Dec. 8th, Sat., Our Annual Christmas Party 12 Attending
Thanks to our super hosts, Corky and Bill, with an assist by Marie, the party was a delightful success!
Corky's house should be in a magazine contest for the best decorated for Christmas. Every room was aglow with holiday spirit, which set the perfect ambiance for our festivities. A special "shout-out" to Bill for completely taking over kitchen duties, so that we could concentrate of relaxing and enjoy convivial company. The way Bill artfully laid our the food almost seemed as if it was professionally catered. Thanks you so much Bill, you have given us an extra Christmas treat! Members, please do not drool on your computer when you see the pictures in the slideshow.
Old Business:
Many thanks to Deb. T for providing us with a variable pattern for making the tiny red hats. Members please have them ready for handing in at our Jan. meeting. The pattern went out via email attachment. If anyone didn't get it, email Elaine B. for a resend.
Also, Elaine K. and BeckyI delivered 24 stuffed animals to Hanover sheriff; 27 washcloths to Hanover Christian Village, and two bags of toiletries to Hanover Safe Place. Corky found out that the hospital does NOT need red hat for this year as they have had a deluge donated. Any you have ready can still be handed in to Gene who will hang on to them until they are needed next year. Good work alll!
A discussion of our 2019 calendar resulted in the following tentative plan:
January 19th, regular meeting at the church, sit 'n knit, members sharing expertise with a new cast-ons [Twisted German CO]; still accepting 2019 dues [$25] checks preferred. Reminder that we will soon be making "The Building with Lace Shawl" by Michelle Hunter, as a knit-along, with Corky and Maria guiding us.
February 16th, this meeting coincides with the Gloucester Retreat, so we will conduct any business there.
March 16th, sit 'n knit at the church, Maria and Corky will guide us, over the coming meetings, through making Michelle Hunter's "Building with Lace Shawl." The entire book is the set of directions. due to copyright rules, please plan to buy your own copy, or buddy up with another member to share the book. Amazon has it at $25.99 new.
April 20th, Field trip to The Yarn Club in VA Beach. Bring your knit-along shawl-in-progress as expert help will be on hand.
May 18th, continue our knit-along, at the church.
June 15th, our annual picnic, location TBA. Continue our knit-along project.
July 20th, field trip to Untangled Purls in Fredericksburg, possibly with an introduction to brioche stitching.
August - December TBD. If anyone has a specific request for a program, or knows a contact to arrange a special instructor, please pass along that info to Gene.
Show 'n Tell:
- Marie showed us a beautiful triangular scarf using hand-dyed, Copper Canyon yarn from Yarn Lover. In addition, she had another in shades of lavender and charcoal that had bits of sparkly in it.
- Andrée modeled us her finished, Crazed Scandanavian scarf, a very complicated wearable work-of-art, where each segment is not only done in different colors, but each a different pattern design!
-Susan S. has 2 cardigans in progress, both close to completion.
-Elaine B. finally finshed the red, Irish knit sweater for a great-nephew that was actually a Christmas gift for last Christmas. lol
- Maria modeled her unique shrug made with worsted weight yarn and designed to be made all in one piece. The most dramatic element of a column of oak leaves trails down the center-back. Be sure to check out the photo in the slideshow.
-Jenn W. is continuing to crochet prayer shawls for her church ministry, as well as a red and white striped, sock yarn, hat for her son.
-Corky made some adorable childrens hats, one a baby-blue bunny, the other a cute grey piggy. She is also knitting hats and headband for her church's homeless ministry. She passed around her heirloom quality lace shawl for all to experience up close and personal, a lovely intro to our 2019 knit-along project.
-Deb T. finished a cozy cowl in shades of blue-greens, using lace-weight yarn. Deb has also found and shared a really easy set of directions for making the preemie hats in a variety of sizes. What makes it so easy is the it is knit on straight needles then seamed up. This pattern will help us make a good supply of the tiny hats to donate to the hospital for February's American Heart Assoc. Red Hats for Preemies promotion.
-Martha is halfway through a sweater for her son's girlfriend, done in big blocks of black and grey. Very trendy.
We all missed Gene, and hope his recuperation from recent surgery is progressing well. See you next year, Gene! lol