Socks are Fun!! Join Andi on Saturday December 19.

Who can resist a fun, take-a-long project? Socks can be as complex or simple as you would like to make them. Easy enough to knit without a pattern in front of you, once you know the basics.

I’ve got a great mini sock project to get you started. To knit it, you will need a skein of worsted weight yarn (light color works best so you can see everything) and a set of size 6 double-pointed needles. You can also use two size 6 circular needles if you prefer.

Please call the shop (305-665-6222) or come by and join me Saturday (12/19) at 11:30. I hope to see you there!

-Andi

Urban Knitters Spin Yarn Into Graffiti

~check it out~

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/12/04/knitting.irpt/index.html

Sunday Afternoon KAL ~ Back by popular demand!

In the last month we have started up our Sundays KAL again, please join us in the fun! Most are working on the Lady Eleanor entrelac shawl or a throw version, and some are working on the Lizard Ridge. But you are welcome to bring any project you are working on.
The KAL usually gets started around 1:30….

Anneke

Saturday's Square Class: Cottage of Cables and Lace

Hi Everyone,
I know it has been a while since we’ve gotten together, but the time has flown by for me! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and are feeling good about the upcoming holidays… I know they can be overwhelming. Getting together to knit is a nice break from the madness! 8-)

I love this next pattern. Maybe because it reminds me of a pattern I knit many years ago for someone I love dearly, maybe because it will take what you’ve picked up from our other squares. This pattern should match the size of our other squares, but here is a link to the pattern on Ravelry if you want to see it.

I look forward to seeing everyone in a few days.
-Andi

Are your ready for a square with a twist?

Hi everyone,
We’ve got a special square to knit. I call the pattern “Off-Kilter”. It can be done in one or multiple colors - and would be a great way to use up those leftover bits.

The square is knit in the round, so we will start the square using double-pointed needles and then switch over to a circular needle. Please bring both types of needles with you on Saturday (or call the shop to let them know what size you need).

I’m looking forward to seeing you on Saturday at 11:30!

~Andi~

Megan's "Green" Crocheted Bag

Hi All! Megan (of Befri) has designed a great, great "green" bag, check it out!

We have the new pattern in the store. It’s a Green Bag or market bag, which ever name you prefer. It crochets very quickly, uses 2 balls of Cotton Classic and would make a great holiday gift for your environmentally conscious family members and friends.

It is also a free Ravelry download.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/green-bag

Wishing you a Happy Halloween!

Lots and Lots of NEW Yarns Have Arrived!!

Noro,Tahki, Stacey Charles, Muench and Blue Heron Yarns arrived between last week and this week.  Come in and check it out!  Particularly you Blue Heron yarn lovers, we know now that they never last for more than a couple of days......

Columbus Day Weekend SALE: 25% off Saturday & Sunday

Sunday Knitting Class With Megan: Chunky Holiday Vest

The holidays are just around the corner and if your family and friends have been asking for knitted gifts, this Chunky Vest is a great project. This vest knits up quickly in one piece-you only need to seam the shoulders and weave in a few ends. We have an excellent selection of yarn options in the shop to complete this project along with a ton of buttons perfect for finishing.

The classes will be on October 11th and 18th at 1:00 pm.

This will be a two part class: Part 1 will focus on getting your yarn and gauge and starting the body of the vest. Part 2…we’ll see how far you have gotten in the week and then we can go from there. I’ll help with the crochet edging (very simple edging- it makes the button holes for you) and any other finishing or questions on the construction.

You can take one or both classes depending on what type of help you think you need!

 The pattern is called Chunky Vest by Be Fri.  

Chunky Vest by Be Fri

I hope to see you there.  Megan

Let the Holiday Season Knitting begin!

Hi Everyone, 
We found a great project that I’ll be teaching this Saturday (10/3). It’s called the Downtown Clutch and the pattern is available for free! 8-) It uses about 280 yds of sport wt yarn.

I started mine Sunday and it is already half done!

