Sunday, December 24, 2017

5th Saturday Meet-up at StevenBe, December 30th.

StevenBe has offered to collaborate with CTC to host a 5th Saturday crochet meet-up at his fun Minneapolis yarn shop in south Minneapolis.

There will be open crochet time from 10 am to 4 pm, with coffee/ tea and some pastries.  People are welcome to bring their own snacks, as they have a full kitchen.

It's similar to our regular meet-up - bring a project to work on, plus you'll have the opportunity to meet the staff and hang out in the store.

 Of course, there is also all of that yummy yarn there to ooh and ahh over!  The store does not open to the public until 11 am, so crocheters will have the store to ourselves for the first hour.  The event is open to the public - feel free to invite your friends to join you.

Details:
Date: Saturday, December 30th
Time: drop in anytime from 10 am to 4 pm
Location: 3448 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407 (click for map)
Phone: 612.259.7525

Facebook: 5th Saturday Open Crochet





Saturday, December 16, 2017

4th Saturday meetup: December 23rd, Bruegger's


This month's meetup
Saturday, December 23rd from 9:00 AM to Noon
Bruegger's Southtown (Bloomington, 494 & Penn).

If you're new to the group, meetups are held at rotating locations around the metro where we can grab a cup of coffee and sit and crochet and chat. It's all very informal - but lots of fun! You can drop in any time and stay as long as you're able.

There's no charge to attend a meetup so it's a great way to meet us and ask questions about the group, particularly if you're new to crochet. We'd love to meet you!

We hope you can join us!

Monday, November 27, 2017

December 9th Meeting Preview – Destash Extravaganza!

Our long awaited December destash event is finally here!

Time to clean out your stash of yarn, books, magazines, tools…all crochet/ yarn-related items are welcome. Items are donated amongst ourselves. No money is involved, so avoid bringing any extremely valuable items. Popular items are distributed via drawing. In addition to destashing (and re-adding to our stashes…), we will play the ever popular Crochet Bingo and hear a brief Annual Report.

Please remember that this event is for members only.  No guests or visitors allowed.

The meeting will be held Saturday, December 9th, at the Textile Center, 3000 University Ave SE, with the following schedule:
  • 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Open Crochet
  • 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - Destash and Crochet Bingo
  • 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Annual Report, charity gift card drawings, and open crochet
To get the most out of this meeting you'll need to bring:
  • Anything you'd like to remove from your stash: Yarn, Crochet magazine or books, Tools, etc.
Reminder
Membership dues for 2018 are due by December 31, 2017.
Dues continue to be $24 as in the past few years. If possible, please pay your dues with cash. You can bring your payment to the December meeting

Saturday, November 18, 2017

4th Saturday meetup: November 25th, Barnes & Noble

Our next meet-up is November 25th at the Barnes and Noble at HarMar Mall in Roseville.

The meetup will be from 9 AM (when the store opens) until  noon - the cafe is in the center of the store and we'll be the crowd with the crochet hooks.

Meetups are our informal gathering each month - open to all crocheters with no fee for attending - with a special welcome extended to new crocheters. Bring a project to work on - or not, if you just want to chat or ask questions - and come when you can and stay as long as you're able.

We hope to see you there!

Monday, October 30, 2017

November 11 Meeting Preview: Darn Knit Anyway Yarn Tasting

One of the best things about crochet is all the beautiful varieties of yarn that's available to us. Darn Knit Anyway, a crochet-friendly yarn shop located in Stillwater, will give us a chance to see, touch, and test a variety of yarns and accessories (including Knitter's Pride Knit Blockers).

Darn Knit Anyway will have items available for sale and can accept cash, checks or credit cards. Even if you're not in the market for adding to your stash, you're sure to learn something new and enjoy playing with yarn at the same time!

The meeting will be held Saturday, November 11th, at the Textile Center, 3000 University Ave SE, with the following schedule:
  • 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Open Crochet
  • 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Announcements and Show and Tell
  • 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - Yarn Tasting
  • 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Open Crochet
If you're new to Crochet Twin Cities, you can join us by downloading our  membership form and bringing the amount shown on the form to the meeting, or you can pay the non-member fee of $5 for attending one meeting. New members/visitors are encouraged to arrive between 10:30 and 11 a.m. 

Traffic Note: UMN Gopher Game on November 11th

The Gopher game starts at 2:30 pm, so this may impact parking/ traffic around the Textile Center (people come early for tailgating). You may want to consider carpooling or public transportation (Metro Transit). If you're driving, come early and allow extra time to find parking.



