Stick'N Needles Guild

A New Year and NewYear's Resolutions

2012-01-23T09:29:00.000-08:00

We are into the third week of the new year already...hard to believe! Have you made any New Year's Resolutions? For me it was not so much a resolution as it was a list of what I want to accomplish this year. I have had so much on the list that I stopped adding onto it and started to delve into it head first. Yes I have accomplished quite a few!

The first one was to clean and organize my bedroom closet! Well... with the help of my son David it was done in two days...I removed most of my stash and moved it downstairs into the "WOOL" room. I need to take a minute to thank you all for supporting me in this effort...and purchasing from my "leftovers" from my store...I actually had the room to put the cabinet that was overflowing with to do projects in there.

It took me the second day to reorganize my tools and accessories in my bedroom...I could not believe how many stitch holders, row counters, etc that I had! Now I can go into my closet and reach in two seconds what I need instead of searching for hours and wasting precious stitching time! I still have a few UFO's in the few drawers and these are on my check list for later this year.

The other thing that I have accomplished from my list is to clean, organize and move cabinets in the "WOOL" room. It took David and I another two days to accomplish this...for those of you who have come out this past month to guild night were privileged to see the results! What a change.. moved the cabinets back so the light is more useful. I was amazed at the amount of yarn that was sold and how much I still had in boxes and baskets. There is newer yarns on the shelves so you might want to take a new look! I am feeling so much better that my home is getting organized and neater! Now I can search out and use my time more efficiently too!

How have you organized your stash? would love to have you write it down and we can post it here!

What do YOU want to learn?

2011-11-15T21:14:00.001-08:00

Susan and myself have been plotting
to run away to knitting nirvana
and there are things in the pots set to simmering in store for the Stick ‘n Needle Guild. :O First off there is the in Guild Workshops, where we have crafts as well as a techniques that people in the entire Guild group are wanting to learn and and then determine those in the Guild that are willing to teach the crafts and techniques. The fees of the workshops are to be a few bucks or a perhaps a trade or exchange of long since buried and forgotten yarn stash.

Wanna Learn A Craft
... we want to know the crafts you want to learn so that we can arrange workshops/classes/meet-ups for each and all of the crafts out there! Are you a knitter that wants to know to crochet or visa versa? How about learning to spin your own yarn on a spinning wheel or a more portable drop spindle? Tatting, stick weaving, inkle looming, weaving, etc.

Wanna Learn A Techniques

... we want to know the techniques you want to learn so that we can arrange workshops/classes/meet-ups for each and all of the crafts out there! This will include such things as: socks from the toe-up, invisible seaming, fair isle, picking up stitches, short rows, etc.

This is YOUR chance to get involved and have a say as to what goes in the future of Stick'n Needle so get off your butt and leave a comment here or in our Facebook or Ravelry Group.

May your yarn NEVER tangle.
Tanya
aka. CronicKnitter

November

2011-11-13T14:33:00.000-08:00

1812 dates are the 3rd Thursday of April 2012, at the Tea Room.. they will be holding a High Tea.. we can dress in costume.. try to use bamboo or wood neeldes...come in and find out more about this event...if it works good we will do another in Sept of 2012!

See you at Susan's on November 16 7-9pm. Bring a friend.. always free!

Susan is booking private lessons and workshops. If you wish to book one please email or call her. Thank you.

October has flown by!

2011-11-13T14:30:00.000-08:00

Guild at the Tea Room has been getting better and better.. come and see how they are trying to accomodate us!

Also if you wish a lesson or help with Susan please let her know ahead of time. She will book an hour lesson or workshop from 1-2 or 3-4 at the Tea Room. This will help her to still enjoy her time of stitching as well you get a great lesson! The cost depends on how many will be participating...thank you!

Night Guild still postponed!

2011-09-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

The Wednesday night guild will not be starting until November this year due to my work schedule. However if you want to stop by and purchase yarn, patterns, notions, threads for xstitch you can call or email me!

The tea room will still be available the 1st Thursday of the month from 1-4pm. Please stop by and stitch away...enjoy lunch or just a tea\coffee with us!

I can't believe how fast summer went this year! I hardly picked up any stitching of any kind...it was just too HOT!

I really miss you ladies who have not been able to come out during the summer!

We need to get some plans going for the 2012 Celebration of the war of 1812 next year. Linda from Queen Charlotte said we could do a High Tea in its honor and wear their costumes! What about us could we start looking or borrowing costumes for this so we could knit and dress in style so others can find out about us and help Linda promote her Tea Room???

We have a lady who used to visit us that does the re-enactments......maybe we could ask for help???

See you all in October???? I hope so...

take care until then!

Tea Room April!

2011-04-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

What a lovely time we had at guild this past Thursday! There were fourteen ladies present! The Tea Room is a great success! In fact they have even allowed us to extend our hours so some can come a little later if they need to. Our new hours are from 1-4 pm! So spread the word!