Here is a picture from the original pattern: 

And here is a few pics of mine done in Ritratto.

I’ll also be making a smaller one, maybe with a chain strap/wristlet length out of Gatsby.

Join us and get a jump on your holiday knitting! Call the shop and reserve your spot for Saturday! 
See you there….

~Andi~

Classes Saturday September 26:

Square of the Month Class:  11:30 am

The next installment in the square of the month club will be heart pattern, intarsia style. Please bring two colors of yarn that compliment each other (or not, your choice). We will be working this pattern from a chart. I suggest bringing one of those clear plastic page sleeves, and some post-it notes to help mark your rows.

Even if you are not part of our square group, this is a great way to learn intarsia, sometimes referred to as picture knitting.

Finishing Class:  Finishing can be fun!  3:00pm

Knitting really “came together” for me when I learned how to finish my knitting more professionally. Come join me on Saturday afternoon (3pm) and we will cover the finishing basics.

There is some homework, so if you have time to make some swatches, it really helps to have something in your hands to work on.

Using a light colored yarn and needles in a compatible size for that yarn. 
Make 2: 
cast on 10 stitches. 
Row 1: K2, P2 across, end w/K2.
Row 2: P2, K2 across, end w/P2 
Work for 8 rows 
Then switch to garter stitch, knitting every row for 12 rows.

If you have a project that needs to be put together, you can bring that to class instead of the swatches.

I hope you can make it!

~Andi~

Kittens are weaned and ready for new home! Monique?

The two of us, we are kind of attached at the hip and need to go to a home TOGETHER! Monique, are you coming to get them? :-) I hope so, and so do they.... They are adorable and very people friendly. They play, and play and play and sleep and sleep and sleep.... I am a little more independent, the ring leader.... I am super duper friendly, and cuddly too.....

Customer Show n Tell

We were honored to have Andi and some of our customers bring in some of their works in progress, and some of their finished pieces.  Very inspiring!  Here are photos of Diane's progress, she is almost finished.... on her Bobbi's Garden Hexagon Blanket.  And of Hara's finished Geometry blanket, knitted in the Araucania Itata.  I want to make both of them!!

Ishbel pattern for Saturday

Hi everyone, 
If you ever wanted to knit lace, this is a great project to get you started. We’ll have a kick-off on Saturday (9/12) at 11:30.

Yarn options for this project are really open. Knit it in lace weight and it will be open and airy. Use something a little heavier and it will be your go-to shawl for the cooler nights we have in the winter. I’ll be using Jitterbug sock/fingering weight in red tones.

If you need a link to the pattern, click here to open the pattern in Ravelry. Your order is is charged using PayPal, and you can use the site without needing to be a member. If you need assistance ordering the pattern, write me…

I look forward to seeing everyone at the shop!

Andi

Upcoming Weekend at Anneke's

Hello Everyone! 

We hope that you had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!  We had a very, very busy one and we got a chance to see lots of you over the course of the weekend and catch up with you.  It was wonderful.  Some faces we had not seen in a while Lynn, Sam, Diane, Janice, Barbara, Gabriela, Maria Rosario, Michael, it was nice to see you all again!  We also had a very nice BBQ party on Monday, Labor Day, despite the rain...  Thank you so much to all who contributed to our potluck event!  We didn't have such a large turnout for our party due to the weather and other activities everyone had planned for Labor Day, but those of us who were there had a wonderful time!

Well, we have some fun things planned for this upcoming weekend as well.  Andi will be teaching a class on the gorgeous  Ishbel Shawl  designed by Ysolda Teague photo in last post.  You can purchase this pattern on line and bring it with you to the class.  The class will be from 11:30 - 2:00, and is $25.  We have a beautiful Ishbel Shawl sample in the store, knitted by Megan, come in and check it out so you can get inspired for the class.....  

Starting at 3:00, Andi will be available for a couple of private classes, at $20/hour as usual.  Give us a call if you would like to set up some time with her.

