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HERITAGE CLUB
Are you a member? Ask about joining the next time you are in the shop. Or click the logo for more information. |
| Events |
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 KnitFlix
September's movie is A Good Year. Mark Saturday, September 13 at 6 p.m. on your calendar and join us (and Russell Crowe and others)!
Sit & Knit
These are social knitting times - no charge, but no help is provided.
Tues. evening 7 to 9
Wed. morning 10 to 12
Sun. afternoons 2 to 4
Lake Orion Music in the Park
August 20 at 7 p.m. - Tom Allport Band. This local group entertains with Big Band and jazz music that ranges in style from the Glenn Miller Band to the smooth jazz sound of today. They play a great selection of Bossa Novas or Sambas for those of you who like to kick it up a notch.
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Greetings!
As I write it is Sunday morning and it was 50 degrees according to the PT on my way home from church this morning. I think my fiber genes are kicking into gear because they sense fall coming! Yesterday I started a Christmas stocking for my grandson, to be followed by ones for his mom and dad. I'll be writing patterns to go along with them. Watch the blog for progress reports!
All weekend we've had people in participating in our Christmas in August classes. They have been fun - the people and the classes. Mostly summer classes have not been held for lack of sign-ups. There's just so much else to do in the summer. We probably won't offer them next summer, but we will continue some of the special ones like Learn to Weave in a Week, the Christmas classes and maybe even add Summer Camp - a day of fiber crafts for grown ups.
I'd be remiss if I didn't remind you that our annual Fiber Art Show is rapidly approaching. Click here for a blurb about it and entry forms. Remember, this is a fundraiser for breast cancer research AND an opportunity for everyone to see what you've been working on - we all love seeing your work and getting ideas from it. Do consider participating. |
| Making Chemo Caps - Tips from the Trenches |
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 Maureen has been talking about writing an article for us about making chemo caps for months. Unfortunately, she's been going through a rough couple rounds of chemo so hasn't had the energy or focus to put her thoughts down on paper. So, I thought I'd help her out and do an interview instead.
Joan: How do cancer patients get chemo caps?
Maureen: Where I go for treatment at U-M, they are in the infusion rooms where patients go for their chemo treatments. The room tends to be a little chilly and because the meds they are delivering by IV are also below body temperature, it turns out to be a good place to have the donated caps, blankets and other comfort items because you get cold.
J: You've gone through two rounds of hair loss so I suspect we can consider you an expert on what the perfect chemo cap looks like.
M: I suppose you could say that! I can think of more fun things to be an expert on, though!
J: So, what is the single most important thing to you when it comes to a chemo cap?
M: The feel of it. It has to be soft. It actually hurts when your hair falls out and afterwards your head is sensitive for a long time.
J: Does it matter if it is machine washable or not?
M: No. It doesn't. They don't get that dirty and I rarely wash mine. It is more important to be soft.
J: What about how it looks?
M: Okay, so that's pretty important, too. It has to be soft and attractive. I feel bad enough without hair, so the hat has to make me feel good.
J: Anything else you should think about when planning to make a chemo cap?
M: Remember, chemo patients are also men, boys and children. You can have more fun with the caps for kids --cute and funky is okay, but they still need to be soft and it is probably also more important that they be machine washable.
J: Would you describe your favorite hat for us?
M: Well, I have a several. The one I am currently wearing a lot is one I crocheted for myself. It is a summer hat made from cotton and it incorporates beads. It is a pattern from the book Crocheted Hats. One of my favorite winter hats is one that I knit from cashmere I hand-painted myself. Lately I've been wearing a fabric sun hat with a little brim that adds protection when I'm outside.
J: Care to summarize?
M: The perfect chemo cap has to be attractive (ask yourself if you'd wear the cap), soft (no inexpensive acrylics, please), and labeled with care and fiber content. In my opinion it is much better to spend extra money and time on making fewer chemo caps to donate to charity than it is to make a whole bunch that will just languish in the bottom of the hat box at the distribution center.
J: Thanks, Maureen. I know what you have said will provide a lot of food for thought to knitters, crocheters, weavers and sewers and make a difference for cancer patients. |
| Classes |
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Later this month:
Guest Instructor: Lynn Hershberger (LynnH)
2716 Turkish Sock Design
Dates: Saturday, August 23, 10 am - 5 pm, one sessions
Turkish socks are made toe-up with much color. They may have one of several heels not commonly found in Western-style sock knitting. The instructor, Lynn Hershberger, owns four pairs of authentic socks knit in Turkey, and developed a series of patterns from features found in those socks.
