Now the Dog Can Laugh

I'm sure we've all seen pictures of dog sweaters. Some are very stylish. Some make you understand why temperaments change. But I don't think many of us have seen penguin sweaters. Apparently, oil-slicked penguins get cold, and sweaters can protect them until they can have a proper de-greasing bath.

The hero brandishes her knitting needles . . .

Yet another cute video, this one shot through a microscope lens.
The heroine uses her knitting skills to save the day.

Yarn budget in film school?

Here's a link to The Little Red Plane, a short stop-action film. Be sure to pay attention to the knitting, both in the figures and in the backgrounds.

Obsessive-Compulsive Knitting

Sometimes, we just can't stop, as in this amusing animated short film.
If you are knitting en plein air, do be sure to stay clear of the cliffs.

Tasty

Just a remind that Alpaca Yarn USA School of Fiber in Alpharetta is having a yarn tasting of Cascade Yarns from 6-8 on Friday 18 November. This is a great chance to knit a little, socialize, and discover a new favorite yarn without the expense of buying whole skeins.

STITCHES South 2012

Can you believe it is already time again to choose classes for STITCHES South? Mark your datebooks, pdas, iToys, etcetera for 19-22 April 2012.

The brochure listing all those great classes and events is available online today as a pdf download. Registration will open on the 22nd. Remember, some classes fill up quickly, so be ready to register early to get your favorite choices!

November meeting recap

Our November program on "Taking the Knots Out of Knitters" was a little different from our usual meetings. For one thing, we did quite a bit of standing up and moving around. Our guests, Michael and Miriam Holland from Mei Zhong Yang Style Taijiquan Association, U.S.A. demonstrated some basics exercises from the fields of Tai Chi and QiGong. We learned a little about how to keep our hands and bodies happy while we knit, knit, knit away on those holiday gifts.

There are always lots of beautiful finished objects at show and tell. Here are just a few:

Fabulous color!

Beautiful shawl!

Completed cardigan!

Thank you to Margie for the pictures.

Scarves for Special Olympics

Jennifer Daniell, Program Services & Grant Manager with Georgia Special Olympics has asked for AKG to help with the knitted scarves given to each athlete at the Indoor Winter Games which will be held Jan 20-22 in Cobb County.  They are looking for 2,400 scarves by January 10, 2012.   The size of the scarf is  6" by 4-5' long in cherry red and soft navy and the pattern is your choice.  Visit the website - www.scarvesforspecialolympics.org, then click for sample colors, under "States" pick Georgia and it gives you all the details.  The website will also list where to mail (for out of town knitters) or where you can drop off your scarves in the metro Atlanta area.  The shops where you can drop off your completed scarf are: Needle Nook, Cast-On Cottage and The Whole Nine Yarns.

Knitting with Maggie

Local shop Cast-On Cottage has superstar Maggie Jackson coming the first weekend in December. You may be familiar with her innovative book, Maggie's Ireland. There will be a fashion show on Friday evening and workshops on Saturday and Sunday.
From their newsletter:

Friday, 2 December
Refreshments 6:00 PM
Fashion Show 6:45 PM
Tickets: $10
Please join us for an informal Fashion Show presented by Maggie. There will be approximately 40 designs for your review. Refreshments will be provided starting at 6:00 pm followed by the Fashion Show at 6:45 pm. Space is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Saturday, 3 December
OH NO...NOT ANOTHER SCARF
10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost: $125 includes lunch and materials fee (enough materials for a project)
By the end of this class, Maggie hopes the piece you make will NOT go towards a scarf but to one of the other design options she will show including a table-runner, a pillow, a purse, a shawl a wall hanging, etc. Maggie will have you thinking 'outside of the box' by making holes in your work, cutting yarn in the middle of a row, just to retie leaving knots to the front of the work, joining her re-known tubes and working a Ladder Stitch. She will also show some finishing techniques for the project. Maggie will offer her advice on what she has learned from being a Fashion Designer doing Ready-to-Wear for 25 years, selling to well-known high end department stores and having a staff of 45 knitters. Samples of these stitches will be shown on garments to stretch your creative thinking.
 Bring Needles size 7 or 8 US, preferably wooden, bamboo or plastic to work with the linen and other yarns and scissors.

Sunday, 4 December
WEARABLE ART
10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost: $125 includes lunch and materials fee (enough materials for a project)
This class is a combination of various small squares which can be put together after class to make a scarf or put towards a larger project. We will make knitted and fabric bows on a square, a ruffle stitch square with a tube and 2 colored picot tube, knotting yarns to make a loopy stitch, to name a few. Samples of these stitches will be shown on garments to stretch your creative thinking. Bring Needles size 7 or 8 US, preferably wooden, bamboo or plastic to work with the linen and other yarn and scissors.

NOTE: Save $25 if you attend both the Saturday and Sunday classes. Total cost to attend both sessions will be $225. Call us today at (770) 998-3483 to reserve your space!

Fight Second Sock Syndrome

One of the most common maladies amongst intermediate knitters is Second Sock Syndrome. You've graduated from scarves and hats and moved into the exciting world of sock knitting. The yarns are amazing -- so many independent hand dyers make magnificent sock yarns. And the range of patterns and books is tantalizing. And the projects are portable! And functional! And you can even knit socks for men! What's not to love?

Well, there is this one teensy little problem. You typically need to make a pair of socks. That would be two. Of the same thing. Matching.

If you suffer from Second Sock Syndrome, take heart. Our guild workshop on 11 February 2012 is on making Socks Two at a Time. The instructor is master knitter Pam Cornutt. (You'll remember Pam made the beautiful pooling lace jacket.) Pam is a delightful, high-energy instructor. You'll come out of this class being able to make both socks at the same time so that they match and so that you finish them together at the same time. No more orphaned/widowed socks! Cost is $10 for guild members, $15 for non-guild members. You can contact our workshops chair to register.

Un-stressful Knitting

Tomorrow evening is our November meeting. Now that were are enjoying cool autumn weather, this should be a great opportunity to wear those old and dear knits from previous cool seasons.

Here's the description for the program:
De-Stress for the Holidays and make these last few weeks of knitting leading up to holiday gifting less painful and more productive with our soothing and enlightening program "Taking the Knots out of Knitters." Tai Chi and QiGong exercises will help you keep your hands and wrists limber and pain-free and your stress levels in check during the hectic run-up to the holidays. This will be a stand-up and move program as we learn simple exercises and techniques to ease the pain. Be sure to wear comfy clothing that allows freedom of movement.

See ya'all tomorrow!