On Sunday September 13th, we will be starting a Sock KAL, planned by Ann and Anita, here is what they have to say about it:

"Anita and I (I’m Ann), are planning a sock knit-along. Anita likes the sock called “Rick” in the Sock Innovation book of patterns by Cookie A.

Anita thinks that the Rick stitch pattern would be really darling as a scarf, too. So…, come to Anneke’s beginning on Sunday, September 13th, at 1300 hours (1 pm) and we’ll work some socks, or whatever. Socks make good holiday gifts and I, for one, need to start gifts now.

The Rick pattern calls for fingering weight yarn (Super fine #1), and double point needles, size 1 1/2 U.S. (2.5 mm) or circular needles, if that’s your preference for knitting socks. A light colored, monochromatic yarn would be best if one is new to sock knitting so that it’s easy to see the stitches to pick up on the heel. I also recommend reading The Yarn Harlots explanation for sock theory in Knitting Rules. Socks SEEMED complex to me until I read Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s explanation of sock components in her book “Knitting Rules.” She has a sock pattern in that book that’s a good one to start with.

Cheers!"

We look forward to seeing you all real soon!  

Ishbel Shawl Class Saturday September 12

Join Andi on Saturday from 11:30 to 2:00 for a class on the beautiful Ishbel Shawl designed by Ysolda Teague.  If you are a member of Ravelry, purchase and print out your pattern and bring it along to the class.   We have lots of wonderful yarns in stock that would be just perfect for this project!  The Gatsby which we knitted our sample in, the Araucania Itata or Ranco, the Blue Heron Yarns, Great Adirondack Yarns, Helen's Lace from Lorna's Laces....  the possibilities are endless....

Labor Day Weekend SALE and Party on Monday!

Join us Monday, September 7th for one of our potluck parties! Weather permitting we are planning a BBQ, salads and desserts. We will be open from 12:00 - 5:00.

Have a great weekend!

Kittens are ALMOST ready for a new home, please help

I am full of mischief, much more so than my siblings. I am full of energy and I am so very FAST!! I do love to be picked up and held all the time. Well, what can I say? I am just... gifted. I figured out how to eat cat food yeah, like two weeks ago, my siblings are still 100% dependent on Mom! Of course I still like that too, but I can eat anytime I want to.... I am twice the size of them. he he he I love to cuddle, and love food.... Love & Peace.... I should have been born in the 60's... I am all Love and Peace, I am super mellow and just like to chill out and watch the world go by. I am the very peaceful one in the family, can't you tell by my face?. I love to be held, and I love to talk.

Sundays Sock Knit~Along (KAL) starting September 13

Planned by Ann and Anita:

Anita and I (I’m Ann), are planning a sock knit-along. Anita likes the sock called “Rick” in the Sock Innovation book of patterns by Cookie A.

Anita thinks that the Rick stitch pattern would be really darling as a scarf, too. So…, come to Anneke’s beginning on Sunday, September 13th, at 1300 hours (1 pm) and we’ll work some socks, or whatever. Socks make good holiday gifts and I, for one, need to start gifts now.

The Rick pattern calls for fingering weight yarn (Super fine #1), and double point needles, size 1 1/2 U.S. (2.5 mm) or circular needles, if that’s your preference for knitting socks. A light colored, monochromatic yarn would be best if one is new to sock knitting so that it’s easy to see the stitches to pick up on the heel. I also recommend reading The Yarn Harlots explanation for sock theory in Knitting Rules. Socks SEEMED complex to me until I read Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s explanation of sock components in her book “Knitting Rules.” She has a sock pattern in that book that’s a good one to start with.

Cheers!

Diane ~ It's looking awesome!!

Diane stopped in today and shared her "Hexagon Blanket" progress with us!  It is really stunning, thanks for sharing Diane!  And what a coincidence, when she came in we happened to be visiting with the Noro sales rep, boy was he impressed with this stunning piece!  And happy to see that it was being knit up in the Noro Silk Garden, LOL.

See everyone at the Knit~Along?

After I took these pictures my digital camera just slipped out of my hand and fell right onto the blanket, I think it doesn't have nine lives...  :-(

Saturday: "Bobby's Garden" aka Hexagon Luv Knit~Along with Andi

On Saturday August 29th Andi will be hosting a guided Knit~Along on the "Bobby's Garden" aka the Hexagon Luv Blanket.  For those of you who have started it in her class, or on your own, or are ready to take the plunge on this lovely project.   The group will meet after lunch, around 2:00 or 2:30.  And we will take pictures of everyone's progress, all those gorgeous blankets in the making!  $10.

Are you ready for Square #6?

Hi all you square people out there - and anyone else who secretly wishes they were square….

For our class this coming Saturday we will be doing a lattice style cable pattern. This is a great little project for those who want to move beyond basic cabling. Working this kind of cable pattern will help you understand how stitches move and interact with each other.

If you have a chance to get started before class, please cast on 48 stitches and work 6 rows in garter stitch (all knit rows). On the last row, place markers 3 stitches in from each edge. (Lori: the pattern is a multiple of 8, so I suggest you cast on 40.)

For those of you who are on Ravelyr, go ahead and use this link to see a sample of another lattice cable pattern. We are not making this pattern, but ours will be similar. Similar pattern

Please don’t forget to bring your cable needles!

I look forward to getting together on Saturday (11:30 as usual). Enjoy the rest of your week.

-Andi

What kind of a KAL would you like ~ Need your opinions!

Hi Everyone! 
Today was the first day of school here in Dade County, which means that now many of us will settle back into some kind of a routine…. Now if Hurricane season would just come to an end, and the temperatures would drop drastically…. I would be so happy. 
Anyway, as most of you are starting to come back into town and as we are all getting back into our own routines, we have had requests for some regular KAL’s again. We had quite a few in the past, the Lizard Ridge, the Entrelac, the “crack” Shawl, the “crack” purse, and so on. We want to start this up again, but we want your suggestions, opinions, requests…. 
Here is what we have in mind. Maybe having two KAL’s per week, one during the week and one on Sunday afternoons? Saturdays are just too busy, and there would be nowhere to sit?!! 
During the week, how about mid day to early afternoon? This way those of you who have children coming home from school could still get home in time? How about not limiting the KAL to one specific project, or do you prefer it if everyone is knitting the same thing? 
Will be posting this to all of our email list, as well as on our Ravelry group, "friends of Anneke's Needleworks". And we look forward to lots and lots of responses so that we can announce our new KAL’s come September, right after Labor Day. 
Please let us know what you think! Thanks!! 

Anneke

Graffiti Knitters

One of our Next Crochet Projects! Tuesdays with Megan.

Copenhagen Jacket by Tammy Hildebrand.

Everyone is welcome to come today to work on a project of their choosing. Ellen is working on the tunic and Gay-Lynne has moved on to the Copenhagen jacket…I’ll see if I can figure out how to post a picture, but if not, it is on Ravelry. It is for an intermediate to advanced crocheter. It requires several different stitches, but there is no shaping, so if you are feeling adventurous, come in and we will give it a try. I am still very early on in the project, but I think it is going to make a great piece.

If anyone wants to start the tunic, granny square blanket or something that they already have a pattern for, I’ll see you today at 12:30.

~ Megan ~

Gigi meets P.J.

Anita brought in her pride and joy PJ, an adorable Jack Russell Terrier puppy!  (She calls him her Jack Russell Terrorist because he is so spunky!)   Yes, that's Gigi glaring at him wondering if he is planning to jump on that table with her.....  PJ was full of energy and wanting to play with Gigi, but she wasn't having ANY that.  Cats.... 

In the end she did kind of warm up to the adorable little PJ. 

 Pride and Joy ~ PJ ~ hmmmmmm......

Baby Duck Drama Today ~ Emily, Marilyn and Wany to the RESCUE!!!