Trish has decided to start inquiring if anyone would like to visit Ontario Fiber Week. This event is coming up soon. Please contact Trish if you are interested in it and let her know which days. Here is the link to check it out: www.ontariofibreweek.com The dates being considered are either May 10th, 11th or 12th. Email me and I will send it to her!

The next guild night will be the 20th, Wednesday night from 7-9pm. This will be held at my home.

There will be an exchange, sell off, or charity sale! Bring anything you wish to trade, sell or donate to charity in the way of crafts.

Please put each item in a bag with your name on it and price if it is to be sold. Whatever comes in that is for charity we will put out for others to pick up and whatever they want to donate will be put into our charity fund. (if you unable to donate anything at the time of the sale but really could use something please do not feel obligated to donate, we wish to offer others a chance to enjoy these crafts without feeling stressed about it)

I still have patterns and needles here that are available for any donation (if you can). If you cannot stay but still want to participate please feel free to do so! Bring a friend or two!

I will continue to offer private lessons however since I am back to work it is on a very limited schedule. Please call or email if you want to set up an appointment for a lesson, or to view my stash for sale. The cost is $12.00 \ hour.

UPCOMING: We have been asked if we wanted to participate in the 1812 festivities. More to come...ask at the next guild meeting. Any ideas are welcome but we must contact them soon if we want to be included in the city wide event calendar.
Looking forward to seeing everyone out!

Wonderful time at the Tea Room

2011-03-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

Queen Charlotte's Tea Room was wonderful. I will upload pictures soon. We even were asked to hold our monthly meetings there! Which we agreed! The room holds 20 comfortably! It is so lovely and sunny that I could have stayed longer!

Check out times and dates here. We are going to try for the 1st Thursday of the month.

The next visit will be April 7th from 1-3 pm. The only requirement is to purchase a tea...but of course there is lunch, (great ciche) deserts, scones, and coffee as well if you would like to try something else.

Bring your project and a friend. We may have to flow downstairs if we have too many but that is just more fun!

I was so surprised to find out that Linda the wonderful owner of the tea room was a past customer from my store! It was so nice to catch up a little!

I look forward to our next visit.

The next night guild time will still be held at my house. March 23rd at 7 pm. Hope to see you then.

2011-01-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

Once we pick a date for our visit to the tea room I will post it here. If you wish to receive an email please email me at my hotmail account "knitwithme".

Once again I will have some yarns on sale and yes I will sell some knitted items on a clearance sale.. these will continue until gone! You can come by during guild or call for an appointment.

Please note: If you leave a message and do not get a return call please contact me again. I find that my family have been forgetting to tell me about phone calls. I apologize if this has happened to you!

Now I have a question for YOU. Where do you go to find good yarn??? I am in need and I am not sure where there is good yarn around here. Does anyone miss my shop? I do now as I want to knit up a project and do not have what I need. Anyone else out there feel the same?

FEBRUARY: open house sale Date unknown yet. What day of the week is better for you? I will also offer a two workshops (make it and take it) one in the afternoon and one in the evening, for a very low price. There will be goodies, prizes, and time to just sit and work on your project! I would like input please!

Would love to hear from you!

December Guilds

2011-01-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

I want to say it was wonderful.. the cookies the time together! I didn't hear anyone say they were rushed in finishing Christmas projects. Was anyone knitting for Christmas???

We even had four times since people had the times of the guild mixed up but that was ok too!

I am anxious to see what the new year brings!

See you soon!

Oh, the weather outside was frightful! but....

2010-12-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

Inside was warm and cozy! Ladies, the cookies were delightful! December 6th already. Time is running out for Christmas!

I am always amazed that even when the weather is not cooperating, there still is a dedication to venture out on a cold snowy day to share the love of needle arts.

I even made a dishcloth for a Christmas stocking stuffer!

If you didn't make it out to this afternoon meeting there is always the 15th at 7pm! We will once again partake of cookies once again. One dozen is what we have decided on. It was quite enough and there was some left to share to take home!

OK now I have to spend two hours on the WII fit but it was well worth it!

Hope to see you then!

note for January. We may have an extra meeting this month at a local Tea Room...interested? Let me know or check back as I will post the details here!

Stick Knitting

2010-11-19T08:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Tanya for showing us ladies "Stick Knitting" this past Wednesday night. I am so glad we can share and help each other out with our needlecraft projects!

Ten ladies were present and everyone was busy doing their projects! All were able to learn this old technique thanks to Tanya who took the ladies into the other room to learn this ancient form of knitting!

I made a bookmark and am thinking it would make a great project for kids to learn. We used straws and fine yarn. I can see them making themselves a belt with this! Check out Tanya's blog listed on the side

December meetings: It has been requested that we stay to the Monday for the afternoons so we are meeting December 6th from 1-3 pm. Bring a dozen cookies so we can enjoy and then divide the leftovers between all. Oh and if you want to share the recipe make a dozen copies so you can share and maybe get some new recipes. December 15th will the night meeting.

January we will meet the 2nd Monday as the kids will still be out of school on the first Monday of the month.

