Quick Knitting Day

I don't know about the other knitters in our group, but it seems like I look forward to it all week and all of a sudden it has come and gone!!!! There were a total of 17 there today and when you get that many happy knitters together, the time just goes by in the wink of an eye. We welcomed another new member today and hope that she comes back, YES, that means you Kim!!!!


My daughter, Ashley, was here from Wytheville, VA - just to knit - LOL. Honestly, she is here visiting for a few days and one of the reasons she planned her visit to begin on Thursday was so that she could attend the knitting group. It was great being able to share this special time with her, as well as she was able to reconnect with old friends and meet some new. She even had the spotlight for a time describing how to cable.

We also moved the tables around so that instead of sitting in a straight line, everyone was facing each other - this made it much easier to see what everyone was working on and to communicate a little better. I think we will make an effort to move the tables around like this each time. We may need to add more tables - this is great.



Andrea surprised Ren with some early apples that we smartly displayed on the knitting/crocheting book!! Poor Andrea - it seems like I'm always make her pose - I just can't help it - she has the nicest smile.



Kim is concentrating big time on learning to knit. I hate we didn't have more time to spend with her. I did try to "peek" in and out and everywhere yesterday to watch over those that needed help - ha ha. I will try to help her more at our next group meeting, which is in 2 weeks - because of the 4th of July.

Now here's a crazy story that Ren was telling us - she always has such interesting information to share. She passed around a picture of a knitted Ferrari - yep - a knitted car!!!!!!

Here is the link if you want to look at the picture and read about it:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article52077.ece

And, last but not least, here is the WONDERFUL cake recipe that Robin brought in. Thanks and also a BIG thanks to Heleen for bringing some tasty snacks today.

KEY LIME CAKE (YOU MUST TRY THIS - DON'T LET THE NAME FOOL YOU IF YOU AREN'T A KEY LIME PERSON)

CAKE:
1 BOX MOIST LEMON CAKE MIX
1 4-OUNCE LEMON INSTANT PUDDING MIX
4 EGGS
1 CUP VEGETABLE OIL
3/4 CUP WATER
1/4 CUP LIME JUICE

GLAZE:
2 CUPS POWDERED SUGAR
1/3 CUP LIME JUICE
2 TABLESPOONS WATER
2 TABLESPOONS MELTED BUTTER

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 10-inch bundt pan. Combine all cake ingredients. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Bake 50-60 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes in pan. Invert to cooling rack. Return back to clean bundt pan. Poke holes in warm cake and pour glaze over top of cake.

Thanks for being here. I hope you enjoy seeing our group gather and also enjoy the links and information that we share with each other. Make sure if you check in and out of the blog and don't see an updated post - go to the links - there may be new ones added when nothing else has changed.

Have a good weekend!!!!!

A MEETING OF MINDS

As our knitting group has again met and knitted, I've noticed that no longer are we a scattered group of strangers. Sure, there are many that know one another, but not quite everyone. Then there are those that are totally new, or should I say "were" new. Now, you can hear and see the relaxed laughter and camaraderie building around the table - exactly what Ren and I hoped would happen. It seems like we just get there and it's time to go. Everyone leaves with a cheery "see you next week" and even "I can't wait until next week" - so with that said, I thought I would post some pictures to show what everyone is working on.




















Robin was working on learning to purl, her project was just starting when I was taking these pictures - so, I will have to stay alert and watch her progress. Also, through the kindness of her heart, she made a new cake recipe and brought it - it was a Key Lime Cake and was FABULOUS. She has promised to bring the recipe, which I will post on the blog. I honestly think it was one of the best cakes I had ever tasted - thanks Robin!!!!!!
















Barbara finished her first dishcloth and was extremely proud. But, then she had other things to do today, so after kindly posing with her finished product, she skidaddled!!!! Hurry back next week Barbara!
















Julie is just about finished her dishcloth and by the look of her smile, she is pleased with her accomplishment.















Dot is attending her first session of our group. She was unable to attend the last two and we are so glad she has joined. We will follow along with her efforts on her first dishcloth. Welcome Dot!!!