Saturday, October 21, 2017

4th Saturday meetup: October 28th, Bruegger's


This month's meetup
Saturday, October 28th from 9:00 AM to Noon
Bruegger's Southtown (Bloomington, 494 & Penn).

If you're new to the group, meetups are held at rotating locations around the metro where we can grab a cup of coffee and sit and crochet and chat. It's all very informal - but lots of fun! You can drop in any time and stay as long as you're able.

There's no charge to attend a meetup so it's a great way to meet us and ask questions about the group, particularly if you're new to crochet. We'd love to meet you!

We hope you can join us!

Monday, September 25, 2017

Minnesota State Fair Results

Between Back-to-School frenzy and a few other distractions, the month of September has flown by.  Even though the State Fair is long gone, it's worth taking a look at the Ribbon winners from CTC membership.  Congratulations to the winners! And, kudos to all who entered - ribbon or not - for doing your part to showcase the art of crochet.

Mitzi
1st Place
Afghan, one piece, made with one or more textured stitches
Carla
3rd Place
Hat, beret or cap,
two or more colors
Julie
5th Place
Hat, beret or cap, with attached embellishments


Andrew
3rd Place
Poncho, cape, shrug
Jen
5th Place
Bag or purse


Judith
3rd Place
Crocheted, not otherwise specified


Alana
3rd Place
Scarf, less than 16 in. wide, one color and/or variegated yarn
2nd Place
Clothing accessories
 
5th Place
Scarf; cowl, infinity or mobius
 



Joy
1st Place
Scarf, less than 16 in. wide
 
2nd Place
Table runner or centerpiece,
lace entire, hand made
4th Place
Scarf; cowl, infinity or mobius
 



Kathy
3rd Place
 Scarf; cowl, infinity or mobius
3rd Place
Clothing accessories
4th Place
Bee Craft:  Craft artwork

October 14 Meeting Preview: Ergonomics for Crocheters

Certified yoga teacher, Linda Crable, will join us for an educational session about ergonomics for crocheters. She is owner of NewU Yoga and also teaches at YMCA - Southdale Yoga Center of Minneapolis. The meeting will be held Saturday, October 14th, at the Textile Center, 3000 University Ave SE, with the following schedule:
  • 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Open Crochet
  • 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Announcements and Show and Tell
  • 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - Education Session
  • 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Open Crochet
If you're new to Crochet Twin Cities, you can join us by downloading our  membership form and bringing the amount shown on the form to the meeting, or you can pay the non-member fee of $5 for attending one meeting. New members/visitors are encouraged to arrive between 10:30 and 11 a.m.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Fifth Saturday Event at StevenBe, Sept 30.

StevenBe has offered to collaborate with CTC to host a 5th Saturday crochet meet-up at his fun Minneapolis yarn shop in south Minneapolis. Weather permitting, we can sit and crochet on their patio.

There will be open crochet time from 10 am to 4 pm, with coffee/ tea and some pastries.  People are welcome to bring their own snacks, as they have a full kitchen.

It's similar to our regular meet-up - bring a project to work on, plus you'll have the opportunity to meet the staff and hang out in the store.

 Of course, there is also all of that yummy yarn there to ooh and ahh over!  The store does not open to the public until 11 am, so crocheters will have the store to ourselves for the first hour.  The event is open to the public - feel free to invite your friends to join you.

Details:
Date: Saturday, September 30th
Time: drop in anytime from 10 am to 4 pm
Location: 3448 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407 (click for map)
Phone: 612.259.7525

Facebook: 5th Saturday Open Crochet





Saturday, September 16, 2017

4th Saturday meetup: September 23rd, Barnes & Noble

Our next meet-up is September 23rd at the Barnes and Noble at HarMar Mall in Roseville.

The meetup will be from 9 AM (when the store opens) until  noon - the cafe is in the center of the store and we'll be the crowd with the crochet hooks.

Meetups are our informal gathering each month - open to all crocheters with no fee for attending - with a special welcome extended to new crocheters. Bring a project to work on - or not, if you just want to chat or ask questions - and come when you can and stay as long as you're able.

We hope to see you there!

Monday, September 4, 2017

Minnesota State Fair Round-Up

Another successful year at the MN State Fair! Here are some photos of our participation. Since the ribbon winners are still on display at the fair, those will be posted at a later date.

Thanks goes out to everyone who participated in these events,  Every contribution, big or small, helps spread the word about the artistry of crochet.

Dan Patchwork

Crochet Twin Cities participated in the Great Minnesota Knit (&Crochet) together by creating Dan Patchwork - our crochet-covered topiary.

