The Knit Happy Club

The Fiber Closet has teamed up with Knit Happy to bring you the Knit Happy Club.  Following is a list of Questions and Answers you might have about the Club.

What is The Knit Happy Club?

It is a Members Only Club that will be meeting once  a month from September 2011-May 2012.  The club is designed to bring knitters together to learn a new technique each month, encouraging fun, community and education for all members.

When and Where will The Knit Happy Club Meet?

The Knit Happy Club will meet at The Fiber Closet located at 301 West Ohio Street (US 36) in Rockville, Indiana.

The Knit Happy Club hours are 3 PM-5 PM on the following dates:

• September 10

• October 8

•  November 12

•  December 10

•  January 14

•  February 11

•  March 10

•  April 14

•  May 12

What are the benefits and Why join?

Each month you’ll have lots of fun, receive a members only newsletter,  learn a knitting technique,  get a yummy recipe and a free knit pattern that uses that month’s technique.  Memberships paid  by the first meeting will receive the exclusive Knit Happy Tote.

A Featured Item Discount for Members Only each month. It might be a featured yarn, books or notions~even an exclusive offering from the Knit Happy.

How do I join and what is the cost?

Sign up at The Fiber Closet, online,  telephone at 765.569.2953 or mail in the attached PDF flyer coupon.

The cost is $90 for the entire 9 months.  To insure that you are eligible to receive all of the goodies, membership must be paid in full by August 27th.

Will these patterns, newsletters, recipes, techniques be available for non-members?

No, as a shop owner I  pledged to keep the materials sent from Knit Happy for club members exclusive.  They are for members only. This will include patterns, merchandise and classes.

Will there be other dates available? 

Saturday’s aren’t good for you?  Contact me and I will certainly give additional dates a consideration.

Share this info with your friends. Click the following link for a PDF of our flyer.  Please feel free to print this flyer and distribute.

The Knit Happy Club Flyer

Lace Knitting

The middle of May, Gina Mitchell and myself decided to knit the Summer Mystery Shawlette  with other knitters at Wendy Knits.   We received the first clue on May 15th and the last clue on June 2nd.  There were five clues:

Clue 1 (5/15/11) (pdf)
Clue 2 (5/17/11) (pdf)
Clue 3 (5/22/11) (pdf)
Clue 4 (5/26/11) (pdf)
Clue 5 (6/2/11) (pdf)

All we knew were the dimensions and that it was a shawlette.  What fun we had.  The shawl is so addictive.The last clue became available while we were at the Hoosier Hills Fiber Arts Festival   so we downloaded the Clue to our phones so we could continue knitting.    Gina and I are both knitting a second one.  Sharon Harmon of our knit group has knitted one and several others have started knitting, too. 

The shawl begins by casting on the largest number of stitches you will have to knit and decreases every pattern row provide the shaping of the shawl.  It was advertised as a top down shawl but I think it is better described as an "outside in" shawl.  The last few stitches you bind off actually are the center of the top edge.  

There is an active "thread" on this shawlette at Ravelry . 

This shawlette has been so motivating and inspirational that Gina is now designing lace shawls.  Can't wait to see what she knits up. 

The Summer Mystery Shawlette designer, Wendy Johnson, has a book "Wendy Knits Lace: Essential Techniques and Patterns for Irresistible Everyday Lace [Paperback], scheduled for release August 23rd. 

I have already pre-ordered my copy.

Upcoming Activities at The Fiber Closet

Dyeing Sock Yarn:   August--Yes, we are going to play with dye. 

Card Weaving:  We have been re-exploring this ancient weaving technique.

Knooking:  We are also having fun with this technique.

Before I stop blogging, I would like all of your to think about the 3/50  project.  Finances are tough for everyone and we all need to support each other. 

Card Weaving

This week at the Fiber Closet we worked on  some of the basics of the ancient craft of card or tablet weaving.

The bands woven with cards can be used for belts, dog leashes, decorative accents and more.

Card weaving can be incorporated into loom weaving for a beautiful embellishment.

We will be working more with cards in the future.  TZ5RFH5K785H

TNAA and The Fiber Closet Online

TNNA Summer 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. 

What can't I say about this wonderful experience.  I attended this year's event with Gina Mitchell and my husband, Mike.

We saw many designers, authors, yarn suppliers and more. Cat Bordhi pulled Gina into the publisher's booth to try on a swirl jacket.  Gina also got a hug from the Crochet Dude who was filming in the TNNA booth area.

We also saw Jaala of Knitcircus.  Jaala was hard to miss with her bright pink hair. You should seriously consider subscribing to Knitcircus.  It is an online knitting magazine.