What more can I say about Julia and Rebecca except they look so cute and happy still working on their first dishcloths. Just keep at it - you guys will get it..............
















Shirley is so determined and very, very talented. She is working on a vest and was deep in thought - maybe we all need to learn a little from her!!!!















Mary Ruth is almost finished her dishcloth and has done a fine job!!
















Ruby decided to give me an action shot while continuing on hers - someone mentioned that hers looks like sherbert - very pretty colors.











Heleen is another of our very talented and experienced knitters and I do believe was trying to hide behind her work!!!!















Katherine sure seems to be enjoying herself and looking at her almost finished project, I can see why - I do believe she's got it!!















Maggie is doing a scarf in such a neat color combination - as you can see, she is very talented, just like her Mom (Hannah). Plus, look how it matches her shirt - what a great picture of Maggie!!!















Hannah's talent is also apparent as she displays her "story-telling" shawl that she is working on - can't wait to see it finished. And, yes, that's Robin in the background patiently practicing her purling.
















And then we have my dear friend, Pam. Pam and I have been through a lot together and to me this is truly a blessing to end up together, healthy and happy, in a knitting group. What more could we want - oh yeah, Pam wants to finish her cherished beret.

















Let me tell you about Andrea. Andrea, as you can tell, is doing a marvelous job with her dishcloth. But, at a later date, I'll show you what Andrea's real specialty is - crocheting. She has some absolutely gorgeous finished projects that she has shared with the group. We are so impressed with Andrea's work, that we have informed her that she will be the "helper-teacher" in the fall when we start our crochet class.

Ok - talk about talent...we have Debbie, who is blind, and has just finished off a prayer shawl. She was thrilled to be able to learn about binding off today. Since I've been running around with the camera, Ren wanted me to stand with Debbie, to prove once again that I was actually there. Ren was so nice and ordered a braille knitting book for Debbie and I've added a picture of Debbie demonstrating reading her book - which is simply amazing. She told us the secret is the sensitivity in the fingers. We'll be anxious to see what Debbie will work on next - I think she'll be planning on some basics to build strength in her knitting skills.

So, there you have it. An overview of our many talented and friendly knitters. As time allows, I'll be adding some links to this site on yarn shops located in the East Tennessee - and maybe a little beyond - with either their websites and/or street addresses. I'll also be adding more links to find free patterns online. And, like the "Yarn Bus", who knows what else I'll stumble across and link it. The possibilities are endless - so, please, come back, stay awhile and knit, knit, knit!!

One more thing, if you stumble across this blog and are going to be in the area, whether you knit or want to learn, please stop by. We meet every Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 at the Rogersville Presbyterian Church. We would love to have you.

CLASS NUMBER TWO

Ren and I are so pleased with the attendance!!! What a good way to spend your morning - with a happy group of knitters. We had six new knitters and want-to-be knitters show up. By the time everyone left, all knew the basics. Great - a couple of more classes and everyone will be knitting up a storm. A few knitters were unable to attend, due to other commitments - hopefully all will be there next week. If not, that's the nice part - you come if you want and learn as much as you want. I have not knitted during these classes because I've been trying, with my limited abilities - I might add, to help Ren. However, now that everyone seems to be doing great, next week I think I'll bring something to work on.

Enjoy some action pictures - Ren took my picture to prove that I am actually in attendance, instead of always behind the scenes. Also, there are several knitters that I need to capture next week - if you aren't in these, then I probably cut part of your head off - sorry...........



PROOF THAT I WAS THERE. BARBARA AND I ALWAYS SEEM TO LAUGH TOGETHER!!


HELEEN AND JULIE IN DEEP CONCENTRATION


HANNAH AND MAGGIE MAKE A GOOD TEAM


REN ENCOURAGES ELIZABETH WHILE ANDREA AND ROBIN COMPARE NOTES


PAM SHOWS OFF HER COMPLETED DISHCLOTH WHILE TAKING A BREAK FROM HER FANTASTIC HAT SHE'S NOW WORKING ON!!!!

Ren brought some beautiful samples of finished work to encourage everyone and give them ideas for what they might want to achieve.

