Tunisian Crochet: November 12 Meeting Preview

Maybe you've never tried Tunisian before because those long hooks look a bit dangerous - or maybe the last time you tried it, it was called it afghan crochet because the only patterns available made a stiff and sturdy fabric that was great for nice warm afghans but nothing else- or maybe you're like the presenters this month and can't get enough of Tunisian crochet.

Whatever your experience with and comfort level towards Tunisian, we invite you to a come to the meeting on Saturday November 12th 2:30pm at Borealis Yarn and learn more. Maxine will lead us through creating a Tunisian washcloth with Julie and Barbara assisting. By the end of the meeting, everyone should be well on their way to completing a sampler that shows some of the beautiful stitches available in Tunisian. You'll go home with a nice project plus a handout with instructions for all the stitches as well as links to videos and other web resources specifically for Tunisian.

For this meeting, you're need to bring the following items:

• Approximately 1 to 2 ounces of worsted weight yarn - 100% cotton is great if you really want to use the sampler as a washcloth. One small skein of "kitchen cotton" will be a gracious plenty for one or two samplers - Peaches & Creme brand or Sugar'n Cream brand are usually available at stores such as Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts, Michaels, or even some Walmarts.
• A Tunisian hook size J10 6.00mm if you can find one (some of the Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts stores do stock them). If not, bring a regular J10 hook (Susan Bates, Boye, or other brand with a shaft the same diameter as the rest of the hook) and, using the magic of a simple household item (a plastic straw - there will plenty the right size at the meeting), you'll be able to make your own Tunisian hook in 5 seconds flat.

We hope to see you at the meeting!

Midtown Global Market: October 29 5th Saturday Outing

Want to just hang out with some like-minded women?  Come to our Fifth Saturday social gathering at Midtown Global Markets on October 29th.  We'll gather at noon on the south side of the building, facing Lake Street.  There is a seating area near the windows overlooking the street.  (Just hunt for it, it isn't hard to find.) We'll lunch, chat and crochet for about two hours.  The Market usually has free music on Saturdays; on the 29th, Cadillac Kolstad (piano-based blues/rock) will perform starting at 12:30.

Global Market is collection of ethnic restaurants and shops with something for everyone, whatever your taste in food.  It's located in the old Sears building on Lake Street and 10th Avenue East in Minneapolis.  If you know where Abbott Northwestern Hospital is, the Market is just two blocks south.  Parking is free in the adjacent parking ramp; just have your ticket validated by any restaurant or shop where you make a purchase.

Hope to see you there!

Project Gallery October 2011

Peggy finished her first sweater and it looks terrific.

This cowl, also by Peggy, is sure to sell a lot of yarn for Lion Brand. The yarn is called Amazing, and it sure looks amazing.

Peggy and Wendy both finished the scarf pattern we worked on at our last meeting. Wendy chose purple and Peggy chose a light variegated yarn--both are Plymouth Encore.

Carla is making thread crochet ornaments for a craft sale where she works.

Maxine made this yellow shawl, which has large motifs around the outside edge. [Sorry about the shadow over the image--the shawl is a solid golden yellow.]

What is this? A half-dicky? A fichu? Modesty lace? Jodi crocheted this little lacy insert. It has ties that attach it to bra straps. Wear one when you want to fill in a neckline but don't want to wear a cami or shell under another garment.

Meeting Highlights: Project Session

We took the month of October off.  Instead of focusing on a single topic or technique, we used the time to work on whatever projects we each had at hand.  This was a great opportunity to seek help with troublesome patterns and to show off completed projects.  Once again, we had a new member attending for the first time.

We will have a Fifth Saturday meeting at Midtown Global Markets on October 29th. We meet at noon, (ending probably 2 hours later), on the south side of the building, facing Lake Street.  There is ge seating area near the windows overlooking the street.  You just have to hunt for it.  This will be a purely social event, a chance to try different ethnic foods, chat and crochet.

The Market is located in the old Sears Building at 925 East Lake Street in Minneapolis.  There is a parking ramp next to the building; if you buy lunch or make any other purchase, the merchant will validate your parking ticket (remember to bring your parking ticket into the market with you).  The program committee will get together following the "meeting."

Our next monthly meeting is Saturday, November 12th, at Borealis Yarns.  Julie and Maxine will lead us through a simple project featuring Tunisian crochet.  Look for an email message and blog posting closer to the meeting date; it will contain all the project requirements.