Summer Vacation

Hi all,
Well, it's early August, so we all know what that means. Torey and her family are taking their annual family vacation. Diane is going to be taking some time off as well. So, for the next 2 weeks, we are going to have some midified shop hours.

Please note, we will be closed August 7th and 8th, as well as, August 12th, 13th and 14th.

We will be open this Saturday, as usual, and then back to regular hours next Friday.

I will be in on Saturday as the official shop girl, so if you get a chance, stop in and say hi! I am looking forward to seeing you all.

Meet you by the wool,
Rob

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

I know, I know! The title of this blog is enough to take you over the edge. But, the sad fact is that there are only 170 some odd days till Christmas. It doesn't sound so bad when it's put that way, so you may be thinking what's the big deal? But, if you are anything like me, and you qualify your time by available blocks of knitting or crochet time, then that translates to only 20 or so Saturday's left! If I really want to give myself a panic attack, I have to remember that since I really only find time to seriously knit about once a week, then that means I only have have about 20 days in which to complete all of my handmade Christmas gift giving. Lord, I feel faint.

That being said, I felt it my responsibility as your friend to bring up this unsavory topic and see if I couldn't help get you on track this year. That's right...on track! For the holidays! I have a plan this year. I have decided that this is the year when I FINISH all that I intended to originally make for Christmas gifts. How? Well, it starts with a list. Over the next few days, begin making a list with the names of each person you would ideally like to make a gift for. Be as ambitious as you like. Make it the, "If I ran the World, This Is What Would Happen" list. Shoot for the moon. Then, write down a suggested item that you might make next to each name. For example, Dad - argyle socks, Mom - cashmere gloves....and so on. Then, (heres where the rubber meets the road) take out your calender. Take a realistic inventory of your upcoming schedule from now till Christmas. Next, SCHEDULE in your crafting time! That's right, if you know you have a dentist appointment on August 13th, plan for 20 minutes of knitting in the waiting room. if you know your darling hubby is going on a business trip, or that the kids are going to camp, plan to use at least some of that time for knitting. You could get really crazy and start to number the projects in matter of importance, set drop dead finish dates, and so on. The vision is that by the beginning of December will find yourself PREPARED for the holidays! Can you imagine that feeling? Yeah...me neither, but I'll bet it feels good!



Now, I know that this plan sounds rather ambitious. Especially for those of you who actually know me on a personal basis. :) However, I have a secret weapon that is going to help me make this plan a success. Have you been to http://www.ravelry.com/? Well, if you haven't yet - go there ASAP! Aside from all of the organizational help you are going to find, you are also going to find Torey and Diane and me from the Knit Affair. There is a spot on the website to sign up for "groups". Knit Affair has their own group! It's open for anyone to join. It's a place where we can all hang out and discuss this pesky Christmas plan together, or anything else we care to, anytime of the day or night! Now, if you are at a loss as to what to knit for your beloved's, not to fear! Torey has a whole Christmas project plan for us. Over the course of the next few months, she is going to be offering classes in smaller, quick to knit projects that will be the perfect thing for someone on your list. To start with, this Saturday, July 19th - you can begin either "animal toe slippers", or " take along teddy blanket". Either is sure to delight the small people on your list. The class is from 12PM-4PM. Or, if you are just looking for a block of time to get started on something new, and would like Torey's expert advice and direction , you can sign up for that too! Just stop into the shop, or send her a message on http://www.ravelry.com/!



See? The holidays aren't going to be so bad after all....IF you stick to the plan!



Meet you by the wool,

Rob

Hey Batter Batter!

That's right, we are having our very own Stitch N' Pitch night! You don't want to miss out on the fun. Stop into the shop to purchase tickets. Also, be planning your contest entry. Any knitted or crocheted item is eligible. We are going to be looking for "Storm" inspired projects. The teams colors are black, red and white. You could be the lucky winner of a $100.00 gift certificate to the Knit Affair! Note* Knit Affair yarn only please. Also, the winner will be announced at the game, with the item and winner being brought onto the field beofre the game starts. Tickets are only $9.00, so bring the family.

See you then!

Torey, Dianne & Rob

Summer Hours......

Happy 4th of July!
We will be closed for the holiday on July 4th.
Also our hours from July 1st. thru July 12th will be
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 12PM – 5PM
Saturday 10AM - 5PM
Closed Monday, Wednesday & Sunday
We apologize for any inconvenience. Please come see us then.
Thank You,
Torey, Dianne & Rob

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Where have you been????

So, it's been nearly 28 days since my last blog. Some of you may have been wondering where I had gotten off to. The rest of you probably didn't notice my absence! However, I am back and we are getting back to our regularly scheduled blogging.

