CTC stands for Corner to Corner? Wait, what?

Normally, CTC stands for Crochet Twin Cities, but this Saturday, September 14, it will also stand for corner-to-corner, as that will be our educational topic.  Barb will be teaching techniques for corner-to-corner crochet using a free pattern from Premier Yarns, click here to download a copy. We'll be meeting at the Highland Park Library in St. Paul, and as always the details are posted in our calendar and Facebook

I promised more about the State Fair entries. Since I covered the Ag-Hort-Bee entries, in a previous blog, I scoured the three of the Creative Activities results lists.  I have to admit it was daunting and amazing to see the number of classes in each category.  I apologize to anyone I missed (as I went through the pictures I had, I realized I must have missed some). Please let me know and I will make the correction.  OH! and I did not match the photos up with the results, just to make things more challenging.  The results: 

Under Garment making

Class 461 - Afghan crocheted, no larger than 42"x42", Kelly, 3rd place

Under Handcrafts

Class 733 - Toy animal or figure made by exhibitor of yarn, under 15", Marissa, 1st place

Class 734 - Toy animal or figure made by exhibitor of yarn, under 15", Gloria, 3rd place

Class 737 - Fruit or vegetable doll (not made from produce), must have head, arms and legs, Gloria, 2nd place

Under Needlecraft

Class 210 - Lap robe, 1444 sq in - 2699 sq in, made of strips, Lorraine, 3rd place

Class 212 - Afghan, one piece, one color (variegated yarn - 1 color), no texture or fisherman crochet stitches, Lorraine, 1st place

Class 215 - Afghan made of square modules, basic granny square, Kelly, 1st place

Class 221 - Bag or purse, Tony, 2nd place

Class 222 - Clothing accessories, Marissa, 1st place

Class 223 - Poncho, cape, shrug, Gloria, 3rd place

Class 226 - Hat, beret or cap, two or more colors (solid or variegated), Marissa 1st

Class 230 - Scarf; cowl, infinity or Mobius, Marissa 3rd place

Class 233 - Shawl or stole, rectangle, 16 in. or more in width - Marissa 3rd

Class 235 - Shawl or stole, not rectangle, two or more colors, Marissa 1st, Carla, 3rd, Joy 4th

Class 236 - Shell, sleeveless vest, Carla 1st

Class 238 - Sweater, cardigan, adult, Marissa 5th

While going through the lists, I noticed some categories (like baskets, misc), that might be appropriate for members to enter.  There were so many categories/classes, I think we need to have a session on all of the classes and categories at one of our spring meetings.  Of course, the 2025 board will be making those plans, so it's just a suggestion.  Hope to see you at a meeting or meet up, until then, may you always win at yarn chicken!  Theresa

Thermal Crochet to Warm your Heart and Head

Reversible Thermal Stitch Hat w/ Ponytail Hole by Mountain Fiber Works 

You are in for an especially sweet treat on February 10.  Tony will teaching thermal stitch using a pattern for a reversible hat, with (or without) a hole for a ponytail at the Maplewood Library There will be a virtual option available, see our calendar for details.  The pattern is being sent to members via the newsletter.  Guests and friends of CTC can find a copy of the pattern in Ravelry: Thermal Beanie w/ Ponytail Hole pattern by Mountain Fiber Works.

2023 MN Yarn Shop Hop

The Minnesota Yarn Shop Hop will be taking place April 11-14.  Last year's hop was so much fun, that Crochet Twin Cities will be hopping together again on Friday & Saturday.  If you missed it last year, you can read all about it in our blog archive Crochet Twin Cities: April 2023,  We would love to have you join us for either or both days. Our route will be planned out to incorporate all of the shops over the course of 2 days, plus a stop for lunch (plan to bring or buy your own lunch).  To ride along in Brenda's 14 passenger van, send an email to ctclist@gmail.com to reserve your space; plan to contribute $5.00 to help cover the cost of gas, to be collected on the day of the hop.   

I've been wondering if members would be interested in forming a "hospitality" committee. The committee's role would be to create ways of celebrating and supporting members. One of our members gave me the perfect way to test out the idea. Sara is expecting a baby in July. I would like to ask all interested members to make a 4" x 4" (approx.) square in a dk weight (size 3) yarn and get it to me by the end of May.  I will assemble the squares into a blanket for baby & mom. Be creative, make a square in your favorite color(s), team colors, use your favorite motif, or a new stitch or technique you want to learn. The only limit is your imagination (and a modicum of good taste)! If you have ideas, suggestions or questions, please let me know.

See you soon! Theresa

Drumroll, please...

...and your 2024 Crochet Twin Cities board members are: President-Theresa, President-Elect/VP-Brenda, Treasurer-Carla, Secretary-Barb, and Education Chair-Bree.   An oral vote was taken, and the results were unanimous. The official announcement will be made at the annual meeting in November, held in conjunction with the destash.  

Tony's Yoga Bag

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun today's meeting was.  While the parking at St. Anthony Park Library wasn't ideal, the company and discussion was fabulous!  Having the Finnish Bistro (and coffee shop) close by was a bonus.  

After voting, the real meeting started with show and tell.  I wish I had captured more of the show and tell; every project deserved to be shown off online!  If you have a photo of a project, you are willing to share, or from an event that you would like to share, feel free to send it to ctclist@gmail.com. 

Tony is one of our newer members and he does incredible mosaic work, as you can see in the yoga bag here.  You can find Tony on Ravelry in the Crochet Twin Cities group or by checking out his project Ravelry: Thermal Beanie w/ Ponytail Hole pattern by Mountain Fiber Works. It's is a pattern of his own design.  

Trudy's Study of Rage

Trudy's work with thread is awe inspiring.  She's working on this very textured doily using a very complicated pattern created by Mikey at the Crochet Crowd.  Find his pattern at: Crochet Study of Rage Blanket Tutorial (thecrochetcrowd.com). Trudy's Study of Rage is a work in progress that I am excited to watch come to completion.  Carla completed a Gryffindor scarf you may have seen in progress.  I didn't get a picture because Carla was sharing a technique that she found for a better Tunisian cast off.  I was so busy trying to see and hear the details. I missed my chance.  If you look her up in Ravelry, you might be able to find the project. You can certainly check out many of Carla's works of art along with those of other members.

Chris is working on a very lovely, cabled blanket for her son and I suppose I could send you a link to her Ravelry, but instead I'll give you the link to ours: Ravelry: Crochet Twin Cities.   Our group pages and forum are not very active, but it's still a great way to connect with other members and see their projects. We're looking for a member or two willing to be admins and post updates about meetings and other events and opportunities.  Another project I missed getting a photo of was Joy's cowl made with a Yarn Shop Hop pattern and yarn.  Very pretty, and of course, it served the purpose of a memento; it reminded me of the fun that we had in April.

Gloria's Tiffany Windows scarf

Our main event was a presentation by Joy & Gloria; they shared stories and pictures of their crochet trip to Ireland with Moogly, through Craftours,  Gloria and Joy showed us several projects made in preparation of the trip, on the trip, during the class (that gorgeous purse in the lower left corner.  And of course, the souvenirs, which can often be yarn. They also brought fresh scones and clotted cream, yum!   Yep! You read that right, Gloria & Joy actually baked; and presented us with a charming spread of jams and clotted cream!  It almost felt like we were there in Ireland with them. Or at least really made us wish we had been. Everyone has asked for the recipes to be shared, so watch for those in the next newsletter.  Gloria has already found a use for some of souvenir yarn: making the September 2023 CGOA Quarterly Member Crochet-A-Long, the Tiffany Windows scarf.

Crocheting with other crocheters is always so much fun!  It's been wonderful to see the new members who have joined us over the past months and starting to get to know them better.   

Theresa's Phlox Duster & Hat

I hope you made it this far and are still reading, because there's important information ahead. Our schedule is going to be a little wonky in the upcoming month or two with changes due to holidays, so be sure to check our calendar.  

Our next gathering is the meetup at the Mall of America on October 28th.  Some of us will be demoing at the Fall Fiber Festival in Hopkins on Saturday, November 4.  There are still a few spots available, so please use the link to sign up: CTC at 2023 Fall Fiber Festival — Signup Sheet | SignUp.com.  

I feel like I can't say this next one often enough.  We will not be meeting on the second Saturday in November; we will be holding our Annual Meeting & destash at the Penn Lake Library on November 18.   Members who've attended know how it works - bring any yarn, notions, hooks or books you no longer want or love, and be prepared to take home something that catches your eye.  If you are a dues-paying member*, you are welcome and in for a treat!  There will be door prizes, and games and surprises.  Generally speaking, most libraries do not allow food or drink in the meeting rooms, but you'll want to bring your lunch or a snack.  

Now that the board is officially set for the upcoming year, planning for 2024 events will begin.  Listen and watch for opportunities to participate in the events and planning. We'll be talking a lot about plans and ideas and looking for suggestions and feedback. We'll be looking for volunteers to help us with planning events.

*Speaking of being a dues paying membership: the 2024 membership form is available on the Crochet Twin Cities: Member Policies pages.  Turn your annual dues of $24 and membership form to Carla or any officer at any meeting between now and January 31, 2024 to remain on email distribution list and be eligible for member only events.  If you are unable to pay the dues, please speak to Theresa, Carla or any board member.

If you were inspired to look for more opportunities to combine crochet with travel, here are just a few upcoming opportunities to consider. NOTE: none of these events are endorsed by Crochet Twin Cities, we are sharing information that we hope our members will find helpful or interesting. 

January 4-7 (Hudson, WI): Contact Theresa for details

July (St. Lebanon, MO): Home - Fiber-U

November (Reno, NV): Jimmy Beans Wool Biggest Little Getaway Retreat 2024 at Jimmy Beans Wool