November Afternoons

2010-11-04T18:50:00.000-07:00

This is funny but since we said we would meet on the first Monday we went ahead and had our meeting. There was five of us! We decided to go ahead and have another one on the Wednesday as the Niagara This Week put it into the paper on the 1st Wednesday of the month. We had four show up for this date.

So we decided to keep the first Wednesday of the month from now on.

December meetings wow...it is going so fast. We decided to bring cookies..about one dozen and we will enjoy and share what is left. I assume this will also go for the night meeting as well.

How about a project for January?? Anyone want to knit a hat for the homeless??? Bring some yarn and we will make a reversible hat! A pair of 5 mm needles and 100g ball of worsted or chunky yarn.

October 20

2010-10-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

We had a great turnout! Ten ladies! It was so nice to see some faces from THE STORE days! Amazing how we all get along..and how we have touched each others lives in some way or another. Sharing a little of ourselves was great! I was hoping everyone would be able to say one thing about themselves! I was so happy when you ladies openly shared a bit about yourselves. It really bonds people together when they get to know each other more than first names! We have so much in common. We are mothers, sisters, friends. Our ages are very different but we have a common love of building with our hands, expressing what we love and seeing our projects to completion...OK I have to work on this one...too many UFO's. :)

I thank Karen Fraser of the Arts and Culture committee for sharing her views of what she would like to see in City Council. I do hope you understand it was by no means a ploy to get you to vote for her on my part. I felt we would benefit from listening to someone who is interested in our group and what our concerns are.

Karen has apologized to me for not sending out an email to me to confirm her visit and I had totally forgot she had asked to come until she called at 6:30 to get my address right.

I would like it if everyone did vote...for someone. We can make a difference in our community. OK enough politics...I am not thrilled with it but I have been told you should not complain about it if you haven't voted..so I am going to vote... and I am going to look at the candidates to see what I am voting about! Not that anyone complained in the group (to me at least) but I have decided to make a decision. From this point on, in future if there is to be a speaker I will make sure that the group is informed ahead of time.

Someone mentioned a project we could work on as a group. What would you like to try? Something for yourselves or a community project? Please let me know. Until Nov first...happy stitching.

2010-10-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

The next guild night will be October 20th 7-9pm.

November we start an afternoon one as well on the 1st Monday afternoon which happens to be November 1st from 1-3 pm as well as the night one on November 17th 7-9pm.

This means we can continue the afternoon guild times fight up to May. If things should change I will let everyone know!

Time to shop: please call ahead if you would like to purchase yarns, patterns, beads, or DMC. You can also purchase during any guild time!

Booking fall lessons now too.. check out my blog at www.grandmasuesknittinghabit.blogspot.com

Guild will restart in September

2010-08-05T17:50:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is enjoying this extremely hot summer! I have not picked up my needles at all! It has been too hot and I have been too busy with work and family!

Remember though September is just around the corner and we will be starting up again with our guild nights! Afternoon guild will resume after I finish the season at my new job. So in November look for afternoon guild dates as well.

September ?? the 3rd Wednesday... what do you think.. email me if this is still ok or should we change it to another night????

Lessons will also resume in September! Group and private, for knitting and crochet.

I look forward to seeing everyone soon!
In the meantime enjoy the rest of your summer!

Pricing your needleart for resale!

2010-04-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

One of our members asked me how I go about pricing my knitting or needlepoint so I will get paid a fair wage and yet not be overpriced and actually sell and keep selling!

This has been a very hard question but a very unnerving one for fellow needle art enthusiasts everywhere!

I have never felt we get paid fairly for the work we do on our crafts! It is a love of the work that keeps us going. But there are those that believe, "Why work if you are not compensated for doing it?" Can you love your work and get a fair wage? I believe so!

There are those who are willing to pay you fairly for your work and the rest...well will they ever be satisfied? I know we do a lot for others and not charge enough sometimes that is ok, but when it becomes part of your income that you actually use to feed your family then I believe it is worth your effort to get paid a decent wage. This is why our governments have set minimum wages.

Give it a try! It makes sense! If you are a newby at the art then don’t go by the hour but by the stitch or try finding out how long it would take an experienced knitter to do the same project and then work it out for that amount of time. You will gain experience and still get paid fairly while learning!

I came across this site that might help you with how to price your work! I hope this helps some of you! Remember you are worth it!

http://www.ehow.com/how_4483324_just-do-pricing-needlework.html

Guild night April 21st!

2010-04-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

April 21st is guild night! 7pm-9pm
If you received an email saying otherwise please disregard it. I have a hotmail account and sent out the wrong date but could not change it as they said it was over my limit!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone next week!

We are looking into meeting at different locations as well. Maybe once every three months we could meet at a coffee shop or park? If you have any ideas we would love to hear from you!

Would you like to have a sampling of Epicure products at one of our meetings? Please let me know as I have someone who would like to set up a table and give us some samples to try.

Anyone wishing to post on this site should contact me so I can give them permission to add their thougths and notes. Please send me pictures if you have them of anything you think we should post as well.

