2010 WSCG Meetings

Good afternoon all! I wanted to ask whether we will be doing 2nd or 3rd Sundays in 2010 for our meetings? I am trying to be good and get them set up on Facebook...

Thanks!
~Kimberly

Freeform Fun

Just wanted to show that I can finish projects - few and far between as they seem to be. I'm constantly knitting or crocheting but seem to have so little to show for it.

I wore this scarf over the weekend. I LOVE it.

5 days and counting - see you all Sunday!

Me Again

The Yahoo Group is set up - head on over to join.

Thankful

I am thankful for yarn, knitting and crochet because they have led me to some of the nicest people in the world.

I'm going to try a Yahoo! group for us. That seems to be a little more interactive than the blog as postings get sent to members. I'm not going to make it a closed group 'cuz we want our info to reach the largest audience possible.

I wrote on the CGOA group that I am going to move the all Houston gathering to March to coincide with NaCroMo. This also gives us more time to plan. I am looking forward to the group next week and hope we have a full turn out.

Anyone up for charity crochet in January? I'd love for us to gather a collection of scarves for the vets in VA facilities around the country. Check out their site and think about it. Soft acrylic or acrylic blend yarns are perfect so the cost is reasonable. I have copies of the patterns and will bring them with me so we can talk about it. This is near and dear to my heart and I'd love to give back to these folks.

Sheryl

Time for Kid N' Ewe!

http://www.kidnewe.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

DIY Yarn Swift

I made a yarn swift and it works brilliantly! Here's where to find the instructions

http://webeccasays.blogspot.com/2008/05/tilta-swift.html

Amy

MEETING DATE CHANGE!

Amy & I voted yesterday (at the regular meeting) to change the meeting date for the next 2 months.
November and December meetings will be on the 2nd Sunday of each month.

Argghhh!

Ok, now I have a conflict with October, November & possibly December! Any chance we can change to 2nd or 4th weekend of the month? I know it is quite narcissistic to ask everyone to adjust for me - but I really do want to be a part of the group! Take a vote this month and let me know.

October Meeting

Yo!
It's almost meet-up time again!
This is going to be a hard week for me (and very full), but I'm hoping (and praying) that the meds kick-in before Sunday. If they do not, I will probably be in bed recuperating. As always, I have the feeling that if I am absent, there will be a bumper crowd with lots and lots of new faces. But that's just my paranoia talking.
Hope to see y'all at Dunn Bros on Fry Road at 2 pm!

Tunisian Cable class at Yarntopia

Sheryl is teaching a Tunisian Cable class at Yarntopia on Tuesday, October 6th.

Here's what she has to say about it "I have become hopelessly addicted to tunisian cables and textural patterns. From the cable strip we will be making in class you will be able to choose to make a hat, neck warmer or scarf. Give us a call to sign up. The class is from 6-8 and the cost is $20 + materials."

I'm pretty sure I will be able to go...hope to see some of you there, too!

Amy

September Meeting

Wow, did y'all miss a good time!
Sheryl, I'm sorry I didn't see your post about the Tunisian cables. I would have been VERY prepared. Can we put it on the agenda for October 18th?
Sheryl and I had a good time, but.......
what is going on? What can we do to improve and grow our chapter? Is the date wrong? The meeting place? The members? What can we offer to make your guild membership a more rewarding and enjoyable experience? What can we do to make people WANT to come?
We are ALL Westside Crochet Gang. So what do YOU want from YOUR guild experience?
I know that Jessica is studying for her Masters Certs and I would like to start. So is that something that would interest anyone else? Maybe we become the first chapter is Houston to have everyone Masters or Instructor Certifide? Yes, No?
We need feedback. Input, Input, Input!

Meeting Tomorrow

Hi all! Debra wants to learn about tunisian cables. I finally have done cables that I love and am willing to share the knowledge. If you want a quickie lesson tomorrow, bring a smooth, light-colored yarn and a hook a couple sizes bigger than the yarn calls for. I used an I on dk weight and it worked great.

