OK, no, seriously, she is OUT OF CONTROL!

More designs from Gerri, our sock sista! On the top, socks for daughter-in-law Maritza in Queen Rock; on the bottom, socks for hubby Ken in Fred Flintstone, both from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Check out the patterns! And may I point out that as of January 2007 she didn't even know how to hold knitting needles ("I'm not crafty," she claimed):

Who's got a knitting problem?

Seasonal Samples from the Sock Sista

She's out of control and here are some of her recent projects: Rocktober, Wicked Witch, and Retro Rib!

Afghan garners an estimated $700 for UUFH!

At the 2008 Services Auction, our Seaside Sampler afghan raffle earned an estimated $700 for UUFH! The afghan was won by Terry D's sister, who said she was thrilled. Here's the final photo of all the UU Ewes with our masterpiece!

Our "Seaside Sampler" Afghan is complete!

One year, 10 knitters, and 99 squares later, our beautiful Services Auction afghan is complete! We knit the full-size afghan during 2008 in a warm toast color in soft, superwash 100% wool (so it's not only cozy but practical, too!). The afghan's seaside theme is appropriate to our Long Island fellowship, with squares named "Fishing Nets", "Sandy Lines", and "Sea Wall", among others. And it's a perfect metaphor for our faith, with all the many different-textured squares united in one monochromatic piece.

The afghan will be raffled off on 11/15/08 at UUFH's annual services auction (raffle tickets $10 each, 3/$25).

Thanks to all the UU Ewes who contributed squares: Frances, Dove, Carol, Kathryn, Maria, Liz, Gerri, Sylvia, and Ginny!

A Message from "Care2Knit"

Dear Knitters, Crocheters and Donors:

Summer Greetings from CARE TO KNIT! Once again we will be donating children's hats and mittens to the Brooke Jackman Foundation. Your handmade items will be included in "Brooke Packs" which will be filled with school supplies and delivered to needy children as they go back to school in September. Please send us your donations by Friday, July 18th. This year 2000 back packs will be filled!

As in the past we will be devoting the month of October to Breast Cancer Awareness and are encouraging our knitters and crocheters to "Think Pink". Chemo hats, scarves and blankets will be needed in every shade of pink. They bring smiles and much comfort to women undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.

We also have need for children's chemo caps in every color. Please check our website www.caretoknit.org to see the good work we are doing and for updates on our needs and events.

Our thanks for your support and interest in our mission. You continue to help us grow and extend our reach.

Our best wishes for a Happy and Safe Summer!

Best regards,
Ines Basso Glick
Executive Director

First Annual WWKIP Day in Huntington!

(The first arrivals -- photo by Ken Farrell)

We had a really, really nice day! There were about a dozen of us over the course of the day – not too shabby for a first go, and the size of the group made it easy to chat. I brought lemon cake to share; Tree brought laminated knitting cheat sheets and yarn to give away; and Shawna of Knitters Therapy brought coupons! If you couldn’t make it this time, we hope to see you next year!

Knitting Daily TV on PBS

Supposedly Knitting Daily is going to have a show on public television beginning in July 2008. If you hear when/where, can you let the UUUs know?

Yarn Labels Contain Valuable Data

Let's talk about the wealth of information on this little strip of paper. Instead of ripping the yarn label off and tossing it aside, grab the reading glasses and examine all the fine print. I suggest you retain at least one label from each project for reference regarding the care of the piece. Also attach one label if the project is a gift, so the recipient will know how to love it longer.

The Name's the Thing
The yarn's name will be the first thing you notice. The name of the company will be prominent as well. These are the first and last names of the yarn and are matters of great importance. The naming of yarn is a critical part of the merchandising, and much thought is given to this process. It is the way knitters refer to the product and spread the word among other knitters whether the yarn is liked or not! The country of origin is displayed, and often the company address is offered. Some labels contain a Web site, which is helpful if the knitter has questions regarding the yarn after purchase.

Fibers Front & Center
Fibers used in the yarn are clearly shown, including percentages, if the yarn is composed of more than one fiber. This information lets you know what to expect in the performance of the yarn, both while knitting with it and when the final product is in use. If using wool of a special variety, the label will indicate that. Terms used are usually generic, but there may be specifics added to show special qualities, such as Sea Island cotton or merino wool.