1st Annual Sale- Ridgeway 2010

2010-03-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

Come out on
Saturday March 27th 1-4:30 pm
1417 Ridge Road N. Ridgeway

This is a show for all!

Sale: Fifth Avenue Jewellery
Spray Tanning
Home Spa
Chocolate from the Dessert Emporium - Easter chocolotes!
Susan's Knitting
and more!

Come out to browse!

Guild tonight! March 24th!

2010-03-24T08:49:00.001-07:00

Wow where has the time gone! I just looked at the time and the calender and was wondering if anyone else feels the same way!

Tonight we are here to knit and crochet our problems away! Well at least forget them for awhile! Join us to make Milk Mats! Yup mats out of outer bags of milk bags for Africa, or Haiti.

Also have lots of yarns, patterns, accessories....and needlepoint canvases, DMC pearls all on for a great price! Businesses welcome!

Hope to see you here! If you have any pictures, news or just want to add something to this blog please email me and I will add it to this!

Thanks! See you tonight!

December Guild Nights

2009-12-17T14:11:00.001-08:00

Thank you to all who visited and worked on their projects for Christmas this December! The goodies were wonderful and the warmth of friendship filled the air. It was nice to share our gift making together. Socks are still one of the most popular thing we like to knit along with scarves. See you in January!

PLEASE NOTE FOR THE NEW YEAR:
In the new year I am going back to school. We will still have a meeting on the 7th of January but after this one there will be no more afternoon guild times. We will still continue to do the 3rd Wednesday night of the month.

May you all have a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dec 3rd and 16th Guild nights

2009-11-30T09:51:00.001-08:00

Bring in a dozen or two cookies (not manditory). Get your Christmas knitting done! See you this thursday at 1:30 and\or Dec 16th at 7pm.

November Guilds

2009-11-21T11:22:00.001-08:00

Everyone has been very busy and it has been a hectic month for sure. We survived H1N1 and some other medical issues in my family. I thank everyone for their patience during my visits to the hospital. Dad-in-law should be home from hospital in a few days!

Thanks Donna, and Kate for bringing in your finished projects on Swiss Darning. Here is a picture of Donna's project...which is going to be a Christmas present!

Today at 4 pm I am doing a workshop for a group from Muskoka.... looking forward to it.

I am planning another workshop in the afternoon early in December. Maybe you would like to add some embellishment to a project you are doing as a Christmas present? Please contact me for more information. Here is a picture of the New Swiss Darning sample that you could make if you take this workshop.

I am glad to see our numbers staying up there on guild day\nights. I love to see you and your current projects! It is great that we are working on cleaning up some of our UFO's!

I have until March 2010 to make the decision to keep my web page. The updates are almost done, and will be uploaded soon. I am not sure as to whether to move it to a new domain name yet.. I love the name The Knitting Habit...but I am leaning towards a new one...will get you ladies to help me decide next guild time!

There is still quite a bit of yarn for $2.00 a ball. If anyone is interested in seeing these or the 60% off stash please call or email me.

Briggs and Little order should be arriving soon! Let me know if you need anything to add to my next order going out next week.

December Guild times... bring 2 dozen cookies or squares. We are going to do a cookie exchange and enjoy some too..whatever we have left will be divided up so you will be able to take a few home! If you don't bake there is always the local bakery, or grocery store or frozen food store.

November

2009-11-03T05:54:00.001-08:00

Guild for November 5th is cancelled. The date has been changed to November 12th at 1:30 pm. Alpaca farm trip has also been cancelled for Nov. 3rd. We will rebook this at a later date.

October 1st, 2009

2009-10-05T16:50:00.001-07:00

Numbers were back today as 12 of us worked on our projects and shopped!

Most of the yarn is on sale and I will be offering something each guild time to clear it out! Of course I have Briggs and Little and a few others at regular price but am clearing out all the ones that I will not be carrying in the future! There are lots of needlepoint canvases and some Cross Stitch patterns and threads too!

UPCOMING WORKSHOP:
I am booking two 2 hour workshops on Swiss Darning (duplicate stitch) October 27th 9 am - 11am and\or October 29th 1-3pm. You will be required to do a swatch before the class. Learn how to Swiss Darn on the swatch and finish it off as an eye glass cover, crochet hook or tool holder! If you are interested please call or email me at knitwithme@hotmail.com. Cost is $15.00 a person.

September 16th, 2009

2009-10-05T16:30:00.001-07:00

We were so few in numbers tonight...but we still did our stitching! I must apologise! I was exhausted.. you see we returned from our trip on Monday. Jet Lag is terrible! I also forget to remind everyone about the guild as I spent most of Tuesday in bed trying to recover! Portugal was great!

I did get half a sock done on the plane on the way over, and I made a metallic carnation flower out of Portugal's fine crochet cotton for our host! She loved it!

When you go on vacation with non-knitters, it is very hard to get them to stop and browse in your favorite store..but I did manage to check out a few! Mostly crochet cotton's there.. climate probably doesn't help..it was in the high 20's and low 30's. The fruit was wonderful! Hubby had a hard time with the rest, mostly seafood and everything was with rice and potatoes. Not great for a diabetic!

