Our Stamping Lady - Surprise Visitor

  Carolyn has been working on this garter stitch scarf for a young person she knows. She specifically said this is for a young person, I would not wear this.  I'm not young anymore but I would love a fun scarf like this one.  It's made using yarn left over from other projects, using the garter stitch. To add whimsy she combines different types of yarn.

Jean is known for her beautiful afghans.  The other day, she ran into a friend she had not seen, who shared a reversible cables pattern. 

When working with patterns that consist of more than five rows, Jean finds it easier to write down all the rows on her books and to check them off as she completes them.

Janelle, a first time visitor concentrates and follows Jayne's directions to knit.  She looked very relaxed and enjoyed her session.  Carolyn and Anne sat closed by working on their knitting.  This was a good thing they told me to do after their workout at the YMCA. 

 

Ginger another first time visitor came well equipped with yarn as well as stamping supplies.  She found some new friends and shared with some of the ladies her love of stamping.

Ginger's stamping area drew the interest of some of the ladies.

Jan enjoyed very much her stamping experience. Jill followed her steps and also joined in the stamping fun.

So What is T-Yarn and Plarn?

Happy New Year to all

Upcycled Owls

2010 has arrived and the trend of being resourceful recycling and upcycling will continue to gain popularity.

According to Wikepedia "Recycling involves processing used materials into new products to prevent the waste of potentially useful materials." 

Upcycling on the other hand involves re-using non recyclable materials and finding a new purpose for them.

One of the ways people are creating upcycled items is by making yarn from T shirts; so T-yarn is simply yarn made from T shirts.  You can learn how to make this type of yarn here.

Fabric can also be used to create yarn.

Take a look at some upcycled items in this site : Sosorosey
She creates upcycled trivets and bowls from pillowcases.  Pretty clever lady.

To make plarn you simply use plastic bags.  Here's the link showing step by step how to make plarn.

A great resolution this year would be to continue to craft and create using materials we already have around the house.  In the process you will join the many who are working to decrease the amount of waste.  Some of the Stitch in ladies are already doing this.  Rita's gnomes outfits are made from upcycled wool.  She gets her wool from Goodwill.  Consider using ties made out of wool to create small softies as the one in the picture above.

    

Holiday Ornament Exchange

The much anticipated Holiday Stitch In gathering finally took place on this cold December afternoon.  Red was the color that prevailed adding to the festive mood.

These pretty packages contained the 28 ornaments for the Ornaments Exchange.  This is our fourth year doing the exchange. 

 The Refreshment Table

These Red Velvet Woopy Pies were made by Shelia using a cake mix.

To make them you will need:

1 box red velvet cake mix  --- 2 Large Eggs
1/4 cup oil 


Combine cake mix, eggs and oil until well blended


Shape dough into balls, flatten slightly unto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for around 9 minutes.  
Enjoy

This is the work of Sue who has been knitting for around a year.  She is loving it and doing very well as you can see.

Julie's cardigan for Anna will sport lady bugs buttons.

I was pleased to see that Phyllis made so much progress with her short row scarf.  Click on the words short row scarf for a link to a pattern.
 The Holiday Ornament Exchange was the highlight of this meeting. All the participants love this annual tradition and this year the ornaments were great.

 

Gobble Gobble

Yummy, Yummy Gobble Gobble Cookies brought smiles to the many ladies in attendance.

Phyllis completed her Swirling Bag.  This link will take you to the pattern available from Knitting Daily.

Another one of Phyllis's creations

Nancy embellished her Project Linus blanket with crochet flowers.

Look really careful and you'll see a cat's face hidden in this scarf made by Shelia for a relative.

 

 Janet is taking a break from making baby items and is working on this cross stitch piece which she plans to make for herself.

 

 Once again it's  time to be thinking of hand crafted ornaments. The ornament exchange will again take place during one of our meetings this month.  Here's a few links to crochet and knitted ornaments:

Heart Ornament

Gold Christmas Ornament

Popcorn Wreath Ornament

Snowflake Ornament

Knitted Ball Ornament

Santa Hat Ornament

Sweater Ornament

Knitted Santa Ornament

Knitted Christmas Tree

The Arrival of the Phiaro Scarf to Mint Hill

I was glad to model for Nancy  this gorgeous scarf/shawl called Phiaro.  She shared with me she purchased this beautiful alpaca and tencel blend at the Fibre Studio at Yarns to Dye For.  The name of the yarn is Ballet.  You can purchase this pattern for $3.50 online at the Interweave Store.

The Phiaro as a Scarf

The Phiaro as a shawl

This Christmas color border was done by Iola.  She can't get enough of this technique and is delighted to be able to donate this to Project Linus.

Janet's donation of Premie Hats.

She also made these crochet caps for full term babies.

Janet has also made several turbans.  Jill loved them.  Janet is donating these to the Cancer Center at the Matthews Presbyterian Hospital.

Side View of the turban

Several ladies continue to contribute to the Scarves donations.

Shelia's Prayer Shawl drew the attention of those present.  She has been having fun crocheting flowers.

The refreshments kept everyone happy.

The End....:-)

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.