Color Crossing and Retreat Pot-luck: September 29 5th Saturday Outing

If you've read our past blog posts, you know that we love Fifth Saturdays! If you don't know what we're talking about this is the scoop: anytime a month has five Saturdays, we meet for an informal get-together to chat and crochet (and eat because Fifth Saturdays are usually held at a place that has restaurants). No planned agenda, just a chance to relax.

This Fifth Saturday, September 29, is a special one, in conjunction with our first Crochet Retreat, which is being held in Woodville WI (about 45 minutes east of St. Paul). We have two options at two different times on Saturday - and we invite all interested crocheters to attend one or both.

The first option is an excursion to a LYS (local yarn shop), Color Crossing - located in Roberts WI (exit 10 on I-94). Color Crossing is about 30 minutes east of downtown St. Paul; their web site has nice concise directions on the opening page. In addition to yarns for crocheters and knitters, the shop also sells weaving and spinning supplies and so has a great supply of cone yarns like pearl cotton that are perfect for crocheting.

We'll meet at Color Crossing shortly after the shop opens so plan on getting there a little after 10AM; we'll probably hang out at the shop for at least an hour, maybe a bit longer. After the excursion to Color Crossing, the folks who are staying at the Crochet Retreat plan to stop somewhere for a snack (we haven't decided where yet but welcome company) and then return to the retreat center to play with the toys we just bought.

So this leads to the second option, a pot-luck lunch/dinner (linner?) at Memories at the Depot retreat center. Again, we welcome all crocheters to bring a dish and join us - food will be served at 3PM. For directions to the center, scroll down to the bottom of the opening page on their website and click on the directions link. If you want to come to the retreat center earlier, that's ok too - not everyone is making the trip to Color Crossing so there will be people there all day.

Hope to see you! if you have questions about this outing, please let us know at ctclist@gmail.com.

Meeting Highlights: Crochet Expo

Not only did everyone have a great time at the Crochet Expo, but Crochet Twin Cities gained three new members (welcome Lisa, Mary Jane and Mary).  If attendance looks sparse in the picture to the left, I can assure you that more came after this picture was taken.

After a short business meeting, we broke into four groups.   

Representatives from each of the four committees (education, publicity/membership, community outreach and program) gave short presentations about the committee’s purpose and outlined ways in which members can help.  [Pictured here is the Education Committee, doing their presentation on learning opportunities for newer crocheters.]If you signed up for a task, you were rewarded with two tickets—an easy way to increase your chances of winning a prize.  (And what prizes!  Everything from crocheted jewelry to yarn to crochet kits to books.) 

ctclist@gmail.com and we’ll send you some information.

Here’s an example of the volunteer opportunities available.  We want to conduct a review of local yarn shops.  Volunteers will visit local shops, check some prices, ask some questions, and fill out a short form.  Members will receive a copy of the summary report when they pay 2013 membership dues.  If you were unable to attend the Expo but still would like to learn how you can participate, just email

And treats--did we have treats, sweet and savory.

We did have the Mother of All Show & Tells—two tables full of projects and inspiration.  We had such a full afternoon of activities that there simply wasn’t time to discuss and show off all the projects displayed.  Next year, we intend to include time for modeling and discussing projects.  The pictures below (thanks, Jeanne) show just a few of the items displayed.  To see a close-up of any picture on this post, just click on the image.

Our October meeting will focus on stitches.  If you want to eliminate that little space at the beginning of a row of double crochet, or to crochet cables, or make your stitches a little taller, this is the meeting for you.