Oh, in case you didn't see our picture on Facebook, I met Debbie Macomber and received an autographed copy of her latest knitting book, BLOSSOM STREET COLLECTION BOOK 4, scheduled for July release.  

We met the Ravelry  crew.  They featured different designer trunk shows throughout the event.  We met WoollyWormhead.

Designers we talked with include:

Michelle Miller, The Fickle Knitter, who designs lace and other knits that use just one skein.  I bought one of her kits and her design binder.

Jennifer Larsen, The Stitch Diva.  I first met Jennifer about 5 years ago.  She has brought Tunisian crochet to the forefront.  She has elevated crochet to the upper levels.  It is not your granny's crochet.  Her designs are exquisite.

Maggi Jackson, Maggi Knits, a Traditional Irish Knit Designer.  I love her designs and kits.

Stefanie Japel -she organized a knitting circle at Bar on 2 at the Hyatt.  Gina and I had already gotten ready for bed and I saw pictures of it on Twitter and sent msg to Gina.  Next thing I know, Gina is texting me from 2 saying come on down.  I did.  There were so many designers there on the floor.  Yes, on the floor.  Knitters just sat on the floor knitting, chatting and enjoying their libations.  We left at midnight and they were still going strong.

We (Gina) kept reading Twitter comments about an ice cream from Jeni's Ice Cream.
On Sunday, we walked the 2 blocks to the North Market.  Oh, if only we had gone there 2 days earlier.  Gina and I had wonderful sandwiches and ice cream.  North Market has all sorts of fresh meats, vegetables, flowers and other neat stuff.  We ran into Martha Crossen of River Wools as we were entering the North Market.

I could go on forever about TNNA.  There were a lot more people we saw that I didn't mention.  But, if you read any of the blogs posted by some of the people I have listed, they talk about them, too.

FREE PATTERNS 

Yeah!  I have figured out how to link free patterns on the website.  I am trying to associate a free pattern with each brand of yarn that I put on the site.  Check out what I have so far at:  FREE PATTERNS.   I am working on putting a tab in the Menu bar put can't quite figure it out.  New site builder doesn't have a link in that bar. 

Knitting Needle Reconnaissance and Recovery Operation (KNRRO)

  It all started with my knitting the Headband Earwarmer with Flower.  The pattern was so fun and knitted up so quickly my mind started clicking.  You know, planning ten different projects when you haven't finished the current.   I decided that I wanted to use a smaller yarn and smaller needles and create a narrower headband for fashion and not necessarily warmth.  The yarn I chose was Beroco Lumina and Size 7 bamboo needles.  The yarn I did get from The Fiber Closet but surely I have size 7 needles in bamboo in my stash.  I found several single Size 7 needles (different materials and different lengths) but not their mates which brings me to my CHALLENGE.  I challenge all of you knitters to go on a "Knitting Needle Reconnaissance and Recovery Operation (KNRRO).  Hunt out and recover those needles sadly stuck in some long forgotten project.  Either finish the project (good luck on that one) or, if you really like the project but it's just not the time to knit on it, insert a piece of waste yarn tagged with the needle size, etc., and recover those needles.  If you have fallen out of love with the project, yank those needles out and recover both the yarn and the needles.

Post your Recovery results on this blog post.  I think it will be fun to see how many pairs of the same size, length, etc., that we all find.  I know I have lots of Size 8 straights stuck in neglected projects.

While digging out those needles would be a good time to get all of your circulars, straights, and double points organized.  For now,  let's just find those darned needles!!



The Sylvania wireless headphone is my new best device.   I use it all of the time.  I was always jumping up with my headphone attached to one of my listening devices and knocking the device on the floor and/or ripping the earphone out of my ear.  They have a range of 100 feet.  I can leave my computer or Kindle in the sitting room and run out to The Fiber Closet without a second thought.  You just plug the supplied audio cables into your listening device  and into the little radio transmitter and you are all set.  It works on 4 AAA batteries (not included, of course).  The headphone has a built-in FM radio with auto scan, too.  I love, love it.  Now, I can sit in the same room with Mike and enjoy my computer or Kindle and not be tethered while he watches his sports on  the TV.

Trending on The Fiber Closet Online

Did you ever wonder what other fiber artist's are buying?

