Wednesday, December 21, 2011

How fun!

Roxy won a door prize at this month's Guild meeting -- a purple, cable knit ornament.  Congrats, Roxy, and thanks for your work as Business Liaison. :)

At next month's meeting, Roxy will do a cable knitting workshop.  Details to come!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Lookit!


I can't let myself go too crazy with this, but there are so many fabulous holiday patterns on Ravelry. This one's my favorite, the Fancy Ornament. I made one for a Secret Santa exchange and they're very addictive, especially since it doesn't take a lot of work to modify the pattern to make different shapes.

Do you all have any favorite  holiday decorating patterns? Share in the comments!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Squares for Officer Crouse


We are collecting squares for blankets for the family of Officer Crouse, the officer who was slain in Blacksburg on December 8th. We're using colors to honor his service on the police force and his presence as a Hokie. Please pass this information along.

Details:

8"x8" squares
Knit or crocheted
Washable worsted weight yarn (aka 4 Medium)
Navy blue, black, white, maroon, burnt orange are the colors of blanket(s)
Blocked
Ends woven in.

Please drop off or mail squares to:

Mosaic Yarn Shop
880 University City Blvd
Blacksburg, Va 24060 by February 1st 2012.

If you need suggestions for patterns, let us or Mosaic know. We'll help.

Friday, December 9, 2011

It's the Holiday Season

I know it says that we're the New River Valley Knitting Guild, but I want to share the love with those of us who do other crafts. Right now I'm talking about crocheting. Here's an easy and fun project that anyone with a basic handle on a few stitches can do.

Just a reminder, you can come see a live example at out Holiday Social on Sunday! Or, at the Block Party tomorrow at Mosaic. (Though their garland is nowhere near as cool as mine. Chunky yarn is the way to go!)

Spiral Garland

Basically what you do is chain however many stitches you need to make the garland as long as you want. You go back and single crochet in each chain. The next row you make two half double crochets in each single crochet. The third row you make two double crochets in each half double. It spirals all by itself.


Since I was making a garland for my Christmas tree, I used Berroco Vintage Chunky in green, white, and red, but you can do it with any yarn in any color for any event. You could also make a cute scarf, similar to a knitted potatochip scarf, if you used a lighter weight yarn. 

When you're starting, a word of caution. I got a little carried away and made mine way too long. Like, several feet or so too long. I kept running out of my other colors of yarn, so I'd recommend making no more than 3 yards of chain stitch. With that you should be able to buy just one skein of color 1, one of color 2, and two of color 3. If you're making this as a scarf, your guess is as good as mine. Let me know how it turns out, if you try it!

If you need help with stitches, try some videos on YouTube or some of the images from the Crochet Guild of America. 

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Party Time!!!

We are having a holiday Social this Sunday! Bring your knitting!
Join us at mys place for hot cider, coffee, tea, cocoa and some munchies. Feel free to bring an appetizer or finger food. Everyone is welcome (new members, too)!

When: December 11, 2011  4pm - 6pm
Where: 300 Jefferson Street Apt. #12 Blacksburg


Directions:
If you're coming from Downtown Blacksburg on South Main, turn LEFT onto Clay Street at the Gourmet Pantry.. 
Jefferson St. is on the LEFT, the fifth turn. Turn almost immediately into the SECOND driveway on the LEFT (watch the bump!).
The parking lot is parallel to Jefferson St. Park anywhere, they don't tow. You'll be able to see my balcony from the parking lot. I have some silver garland, a big red bow, and (if I remember to buy batteries) some white lights.
My apartment is up the stairs, first door on the right.

If you pass a sign that says "Jefferson Apartments" you went too far down Jefferson Street, but you can turn left there at Washington St. and park in the lot on the left. There's a sidewalk by the dumpsters over to the building where I live.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!