D.C. Knit blog

2011-01-07T06:28:00.000-08:00

Knitting at Food & Friends

2007-06-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

For new Food & Friends clients, we’d like to deliver pot holders (hot pads, oven mitts, etc). That means we need 100+ a month! To knit or crochet, use wool or cotton (not acrylic, which melts).

When quilting use cotton fabric & batting. Minimum finished size: 7” x 7”. Remember to add a loop for hanging. Potholders knit with loops are also welcome. The wilder, the better.

Send to: Food & Friends,
Attn: Potholders
219 Riggs Road NE
Washington, DC 20011

Include your name & address (or a SASE) within the package so that we can send you a thank you note. You may also deliver your donation directly to Food & Friends, Monday - Saturday.

Our annual scarf drive will run December-January. Due to storage constraints, please do not send scarves, hats and other warm things until December.Thank you!

http://knitters-and-crocheters-care.blogspot.com/

The Creative Knitting Guild in Bethesda

2007-03-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Susan from the Creative Knitting Guild in Bethesda, wanted me to share the link to their guild's new blog:

http://creativeknittersguild.blogspot.com
Please check them out. They allow visitors to their meetings.

Stitch N'Pitch Comes to D.C.!

2007-03-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

Last season I loved to go to Nats games and knit on a pair of socks and enjoy a baseball game, but how much fun will it be to join a whole group of knitters at a game to root for the Nats and knit and generally raise a ruckus--er, I mean awareness of the craft of knitting. Anyway, here's the scoop on what you need to know if you want to Stitch N'Pitch this spring with the Nats:

(Please send me pictures that you take of yourself and your knitting while you're at the game so that I can post them here on the blog)

I just received this email from a colleague who is a member of MANRA, the The Mid-Atlantic Needlework Retailers Association, about the fact that Stitch N'Pitch is coming to Washington, D.C.!

As you may already know, Stitch N’ Pitch is cooperative effort between TNNA and Major League Baseball (MLB) to bring stitchers to baseball, and baseball to stitchers. At designated games throughout the season, a section of seats is reserved for stitchers of every type and their families, friends, and casual acquaintances.

This year 23 teams are participating, including the Nationals. Our job is to fill those seats with stitchers! Why, you may ask baseball and stitching? Why not? MLB has a chance to fill stadium seats and develop new fans, and TNNA has some mainstream exposure to show the world that stitchers come in every size, shape, color, professional background, and age range! It’s good for both organizations, and it’s fun.

It is the responsibility of the TNNA shops in the designated MLB marketing area to sell the tickets, and MANRA will co-ordinate these efforts. Last Wednesday, a small group of us met with TNNA organizers and Nationals public relations staff to map out a strategy for making this event successful. We expect to sell at least 500 tickets, and hope to sell many more than that.

Here are the details: Game Info: Monday, May 14, 2007 at 7:05 pm

Ticket price: $10.00

Tickets are available at any MANRA shop (The Mid-Atlantic Needlework Retailers Association's). Please go to http://www.manra.net/ to find the closest shop in your location. All tickets are in section 514. Make your check payable to MANRA. If you would like to sit as a group, please collect the checks and bring these checks in one envelope so that the shop can give you seating in the same row.

The nice surprise is that when you buy tickets from a MANRA shop you will receive a tote bag with goodies so buy those tickets early.

Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Classes

2007-03-15T15:45:00.000-07:00

Consider this just a friendly reminder from someone for whom the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival is the highlight of her spring season. If you plan to take any classes at the festival this year, it's time to head over to the web site and pick your classes. You'll need to print off a registration form and get it ready to mail in because April 2 is when class registrations open up. You could even mail your registrations now, but the ones received before April 2nd will be counted as if they arrived on that date.

I'm looking at the 'Infinitely Interesting Cables with Janet Szabo,' class. I highly recommend the, 'Drop Spindle with Sally Jenkins.' I took this class from her last summer out on a grassy lawn at an Alpaca farm and I had a great time.

So, get a move on and sign up for a class. They are also looking for volunteers to help in all areas of the festival. The entire thing is put on by volunteers, so give some thought to sharing your time to help keep this fabulous institution going.

Fiber Finds

2007-03-08T15:31:00.000-08:00

I've added a new link to our sidebar for a web site that has information about all aspects of the fiber industry. Growers wishing to vend their fiber or craft can quickly and easily set up a store. Knitters will have a variety of unique yarns to choose from. In addition, they are working on the educational pages of the site.

Check them out at www.fiberfinds.com.

DC Knitblog on Squidoo!

2007-02-14T17:37:00.000-08:00

I just created a lens for the DC knitblog over at squidoo.com to spread the word about our groups. Go take a quick peek.

Speading the Warmth

2007-01-24T18:39:00.000-08:00

Check out this post on the dcist blog about the Food & Friends project. I find the debate about crocheting in the comments just fascinating. I thought that we were so totally over that whole crochet vs. knitting thing. Can't we all just get along in peaceful, crafty co-exitence?

World Premiere of "Public Art Private Parts!"

2007-01-17T08:59:00.000-08:00

NEVIN KELLY GALLERY TO PREMIERE DOCUMENTARY ON 2005 CONTROVERSY
SURROUNDING MING YI SUNG'S CROCHETED NUDE SCULPTURE

Public Screening and Reception Saturday, January 20, 2007 from 6-9pm.
Artist's work on display January 19 – February 2, 2007.

A 2005 exhibition of knitted sculpture in a Washington DC office
building sparked controversy among tenants because it included work
that the tenants (predominately lawyers) found offensive. The
controversy centered on crocheted sculptures by local artist Ming Yi
Sung (now Zeleski) that showed human figures and monkeys complete with
crocheted nipples and genitalia.