No hurt feelings if you aren't interested - I'm bringing my Market Spice Tunic to work on.

See you tomorrow!

New Stuff!

The very kind UPS driver brought me several presents yesterday. First is the long anticipated Denise Interchangeable crochet hook set. I took mine home last night and put them through a serious workout. I am thrilled! The hooks, like their knitting needles, are smooth and comfortable on the hands. The joins are smooth and the cable is not annoying like so many flexible hooks. Individual hooks can be purchased so that double ended hooks can be created; there are 4 stoppers so that a single flexible hook is created. You can also take the hook off and put another stopper on to hold the stitches for future stitching.

I have just begun playing with them but I would definitely recommend them. The hooks can also be used alone as a regular crochet hook. There is a small thumb grip and the head is inline, more like a Susan Bates than a Boye. We have 3 sets at the shop and they retail for $40.00. The hook sizes go from F/3.75mm to a 19/15mm. I feel more tunisian projects in my future!

Speaking of that, Interweave Crochet for fall comes out the end of this month - the preview should be on the website this week. CAL anyone?

Also new is Kim Werker's book Crocheted Gifts. This is a compilation of projects from many designers we all know and love, as well as some fresh new crochet voices. The book is beautifully photographed, styled and presented. However, none of that would matter if the projects were not things I would like to make and give. There are gifts for women, men, babies, and the home; most are small, some are big; some for beginners-intermediate as well as for the more advanced crocheter. The projects span the seasons so this is not just a "holiday" book but the kind of resource you will go back to over and over again for those "go to" gifts that will cement your reputation as the best gift giver in the family.

Audio Mystery CAL

And now for something completely different....

Just saw this post through the Crochet Partners list. I think it sounds pretty interesting so I signed up.

It's a mystery audio scarf crochet along hosted by The Stitch Stud, Charles Voth. Here are the details.

* It's FREE!
* It's an Audio Crochet Along. This means that the hints (stages of instructions) will be given to you in an audio format. Okay, Why? is what I hear some of you asking/wondering. Well..it's just to try something different. Come on & give it a try.
* The mystery lies in having to wait for the different stages of instructions, and not knowing what the scarf will look like.
* If you have basic to low-intermediate skills you will be comfortable.
* Once you attempt a stage with audio instructions and post your successes/attempts/confusions/whining you will receive a symbol chart AND text version of that stage.
* There will be a variety of lengths in wait times between stages depending on the amount that will be crocheted.
* You will receive a full version of the pattern in PDF format at the end of the CAL.
* This group will be closed after the final deadline and the pattern will subsequently be available for sale to the general public.
* Sign-ups start now and will end Sept. 12. The CAL will not be available after that date. We should be done be mid-November, roughly.
* Supplies: 800 yards (200 gms) of 3-ply (lightweight) sock yarn. (Symbol #2 from yarnstandards.com) If you use a multi-coloured yarn, you'll want the colours to be similar in value, no dramatic dark/light contrasts, so that the lace is visible. 3.5mm (US E/4) Hook.
* Gauge: you'll find out more if you sign up.
* Finished Dimensions: 9.5 x 44 inches
* By joining this CAL, you are agreeing to not share any part of the pattern in any format with any non-group member. The pattern will be available for sale once the period of exclusivity is over.
* To access the files and group discussion, you will have to join Google Groups. If you already have gmail or other Google Membership service, then you can use that login and go here: http://groups.google.ca/group/scarf-cal
* will use North American terms in audio version, charts are not term specific, text will have both UK and North American versions.
* stitches used: chain st, slip st (thru both loops), single crochet, double crochet, double-treble stitch, triple-treble stitch.

If you wish to join the CAL but are not a google member, please send me an email at stitchstud@gmail.com with ScarfCAL in the subject line.

You can find some FAQ's in my ravelry group, (http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/stitch-stud--his-bride-podcast/780611/1-25#1) or you can email me if you have questions before signing up.

