Black Sheep Knitting Guild

BSKG 1st Annual Picnic/Knit In/Knit Out

2009-07-14T10:45:00.001-05:00

It has been long-discussed and *suddenly* decided upon!

This Saturday, July 18, at 1 pm (rain date Sunday, July 19) BSKG members will meet at Shain Park, in downtown Birmingham for an afternoon of knitting & food.

Bring your knitting, bring a chair/blanket, bring food or drink if you want. There's 2 hrs free parking in nearby structures.

Any questions? Leave a comment & someone will get back to you pronto!

Stitch N' Pitch

2009-07-09T21:22:00.001-05:00

Rita Perrone talked to Gary at the Tigers office and he has plenty of tickets. The date for getting money to Rita, Heather, Kate or Harriet is now July 22nd.

Tickets are $15, with a one time fee of $6. The extra $6 can be divided amongpeople going.

BAD NEWS - no goodie bags this year. Rita talked to the people at City Knits and the participating stores are not providing goodie bags.

Be sure to get your ticket order in by July 22. If you want to carpool from Anderson Middle School tell Rita, Heather, Kate or Harriet.

Linda F.

The BSKG Board met...

2009-07-02T17:56:00.011-05:00

this week. Here we are, hard at work.

We talked about a BSKG picnic, Stitch n' Pitch, and other fun ideas for the guild.

This year Stitch n' Pitch is August 30 at 1PM. The Tigers play the Tampa Devil Rays. This is an "unofficial" event and you need to buy your own tickets. You can find a store selling them here:
http://www.e-offinger.net/tnna/public/retail_search.cfm

Happy Birthday to July lambs: Joyce Crabtree, Sharon Hagen, Colleen Robbins,
Helen Taylor and Carrie Jones.

KIP - Shain Park

2009-06-23T10:48:00.005-05:00

Nice temperature. Lovely breeze. Great people/dog watching. Four knitters did our part to KIP.

Tanya wants me to remind you to work on premie caps to give Judith in September!

more KIP!

2009-06-16T21:06:00.003-05:00

If you check this out http://www.wwkipday.com/date_change.htm you'll see that
world-wide Knitting in Public is continuing through this week-end. In that spirit
some knitters are meeting at Shain Park, in Birmingham, at 1:00 this Saturday.
Here are directions: http://www.scleroderma.org/Chapter/michigan/directions_shainpark.htm

Look for us near a bench ~ be sure to bring your BSKG chairs!

Edited to add: if it's raining, we're welcome to go to the Oak Park Library....as long
as we don't create a big scene. :-)

2009-06-12T13:17:00.002-05:00

I'd love to say something definite about world-wide Knit in Public day,
but I'm thinking it's going to be kind of up-in-the-air as to the final spot
for BSKGers. Around 1, in front of ...have you any wool? seems to be
where people are meeting. Just be sure to look for the BSKG lime green
chairs! And have fun.

2009-06-01T18:04:00.003-05:00

A plethora of Black Sheep are celebrating birthdays in June. Hippo birdie 2 ewe: Amy McRae, Kelley Kencik, Linda Lutomski, Kelley Andersen, Mary Moylen, Andrea Lafferty,
and Sarah Turner.

did ewe know......
that Eileen Patra and Julie Miller are mother & daughter?

what was your first project & when?
Eileen: First one I remember was in college - I crocheted a soft sculpture of gigantic jingle bells
Julie: a black & pink Jiffy scarf. I think it's about 6 feet long

what was/is your favorite project?
Eileen: cabled socks
Julie: I'm making a crochet zombie army for my husband... it's sort of an ongoing project. I soon hope to have many tiny hordes around the house.

salty or sweet?
Eileen: sweet [used to be salty - love them both]
Julie: salty!

tell us something interesting about yourself
Eileen: I was in a TV commercial as a child. I advertised Twin Pines Milk on the Milky's Party Time show, extension phones on The Bell Telephone Hour, and cars for GM.
Julie: I own 9 pairs of Converse All Stars.

aside from knitting what are you passionate about?
Eileen: spiritual things & Youth Ministry - inspiring young people to
"know themselves".
Julie: writing is a big one. Though I'd been ignoring it for the last few years because college sort of sapped my attention for literature. The last few months have been really productive for me.

Whew!

2009-05-16T14:28:00.006-05:00

Tuesday was the final meeting of the 2008-2009 season for the guild.

