Photo Share on Flickr.com

We are have a Flicker Account! Check out your photos.
You all look Marvy! Notice, I even put my picture in there.
So, stop in, take a look around and share them with your friends!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/south_county_yarnballs/sets/72157603424421532/show/
Enjoy the slide show!

South County YarnBalls Knit-Out and Crochet Too 2007 event.

Hey! We did it! Our first ever Knit-Out and Crochet Too event.
We received allot of complements from people who stopped in to check us out.It was a small event. Tiny in comparison to other Knit-Outs in our area.
Really, who cares? We had a GREAT TIME!

YarnBall members, Brook and her daughter Alexandria, greeted people as they entered the library. As people signed in they were given coupons to area stores and free door prize tickets. We had a Grand Door Prize drawing for a beautiful Native American Indian Doll with a $1.00 donation. A little girl named Gia won the doll. Grandma and Grandpa will give Gia her doll for Christmas when they visit her in Florida. Librarian Diana Joniec and her mother donated the doll to help support the event and it's expenses. THANK YOU!

We were able to give everyone who participated knitting needles, crochet hooks and free yarn. Our door prize give aways were a hit. Who wouldn't want light up knitting needles, brand new books, yarn, tote bags and free magazine subscriptions? Many thanks to those who came through for us. AC Moore, Caron International, Wild Fibers Magazine, DRG Publishing, Martingal & Company, Fiber Arts Yarn Shops and The Knitting Store.

Did I mention the free lessons? Anyone who stopped in and wanted to learn how to knit or crochet was treated to a free lesson!

YarnBall members Barbara and Joanne, seen in the photo to the left, dispensed free advice and knowledge all day. Dolores, our left handed crocheter was a hit with one of young patrons who took to crochet like a fish to water. I don't have a picture of Dolores. It seems that she was able to avoid the camera.


As the day wore on more people stopped in and joined in on the fun. We even two women from Philadelphia stop in for awhile.
Thank You, that was quite an under taking because we do not have any public transportation in our area to the library. Yet, they managed to hop in their car and fly on down to the South County Regional Branch Library in Winslow Township. (remember the Ideal commercial?) Now that was a passion for the craft of knit and crochet. I hope that the one lady who picked up on the knitting very well was able to show her friend back home that she now knew a thing or two.

Let us not forget our spinners, for they make the yarn that we so love.

Inger Bullock( at left ) and Stacy Sundance ( at right ) were our guest fiber artists and demonstrated their craft, answered questions all day. I think a few people were inspired. Maybe they might have a few budding spinners join their guild.

Next year we may shoot for a 2008 Knit-Out and Crochet Too event in September. If you would like to volunteer, demonstrate a skill, donate materials or have a great idea.....email me or post your comment. Its never too early to start thinking about next year.

YarnBalls first ever "Knit-out and Crochet Too"

The South County YarnBalls will be hosting its first ever "Knit-Out and Crochet Too" event on Saturday, October 20th from 11 am till 5 pm. We have such a great group of knitters and crocheters at the South County Regional Branch Library. There will be fiber artists demonstrating their craft, free knitting and crochet lessons and door prizes.

Our Knit-Out event will in no way be to the same size or grandeur of New York's, Washington DC's or even Philadelphia's. However, we hope to introduce knitting, crochet and the fiber arts to the people of our community who may never have the opportunity to be exposed to such arts otherwise. We have been fortunate enough to secure a few sponsors that have been generous enough to donate yarn, needles, hooks, coupons and door prizes. THANK YOU!!!! Every little bit helps and there is no such thing as a small donation.

New Hamphire CGOA Chain Link Conference

From our hotel window you can see the hilly landscape. Manchester is very pretty city. Our flight was only 45 minutes out of the PHL airport and the Hotel shuttle was great.

I am still unpacking my yarn from the CGOA and TKGA Summer Confernce in Manchester, NH. I especially fell in love with free form knitting and needle felting. Colleen Davis' class "Give it up for Free Form" really inspired me to think out side the sweater and scarfs. Now for those of you in the know, and you know who you are, I did not know a thing about short rows. EEEKKKK!.

No sweat...Ms. Davis gave a quick demo and we were off and running. So if you are tired of the same old thing, try it out. Hey, its a great way to use up stash and create a one of a kind masterpiece. I bought Magaret Hubert's Freeform Crochet DVD and booklet. Sadly, I have not had the time to watch it. Looking at some of her pieces really makes me want to give it a spin.

I did buy a couple of needle felting kits from a place called Decedent Fibers. They were so much to make while listen to my audio book of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Here is a pumpkin stared with just the roving added.



