

The Season of Giving and Sharing

Just about every week I see a new face during Stitch In. Sue P. is fairly new and she has thoroughly enjoyed coming to our meetings. This week she brought along her friend Sharon. Sue continues to work on scarfs as she tries new techniques. The garter stitch scarf made in the Panther colors pleased her and she decided to learn how to work cables by making another scarf.
Here's a link I found online showing a beginning cables technique.

Sue's garter stitch scarf

Speaking of scarves, Neily completed the multi directional she was working on. She also brought another short row scarf she made following a Lion Brand Pattern. On the latter she used Tweedly Dee chunky yarn from Moda Dea. She is also using left over yarn from other projects to make the Flame Stitch afghan.

Neily's Multidirectional Scarf

Short Rows and Garter Stitch makes Neily's stylish scarf

Anna is working on her own afghan design. When finished she will give her creation to Project Linus.

This year sure has gone fast. Just like last year Janet was seeing working on a beautiful cross stitch winter scene.

The refreshments were not only tasty but beautiful.

Holiday Ornament Exchange

This year's Holiday Gathering will bring smiles to all those who participate in the ornament exchange. I'm excited and already planning on my creation. There are a great number of patterns available online. Here are some links:

You'll love this cow ornament, Shelia.

Santa Hat Ornament

Snowman ornament

Mini Sweater ornament

Mitten and stocking ornaments

Christmas lights

Snowman Ornament

Knitted ball ornament

Snowflake Star ornament

Candy Cane Cozy

Hope everyone has fun making their ornaments.

Fall and Holiday Stitching

The terrific fall weather we have been having brought a good crowd to this month's last meeting. Twenty happy ladies in attendance worked on their projects. All those present received a knitted candy corn made by Shelia.


Neily, Mint Hill's Branch Manager who just retired joined us. She has begun a multi directional scarf and is using the pattern Donna V gave her. Here is Karen Baumer's version of this neat pattern.

Phyllis purchased a pattern called Tropical Tee from Cottage Yarn. Phyllis's speed crocheting is a skill I'm working on. She can crochet a hat in 2 hours.

Jeanne's raglan pullover knitted on the round for one of her grandchildren turned out nice. She shared that the pattern she used was thirty years old and back then she had paid $2.00. This was quite expensive but she has made countless sweaters and is glad she owns a copy.

Julie completed the birth sampler for Gabriel. She will be taking it to Michigan next week. She is also working on christmas knitted stockings.
Janet who also loves to cross stitch also finished her project which she worked on during the cruise to Alaska.

Delores is currently working on a sweater with a penguin motif. The yarn she is using, called Comfort felt wonderful and she shared she bought it at the Peace of Yarn for $5.95.


Sue P. is a beginner knitter and is excited about the scarf she is knitting for her husband using the Panther's colors.

Anna brought the album which shows the Pysanky eggs she had entered to compete in the 2008 North Carolina State Fair. Pysanky is the Ukrainian art of egg decorating. She used goose eggs and won 3rd and 4th place in this category. She is currently working on the Treenah scarf which she will give to her mom this Christmas.

Nisa Knits Update and More...

We are quickly approaching the Nisa
Knits Hats goal of 100. The response is really something to brag about. A heart felt thanks goes out to all the wonderful ladies who have taken the time to make them.





Barb found a neat pattern for flip flop socks in the book Knitted Socks by Anna Tillman. She is making a pair for her granddaughter who wears flip flops year round.


Phyllis worked on her Knit Stitch Cloche. The Dictionary Site defines a cloche as a woman's close fitting hat with a deep, bell shaped crown and often narrow turned brim. She found her pattern in the website a Crystal Palace Yarns website This site is an excellent source of free patterns in all categories. Crystal Palace yarns can also be purchased at this site.

Anna who crochets and donates her creations to Project Linus is currently crocheting a pineapple doily which she would like to enter on the North Carolina State Fair next month. The fair runs from October 16 through October 26. We wish Anna good luck.

Sarah stopped by to tell everyone about the GuidePosts Knit for Kids charity program. She has made kids' crochet pullovers using the pattern provided by this organization. Once you donate an item to this cause you will receive their newsletter.