I THINK WE ALL WOULD HAVE "SCARFED" THESE SCARVES UP IF WE HAD A CHANCE - LOL!! THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.


THIS SHAWL WAS UNBELIEVABLY SOFT. THE PATTERN IS BASED ON THE SAME PATTERN AS THE DISHCLOTH PATTERN THAT EVERYONE IS LEARNING.


Here's a great picture of Heleen proving she loves to knit - check out those neat earrings (they say I love - with a heart - "2" knit). I believe she said that someone made them for her and that they were originally charms.

CHEMO CAPS

I knew as soon as I said I would only post once a week, that I would find something else to say!!!! After last Friday's class, I went home and eventually sat down to work with my cotton yarn and proceed with making a dishcloth. Yikes - lo and behold, my needles and yarn were not in my bag. And then it hit me. When we were cleaning up, my good friend helped and I remembered seeing her (yes, P, it's you - LOL) scooping up Ren's sample stitches on needles and yarn and knew right then that mine were accidently packed in with Ren's massive stash of supplies. Not a problem though - luckily, I grabbed another ball of cotton yarn, another set of needles and if you've read my blog, you know that I moved right along. So...........I ran a few errands this morning and one was stopping by the Extension office to retrieve my supplies (I had mentioned it to Ren yesterday at Church and she actually remembered seeing my stuff - I know how she knew - it had yellow in it - not one of Ren's favorite colors - so that quickly gave it away - ha ha). While there, Ren and I chatted about the upcoming class this Friday and before leaving she asked me when my next Dr.'s appointment was so that she could make sure to send the many chemo caps that caring people have made, along with me to hand out. I went ahead and took them today. I plan on talking to some of the nurses that I grew close to and let them decide how they want to hand them out. Maybe this will start a new "ministry" with them. I told Ren that they are always so kind to their patients and try to make them smile. This will provide another tool for them to use in easing your fears and concerns while going through chemo and it's after affects. Ren wasn't sure how many she had - there were bags everywhere - so I told her I would count them before delivering them. Thought you would like to see the effort that has been put into this. There are sixty-three (63). And, I can tell you, when you have lost your hair and someone has given you something they made to make you feel better, it truly means more than words can describe (plus it sure keeps your head warm)!!!!

READY, SET, KNIT

Our new knitting class/group has kicked off. We met at mine and Ren's Church Fellowship Hall at Rogersville Presbyterian Church (http://rogersvillepresbyterian.com/). The class consists of beginners, almost-proficient and extremely proficient knitters, thus being a nice combination - the more help available, the better. We also attracted a nice age variety. The class was advertised in our local newspaper, along with our Church Newsletter and Sunday Bulletins. We were very pleased to have a visitor from Holland - Caroline. She has been visiting her Sister-in-Law, Heleen - also from Holland. They are both very experienced knitters and also very interesting to talk to about their knitting - both starting as young girls. Caroline, hopefully our group will still be in existence when you come to visit next year and you can come back and be simply amazed at our accomplishments!!!!

Ren is "The Teacher" and I'm "The Assistant" (limited, I might add). With the first class consisting of 15, some of the more experienced knitters graciously assisted those that had never held knitting needles. I think by the time we left, there were more than likely confused knitters as well as excited knitters, hopefully all with visions of completed knitting projects dancing in their heads. Also, hopefully anticipating the arrival of next Friday's next class to move forward with their attempted knitting achievements.

We started with welcoming everyone there and then one of the ladies from our Church, Shirley, kindly spoke for a minute telling some of the history of our Church. If you get a minute, go to the link above and read about, we think it's quite interesting. Better yet, why don't you come visit one Sunday - you may decide to stay!!

After we welcomed everyone, Ren started with showing some items she has completed over the years - she is VERY talented and such a joy to listen to. Ren always puts a lot of enthusiasm in everything she does. This in itself will help keep the group going.

I will try to post a weekly update of our accomplishments along with photos. So, sit back, relax and wait to see what our little group is up to next. I'll end with some pictures of our initial meeting - make sure to check back next week: