Hello fellow fiber enthusiasts!
I would like to introduce Joyce Stebbins. She hails from Rhode Island and has the accent to back it up. She moved to Summerville in 2007 and soon joined the staff at The Village Knittery. She was the knitting instructor there for 9 years and enjoyed sharing her love of knitting there by giving knitting lessons on various levels.
Joyce learned to knit at age 7 from her mother. Her first finished object was a scarf. By age 12 she was making gifts for her friends and family. Joyce's mother was a good knitter, she would knit argyle socks for Joyce's dad on dpn's without a pattern. By high school Joyce had knitted her first Fisherman's sweater.
Joyce also has designed Christmas stockings, Christmas tree ornaments, scarves and fingerless gloves. And she still provides knitting lessons weekly. She joins us for the Wednesday Knit meet up at Panera Bread in Summerville.
Joyce has been a member of the FKG since it's conception and she served as treasurer since the beginning as well. She is also a member of the The Knitting Guild of America and has been doing casework toward becoming a master knitter. She joined the TKGA 3 years ago.
She has a one daughter, who just moved to Summerville from Hawaii last year and also 2 wonderful grand boys that she enjoys doting on and spoiling. One resides here and the other stayed in Hawaii so she still has a great vacation spot to go to.
Unfortunately, we can take the girl out of Rhode Island but we can't get her to support the local football teams. She is an avid and very vocal New England Patriot fan. Much to my chagrin and I give her grief about that every chance I get. So when you see her around town be sure to remind her that the Panthers are right up the road and her Patriots laid an egg this year at the Super Bowl. lol
Thanks for taking the time to meet Joyce. Stayed tuned later in the week to meet another member of the FKG.
**Side note - don't forget about the FKG meeting tomorrow evening. Hope to see you there!
Monday, February 26, 2018
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Introducing the 2018 FKG members
Hello fellow fiber enthusiasts!!
My name is Natalie Jett and I am manning the blog this year. I figured I would introduce myself to you.
You can find me on social media as the Knottee Hooker. When I came up with that name I was a direct sales consultant for Pure Romance, which means I provided in home parties for adult women. And the play on words just seemed to fit. Well, let me tell you the Pure Romance corporate office wasn't as impressed so I couldn't name my Pure Romance team that so I just transferred it over to my crochet business.
I have been a hooker for more years that I want to count. When I taught myself to crochet I couldn't figure out how to make the square be straight on the ends so I ended up with a bunch of halter tops and I was young enough to get away with wearing them. When I was in college I decided to really learn how to crochet so off to the library for a book (this was in the pre YouTube era) and I taught myself the nuances and viola! I had straight edges. But back then crochet was mostly granny squares or afghans. Crochet was rarely the beautiful garments that you see from knitters. A few years ago I decided that I wanted to make more than just afghans so I challenged myself to make crocheted garments and wear them proudly.
A very unexpected drawback of being a crocheter is how you are treated in some local yarn shops. For some reason, crocheters are looked at and treated like red headed stepchildren. As if, for some reason, that craft is less than knitting. That just motivated me to crochet more beautiful items so that when people asked I could proudly say it was crocheted not knitted. I will admittedly raise my hand to being a yarn snob. I will use certain brands of acrylic yarn but mostly for clients from my Etsy store. If I am crafting for me, it's got to be the good stuff.
Which leads me to another passion of mine - hand dyeing yarn!! OMG is that fun! I started out using Kool-Aid, food coloring or Wilton's cake icing and then quickly gravitated to acid dyes from Dharma Trading. It is so much fun and truly addicting to see the yarn come to life. I did a few hand dyeing workshops at the Village Knittery and in May I will be teaching a workshop for the FKG monthly meeting.