Guild time:

We didn't get to our list of UFO's....but I hope everyone is working on finishing something that was started in the past!

All my stash is now in the store room! YEAH! I have only my own stash left in my bedroom. Hubby is happy about that!

September Dyeing

2009-10-05T15:52:00.001-07:00

"What colour are you going to do?" was the question....
"How are you going to use the yarn you dyed?" someone asked as they dipped their yarn.

Wow what fun! Lena you were supposed to dye the yarn not your top!

17 ladies joined us on Sept 3rd to dye their favorite yarns...and my mil dyed her shawl to tone down the colours she found too bright!

How about doing this again next year???

Upcoming Themes:

2009-08-29T08:23:00.001-07:00

THEMES:
SEPTEMBER: for the 2nd meeting of September - UFO's (un-finished-objects). Please make a list (not more than 10 please or we will get overwhelmed) of your UFO's that you would like to have encouragement to finish! We will not be sharing our lists but it will be nice to keep the list in our purses and be able to check them off as we complete them. OK.. those of you who know me realize that this is to encourage me to finish off my 40 and counting projects that I have started or have in my to do list! :0)

OCTOBER: MITTENS...we will be working on mittens as a group (if you want to) Bing in your own pattern and yarn! A friend's son is a principal in Niagara Falls. He has asked for mitts for students in Niagara Falls schools to ensure they can participate in recess and keep their hands warm this winter! This group made tons of mittens last year and their is still a need.. don't you remember your children or even yourself! How many mittens go astray? Anyone wishing to donate mittens can drop them off to me.

Upcoming for September!

2009-08-29T07:55:00.001-07:00

We are all looking forward to Sept 3rd when we will be "dyeing" in the afternoon weather permitting! There is still time to join us! It will be a pot luck too! If you are thinking of joining us plan on spending about $10.00 plus a small dish of food to share. If you have purchased your yarn from me the cost is the dye which is minimal. You will dye one ball of Briggs and Little yarn, at least! If you want to, bring in an old silk scarf, you can dye that too!

If it rains we will do our regular stitching and pick another date for the dyeing and pot luck if possible which will be up to Gerda (our instructor in the dyeing art)!

CRAFT SHOW!Thursday September 24 from 5 p.m. to 9.p.m It is held at Donna's house on Mount Olive Drive, in Niagara Falls. Email me and I will give you directions. I will have invitations at our Sept 3rd and 16th meetings.

What are we selling??? Knitting, Crocheting, Beading, Stained Glass, Quilting, Photography, and more...something for everyone! Including free refreshments! Donna, Diana, Anna, Susan(me), and Donna's hubby Ron will be presenting you with exquisite items for you to purchase this night and I am sure will make great gifts for early Christmas buying! Special orders can be worked up for Christmas too! This is a wonderful time to browse and see what we have to offer and time to share a glass a wine and cheese too!

DAY TRIP: Our guild is planning a trip to a wonderful Alpaca farm on a weekend in late September or early October. We will be able to enjoy a cup of tea in their new tea room while we spend some time knitting, and crocheting and maybe sample some of their wonderful jams, and baked goods! We can look at hypoallergenic clothing and Natural Fiber yarns and even feed the Alpaca's!

We will arrange a time at our next meeting..again it would be a Saturday so more can attend. Time to carpool too! If you can drive please let me know! You do not have to belong to our guild to join us! Remember our guild is free!

I hope to be teaching knitting at this wonderful farm in late September. If you are interested in coming to these classes you can contact them or me.. I could even arrange to drive you out with me!
Their site is www.alpacasfromeighthandmud.com

August Meetings for Stick' N Needles Guild

2009-08-29T06:29:00.001-07:00

Most ladies have finished their shawls and others are well on there way! Here are some more pic's of these treasures.

Here is our Aug 26th meeting group! We really are growing!

NEW NEWS: Tanya has started a group on ravelry for our guild. Why not check it out and join or give your input at:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/stickn-needles-guild

Shawls, Shawls, Shawls!

2009-07-27T14:01:00.001-07:00

Wow, are they all so neat and wonderful and cozy.. in the next little while we will see these treasures! Here is the first one sent to me.. Gerda please add to our pictures!

Here is Tanya with her finished project! Thanks to her hubby for letting her do "just one more row!"

Guild Night 8 members attended! +4 new ones!

2009-07-23T06:59:00.001-07:00

July 23, 2009
Shawls are still being started! This is going to be an ongoing thing! We will do it again in August. Please bring in your shawls for show and tell! Wonderful time together! Can't wait to see the results next month!

The Great North!

2009-07-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

This past week I was vacationing with family and friends around the North Bay area! I enjoyed reading and sitting outside and soaking up the shade! Yup I love the shade...never the sun as I burn too easily!

I also enjoyed doing my shawl that we learnt at our last guild meeting! I am using shade cards from when my store was open. The cards were made for a wonderful small farm business and blends of all natural yarns dyed blending colours that are just gorgeous. They had strands of 12-24 inches and tied them to a piece of white cardboard that we used when ordering. There is lovely hand dyed variegated Alpaca, merino wool and mohair, from lace weight to bulky slub, I am using them all in one shawl and it is turning out wonderful! I an using the "Gerda" technique of sewing the ends together that just won't come apart. She showed this to all of us at guild....great place to share and learn! I am soooo excited about this technique and can't wait to teach it in all my classes!

Can you imagine doing circular knitting or even knitting on two needles and not having to go back to the beginning because your yarn finished or has a knot that you must get rid of! This technique is great! Maybe we should name it...mmmm...will get back to you on this one!

I can't wait to see what everyone has done with their shawls. I hope they will send me there pics so I can post them here. Do take a look at older posts as I often put an update on them.

If you have not joined us yet there is still time to do a shawl! I have worked out some kinks in the pattern and will offer it to all who come out!

Now I have a big job to do this week....move my stash into my bedroom closet to clean it up for little one so she does not have to share it with me! Now I will have to face how many UFO's (unfinished objects) I really have started. I will also discover I am sure ones that are stashed that are on my list of to do's! Maybe this should be a theme for our guild? What say you gals? Should we start a to do and a to finish list???? Maybe we could post it to this blog! At least I may post mine...then I will force myself to read it every time I update!

Hope to see you out this week! Please email me your blog address so I can post it below!

Guild Meeting to Dye For!

2009-07-03T06:54:00.001-07:00

July 3rd: Wow, everyone started a shawl! I can't wait until next guild meeting to see some progress or the finished piece!
July 2nd:
Bring in 500 grams of Mohair and a circular needle 8-10 mm and learn to make a triangle shawl wrap!
Gerda has offered to show us this simple but wonderful wrap shawl. I will copy the instructions and will show anyone again on the 22nd at night!
Bring a friend it is FREE! Except for your materials.. and you can purchase Mohair for 40% off without tax!

We are moving the date that we will be dying to Sept 3rd.. this is in the afternoon at 1:30 and will run until we finish dying! So bring a natural fiber yarn, a ball winder and skein winder if you have one and some friends.. there will be a minimal charge for the dye and you can purchase some Briggs and Little yarn to dye if you don't have any! This should be fun.. oh better wear some old clothes just in case! and your current project too, in case there is time for sitting and stitching!

Hope to see you there.. if you want to come and don't know how to get here or want to find out more about our guild please contact me at knitwithme@hotmail.com

July Guild Times

2009-06-30T13:26:00.001-07:00

Times for guild are as follows for JULY!

July 2nd AFTERNOON! 1:30 -3:30 We are working on a triangle shawl.. everyone is welcome to make one.. you will need a 8-10mm circular 80cm needle and 500 yards of mohair or other yarn. Mohair is available at 40% off here and no tax!

July 22nd (NOTE DATE CHANGE) we usually meet the 3rd wed of the month but this month I will be away on the 15th so we are pushing it ahead to the 22nd. NIGHT 7-9pm .. you can continue to make the shawl and any newcomers can start one as well!

Please note that if you wish to reach me this busy summer season please email or call and leave a message! I am here most of the time but outside where I cannot reach the phone.

There is no summer group lessons but I will still offer private lessons to anyone who requires them during the summer. Call to book by appointment.

I am placing a Briggs and Little order next week.. Anyone wanting to place an order please call me by Monday of next week.. the 6th.

Happy Canada's Day!

WWKIPD

2009-06-10T21:23:00.001-07:00

Update: July 3rd
Here is where you can view a picture of us knitting in public. www.niagarathisweek.com/community/galory/261657 If the link does not work cut and paste... and go to Picture Gallery you will find it on more pictures.. June 17th..not sure if we can cut and paste this picture due to copyrite laws. This was taken at 2:30pm...when everyone had almost gone home ... next year we plan on making this bigger and how about a park or something??

June 13th is World Wide Knit in Public Day and we are going to be here knitting and crocheting in public! It starts at 8 am with a garage\craft sale. At 10 am to 3 pm we will be sitting and knitting \crocheting up a storm....if it rains we will be in the garage or house!

There will be yarns and notions on sale! A pot luck lunch (bring enough for about 4) and don't forget your lawn chair!

Let all your friends know and if you need directions look up the http://www.wwknipday.com/ web site!

I am busy getting things ready!

2009-03-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

Wow! I was just offered a vacation that I just cannot pass up.. a long drive out west to Kamloops, BC with my parents.. yes I am going to leave my hubby and daughter at home and drive out for 3-4 weeks!

so what does that do for our guild and lessons???? well I am going to have this week's lessons and Guild but next weeks lesson and Guild will be put on hold until next month.. that is right until May.

.. so the last one of the block that was for the wednesday group will be held on May 13th unless you want to come tomorrow and friday afternoon.. we will talk more tomorrow.....

The Guild night will be cancelled for April. Except this thursday's! It will resume on the Wednesday May 13th.. form 7-9 pm....and May 21st in the afternoon 1:30 -3pm.