Well, we had another very full house Saturday today, with Andi’s great Hexagon class going on, our sample Sale and lots of people in the shop. When all of a sudden our “Mailman Lady” comes to the door to deliver the mail, and she sadly looks at me and says…. “I have very bad news about the ducks.”
Well you all know how I feel about our neighborhood ducks, so obviously my heart sank. 
She said that as she was delivering the mail, the Mama duck kept getting between her legs wanting to poke her like she had something to say to her. So she followed the Mama duck to see what was going on, and found that 12 little ducklings had fallen through the drain and there was no way Mama duck could get them out. 
So I mentioned it to people in the shop and Emily and Marilyn and then Wany all set off to the rescue. Meanwhile I called 911 and they connected us to the Fire Rescue who said they were on their way! 
Marilyn got 10 of the little ducklings out and they were all put into a US Mail bin until they were re-united with their Mama who was frantically hiding in the bushes…. And then the handsome Fire Rescue gentlemen arrived and rescued the other two that Marilyn could not get to. 
Whew! A close call… 

Hexagon Blanket Class: Saturday August 8th

"Bobby's Garden" by Megan Rogers.  Pattern for Sale on Ravelry.com.

Our good friend Gina came across this gorgeous, stunning pattern on Ravelry and she came to the shop and shared her excitement with all of us who were there on a particular Saturday.  She got started and she showed us her progress and our enthusiasm grew along with hers.  As a result, several of us have decided that this project is a MUST for all of us who are Noro enthusiasts, and we have decided to make a class of it.  The Blanket is called "Bobby's Garden" and is designed by Megan Rogers.  Please purchase her pattern online, on Ravelry, and bring it along to the class which will be held at 11:30 on Saturday August the 8th.  The link provided by Andi below should take you right to the Ravelry page where you can make the purchase.  Please note that you must be a member of Ravelry to have access to the pattern, if you have any difficulties please let us know and we will help you navigate joining the wonderful world of Ravelry!

By the way, Andi is officially "hooked" on this new project, here is what she has to say about it.... 

 

This project is nearly impossible to put down. I snapped a few pics to entice you all! The Noro Silk Garden will keep this light for our climate, but more than that… the color is so luscious!!!!

The pattern is easy enough to remember once you get going. Please join us on Saturday, August 8th for this knit-along. The pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry - hexagon blanket. The pattern has schematics for making any size - from baby blanket, to house cozy! I’m making a twin-sized version for the daybed in my yarn room. (yes, my yarn has it’s own room.)

And if you want to sneak a peek…  look at the pictures of the work in progress....

~Andi~

Square #5 Class

Lean a little to the left, Lean a little to the right......

Hello all you Squares out there! This coming Saturday’s pattern is all set and ready for you to enjoy. We’ll be doing a design named Tilting Blocks. If you want to get a head start, cast on 46 stitches and knit 6 rows.

(Lori - the repeat is 8 stitches, so you should cast on a multiple of 8, plus 6 - which ever number is close to what you’ve casted on for the other blocks.)

I’m looking forward to another great Saturday class!

See you then! 
Andi

Thank you Wany & Square #4 this weekend!

I was feeling a bit guilty last week for a few days in a row when Wany was working hard upstairs, getting our back stock room back in order and back on track.  While we were downstairs where it is cooler...  Thank you so much Wany, you did a wonderful job and the upstairs looks great again after being neglected for more than a year now...  Today I went up several times to find some back stock, and guess what I found it instantly!!  

Take a look at how serious these "square" knitters looked at one of our recent classes, this one was a challenge!  But they all loved it at least so they say....

Here is what Andi has to say about this Saturday (July18) "Square of the Month" Class:

Hi everyone - I’m looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday. We will be making a mock cable with an eyelet in the middle.

We had the “pre” make-up class last Saturday. Everyone finished the square during the class, so I would call that a success! And a break from the more challenging class we had the week before.

If you are reading this and are not “square” like the rest of us, come join in the fun!

If you want to get a jump on things before the class starts, cast on 43 stitches and work 6 rows of garter stitch (knit every row.)

