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.

A Tatting Demonstration

I honestly can say that Tatting requires a special gifted person with attention to detail. I tried it once and found it hard. Barb has such a skill and she is good at it. She brought a nice collection of threads that were handed down to her by a family member and plans to put them to use. She demonstrated for us Tatting with a shuttle.

Jean believes this Tatting sampler was made in the early 1900's. She inherited it from her stepfather's grandmother.

You can read interesting facts about Tatting by going to this link. I learned that there are actually two other techniques called Needle Tatting and Cro-Tatting.

The scarves to benefit the Men's Homeless shelter have been pouring in. Here's a sample of some that have been collected.

Gourmet M & Ms were enjoyed by those present.

Crocheting and Knitting in the Company of Good Food and Friends

What could be better than sweet and savory refreshments, a new project and the wonderful company friends. Barb found just that at the last meeting. The Pudding Cookie Whip is a favorite and Shelia's recipe.

Barb found the pattern for a crochet cross bookmark and she was trying to make up her mind which one to make for her Secret Sister at church.

Rita finished working on her sock monkeys. She named the one wearing the overalls Socrates. It will accompany her on her storytelling events. The smaller sock monkey does not have a name yet. The knitted cap and shorts were also made by Rita.

The blanket Anna is holding was made using the technique called Tunisian crochet, also known as Afghan crochet. Doing some research I found out that Tunisian crochet dates back to the mid to late 1800. Tunisian crochet results in a woven fabric which is perfect for a warm blanket. Anna loves this blanket and she plans to keep it.

Watch this video and see if you might want to try it.

Janet who was using yarn from Herrschners commented not really liking this yarn but she only paid $10.00 for 8 skeins. She is making a baby blanket and will donate it to the Monroe Woman's Shelter. Nancy on the other hand loved the Love It yarn she purchased at the Cottage Yarn porch 40% sale. She is knitting the Tampa vest for a relative.

Some of the ladies are participating in the current service project by making scarves to be donated to the Men's Homeless Shelter. The specifications state the scarves which can be knitted or crocheted should measure 5 inches wide by 4 feet long in masculine colors with not fringe or trim. The yarn used should be worsted or bulky, sport weight yarns can be doubled. Helmet liners and scarves for our service men and women are still being collected. Shelia has been in contact with the Little Flower Retirement Center to get a list of hand made items the residents would like to receive for the holidays.

Market Bags for Sale During the Friends of the Library Book Sale

This year's Friends of the Library book sale featured hand knit and crochet bags made by our Mint Hill Stitch In ladies.

Fifteen bags sold for a total of $120.00. A special thanks to all the ladies who contributed by donating their creations.

The Friends collected $3,373.83 during this book sale that drew people from surrounding counties. The sale continued the following two weeks with borrowers naming the price of the books sold. Some very generous borrowers offered more than what our books normally sell for.

The bags were cleverly displayed on the bulletin's wall

Shelia's original Cookie Monster and Elmo bags brought smiles and were among the sold.

The Popularity of Lacy Knits and Crochet

Claire enjoyed working on the Tiramisu Crochet Baby blanket she will give away this September. She was amazed at how fast she got it done. "It's a great pattern and so easy", she said. She began working on her second one for another baby due this year.

Click on the word Tiramisu to access the pattern.





The pattern used by Jan consists of knit 2 together and yarn overs creates lacy a pattern. The large needle she uses also contributes to the lacy effect.

Once Pat discovered the drop stitch technique, she too has been making lacy shawls.

Rita found the original Sock Monkey pattern by Fox River Mills Inc. at the Biltmore Arcade. The kit which costs $10.00 comes with everything needed to assemble one. She will use the sock monkey during the story telling events in which she participates. I had the intention of making a sock monkey following the instructions in a book but did not finish mine. I used a man's sock and the stuffing took a long time. I had better luck designing an amigurumi sock monkey.

Rita always has more than one project going on and she is a very creative seamstress. She designed a lady's and man's apron.

The man's apron was made using a large shirt.

Detail of Rita's Man Apron is a clever design. This would make a great Father's Day gift.

Barb checked out the book Reversible Knits by Iris Schreier and found very rewarding learning how to double knit.

Click on the following link to see Susan B. Anderson demonstrating this technique.

Double Knitting