Color & Dye Lots
The color and dye-lot designations are critical to note. Knitters are warned to purchase more than they think they might require of the same dye lot (the specific batch number of the color) because even minute differences in the batches can cause a glaringly obvious line when the two balls are joined in a finished product.

Weighty Issues
Weight is shown in grams and ounces, and the length of the yarn, frequently in both yards and meters, is indicated. This is critical information to the knitter, but be aware that there may be slightly fewer or more yards in the ball or skein. For that reason, it's always prudent to purchase one more unit of yarn than you think you will require.

The weight classification is prominently shown, as this is the information knitters use to make decisions regarding which gauge to use. The knitting industry has standardized the written descriptions of weights of yarn into a system more easily understood in the world market. Rather than the somewhat ambiguous terms knitters have used, the industry suggests that a number designation be used to determine the thickness of yarns, and therefore, the gauge range.
Using these symbols, the knitter can determine which yarn will be needed for the pattern she or he has in mind.

The symbols are now in use, but there will be a period of transition as knitters become accustomed to the designations. Newer patterns will incorporate these symbols, but knitters will need to make the translations when using older patterns.

What's Your Gauge?
The small boxes with numbers and needles relate to the needle size used to achieve the correct gauge with the yarn. As we know, gauge is a personal matter, and is among many factors which affect the final result. The suggested needle size merely offers a starting place for your swatch. Most domestic yarns will offer both a metric and U.S. version of the needle size. However, if the yarn is manufactured abroad, do not expect that the U.S. size will be shown. If the number is listed with a comma where it does not seem to belong (i.e., 3,5), it is a metric number, and you may need a needle gauge to determine the U.S. equivalent.

Along the bottom and side of the box are the dimensions (10cm x 10cm,
4 inches) as well as the number of stitches and rows your yarn will produce under the general tension standards. This is the part which will vary greatly. It does not matter what needle size you need to get the correct gauge, but you must achieve that gauge if the knit project is to fit.

Aftercare
Laundry instructions are suggested with a temperature limit inside the box. The yarn label will indicate whether the yarn should be dry-cleaned or washed by hand or machine, and will also indicate the best method for drying your project. Even the temperatures for drying may be suggested. This may be critical information, particularly when acrylics are involved. This fiber is sensitive to high heat, which can permanently alter the hand or drape of the fiber.

As you can see, the label can be a helpful resource of information when making a yarn choice. This article is not intended to be a complete discourse on the subject, but more of a starting point on the topic. For more information, please check out the data at YarnStandards.com, a Web site sponsored by the Craft Yarn Council of America.

(from the Creative Knitting e-Newsletter, May 23, 2008)

Worldwide "Knit in Public" Day! (6/14/08)

The Worldwide "Knit in Public" Day is scheduled this year for June 14th at 11am -- www.wwkipday.com. Looks like the closest one will be in Central Park's Sheep Meadow (how appropriate!). Updates will be posted at http://knitting.meetup.com/463/. Bring snacks, beverages, blanket or chair, sunglasses, sunscreen, and of course your knitting! Handknit donations will be accepted for local charities.

Anyone up for a knitting picnic in the park? Could be fun!

A yarn outlet opens in Oceanside

My mom just sent me an ad for a new shop in Oceanside, the Yarn Outlet, which advertises a "tremendous selection of fine hand knitting yarns and accessories at outlet prices, always 15% to 50% off -- the one stop discount outlet for all your knitting needs!" I called and the guy said they have over 3000 square feet of designer yarns including Berocco, Tahki, Noro, Debbie Bliss, DiVe, etc. They are at 3320 Lawson Boulevard in Oceanside (corner of Waukena, next to Art Tech), (516) 255-8312. Hours are MTuWF 11-6, Sa 10-5, Su 12-4. If you check it out, let us know whether it's worth the trip!

Knitting at the Beach

Just came across this old email -- remember this?

SNATCHES OF DIALOGUE

Kathryn: It's a baby sweater. It uses two different textures and five different colors of yarn. It's easy!

Maria: I hate this project, it's taking forever, it keeps slipping off the needles, I should have doubled the yarn, my dad isn't even going to wear it ...
Sylvia: Maria, do five rows on your Dad's scarf and then you can start your shawl.
Maria: Who knew Sylvia was such a martinet?
Chorus: What's a martinet?

Gerri: It’s a sock pouch. See? You carry your sock projects in it.