Here is a list of recent items purchased from The Fiber Closet Online Catalog   
 
BOOKS
Book of Weaving for Knitters
Knitting Lace Triangles       
Too Cute Crochet
Yarn Girls Knitting Journal
       
EXCLUSIVELY YOU
Silver Swivel Clasp
       
MAGAZINES
Beadwork March/April 2000   
Interweave Knits Winter 2007
Knitscene Fall 2009
Vogue Knitting Holiday 2005
       
PATTERNS
FT-66 Origami Pullover
Peruvian Hat and Matching Scarf
   
SPINNING
Kiwi Drive Belt

WEAVING
Cricket Loom

YARN   
Berroco Pure Merino DK 4576
Ella Rae Jaspe Wool 2
Ella Rae Jaspe Wool 8
Ella Rae Lace Merino 108
Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn 258
Noro Silk Garden Yarn 270
Opal Harry Potter Sock Yarn Harry & Ron
Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo 134
Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo 135
Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo 137
Step Wellness Cocktail 119
Sundae 8712
Sundae 8717

If you cannot stop buy and shop in person, don't forget that most of  The Fiber Closet is available online.  

Happy New Year

2011 has arrived!  Where did 2010 go?  I don't know about you, but it just flew by for me.  I know I had a lot of fun with all my knitting friends and met a lot of great people at the fiber events and knitting events that I attended.  I am looking forward to meeting even more knitters/spinners/weavers this year.  I will be vending at several events this year.  I will be posting an event calendar so you can come and visit.  I also plan to go to more trade shows if time and budget allows. 

Today, I worked on my website some more.  Decided to give Paypal another go and added an Affiliate link.  You can now sign up to receive $$$ for referring your friends to The Fiber Closet online catalog.  If they make an online purchase within 72 hours of their visit, you earn money.  The link for signing up to be an affiliate is located below the categories on the the left site of the pages on the website.  I appreciate all of your referrals.  I also put some yarn on E-Bay.  My website has Quick List capabilities so I thought I would try it out.  The items on E-Bay also show up at the bottom of my website pages. 

I have a new Kindle.  It reads to me and as internet capabilities.  Boy, has the price on the Kindles really came down since I bought my first one several years ago.   There are several models now.  Mine is white and is both 3G and WIFI but they also have WIFI only.  There are lots of free e-books you can download but I love the knitting related mystery novels.

Quick Gift

One skein, a crochet hook and 15 minutes and you have a fun fashionable scarf.

Yarn used is Rozetti Cocoon Multi, Candy Floss Color 151 21.  See yarn in our online catalog at The Fiber Closet online catalog


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January 2011 Sock Pattern

Several knitters have asked to do a KAL with Cookie A's Twinkle Toes sock pattern.  Cookie A knitted this sock on a episode of Knitty Gritty.  The pattern knits from the toe up with a neat lace pattern.  This pattern uses a sport weight yarn.  You will need about 350 yards and Size 4 needles.    I am knitting my pair with Brown Sheep Naturespun Sport Weight.   Here is a link to Twinkle Toes Sock Pattern by Cookie A  The pattern starts with a figure-8 cast on.   This cast on results in a nice rounded toe.  Here are links to figure-8 tutorials--Figure-8 Cast on with 2 Circulars   Figure-8 Cast On with Double Points    Figure-8 Cast On with Magic Loop (One long circular)  I think the best Figure-8 Cast on with double points is by Cookie A when she was on Knitty Gritty.    Of course, you can do whatever cast on you wish, but I think you should give this one a try.  It was before the Judy's Magic Cast On.

Also, some of you have asked for the link to the hat that Sharon has been knitting.   The pattern is free may be found on Ravelry at Knot Cap

The snow has stopped and it just keeps getting colder and colder here in Rockville.

New Book Arrivals

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Just arrived at The Fiber Closet. Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac, The Commemorative Edition of the Best Selling Classic.  The book celebrates the 100th year of Elizabeth's birth and the 50th year of the founding of her company.  Introduction by The Yarn Harlot who tells of how many copies of  the classic Almanac she wore out or lost since she was a youth. The Almanac is a must have for any knitter.  The Fiber Closet plans to knit along with the almanac starting in Januray 2011.   The Fiber Closet price is 25% off of the SRP of $24.95 or $18.71.  I will be ordering more of this book.








Also, just arrived at The Fiber Closet in limited quantities.  One of our favorite series of books has just shown us that sock yarn is not just for socks.  There are caps, gloves, cuffs, scarves, shawls, shrugs, bonnets, booties, bags and, of course, socks.  It, too, may be ordered using the link at the right. SRP is $18.95 and the Fiber Closet price is $14.21.