It was fun and a busy meeting! Official BSKG folding chairs were delivered--you will see these bright green chairs this summer in a park near you...and there will be knitting! Plans for a WWKIP June Road Rally and a July PicKnit were revealed...watch this blog and Ravelry for details. August will be the Detroit Tigers Stitch 'n Pitch. Again, when we have more info we will post it.

The meeting began with a dinner catered by Panera Bread (the Southfield location--Matt did a wonderful job for us). Tables were cleared to let the Stash Swap begin...and there was some serious swapping! Tanya actually had a lovely display (which itself ended up being swapped!), Linda Lu had a wonderful spread of tempting yarn on a whole table, Rhys offered yarn from our favorite indie dyer and a spinning wheel. The silent auction was full of great items...and a little cut-throat in the last few minutes of bidding...although I think everyone went home with something that made them happy.

Thanks to all who helped with the planning details, set up and clean up...it was a big chore and greatly appreciated.

Meeting Reminder...it's a good one!

2009-05-06T21:40:00.001-05:00

Our annual dinner and swap is Tuesday, May 12, from 7 to 9 pm at St. Columban Church. Please sign in when you arrive—if you did not RSVP and pay for dinner ($10) you may do so at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.—use this time to arrive and sign in, socialize and catch up with your friends before the meeting begins at 7 p.m.

We had four newcomers join last month—we have 80 members now! The new members are Merritt C., Marilyn G., Michele D. and Barbara S.—be sure to make them feel welcome. In fact, think about mixing it up a bit and sit with someone you don't know very well this month!

Agenda: Dinner will begin promptly at 7 p.m. The dinner is being catered by Panera and includes a variety of sandwiches, salad, chips, pickles, cookies and cake. A limited selection of soda will be available.

We will have the BSKG logo chairs ready to distribute when you sign in. Chairs were preordered and payment ($25) is due upon delivery. If you missed out on ordering, never fear—you can bid on one in the silent auction!

Following dinner the silent auction (lots of great items!) as well the member swap and sale will begin. Bring your unwanted stash, books and knitting related (or other!) items...be prepared to haggle, beg, bargain and barter! Last year items included colorful weaver warps, handspun yarn, knitting services, books...your unwanted lonely single skein might be just what another member is searching for. I have some good things that I am bringing and can't wait to see what I can trade for with you! The silent auction will end with plenty of time for you to pay for your auction items before the end of the evening.

2009-05-01T19:52:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to all our May Black Sheep [and there
are a lot]: Barb Boren, Marguerite Winer, Annette Ervin,
Linda Seley, Margie Tate, Sue Carter, Katy Race and Phyllis Evans.

Thanks for the thanks [you know who you are].

Only 11 days until the May dinner/swap! Are you all clearing
out your stash to trade, barter & sell?

2009-04-21T10:54:00.020-05:00

Chris has saved the day with more pictures from S3.2!!

Besides the fun S3.2 swap that was the focus of the meeting we had another great round of raffle items. Big thanks to Sharon H., Linda L. and Laurie G. for the donated items. Kelly also brought an item donated by City Knits--what a wonderful surprise! 15 items in all were raffled off, including a special raffle item—a beautiful new Jordan Paige knitting bag donated by Sharon. It's hard to decide if that or the thongs were the best items in the raffle!

• • • • •

Remember, the May meeting is our annual dinner. RSVPs are being taken until Tuesday, April 28. The dinner will be at St. Columban, and is being catered by Panera. $10 per person. Also the May meeting is the swap...bring your unwanted yarn, notions, books...and barter, bargain and be ready to trade. We will also have a few silent auction items that will be up for bidding...you'll want to bring some money for that so you don't miss out.

2009-04-17T13:12:00.005-05:00

Tuesday's Sneaky Sheep Swap was beyond wonderful! I wish I could post pictures of all the beautiful items we were treated to, but my camera pooped out. Everything was beautiful... and created so thoughtfully. Colors were selected with care, patterns were examined & tested, thought given to what the recipient likes. It was a special night.

If, for any reason, you didn't RSVP to the May dinner, please let us know right away so you can be included.

from the ewe-in-chief

2009-04-10T10:32:00.000-05:00

The April meeting focus is the S3.2 Exchange! Join in the fun of
oohh-ing and aahh-ing as guild members who participated in this
year’s one-skein swap exchange their creations. I am excited to
see the finished items!

- - - -

A little more excitment for the meeting: this year we chose a wonderful
item to be the official BSKG logo item (thanks Tanya for the great find!)

