Felting Books

Pursenalities: 20 Great Knitted And Felted Bags by Eva Wiechmann




Pursenality Plus: 20 New Felted Bags by Eva Wiechmann



These are my two favorite books right now. They have a wide range of patterns that accomodate beginners and seasoned knitters. We also have a binder dedicated to felting patterns. There are new patterns for "Noni Bags" that are very unique. Both the books by Eva Wiechmann and the Noni patterns call for Cascade 220 doubled. Several of our customers (and I) are working on several Noni bag patterns. Check the blog for pictures.

Noni Felted Carpet Bags Pattern

Noni Two Versions of Two Felted Evening Bags Pattern

Noni Felted Cell Phone or MP3 Player Mini Bag Pattern

Books for Kid's Knit Club

Here are some books we like:

For the Kid's Knit Club:


Knitgrrl: Learn to Knit With 15 Fun and Funky Projects by Shannon Okey, Kathleen Jacques, Shannon Fagan, and Christine Okey.



Knitgrrl 2: Learn to Knit with 16 All-New Patterns by Shannon Okey, Kathleen Jacques.


Kids Knitting by Melanie Falick



Teen Knitting Club: Chill Out and Knit Some Cool Stuffby Jennifer Wenger, Carol Abrams, and Maureen Lasher

Wednesday, August 23rd Stitch & Chat

We had a very productive morning. It's really wonderful to see people complete their projects, they're so happy. I know I feel that way! It also gets us excited for what we can make next.

Michelle P. finished her first "beyond scarf" project. A wonderful toddler poncho in Berroco Lullaby yarn. She was very excited to finish it. She's started a newborn cap for the "Caps to Capital" campaign (see link on right hand sidebar).



Michelle G. finished her first baby sweater, also in Berroco Lullaby. She used a variegated color for the ribbing and a solid color for the body & sleeves. It came out just right. She's started making the felted lamb's pride tote bag. She and Michelle W. played around with colors till the combination clicked. When it's right, it's right!



Michelle W. and I are working on finding the right pattern for a yarn we both have. I think we're nearing a decision on a waterfall pattern from the book, Poncho's & Wraps, A Knitter's Dozen by XRX Books. It's knit completely in garter and on the last row, you drop 2 stitches down to the border following the cast on edge.

Michelle finished her Noro top in Daria, no pix yet, she has a little finishing to go. We were looking at patterns for Fall projects! It was very inspiring. We're leaning toward ponchos and vests.

By the way, I didn't make a typo in names, all three women were named Michelle today!

News from the Craft Yarn Council of America

Doggie Idol Fashion Show

We’re prowling for the cutest knitted and crocheted canine outfits to feature at the September 17th New York City Knit-Out & Crochet 2006 in Union Square Park. The winning entry will be determined by the New York Knit-Out audience, and there will be prizes for the winning sweater and, of course, for the owner’s dog.

The number of entries must be limited so we need to hear from interested dog owners no later than September 5th. Here are the guidelines:

• The sweater must be an original pattern.

• E-mail* a digital photo of your dog wearing the sweater along with descriptive copy about the sweater, your contact information, both e-mail and daytime phone contact.
E-mail to: cmcommunic@aol.com
Or
Snail mail to: Mary Colucci, 333 E. 69th St. #7J, New York, NY 10021

• The owner and his or her dog do not have to be present to win. If you would like to submit your dog sweater but you and your dog would not be able to model it at Knit-Out, please send us exact sweater dimensions so that we can arrange for another dog to wear the sweater. If you are in the New York area and would like to have your dog model his or her sweater, please let us know. If you are considering this, we stress that your dog must be comfortable in crowds!

• All entrants will be contacted by September 7th about whether their dog sweater was selected for the Knit-Out Doggie Idol Fashion Show. Unfortunately, the number of entries must be limited.

Join us: It should be a howl!

Blue Ribbon Stitching ... A Reflection

I think we have a pretty terrific staff at KT as everyone loves to help & encourage each other and especially our patrons.

Remember that blog entry I wrote back in July about "Blue Ribbon Stitching?" I had taught my young daughter how to crochet awhile ago, but now with her looking to expand her fiber experiences -- and since knitting is not my forte -- I had to seek the pros to teach her how! About two months ago Liz took time out to teach my daughter how to knit, and since that day I've gotten used to the clickity-click sounds her needles make (crocheting doesn't make any sounds) as she practiced and practiced. I bought yarn for her; more yarn, and more. Thankfully KT had some great sales!

This past weekend she entered her first knitted item, a scarf, into a local fair, along with a crocheted purse into the Junior Division. The result of her hours of practice paid off! Tonight she clutches in one hand a Red Ribbon (2nd Place) for her knitting, and in the other a Trophy & Blue Ribbon (1st Place) for her crochet. She's a pretty happy kid!

And what about your stitch work? Have you entered yours into competition already? Tell us; we'd love to root for you!
~Dee Stanziano
KT's Certified Crochet Teacher

KOC2: Scarf Challenge

I'm sure you've seen them -- the yellow flyers in the front of the store announcing the annual "Knit Out & Crochet Too" event that will take place in Union Square Park in New York City on Sunday, September 17th.