The controversy attracted significant
media attention. A short documentary about the controversy, called
"Public Art, Private Parts," will premier at the Nevin Kelly Gallery
on January 20 at 7:00 pm, with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m.

The artist and the film's director, American University graduate student Brandon
Bloch, will be present. The gallery will display Ming's work in an
impromptu exhibit from January 19 through February 2. The exhibition
will include the work at the center of the controversy—"Settlement
with Monkeys"--which is now owned by gallery director Nevin J. Kelly.

For a gallery of Ming Yi Sung's work: http://mingyisung.com/

juliaATnevinkellygallery.com
www.nevinkellygallery.com

Beth Brown-Reinsel Workshop

2007-01-17T07:40:00.000-08:00

On Feb 17-18 Beth Brown-Reinsel is offering a 2 day workshop at the Harford Comm.
College, Bel Air, MD on the Norweigan Fana Cardigan.

Ths workshop is for intermediate to advanced knitters who have
used double point needles. Cost is $164 (not including lunches). 10-4 both days.

Send an email to: Lisha, ljenkinsATharford.edu, and ask for the Knitting Traditions flyer, or for more info about the workshop.

DC-Based Crochet Artist featured in Documentary

2006-12-26T15:43:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays, DC Fiber Artists,

I received an email from Brandon Bloch, a graduate student at American University who just completed a short documentary on DC-based crochet artist, Ming Yi Sung. Ming is a very imaginative and talented crochet artist. You may have heard
about her - in the summer of 2005 her "controversial" crochet work,
featuring knitted nude figures, was censored by a DC law firm.

I visited this exhibit last summer and I was impressed with Ming Yi Sung's work as well as the work of the other artists that was displayed there.

Mr. Bloch is trying to spread the word about his documentary film, so take a look and feel free to share it on your blogs and with your fiber arts enthusiast friends.

Charity Knitting/Crochet Project Deadlines Coming Up

2006-12-12T12:33:00.000-08:00

I'm stepping away from the hustle and bustle of my Christmas preparations to share these up-coming deadlines for Charity donations:

Caps for the Capital (mail by January 2)
organization: Save the Children (International)
Webpage:
savethechildren.org/campaigns/caps-to-the-capital/knitters-for-newborn-story.html

The Red Scarf project (end of January)
organization: Orphan Foundation (National)
Norma’s Red Scarf Blog
http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com/red_scarf_project_2007/
webpage: Orphan.org

Scarves for Food & Friends (Feb 7)
organization: Food & Friends (Local)
Webpage: Foodandfriends.org

Also, Desiree from Accord Publishing sent this along to me:

Accord Publishing and Bella Web Design, Inc. announce a new contest for the Knitting-Pattern-A-Day™ and Crochet-Pattern-A-Day Calendars™. $500.00 will be awarded per calendar to the winning designer(s). Patterns will be judged for originality and creativity . . . so submit all of your original designs and be a WINNER! All submissions will be considered and are eligible for use in the calendars.

We will also be offering prizes for 2nd place: $250 and 3rd place: $100

So enter as many patterns as you can to increase your chances of winning!

More details can be found at: www.knittingpatternaday.com

Have a Joyful, Peaceful and Enjoyable Holiday season! (for whatever holiday you and yours celebrate)

Knitting With Balls

2006-10-25T04:45:00.000-07:00

One of our local Knitting in the City guys, Michael Del Vecchio, has gotten his book published. It's called, "Knitting with Balls: A Hands-On Guide to Knitting for the Modern Man." I'm sending out congratulations to Michael. A few years ago when we were teaching newbie knitters, he taught me the long tail cast on, which I was never able to pick up from reading the directions in a book. He's a great teacher and a dedicated, passionate knitter.

Here's the details of his local book tour:

10/27 6:00 PM, KNIT HAPPENS, (127 A North Washington, Alexandria, VA – Metro: King
Street)

11/15 7:30 PM, SPRINGWATER FIBER WORKSHOP, (808 North Fairfax, Alexandria, VA –
Metro: Braddock Road)

11/17 7:00 PM, POLITICS AND PROSE, (5015 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC –
Metro: Tenleytown)

Bravo, Michael! I wish you all the best with your new book.

The First Annual International Fiber Arts Bee

2006-09-27T05:36:00.000-07:00

Join fiber artists and artisans from around the world for an afternoon
of fiber, fashion, food, and fun in our nation's capital.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14

2 P.M. STITCH-IN
Bring your latest fiber arts project (or problem) to show and share.
Limited catered food and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for
purchase.

4 P.M. MYSTIC MAYHEM PIECE JAM
Bring a drum or other musical instrument, a story, or song to
celebrate crafting and creativity.

THE POTTER'S HOUSE
1658 Columbia Road NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.232.5483

Metro: Exit at Dupont Circle on the north side. Walk 20 minutes to
event or transfer to a northbound No. 42 Metrobus (35-cents with
transfer from the originating station).

Cash donations in 2006 benefit urban fiber arts advocacy
in Washington, DC.

Presented by The Electric Shaman and Friends

Caps to the Capital: Warm the Head of a Baby in Need

2006-09-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

Caps to the Capital is a project designed to raise awareness about the plight of newborns in poor and developing nations.

"After Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers 2006 report highlighted simple, low-cost practices that could save newborn lives — like warming their heads with a knit or crochet cap — Save the Children received numerous calls and e-mails from Americans around the country wanting to organize their friends and family to knit and crochet caps for newborns in developing countries.

People also asked what more they could do to help newborns in need. As a result of their enthusiasm, Save the Children has partnered with the Warm Up America! Foundation to launch Knitters and Crocheters for Newborns: Caps to the Capital.

Four million newborns die each year within the first month of life — half within the first 24 hours of life. The United States can lead the way in saving these young lives by increasing funding for critical health programs for mothers and newborns.

These babies need more than caps — they need your voice, too.

