Monday, September 20, 2010

FALL INTO WINTER

Back To School ~ Fall Sweaters ~ Winter Woolens ~ A yarn lovers favorite time of year!

Listed below are some of our planned fall into winter projects - classes, knit-a-longs and ongoing events for September through December. Don’t forget to mark your calender if there is anything you are interested in and can plan to join us. We are already making plans for our fourth annual Christmas/New Year’s Pajama Party and the Grand Finale celebration of our Year of Knitting EZ…look for more details as the time draws near.

Beginning September 11, we will be open again on Saturdays from 10 am until 2 pm.

This fall for our Monday night Sip ‘n Knitters, we are going to take on three patterns from the Fall 2010 Interweave Knits magazine and explore twisted stitch knitting with Judy Alexander’s Alpen Socken; Meg Swansen’s Proverbial Cap and again Judy Alexander with the Bavarian Tulip Mittens. The magazine is availalble at the yarn shop…join us if you can!

Should you have questions about any of our classes, drop us an email at sipnknit@yahoo.com or phone 989-449-4444. Please be sure to read our class policy before you sign up for any classes!

SEPTEMBER

A YEAR OF KNITTING EZ ~ Chapter 9, Nether Garments
Monday September 13, 20 & 27; 6 – 8 PM
Have you ever thought about knitting your own classic set of warm winter long-underwear?!? How about a pair in red? In sizes from child to adult…why not give it a try and keep the cold Michigan winters at bay!

MONDAY NIGHT SIP ‘N KNITTERS (Another choice if you are not participating in the EZ KAL)
Alpen Socken is September’s Sip ‘n Sock pattern,

Monday September 13, 20 & 27; 6-8 PM

It’s been a while since we have done a Monday night Sip ‘n Sock together, so lets start the fall out right with a great new pattern, Judy Alexander’s Alpen Socken, from the Fall 2010 Interweave Knits (you must have a copy of the magazine for the pattern. If you don’t already have one, they are available at the shop) This sock features intricate lattice twisted stitch motifs, a picot hem and heel designs. A firmly plied sock yarn in solid color will give you the best stitch definition (how about the Cascade Sock yarn?) You will need approximately 430 yards of yarn and a set of size 1 double pointed needles, along with a cable needle and stitch marker. Sample of the knitted sock should be in the shop by the first of September.

HATS GALORE NEEDS YOU!Monday, September 20; 6-8 PM
We need you, knitters and crocheters, as we expand our charity project to include both hats to scarves in 2010. There is a great need for each of these items. Remember, we have a trunk full of donated yarn especially for charity that needs to be used and if you need help getting started, instruction will be provided free of charge. For all of our participants we offer free coffee and a 10% discount on supplies purchased that day.

OCTOBER

A YEAR OF KNITTING EZ ~ Chapter 10, Open-Collared Pullover

October 4, 11, 18 & 25; 6-8 pm
Chapter Ten in our knit-a-long/book club features an Open-Collared Pullover sweater, similar in style to a golf or polo shirt, with short sleeves

MONDAY NIGHT SIP ‘N KNITTERS (Another choice if you are not participating in the EZ KAL)
The Proverbial Cap by Meg Swansen

Monday October 4, 11, 18 & 25; 6 - 8 pm
Not a sock this month, but a hat, and this one designed by Elizabeth Zimmermann’s daughter, Meg. Great as a Christmas gift, a treat for yourself, or how about as a donation to our Hats Galore box? This hat is a sampler study in twisted stitch knitting, including a twisted rib, twisted cables, double helix-like motifs and elaborate lattice braids. Not exactly for the faint of heart, but a good exercise to stretch your knitting muscles! The pattern is available in the Fall 2010 Interweave Knits magazine (the same one last month’s sock was in!) and again requires a firmly knit wool yarn – Cascade 220 or Plymouth Galway are good options – about 210 yards worth. One pair of 24-inch circular needles or a 16-inch circular and a set of double pointed needles to achieve a gauge of 23 sts to 4 inches (about a size 4)

HATS GALORE Charity Knitting
Monday, October 18; 6 – 8 pm

NOVEMBER

A YEAR OF KNITTING EZ ~ Chapter 11, Moccasin Socks

November 1, 8 , 15, 22, 29; 6-8 pm
This is truly a “think outside the sock” pattern pair of socks! Definitely worth a try, they become addictive.