How have you all been? What have you been working on? I started a very cute shrug pattern out of the book, "Fitted Knits". It's a great book. Takes the whole concept of sweater knitting and gives a much needed update on fit, in my opinion. At any rate, I decided upon the adorable shrug pattern found on page 42. I even followed the directions to a tee! I mean, except for the fact that I didn't do the size I measured out for, I changed the yarn, and I used 2 different needle sizes. But, other than that - I did EXACTLY what the book told me. I am sad to report that the finished product, yes - I used the word "finished", is hopeless. It would be a perfect fit if I were an NFL pro quarter back! Of course, I brought my disappointing little project into the shop in the hopes that Torey would be able to do some of her magic voodoo and miraculously fix the stupid thing. However, my dear sister merely informed me that perhaps it is I who really needs to be taking the upcoming Knitting 101 class. Staring at my recent failure, I really couldn't argue. So, for those of you who were planning on taking the class, save me a seat. Obviously, I need to go back to the beginning. Knitting 101 is going to cover a multitude of techniques, starting with how to cast on a ton of different ways. I do admit that I take for granted the ability to determine the correct cast on for any given project. However, it's been 30 years in the making of mistakes that I have acheived this small talent. Torey is hoping to help our beginning knitters to move forward in their skill level, and to help our more advanced knitters maybe find an easier, or different way than what they're used to. This class is begins June 3rd, from 6-8PM. Torey is going to start with casting on and go from there. The class is a series and will be held once a week for the rest of the summer. There is still room to join, you can call the shop for more info.

Behold this summer's "must have" shoe! In the picture are mine and Torey's personal pairs of croc's. In working up our donations for the "Walk for Life" event that's being held on September 27th, we have also been going a little overboard in creating some fun summer footwear for ourselves. I mean, check these out! You can see how it's hard to resist keeping a pair for yourself! I am pretty excited about this particular event. I love that we can all get together at the shop and not only do something we enjoy, but also know that we are helping to make a difference in the fight against cancer. For those of you who want to learn how to make your own pair, we are holding the "how to" class on Thursday, June 5th at 6PM. Then, once you have gotten the hang of it, please join us on Saturdays during the month of August. The shop is supplying all of yarn. All you have to do is bring in a pair of flip flops to donate. We will be selling our finished pieces at the "Walk for Life" event, with the proceeds going to The Foundation. The Foundation is a community and family health organization that helps those suffering from cancer. Our goal is to have at least 100 pairs of flip flops donated for sale. So come hang with us, and "think pink"!

So.....has anyone noticed that summer is nearly here? I am very excited about the start of my favorite season! However, I do notice a lack of time to sit and concentrate on my knitting with a little peace and quiet. This could have something to do with the fact that the children in my life are free from school and therefore looking for my undivided attention. I love being the favorite Aunt, but not when I want to knit, and they want to go swimming. Thankfully, there is an upcoming late night sit and knit at the shop. What could be better than a full six hours of uniterrupted knitting? I can't think of a thing. I am leaving Jackson home with his daddy and me and Charlotte will be joining you all for the night. I am really looking forward to seeing you all. I get to the shop a few times a month during the day, but I haven't seen many of you since Jackson was born. I am starting work on a felted yoga bag today. I am hoping to erase the bad memory of the ill fated shrug with a new project. ( Ha! Like I need an excuse to start a new project. ) Maybe I will be ready to finish it up by the then. The late night sit and knit is scheduled for Saturday, June 7th from 6-12PM. Hope to see you all there.

Meet you by the wool,

Rob

Nothing more delightful than a bit of Jack Daniel.....

Here at the Knit Affair, we have discovered another four letter word that means love. We spell it J..A..C..K! You will have to forgive us, but this particular blog has nothing at all to do with yarn. It is just a complete and total lovefest for our newest knitter to be (ssshhh...don't tell his dad!).



I can honestly tell you, as a complete and unbiased overly doting Aunt, that this is one cute kid! I mean, let's be honest. Sometimes babies come out and well...umm..not so much. You know? I mean, it's not easy sometimes. The journey to the outside can leave a baby, well- sort of mushed??!!? Acckkk, forgive me if your baby was of the mushed variety. I am certanly not speaking of them. I mean those other kids. The ones who belong to people we don't know and love. :)

We are happy to report that Jack and Mom are thrieving. Uncle Greg was over recently for Jack's first photo shoot. Take a look.....

Mom and Jack

The Happy Family

Jack's Birth Announcement

Ok...this concludes this week's look at our total obsession of baby Jack. Thank you for your patience. We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Meet you by the wool,

Jack's Aunt Rob