Tooo, cute! Here are two of my pumpkins completed. I loved the kit. There was enough wool batting and colored roving to complete three pumpkins the size of diner plates. Needle felting is like sculpting but with wool. Ahhhhhh, I have a new love.

2008 Red Scarf Project.

Three times a year the Orphan Foundation sends out care packages to OFA students in college. These packages bring them the support that they need to move forward and graduate.

Due to the overwhelming response that they received this year the OFA has had to set an earlier date for submissions to their RED SCARF PROJECT. The following information is from their site.

Submission dates for the next Red Scarf Initiative have been changed to September 1 through October 15, 2007. This will enable OFA to send out the scarves by early winter (when they will do the most good).
Our goal this year is to take in around 7,000 scarves. Donors are requested to send in no more than five scarves to:
Orphan Foundation of America Attn: Red Scarf Project21351 Gentry Drive, Suite 130Sterling, VA 20191
Stay tuned for further details, and be sure to check out the Now Norma Knits blog, written by one of our most committed supporters, to get a great take on the Red Scarf Project.

Need a scarf pattern? Try this one from Anne K. "The Sewing Geek".

Knit Along With Annastasia!

SIMPLE IN-THE-ROUND BEGINNERS SWEATER.
This sweater is designed so that the knitter makes the pattern as you knit the sweater using only a chest measurement, and a gauge swatch.

Stitches you will need: Knit and Purl

What you need:
1) Chest measurement in inches for recipient
2) Pen, Paper, ruler or stitch gauge
3) knitting needles (See note)
4) Yarn of choice (please see note on choices)
5) 4x4 inch knitted swatch using yarn choice.

Yarn: If you wish to join our KOOL AID sweater dying. You must choose a yarn that is 100% animal fiber. I suggest a wool or wool blend: seeing that many animal fibers have no memory. The fiber can be any natural color except black. Greys and browns can be over dyed. I can not give you a exact amount of yarn you will need for your sweater, because it will depend on your gauge. What I can tell you is an average sport weight yarn takes about 1,000 yards for a med size sweater, 1,200 yards for a large, 1,400 for an extra large, and 1,600 for a 2x. If you are unsure look for a yarn that has no dye lot, or buy more than you need you can always return it later.

On the label of your Yarn there will be a reccommend NEEDLE size please take note of this.

Needles: Please choose the needle size recommended on your yarn label. You will need 1 set of circular needles in that size and 1 Set on circular needles 2 sizes smaller You will also need 2 sets of double pointed needles in the same sizes.

Adult and children sizes:
1) circular needles in recommended size The cord connecting them should not be more than 1/2 to 3/4 the size of the chest measurement
2) circular needles in 2 sizes smaller than recommend size (these are used for ribbing)
3) 2 sets of double pointed needles in both of the above sizes. (These are used for the arms and neck of the sweater.

Teddy Bear size:
You will need only the 2 sets of double pointed needles.

Questions e-mailed to the SouthCountyYarnBalls@yahoo.com will be forwarded to Annastasia.

Next Meeting will be Monday, April 23rd.

Note: Stacy Sundance Martin has formally changed her name. She is now known as Annastasia Sundance.
Congratulations Annastasia, I hope that life continues to be as beautiful as your name! Cheers!

Worth a visit to your library.

Before March is over, please stop by the display case

inside the library and take a look!

One of our very own talented YarnBalls and his talented wife have a beautiful display of hand painted eggs that is sure to amaze you. Thanks to Bernie and Barbara for sharing their talents and collection with the South County Regional Branch's community. I especially noticed how the children were fascinated by the display.

Hmmmm...Who knows? Maybe you have inspired a few little guys to be extra creative with their Easter eggs.

What does Spring bring to you?

Spring means Spring cleaning.
I was so happy today. Thoughts of happy bunnies and pastel colored yarn with sprinkles danced through my head. Sadly, I am on a "yarn" restriction. I must use up my stash and complete all U.F.O s before beginning anything new. Whaaaaaaaa!

Here is my list of U.F.O's (unfinished Objects)
Black Purse Kit..Mom bought it for me two years ago! still not finished
Lace Shawl..have one panel completed...seven more to go.
Various wool flap bags...some need to be felted, some need embellishments and closures. (waiting for that special something.) Almost there!