Here are some answers from the Ravelry FAQ's:

"The CAL runs from Sept 12 till the end of November…only to give LOTS of opportunity for everyone to keep up, not because it would actually take that long to make. My crocheting speed is average and the project took me about 25 hours total…I’m hoping that people use this project to take a break from other things they are doing…for entertainment’s sake. If most of the group wants me to speed things up, I will do that; otherwise, I’ll send advanced hints to speedy crocheters who want to get it done to move on to other things."

"The audio instructions will be posted as an MP3 file, which is what most non-mac-made podcasts are. Using the mp4 format causes too many problems for PC-users. Because it’s a “closed” CAL, the files will only be available to group members, and can’t be hosted on i-tunes. The 800 yards does seem like a lot, but one of the motifs in this scarf uses some interesting stitching which uses up a tad more than a basic double-crochet scarf. The other thing is this is almost laceweight yarn. If you use 4-ply sport weight instead of the 3-ply fingering weight the scarf will be wider and longer. In that case, or if you don’t have 800 yards, you will be able to work the scarf to a shorter length…and I’ll explain that during the CAL."

"With my podcaster hat on, I was thinking about creative ways to make my podcast more interactive and came up with this. I don’t know how easy or difficult it’s going to be. I’m not going to be simply reading the text version in a robotic voice…I hope to be a little more spontaneous and with more flow to the instructions. We’ll see how it goes. Part of doing it audio first and withholding the text/symbols is to raise the bar a little, make this a little competitive/fun (for those who like that kind of thing), but I completely understand that it’s not everyone’s bag to hear the audio or race against others, so that’s why I’m using all formats…so that everyone enjoys themselves at some point along the path…and then, what if you hate my voice!? At least it’s free, and you can simply wait for the non-audio clues. :) "

New Blog of Note

CGOA has a new blog. Check it out!
http://cgoanow.blogspot.com
For those of you interested in the Texas Crochet Meet-up in San Angelo, They have added a special guest speaker on Friday afternoon at 4; a professor from the wool and mohair lab.
Sounds interesting.
I'm seriously considering attending the meet-up because I feel its important the Westside be represented.
If you can't make it, please support Sheryl's effort to get a Houston meet-up coordinated in January. She could probably use help in organizing, scheduling, ideas, contacts, etc. I will be putting this on the agenda for the September meeting. I think its a lovely idea and I'd love to see Westside spearhead this and show that even though we are a casual, non-conformist group-we can "Git 'er Done"!
Also on the agenda will be:
Charity crochet
Moving forward-where do we want to go
Holidays?

Other news:
Sheryl has agreed to share with us her review of Kim Werker's newest book. This book looks lovely. I got to thumb through it last Thursday and I know MY opinion; can't wait for her review. For those who don't know Sheryl (yeah, there might be some), she is a multi-published crochet and tunisian designer, Master Crocheter, and CGOA Professional Crocheter. Her insight will be invaluable.
We have another member, Jessica, who has plans to take on the challenge to get her Master Crocheter designation and her crochet instructor designation (the same in knitting, but we won't talk about that-hee,hee)-lets all remember to encourage and support her.
If anyone else has their certs, or is planning on getting it, or is working on it, please share with the group-we want to expose-er-support you.
If you haven't signed up yet, check out Yarntopia.net. Our LYS has completely revamped their blog and has exciting things planned for the fall and winter. Lets show them some crochet love!
Peace out, Y'all!

Me Again

I posted this on Ravelry and also sent an email to Saundra from H-Town Crocheters to get some feedback:

Why don't we plan a joint gathering of Houston area guilds? I'll certainly help [aka donate door prizes : )] and also volunteer to teach a tunisian crochet class as the program - or not depending on interest.

We could find a central location and pool resources (if needed) to cover the cost of a place to meet. If we found a restaurant with a room, we might not have to pay anything, just eat their food. Maybe each guild could contribute something - a prize, or something.

We could plan it for January which would give us plenty of planning time and this also falls between the gathering in San Angelo & DFW Fiber Fest.

What do you all think?

Lost but not forgotten

I really haven't forgotten about you all, in fact, I have my crochet mojo back. Head on over to my blog to see my latest FO.