I always wanted to learn to knit but I just couldn't grasp the concept of holding 2 needles and the yarn. I tried several times over the years and just ended up frustrated. Until last year when a friend who had been a lifelong crocheter as well told me to try Portuguese knitting. That clicked and I was so thrilled. So I am now bi (bi-stitchual). I actually finished my first knitted shawl! It was The Grocery Girls shawl by Joji Locatelli and it was for an Etsy client. And I have cast on my first pair of socks. Now the challenge is to not succumb to "one sock syndrome". lol
I am the mother of 2 sons and 1 daughter. I have 5 grands with one more due in May/June. I bleed Carolina Blue and am an avid sports fan. If you look at most of the things that I crochet for myself they have some kind of sports theme. When I see a pattern I automatically think of knitting/crocheting it in sports team colors. I am also a Braves fan and a Carolina Panthers fan. If I am listening to tv while knitting/crocheting it's on either Criminal Minds, NCIS or Blue Bloods. I probably know each season by heart by now.
Oh well, I guess that is it about me. Nice to meet you! Next month I will feature another guild member.
Go Heels!!
My name is Natalie Jett and I am manning the blog this year. I figured I would introduce myself to you.
You can find me on social media as the Knottee Hooker. When I came up with that name I was a direct sales consultant for Pure Romance, which means I provided in home parties for adult women. And the play on words just seemed to fit. Well, let me tell you the Pure Romance corporate office wasn't as impressed so I couldn't name my Pure Romance team that so I just transferred it over to my crochet business.
I have been a hooker for more years that I want to count. When I taught myself to crochet I couldn't figure out how to make the square be straight on the ends so I ended up with a bunch of halter tops and I was young enough to get away with wearing them. When I was in college I decided to really learn how to crochet so off to the library for a book (this was in the pre YouTube era) and I taught myself the nuances and viola! I had straight edges. But back then crochet was mostly granny squares or afghans. Crochet was rarely the beautiful garments that you see from knitters. A few years ago I decided that I wanted to make more than just afghans so I challenged myself to make crocheted garments and wear them proudly.
A very unexpected drawback of being a crocheter is how you are treated in some local yarn shops. For some reason, crocheters are looked at and treated like red headed stepchildren. As if, for some reason, that craft is less than knitting. That just motivated me to crochet more beautiful items so that when people asked I could proudly say it was crocheted not knitted. I will admittedly raise my hand to being a yarn snob. I will use certain brands of acrylic yarn but mostly for clients from my Etsy store. If I am crafting for me, it's got to be the good stuff.
Which leads me to another passion of mine - hand dyeing yarn!! OMG is that fun! I started out using Kool-Aid, food coloring or Wilton's cake icing and then quickly gravitated to acid dyes from Dharma Trading. It is so much fun and truly addicting to see the yarn come to life. I did a few hand dyeing workshops at the Village Knittery and in May I will be teaching a workshop for the FKG monthly meeting.
I always wanted to learn to knit but I just couldn't grasp the concept of holding 2 needles and the yarn. I tried several times over the years and just ended up frustrated. Until last year when a friend who had been a lifelong crocheter as well told me to try Portuguese knitting. That clicked and I was so thrilled. So I am now bi (bi-stitchual). I actually finished my first knitted shawl! It was The Grocery Girls shawl by Joji Locatelli and it was for an Etsy client. And I have cast on my first pair of socks. Now the challenge is to not succumb to "one sock syndrome". lol
I am the mother of 2 sons and 1 daughter. I have 5 grands with one more due in May/June. I bleed Carolina Blue and am an avid sports fan. If you look at most of the things that I crochet for myself they have some kind of sports theme. When I see a pattern I automatically think of knitting/crocheting it in sports team colors. I am also a Braves fan and a Carolina Panthers fan. If I am listening to tv while knitting/crocheting it's on either Criminal Minds, NCIS or Blue Bloods. I probably know each season by heart by now.
Oh well, I guess that is it about me. Nice to meet you! Next month I will feature another guild member.
Go Heels!!
Saturday, February 10, 2018
5 Reasons to join your local knitting guild
1. GROUP FIELD TRIPS
This year if we get enough interest we are thinking of taking trips to the following Fiber Festivals:
- Carolina Fiber Festival, Raleigh, NC, March 23-24
- Smoky Mountain Fiber Festival, Townsend, TN, April 20-22
- Tennesse Fiber Festival, Dickson, TN May 25-26
- Southeastern Animal Fiber Festival, Fletcher, NC, Oct. 26-28
Just think a road trip with fellow yarn enthusiasts to take workshops and have the chance to find new yarn businesses or to visit some old favorites!