        
Dan Patchwork and our crochet sampler
        
Dan with his 6'4" friend.
    

        
MN Nice!
    

        
The team of "dressers"

        
Majestic!
    

Demonstration Booth

Once again CTC showed off our crochet skills at a booth in the Creative Activities Building.  Lots of visitors stopped by to check out our items and try crochet for themselves.

            


        
Some items on display


        
Crossing T's and dotting I's


        
Giving it a try


        
Special items on display
    

        
No-calorie fair food


Rosette Award

Last but not least CTC awarded a rosette, monetary prize and one-year CTC membership for the best overall crocheted Shell, Vest or Sweater using multiple stitch patterns. The winner this year is Barbara Strenge from St. Paul.

        

What Next?

Lucky for us we get to enjoy the fair every year.  See you in 2018 for more fair fun!

Monday, August 28, 2017

MN State Fair--Dan Patchwork

Kudos to the Crochet Twin Cities committee who worked on the "yarn bombing" project at the State Fair this year.

The effort was part of the Great Minnesota Knit Together (yarn is yarn whether knit or crochet), organized by Knitteapolis and involving a number of guilds and organizations.



The team completely covered a life-size topiary horse with crocheted items illustrating Minnesota seasons, wildlife and flowers along with a backdrop including a map of Minnesota.



Our horse was named Dan Patchwork. Dan is roughly divided by a river with a waterfall tail. Spring and summer on his front half, fall and winter on the hindquarters.



Several of our members put in long hours to crochet the items, create the design and install the work. They deserve a great big Thank You for creating such a delightful exhibit of our our craft.









Sunday, August 27, 2017

September 9 Meeting Preview: Embellishing with Beads

Beads are a beautiful way to embellish your crocheted accessories, as well for use in making your own crocheted jewelry pieces. During this month's education session, Judith and Maxine are teaming up to show two different techniques for adding beads to your projects. By making a simple necklace you'll see how beads can easily be added to an edge. In addition, you'll learn practical advice for finding and selecting beads to compliment the yarn or thread that you're using.

The meeting will be held Saturday, Sept. 9th, at the Textile Center, 3000 University Ave SE, with the following schedule:
  • 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Open Crochet
  • 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Announcements and Show and Tell
  • 12:15 PM to 1:00 PM - Education Session
  • 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Open Crochet
To get the most out of this meeting, please bring:
  • A 1.00 mm steel crochet hook - to be used for attaching beads. 
  • A hook appropriate for working 3/2 pearl cotton; usually D-3 (3.25 mm) or E-4 (3.5 mm) 
  • Optional. Your own thread (or yarn) and beads. If you bring something other than 3/2 pearl cotton, make sure to adjust hook size. 
 Note: You aren't required to bring yarn or beads. To ensure that everyone has appropriately sized beads for the sample project, there will be kits of 3/2 pearl cotton and appropriate beads (6/0) available for everyone at the meeting. In lieu of a materials fee for the kit, consider making a small voluntary donation ($2 to $5) to CTC to help cover expenses.

If you're new to Crochet Twin Cities, you can join us by downloading our  membership form and bringing the amount shown on the form to the meeting, or you can pay the non-member fee of $5 for attending one meeting. New members/visitors are encouraged to arrive between 10:30 and 11 a.m.

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Crochet at Washington County Fair 2017

Entering needlework at the Washington County Fair is simple and speedy. You can enroll your item online before the fair or when you bring it for display the day or two before the fair starts. Items are displayed by volunteers the evening before the fair begins. You do not have to live in Washington County to enter items into this fair.

Crochet and knitted items have basic criteria for judging in general appearance, workmanship and finishing. Local home economists are the judges, and the judging is done the night before the fair when the items are displayed.

Ribbon winners receive a money award along with their ribbon. The amount varies depending on the item size and complexity, described as “lots” in the directions. A thread bedspread with a blue ribbon would receive $4; Lisa’s infant hat with a blue ribbon received $2.00. Awards range from $60-$0.25 with a special $10 Judge’s Choice award for an exhibit form someone under age 16. There are also Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion ribbons for crochet.

There were quite a few crocheted items. Smaller items were displayed in glass display cabinets. There were about three cabinets of crocheted items with several cabinets of mixed knitted and crocheted pieces.

There were many lovely doilies; several of them made by the same people.


Afghans were hung on the wall or on display stands and covered with plastic. Dozens of afghans were displayed, knitted and crocheted. There are some special awards for knitted afghans.




   
Next year, if you want to participate in a fair competition or take a look at some lovely crochet, think about the Washington County Fair