Monday, December 29, 2008

JANUARY ~ FEBRUARY CLASSES & SPECIALS

MONTHLY SPECIALS
January ~ Bring in a finished project that used our materials and receive 20% off next project!
February ~ 20% off when you buy supplies to make a baby item (purchase must include pattern and yarn)


JANUARY CLASS SCHEDULE

SIP-N-SOCKS: Monday evenings in January, 6-8 pm
January Sip-n-Sock pattern is Herringbone Rib from Winter 2008 Interweave Knits or Jaywalker, a free online pattern. Both patterns work well with hand painted or self-striping yarns. Call as soon as possible if you need to purchase a copy of Interweave Knits Winter 2008 or for information about the online pattern.
Cost to participate is $5 for the month, which entitles you to 10% off yarn for the project. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a learn to knit class but rather a knit along where we chose a pattern and yarn to work on together, lending support as needed.

MIDDLE OF THE MITTEN FIBER ARTS MEETING **IMPORTANT NOTE...we have changed the date of the Fiber Group meeting to Friday evening, January 9 from 6 pm till 10 pm to coincide with the re-scheduled Pajama Party (see details above) Note that there is a fee to attend this Friday night special event...$10 and that includes food, drink and special sale in the yarn shop! Any questions, please contact Cary Smith at serenityfarmswool@yahoo.com or by phone at 989 -463 -5630** First Official Spin-In of the New Year! Come join us as we spin a yarn…If you are already a spinner, bring your wheels or spindles and some yummy fiber to show off and spin with friends. If you are just dreaming of becoming a spinner, come and watch and ask questions ~ maybe give a wheel a spin! Spinners will be on hand to answer your questions. Spinners please note….bring along two ounces of fiber in an unmarked bag, something that is NOT see-through (something like a brown paper lunch sack) for a “Secret Fiber Swap”

KNITTING THE BALTIC BRAID Saturday, January 17 from 10 am till 2:30 pm
The knitted or "Baltic" braid is an embellishment that looks like you have braided some yarn and glued or stitched it along the surface of your knitting. It can be done with a single color, or two colors. Starting with a couple of colors of yarn from your stash (any weight but preferably the same weight) we will learn how to do a Baltic Braid. Then we will try our hand at a hat that incorporates the Baltic Braid into the pattern. The hat is sized for Mother, Daughter and doll so pick the lucky recipient and let's learn to braid. Cost: $20.00. Instructor: Pam Feldpaush

THRUMMED MITTENS REVISITED Monday, January 19 & 26 from 6-8 pm OR Saturday February 14 from 10 am till 2:30 pm
You have probably seen these before, maybe you have even made a pair already, but would you like to learn the best way to make these extra luxurious, warm and fluffy, fleece lined mittens? You will learn tips and tricks for making these the best mittens ever – like putting your hands inside soft pillows! Great for gifts or to keep for yourself. You will discover what fibers work the best to line your mittens, how to prepare that fiber for knitting and how to care for your mittens once they are finished. We will work from a basic mitten pattern, but you will be given a couple of options for cuffs, thumbs and finishing. NOTE: You must already know how to knit and purl. Materials Needed: about 250 yards of DK or light worsted yarn for the mitten (handspun is great for this project!); about 2 ounces of a wool that will stick to itself after you’ve incorporated it into your mittens (top, roving or locks of wool, but not super wash). Merino, Corriedale, fine BFL, or anything that is soft (a fine to medium fine wool) is ideal. After some wearing, the roving will felt together and make your fingers happy! Needles: Size 3 or 4 straight needles. If you don’t have your own, roving and wool locks can be purchased at the yarn shop, along with yarn of course! Cost: $10 includes pattern Instructor: Cary Smith

Knitting 102: January 5, 12 & 19 from 6-8 pm
You have learned the basic stitches to knit and purl, now what? This class is geared toward those who have already taken Knitting 101 or those that are interested in learning to knit something other than a basic scarf or dishcloth. Cost of the three-week course is $25 plus supplies. Class size is limited to 8 people. Instructor: Suzanne Bailey

Crochet 102: January 5, 12 & 19 from 6-8 or call for a afternoon or Saturday Class
Learn to double-crochet in this class while making a poncho for a child or an adult. This is a great class to follow up with after learning the foundation techniques of crocheting. Cost of the three-week class is $25 plus supplies. Class size is limited to 8 people. Instructor: Kirsten Mitchell

Basic Socks Class: Saturday, January 17 & 31. 10:00 – 2:30
Learn to knit a basic sock from the cuff down in two three-hour sessions. Class requirements include basic knowledge of knitting (cast on; knit and purl; increase and decrease). Experience knitting in the round is helpful but not necessary. There will homework for this class. Cost of two-week class is $20 plus supplies. Class size is limited to 4 and if three weeks is needed to complete, there will be an additional $5.00 charge. Instructor: Suzanne Bailey