We will knit a mini sock (knit one to fit you later), with double knitting or worsted weight yarn to make a sock with all the details of a larger sock. We will learn how you can use these details to build a knit-to-fit pair for any size foot.
For Spinners - be a Fiber Scientist!
Breed of the Month Class
2nd Wednesday of the month starting 9/10
Class limited to 12 - we still have seats available
Many people don't realize just how different the wool from various breeds of sheep can be. This series of classes will provide an up-close and personal experience with a variety of common and not-so-common breeds of sheep. Each class will begin with a lecture and then we will examine the wool and classify it to learn how it "wants" to be spun. We will work with hand cards, flick cards and combs to compare different fiber preparations and see what works best for that breed for projects you may have in mind. Instructor: Joan Sheridan Hoover
Coming up in September:
A new Focus class. This one is Focus on Socks and will be led by Jae. Here's what she says about the class: "Explore the fit and function of socks - not to mention beginnings and endings when knitting from either direction. You'll learn lots of tips that will translate to all of your knitting, have at least one pair of great-fitting socks when you are done, and have a really great time exploring!" More info here.
Our Next Learn to . . . classes:
Learn to Knit: starts 9/23
Learn to Spin: starts 10/12
Learn to Weave: starts 9/29
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| Special Instructor |
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 Beth Brown-Reinsell has been on the knitting circuit teaching classes (and supporting herself) for about 20 years. What does that mean to you? She's a really good teacher! On top of that, Beth is one terrific person. I know you'll enjoy time spent with her. Come October, she's doing two classes and a lecture for us.
Friday evening, October 10, 7 to 9 p.m. she's doing a presentation called Twined Knitting, Past and Present $20
This lecture class and slide show will survey some of the twined knitted pieces housed at the Dalarna museum in Sweden. Twenty years of work by Anne-Maj Ling, the Mother of Modern Twined Knitting will also be shown. Discussion will include the structure and use of, and a bit of history about, this 400 year old knitting technique. Samples will be shown and the basics of this lovely craft will be demonstrated. Coffee and dessert will be served.
Saturday, October 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Maine Mittens. $85
 Level: Intermediate (must be proficient with dp needles). Students will learn about Maine mitten construction by knitting a child sized mitten in two colors, circularly on double pointed needles. Techniques to be covered include options for the cuff (stockinette stitch patterning, corrugated ribbing, k3, p1 ribbing), developing the thumb gusset by increasing in full pattern multiples, traditional motifs, and tip shaping at the end of the mitten which maintains the patterning.
Sunday, October 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Norwegian Mittens. $85
 Level: Intermediate (must be proficient with dp needles).Students will learn Norwegian mitten construction, knitting a mitten in two colors on double pointed needles. Techniques to be covered include the striped, ribbed cuff, the Norwegian thumb gusset, seam stitches, different patterning for the front and palm, and the pointed tip shaping at the end of the mitten. Designing will be discussed as well as several options in thumb construction. A slide show of mittens housed at the Norwegian-American Vesterheim Museum in Iowa.
Supply list and homework can be found on our website. |
| Vote for us - Click now! |
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 An unknown someone nominated us for WDIV's The Best contest. Now it is up to you to tell the world that we are your favorite yarn shop. Visit http://wdiv.cityvoter.com/heritage-spinning-and-weaving/biz/52550 to place your vote for us in the category of Shopping: Arts & Crafts. We appreciate your public votes of confidence and your help in telling the world that we are here!
Many thanks to those of you who have already voted! The reviews you've written are wonderful - I appreciate your public endorsement of our little fiber community. | |
Finally
The time has come . . . for Michigan Fiber Festival. By the time you get this, I'll have been teaching a couple days in Allegan. It is not too late for you to come over and enjoy the festivities. Read all about it at www.michiganfiberfestival.info, put on your walking shoes and be prepared for great shopping. I believe you can still sign up for classes on site (I'm doing a cute little silk purse on Saturday and there's still room). While there, don't miss the exhibits of skeins, knitted items, photos and more. And, be sure to stop by our booth in the main building and say, "Hello!" Happy Fibering,
Joan Sheridan Hoover
Heritage Spinning & Weaving |
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