MONDAY NIGHT SIP ‘N KNITTERS (Another choice if you are not participating in the EZ KAL)
Bavarian Tulip Mittens by Judy Alexander, Fall 2010 Interweave Knits magazine

Monday November 1, 8 , 15, 22, 29; 6 – 8 pm
Our final look at twisted knit stitches, this one with an unusual floral motif for a lovely pair of warm winter mittens. Requires approximately 225 yards of worsted weight yarn, a set of size 3 double pointed needles (or size to reach gauge of 25 sts and 34 rnds per 4 inches); stitch markers and a cable needle.

HATS GALORE Charity Knitting
Monday, November 15; 6 – 8 pm

DECEMBER

A YEAR OF KNITTING EZ ~ Chapter 12, Hurry-Up Sweater

December 6, 13, 20, 27; 6-8 pm
“Embarking on a sweater at this late date smacks of madness, but it can be done and done without using up too much of your precious December time”…so says EZ! If you are up for some December madness, join us in this last installment of our year of knitting EZ. This project might even become your comfort knitting for the close of 2010!

MONDAY NIGHT SIP ‘N KNITTERS (Another choice if you are not participating in the EZ KAL)
UFO’s for Christmas

Mondays in December; 6 – 8 pm
How about setting aside those Monday evenings in December for finishing up some unfinished objects?

HATS GALORE Charity Knitting
Monday, August 16; 6 – 8 pm

ONGOING EVENTS:

GROCERY BAG WEDNESDAY

Bring in a bag of non-perishable groceries on the third Wednesday of each month and receive the daily special at the Mayor’s Office on us! All items are donated to the local food pantry. One bag of groceries equals one lunch. This community project is ongoing.

BASIC SOCK CLASS: Call to set up a time.
Learn to knit a basic sock form the cuff down in three two-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 students. Instructor: Suzanne Bailey. If three weeks is needed it will be an extra $5.00.

KNITTING 101: Call to set up a time
You will learn how to knit, purl, cast on and off, by making a basic scarf or dish cloth. Cost: $25 plus supplies. Class size limited to 8. Instructor: Suzanne Bailey

CROCHET 101: Call to set up a time
This is a 3-week class that will introduce newcomers to crochet. You will learn the basic stitches of chain, single crochet, and double crochet. With a little homework, you should be able to complete a scarf by the end of the three sessions. Class size limited to 8. Cost: $25 plus supplies. Instructor: Kirsten Mitchell

THE GREAT AMERICAN AFGHANFourth Monday each month; 6-8 pm.
We began this project in March 2009 but you can join at anytime. This an ongoing, two year project that includes 25 unique squares using a variety of knitting techniques-a great way to learn on a small scale! You can see many of the squares displayed in the shop. You may choose to sign up for any number of sessions and receive a discount for signing up for four classes at a time. You need to be able to knit, purl and bind off. Our schedule is:
September Square #
October Square #
November Square #
December Square #
Although it is not necessary, we do encourage you to purchase your materials at Sip-N-Knit. If they are not, there will be a slightly higher charge for the classes. The cost of a single class is $10.00 or 4 for $25.00. We encourage material to be purchases at Sip-N-Knit if not there will be a slightly higher charge for the class.


A YEAR OF KNITTING EZ….January through December, 2010
Part Knit-a-Long, part Book Club continues through the summer - join us as we celebrate the life of “the godmother of knitting” Elizabeth Zimmerman by working our way through her classic knitting diary the “Knitters Almanac”. Each month we will read a chapter and, if you chose to, knit that months project from the book – helping each other out along the way. Book discussion is encouraged and we will even have some prizes along the way! In order to participate in the KAL, you must have a copy of Knitters Almanac. (No sharing, for copyright reasons of course! If you do not already own one, please let Suzanne and she can order a copy for you. This book is a treasure that should be in every knitters libray and costs less than many single patterns these days).

Sip-N-Knit Class Policies
Class fee is due with registration and many classes have limited space available, so be sure to sign up early. You are encouraged to purchase your supplies at Sip-N-Knit prior to beginning your class. Class supplies purchased in the store will be given a 10% discount. Occasionally, a class may call for additional supplies provided by the instructor, so please read each class description carefully or if you have any questions, contact the shop at 989-449-4444 or email sipnknit@yahoo.com. If you cancel, class fee will be refunded as long as the store is notified at least 3 days prior to class starting date. In the case of bad weather or sickness you must notify before class time and reschedule a make up time.

Special classes can be scheduled for private groups or to accommodate all work schedules. Please contact Suzanne at Sip-N-Knit (989-449-4444).

Don’t forget, we do alterations!