Karen's tatted placemats are finished!

Congratulations to Karen! Her patience is amazing. She made FOUR of these placemats. Now that is dedication.

Next Meeting Jan. 29th at the Library

Please join us at the Castlegar Public Library January 29th, 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

Bring a project and any new show-and-tell items!

Jan. 9th meeting

The first meeting of 2008 saw Barbara Archibald, Inga and Sandra Lamont, and Jinny and Lei from Asia enjoying a lively discussion about the addictive qualities of knitting.   Jinny and Lei are from Korea and Macau, and have just learned how to knit.   During the Christmas vacation they spent many hours sitting by the warm fire knitting scarves and hats.  In fact, Inga had to tell Jinny on New Year’s Eve to put her knitting down so that we could celebrate!!!  These two young women have gone from garter stitch to stockinette stitch to making cables.  They have learned how to knit on two needles, circular needles, and now, finally, four needles.   Their English has improved dramatically as they have mastered reading abbreviations such as k2 tog, use a cn, and SK2P.   Jinny wants to knit 7 hats, one for each day of the week, and Lei is currently working on a cabled vest with a hood.  It is truly amazing how knitting can take on a life of its own!  Gramma Inga is supporting their knitting addiction by providing beautiful yarns and encouragement to try new techniques.  Jinny and Lei are considering offering a workshop at Selkirk College for International Students on the Joys of Knitting.  Way to go Girls!

 

Barbara has been knitting socks for her adult girls.  At one point during December she had to physically put her knitting away as she had sewing and quilting gifts to finish and mail away.  I have been working on a mohair shawl, a pattern shared by Donna.  It is taking me over 20 minutes to complete each row.  I am on row 107 with only 14 more rows to go.  

 

Inga worked on adding the labels from “Threads of Love” to the preemie booties and hats that Jean Hitchens and friends have been creating.  She also invited us to her house to share a lemon sauce cake.  

 

Thanks to the staff of Arby’s for allowing us to fill the restaurant with our laughter.  We appreciate the opportunity to get together and knit.

 

Submitted by:

Sandra Lamont

 

Next Meeting January 9, 2008

At Arby's in Castlegar, 6:30 pm. See you there!


The "last tuesday" meeting for December is cancelled because it falls on Christmas day.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

God Bless.

Next meeting Wednesday, Dec. 12th at Arby's in Castlegar

Hello everyone! Please join us at Arby's Wednesday Dec. 12th, 6:30 pm.

Bring your last-minute Christmas gift projects and your questions! If anyone is a finishing expert, I'm sure a number of us could use your help.

All the best,
Gwen
304-2625

Meeting notes from Nov. 27th

The snow and slick streets did not keep 5 women and one teenager away from the November monthly meeting held at the Castlegar Public Library.  It was evident from the beginning of the meeting that the focus spontaneously was "helping each other".  Donna was starting a "Kootenay Jane" hat worked from the top down.  After several false starts, she enlisted the help of Sandra to get all four needles in the right spot for the first two rows.  The pattern is definitely one that only an octopus would find easy to begin!  Together the two ladies were able to get it started.  Mona and her daughter came in with a request for help in repairing a novelty scarf that had been damaged and was unraveling.  The scarf was cut off, ripped back, stitches picked up, and finally repaired.  She also asked for help in reading and demonstrating how to increase in a filet crochet window panel that she had started many years ago and forgot how to do.  Karen had done this type of work, so was able to assist Mona in deciphering the pattern.  Next month, we encouraged Mona's daughter to bring along her spool knitting.  Lastly, a very skilled lady whose name we cannot remember (very sorry!) taught Karen how to cast on using the long tail method around two needles.  She was also able to show Karen a simple way to purl.  Karen was thrilled to finally be able to purl properly.   As usual, the time passed quickly, and soon Vera was there to tell us the Library was closing. 

 

Toe-up socks, benefits of knitting...

 

Here is a link to a pattern for Toe-up socks. This technique is worth a try. I have made several pair, (following a different pattern, which I couldn't find online anymore). http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTwiddershins.html

Plus, an article on different ways to start the toe with toe-up socks.

http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter02/FEATtiptoptoes.html

 

 

From Sandra, an article she found about the benefits of knitting for chronic pain sufferers, and knitting in the news:

A Stitch In Time Saves Pain
I read about a pain management clinic in a UK hospital called Stitch, Links and Chatter.

The group, which meets twice a month, was set up by nurse practitioner Carol Davidson. She said: "There is substantial anecdotal evidence that the repetitive nature of knitting and the distraction it provides, allows people to be less aware of their pain. It's also a valuable social interaction for our patients, many of whom are isolated because of the chronic nature of their conditions."

Pain unit psychologist Mike Osborn said: "The knitting group is a superb example of an activity that works for loads of different reasons. It's physical, productive, social, almost meditative and helps people to engage in meaningful activity. Chronic pain can take the meaning out of your life and if you can retrieve some of it through knitting, or anything like it, that's a great idea."

Knit-Spotting on New TV Hit
If you happened to catch the second episode of the new ABC television show, Pushing Daisies, you were treated to a hilarious occasion for knit-spotting. Private investigator, Emerson Cod (played by Chi McBride) sported some mighty interesting knit work. In one scene he wore knitted gun holsters (he called them "gun cozies"). In another scene we see him stashing money in knitted socks (a drawer full of "money bags"). He also saved the day when he used his knitting needle to break all three main characters out of body bags. Edith Eig was the behind the scenes talent who custom designed knits for the show and taught Chi the art of knitting. She is the owner of La Knitterie Parisienne, a yarn emporium in Studio City, Calif.