Planning for the 2025 State Fair

April 26, 2025 MOA Meet Up

First, let me apologize.  I haven't written a blog post in a while.  I've been dealing with a lot of family & health related issues. *Not my health, but family member's health.   March and April have been very busy months for me.  I feel so blessed to be surrounded by the support of this creative, caring group!

Kate's cool bag

Looking back, the Yarn Shop Hop van was full, with 9-10 members & friends participating each day. I really hated missing it this year, but I heard lots of great fun was had by all.  Our April meeting was a smaller group (only 10 members), we talked about the Shop Hop and had winders & swifts available.  

Cas's bag

The meetup today had 14 members & friends show up and the highlight was the bags! One of our guests, Kate had a very cool bag, and our newest member, Cas (joined today) shared the scrappy bag she made for carrying items to our meetups!  If you've been a member for a while, you've probably seen AJ's chicken bag, but you may not have seen the new hat & kerchief he has added.

AJ's bag

Now, on to the May 10 meeting, Christmas in August and the Minnesota State Fair!  I know, it's only April, but the State Fair will be here before we know it. Many of our members enter the competition, and the Premium Book is due out on May 5.  The details will be on the website: Creative Activities | Minnesota State Fair. As usual, we'll be demonstrating in the Creative Activities building. Members who volunteer to demonstrate will receive admission into the fair for the day.   

CTC will also be entering the Christmas competition in the Ag-Hort building. For details, you can check out the Christmas Trees | Minnesota State website.  With all of the State Fair activities, we'll be spending our meeting making plans for our display.   If you've never entered a fair competition, state or county, we have members who will be able to share their experiences and expertise.  A number of our members have received ribbons at the local county fairs as well as the State Fair.  And of course, CTC will be sponsoring 2 ribbons this year.  In addition to our award in the garment category, we'll be sponsoring an award in the granny square category.   

What's next at Crochet Twin Cities?

AJ's Emotional Support Chicken

Our March meeting had 14 members attend, including 1 new member!  If you are a member, you will receive the monthly newsletter, which is sent out approximately 1 week prior to the second Saturday meeting. If you are not receiving the email, please reach out to ctclist@gmail.com *Note: be sure to check your spam/junk folders and whitelist ctclist@gmail.com

Now, onto the upcoming fun!  Our March 22 meetup will be at HarMar Barnes & Noble in Rosedale. Members of Crochet Twin Cities will be hopping together on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5. There's still plenty of room in the van, in you are interested in joining us, please email ctclist@gmail.com or reach out to Brenda or Joy using their contact info from the member roster. *Note a link to the member roster is included in every monthly newsletter.  There is a $5 fee for gas, payable in cash to Brenda at the hop.  Below is the schedule we typically allow approximately 25 minutes per store and there will be a break for lunch each day. Don't forget your lunch money!

Gloria's mascots for this year's hop

Friday:

     We meet at Lunds/Byerly's on France avenue in Edina at 9:00am. 

     Drive time is 35 minutes to 

     A Sheepy Yarn shop, 20 minutes to 

     Darn Knit in Stillwater 23 minutes to 

     Knitting from the Heart.  24 minutes to 

     Muse, 34 minutes to 

     Northfield yarn, 27 minutes to 

     Rose Yarn Co.  then 25 minutes back to Lunds.

2024 Friday Shop Hop crew

Saturday:

     We meet at Lunds/Byerly's at 9:30am     

     Drive time is 10 minutes to 

     Harriet and Alice, 5 minutes to 

     Needle and Skein, 23 minutes to 

     Amazing Threads, 12 minute side trip to 

     beWoolen, 25 minutes to 

     Knit and Bolt,  14 minutes to 

     StevenBe, 14 minutes to 

     the Yarnery, then 20 minutes back to Lunds

2024 Yarn Shop Hop Saturday group

Hop into spring with Crochet Twin Cities

February 8 virtual meeting

17 members attended our February 8 virtual meeting. The topic was continuous join as you go, which was an excellent follow up to our recent granny square class.  Veronica did an excellent job teaching in her debut as our Education Chair. 

February 22 meet up at the MOA

Carla's CJAYG

Looking ahead our March 8 topic will be a follow up to our January Layering Granny Squares with Edie Eckman.   Edie won't be returning, but bring your handouts, your questions and your projects and several of excellent members will help you tackle any challenges you encountered!

We're getting closer to April and the Yarn Shop Hop.  Once again, CTC members and friends are invited to join us on Friday and Saturday.  Brenda's driving, Joy is navigating and the van has room for you!  All that's required is that you let us know you'll be attending, and a $5 donation for gas. We'll stop for lunch both days, but feel free to bring your own, if you prefer.  Gloria has already created mascots to join us as we explore the 12 local yarn shops and the 2025 theme: In the Garden.  

In the Garden mascots by Gloria

Crochet minds think alike!

Breaking News! CTC is virtual only this weekend....

Due to the weather forecast, CTC has decided to cancel the in person meeting and shift it to a Zoom meeting.  

All members were sent an email with the Zoom link, if for some reason you didn't get the email, you can access the link through our calendar, Google Calendar - February 2025, or Crochet Twin Cities | Facebook.  

Also, this month's meeting is open to the public, so feel free to share the link or bring a friend.  As ever, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at ctclist@gmail.com or our Facebook page or group.

We hope to see you there, safe & warm! 

P.S. The February 4th Saturday meet up will be held at the MOA in the north food court on the 3rd floor.

Let's meetup!

This Saturday, January 25th, is the first Crochet Twin Cities meetup in 2025.  We'll be meeting at the Barnes & Noble in HarMar in Roseville.  I'm hoping the weather is good and that I'll see many of you there!

In other news, the Minnesota Yarn Shop Hop has announced the 2025 theme, "In the Garden".  Planning for the CTC "bus" are beginning. There will likely be an adjustment to the route(s), due to 3 Kittens closing their yarn store.  There will still be plenty of fun to be had on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5.  If you are interested in attending, please send an email to ctclist@gmail.com to reserve your spot.  Brenda's van holds 14 passengers, but we were starting to feel pretty squeezed at 12 grownups plus purchases in 2024.   There will be a $5.00 fee for gas, payable to Brenda for each day you ride along.

The CGOA will be announcing the Chapter Challenge on March 17th.  The CGOA Member Exclusive CAL should be announcing the next quarter's CAL around the same time.   Crochet Twin Cities status as a CGOA chapter will end in June this year. Note: CGOA membership is separate from Crochet Twin Cities' membership.  *Long story short, CGOA changed its by-laws, from requiring the membership for the chapter president, to requiring all chapter members to also join CGOA.  As a result of that decision, CTC will not be renewing our chapter status, as many of CTC members are not CGOA members and the CTC members and board are not willing to require CGOA membership for CTC members.  We will continue to share CGOA news for those with dual membership, as long as we are able.