We are asking knitters and crocheters around the country to take three simple steps to let America’s leaders know they care about saving newborn lives around the world:

* Make a cap
* Write the President
* Unite for newborns
What do these three steps mean? For more details and a full explanation go to the Save the Children web site and download the Caps to the Capital Action Kit."

This web site also gives tips on how to advocate for these babies and their mothers by writing to editors and elected officials. So beyond knitting or crocheting some caps to warm these babies heads, you can give them a voice and let the world know that we care about what happens to our little bothers and sisters.

Eastern Market SnB

2006-08-31T06:04:00.000-07:00

There is yet another new knitting group in the D.C. Mertro area. The Eastern Market SnB now meets at Port City Java. Knitters, there is simply no longer an excuse for keeping yourself cooped up in your house knitting all alone with only the cats and the radio for company. Check dcknitting.net for a comprehensive list of knitting groups that meet all over D.C. and the surrounding area.

Here are the group's details:
Eastern Market SnB
Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30pm or later
(starting 8/30/06)
Where: Port City Java 701 North Carolina Ave SE
(on the corner of North Carolina and 7 St. SE)
metro: Eastern Market

Last night I accidently attended the group's first meeting. I just happened to be hanging out at Port City Java, when a knit pal from Stitch D.C. came up and greeted me and asked if I was meeting with the group. Port City Java has been my spot to wait for my daughter to finish her Tae Kwon Do class, so it was a happy coincidence. There were about six of us there knitting and noshing. Bryna, the group's organizer was not able to make it last night, but she'd be proud that the first group meeting was a congenial, enjoyable success.

Fall Fiber Happenings in the D.C. Metro Area

2006-08-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

No, this blog has not been abandoned. It's been a crazy busy summer.

Sunday Sept 10
Philadelphia Knit Out
www.philaareaknitout.org

Saturday Sept 16
Barracks Row Festival
Stitch DC will have knit and crochet demos.
www.barracksrow.org/ or stitchdc.com

Sunday Sept 17
New York Knit Out
Noon to 5
Union Square Park (17th betw Broadway & Park Ave)
See craftyarncouncil.com website

Sept 24 possible Charity Day at Uniquities, VA

Sat Oct 21 First annual Knitting for Peace Jam at
Potter's House, DC
www.pottershousedc.org/

Nov 2-5 Stitches East (sponsored by Knitter's
magazine) Baltimore
www.knittinguniverse.com

Book Review: Wendy Knits: My Never Ending Adventures in Yarn

2006-04-30T07:12:00.000-07:00

Yet another knit-blogger turned knitting book author, Wendy Johnson's debut knitting book, Wendy Knits: My Never-Ending Adventures in Yarn, is a delightful translation of the author's popular knitting blog with the same name. Wendy's familliar, wry humor and unabashed passion for the craft of knitting shines through the page. Each chapter begins with a short narrative on a variety of topics such as, The Laws of Knitting, What Was I Thinking? Why a Sock, and There's no Crying in knitting. Then comes the 20 patterns that range from the most basic garter stitch washcloth to a lace shawl. You'll also find patterns for scarves, sweaters, and the ever popular, "Wendy's Toe-Up Sock Pattern," that can be adapted to any weight of yarn or needle size.

New knitters will be inspired by Wendy's infectious passion for the craft and seasoned knitters will be inspired by her breadth of knowledge and experience. Johnson's writing is fresh and funny. You may find yourself laughing out loud, and maybe even pick up some creative tips for squeezing in more knitting time. ISBN 0-452-28732-4; $14.00:212 pages: softbound

Washington, D.C. Knit-Out & Crochet 2006 Has Been Cancelled

2006-04-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

I have sad news to share. I am on the Board of Capital Crocheter and Knitters, Inc., and this decision was a difficult but necessary one. This is by no means the end of the Washington DC Knit Out & Crochet. Watch this space for news about next year's event.
------------------------------------------------------

This past fall we celebrated five years of Knit-Out & Crochet events on the National Mall. The Washington, D.C., Knit-Out & Crochet event began in the fall of 2001, and it has become a tradition. Through the years since that first D.C. Knit Out & Crochet in 2001, the event has been successfully planned and executed by Capital Crocheters and Knitters, Inc. (CCK) a small, non-profit group whose mission is to promote the education and art of knitting and crocheting and to enhance the communities that embody these crafts. CCK is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers. The D.C. Knit-Out & Crochet was envisioned to be a free event where anyone could come and learn to knit or learn to crochet, see the fashion shows, charities, and the exhibitors, meet up with friends and sit on the lawn in the shadow of the Washington Monument and knit or crochet in the autumn sunshine. Their vision was to take a craft that was traditionally practiced at home in solitude to the streets where everyone could enjoy and appreciate the craft together in public.

As you might imagine, putting on an event of this scale year after year, raising the money to pay all of the expenses and somehow just barely breaking even, recruiting volunteers, organizing the exhibitors, the fashion show and the education program, is a tremendous amount of work. CCK has looked on it as a labor of love.

Each year the attendance at the D.C. Knit-Out & Crochet has grown exponentially from the first year’s attendance of approximately 1,000 attendees, to last year’s incredible 8,000 attendees, including the more than 1,300 people who learned to knit or crochet. The D.C. Knit-Out & Crochet has now grown beyond the point where this small group of volunteers can pull it off and present the same high quality event that our participants have come to expect.

Now we regret that after five years of arduous effort we have come to the heart-breaking decision to cancel the D.C. Knit-Out & Crochet for 2006. CCK’s plan is to take these next few months to regroup, raise more money and expand and strengthen our leadership team. We also plan to look to the yarn industry and other donors for increased financial and logistical support. We are taking a critical look at the event as it has been in years past, and see how we can transform and possibly re-invent it so that it can be a rewarding and enriching experience for everyone who participates.

