Friday, February 20, 2009

MARCH CLASSES & KAL'S

As winter hangs on and we look for signs of spring, we hope you will join us at Sip 'n Knit for some new ideas in knit and crochet! We have some fun classes and workshops scheduled as well as some perennial favorites or warm up in the coffee house with a hot drink and a warm bowl of soup...

NEW for 2009 ~ Monday night SIP ‘N SCARVES!

(Photo above of a Morning Surf Scarf in progress, using Plymouth Yarns Sockin' Sox yarn and with the addition of some lovely beads...all available at the yarn shop! The pattern is not written using beads, but if you would like to know how to do this, join us for our March 2 "kick-off" for some easy tips)

Having become a little weary of choosing sock patterns every month for the past two years, we thought you might like to take a break along with us and work on something different for awhile. We have chosen scarves. Scarves are such wonderfully versatile, portable and useful projects! Depending on the size, pattern and yarn used they can take us from fall, winter and into late spring. They are a great way to experiment with new stitch patterns and techniques, and a wonderful excuse to use that special yarn you have been waiting to try! Beginning in March, each month we will work together on a scarf project - your choice of a knit or crochet pattern. As with the Sip ‘n Socks projects, cost to participate is $5 for the month, which entitles you to 10% off your scarf knitting supplies. 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.

SIP ‘N SCARVES, Monday evenings in March; 6-8 pm
Our knit pattern for March is a companion knit to the Middle of the Mitten Fiber Arts project of the month, the Morning Surf Scarf by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer of Heartstrings Fiber Arts. It is a free pattern and is available at this link. Please note that the pattern is not available at the yarn shop - it is a free online pattern but you must print out your own and bring it with you to the knit-a-long.

There was a feature article on this project and gallery of scarves in the Summer 2008 issue of “Spin Off” magazine, or if you are a member of Ravelry you can check it out here There are over 500 different versions shown on Ravelry! We will be devoting a day to the pattern and the spinning of yarn for it at our March Middle Of The Mitten Fiber Arts Meeting on Saturday, March 7 (see details below), but even if you are not planning to spin your own yarn, please feel free to come and join us for the “kick off” and to cheer each other on!

Wednesday Morning Knit/Crochet Group – Wednesdays from 10 -12. No charge. There is nothing like a little knitting or crocheting and some crazy girls to get your day off to a good start! Bring your knitting, grab a latte or a mocha and join us.

Middle of the Mitten Fibers Arts Meeting – March 7 from 10-2:30.
Please Note that this months meeting is on the FIRST Saturday of the month rather than the second.
EVENT: Morning Surf Scarves - Spinning and Knitting
This is the scarf that was featured on the cover of the Summer 2008 issue of “Spin Off” magazine, accompanied by a photo gallery of variations of the scarf and pattern notes. It is a wonderful project to stretch your use of spinning and knitting in color or texture, as it makes use of an easy to do drop stitch, undulating pattern. If you have some wildly colored dyed fiber in your stash that you aren’t quite sure what to do with….or maybe it is beautiful and subtle and you want to make something really special….or maybe you have some luxury fiber that you want to stretch as far as you can in a project…grab that fiber and bring it along to spin for the scarf! If you don’t have anything that suits you in your fiber stash, this would be the perfect excuse for shopping ;) You will probably need at least 3 ounces of fiber, depending on how thick you are planning to spin. The pattern accommodates a wide range of colors, textures and thickness! We should have some samples for you to see the day of the meeting. Come with your spinning wheel or spindle and plan to spin in the morning and ply in the afternoon. If we have time, we can begin working on the actual pattern. SUPPLIES: Spinning wheel or drop spindle and fiber if you are planning to spin for the project; yarn if you are planning to knit and not spin (don’t forget, there is PLENTY of yarn available for purchase at the yarn shop!); needles appropriate your yarn. You need to bring your own copy of the pattern, which can be found at this link (it is free, but it is not available for distribution at the yarn shop – you must download and print it yourself, for your own personal use) COST: There is no cost for this spin-in day…come and have fun!

If you are not working on this project, still feel free to come and hang out at the yarn shop and enjoy some knitting, crochet, spinning or visiting time – there is plenty of room to do that! There is also a wonderful supply of good food and drink available through the coffee shop, so plan to eat lunch there with us. If you have any questions, please contact Cary at 989 –463 –5630 or email at serenityfarmswool@yahoo.com

Knitting 102: March 9, 16 & 23 from 6-8. You have learned the basic stitches to knit and purl, now what? Cost: $25 plus supplies. Class size limited to 8Instructor: Suzanne Bailey

Crochet 102: March 9, 16 & 23 from 6-8 or call for an afternoon or Sat. Class. Learn to double-crochet in this class. Cost of the three-week class is $25 plus supplies. Class size is limited to 8 people. Instructor: Kirsten Mitchell

Knit or Crochet for Charity. March 14 from 10 – 2:30 Bring your yarn scraps, toss them in the community basket, choose a new color and knit/crochet away. Free hat pattern available.

Basic Socks Class: March 9, 16 & 30 from 6-8.
Learn to knit a basic sock. Cost of two-week class is $25 plus supplies. Class size is limited to 4. Instructor: Suzanne Bailey

The Great American Afghan: Every Fourth Monday Evening from 6-8 starting in March

Sample squares are on display in the shop (see photo below and at the beginning of this post). You choose to sign up for any number of sessions - knit them all or knit just one or two ~ it's up to you!


Cost: $15.00 for a 2-hour workshop. Purchase 4 classes and receive a $5.00 discount. Purchase your yarn at Sip-N-Knit and receive a $5.00 discount on one class and a $10.00 discount if you pay for 4 classes at one time. You must be able to knit, purl and bind off.

Our first square - March 23 – is Square # 9, Directional Textures

BABY SURPRISE JACKET: Saturday, March 21 & 28, 10:00 am 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 (see sample in photo above). 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; I-cord techniques and (hopefully) some confidence about reading your knitting! You must know how to cast on (preferably long tail cast on) and knit.

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. 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 March 10 in order that we have enough patterns and handouts for the workshop