Sheep on Retreat :: 2012

Black Sheep :: May 4–6, 2012 :: Higgins Lake

 

Friday 
About half of the attendees did the early start and sidetrip to Stonehedge Fiber Mill for a mill tour and shopping experience on the farm. Arrived back at the RAM Center in time for dinner, followed by a short game of Last Knitter Standing.


Door Prize Gallery

Friday evening we had an amazing display of gorgeous colors and fibers, and members had time to stroll around and enjoy their first glimpse of all the donated door prizes. Asked to cast ballots to vote for some favorites, retreat attendees took it quite seriously and skeins were handled, fiber content inspected and colorways were closely examined. Along with all the beautiful yarn, we were happy to have a few additional items, such as project bags, a book and a great yarn swift. See the list of independent dyers and small businesses at the right who donated — please support these wonderful folk who have been so generous to us!


Notice that we are all wearing the lovely skeins in the group photo...


Saturday
Members helped run the programs, including embellishing in the morning—needlefelting, beading and embroidery on your choice of project. We made earrings from aluminum knitting needle bits in the afternoon. The KAL coffee cup sleeve is super cute (thanks Mimi!)…and Jennie the Potter bowls with black sheep on them were the swag this year. 

Bad Moon Rising

Well yes, the skein of that colorway donated by Dragonfly Fibers was a weekend favorite, and so was the great moonrise over Higgins Lake Saturday evening. We couldn't resist playing a bit with it. Enjoyed a bonfire by the lake, and then back to the lodge for knitting late into the night.

 

Be sure to check out additional member photos like these on Ravelry! 

April Meeting - Sneaky Sheep Swap 5

Another incredible Sneaky Sheep Swap.  Our members are so crafty, clever, creative and inventive.  The bags were all beautiful.  There were knitted bags, felted bags, crocheted bags, fabric bags, and combinations of the above.  Check out the photos on the right side of the blog.

The raffle prizes were donated by Sharon Hagen and Katy Koelb.  It was an interesting coincidence that many of the prizes were purse related.

Mimi won the purse book and handle kit; Joan Duncan won the purse and book kit with grey yarn; Vangie Agemy won the Knitting Experience: Color book; Rita Perrone won the book and hand ease gloves; Stacy Totzke the red purse kit; Drew (our newest member!) the Noro purse kit; and Chris Hamel the sock yarn and pattern.  

This was the last meeting before our annual retreat.  We have lots of yarney goodness planned, a fantastic weekend of fiber!  There is still time to sign up for the retreat - so far we have 39 members going!  Hurry and send in your registration soon!

Judith presented our charity for the year - we will be making blankets for Project Night-Night.  Tanya designed and donated a beautiful blanket pattern, and there were a few samples knit up to show the members.

the March meeting was busy

We saw KAL cowls

and look-alike shawls

Raffle prizes were donated by the Guild, Marilyn Grazioli, Kathleen Endlien, Joan Duncan,Kathy Pawlik, and Charli Osbone. Dawn Jensen and Sharon Zmick won the retreat raffle, Helga ~ the Spin, Spindle and Fiber class, Kathy Pawlik ~ spindle, Kim Whelan ~"Shaping Shawls" book, Dawn Jensen ~ yarn and "Knitters Book of patterns",Susan Campbell-Fournel ~ a scarf pattern and yarn, Marcia Kaline ~ green sock yarn, Linda Mayotte ~ blue sock yarn, Kate Pultz ~ Regia and Cascade Fixation sock yarn, and Dawn Lemon ~ brown novelty yarn.

Marilyn Grazoli, owner of Ewe-nique Knits, was the guest speaker. Marilyn discussed spinning with "different" fibers such as silk strips, coffee filters, and dog fur. It gave us the opportunity to explore other options.

The Fix

February 14 Meeting

If you missed the meeting you missed the chance to make row counters and needle holders with our crafty leaders.

You also missed out on a delicious Black Sheep Valentine cake. Yum. It was good.

The raffle items were all from different people last week: Heather Perrone, Tanya Thomann, Erica Proschkow, Michele Dagenais,Betty Mathie, and Margarite Winer. The lucky winners were Belinda Barron - 10 skeins of City Tweed DK weight, Linda Doros - a Felted Knits kit, Helga McCann - a French beret kit, Tanya Thomann - knit klips and a bag, Judith Davis - Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques, and Linda Mayotte - a knitted toys book.

Time to think about the Retreat

Save the date(s) and save a space......

The 2012 BSKG Retreat is May 4 - 6 and the approximate cost is $200. A $75 deposit will save a spot for YOU. You can pay the deposit at the Guild meeting on February 14.

January Meeting Notes

The January meeting was great! It was my last meeting as president. I handed over the reins to Kelley and Charli. I’ve enjoyed my year, it has been busy and I hope productive. Thanks to all those in the guild for helping me get through the year. And thanks for the flowers, it was unexpected, and they are beautiful!

Here are some links to the techniques that were demonstrated yesterday. I plan on using the Channel Island cast on for my next pair of top down socks.

Channel Island cast on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up-0QOubXQ8

Yarn overs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_22bI4sF8c&feature=related

continental knitting yarn overs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbTkgE6McrE&feature=related

Three needle bind off:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpJUrCX52DU

Everyone should have received an invitation from Elfster to participate in the Sneaky Sheep v. 5 gift exchange. Please reply by January 30, as that is the date when the exchange closes and the names are drawn. If for some reason you did not get the link, let us know.

We also mentioned the Sandhill Crane Wine and Wool Festival on January 28. Here is some additional information:
http://www.sandhillcranevineyards.com/pages/events.html
"Winter Wine & Wool Festival
Saturday, January 28, 11-6
Our summer Wine & Wool Festival was such a success that we're planning an indoor one this winter. Just when the world looks completely bleak outdoors and everyone has a little cabin fever, the winery will be filled with colorful yarn, fiber, knitted items, and knitting supplies.
Mark your 2012 calendar now for this fun event. Free admission."

Don’t forget Knit Michigan, Saturday February 4.
http://knitmichigan.org/?page_id=4

Rita