On the back of it's cover, this book it says, "Diamonds are a Knitter's Best Friend."
The full name of this book is:  "Entrelac:  The Essential Guide to Interlace Knitting." 
It contains more than 65 unique pattern stitches and over 25 beautiful fashion and home decor designs.  SRP if $24.95 and the Fiber Closet price is $18.71.  Notice that Amazon is starting out above the SRP. 









I have very limited number of these books currently in the shop but  will order more books.  You can always order through my Amazon link.  Comparison shopping is the name of the game.  That is why I listed both my price and you can see what the Amazon prices are.  Sometimes I am cheaper and sometimes they are.  Don't forget to consider shipping charges.  If you pick up your copy at the shop, of course, there aren't any shipping charges.  If you order from Fiber Closet online shipping charges vary depending on total amount of the order. 

Vicki Square on the handmade life of arts, crafts, and knitting

How many of you have multiple knitting projects and have lots of knitting needles but they are all in projects? Guess what? Vicki does, too. She now has a DVD as a companion to The Knitter's Companion.   You can preorder the Deluxe Edition by clicking on the the Amazon link.  I will have a few copies available for purchase in the shop and   on our online catalog

Rigid Heddle Weaving at The Fiber Closet

Just received "the weaver's idea book" by Jane Patrick.  Our Thursday weaver's have decided that we are going to use it as a workbook and weave our way through the book.  The shop has a few copies left or you can order from Amazon by clicking on the Buy from Amazon link.

If you have not seen this book, I think it is outstanding.  In her Introduction, Jane says that she too had discounted rigid heddle weaving as "inferior" and not "real" weaving.  I started out with a rigid heddle weaving many years ago and quickly moved on to a Baby Wolf and Wolf  Pup plus several rug looms.  But, rigid heddle weaving gives one a quick sense of accomplishment that I have rarely experienced with my other fiber crafts.  A scarf and be warped and woven in less than 4 hours and I am not talking about a short, skinny scarf.  Yes, you can use the loom as a stash buster but most of us are always looking for that special yarn with which  to weave our next project.

I would like to invite all of you to come join us at The Fiber Closet every Thursday, 1-3 PM, and explore all the possibilities of rigid heddle weaving.  No weaving experience or loom needed.

Our weaving group has been weaving on Schacht's Cricket loom.  

Super Scarves for Super Bowl XLVI

Thanks to Gina'a determination, The Fiber Closet received word that woven scarves are OK for this project. Gina wove a beautiful scarf and sent it to the Super Bowl Host Committee. The Committee accepted the scarf and asked that we spread the word that woven scarves are acceptable following the same yarn guidelines for knit or crochet scarves.

Gina used Cascade 220 yarn--Color 8505 White and Color Heathers 9457 Blue

The Fiber Closet has received two woven scarves:  another one from Gina and one from Cathy.  The Fiber Closet has received several knitted scarves.

Weaving at The Fiber Closet

Our Thursday weaving group has been moving at "warp" speed.  Gina has completed numerous projects. Gina's Projects.  Gina, Cathy and myself have all completed spa cloths on our Cricket Looms.

Last Tuesday, I presented how to direct warp a rigid heddle loom to the Hoosier Heritage Spinners and Weavers Guild.  I warped the loom at the meeting and later that evening I finished weaving the scarf.  I have yet to tie the fringe and full the scarf.

After the meeting, Mary Kay purchased a Cricket Loom.  I can't wait to see what she weaves.  You may know her from Ravelery--Mary Kay.  Check out her beautiful toys she has knit for her grandchild and the many other projects she has knitted.

Back to Normal

June has been a really busy month for The Fiber Closet.  First, we participated in the Hoosier Hills Fiberarts Festival in Franklin, Indiana, and then, we were off to TNNA in Columbus.

The first weekend, Cathy, Mike and I had a really great time at the HHFF in Franklin.  We renewed acquaintances and enjoyed many new friends.   Cathy and I demonstrated both the Hazel Rose looms, Carol Leigh's triangle looms and the Kumi Looms.  There seems to be a  wave of enthusiasm starting towards weaving.  We also met Andrea Wong, the Portuguese Knitter.

The next weekend, Mike and I attended TNNA at Columbus.  We drove over on Friday and stayed through Sunday.  On Friday, I attended the Sample-It.  This is where store owners get to try out various vendor's new products without having to buy a large volume.  Be sure and stop in to see what all I purchased.  On Saturday morning, I  took a weaving class taught by Liz Gipson of Knitting Daily and Schacht Spindle fame.  I met a lot of people that I have always talked with over the phone or seen in magazines, books or on TV.  I met Lily Chin and received an autographed copy of her new book on cables.

I ordered several new notions for the shop, knitting looms (sock looms),  some new yarn lines, new patterns and more.  

