Santa completed in class with Lorna Mcmaster. The rest completed after her class

I have TONS of news for everyone! I spent last weekend - the long Veterans Day weekend - in Vermont and did a "Knit Shop Crawl" all by myself on Friday. I decided to try three shops in close proximity to my father and stepmother's home in Ludlow (home of Okemo Mountain). My step mother told me of a shop in Jamaica. Her cousin's wife owned and ran it and my stepmother thought I would really like the shop. "Margie's Muse" (www.margiesmuse.com )was my first stop and my step mother was dead on. Margie was welcoming and her shop was an ecclectic mix of works of local knitters and artists. Margie also has a wonderful loom and weaves and had beautiful clothes. When I stopped by she was in a frenzy to rearrange her shop in preperation for a needle felting class the next day. She had two incredible gnome figures as an example and I KNEW I HAD to take this all day class! I returned on Saturday for the full day class taught by Lorna McMaster of New Hampshire. Lorna was fantastic and it was a full day of fun and information and we all finished the day with either a Santa in hand or a gnome.

Last night' s Guild meeting was a great group and everyone was so excited by the Santa I made in the class and the two subsequent figures I created (a gnome and winter warlock - see pictures!). So the Good NEWS............... Lorna is coming to Naugatuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Knit Happens is holding a needle felting class with Lorna McMaster on Saturday, December 16th at Lula's Melange from 9:30 Am to 4:00 PM . There will be a break for lunch and we will have a fantastic time learning this great craft. Please call me if you are interested (203) 729-4865. We will be able to only take a limited amount of people and we need to have a firm count by December 11th. If you are interested please either call me or call Lula's. The cost of the class will be $40 plus a $20.oo materials fee which will provide all tools and materials you will need to complete your project! Lorna will also bring enough wool and materails for anyone interested in purchasing additional materials after the class to achieve additional projects as well. She has GREAT wool - she has her own flock of sheep andactually told me this morning that she is "going in the back yard to get more wool" for our class! I am really excited and I am hoping everyone will be happy to have her come down.

I promise to post more information on my trip - I am busting with news!!! I wanted to get the word our about the needle felting class asap though! Hope you are all doing well and I will post again BEFORE weekend's end!

Keep the needles and hooks flying!

Saturday's meeting was a small but intimate group. The Chirstmas party is shaping up nicely! The Guild will have a little surprise for all of the guests at the party so all of those intending on coming really needs to sign up so we can be sure to have an accurate count! An email has gone out to Melissa Leapman and I will have more information on that as it develops. The NYC Knit Crawl has been set for Saturday February 10th with a snow date of March 24th. I will be obtaining discount group rate tickets for the train again for anyone who is interested. It turned out to be $15.50 ROUND TRIP from Bridgeport so that worked out well. I can make it from Fairfield this time if people wouild rather from there. We will hope for good weather!

Meanwhile, for those of you that missed it... Saturday's Waterbury Republican had a wonderful article about an Alpaca Farm in Bristol. Guild member Rosemarie mentioned another one in Watertown and actually Guild member Kim is friends with the owner. Everyone seemd really interested to go on a trip to see these farms so I am in the throes of trying to plan a day where the Guild can visit these area Alpaca Farms. More information to follow!

Guild Member Cathy sahred her copy of Speed Knitting which I had mentioned reading about in our last meeting. Cathy had to keep a close eye on me to insure I did not slip the book into my bag! What a great book - A wonderful compilation of projects with chunky yarn and big needles - a GREAT resource for those of us with many on our Christmas lists and little time! I ordered my edition off of www.half.com a GREAT site that Guild member Kim mentioned! I picked the book up for $12.00 and even with expidited shipping it cost less than if I had picked it up at Barnes and Noble and just so you all know the Waterbury B&N has NO copies - I left the Guild meeting to go check. So, if you are interested in that book or any other knitting books - check out the site. I was impressed - I will let you know how the quality opf service is once I receive it!

I am posting pictures of a baby jacket I completed for a shower I had on Sunday. The BEST part of the frenzied rush to get it done (Somehow I got it done in about a week - a week of totally crazed schedule for children and me! YIKES!) was the look on my girlfriend's face when she saw it. I STILL say there is nothing better than the joy of giving or sharing a project with someone who really apprecaites it. I am hoping my girlfriend will get a picture of her daughter in it once she is born. If you look closely enough the yarn may look familar! I actually used the Wool Ease I had left over from my oversized vest! I was thrilled to have it work for another project and not sit in a cabinet while I tried to guess a use!

