Another Great Class

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE,

It is a crisp Fall morning in New York, and I am rushing around getting last minute things done for my trip to Greensboro and the Knit/Crochet Conference. I am almost ready, but not quite.

On Wednesday, I did another Free Form Knitting/Crochet Combo Class. I did this class at the East Fishkill Library in Fishkill, New York, and it was attended by a group of very enthusiastic knitters and crocheters. I love doing this class and it is turning out to be my most requested class of all. One of the reasons that I love doing this class so much, is because the diversity of the students never fails to amaze me. They all have the same homework, and all their projects turn out to be really individual, creative pieces. Look at all the happy faces!

One student, Cindy P, decided that she did not want to make a bag, and she started a much more ambitious project of a free form blanket. Hats off to Cindy for really spreading her wings. Another student, Cathy Conrady, made my capelet, but definitely put her own stamp on it. It looks wonderful Cathy.

Have a great day

Margaret

Busy times

Good Morning Everyone,

I had a very busy weekend, packing a workshop, Memorial Services for 9/11 and family stuff into two days.

On Saturday, I did a Knitting/Crochet Free Form Class at The Cornwall Yarn Shop in Cornwall, NY. The shop is a charming shop, jam packed with wonderful goodies, that would make any fiber fanatic swoon, and Gail Parrinello, is a most gracious host. On my arrival, the first thing that I noticed was that Gail has a sign on the door that says "A CROCHET FRIENDLY YARN SHOP", what a nice surprise.

The very enthusiastic students arrived very well prepared, their homework done, and ready to work on their free form bag. They were so caught up in their work that they did not even want to break for lunch. I did eat though, having left home so early to arrive on time, I had skipped breakfast.

Every one was on the way to finishing their little bag, and we even had time to learn a few new stitches. Another great thing about Free Form is the great diversity in the finished projects. Take a close look at the photos, everyone had the same homework, but their choice of yarn and placement, makes each project unique. Fun was had by all.

Have a great day,

Margaret

Pam's Comfort Cables

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope that everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend. It has been quite a week in New York and elsewhere on the east coast, first an earthquake then hurricane Irene. I fared better than a lot of my neighbors, but still had trees down and power outage for 2 days. Not fun, but many of our friends in New Jersey and Connecticut still do not have power.

I had a breather for a few days and thought that I would tell you about a project that I have been involved in and that is very close to my heart. About a year ago, a dear friend and fellow designer was diagnosed with late stage breast cancer. Pam is a beautiful young woman with a young family, and this was devastating news.

Several of her friends and fellow designers came up with a unique idea to help Pam and her family. We decided to collaborate on a comfort afghan for Pam, each one of us designing a square, then putting our design into a booklet for sale, all of the proceeds going directly to Pam. One of Pam's favorite things is crochet cables, so each square is a different cable. I am sure that you will recognize names of some of your favorite designers.

After months of treatment, Pam is cancer free, but not expense free. The cost of treatment, as many of you know, can be overwhelming. We recently had a note from Pam, that the royalty checks she has received have been so helpful, but in addition to that, so many have written to her. She says the notes wishing her well, are so uplifting.

With the help of so many, we put together this great booklet, all the information is listed below.

Link to the booklet: http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Pam’s_Comfort_Cables_Crochet_Afghan__D11064220.html

CONTRIBUTORS:

PROJECT COORDINATOR: Tammy Hildebrand

DESIGNS BY: Tracie Barrett, Angela Best, Gwen Blakley Kinsler, Vashti Braha, Bendy Carter, Robyn Chachula, Doris Chan, Drew Emborsky, Lisa Gentry, Ellen Gormley, Mary Jane Hall, Jill Hanratty, Tammy Hildebrand, Amy O’Neill Houck, Margaret Hubert, Kimberly Kotary, Marty Miller, Annie Modesitt, Diane Moyer, Kristin Omdahl, Dee Stanziano, Mary Beth Temple, Karen Ratto Whooley

TECHNICAL EDITING: KJ Hay, Kimberly Kotary, Susan Lowman, Marty Miller, Annette Petavy

GRAPHICS AND PHOTOGRAPHY: Amie Hirtes

INTRODUCTION: Marty Miller, Diane Moyer

YARN SUPPORT: Knit Picks

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Dora Ohrenstein

BOOKLET:

20 pages

24 cabled designs

$4.99

100% of proceeds go directly to Pam Gillette

I am honored to be part of this great project,

Have a great day!

Margaret