EZ ~ Week Three

Tonight is the last Monday night of January for our Year Of Knitting EZ - Knitters Almanac project~ hope to see you at the yarn shop whether this will be your first night or your third! We had a lively, fun group last Monday night.

Next week we will begin the February installment with some baby things. I have the sample Two Needle Baby Sweater nearly complete, just a few inches to go.


Some of you may chose to start a February project while some will be continuing with January's Aran projects. At least one of us is going to be doing a full cardigan (hurray, Nellie!) If you don't want to do the February projects or continue with January, feel free to jump ahead to March ;) Or just join us to read along.

I'll have my camera with me tonight, so bring your projects - finished or in progress!

EZ ~ Week Two

It's Week #2 of our January Almanac project and we hope you will be able to join us for some EZ style knitting at the yarn shop tonight! We had a fun kick-off last Monday, despite some wintry Michigan weather. We all had a good laugh over watching Elizabeth knitting on the back of a motorcycle in the promo for Knitting Without a License on the Knitting Around DVD and I think it is safe to say we were all inspired by she and Meg!

Is anyone knitting felted slippers? I have all of the supplies, but have been so immersed with my Zimmermann projects that I have not cast on for anything else!

Bring any of your projects and have some good knitting (or crochet) time from 6-8 pm at the Yarn Shop. See you there!

Twenty-Ten Kick Off

HAPPY NEW KNITTING YEAR!!!
All of us at Sip ‘n Knit want to wish all of you a very happy new year, and to say “thank you” for your friendship and your patronage this year past. We are looking forward to some fun new projects to start us out for 2010, as well as some continuing favorites and worthwhile events. We are especially proud of our charity activities Hats Galore and Grocery Bag Wednesday. As always, we are happy to hear your suggestions and ideas for classes and workshops. Let us know what you would like to see, learn or share and we will do our best to accommodate!

Listed below are some of our upcoming classes, knit-a-longs and ongoing events for January through April. The list is a little lengthy to begin with, but we hope you will read through it and mark your calender if there is anything you are interested in and can join us for.

Should you have any questions about any of our classes, you can always check her at the shop blog or phone us at 989-449-4444. Please be sure to read our class policy before you sign up for any classes and remember that there is the always the chance of additions or cancellations, so it is best to verify any questions with the yarn shop.

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.

THE GREAT AMERICAN AFGHAN
Fourth 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:
January Square #5
February Square #6
March Square #8
April Square #9

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
A book club and year long knit-a-long!
Begins January 11, 2010; 6-8 pm
In 1910, Elizabeth Zimmermann was born… In August of 2010, she will surely be remembered and celebrated by her family and friends on the anniversary of what would have been her 100th birthday. Those in the knitting world will also celebrate her “The Godmother of Knitting” as she has been called. To pay tribute to “EZ” and her joy and legacy of knitting, we would like to offer a challenge to you…join us at Sip ‘n Knit for a year long knit-a-long of Elizabeth Zimmermann projects! Mrs. Zimmermann very kindly arranged an entire year of patterns and knitting discoveries into a knitters diary of sorts, a handy little book called the “Knitters Almanac”. Many of us already have this treasure in our personal library, but if you do not, Sip ‘n Knit will have copies available for purchase. Even if you never knit a single item from the Almanac, this book is a treasure to own and read and all for a cost that is less than many single patterns these days. How can you not love a book whose dedication reads “To the Unsure Knitter, To the Blind Follower, and To all those who do not yet know that they can design their own knitting, this book is encouragingly dedicated”…EZ

If you do not know of Elizabeth Zimmermann just do a Google search of her name, or if you are a member of Ravelry type in her name in both the “Pattern” and “Groups” search box…you will be astounded at the results! Also be sure to check out the website of the company she founded, now run by her equally amazing daughter Meg Swansen, at Schoolhouse Press.