DON’T MISS OUT—Preorder at the April guild meeting! Our new
Black Sheep Knitting Guild folding chair features the logo
emblazoned on the backrest of a bright green chair.

Only $25 each.
Orders will be taken at the April guild meeting and for the remainder
of that week.
Delivery will be at the May guild meeting. Payment is due upon delivery.

don't forget...

2009-04-07T20:51:00.001-05:00

Don't forget ~ BSKG meets next Tuesday, April 14, from 7 to 9 pm at
St. Columban Church. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Use this half hour to sign in,
buy raffle tickets, and sign up for *show & share* before the meeting begins
at 7 p.m.

Be sure to RSVP at the meeting for the annual BSKG Member Dinner and Swap/Sale to be
to be held May 12. The price is $10.

Happy April Fool's Day...

2009-04-01T12:29:00.002-05:00

...and Happy Birthday to our April-born Black Sheep: Barbara Carter, Charli Osborne and Andrea Champagne.
{if you have an April birthday, let Barb Boren know at the April meeting and mention it in "comments" right here}

Are all the S3.2 knitters getting excited? I sure am. Can't wait til the meeting!

Black Swamp field trip

2009-03-31T13:52:00.004-05:00

Six members of the Black Sheep Knitting Guild headed out lastSaturday morning to see what the Black Swamp Spinners Guild was all about by attending their 24th annual show in Bowling Green, OH. There was loads of yarn available and plenty of raw fleece. The Black Sheep helped boost theBlack Swamp economy!

The next stop was Sylvania, OH, where they invaded the Uptown Fibers Shop. Open since last October, it's owned by Jackie Goff and is filled with an abundance of samples to support the yarns and patterns. Our fearless sheep hadn't exhausted their desire to shop!

field trip....

2009-03-25T16:16:00.002-05:00

Black Sheep - we have a field trip planned for this Saturday, March 28. We're going to Bowling Green, Ohio (less than 2 hour trip) for the Black Swamp Spinners Guild Market Day & Fiber Fair. There are lots of vendors who will be there, including many from Michigan (including Briar Rose Fibers). It should be a really good fair. There will be yarn galore for sale (don't let the "fiber" in the fiber fair scare you off if you don't spin).

Please contact Harriet for more information through Ravelry [ bloomgirlknits] or make a comment here. We're meeting at 8 am in the Anderson Middle School parking lot

Wednesday knitting

2009-03-24T20:41:00.000-05:00

A message from Dawn Lemon: "a group of us are starting to knit at the Panera Bread on Grand River (between Farmington & Drake Roads) on Wednesday evenings. Folks are planning on around 6:30-ish, but some might be earlier. Hopefully we’ll get a decent turnout.

sister act

2009-03-23T16:18:00.004-05:00

did ewe know that Barb McAuliffe & Linda Seley are sisters?

what was your first project? When?
Barb: a pink hat made under the guidance of my dear Aunt Eleanor when I was in third grade.
Linda: a Christmas present, in the 70s, for my boyfriend [now my husband]....7 feet long (not counting fringe). I believed the longer, the more you showed your love.

what was your most difficult project?
Barb: a lovely berry red sweater. It was my 2nd project & was made when I lived *down under*. I needed every bit of instruction from my Aussie mum, Olive Spenser.
Linda: after that scarf, I didn't pick up knitting again until about a year ago when I decided I wanted to learn to make socks. Going from a rectangle to socks was a challenge.... I wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of Black Sheep.

what was/is your favorite project?
Barb: making items for my grandaughters, Sabrina & Hannah. I've just started a couple of scarves with patterns that are more involved for me & I'm excited I understand the stitches I've knitted.
Linda:my favorite at any moment is the one on my needles at that time. Perhaps it's because I haven't knit that many things, or maybe because I enjoy thinking of the person who will receive it or the challenge of trying something new.

salty or sweet?
Barb: usually sweet but nuts are right up there....
Linda: do you have to choose? I prefer eating them together, such as having mixed nuts with a piece of chocolate. Guess that's why nutty M and Ms are my favorite candy.

tell us something interesting about yourself....
Barb: my husband and I lived in Australia for 4 years. We first went camping there.
Linda: I like traveling & exploring new places.

aside from knitting, what are you passionate about?
Barb: I love being outdorra.... it can be as simple as sitting by the pond at lunch, golfing, x-country skiing or being on a cruise ship.
Linda: I love being outside & being active. I especially enjoy hiking, biking & kayaking.

Blocking and things.