We would be remiss if we did not take a moment and send a special thank you to all of our volunteers who each year step forward and offer to teach knitting and crochet, and to help make the D.C. Knit-Out & Crochet possible.

While this is disappointing news, we want to leave you with a positive message. The D.C. Knit-Out & Crochet will be back, and it will be better than ever. We know that there are other passionate, dedicated knitting and crochet enthusiasts out there, whose ideas and energy could help us as we move forward. If you are interested in joining with us to do the important work of shaping the new D.C. Knit-Out & Crochet event, please feel free to contact us and offer your services, or give a generous donation to ensure the continuation of this Washington, D.C. tradition.

To all of our supporters, volunteers and friends, thanks again. You will be hearing from us again with exciting news about the new D.C. Knit-Out & Crochet. Watch for us at www.knit-out.org.

Capital Crocheters & Knitters, Inc. has moved!
Please update your records.

P.O. Box 41019
Bethesda, MD 20824
301-767-1660
www.knit-out.org

Mason Dixon Knitters in D.C.

2006-04-18T14:19:00.000-07:00

On Thursday evening I attended the book signing/reading for Kay and Ann's fab new book, Mason Dixon Knitting, at Stitch D.C., my fave LYS. I imagine that now Marie has three locations, I must specify that it was held at the Capitol Hill location. It was standing room only, but I arrived early so I could get a comfy knitting spot on the funky, red leather knitting couch. I had a lovely time and met some awesome local knitters. I plugged my Capitol Hill Needlework Group, ate some delicious brownies and dispensed some advice about the importance of swatching. It can be dangerous when novice knitters find out that you're an expert because you end up giving impromptu lessons.

Knitting Group Update

2006-03-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

Capitol Hill Needlework Group

On Sunday afternoon, the Capitol Hill Needlework Group met at Stitch D.C. and we had eight people in attendance. THere were a few shy, brand-newbie knitters that hung out in the front of the shop and got some knitting coaching from Marie, the proprietess of Stitch D.C. For those of us at the table in the back we worked on scarves and socks and an intricate cable knit sweater. Marie made the announcement that the rumors are true, and that she is indeed opening a third Stitch D.C. location at the Chevy Chase arcade.

Teaism Knit & Crochet Group

We meet at the Capitol Hill Stitch D.C. yarn shop on the third SUnday from 3-5pm.
The Teaism Knit and Crochet group meets at Teaism, Penn Quarter, and this monthe we had a small showing of just four knitters. We talked about the ebb and flow of the attendance, which varies from two or three people up to as many as ten or eleven sometimes. You just never know. We had a great time knitting and crocheting and eating. I was working on my Jaywalker socks, Clare was making adorable baby booties, one girl also was working on socks and another was crocheting a vintage blouse in black, cream and gray. Very chic.
We meet at Teaism, Penn Quarter, 3rd Monday from 6:30-8 pm.

Morgan's First Sweater

And finally, here is a piece about one man's journey to completing his first sweater.

The class is actually called, "My First Sweater",everyone gets the same pattern for knitting a size 2baby's buttoned cardigan sweater in medium worstedweight yarn. I am using nice soft lavender coloredmachine-washable Merino Superwash yarn (from MissionFalls). Sweater trimmed in garter stitch all around,stockinette stitch for the rest. Four-part class,tonight we sew the left and right fronts to the back,go on to knitting the sleeves.

Sweater is taking shape but raising concerns in mymind about how the 2 button edges seem to pull thesweater shorter than elsewhere on the fronts making mewonder do I wind up with a sweater with the bottomedges not hanging at the level all the way around.Questions about knitting errors, button holes, doesthis and that look right, bringing me to this knittingshop often, trying move the knitting project along,the knitting shop probably bracing themselves everytime I walk in.

I felt like "throwing in the towel" on this sweaterany number of times, but never gave up even thoughgetting this sweater done comsumed days out of my lifetrying to meet class deadlines for a back and leftfront and now the right front. I have never knitted agauge swatch in my life before this sweater.

So, there you go story of a struggling but persistentfirst time sweater knitter, button holes and all.

Morgan convenes the "Aspen Hill Men's Knit andCrochet Group" at:
Caribou Coffee, 13874 Georgia Avenue in the Northgate Plaza Shopping Center (on Aspen HIllRoad just off Georgia Avenue)Aspen Hill, Maryland
301-460-1123 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month 7-9 pm

Contact Morgan at mmhoover1ATcomcast.net

Capitol Hill Needlework Group Report

2006-02-21T13:19:00.000-08:00

Eight of us met at Stitch D.C. on Sunday afternoon despite the frigid temperatures outside. I worked on my Olympic mittens. Emily from the hats for the Children's Advocacy Center joined us to talk about her project. Yet another reporter stopped by to ask questions for a story on knitting in D.C. We all worked on our projects and discussed local and global politics.

A New Spring Fiber Festival

2006-02-09T12:04:00.000-08:00

I received this message from Sheila, and I am passing it along:

I wanted to contact you about a new fiber festival that I am co-organizing.

It will be on April 8th in Bedford County, VA from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We have a full schedule of classes lined up: a great barbeque vendor, Celtic music all day, a fashion show, silent auction, shearing demonstrations, and animal exhibits.

My partner owns an alpaca farm and through her contacts most of our animal exhibits are alpacas and llamas. There will also be two alpaca / llama performance shows . . . and 40 vendors! So, please help us spread the news. Some of your members may be interested in making the beautiful drive to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

April 8, 2006: Sedalia Spring Fiber Festival in Bedford County, VA. Website:
http://www.springfiberfestival.com/

Annual Knitting & Crochet in the City "Board Meeting"

2006-02-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

This Meeting has been CANCELLED.