It's a pretty fantastic event and one well worth attending! Along with getting a sneak-peek at some of the latest books coming out on the market (& getting them autographed!) there are Fashion Shows, demonstrations & more.

In fact, I'll be one of the demonstrating teachers, so do come
& see me while you're there!

As I see it, our patrons have generous hearts as big as ours. So I'd like to challenge everyone planning on attending this great event to create at least one original scarf to donate to the Orphan Foundation. Along with doing a good deed, you might also win a prize sponsored by the Craft Yarn Council of America! For more details on the Scarf Challenge visit my personal crochet blog. And if you need assistance in creating your original scarf, we have classes to get you going -- and of course, lots of delicious fibers!

~Dee Stanziano
KT's Certified Crochet Teacher

August 15 Stitch 'n Chat with Pam

I just love stitch 'n chat. There's something for everyone. The social part is a pleasure, of course. On a learning scale, everyone was able to observe different techniques being learned for different projects. Today we covered the 3-needle bind-off, dropped stitches, k2p2 ribbing, and sewing seams in different directions. Creatively, new project ideas are generated and confidence in skill ability soars.

Sheilah brought in 3 completed projects. Each one more impressive than the next. She made a black on black ruffle felted purse from the Pursenalities book by Eva Weichman. The black on black was really rich looking.

She used Cascade 220 and La Gran Mohair.

She finished her felted tote bag and which come fall will be her bag of choice! (I love mine and use it all fall and winter). The pattern for this bag a store pattern made using Lamb's Pride Worsted.

And the most exciting (for me) was her finished tank from this summer's tank class. It's just beautiful and fits perfectly. The pattern is from Fiber Trends and she used Berroco Cotton Twist. The crocheted finishing was a challenge and well worth it when you see the finished garment. Well Done Sheilah, really superb!

Michelle P. is nearly done with her toddler poncho and it's adorable. She plans to finish it for next week's class. She picked out yarn to make a preemie cap for the Save the Children/Warm up America campaign. See the link on the right for more information about this program.

Michelle is in the home stretch of her first baby sweater. One sleeve and finishing is all that's left. I taught her the three needle bind-off for the shoulder seams and she was delighted! A new convert to the "no seam shoulder following". It was such a pleasure to see how happy she was with the results as we began to sew the sleeves on. Next week she's going to pick out yarn to make a tote bag using the same pattern Sheilah used. It's a great pattern for any skill level.

Sharon came in to learn to sew her first big project together, a poncho. The seams came out great and she's ready to finish the neckline.

What's New in the Store!!!

Della Q Bags & Accessories



Della Q bags are made of beautiful silk fabrics with solid wood handles or chrome handles. They come in different sizes, colors, some bags can be combined with coordinating accessories. They are a very chic way to carry your yarn projects around without it looking like a craft bag.






















Nancy's True Color's Fused Glass Jewelry

Enjoy wearable art! Each piece of jewelry is individually made with hand-cut pieces of glass. Dichroic and stained glass are combined to create individual works.




The glass is then fired in a kiln at temperaturs up to 1500 degrees. When the glass reaches the desired look, the heat is then reduced to carefully cool the glass. Every piece is then hand finished and is then ready for you to enjoy!

Memorable Teaching Moment

I really enjoy teaching crochet of all skill levels. From the Absolute Beginner to the Advanced student looking to learn a new technique. Each student brings with them their reason for wanting to learn, their reason to grow, their goals to reach for. And it's those moments of "I got it!" that really makes me smile.

As one of KnitTogether's guest bloggers, I hope to on occasion, bring to you Memorable Teaching Moments I've experienced at the store. Maybe the stories will bring a smile to your face too.

About 18 months ago, a woman of "senior age" who was visiting from the West Coast came in to get a crochet refresher. It seems that when she was a child she was taught the art of crochet, but had such an awful experience with it that she vowed never to return to it.

That is until she was asked to crochet something for a new grandchild. She was in my "Crochet 101" Class to learn, or rather re-learn the basics.

"Dee," she said, "I need to learn, and I need to learn quickly."

I replied, "Every person progresses at their own rate, but since you've apparently had experience with it in the past, you may pick it up quicker than the others in the class."

As I explained to the class the various ways one could hold the crochet hook I made the statement that one "...can hold the hook in any position one desires. As long as it's comfortable and you can properly make your stitches then go with it. It's not like the olden days where you would have your knuckles whacked if you are not holding it 'lady like!'"

The woman looked up at me and exclaimed, "Dee, where have you been all my life! That's exactly what happened to me and why I never took to crochet! Oh those wackings hurt!"

She took to crochet like a fish takes to water -- holding the crochet hook in a fashion that was comfortable for her, yarning over and making beautiful stitches. Smiling. She "got it!"


~Dee Stanziano
KT's Certified Crochet Teacher

KTOG BLOG

Odd Balls!
On the round table in the front of the shop sits a basket of yarn. Now that's not unusual for Knit Together! But these balls of yarn are special! Pam arranged a beautiful display of "odd balls," complete with project books specifically calling for one ball (or less) of yarn. The basket holds all sorts of fibers in many colors and textures, all at a reduced price. Oh, the possibilities are endless...IPod/cell phone covers, soap/sachet holders, baby hats, scarves, wristlets, etc. Hmmm...now where did I put my crochet hook?!