A Year to Sit and Slip (Stitches)!

One Monday evening last fall, we were discussing various knitting techniques we would be interested in learning or re-learning. The conversation went from cabling to intarsia and everything in between. Somewhere in the midst of the conversation an idea was born. Similar to our 2010 journey through EZ patterning, how about devoting 2011 to exploring one area of knitting? It sounded like a good idea to a few of us so Pam Feldpausch took on the task of exploring our possibilities and came back with 12 different slip stitch patterns to introduce us to.

Slip-stitch knitting is a family of knitting techniques that use slip stitches to make multiple fabrics simultaneously, to make extra-long stitches, and/or to carry over colors from an earlier row. The neat thing about it is that you can make complicated looking multiple color patterns without having to carry the other yarn colors in the back like you do with intarsia.

Starting in January, we will cover one slip stitch pattern a month. The list of patterns we will be covering are as follows:

January 3, 2011 – Lattice Stitch
February 7, 2011 - Fretwork
March 7, 2011 – 3 and 1 Stitch
April 4, 2011 – Sand Stitch
May 2, 2011 – Zebra Stitch
June 6, 2011 – Dots and Dashes
July 11, 2011 – Sanquar Stitch
August 1, 2011 – Ladders Stitch
September 12, 2011 – Star Stitch
October 3, 2011 – Linked Stitch
November 7, 2011 – Harlequin Stitch
December 5, 2011 – Staircase Stitch

For only $10, you will receive instructions for all 12 slip stitch patterns as well as directions for turning the 12 slip stitch patterns into either an afghan or a scarf. Pam will also provide assistance with each of the patterns on the dates listed above.

So how about adding ‘Expand My Knitting Skills’ to that list of resolutions you make every year and then plan on joining us at Sip N Knit where we will help you mark it off you list! There is a beautiful example of each of the stitches on display at Sip 'n Knit. Feel free to join in at any time!

CLASS AND WORKSHOP SCHEDULE ~
JANUARY

SIP-N-SOCKS: Monday evenings in January, 6-8 pm
January Sip-n-Sock pattern is not really a sock at all, but a slipper. Chrissy Gardiner’s Pavo Slipper Socks from Winter 2010 Interweave Knits features toe-up construction and a simple cable. It is sized for both children and adults and is a quick knit. The suggested yarn for the adult size from the magazine is Plymouth Yarns Galway Worsted and the yarn shop has a good selection of colors. You will need to have a copy of the magazine for the 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.

NEW PATTERN STITCHES AND TECHNIQUES Monday, January 3, 6-8 pm
Our resident star knitter Pam Feldpausch will take us on a knitting journey with some fun slip stitches, patterns and techniques. Lattice Stitch will kick us off! See details at the beginning of this post.

FIRST SIP ‘ N KNIT SPIN-IN OF THE NEW YEAR! Saturday, January 8, 10 am till 2 pm
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. Show off what you have been working on over the winter. 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. There is no cost to participate and as always, a variety of food and beverages are available to purchase in house from The Mayors Office. There will be a lunch special of the day, so plan to keep yourself nourished while you spin the day away!

HATS GALORE Knitting Hats and Headbands for Charity, Saturday January 15, 10 am to 2 pm

ANNUAL SIP ‘N KNIT PAJAMA PARTY Friday, January 28, 6 pm till ?
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 annual Pajama Party! Food ~ Beverages ~ Knitting ~ Spinning ~ Crochet ~
AND shopping…a special 20% off all regularly priced yarns that night! A good time to stock up on goodies for yourself or for future gifts, right? AND we will have prize drawings throughout the evening! Pajamas are not required dress, but plan to be comfortable.

For those who participated in the Year of EZ (Elizabeth Zimmermann) in 2010, bring your project(s) to show off and tell us a little about your adventure with knitting a la Zimmermann. We will have our final EZ prize drawings that night.
Date: Friday, January 28, 2011; Time: 6-???; 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/cold drinks!)

Please RSVP to Suzanne at Sip-n-Knit sipnknit@yahoo.com or 989-449-4444 by Monday, January 24th. Everyone welcome

FEBRUARY CLASS SCHEDULE

Sip ‘N Sweater: Monday evenings in February from 6 to 8 pm
That’s right, this months Sip ‘n Sock KAL is actually going to be an easy sweater project. Moxie is a lovely pattern from Midwest designer Cheri Christian, topdown and seamless with three-quarter length sleeves. Pattern is available from the yarn shop.
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.

NEW PATTERN STITCHES AND TECHNIQUES Monday, February 1, 6-8 pmO
ur knitting and technique-a-long continues with some fancy Fretwork. See details at the beginning of this post.

BEADED STITCH MARKERS, Saturday, February 12, 10 am till 2 pm
One of the most useful items for your knitting or crochet can easily be a thing of beauty to inspire your creativity with just a few simple instructions from our resident beader, Mary Kaufman For more details and cost of this class, please contact Suzanne at the shop.

HATS GALORE Knitting Hats and Headbands for Charity, Saturday February, 10 am to 2 pm