Please join us Sunday March 5 for the Knit & Crochet in the City "Board meeting"3-5
location TBD, but it will be metro-accessible in DC

This is the one time we meet face to face and discuss issues affecting the groups, the website, and knit & crochet in DC/MD/VA.

Group Report: Knit & Crochet Savory

2006-02-01T06:31:00.000-08:00

Here's an update from the Savory Group submitted by Michelle:

Knit & Crochet Savory
4th Tuesday
Savory Cafe, 7071 Carroll Ave
7-9 pm

20 people showed up, about half were new to the group.

I brought donated yarn to distribute, gave away abouta shopping bag full, and collected 5 scarves for Foodand Friends. Already in 2006 we have donated yarn to start a shawlministry in New Orleans’ 9th ward; E. Brooke LeeMiddle School (MD); National Cathedral School (DC)Lombardi Cancer Center (DC), Springwater FiberWorkshop, and N Street Village (shelter for women).

Local events:
Dye Days at Springwater Fiber Workshop VA Feb 20 andMarch 18-19.
They teach you to dye yarn which will besold in the shop and at Md Sheep & Wool

National events:

Knittapalooza, Virginia Beach, March31-April 2.
Teachers: Lucy Neatby, Edie Eckman, LynWorley and more.
http://www.eweknitkits.com/

Knitting Guild of America/Crochet Guild of America Summer Show
July 13-16, 2006 Valley Forge Convention CenterKing of Prussia, Pennsylvania www.tkga.com

Knit & Crochet, Annapolis Group Report

2006-01-11T06:21:00.000-08:00

As a way of tapping into some of the fun things that are going on in our knitting and crochet groups that meet all over the D.C. Metro Area, I'll be posting short reports from the various groups. Here's the first one from the Annapolis group:

Knit & Crochet, Annapolis

Meeting Date: Second Monday, every month
Meeting Place: Borders Café, Annapolis Mall
Meeting Time: 7:00pm until closing

January 9, 2006 first meeting of the New Year. What a turn out! We had 18 people show up for showing and sharing (lots of scarves) and ripping. Much excited talk about seeing family over the Holidays and talk of projects to be made in the coming months. It was really great to see everyone, especially those who hadn’t been able to join us in a while. And a big welcome to the newcomers.

A project of interest that we discussed is the FLAK Project by Janet Szabo of Big Sky Knitting. FLAK = Follow the Leader Aran Knitalong. This is a step by step knitalong in which you are taught to knit an Aran Sweater to fit your own dimensions. It’s being designed from the top down, starting with saddle shoulders, you start off by choosing your yarn and needles and then instructed to SWATCH your patterns. This includes swatching the filler stitches and the cables you would like to adorn your sweater with. This Knitalong started January 1st but there’s still time to jump on the bandwagon. For more information go here:

http://www.bigskyknitting.com/FLAK/knitalong.html

This would be a fun sweater to knit with a friend or two!

There was also a bit of talk about a Knitalong within our group of doing a scarf in intarsia. More on that one at another date.

As always, it was great fun and we thank Borders for allowing us to use the Café. So until next month,

Genia
Clickin’ on the Severn
http://www.geniaknits.blogspot.com/

500 Hats Needed to warm little Afghan children's heads!

2006-01-10T11:58:00.000-08:00

I saw this request while reading the Knitlist and thought I'd share it with the locals to help speard the word. (I've summarized to shorten the message) Afghans for Afghans is a wonderful group that does a lot of good for the people--especially the children of Afghanistan. They are also one of the Charities that we support throught the Knit Out. So, if you've got some spare wool and feel inclined to knit a hat to warm the head of child living in a very cold place, click here for more details about Afghans for Afghans and get those needles a clickin'!

** Wool Caps for Kids Needed by January 20 **

We wanted to let you know that we are in the middle of our VERY QUICK effort to send 500 *wool* caps for kids to Afghanistan via AIRPLANE transport at theend of January.

500 wool caps sent by air cargo means 500 warmer, more comfortable Afghanchildren for the remainder of the winter. Air transport means that our hats arelikely to be on the kids' heads by February. We rarely have the opportunity to send our handknit and crocheted gifts by plane (usually it is by slow boat),so this is a real treat.

Even if you only have time for making one hat this month -- that hat is a meaningful contribution. One more wool hat means you are warming one more Afghan child. This is a fairly easy way to directly and quickly impact an individual life on the other side of the world.

Feel free to forward this message to appropriate recipients.

Click here to see Guidelines and our San Francisco Mailing Address:http://www.afghansforafghans.org/blanket.html

We Made the Post!

2006-01-09T14:36:00.000-08:00

On Friday there was a http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/05/AR2006010500518.html" a >great<>story in the WashingtonPost Weekend Magazine about the local D.C. knitting scene. I was surprised to see myself on the cover, and I've gotten plenty of good-natured ribbing about this at work.

New Charity Knitting Projects

2005-12-19T12:49:00.000-08:00

At Knitting In the City we love to participate in Charity knitting projects, so here are a couple that I have recently become aware of:

Orphan Foundation of AmericaRed Scarf Project

Love to knit, crochet or know someone who does?

Send care and encouragement to America 's college bound foster youth. OFA needs 2,500 hand made knitted or crocheted scarves to put in our Valentines Care Packages. Your handiwork will truly be the personal touch in these packages and bring students the support they need to move forward and graduate to a brighter future.