This last Saturday, I participated in Worldwide Knit in Public Day at the local Village Farm Market.  Lady, my dog,  went with me and we had a great walk and I think she enjoyed the knitters.  One of the bonuses of living right downtown is that I can walk almost everywhere I need to go.  Lady almost dragged me to the Depot.  Lady has made such great progress.

Our UFO group met last Thursday.   We had two completed UFO's. The mother/daughter duo of Gina and Em were unable to attend but sent pictures of their completed items.  I should say that most of the UFO knitters only had a few more rows to complete.

The next sock challenge will be a Christmas stocking.  I will pass out the pattern the first week of July.

On July 10, The Fiber Closet will be attending the annual Spinners & Weavers Day at Forest Glen, Gannett Center; 10 am - 3 pm; Free    

September 11, The Fiber Closet will be at the Woolkeepers Hook-in, Camby, IN, 9:30 am-4:00 pm.  For more info, contact Bev Stewart at mailto:cas13ie@aol.com%20

Knitting UFOs

On May 20th, the Fiber Closet knitter's completed their Knitting UFOs commitment cards.

Rules are simple:

The 3rd Thursday of every month, the knitter will list one Knitting UFO to have completed by the next commitment day. Failure to complete the Knitting UFO by the next commitment day may result in banishment to the outer space yarn ball wall of shame.

Just received the first notice of a finished Knitting UFO by Knitting Cadet Emily. It has been a little over a year ago that Emily wanted to learn to knit socks. I started her on my "Cheryl's Favorite Sock" pattern. She learned the basics but never finished the sock because her knitting scientific mind went wild with knitting enthusiasm. She has been designing her own patterns and knitting other socks and scarves and writing her own blog . Oh, and let's not forget the important neuro research she is doing at the university in California. Here is a picture of her completed Knitting UFO:

Check her blog out for more of her projects.

Hey knitters, don't let Emily leave you in the space dust.

This Knitting UFOs group is open to all knitters. Just send me an e-mail with your commitment and a photo of your finished project.

EVENTS

Hoosier Hills Fiber Arts Festival, June 4 and 5.

The Fiber Closet will be closing at noon on Wednesday, June 2nd, and will reopen at 10 AM on Monday, June 7. Come visit our booth at this great festival.

Sanibel Island

Mike and I just celebrated our one-year anniversary at Casino Aztar. My sister and brother-in-law went with us. We all had fun at the Casino. Sonny Geraci & the Outsiders were the entertainment. In case you aren't familiar with them, here is a You Tube of them Sonny. Mike had him autograph their CD for me.

I just received an e-mail that Intuit will be dropping their website integration next March. What this means to me is that I will no longer be able to synch my inventory with my website. I will be looking for new POS integration. Any suggestions?

Today, is my sister, Marlene's, birthday. Click on the title of this blog to check out her new website for her Pointe Santo condo rentals.

The Knit Kit

The new Knit Kit has arrived. The Knit Kit was featured on the Martha Stewart Show March 9as one of Martha's Finds.

The Knit Kit 2010 is turquoise and has two added new features. A double sided crochet hook, especially for sock knitters and a darning needle for finishing work. The Knit Kit has whatever you need for knitting on the go. Great for traveling by car, boat, train or plane. The Knit Kit 2010 is turquoise and has two added new features. A double sided crochet hook, especially for sock knitters and a darning needle for finishing work. The Knit Kit has whatever you need for knitting on the go. Great for traveling by car, boat, train or plane.

New Hours at The Fiber Closet

NEW FIBER CLOSET HOURS

Monday-Wednesday: 10 AM-3 PM

Thursday: 10 AM-6 PM

Friday and Saturday: 10 AM-3 PM

Sunday: CLOSED

New weekly group times:

Tuesday:

Spinning: 10 AM-12 PM

Rug Hooking: 1 PM-3 PM

Thursday:

Crochet: 10 AM-12 PM

Weaving: 1 PM-3 PM

Knitting: 3 PM-6 PM

Fiber Closet Updates

Received:
Kollage Yarns-square circulars and double points, Delicious and 1/2 N 1/2 yarn and freeform bag kits.

Hazel Rose looms-2", 4", 6" and 2" x 4" multi- looms. Weave 3 different weaves with these looms, including the weave-it method.

Cherry burl shawl pins.

Schacht Spindle-Cricket looms.

Don't forget that The Fiber Event is this Friday and Saturday at Greencastle. We will be in our usual booth.

The Fiber Closet hours. We will be closed this Thursday the 8th thru Wednesday the 14th.




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