(Above, Mitered Mitts from May Knitters Almanac, knit in Plymouth Boku)

Here’s how it works….part KAL, part Book Club we will kick off on Monday, January 11th from 6 – 8 PM with an EZ Party. Please come out and join us even if you are not planning to participate in the Almanac KAL to share the fun, you might just change your mind and decide to join in after all!. We are hoping to view one of Elizabeth’s DVD’s of knitting instruction and look through a variety of her books and patterns. (If anyone has any of her patterns, books, DVD’s or especially if you have any items you have already knit of hers, please bring them along for show and tell. That could also include items by Meg Swansen or other Schoolhouse Press patterns and newsletters) NOTE: 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 know by January 4th and she can order one for you). Then chose which, if any, of the patterns you would like to knit and come join us on Monday nights throughout the year as we work our way through till the end, knitting and reading. You may decide to knit just one, or every other one or even every single item as they come up (though most of us can not complete an entire sweater in just one month, except maybe Pam or Margaret - LOL!) We will try to help each other along following Elizabeth’s bare bones (she calls them “pithy”) instructions for each item. You will either be a knitter who finds her methods liberating and exhilarating or frustrating and lacking ;) If you are not knitting, how about participating in the Book Club part of our event, reading a chapter each month and discussing it together on the first Monday? There may even be prizes involved for discussion participation on certain months! We may also decide we want to throw in an special Saturday knitting day occasionally. Details will be posted each month on the blog, so be sure to check regularly or contact the yarn shop with any questions you might have.

Our proposed schedule:

JANUARY 11, 18 & 25 ~ Chapter 1, An Aran Sweater (or hat)
FEBRUARY 1, 8, 15 & 22 ~ Chapter 2, Some Babies Things (including the well known February Baby Sweater)
MARCH 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 ~ Chapter 3, Difficult Sweater (or not so difficult hat or mittens)
APRIL 5, 12, 19 & 26 ~ Chapter 4, Mystery Blanket
MAY 3, 10, 17 & 24 ~ Chapter 5, Mittens For Next Winter
JUNE 7, 14, 21 & 28 ~ Chapter 6, Borders, Small Stuff for Summer Knitting, Three Hats
JULY 5, 12, 19 & 26 ~ Chapter 7, A Shawl (the famous Pi Shawl)
AUGUST 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 ~ Chapter 8, Christmas in the Wilds and Special EZ Birthday Celebration
SEPTEMBER 6, 13, 20 & 27 ~ Chapter 9, Nether Garments (think long underwear!)
OCTOBER 4, 11, 18 & 25 ~ Chapter 10, Open Collared Pullover
NOVEMBER 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 ~ Chapter 11, Moccasin Socks
DECEMBER 6, 13, 20 & 27 ~ Hurry-Up Last Minute Sweater and Retrospective of our year long journey

There is no additional charge to participate in this celebration, only your regular monthly $5 Sip ‘n Knitters fee, which entitles you to 10% your knitting supplies!

CLASS AND WORKSHOP SCHEDULE ~
JANUARY

MONDAY NIGHT SIP ‘N KNITTERS (Alternative choice if you are not participating in the EZ KAL)
Felted Clogs or Slippers, January 4, 11, 18 & 25; 6-8 pm
There are many styles and sizes of these popular patterns available to us, and Sip n’ Knit has most of them in stock, either for crochet or knit. Maybe you have made them before but need a new pair or maybe these will be your first attempt, what better project for a cold winter Michigan Monday than felted footwear? We have lots of colors of great felting wool, including Cascade 220, Plymouth Galway and Brown Sheep Lambspride for you to chose from and plenty of help on hand if you should need it to get you started. Cost is the usual $5 per month fee for Monday nights.

SPINNING AND SAMPLING EXOTICS & LUXURY FIBERS
Saturday, January 9th; 10 am – 2 pm
Calling all spinners…how about a little fun and excitement with exotic and luxury fibers? Things like angora, mohair, camel, pygora, silk, angelina, firestar and even alpaca and llama…lets dust off the spinning wheels and spindles and get together to play with some of these fibers. With most of them, a little goes a very long way and many of us have some in our stash that we just aren’t sure what to do with. If you do not have stash, some will be provided for you…in other words, there will be fiber available for you to sample! If you have extra, please bring it along to share with others. Then, in February, we will get together to work on a project from these sample yarns!