Unisex colors black, blue, green or yellow are welcome too. Please attach securely to each scarf a small tag with your name, city, and group affiliation that the student will receive. Send scarves with your name, address, group affiliation if any, and email address enclosed to:

Orphan Foundation of America
Red Scarf Project
21351 Gentry DriveUnit 130
Sterling, VA 20166

Deadline: January 20, 2006
Contact: Annalisa Assaadi, National Events Coordinator
aja@orphan.org, 703.821.8669
http://www.orphan.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:Emily Landsman (202) 258-1287, ehl@mac.comGiselle Pelaez, (D.C. CAC) (202) 638-2575
December 16, 2005

LOCAL KNITTERS SHARE TALENTS WITH ABUSED KIDS

Members of Congress Laud Charitable Efforts during Holiday Season; New Initiative Asks Caring Knitters to Warm the Hearts and Ears of AbusedChildren

Washington DC - This holiday season, the D.C. Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) is launching a program to warm the hearts and ears of abusedchildren. The new initiative, which is being lauded by members of Congress, urgeslocal knitters at area yarn shops and bloggers to make winter hats for children served by Safe Shores-The D.C. Children's Advocacy Center, adirect service nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and workingdirectlywith child victims of sexual and physical abuse in the District ofColumbia.

"When I was the District Attorney of Madison County, Alabama, I saw aneed for a new child friendly approach to the investigation, treatment, andprosecution of child abuse cases," said Congressman Bud Cramer(D-AL-5th), founder of the National Children's Advocacy Center in Huntsville. "Today, there are over 600 children's centers across the country. I am proudto be apart of the nationwide network of children's advocacy centers and tosupport the thousands of dedicated professionals who work on the front linesto help countless children each year. The D.C.'s Children's Advocacy Center'sKnitters' Project is a wonderful idea and something I hope will catch on across the District."

"I am pleased to support the D.C. Children's Advocacy Center and the workthe Center is doing for abused children in the District of Columbia,"notedDelegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC At-Large). "CAC's project withknitters is a wonderful example of how volunteers can help professionals provide basic necessities to kids who suffer from the scars of abuse. "

"Not only will these hats keep these deserving children warm this cold winter, but it will also give them a little extra comfort," added Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY 2nd). "I applaud all knitters who becomeinvolved in this vital effort to help victims of sexual and physicalabuse."
The project began when Emily Landsman, a former Safe Shores employee, decided to approach a local yarn shop about pooling its clientele'stalentsin order to make hats for the kids. Landsman began making hats for theSafe Shores to give out during the 2003-2004-winter season. The Safe Shores facility maintains a clothing closet for its clients and requires frequentrestocking.
"Many of the children who came through the CAC did not have proper winter clothing, and I didn't like knowing that there were cold little ears out there," noted Landsman, an avid crochet fan. "I know that most of thewinter clothing the CAC distributes comes from donations, so I thoughtI'd use my skill to help out."

"People are putting a lot of care and attention into them, which is nice because the kids who get them often don't get a lot of care and attentionfrom anyone," added Michele Booth Cole, executive director of the D.C.CAC."The tangible benefit is obvious in that it keeps the kids warm, but the intangible benefit is that it is something that is new and just for them.Those elements can, even in the most horrific situations, lift a child's spirits. Very simple things have a big impact."

Stores and bloggers participating thus far include Stitch DC, Knit and Stitch, Solitude Yarn, NOVA Knitting Group, and chrisabraham.com. Stores andbloggers interested in joining the program are invited to contact Emily Landsman at (202) 258-1287.

Finished hats should be sent to:

Safe Shores,
The DC CAC Attn: Victim Services Coordinator/Knitted Hats
300 E St., NW
Washington, DC 20001

Capitol Hill Needlework Group

2005-12-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

We met at Stitch D.C. yesterday, and I do believe that we had our highest attendance of the year with about twelve people. Most of us were working on finishing up Christmas gifts. I worked on my Adean style earflap hat that I am knitting from plain wool yarn dyed with KoolAide. It has a strip of Fair Isle knitting in it, which has re-ignited my love of two-color knitting, and I think that I might do some mittens to match. People worked on socks, scarves, hats and a jacket.

I brought some gingerbread to share, and despite the fact that the center was not fully cooked, it was delicious, and everyone raved.

Last month several of us talked about wanting to knit that fabulous Weekend Getaway Satchel byMarta McCall from the Fall '05 issue of IK. Since then, some of us have slightly scaled back our vision to consider the smaller, yet equally lovely Floral Felted bag designed by Nicky Epstein instead. Marie, who is the proprietress of Stitch D.C. is has ordered the color card for the Nashua Handknits yarn so that we can choose the colors for our bags. I imagine we'll start the knit-along sometime in mid-January.

Stay tuned for updates and pictures as they become available.

Knitting at Food & Friends

2005-12-14T10:35:00.000-08:00

It's been ages since I've made an entry on this poor blog. In noticing this, Genia made the excellent suggestion that we should use this space to share what's going on in our knitting groups that meet all over the D.C. Metro area. I could do a little outreach and see if I can get people to send me a quick email and maybe even some pictures of what these groups are up to. Sound good? Anyone? I think that will be a great project for the new year. 'Til then, here's a quick run-down of the Food & Friends knitting group meeting yesterday.

Last night was the last meeting of the knitting group at Food & Friends. This is a project where knitters from al over the DC area are hand knitting scarves for the clients of Food & Friends, a non-profit whose mission is to deliver hot meals to the homes of people in the area who are living with cancer and HIV/AIDS.

Because it was so bitterly cold outside I thought I'd rather drive than deal with the Metro, but instead I ended up snarled in evening rush-hour traffic. I arrived a bit late to see that the Post reporter and photographer were there shooting pictures for a spread they are doing about knitting that will appear in the January 6th Weekend Magazine of the Washington Post. I brought all of the items that I have completed since the last meeting, and the little three-pointed I-cord knot hats were a big hit.