Electric Felting and Embossment machine Demonstration. Wednesday January 28 from 10:00 – 12:00 with Lucy Bromm and Mary Kaufman.
See what can be done from mending wool items to creating fun embossments for items! Cost: $5.00



FEBRUARY CLASS SCHEDULE

Sip ‘N Socks: Monday evenings in February from 6 to 8 pm
This months Sip ‘n Sock is another pattern from the Winter 2008 Interweave Publication, Sandalwood Socks. The close lace pattern of these socks echo the texture of woven tweed, even when worked in plain yarn. Cost to participate is $5 for the month, which entitles you to 10% off yarn for the project. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT a learn to knit class but rather a knit along where we chose a pattern and yarn to work on together, lending support as needed.

MIDDLE OF THE MITTEN FIBER ARTS MEETING Saturday, February 14, 10 am till 2:30 pm
Thrummed Mittens Revisited with Cary Smith; see class description above in January class list. If time allows, we will also learn how to make a simple “mitten blocker” to give your completed mittens a nice, finished look!

Crochet 101: February 2, 9, & 16 from 6-8 or call for an afternoon class.
This will be a basic class to introduce newcomers to crocheting. You will learn the basic stitches of chain, single crochet, and double crochet. With a little homework, you should be able to complete your scarf by the end of the two sessions. Cost of three-week class is $20 plus supplies. Class size is limited to 8 people. Instructor: Kirsten Mitchell

Knitting 101: February 2, 9, & 16 from 6-8
Are you intrigued by knitting and want to learn? This is the class for you. You’ll learn to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off. With a little homework in between the three sessions, you should be able to complete your scarf and have a little warmth for the winter! Cost of three-week class is $20 plus supplies. Class size is limited to 8 people. Instructor: Suzanne Bailey

BABY SURPRISE JACKET: Saturday, February 21 & 28, 9:30am till 2:30 pm.
Using Elizabeth Zimmerman’s timeless and perennially surprising pattern, we’ll learn the tricks to successfully knitting this one-piece baby sweater. You may choose to make a sweater to fit an infant or a one-year-old. Once you have learned to make this nifty little pattern, you may wish to make the Adult Version for yourself or someone you know! With Cary Smith as your workshop leader, you will learn: Double increases and double decreases, casting off in purl, invisible cast on; I-cord techniques and (hopefully) some confidence about reading your knitting, following a sketchy pattern with confidence. You must know how to cast on (preferably long tail cast on), knit and bind off. Materials: For the infant size, 350 yards of dk or light worsted weight yarn. For the toddler size, about 400 yards of worsted or DK weight Needle: 32″ or 40″ circular in size appropriate for yarn choice to reach gauge. Gauge: Infant : 6 stitches per inch in garter. Toddler: 4 stitches per inch in garter. Anything between works, too. Pattern will be available at the shop or can be found in Elizabeth Zimmerman’s books “Knitting Workshop” or “The Opinionated Knitter” if you have either of those. Cary Smith, workshop leader Cost: $15.00 per session plus $3.50 for pattern if needed (Special! Save $5 by paying for both sessions at once...only $25 for the entire workshops!) NOTE: You MUST pre-register for this class by February 5 in order that we have enough patterns and handouts for the workshop

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Second Annual Christmas ~ Pajama Party

Dig out your favorite flannel pajamas or long johns, your felted slippers and wool socks...bring your wheels, your needles, your latest projects....its time for the second annual Middle of the Mitten Fiber Arts Christmas Pajama Party, hosted by Sip 'n Knit Yarn Shop and Coffee House







Food ~ Beverages ~ Knitting ~ Spinning ~ Crochet ~ Christmas Music AND shopping…because Suzanne is offering a special of 25% off all regularly priced yarns that night!


A good time to stock up on goodies for yourself or for future gifts, right? You might want to ask for a gift certificate for yourself, to use that night!


Date: Friday, December 19th, 2008

Time: 6-10 pm

Place: Sip-n-Knit Yarn Shop, Ithaca MI

Cost: $10 (payable to Sip-n-Knit) This covers the cost of the buffet supper (soup, appetizer platters, dessert and assorted hot drinks!) Please RSVP to Suzanne at Sip-n-Knit sipnknit@yahoo.com or 989-449-4444 by Monday, December 15th. Pajamas are not required, but please plan to dress comfortably!

(The pajama party will take the place of our regularly scheduled monthly meeting and remember, you are invited to attend even if you are not part of the fiber group!)

Also, look for our latest schedule of classes to appear here shortly ~ we are working on that list right now! In the meantime, don't forget to stop by Sip 'n Knit to shop for your favorite yarn fanatic or to refresh yourself with a warm, winter time beverage from the coffee shop.