Black Sheep Knitting Guild

A very quick reply to those that requested pictures with names on the blog. The board feels that since the blog is open to all out there in cyberspace, putting faces with names might not be wise. Beginning in January we will introduce people featured at the BSKG meetings.

did you know...... tell us about your first project ~ what & when. Joellen Smith: Oct., 2006 - A pillow, as of yet still incomplete . I didn't want to do the traditional scarf, because that is what everyone does first. Phyllis Evans: Aa bulky cardigan - I was a freshman at U0fM and I found the yarn & pattern in a kit at a yarn shop on State St. Sarah Turner: A baby sweater [for no one] in Homespun using the label pattern. I don't thinl I have totally finished the seams yet. Oh and it's an ugly brown color. What was I thinking? what was your most difficult project? Joellen: That damn skull hat! Phyllis: My first socks. After a bunch of fits & starts with DPNs, Vogue Knitting published Cat Bordhi's Flow Motion Socks pattern. Fell in love with the pattern, so was forced to learn toe-up cast on, twisted stitches & all the other goodies. Sarah: The dinosaur sweater. I still haven't gotten the hang of intarsia... what was/is your favorite proje...

Judith presented a Charity Kick-Off program at the BSKG meeting last night. She has arranged for the guild to make premie caps and blankets for Providence Hospital in Novi. Let's see what we can do by the February meeting! Retreat registration forms were handed out at the meeting. If you are a guild member interested in going on the April retreat but did not get a form email blacksheepnewsletter@hotmail.com for information. All forms must be postmarked by December 31. Linda F

Here are some pictures of the BSKG November meeting where we learned DIY projects. Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 9. If you want to take part in the gift *grab bag*, bring a knitting related item[magazine, hand lotion, yarn, etc.] in the $5-$10 range. No fancy wrap ~ just put it in a brown paper bag. Happy December birthdays to Deborah Molitz and Lyn Sippola.

One spot left on the bus... join us for a great day of fun with your knitting friends! We were full, but there is one spot that has opened up on the bus due to a family illness. This Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? If you don't know what the shop hop is, here is a link to the flier for the event. The BSKG decided to make it more fun by renting a bus to go from shop to shop--so that we can all knit and have fun together for the day rather than be scattered out into a number of cars...and everyone can knit! (except the bus driver) It is $18, $8 additional for an optional lunch. Non-members, $24 plus $8. Our Schedule: The bus leaves Berkley at 8:30 a.m. and returns to Berkley at 5 pm. We will have lunch in Lake Orion--a box lunch from Poppyseed Deli. 8:15—Meet at Anderson Middle School 9:00–9:45—Shopping at Basketful of Yarn, Clarkston 10:15–11:45—Shopping at Heritage Spinning and Weaving, Lake Orion 11:45–12:30—Lunch in Lake Orion 1:00–2:00—Skeins on Main, R...

November 11, 2008, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. St. Columban Church, 1775 Melton, Birmingham November is election month! Come prepared to vote for a new Vice President. We have two candidates for this office—Rita Perrone and Kim Whelan. Be sure to get a ballot when you check in and return it by the end of the evening to make your vote count. The November program is Make It and Take It: Knitting Tools Enjoy demos and hands-on workstations to learn to make your own knitting tools. From stitchmarkers to sock blockers...you will come away from this meeting with some sample tools that you have made yourself and the knowledge to make others! Supplies needed: If you have plastic, lidded carryout containers--bring them along! We will be putting grommets in these containers to make yarn clamshells. We will need a few jewelery pliers for people to use at the stitchmarker table. If you have some you're willing to let others use during the evening, please label them with your name and bring them. We wi...

The meeting last week was a busy one! Joellen Smith taught us *Yoga for Knitters* which should help us all to relax. Then we had a brief visit from Dolores the sheep, who is out on the campaign trail. She is hoping for support from knitters all across the country in her bid for the Presidency.

