A while back I realized that I wanted to take "my show on the road." Knitting Boot Camp has been extremely popular, but teaching it anywhere else was impossible because it lasts eight months. So, I did some thinking and pulled out the core parts of the program, changed some of the exercises and made it into a class that can be done in two days. Over the summer I taught Knitting Boot Camp LITE three times in Petoskey at Cynthia's, Too and really enjoyed the sessions. Yes, they are a bit intense and students work very hard, but I felt they gave knitters a good boost -- not as much info as the full version, but more than enough to make it time well spent. Then I thought, "Hmmm. Why not teach the two-day version at home for people who cannot make a commitment to the eight month version?" So, here we are. I've scheduled two sessions - perfect for snowbirds, people with busy schedules or those who 'want it and want it NOW.' I guarantee that it will be time well spent. As always, remember that KBC is NOT for beginning knitters. It is for advanced beginner to intermediate knitters who are wanting to learn more. Less experienced knitters will not be able to keep up and may find it frustrating. Don't miss out on the great coupon below just for KBCers.

 

Do it in Public 

World Wide Spin in Public Day is this Saturday (and the third Saturday of every September). We will celebrate it here on SUNDAY the 19th, by spinning from Noon to 3 where the whole world can see us - in downtown Lake Orion's Children's Park, on Broadway just north of M-24 (look for the pavillion). Bring your wheel and a chair and perhaps a rug and come and enjoy the celebration of spinning! If you are so inclined, after the spinning, there is a Chopin piano concert at St. Joe's Catholic Church just north of town at 4:00 p.m.. Last time Leszek had a concert, I took my knitting and enjoyed the music greatly. He's an accomplished pianist. Here's a flier with more info.

 

On Saturday, September 18, from 9 to noon at the PNC bank on the corner of Flint Street (our street) and M-24, is a Community Shred sponsored by a group of businesses (including Heritage) that joined together to make it free to you. Bring your personal or business documents and have them shredded absolutely FREE!

 

Knit Michigan is sponsoring a chemo cap design contest open to all. Details will be posted in the near future, but you can get started now. Deadline is January 15 for entries. Entries must include the original written pattern and the hat will be donated for charity. Winners will be selected by the voting public at Knit Michigan. The grand prize is a set of Addi Clicks, Addi t-shirt and Addi back pack. Other prizes will be awarded. If you aren't already signed up to receive the Knit Michigan newsletters, do so now so you can take part in this excitement. Sign up at www.knitmichigan.com.

 

A group is working to gather 2,500 hand knitted or crocheted (I'm sure they wouldn't turn away hand woven ones either) scarves for the Michigan Special Winter Olympics in February. Deadline for entry is January 12. Drop your scarves off at Heritage and we'll deliver them to the organizers. Scarves must be 6" wide by 50 to 60 inches long.

 

We just recently finished a session of Focus on Fair Isle in which we ultimately knit a garment. Design of the garment is optional. Cherie took this task to heart. Click here to be inspired by the blog she has made following her thought process as she has worked through her original Fair Isle sweater design. Wish I could say my sweater is as far along as hers! 

 

Cherie isn't the only one making progress on her original sweater design. Barb and Debbie also tackled the assignment and were ready for show and tell on Sunday. The next Focus on Fair Isle starts soon - this could be you next spring! Cherie said she never in a million years would have thought she'd design a sweater like this and here she is almost done. The most common comments made about their thoughts at the end of the class were how differently they look at color now - and how it amazes them and doesn't trouble them as much as it did before the class.

 

  

 

In the interest of shortening the newsletter a bit, I'm going to start posting our finished project photos to the Heritage Facebook page and to a gallery on the website. If you aren't already signed up as a FB fan, please do so! I find FB a great way to keep in touch with the young people in my life, former classmates and my family. Thank goodness there's a Facebook app - it makes it easy for me to check in a couple times a day right from my phone and see what's up. Not being tied to a computer to use it is helpful. The Gallery should be live on the website in a week or so.