2009-03-16T21:56:00.007-05:00

If you missed the meeting last week, you missed a wonderful lesson on "blocking" by Marilyn from Ewe-nique Knits.

On Saturday it looked like the Black Sheep were having a meeting in her store in Royal Oak. We really appreciate your advice, Marilyn.

Later on Saturday, Suzanne Jones was spotted walking down 12 Mile
in Berkley carrying a body.... or at least a human form. Care to explain that Suzanne?

2009-03-07T12:02:00.002-05:00

We meet Tuesday, March 10, from 7 to 9 pm at St. Columban
Church. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Use this half hour to sign in,
buy raffle tickets, socialize and catch up with your friends
before the meeting begins at 7 p.m.

Marilyn Grazioli from Ewe-nique Knits in Royal Oak will be
our guest speaker at the meeting. Marilyn will be talking about
blocking techniques. Come prepared to watch, learn and enjoy!
No supplies are necessary.

Remember to sign-in and to buy raffle tickets when you come in
at 6:30  There will also be a sheet to sign up for show and
share — let us see what you have been working on! As many people
will get to share as time allows.

Guests are welcome to come to 2 meetings to *try us on for size.*

"Pop goes the hero

2009-03-02T11:52:00.003-05:00

Challenging the very idea of machismo, one purl at a time..."

Tanya found this wonderful article for us.

http://www.metrotimes.com/arts/story.asp?id=13730

By the way, add Kim Thorsen to the birthday wishes list.  Kim Whelen too!

in like a lion & out like a LAMB

2009-03-01T19:19:00.005-05:00

Happy March birthday to Suzanne Jones, Sue Waid, Julie Miller, Judith Davis, Kathleen Pawlic, Linda Dean & Camille Levi ~ a record number of Black Sheep celebrants.

did ewe know...

what was your first project & when?
Katy Race: a lovely alpaca garter knit scarf that my son still proudly wears

what was your most difficult project?
Katy: I try not to work on things that are too difficult. I like things
that can be easily finished.. need to see accomplishments to keep
going and I don't like UFOs.

what was/is your favorite project?
Katy: a new sweater vest I am working on now [1/09]. It has worked
up quickly, will be really warm, and people are asking for the pattern.

salty or sweet?
Katy: it's a tie ... I love BBQ potato chips & dark chocolate!

tell us something interesting about yourself..
Katy: I am currently a statistic, one of the many unemployed here in
Michigan, but also optimistic that good things will come.
[editors note: Katy just returned from Costa Rica]

aside from knitting, what are you passionate about?
Katy: I love to cook good food for family and friends... I cook from
scratch and love to plan dinner parties.

edited to add: Katy has a new job!

did ewe know...

2009-02-16T21:20:00.003-05:00

that Rita Perrone & Heather Perrone are mother and daughter?

what was your first project & when?
Rita ~ I think my first project was a scarf for my then high school boyfriend.
Heather ~ an endless scarf when I was young.

what was/is your most difficult project?
Rita ~ the Corset Tank Top is certainly the most frustrating project. I startedit a number of times when I found a mistake I couldn't fix,
frogged & began again...
Heather ~ usually the project I'm currently working on

what was/is your favorite project?
Rita ~ I think the Fetchings I made as gifts this Christmas.
Heather ~ usually the project I'm currently working on

salty or sweet?
Rita ~ sweet of course. Chocolate rules.
Heather ~ yes.

tell us something interesting about yourself
Rita ~ I'm a mechanical engineer who loves to travel.
Heather ~ I took up spinning 10 or more years before I really started
to knit or crochet.

aside from knitting, what are you passionate about?
Rita ~ I'm an avid gardener, a crazy recycler and love Jazzercise and riding my bike.
Heather ~ My psycho cat & husband. Medieval recreation [Society for Creative Anachronism].

2009-02-11T22:18:00.008-05:00

Thank you from Judith to all who signed up and volunteered time in the Knit Michigan learn to knit room. The area was larger this year and there were a lot of people to teach knitting and crocheting. There were more vendors this year and the silent auction had lots of items, from yarn to books to finished garments. City Knits from Grand Rapids had Yarn Hollow, Black Sheep Forever, our very own Kim W. creation.

The program last night was embellishments. Linda Dean presented crochet embellishments, Suzanne Jones taught needlefelting, Stacey Totzke taught beading and Nancy Brown presented thrums. Our members are very talented and willing to share!

In addition, Judith collected premie hats and blankets from Black Sheep to be delivered to Providence Hospital.