Welcome Back meeting :: September 11, 2012

The new location for our guild meetings is great — plenty of room, good lighting, nice tables...it looks like the Black Sheep will be very, very comfortable here!

(l) Erika did french knots on her sheep! (r) Look who the sheep dragged in!                

The Welcome back meeting started out with show and share and many members had lovely finished items to show — some of us were busy knitters over the summer. Erika finished her sheep coozie (which Mimi had designed for the KAL at the retreat last May)...and there were numerous lovely shawls, a sweater, a first pair of socks (yea for firsts!), and many, many charity blankets already finished creating a big mountain of cozy goodness in front of Judith.

It's the season for fall fiber festivals...Harriet had quite a list of upcoming events to choose from. See the Events page for dates and links to more information on each. If you'd like to attend an event and want to carpool, just begin a thread in our Ravelry group to see if you can get a group together.

(Side note: Chris H. has an extra ticket to the Stitch ’N Pitch this Sunday, Sept. 23, 1:05 p.m. game. If you missed out on getting a ticket, give her a call [phone number on the member roster]) or PM her on ravelry [rav ID llemah])

Samples of various types of hand-dyed yarn, and Rose, ready to share her knowledge with us.

Our program for the evening was presented by Rose of Cakewalk Yarns. Rose shared 7 techniques for hand-dyeing yarn...with all kinds of helpful tips, great props (loved the 'warping boards'!) step-by-steps and lovely samples. I think all of us will look at hand dyed skeins differently now. Thanks Rose!

Remember that October is when the rest of the charity blankets are due. Also, remember that nominations for vice president will be coming up —think about who you would like to have leading our group. You can always nominate yourself. :)

The raffle items for our kick-off raffle were donated by Sharon H., Kim W. and Tanya T. Thanks guys! Raffle winners: Brenda D—Della Q needle holder; Grace and Ellen each won a hat kit; Ann R.—vest kit; and Marie W. sock yarn and project bag.

September 11, 2012 Meeting: NEW Location!

The Black Sheep flock has changed pastures!

Our NEW meeting location is the church on 14 Mile Road, in front of our old location. Our Shepherd Lutheran, 2225 E. 14 Mile Road, Birmingham. We will have a larger, better lit room in the basement of the church with both stairs and an elevator available for easy access. Parking is in the back (north side) of the church and the entrance is in the center of a wall of windows.

We meet from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and doors open at 6:30 p.m. so you can sign in, buy raffle tickets and visit.

Speaking of visiting, please respect speakers and other members by not visiting during the meeting.

Speaking of speakers, on September 11 we kick off the fall knitting season at our Welcome Back meeting with a program from one of our very own. Rose, of Cakewalk Yarns, will have a colorful presentation about the Dyeing Process.

Speaking of dyeing, are you dying to be more involved in the guild? There will be a variety of ways for you to help the guild be the best it can be in the coming year. Opportunities include retreat committee, raffle, web/tech, free table, Facebook admins and the long term planning committee.

The Black Sheep Knitting Guild is open to those 18 and over, unless otherwise stated, so please, do not bring children to guild meetings. Guests are invited to attend up to two meetings before becoming a member. (Join us for a meeting and think about becoming part of the flock...we know you will want to!) 

Stitch N’ Pitch | September 23, 2012

The 6th annual Stitch N’ Pitch will be held Sunday September 23rd, at 1:05 pm at Comerica Park. Detroit Tigers will be playing the Minnesota Twins.

We will again be accepting donations of warm winter hats at the game (washable, please) to be donated to the Michigan Veterans Foundation. For every hat donated, you will be entered to win a fabulous prize!

We would love to see you all there. Tickets are $27 each, with a $6 service fee per order. So get together and place one order for a bunch of tickets (one $6 service fee then!), and that way you will all be sitting together.

We hope to see you there. It is always a great time, and it is great to meet other fiber artists.

More information (pdf) » 

KIP location change

The weather on Sunday is supposed to be HOT.  After consultation with the leader of our flock it's been decided that indoors - with air conditioning - would be best.

We plan to gather at 12 Oaks Mall this coming Sunday, June 10..  We'll see you in the Center Court at 1pm.  Wear a BSKG shirt if you have one..... all the better for flash mob knitting.

WWKIP

Kelley [aka the head sheep aka leader of the flock] has decided that we will celebrate World Wide Knit in Public day at Shain Park, Birmingham.  We'll start gathering at 1PM on Sunday, June 10, in the north-east section of the park.  In sheepish fashion we will follow the sun... or rather, try to stay out of it.  Hope to see ewe there.

Final guild meeting of the year :: May 2012

Our last guild meeting is always a busy one...after a few opening announcements from Kelley and Charli, we cut into the Black Sheep cake—delicious! It's quickly becoming a favorite tradition!
  

Members showed off a few finished objects: a great charity blanket, a finished April KAL and a felted and embellished bag from the retreat were a few of the inspiring items shared.
  

The silent auction and the swap and sale took place as well...with many great items available! Our sheep are so talented!
  

Have a wonderful summer...keep up with the sheep Tuesday nights at Panera...and keep knitting (especially on those great charity blankets!).

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!