A YEAR OF KNITTING EZ ~ Chapter 1, Aran Sweater
January 11, 18, & 2 5; 6-8 pm
Chapter One in our knit-a-long/book club is the classic Aran Sweater. Not up to knitting an entire cabled sweater this month? How about making the swatch cat/hat? (Photo below is a cowl knit from the Fishtrap Aran pattern in January's Almanac chapter. Made of Plymouth Galway by Cary Smith)


KNITTING 101
January 11, 18, & 25; 6-8 pm
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
January 11, 18 & 25; 6-8 pm (or call for an afternoon or Saturday class)
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

HATS GALORE NEEDS YOU!
Saturday, January 16; 10am - 2pm
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. And don’t forget our Hat’s Galore luncheon specials!

FEBRUARY

A YEAR OF KNITTING EZ ~ Chapter 2, Some Babies Things
February 1, 8, 15 & 22; 6-8 pm
Chapter Two in our knit-a-long/book club includes directions for the well known February Baby Sweater and several other items. Even if you do not have a baby in your immediate family or circle of friends, why not consider knitting a baby item to donate to our charity knitting project?

MONDAY NIGHT SIP ‘N KNITTERS (Alternate choice if you are not participating in the EZ KAL)
The Tahoe Hat - February 1, 8, 15 & 22; 6 - 8 pm
Remember those little luxury fibers we spun up in January? Well, here is your chance to use them in this neat little beret type hat featured in the Winter 2009 issue of Spin-Off magazine. This is a mix and grab blend of yarns in all weights and lengths…if you did not spin up some yarn for this, check your knitting stash to find some odds and ends that will work. Do you crochet rather than knit? We will find a suitable pattern for you to use for your yarns, too! You must have a copy of the Winter 2009 Spin-Off magazine for the hat pattern if you are planning to knit that.

HATS GALORE Charity Knitting
Saturday, February 20; 10 am – 2 pm

MARCH

A YEAR OF KNITTING EZ ~ Chapter 3, Difficult Sweater (or not so difficult hat or mittens)
March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29; 6-8 pm
Chapter Three in our knit-a-long/book club introduces colorwork to the knitting with a dramatic sweater (or hat or mittens)

MONDAY NIGHT SIP ‘N KNITTERS (Another choice if you are not participating in the EZ KAL)
Out Like A Lamb – March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29; 6 – 8 pm
Remember the old saying about March “In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb”? At Sip ‘n Knit this March, we are going to think positive and celebrate the lamb….Brown Sheep’s Lambspride yarn, that is! This wonderful American made yarn is great for a wide range of projects and comes in so many colors, lets chose a pattern and some yarn and make something great this month. Cost is the usual $5 per month fee for Monday nights and for March only, paid-up members receive 15% off any Lambspride yarn purchase!

HATS GALORE Charity Knitting
Saturday, March 20; 10 am – 2 pm

APRIL

A YEAR OF KNITTING EZ ~ Chapter 4, Mystery Blanket
APRIL 5, 12, 19 & 26; 6-8 pm
Lots of weaving and mystery in the Chapter Four installment of our knit-a-long/book club! Will you take the challenge?

MIDDLE OF THE MITTEN BUNNY HOP SPRING PJ PARTY
Friday, April 9th, 6 pm till ?
At our 2009 Christmas Pajama Party this past December it was mentioned that we always have so much fun, why do we only have the party once each year? Ta-da…here you are, a chance to celebrate and save on spring knitting supplies, all while enjoying good food and good company at our First Annual Bunny Hop Spring PJ Party! Look for more details in coming months, but mark the date on your calender now

HATS GALORE Charity Knitting
Saturday, April 17; 10 am – 2 pm

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!