I promise not to schedule grandkids or vacations for September 20th. I'm looking for project ideas for Yarntopia. What's everybody interested in learning/doing? I'm kind of feeling like a challenge of some kind. I'd like to get everybody psyched for a fall CAL.

August Meeting

Coming to you live from Dunn Bros. Coffee on the beautiful westside.
Leslie is standing at the counter awaiting her coffee-can't wait to see what she's done since last month.
Leslie has finished her "partridge in a Pear Tree" filet crochet.
Kimberly is presently working on strings....loose ones that is.
Jessica has joined us again, therefore it is officially the end of summer. She brought her dainty cream tablecloth.
Everybody welcome Rhonda! Our latest newbie! Hey Rhonda, thanks for joining us!
Amy just came in-back from Michigan safe and sound. She's sporting her gorgeous Doris Chan short sleeved cardi...good job Amy!

Texas Crochet Meet-up

To the Texas Chapters of the CGOA and their members
Announcing
The Texas Crochet Meetup 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen
Not since the Schulenburg, Texas gathering have we had such a gathering of all available chapters of the CGOA,
You asked for it, we have been working on this since February 2009.
The venue has been established, classes set, teachers volunteering,
possible guest speakers attending, and all to you for the cost of your lunch.
Now...
Here is your invitation to attend a daylong gathering to meet and greet the members of the CGOA Chapters from around Texas!
It will be held in San Angelo, Texas
Saturday, 3 October 2009
From 9 am to 4:30 pm
At the Zentner's Daughter Restaurant
1901 Knickerbocker Road
San Angelo, Texas 76904
(Please Google for map.)
(Candice has been very helpful there in assisting us in our needs for this meetup)


We will be offering two class sessions taught by CGOA chapter members.
Here is the exciting day's schedule:
9:00 am register at restaurant
Choose from the lunch menu
Pay for lunch at that time (cash only, please).
Depending on the amount of person responding to this invitation
We will have one of two rooms available at the restaurant
Both are beautiful (German-American atmosphere)
9:30 to 12 noon
First Class: Crochet purse with beads (6 x 9 inches)
Teacher: Carole Fitzgerald (H-Town chapter)
Supplies needed: one skein of Red Heart worsted weight
Matching or coordinating beads (pony beads, approx. 720)
H Hook and Yarn Needle
Skill level: All levels
Stitches to know: chain and single crochet.
12 noon to 2:00 pm
Lunch at your expense
(hey! the room is free if we all eat there)
During lunch we will have:
a game or games (time permitting)
Guest speakers (publishing vs. self-publishing)
Show and Tell
Raffle
2:00 to 4:30
Second Class: Scarf Stitch Sampler
Teacher: Sharon Dyke
Supplies needed: Scrap yarn
Hooks: assorted (F through I)
Skill level: All levels
We will need to be out of the restaurant by 5:00 pm for the evening dinner crowd
We can try to meet back at the Hotel
that has been set aside for those who
need reservation for over night stay.
It has a pool area and a little breakfast nook in the lobby
It is located one mile south of the restaurant.


Roadway Inn
2502 (west) Loop 306
San Angelo, Texas 76904
1-325-944-2578
Mention Texas Crochet Meetup or ask for Martha
Rooms will be offered at $70 a night
($89 with tax and other state charges)
They have smoking and non-smoking buildings
So non-smokers will not be next door to a smoker.
(Honestly, looks like brick apartment buildings)
If you need microwave and refrigerators please request them
It has a continental breakfast in the small lobby breakfast room
Next door (attached to the front of the building) are
Two businesses
Nacho's restaurant
and
Little River Club
(For evening libations)


Places of interest to see while you are there:
Fort Concho
Celebration Bridge (nice for an evening stroll)
San Angelo Fine Arts Museum
Judith Lester's Wool N Cotton Shop
Miss Hattie's Bordello
(Beautiful turn of the century decorations)
Concho Confetti Antique MallWalk down Historic East Concho Street for other stores

July Meeting

Coming to you live from Dunn Bros.!
Debra, Amy, Kimberly, and Leslie are sitting here discussing FOs, fast knitters/crocheters, planned projects, and hook types.
Kimberly is wearing her newest FO, gorgeous purple cardigan, Amy is finishing up her LaMer scarf, Leslie is working on delicate, beautiful white and pink "grand" doily.