Ginny: I'm crocheting a cover for my umbrella. I'm starting it now and ... oh look! I'm done!

Chris: Maria, why do you keep working at something you don't like?
Maria: (grumble, grumble ... )

Someone: Dove, you’re a talented knitter.
Dove: ME? Oh, well yes, I've made numerous projects, including hats and shawls, but I'm not really very good ...

Sharon: (silently knitting away on her orange belt)

Chris: Look at my project! I love it! It's a wrap, it's a ballgown, it’s a SuperKnitter cape ...

Maria: I brought this brochure just for us to look at. It’s how to start an alpaca farm.
Someone: You know they breed alpacas on Long Island.
Maria: I do have a big backyard.

Gerri: I made a mistake. Right here. Can you see it? No? Good.
Chris: Knitting is a metaphor for life; you can't let the errors bother you. Let's go swimming, I'm hot.

Kathryn: Time for ice cream!

Everyone: Kathryn, we should do this every year!

Movie outing for the Ewes?

I just heard that "The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs is the basis of a film to be released this year: "Taking place in a New York City yarn shop, Jacobs' characters surprise themselves by becoming a very tight-knit (pun intended) community of love and support for each other. None other than (real-life knitter) Julia Roberts will be portraying Georgia Walker, who goes out on a limb to create a yarn shop before the current popularity of knitting made that seem like a good investment. A variety of women and men populate the environs of the shop and become a cohesive group. The release of the movie could advance the knitting cause once again!" I didn't think the book was all that great, but it WAS a New York Times bestseller, and maybe the movie will be better. Let's look for it and maybe plan a movie night together!

Care2Knit's annual benefit

Anyone care to attend Care2Knit's annual benefit? Friday, April 11, 2008 from 7:30 to 11:30 at The Woodlands in Westbury -- dinner, raffles, door prizes. Maybe we could get a UU Ewes table together!

Socks work in progress

Thought you would like to see the finished sock. So cool and comfey!!!!! I am going to work on my square before I start the next sock.

Kathryn

Private Classes

Many of the local yarn stores will offer special classes if we can get a group of 4-5 knitters together. Let me know if there is a particular class you are interested in taking (i.e. Magic Loop, socks, intarsia, etc.) and I can see if we can get something together.

Right now several of us have arranged an Intro to Lace class at Knitters Therapy in Northport on Saturday, 3/29 from 4-5pm ($30). Let me know if you are interested in joining us!

Pattern Corrections

Digibabe
www.digibabeknits.blogspot.com

One error in a pattern can ruin the knitting experience. Digibabe, a knitting blogger, has compiled a substantial collection of links to errata in books and magazines. In addition, many publishers have corrections available on their web sites in PDF format. If time permits, print out the errata and insert it into the offending book! (Thanks, Sue DeM!)

The Services Auction Afghan!

Here are the assigned squares for the afghan!

As of MONDAY, 2/4 at 10:12 AM:

All of the afghan squares are now assigned, with the following exceptions:

#43 MOLLUSKS (uses cable needle) = NEED ONE MORE

MARIA
#36, #37, #38 (two), #39, #40, #41, #42 (two), #44 (two), #45 = 12

SYLVIA
TWO EACH of #39, #40, #44, and #45 and THREE OF #43 = 11

KATHRYN
ONE OF #38, TWO EACH OF #39, #41, #42, #43, #45 = 11

CAROL
#36 (two), #38 (one), and TWO EACH of #40, #41, #42, #44 = 11

DOVE
ONE OF #37, TWO EACH OF #39, #40, #42, #44 = 9

FRANCES
#36 (three), #40 (two), #42 (one), #43 (two), #45 (three) = 11

GERRI
#37 (two), #38 (two), #39 (three), #44 (two) = 9

SUSAN
#36 (two), #38 (two), #40, #41, #42, #43 (two), #45 (two) = 11

CHRISTINE
ONE EACH OF #38, #41, #42, #43 = 4

JUDIE G ("delano")
ONE EACH OF #41, #42 = 2

LIZ K
ONE EACH OF #37, #38, #44 = 3

GINNY
TWO OF #36, ONE OF #37 and #44 = 4

JUDY G ("tutsah")
THREE OF #37 = 3

DEADLINE for the finished squares, for those of us who work best with deadlines: OCTOBER 1, 2008. This will give us enough time to stitch it all together in time for the auction in mid-November!