MEETING REMINDER Tuesday, October 14 at St. Columban, 6:30 pm to 9 pm Remember to sign in--and buy your raffle tickets at the same time! Also, at the sign in table will be the sheet to sign up for show and share--we will only be able to have as many share as time permits. Program for the evening includes hand yoga for knitters presented by Joellen Smith Many people claim that knitting is meditative and calming...so, yoga and knitting—together? Nirvana! Learn great yoga techniques from Joellen for your hands to keep at top form. I am looking forward to seeing the downward dog for fingers... Nominations for 2008-2009 Vice President! This board position is a one-year commitment, followed by a one-year position as guild President. From the Bylaws: The Vice President shall assist the President and serve in the absence of the President. The Vice President shall plan and coordinate the programs for the monthly meetings. The calendar shall be submitted to the BSKG Board for approval by July 3...

Two notable events took place at the Coffee Beanery this week. Kelley finished her first project to a big round of applause and we had visitors ~ Dolores the sheep and the owners of Threadbear.

Better late than never, right? Just a few pictures from the fiber festival. We had a nice spot near the entrance where we set up our stuff and hung out. If you bought something leave a comment here and share! We were all busy buying yarn and taking classes. :) A fine display of herding!

As the leaves start to change color it's time to wish a happy Halloween birthday to Sue Chase. Rita Perrone shares some information you might want to check out on how to tighten up a group of SSK decreases and make them look more like K2TOG decreases, as taught by Cat Bordhi.

I sent Greg [Coffee Beanery] a copy of the BSKG newsletter last night. This is what he wrote today: To the best group of women I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I can’t thank you enough for your kind donation to the American Heart Association in Memory of my Beautiful Mom. She not only was my Mom, but my best friend and I miss her dearly. It has been the love, support and kindness of family and friends that remind me she may not be with me as I would want her to be, but she will live on in my memories and my heart!

Looking for a way to recycle your books and magazines? Look no more. . .Linda sent this to me over the weekend and I thought I'd share. --t 'The Friends of the Oak Park Library are holding a Used Book Sale October 16 - 18. If any of you have knitting and/or other craft magazines that need recycling, I (Linda F) would be happy to take them off your hands. You can bring them to me at the Coffee Beanery or the October Guild meeting. In April I donated 2 copies of Cast On magazine. They were priced at $1.50. They were purchased in the first 2 hours. People are really looking for craft magazines. :-) '

Sally received permission to offer knitters a discount to the Detroit Chamber Winds concerts. If you call 248 559-2095, in advance, and tell them you are a knitter, you can get a $5 discount on tickets. September 19 is a flute recital by Philip Dikeman, a DSO player. Refreshments are at 8 pm, the concert begins at 8:30 pm. Please bring your knitting and enjoy the music. Linda F.

Last night was the September meeting at our new location! We covered the agenda for the year and were given a few teasers for the Spring Retreat (though not much ... we're hoping to squeeze a few more details out in the next few months). This weekend is Kniterpalooza, at Starr Jaycee Park around 2PM. We will have our banner out so you can find us. Bring a seat if you just want to sit and knit, though there will be many other things to do as well. Our raffle prizes this month were Nicky Epstein's Knitting Beyond The Edge and Charlene Schurch's More Sensational Socks with DPNs and sock yarn courtesy of Barb B.; a Night Notes concert pass for two, donated by Sally; some beautiful hand made bags from Tanya; and Knit Picks Bare Sock Yarn with a pattern and KP Harmony Needles provided by Linda L. (not shown). Next month our raffle prize will include some hand dyed yarn from one of our own guild members. See more photos here! If you have a flickr account you can upload your...

when all good sheep gather for the first Guild meeting of the season. Don't forget we'll be at a new place St. Columban Church, 1775 Melton, in Birmingham. Sign in and raffle ticket sales will be from 6:30-7:00. See you there! Happy birthday September celebrants: Katie Tenbrink and Rhys Hunter.

Tuesday, Aug. 12, an historic event[s] took place: yarn dyeing, knitting & eating at Tanya's! We need all the delicious recipes posted at the BSKG online cookbook . User name is BSKG, e-mail me for the password.

who or what you might see at the Coffee Beanery!..... like 3 spinning wheels or Tanya with baby Ivy. Happy August Birthdays to Harriet & Sally. I apologize to the ladies whose summer birthdays I missed. Linda F.

The feet are at it again! At least we can help keep the Coffee Beanery floor clean. :-)

Tonight at the Coffee Beanery we witnessed a bevy of socks. Linda Dean finished her first pair of socks right before our eyes And to top off a wonderful evening we collected $65.00 to donate to the American Heart Assn. in memory of Greg's mother who recently passed away. We are awesome. Linda F.