Question of the day: How do you find time to crochet?
recommended site:
www.Vintage-Crochet-Patterns.com
Garrison Hollow

Opps-Sorry folks

Meeting is tomorrow 2 pm. I know a couple won't be there, but you can count on me!
I've got an FO to show ya.

Meeting websites

Great to see everyone this afternoon! Here are some websites about the things we were discussing:

Patternfish

Downloadable patterns.

http://www.patternfish.com/

Yarn Thing Podcast

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/YarnThing

Podcast about knitting and crochet, hosted by Marlaina Byrd, crochet and knit designer. She is on a little podcasting break right now, but some recent episodes of note are:

June 2 - Hooked for Life: interview with Mary Beth Temple discussing crochet and being a crochet designer.

May 26 - ModeKnit: interview with Annie Modesitt, knit designer, about the business of designing and how designers need to be paid more.

May 19 - Patternfish: interview with Julia Grunau, owner of Patternfish.

May 14 - Looks Like Knitting, Ease of Crochet: interview with Sharon Silverman. About 25 minutes into the interview there's some Sheryl Means love being expressed.

Getting Loopy Podcast

http://podcast.com/show/61860/

Podcast about crochet, hosted by crochet and knit designer Mary Beth Temple. She also interviewed Sharon Silverman (May 11) and Julia Grunau (April 13). I listened to both the Getting Loopy and Yarn Thing interviews and they somehow were not remotely redundant. Run through the episode archives, as there are lots and lots of great interviews with really interesting people.

Amy

JUNE MEETING

Next meeting is this Sunday June 21st at Dunn Bros. As far as I am concerned, we are still on and I plan on being there; 2-4, iced tea in hand.
I did not post minutes from the May meeting simply because there wasn't much to report. We met, we sipped, we ooooo'd and ahhhhhh'd over WIPs. We discussed tarn and yarn properties.
Thanks to Janet for stopping by to say "Hiya".
See y'all Sunday.

Fathers' Day meeting

Our next meeting is on Fathers' Day. Should we move it? (the meeting date, that is. I don't know if we can get Fathers' Day moved.) Actually, looking at my calendar I don't have any other Sundays free so it looks like I'm out for June. :o(

Group for our guild on Facebook!

Good afternoon everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that I have created a group on Facebook with our information. Just one more way to get our name out there. It is called West Side Chain Gang (a West Houston crochet group). I will post events for each month's meetings and have discussion threads available.

So, if you are on Facebook... look us up, pass us on and get involved! Wouldn't it be cool to have Drew, Sheryl or other big name designers advertising our group by it being listed on their Facebook page?? You should be able to find it by searching crochet then choosing to display only groups and only Houston, TX network. I tried to make it pretty easy to find. Let me know if you have problems or suggestions for that matter!

Next Meeting

May 17th. 2 pm. Dunn Bros. Coffee on Westheimer @ SH99.
See y'all there!

Publicity Business Cards

I got the business cards from Vista Print today and they look great! They have the name of our guild and the guild website URL and e-mail address. They say to check the website for meeting details. I will leave a stack at Yarntopia maybe tomorrow, probably Monday. You can pick some up there to distribute or get some from me at the next meeting. Please hand them out to everyone you know so we can get the word out about our group!

Amy

April 28, 2009

Since I'm stuck at home with the flooding, I guess I have the time to update the blog:

Meetin of April 19th, 2009:

Attendees: Amy S.(the go-getter), Sheryl M.(the infamous IC designer), Jessica R. (Prasme herself), Kimberly B.(traveling girl-gorgeous crocheted tank BTW), and Debra G.(slacker)

Agenda Items:

Business/Membership Cards: Thank you, Amy for taking this and running with it. The cards are great. BTW-forgot to mention it, but BigDog has a business card laminating machine if anyone wants their card laminated-I can do that.

