Good response!

It was a busy meeting on Tuesday! Donna's Trunk Show included many beautiful items, Tanya's demonstration of finishing techniques was very informative, and a lot of members signed up for the field trip on 10/22.

The "free table" seems to be a big success - so keep those items coming!

Once again BSKGers showed their generosity and came through with a lot of charity items.

Thanks to Kate Pultz, the Guild and Claudia Huffmaster for this months raffle items. The lucky winners were: Michelle Dagenais - sock yarn, Ellen Rancillio - the book Knit Stitch, Laurie Goodman - the book Purl Stitch, Sue Waid - the blacksheep bowl(made by Jeni the potter), Vangie Agemy - a hat and scarf kit, Judith Davis - gift bag, tags and CD, Rita Perrone - Interweave holiday magazine and gift tags, Joanne Ruzza - a childs sweater kit, Heatherrrrrrrrrrr Perrone - 10 skeins of DK yarn, and Linda Mayotte - 8 skeins of Debbie Bliss silk.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 11, from 7 to 9. Sign in and raffle ticket sales begin at 6:30. Speaking of raffles... we need more people to sign up to donate raffle items!

Charity hats and mittens are due at the October meeting, Donna Mrozek will be presenting a Trunk Show, and Tanya Thomann will be "exploring craft" with finishing techniques.

To allow you some practice with finishing techniques during the October meeting, you may want to have a few swatches knit up and ready to go. If you don't, you'll still be able to watch the techniques demonstrated, but will not be able to practice them yourselves.

Use whatever yarn you have on hand, and an appropriate needle size. You'll have an easier time of things if you use a lighter, solid colored yarn; but please don't purchase anything for this!

Stockinette Stitch(knit the right side, purl the wrong side):
1-- 40 st x 35ish rows
2--20 st x 35ish rows (make these the same length as the wider swatch)
1--40 st x 15ish rows, leave this on needles and do not bind off.

Garter Stitch (knit every row)
1--20 st x 20 ridges (40 rows)
2--10 st x 20 ridges (40 rows)

Additional supplies:
Contrasting colored yarn, a darning (chibi) needle, paper and pencil for notes.

Don't forget... we now have a "take it" table. You can bring in craft items you are willing to give away and take anything you want from it. This includes unfinished projects, extra items (needles, stitch markers, yarn), and project bags.

Linda F

the long-awaited September meeting came and went

and a good time was had by all! This year all members received a Black Sheep keychain.



Tanya presented a history of the Black Sheep Knitting Guild along with pictures of early meetings.


The September raffle prizes were provided by the BSKG. Lucky winners were: Stacy Totzke - a sock book and yarn, Judith Davis - a knitting book of monsters and yarn, Joan Duncan - a color work yarn set, Tany Thomann - a felting kit and yarn, Mimi Lambert - a childrens sweater kit, and Kelley Anderson - the sock summit gift set.

In a special raffle, Kate Pultz won the scarf that was started at the Retreat this year. It's the perfect color for her!

Shop Hop

The annual Shop Hop is Thursday September 15-Sunday September 18! Rae’s Yarn, Woven Art, Yarn Garden and Sticks & Strings Boutique have teamed up to bring Mid-Michigan knitters this event.

The Shop Hop is many things…

* A fun day shopping with your friends
* A chance to see what all the local shops have to offer and many of the new yarns for fall
* Exclusive sales and discounts for shop hoppers during the event
* Entry into daily door prize drawing at each shop & into each shops grand prize drawing. That’s 4 chances at Grand Prizes! Each grand prize package is valued at over $150!
* Each shop has designed a new pattern that’s offered free to shop hoppers. (that’s $24 in patterns) Our pattern is the Snap Dragon Cardi, a cute baby sweater.
* Visit all 4 shops & receive the winning pattern from our design competition (to be unveiled at the shop).
* Each participant receives an exclusive event knitting bag filled with goodies. This years bags are going to be great! We have donations from several knitting companies, so you’ll be getting cool knitting gear.
* A cool collectible event passport.
* Plus, the passport contains coupons valid in October for a return trip to the shops. Passports are limited so sign up now.

There will be a car-pool sign up sheet at the Guild meeting.

Knitter alert!

The first meeting of the BSKG 2011-2012 year is only one week away. As always, a busy night is planned: there will be introductions, Tanya Thomann will present a history of the guild, there will be opportunities to sign up for the retreat committee and other projects. If that's not enough, in addition to the usual raffle there will be a
special raffle for the scarf that was made during the retreat.

An addition this years meetings will include a Find What You've Been Looking For Free Table where members can bring any craft related items for others to take home. It's a way for you to clean out any unwanted/unloved projects, including unfinished objects, yarn, needles, and other craft items. We need a volunteer to run this program.

A vote will be taken on a change in the bylaws. The bylaw amendment wording is:
Initial membership dues are $15.00 plus the current TKGA annual dues for one calendar year.
This will change the current set amount.

See you in one week at St. Columban Church at 7PM.

Linda F

Stitch N Pitch

It's coming up soon - Sunday Sept 25, 1:05 game time. Please let us know if you wish tickets, we will buy one block and all sit together. Let us know by August 24, 2011. We are collecting hats for homeless vets (Michigan Veterans Foundation), for each hat you will be entered to win fabulous prizes!
Hope to see you there.
Please email blacksheepknittingguild@hotmail.com if you want tickets.

Here is a link to the flyer if you would like more info.
MORE INFORMATION (PDF, 934 KB)

Anyone up for a special raffle I'm September? I just picked up a copy of the new book Coffee Break Knits, and had it signed by all five authors...can you recognize them all?


I'm supposed to brag that I have a picture of Irish Girl Knits!