I know this is fast and I just made the schedule but opportunities like this don't come very often.. in fact they don't usually come at all.....so I hope to see you this week.. if not see you in May..

I will still be able to email as my mom is bringing her laptop and with technology and wireless internet I can keep up to date and still book lessons for May as well....
now to get packing.. what will I bring.. .to knit of course.. a month of knitting.. wow.. I can really do some serious knitting while driving 10 hours a day!

I finished my grand daughters 2nd sock today while visiting with my mom.. so a sock a day would be 30 socks or 15 pairs.. mmmm.. maybe an afghan for my Aunt as a thank you.. must go.. so much to do....

take care!
Susan

knitwithme@hotmail.com

Want to keep up with our guild news? Stick 'n Needles and\or newsletter.
Please send an email with either of these in the subject line to be entered into our database.

Stick N' Needle Guild News

2009-02-17T09:59:00.001-08:00

Next Guild will be held on March 4th at 7:00 pm. Everyone welcome! We are also looking into having a daytime guild meeting....let me know if you are interested by emailing me at knitwithme@hotmail.com

Have now sold all cross stitch material and hoops and stretcher bars. Still have lots of notions, DMC and Anchor Tapestry Yarns, as well as preprinted Needlepoint Canvases. Krenicks, and DMC Pearls. Plus lots of yarns including many mohairs....

Come out to the guild night to do some shopping.. or email to make arrangements for another time or date!

Private lessons are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please email if you would like to take a lesson in knitting, cross stitch, crochet, or needlepoint. $12.00 an hour lesson.

Time to Sort and Clean

2009-02-03T05:08:00.000-08:00

All the hoops and stretcher bars are gone! I've cleaned out another box ..yeah! Now for the notions.... this box needs to be sorted and listed. I do have someone interested in this..a store of course but guild night...Feb 9th at 6:30 anyone interested can purchase any notion separate before I sell it as a complete package. I will give you 50% taxes included! Also I will have another few boxes of yarn that I need to clear out on sale this night too! If you need directions call me at 905-357-1312 or email me knitwithme@hotmail.com .

I am glad that the year end books are done except for packing them up and filing them. Cleaning out my desk...and the filing cabinets are next on the agenda.. along with straightening out my cabinets downstairs. Time managment.. need to make schedules.. my calander is filled. When does one take a day off to watch a movie or just to grab a good book???

Year End (last one) Book Work

2009-01-28T08:21:00.000-08:00

Today has been melancholy for me as I continue to work through the last year end bookwork ever of my business! Tons of memories are going through my mind. Tears are just at the brim.. I will cry later! Those of you who know me realize how hard this is for me!

I am slowly throwing out old price lists...colour charts and other paraphernalia that I have collected over 21 years...wow.. I really didn't think there could be that much!

Must get back to it now. I am looking forward to being able to sit an knit more however...OK some housework too...take care!

Oh, I do still have the kits listed on this blog still.. I have paid the taxes already on them so the prices are what is listed without the taxes!

The Knitting Habit is Closed after 21 years!

2009-01-27T07:59:00.001-08:00

My heart is very heavy when I tell you that I have decided to close The Knitting Habit business. I am still in business under my own name and still deal with Briggs & Little Yarn and Alize Yarns as well as do Lessons and Workshops.

I started out with $500.00 and saw my business grow with over 100,000.00 in stock…from my home to my first shop of 460 square foot space to the 1000 square foot store then full circle to my home! I have had 21 years of memories and friendships that will continue to last a lifetime I feel truly blessed!

This is not the end but the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I will continue to knit, crochet and share this art through our guild, and the ladies group of charity knitters! The knitters/crocheters/artisans that worked with me in my business will continue on doing their wonderful work and I will continue to spur them on!

I wish to extend my deepest gratitude for these past years. I pray you get to live your dream like I have. Maybe I will write a book!

I have quite a bit of inventory left and will be going through it and deciding what to keep and what to sell. My knitters\crocheters will continue to work on your unfinished projects and to do repairs. We will also do custom knitting and crocheting as well.

You can contact me at knitwithme@hotmail email address.

Our guild is still running and our next one is the 2nd Monday in February.

Please keep in touch and if you want to be on my mailing list just drop me a line. Thanks,
Susan

Bulky Knit Sweater Kit Special

2009-01-02T11:00:00.001-08:00

I have 4 Bulky Knit Sweater Kits in stock at this moment on special for more than 30% off the regular price. Colours are not as shown.

The kits are:
1 Small size 38 Finished Colours #3879, 3878 (discontinued purple), 3894 (discontinued dark purple), 3847 Regular $52.95 NOW $36.00

1 Small size 38 Finished Colours #3881, 3864, 3816, 3875 Regular $52.95 NOW $36.00

1 Small size 38 Finished Colours #3807, 3875, 3816 (discontinued green), 3878 (discontinued purple). Regular $52.95 NOW $36.99

1 Medium size 40 or Large size 41 1\2 Finished Colours #3894 (discontinued dark purple), 3816 (discontinued green), 3807, 3878 (discontinued purple). Regular $76.95 NOW $53.87

Taxes are inlcuded shipping is extra and is charged just what Canada Post will charge.