See everyone Saturday! 
-Andi

Customers sharing some wonderful party recipes!

What a nice 4th of July party we had indeed!  It was a very special day.  Everyone really outdid themselves with the great dishes they prepared and we had a lovely feast.  We had so much food, that we actually had a two day party, had a great Bar-B-Q the next day!  As you can see, the bowl that Marilyn is holding here, is practically empty!  That one contained Diane's awesome Endive and Walnut Salad, what a huge hit it was.  She is kind enough to share the recipe with us....  Other big hits at the party were Lori's Confetti Grain Salad and she is also sharing her recipe with us,  Andi's Egg Salad,  Ann's Potato Salad and Christine's Minted Zucchini Salad.  And of course, Emily's desserts.  

Lori's Confetti Grain Salad:

This salad tastes even better the next day!

1 cup any combination of oatgroats, barley (not pearled), spelt berries, kamut, quinoa (not more than 25%), or rice 2 cups water or broth (try low-sodium chicken broth) 1 pinch sea salt 1 quarter size spot of olive oil 1 red, orange, yellow or green bell pepper, chopped ½ bunch parsley, chopped fine 3-4 scallions, sliced thin 2 red radishes, chopped fine (opt) ¼ cup frozen corn, defrosted (opt) ¼ cup jicama, chopped (opt)

½-1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered ¼ cup celery, chopped fine ¼ cup carrots, chopped fine ¼ cup purple cabbage, shredded (opt) 1 15 oz. can black beans or other beans, rinsed 2 oz. olive oil 4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice 1½ tsp dried dill ¼ tsp black pepper ¼ tsp sea salt

Rinse grains and check for stones. Place grains in rice cooker. Add water or broth, pinch salt and spot of olive oil. Turn rice cooker on. (This can be made in advance) In a large serving bowl, place rinsed beans, chopped bell pepper, scallions, parsley, (corn, jicama, radishes, carrots, celery if using). Stir gently to combine ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and dill. Add grains after they've cooled a bit to the serving bowl. Mix well. Add tomatoes and mix gently. Whisk dressing while pouring over salad. Serve over lettuce leaves if you wish. If you have time, allow salad to chill.

Cooking Times

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Source

Author: Lori Moldovan

Author Notes

Substitute any protein for the beans. Feel free to use any beans or combination of proteins.

Substitute any citrus juice for lemon juice. I prefer lemon or a lemon/lime combination.

This is a flexible recipe, make it your own!

Diane's Endive and Walnut Salad:

This recipe came from the French Farmhouse Cookbook which has some just super recipes.

 

For the Vinaigrette

1 tsp Dijon mustard  (I use more)

2 Tbs sherry vinegar

6 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil

1 large shallot, peeled and cut into paper thin rounds

1 clove garlic, peeled, green germ removed, and minced

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

For the Salad

3 large Belgian endive, trimmed

6 ounces (180 g) Gruyere-type cheese, cut into small cubes

1 Cup (125 g) walnuts, finely chopped

 

1. In a large salad bowl, whisk together the mustard and vinegar.  Then add the olive oil in a fine stream, whisking constantly until the mixture is emulsified.  Add the shallot and the garlic, whisk, and then season to taste with salt and a generous amount of black pepper.

 

2. Cut the endive into thin crosswise slices. Add the endive, the cheese and the walnuts to the vinaigrette and toss thoroughly.  Season to taste and serve immediately.

 

My comment, while this salad tends to lose some of its fresh color, it is great if not served "immediately" (right?) and I have eaten the left overs on day 2.  Enjoy!

Not for the weak of heart, yet one of the most touching scenes you will ever see

I came across this video today and being the animal lover and advocate that I am, I have to admit this is one of the most touching scenes I have ever seen.  So sad and yet, what an inspiration.  We can all learn from this.   The incredible hero, a stray, was never found after this day.  The dog he tried to save and so heroically took off the streets did not make it.  But what an incredible act of love.

Hero Dog Tries To Help Wounded Dog - Watch the best video clips here