Just as the photographer was lamenting the fact that he didn't have any shots of men knitting, a guy came breezing in. He had sent us an email earlier saying that he wanted to knit a blanket for his girlfriend for Christmas. I told him to go to Stitch DC and they would direct him on what yarn and needles to buy. He came with a lovely bulky yarn and size 19 needles. The ladies at Stitch DC taught him the long tail cast on and the knit stitch and he picked up both right away. In fact, he arrived with about 45 stitches already cast on to his gigantic needle. I showed him how to figure out how many stitches to cast on for his blanket, and he was all set. We were all duly impressed at how incredibly quickly he was able to "get it" and start knitting away on his own. I told him that his girlfriend is a lucky girl and that she will be thrilled with whatever he makes for her.

Stitches of Prayer

2005-09-09T06:16:00.000-07:00

It's been heartwarming to witness the outpouring of support that Americans are sending to the survivors of hurricane Katrina. About 250 survivors were sent here to the D.C. Armory this week. Yesterday, I got a quick tour of the Armory yesterday with my boss. It looks like a very well run, organized operation. The people will either end up settling here in DC or they will be given tickets to travel to wherever they need to go.

I have wanted to do something tangible to show my support, so last night I attended a prayer shawl ministry group in Maryland where the women are knitting prayer shawls that will be sent down south to help bring comfort and encouragement to some of the Katrina surivors. I started knitting a beautiful fuschia mohair trianlge shawl in a basic garter stitch at the meeting last night. After we finished knitting we all stood in a circle and blessed the shawls and prayed for those who will receive them.

Below is the information about the ongoing workshops they will be hosting to knit and crochet some shawls for our neighbors to the south who have lost everything.

*Stitches Of Prayer*
Workshops to benefit survivors of Hurricane Katrina
Saturday, September 10, 2005

Saturday, October 1, 2005

Saturday, October 22, 2005
10AM to 4PM at The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew

Do you knit? Crochet? Can you cut yarns or tie on fringe? Sew onbuttons? Would you like to learn? Help will be available for beginners. Join us as we gather to create tangible symbols of God's love and mercy — shawls, throws, ponchos, hats, scarves. Come for an hour or two — Come for the day Donations of supplies and cash are welcome.

Contact Bobbi Hayward at the Church Office or bobbi.hayward AT gmail.com for more information.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

The DC Knit blog is back

2005-09-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

I'm back in action here at the D.C. knit blog.

The D.C. Knit Out & Crochet 2005 will be celebrating its 5th annual event this October 23rd on the National Mall. Here's a few tidbits from the most recent press release:

National knitting author and designer Nicky Epstein will be joining us again! Nicky will be demonstrating edgings from her new book, Knitting Over The Edge. Bring your yarn and needles to join her and your copy of her books to have them autographed. Sales are restricted on the National Mall so be sure to bring personal copies of her books to the event.

Many thanks to those of you who have jumped in to help us make knit and crochet kits that will be used to teach with at the event. We’re getting close to having 1500 kits (750 knit and 750 crochet kits) ready. Join us on Saturday, October 1, noon. to 4 p.m. at Institches, 8800-F Pear Tree Court, Alexandria, VA, 703-360-4600 for the last kit-making event to make knit kits. Yarn and knitting needles will be supplied.

Of the estimated 6,000 people who attended in 2004, nearly 1,000 were taught to knit or crochet. More are expected in 2005! As such, we’re gearing up to expand the Education area at the event which means more teachers are needed. We are desperately seeking volunteers to teach the knit stitch and/or the single crochet stitch on October 23. Volunteering to teach for an hour will go a long way to help us have the coverage we’ll need for the afternoon. Sign-up today by emailing knitoutcrochet@yahoo.com or by visiting www.knit-out.org to download a volunteer form.

Do you love fashion shows? Find them inspiring? Amazed at how patterns look better in person than on paper? Well, you can take part in the “From Local Hands Fashion Show” and help encourage more to knit and crochet through your work. We’re looking for all levels of knitting and crocheting and all kinds. It’s not too late to enter the fashion show. We’d like to hear from you ahead of time so that we can plan the Show line-up in advance. Shy about modeling your entry? Don’t worry…with advance notice, we can find someone to model the entry for you. Visit www.knit-out.org and send in a completed fashion show form with a photograph of your entry. If you’re working on your entry, send us the form now and the photo later.

Visit www.knit-out.org for the latest event info. Share the attached flyer with your family and all your friends and post it on community bulletin boards. Buy your official Event Bag before the event and become eligible for wonderful door prizes. Official event bags can be purchased by mail or at our booth #103 at the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo on September 29 through October 1 at the Dulles Expo and Conference Center in Chantilly, VA. Plus, grab your knitting project and sit and knit at the Expo’s “knitting center” What a fun!!

Scarves, scarves, scarves! Everyone’s making them. Everyone’s wearing them. Enter Washington, D.C.’s Knit-Out & Crochet 2005 SCARF STYLE CONTEST benefiting Food & Friends and the Orphan Foundation of America and you could win an Ultimate Sweater Machine ™ and a kit from Caron ® International. To enter, design and create an original knit or crocheted scarf. Be creative: experiment with stitch patterns, colorwork, embroidery, yarns and any other special design elements to make the scarf uniquely your own. Contest Rules: 1. Contest is open to all ages, knitters and crocheters. 2. Bring your own finished scarf to the Scarf Style Contest table by 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2005. 3. All entries must be an original design to win. Scarves created from patterns in the book Scarf Style will not be accepted. 4. The winners will be announced at 4:30 p.m. at the DC Knit-Out & Crochet and must be present in order to receive their prize. 5. The decisions of the judges will be final. 6. All scarves entered become the property of Capital Crocheters & Knitters, Inc. (CCK) and will be donated to Food & Friends and the Orphan Foundation of America. 7. Prizes are awarded as presented and cannot be redeemed for cash.