There wasn't any way to keep track of the *visitors* to the KIP tent at Cranbrook..... but they were many! Here's a slideshow and a message from Linda Lutomski: "Thank you so much for the support in our demo day! It was so great to have so many hands, ideas and reliable people working for the cause. I am proud to be a part of a guild with the dedication and cooperative ability to work together and enjoy each other the way we do. With the public interest and our terrific looking booth, I don't think that "outsiders" would have had a clue that we had never done this sort of thing as a group. It all came together so well. I am off to nurse the sunburn, but I had to share my excitement and appreciation for the outcome of our event!" Here are more pictures taken by L. Goodman. http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/lindapf/?action=view&current=e6a1bfcc.pbw

tell us about your first project Kim T. : my first project was a purple 'fun fur' scarf - I thought I would see if I could remember the "knit" stitch from Girl Scouts - 2 1/2 years ago Kim W.: a Lion brand 'Learn To Knit' kit in January, 2004 what was your most difficult project? Kim T.: that's a hard one...I like to be challenged! My Coriolis socks gave me difficulty because I had a hard time navigating the book... Kim W.: Mystery stole what was/is your favorite project? Kim T.: Whatever I am knitting at the moment! Kim W.: any kind of socks or mittens salty or sweet? Kim T.: Definitely sweet !... chocolate croissants or cherry turnovers - almost forgot the Hagen-Das chocolate ice cream! Kim W.: Both - but if pressed sweet always wins. tell us something interesting about yourself Kim T.: I've done lots of stupid stuff! Like the time I went to Guatemala with one of America's Most Wanted! Kim W.: As an adult I lived in Texas for 3 ye...

This is Eris ~ owned by a friend in London, England. She was busy this weekend. Do you have a knitting cat?

Just a reminder.... we have a cookbook at http://desktopcookbook.com/login.asp . Username: BSKG. Password: ewe2. Share some favorite recipes with friendly hungry knitters.

Hi Everyone, A number of you have mentioned wanting to go to Stitch 'n Pitch and trying to sit together. I have called Have You Any Wool and they do have tickets but we will have to hurry if we want to get them because there are fewer tickets this year. So while I will be happy to pick up the tickets in a block (so to speak) I will need to have the people interested contact me right away at kwhelanATwowwayDOTcom and get me their cash by Tuesday May, 27th. I intend pick up the tickets on Wednesday.

Here are links to more pictures from the May meeting: http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/lindapf/?action=view&current=7fede68c.pbw http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/lindapf/?action=view&current=533f9c57.pbw

For those who missed the May meeting at the Coffee Beanery, you missed out on a great time! The food was yummy, the people delightful, the bags wonderful [both our BSKG bags and Sneaky Sheep bags]. A special thank you goes to Greg for his hard work and for the lovely fruit *arrangement* he gave us as a gift. After dinner and talk it was time for the Sneaky Sheep exchange . We were all in awe at the creativity shown.....knit bags, felted bags, sewn bags, quilted bags. Some were purses, some knitting bags, some shopping bags. Even Greg was amazed. If you didn't take part, there's always next time [I'd like a new bag every 6 months, thank you]. Then came swap/barter time.... it looked like a yarn shop in the C.B.! Nobody really explained I'd be going home with much more than I came with. At the end of the fun packed evening you heard "I really don't want to take it home...please take it" a lot. Camille and Joanie took pictures of all the bags so we s...

. . .and in no particular order. . .more pictures from the retreat! We had such a good time last weekend, I hope you can see it in these pictures. . .you'll also want to check out Linda's blog, she has some there too. We've already started to make phone calls and start planning for next year, so if you're jealous, fear not! We hope to have an even more special retreat for you in 2009--stay tuned for the dates so you can mark your calendars and ask for time off!

More later, I promise! But since I've only been home 15 minutes and am missing the retreat already, I thought I'd post some pictures for those of you who missed out. It was a serious weekend. We forced folks to get their pictures taken. . .especially Suzanne. Lots of beautiful yarn was dyed. . .and I mean LOTS!!! Oh yeah, and we laughed!