New Market Bag Knitting Class!

I'm back from all of my summer journeys. I came back from Sock Summit (which was totally awesome) and had one day before leaving for the San Juan Islands with my daughter, Kate.  We had a great two days of sightseeing and relaxation.  We even visited an alpaca farm and both bought a skein of yummy soft alpaca yarn.
On Thursday evenings, the 18th and 25th, I will be teaching a market bag knitting class.  I haven't taught a knitting class for over three years so I am very excited to be teaching again.  If you'd like to join the class, send me and email at thegreenerneedle@gmail.com
The Siesta top from corn/cotton yarn I've been knitting is almost complete. This yarn stretched a great deal so I will have to do some seaming in order for it to fit properly.  It's a very cute top!

The picture was taken at Sock Summit in Knitters Brewing Company booth.  Lavender shawl, pink sock, purple sock - ready for a night out!

Getting Ready for Sock Summit

I leave Thursday morning for Sock Summit in Portland, Oregon to help in the booth with Knitters Brewing Company - the business I interned with during June in Encinitas, CA.  I'm getting excited to meet new knitting ladies and see all the wonderful yarns, patterns and accessories.  If you're at Sock Summit, please stop by and say "hi."

I've been spending the last few days practicing for the Flash Mob dance that will take place Saturday evening.  I've had a lot of fun rehearsing as it reminds me of my former drill team days in high school! 

I'm still knitting my Siesta top.  I'm just at the bind-off for the sleeves, so the knitting will go much faster.  In the next few weeks, I will work on my materials for the knitted market bag class that will be held towards the end of August.  It's been a good summer for knitting here in the Northwest; we've had such cool temperatures. More later......

Back in Washington!

I've been back from my internship for a couple weeks.  I hit the ground running ever since I stepped off the airplane.

During the past few weeks I've read books and written papers for my independent learning contract portion of summer school.  It was so helpful to participate in an internship so that I could experience what I was reading :)

Currently I'm taking a break from sewing and working on a summer knitted top (it's also part of my summer school).  The yarn is made from corn and organic cotton: a totally new fiber for me.  The pattern is Siesta and I must say, is turning out quite nicely.  It's a great portable knitting project.

It has turned out to be a beautiful summer day here.  I hope it is sunny today where you live :)

Interning in Sunny California

Well, sunny most afternoons.  The marine layer burns off late morning and appears again during late afternoon.  I have to say I am so excited to give up my vitamin D tablets for a couple weeks!

I'm interning until June 29 in Encinitas, CA with the owner, Wendy, of Knitters Brewing Company.  So far I have made knitting stitch markers and dyed sock yarn.  It's a fun business and Wendy's a great teacher.  I've gotten so many good tips from her.  

As promised from back in May - I finished my reusable produce bag pattern and it has been a big hit with everyone who sees it.  I have just a little more tweaking to do with the pattern and it will be ready for retail sale.  Please contact me at thegreenerneedle@gmail.com if you'd like to order the pattern.

It will officially be summer in just a few days.  I hope you have a fun one with lots of sewing and knitting projects!

Still Moving......

Okay, this move is dragging on!  I figure I'm down to 4 more carloads.  That's how moves go when you don't get a truck and get it all done at once.

Anyway, some exciting things are happening!  I will be designing and copyrighting a sewing pattern this week. It's a fairly quick sewing project and will help to reduce landfill waste.  I'll post pictures when it's completed.  This will be my first pattern for sale through The Greener Needle. 

In June I'll intern with an online sock yarn store: Knitters Brewing Company.  Check out the site - it's pretty cool  http://knittersbrewing.com 
Besides filling incoming orders, I'll be working on inventory for the upcoming Sock Summit in Portland, Oregon.  I plan to help at the Knitters Brewing Company booth during the convention on July 28 - 31.  Should be a lot of fun!

Catching Up

Well, it's been a month since I've created a post.  I went through a move that took more time than I thought it would.  Good news is I found fabric and yarn that I hadn't seen for a couple years!  Now I'm really inspired to get some sewing done.

Needlecrafts for Charity finished and delivered 20 cat mats to the Humane Society.  The cats were very appreciative :)

Last week we had our final meeting as a fundraiser for next year.  We hope to make 200 sanitary pad kits for young ladies in Africa next fall.  Please contact me if you'd like to help us with this project.

More to come later........

Cats & Bears, Oh My!

Wow, the past few weeks have flown by!  I took a trip to Portland, Oregon, and started spring quarter back at Evergreen.  My hand-sewing class at UPS (University of Puget Sound) finished our two month project of sewing cats and bears for Phoenix Housing in Tacoma.  Phoenix Housing assists the homeless population in Tacoma.  Our animals will find new homes with loving children :) 

Our newest project is making cat mats for the Humane Society.  This project involves machine sewing, so some of the young ladies will use a sewing machine for the first time.  It's fun for me to see the creativity that emerges with each new project.  New fun pictures coming soon!