Membership Requirements: it was proposed, and unanomously agreed, 2 meetings makes you a member. Now, I need a point of clarification here, was it 2 meetings period, or 2 consecutive meetings.

Dues: None, if we need money, we will either take up a collection and/or have a fund raiser.

Blog: Invitations to contribute have been sent out to Kim and Sheryl. Jessica, I did not have you email addy available at the time. I promise you will get one.

Now for the fun stuff.

Show&Tell:

Sheryl: Congratulations! She's had another design accepted by Interweave Crochet. A tunisian crochet sweater at that! Way to represent Hooker Mom!

Sheryl is also (as evidence at the meeting) working feverishly on her next freeform art submission. We all wish you the best of luck with this endeavor.

Jessica: Displaying beautiful work on two more of her original designs. One a gorgeous original, heirloom motif shawl-yeah, lime green goes with anything. The other (we will forgive that it was knitted) cuz, O my, knitted freeform-awesome.

Kimberly: Awesome work on her Robyn Chachula vest in Aracuania, course there was also that fabulous crocheted tank she was wearing.

Amy: another gorgeous Robyn C design in the works

Debra: baby sweater-since totally frogged and restarted, also showed her very first crochet item from when she was 8-contrasted with her latest. Weird.......

Ok-now for the pictures (evil laugh):

Eva's Shawl

I wanted to share my latest FO.

Eva's Shawl: H hook, 3 skeins Buffalo Gold Lux, laceweight buffalo/silk blend, blue & dusty rose.

Modeled by one of my students and much appreciated admirer. I would kill for her figure....just not myself(at the gym).

Next Meeting

Hi All!

Our next meeting is scheduled for April 19th at Dunn Bros. off Hwy 99. I hope to see everyone there. We have a few things on the agenda, like membership requirements. If you would like to add anything to the agenda, just PM me, post here, or grab me at Harp&Hook night!

Since there have been no yarny type bribes offered up and I gave it almost a month.....

Here are the pics of our very first meeting (warning the following may be offensive to some veiwers-just kidding)

Remember! Next meeting April 19th 2-4.

Also, this is y'all's blog. Add a review (yarn, book, pattern), post a pic of your latest project, stop by and say "Hi"..........something. Getting tired of hearing myself talk here.

Love you guys!

Book Review

Friday night I picked up "Crochet Stitch Motifs" from Harmony Guides. I've already worked one square out of it and I have to say, its a lovely thing-not the square-the book. It has both written instructions AND the diagrams. There are some motifs I've never seen before(which isn't saying much really). The book is beautifully laid out and the samples are in lovely colors that just make you want to hook them up.
Also, unlike some other motif books, ALL of the instructions and diagrams are printed in black so you're not left guessing with a yellow diagram on white paper.
There's even a section (albeit small) on Irish Lace.
$22.95 @ B&N

March 15, 2009: First Meeting

At our first offical meeting at Dunn Bros, we....crocheted, and talked. No new business was discussed, no decisions made, and no motions put to the group.
Attendees: Amy, Bethel, Debra, and Leslie
Special props go out to Leslie for driving all the way from Town & Country just to sit and hook with us. Maybe we can discuss at some point finding a more central location.
A good time was had by all. Ok, that's just a guess, but I had a good time at a time when I really needed the comraderie.
Next meeting: April 19th, 2-4 at Dunn Bros. Debra will NOT be drinking the coffee at this meeting........
I took pictures which I am holding hostage...yarn will be acceptable payment for me NOT to post them. HAHAHA
See y'all around the 'hood!

News flash

I'll post about the first meeting in a little while, but for now I wanted to give y'all a heads up:
I got tapped for the Mini member Interview in this months CROCHET!
Woohoo! I read it to BigDog (DH) and he says I don't sound stupid. Heh,heh

March Meeting

Our first meeting is Sunday, March 15 from 2-4 pm. Here's a map to Dunn Bros. Hope you can join us!