I love collecting cute straw baskets. My cute baskets are now filled to overflowing with yarn, aka, Stash. The yarn was bought with different projects in mind. Thoughts do not count as unfinished objects. So, my yarn sits and ages like fine wine.
I'll get to it.
Oven mitts, fingerless gloves, lap robes, pillows for the couch to match the blanket I finally finished( dance a little dance! )

Organizing! I almost forgot my shelves that are bowing under the weight of piles of magazines, books and patterns. This has to be filed and that has to tossed.

Happy Spring! Whatever it means to you.

The too cute Baby YarnBall!!!

Would you look at that sweetie! That little YarnBall has been coming to every meeting.
(From day one!) We love having her there.

She is wearing an ensemble knitted by our talented member, Stacy.
She called it the "Five Hour Sweater". Okay, Stacy, maybe for you it is.
Alexandria wears it well.
(Mom, Let me know if my spelling is off)
:~)

E-mail up dates.

You can now Yahoo me at SouthCountyYarnballs@yahoo.com. Those of you who use Yahoo messenger may even add me to their friends list and IM me.

So, between catching me at the Library, via the phone, blog and now Yahoo...Your knitting and crochet connection needs can be met.

Stitches East 2006

The Dianas had a blast this year at the 2006 stitches East in Maryland.
We did not have a chance to see all the vendors this year..Thank goodness for that.
A credit card can only take so much heat!

There were some great classes being offered. We both signed up for a Gwen Bortner's "Everything You Need to Know after Knit and Purl". Wow, and Oh Boy! Did we learn a lot.
By the end of our six hour marathon knitting class we took home an oven mitt to felt.
Yes, Gwen, we love our blessed oven mitts!

Going to these types of events and investing in a class will not only help you gain knowledge but, give you the confidence to tackle other projects that seemed beyond your skills.
Next knitting and crochet adventure.....June in New Hampshire!

Meeting Dates.

December's meeting date will be Monday 11th @ 7 p.m. There will be special treats and a drawing for a Goody Basket. Yeah!!!!!

The meetings dates for winter 2007 will be: January 22nd, February 26th, March 26th and April 23rd. A special meeting time for May will posted at a later date.

Philadelphia Knit Out and Crochet 2006

The Philadelphia Knit Out and Crochet was held Saturday, September 10th this year.
It turned out to be a wonderful time. The event was free and everyone received a bag of goodies that included a very nice pair of bamboo knitting needle by Clover, a crochet hook, two balls of yarn, patterns and a magazine. Now, who doesn't like a goodie bag?
http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/knitoutbrochure.html

The event was very intimate and everyone you came across was friendly. They had a small side room where you could take free classes in knitting and crochet. Some of the classes where two stranded knitting, mitered knitting, Tunisian crochet and crochet embellishments. Yes, it was free! I only had to pay for my train ticket over and a pineapple martini at Maggiano's Little Italy.

I was told that there will be a Knit In at City Hall in December to benefit the homeless children in the city. If anyone knows the who, what and when, please let me know.

Members Blog!

We have members who Blog!

Please check out Stacy's Blog Spot. Her work is fantastic!

http://howthespinningwheelturns.blogspot.com/

Volunteer Services and Lap Robes

Liz Capoferri, Supervisor of Volunteer Services at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital , came to our June meeting to ask members if they would like to make "Lap Robes".

Lap Robes are usually 36" x 36" and can be knitted or crocheted. Do not add fringe because they can get caught up in wheelchairs. Here are few links that may help you with ideas and patterns.

http://puffin.creighton.edu/crochetknit/simple_beginner_patterns_for_kni.htm (knit and crochet)

http://www.knitlist.com/97gift/laprobe.htm (knit)

http://www.midcoasthealth.com/volunteer/vol_knitlaprobes.htm (knit)

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/laprobe.html (crochet)

http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa052497.htm (granny square)

Lap Robes offer a touch of home to a patient's room and are source of comfort to them. There are no deadlines. Completed lab robes can be dropped off at the Library. I will contact Liz to arrange for a pickup.

Welcome to your Blog!

Welcome to the Knitting and Crochet Club @ the South County Regional Branch Library, located in Winslow Township New Jersey. The Club meets the fourth Monday of every month at 7 p.m. till 8:45 p.m. and is open to ages 12 and up.

This is a great club for those who want to learn a new hobby, get support for a difficult pattern or just want to dust off their needles and hooks.

The club originally started with 50 people showing up to learn how to knit!
(I will not bring up the dreaded slip knot again...Let's just say, we will do it anyway we can.)
We are now a group of around 20 to 30 kniters and crocheters of various skill levels. And what a great group of people!

Please feel free to post questions, talk about the books you must have and events or places that may be of interest to the group.

Happy Blogging!