2. DONATE TO CHARITIES
I know a lot of us like to crochet/knit so that we can share our gift with those less fortunate. The FKG donates to various local organizations. Cathy has a list of the various charities that call her for donations, several local schools have needs that they communicate to her. Several hats were taken to the Greenville Knit In for the red hats for Red Cross babies.
3. ALL ACCESS PASS TO FKG WORKSHOPS
We have several workshops planned during the guild meetings this year. Suzy taught us Sequence knitting last month and Lynn will be showing us how to make Dr. Suess bookmarks this month and they will be donated to Flowertown Elementary school. Natalie will be conducting a hand dyeing yarn workshop in May.
4. FKG CONTEST AND KAL
Carolina Fiber Festival has a 1st Annual cowl KAL for those planning to attend. I am sure it's a play off of the Rhinebeck Festival's KAL. The cowl was designed for the Festival and is only available right now at carolinafiberfest.org. It will be available on Ravelry after the festival.
5. CAMARADIE OF GROUP KNITTING
There is just something soothing about knitting/crocheting in a group of like minded people. The conversations cover a myriad of topics. And the ability to teach or learn a new stitch or pattern can't be beat. One thing about crafters, we love to share our love of all things yarn.
This year if we get enough interest we are thinking of taking trips to the following Fiber Festivals:
- Carolina Fiber Festival, Raleigh, NC, March 23-24
- Smoky Mountain Fiber Festival, Townsend, TN, April 20-22
- Tennesse Fiber Festival, Dickson, TN May 25-26
- Southeastern Animal Fiber Festival, Fletcher, NC, Oct. 26-28
Just think a road trip with fellow yarn enthusiasts to take workshops and have the chance to find new yarn businesses or to visit some old favorites!
2. DONATE TO CHARITIES
I know a lot of us like to crochet/knit so that we can share our gift with those less fortunate. The FKG donates to various local organizations. Cathy has a list of the various charities that call her for donations, several local schools have needs that they communicate to her. Several hats were taken to the Greenville Knit In for the red hats for Red Cross babies.
3. ALL ACCESS PASS TO FKG WORKSHOPS
We have several workshops planned during the guild meetings this year. Suzy taught us Sequence knitting last month and Lynn will be showing us how to make Dr. Suess bookmarks this month and they will be donated to Flowertown Elementary school. Natalie will be conducting a hand dyeing yarn workshop in May.
4. FKG CONTEST AND KAL
Carolina Fiber Festival has a 1st Annual cowl KAL for those planning to attend. I am sure it's a play off of the Rhinebeck Festival's KAL. The cowl was designed for the Festival and is only available right now at carolinafiberfest.org. It will be available on Ravelry after the festival.
5. CAMARADIE OF GROUP KNITTING
There is just something soothing about knitting/crocheting in a group of like minded people. The conversations cover a myriad of topics. And the ability to teach or learn a new stitch or pattern can't be beat. One thing about crafters, we love to share our love of all things yarn.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Life After the Greenville Knit In/Road Trip
Hey All!
Joyce and Kaye are back from Greenville and both came back with colds. They both attended the Wednesday Meetup at Panera Bread. Joyce took 2 classes, a felted rose class and a steeking class. She enjoyed both classes but she felt that the sweater she had for the steeking was not the best choice. It was so tightly knit that it was hard to pick up stitches. The class itself was great but she didn't benefit as much as she would have wanted.
One of the things I love about meetups is the array of topics that flow. Today's topics ranged from bullying amongst today's children, to big head children, to the classes that were taken in Greenville, and Christina had some great new books on knitting in the round.
You'll have to attend the February meeting to hear about Kaye's classes and experience in Greenville. Don't wait to tell all the goodies from that weekend.
Also who is down for a road trip to Raleigh, NC, March 23rd-24th from 9am-6pm for the 12th Annual Carolina FiberFest? Please comment below if you're interested. We need to decide if we'll make it a one day trip or stay overnight and enjoy both days. Look at the available workshops here carolinafiberfest.org. There is also a 1st Annual CFF Knit-Along for the SpringDrops Cowl. The free pattern is available on the website for now. It will be available on Ravelry after the festival.
Joyce and Kaye are back from Greenville and both came back with colds. They both attended the Wednesday Meetup at Panera Bread. Joyce took 2 classes, a felted rose class and a steeking class. She enjoyed both classes but she felt that the sweater she had for the steeking was not the best choice. It was so tightly knit that it was hard to pick up stitches. The class itself was great but she didn't benefit as much as she would have wanted.
One of the things I love about meetups is the array of topics that flow. Today's topics ranged from bullying amongst today's children, to big head children, to the classes that were taken in Greenville, and Christina had some great new books on knitting in the round.
You'll have to attend the February meeting to hear about Kaye's classes and experience in Greenville. Don't wait to tell all the goodies from that weekend.
Also who is down for a road trip to Raleigh, NC, March 23rd-24th from 9am-6pm for the 12th Annual Carolina FiberFest? Please comment below if you're interested. We need to decide if we'll make it a one day trip or stay overnight and enjoy both days. Look at the available workshops here carolinafiberfest.org. There is also a 1st Annual CFF Knit-Along for the SpringDrops Cowl. The free pattern is available on the website for now. It will be available on Ravelry after the festival.
Friday, February 2, 2018
January 2018 Meeting
Welcome 2018!!
The January 23rd meeting was a great start to 2018! There were some return members and some new faces as well. There was an array of knitting accessories and knitting related items that were shown for show and tell. Cathy shared that the number of items donated to various charities in 2017 were a whopping 250! The kids from Flowertown Elementary even sent the cutest thank you notes for their hats. Let's see if we can top that number in 2018. We are already off to a good start as a few members who are attending the Knit In in Greenville, SC, Feb. 2- Feb 4, took some red hats for the Red Cross babies.
Suzy showed us the nuances of Sequence knitting and we each knit a swatch to try and get the hang of it.
For our February 27th meeting Joyce and Kaye will share with us their experience from the Knit In. Lynn Dukes will be showing us how to knit Dr. Seuss hats for bookmarks that will be donated to Flowertown Elementary school. Lynn will provide the yarn.
We look forward to seeing you in February and please drag a friend along as well! If you have any questions, please comment below.
Also with the closing of our beloved local yarn shop, The Village Knittery in December many are looking for meetings/groups of fellow enthusiasts to join. Please check out the various groups on the right that hold meetings currently. If you know of any others that you would like posted please comment below with the pertinent information and they will be added as well. Thanks!
Natalie aka The KnotteeHooker
The January 23rd meeting was a great start to 2018! There were some return members and some new faces as well. There was an array of knitting accessories and knitting related items that were shown for show and tell. Cathy shared that the number of items donated to various charities in 2017 were a whopping 250! The kids from Flowertown Elementary even sent the cutest thank you notes for their hats. Let's see if we can top that number in 2018. We are already off to a good start as a few members who are attending the Knit In in Greenville, SC, Feb. 2- Feb 4, took some red hats for the Red Cross babies.
Suzy showed us the nuances of Sequence knitting and we each knit a swatch to try and get the hang of it.
For our February 27th meeting Joyce and Kaye will share with us their experience from the Knit In. Lynn Dukes will be showing us how to knit Dr. Seuss hats for bookmarks that will be donated to Flowertown Elementary school. Lynn will provide the yarn.
We look forward to seeing you in February and please drag a friend along as well! If you have any questions, please comment below.
Also with the closing of our beloved local yarn shop, The Village Knittery in December many are looking for meetings/groups of fellow enthusiasts to join. Please check out the various groups on the right that hold meetings currently. If you know of any others that you would like posted please comment below with the pertinent information and they will be added as well. Thanks!
Natalie aka The KnotteeHooker
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