Minutes will be posted once Thursday's meeting happens.

Next Meeting: Thursday November 16th - 6:30 at Lula's! Hope to see you there!

Here is this month's agenda! Anyone with questions, please let me know!

Hope to see you all soon!

Knit Happens
Naugatuck Knitting and Crochet Guild
November 4th and November16th, 2006

· We need to finish voting for our logo. While we were there, Kim presented another new idea that included a crochet hook so she will play around with it a little bit more. The sheep seems to be winning so she will try to incorporate that as well.

· A vote for the location of our Christmas party was held and Tammy’s neighborhood club house has won – Glendale Community Clubhouse. It will be December 10th at 1:00 p.m. and it will be “pot luck”. Lucille, Sue and Cathy are working on the planning. Please call them if you have ideas or suggestions. It will also acts as a Membership Drive so anyone you know who may be interested – please invite and sign them up. The Guild Officers are working on surprises for everyone attending – PLEASE sign up so that we will have an accurate count. More information regarding food etc will be coming from the “Party Committee”. A Secret Pal sign up sheet is located in the Knit Happens corner at Lula’s. Any members unable to come to party but wanting to participate in the Secret Pal are encouraged to sign up for it. Directions to the Glendale Clubhouse are also now in the Knit Happens corner at Lula’s.

· A “Knit Crawl” in NYC is being planned for February 2007. Suggestions for dates is needed from Guild Members so that Lucille and Tammy can start planning with the Knit shops.

The next scheduled meetings for are November 4th at 3:00p.m. and 16th at 6:30 p.m.


Upcoming events and field trips:
· Knit Happens Christmas Party, December 10th 1PM Glendale Community Clubhouse
· NYC Knit Crawl – February 2007
· A day of knitting and crocheting with Melissa Leapman – Spring 2007
Upcoming Dates:
Next Meetings November 4th and 16th
Classes at Lula’s – see schedule and Lucille for sign up
January 2, 2007 – Deadline for Save the Children’s knitted/crocheted hat project

I wanted tot post for everyone the latest schedule of classes that Lucille has scheduled. You can ALWAY check out her blog at www.lulasmelange.blogspot.com
The classes look fantastic and are very reasonably procved and any time at the shhop is GUARANTEED to be a fun time! Please call Lucille to sign up! Hope to see you there!

CLASSES DATES Time DESCRIPTION FEE
Cabled fingerlessGloves
Tues. Nov.14 & 21 6:30-8:30pm
This a wonderful introduction to cables and knitting on the round., and Knit up in no time! They make greatgifts! We'll show you how to add beads for fun! Pattern included. $20.00


Cozy Socks
Wed. Nov. 15 & 22 6:30-8:30pm
Learn to make these cozy socks on two circular needles to warm your toes this winter! Everyone will receive a customized sock pattern for their foot in the gauge of their choice! $20.00


Seamless Sweater
from the Neck Down Sat. Nov. 11, 18, 25, &Dec. 2. 1:30-3-30pm
We'll customize your pattern to any measurements you want. From Baby to Men's, in any gauge you want. This sweater is seamless and timeless! $45.00


Beaded Christmas
Ornament. Sat. Nov. 11, Nov.
18, and Nov. 25 11:30-1:00pm
Beautiful kits available are available at the store in a variety beaded colors for the holiday. The kit comes with a glass ball, beads, and thread. Directions are written for straight or circular knitting. $15.00


Felted Clogs, with suede bottoms!
Tues. Nov. 28, Dec.5 6:30-8:30pm
Fun and easy project to warm up your toes. Make them for yourself or someone special. Please come in to fit your foot for your suede bottoms. $20.00 Pattern included.


Needle Felting
Wed. Nov. 29, Dec. 6 6:30-8:30pm
Learn how fun it is to create beautiful designs on your felted bags, sweaters, scarf's and more with needle felting. Kit includes roving, needles, and sponge. $18.00


Special Holiday Cards
Sat. Dec. 2 1:00-3:00pm
Learn how you can use your knitting and crochet skills to make unique cards for up coming holidays ,special events and scrap booking. Free


Chunky Cabled Scarf
Sat. Dec. 2 11am-1pm
Quick and Easy Scarf makes a great gift for any one on your list. Done on Size 17 needles and a few strands of yarn, you'll have it done in no time. Finish it off with a nice wooden Toggle and you'll be all set! Free with yarn purchase