Knit! Crochet! LOOK WHO’S KNITTING AND CROCHETING NOW! That’s this year’s theme for Washington, D.C. Knit & Crochet 2005. We want to show the world that knitters and crocheters are multi-faceted people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’ve just learned to knit or crochet or have been for years, we want to hear from you. Write to knitoutcrochet@yahoo.com and tell us why you knit and/or crochet in 25 words of less along with your name, age (or age range), gender, occupation (if retired, your previous profession). We will post replies on www.knit-out.org and present them on event day.

Capital Crocheters & Knitters, Inc.a 501(c)(3) non-profit organizationdedicated to promoting the educationand arts of knitting and crocheting.

The DC Knitting In the City group will have a booth for the third year in a row at the Tacoma Park Folk Festival on Sunday, September 11.

If you can teach either knitting or crochet and will be available on October 23rd between 12 and 5pm, the Knit Out needs your help. Please email evelynbgould AT yahoo dot com if you'd like to volunteer to teach or be a knit or crochet doctor.

Upcoming Local Events

2005-05-11T09:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some listings for local art/craft/ events in the D.C. Metro area:

The Textile Museum's 27th Annual Celebration of Textiles
Saturday, June 4, 10am-4pm & Sunday, June 5, 1-4pm

Artist Demonstrations & Hands-on Activities:
Watch local artists quilt, spin and weaveLearn to batik cloth and make a felt containerSee a special display of textile art by local students
Sheep Shearing Watch sheep shearing* at 11 am & 2:30 pm in the Museum's garden
(Saturday only)

Exhibitions on View:
Beyond the Bag: Textiles as Containers thru June 5Textiles for This World and Beyond: Treasures from Insular Southeast Asia thru September 18 Textile Learning Center ongoing

http://www.textilemuseum.org/celebration.htm

June 18, 2005 10am – 6pm

3rd Annual King Farm Craft & Art ShowHeld at King Farm Village Center in Rockville, MD, the 3rd Annual King Farm Craft & Art Show features fine art work and crafts from artists in the DC metro area. This sale will feature jewelry, ceramics, photography, painting, sculpture and much, much more!

**Deadline for vendors in the King Farm Craft & Art Show (near Shady GroveMetro) www.rockvilleartsplace.org

MD S & W Strategies

2005-05-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

Those who are not fiber enthusiasts might think our passions odd and our excitement about the upcoming MD S & W Festival unbelievable. But my fellow fiber-obsessed knitting compatriots might appreciate the following bits of advice on how to best manage one's time, and energy at the festival.

A fellow DC knitter posted the following advice on making the most of the festival:

1. Go with a shopping list. Really. Look at yourpattern books, say to yourself "Hmmmm, I've always wanted to make this, but couldn't find something I liked." On your shopping list, write down gauge and yardage you need, and think about fibers. Double check your math and remember to make a note somewherethat you looked at this pattern, so when you get home you don't say, "Why did I buy 1000 yards of WhiteMohair?" Incidentally, the shopping list keeps thingsin perspectives too - cuts down on too many impulse buys.

2. Develop a game plan. I've been twice - I like to hit the upper barns first, then the big barn, and loop around the back and to the right. In my mind, themost expensive (and most predictable stuff) is in the big barn and most folks go there first. So, I'm morelikely to find a bargain in the upper barns (where thebooths are less expensive).

3. Remember. You're there to buy yarn and roving.Not to see demonstrations. Not to buy soap or ducks or any of the other crap that makes it's way in. Stayon target. Although, one of my favorite pottery studios shows here - The Dancing Pig. Visit theirbooth, just cause they're fun and they sell neatstuff.

4. Go with a buddy. They'll help dissuade you from crap you really don't need - like a whole mess of acryllic - you know - just cause it's on sale.

5. Other recommendations? Steer clear of the boothsat the entrance - I find it's all trash or over-priced (Misty Mountains is usually near the entrance, and they've got some good deals, though. I usually stop on my way out). Be sure and get a program, and make a plan to look through it before you get too far and find the booths you must see. Don't eat anythingsweet from the vendors until you've done some shopping(I'd hate to see you get a cramp from too many funnelcakes). :)

Check Claudia's blog for more sage MD S& W advice.

MD Sheep & Wool Festival

2005-04-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

There is a big fiber happening here in the Mid-Atlantic region coming up called the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Last year I attended for the first time and I had a wonderful time. Howard County fairgrounds gets transformed into a big yarn and sheep and fiber extravaganza. You can buy all things wool/fiber-related from a live sheep, the raw fleece, cleaned, prepared fleece, ready-to-spin roving, and then there are vendors large and small with a huge selection of yarns, books, and tools of every description. I was overwhelmed as we walked from barn to barn in the warm May sunshine ogling the beautiful spinning wheels, handmade drop-spindles and knitting needles. I was truly overwhlemed, but I managed to find a few things to take home with me. One of the highlights of the festival is the Sheep to Shawl competition where teams of people shear a sheep, clean, process and spin the wool and then weave a shawl within a three hour time limit. I missed this event last year, but I plan to watch the event this year.

Several of us knitters in the D.C. area plan to car-pool on over to Howard County next weekend and catch the festival. It will be a wonderful time of seeing old friends, getting to see acres and acres of spectacular yarns and just get inspired.

First Post

2005-04-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

I've finally got this knitting blog set up. I plan to post about all things knitterly and fiber related that are going on in the D.C. Metro area and beyond.

I am the organizer for a knitting group that meets at Teaism, Penn Quarter. We had been using the meetup.com web site to organize our meetings, however, since they decided to impose a $19 per month fee for the use of their site, we decided to move on over to use the Knitting 'N the City yahoo group. We'll still continue to meet in the same place at the same time. People are also free to check out the other groups that meet elsewhere on other days according to their location and schedule.

We had ten people at Teaism last night and we had a wonderful time. There was a nice mix of knitting ability represented amongst us. We ate and laughed and knit the evening away. It's a really fun group.