The other colours list can be seen at:
http://www.estelledesigns.ca/images/Scheepjes/ScheepjeswolVermont.htm

These are on Sale until gone. This is a very quick and easy knit sweater designed by me and is good for a beginner! It took my knitter one weekend to knit this light bulky knit sweater because you use a 10mm needle for the whole thing!

You can call to pick up or have your order shipped anywhere in Canada or the US. Payment must be in advance by money order made payable to Susan Simms.

Christmas Presents Make Life Easier???

2008-12-30T16:47:00.001-08:00

My hubby and I did not exchange gifts this year but we went out shopping on boxing day and the day after .. it was fun and we both picked up things we wanted!

I loaded my new version of Microsoft Office 2007 and have had fun making my new newsletter today.. only thing is I can't open it when I sent it to my computer that I preview everything with.. now I have to figure out how to send it so everyone can see it! ughhh it was supposed to make my life easier! Although I love the updates.. it is really easy!

Christmas is over (sigh) and so is my Christmas rush of knitting.. and Yes I did finish it all! I had some things that I would have liked to have done but I was content with what I did get done and the recipients were pleased too!

I am planning on taking the next week off except for one more project that is an order and a repair and a finishing job. Of course I will be working on things but at a very low keyed pace! Yes I am still selling, organizing but only when and if I feel like it...I am so glad I moved my business home!

The new year looks promising as I will be putting my efforts into learning how to do a better blog, updating the information for my webpage so my webmaster can get my site up and running with the new on-line store, and of course getting organized! I started by using my daytimer software that I dusted off.. entered everything that is reacurring over the next year and voila I have a scedule to go by without searching my desk in the clutter (which I have cleaned up REALLY).

I hope you all have a Happy New Year! until my next entry..... take care!

Scarves for 180 Youth Centre

2008-12-05T07:37:00.001-08:00

I have a new focus to help out a downtown 180 Youth Centre that Redeemer Bible church has opened tonight! I displayed them tomorrow Redeemer Bible Church on Montrose Road during their Women to Women group.

They sell for $10.00 each tax included! $3.00 will go to the centre for each scarf sold!

I am also hosting times at my home to let you make these scarves for yourselves! Or come by and purchase these for gifts how about a hostess gift when you are asked out to a friend's for supper!

Host a party and I will give you as hostess one free scarf! Invite a few ladies over your house for a time of fellowship I will bring the materials and do a workshop! Yes even though I am no longer in business with The Knitting Habit I will still do these parties!

Why make them when you can buy them? You can decide how much you want to spend! You choose from different yarns available! You have fun making them, giving them as gifts and personalizing them! $3.00 will be added to the final price and will be donated to the 180 Centre.

Call 905-357-1312 to book a time or email me at knitwithme@hotmail.com
I will keep you posted to how many we sell and how much it will help our youth!
UPDATED JAN 28th! Sold and collected $66.00 so far!
Love ya,
Sue

Back on Track

2008-11-19T19:13:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a roller coaster ride for sure. When I decided to close I did not think I was ever going to feel normal again. I was totally burnt out! Physically and mentally. Now after almost one year off...well not off but out of the retail store...I can honestly say I am feeling much better. More relaxed and comfortable knowing that I can continue with my business on a small scale.

Realization hit me that I cannot be everything to everyone. I tried it and that is why I was always tired and feeling down. I know now that I can offer a limited amount of products at a honest price without having to stretch beyond my physical limits. I will always strive to give the best I can but I will keep my priorities in the right order. Plus get the proper rest and nutrition and excersize!

I am going to be rebuilding my web site with Kerrie's help and although it may take time I am learning to enjoy each day too.

Life is way to short not to take time to actually smell the flowers or sit and read a book or watch an old movie and well if the dust bunnies want to run around for a day or two that is OK too!

Mind you they are almost all gone now that I am home and have time to clean! Really! OK there is still a lot on my list to do but I take one day at a time!

I still have tons of stock..it will be put up on the web site slowly. I can honestly say I have had no more anxiety attacks and wonders never cease, I have not had a migraine or had to crawl into bed with deep exhaustion since May!

This summer was one of the best I remember.. yes I relaxed and ate and camped out and really enjoyed the time with my daughter and grand daughter! I enjoyed being with my mom, dad and my hubby (when he could sneak away from work). It was amazing going up to Clear Lake and breathing fresh air and the stars...wow!

Now the snow is falling and winter is here...OK not technically but it is wonderful! (sorry if you are not a winter lover) I don't care for the cold so much but the picture from inside on a cold winter day when the snow is fresh and white is just breath taking!

I am looking forward to the coming year! I hope I can continue to stay at home and work this business. If you know of anyone looking for quality wool and yarns at reasonable prices, lessons, repairs and Canadian made gifts.. just give them my web site...word of mouth advertising is still the best!

Thanks and happy stitching!
www.knittinghabit.com