Weekly Updates – Page 6 – The French Knot

Things to Like About June

May 30, 2013May 30, 2013 by Meg

Georgie will finally get a grandDAUGHTER (who happens to be due to arrive on Deanne’s birthday).

Graduations.

Vacations.

It’s easy to spell.

Market.

A sale at your favorite needlepoint and knitting store.

Oh, that one caught your eye, did it? Well I suppose you want the particulars. Here you go…

25% off needlepoint canvases

(excludes full sized stockings, mini stockings with stuffers, New Orleans and select Halloween)

25% off most yarn (there are a few exclusions).

Another thing to like about June is the Saturday Snacks and Skills class. It is on June 15 and is Dealing with Borders (needlepoint). You can bring in a canvas you are currently working on, or has been neglected because you just don’t know what to do with the edge, or you can take advantage of the sale and pick a new canvas. The class is $20 and you will be treated to some munchies while you learn. You can peruse our canvases here.

While we are discussing Saturday Snacks and Skills, let me remind you of more upcoming classes.

July is the Santa Class. This one is $150 ($75 due at registration), which includes the canvas, threads, stitch guide, instruction and of course some snacks. Here are the Santa canvases to choose from.

August will be Stranded Knitting. That is not a class about what to knit when you are stranded. It is a class on colorwork knitting. Here is an example of stranded knitting. August 17, cost is $20 plus supplies.

We want to see your finished objects.

Here is some needlepoint.

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This ‘n That

May 23, 2013 by Meg

This week on the blog, we have a post full of reminders.

First up is Saturday Snacks and Skills.

On June 15 we have Dealing with Borders, a needlepoint class. The cost for the class is $20. Bring a canvas with you, or we can help you pick one out to work on.

July 20 is another needlepoint class. This time, it’s Santas. There is a nice variety of sizes and styles to choose from.

These canvases can be finished as stand-ups, ornaments, pillows, candle holders or framed. There are lots of options.

Of course if you are an overachiever like Georgie, you might go even bigger.

This class is $150 which covers the canvas, threads, stitch guide and class. A $75 deposit is due when you register and choose your Santa.

Speaking of Santas, did you know that Christmas is right around the corner? I know, I know. It’s not actually right around the corner, but if you plan to give a needlepoint or knitted gift, you need to be planning and working now. You can look at our Christmas canvases right here. Needlepointers especially need to plan ahead, since it takes time to get things back from the finishers. You can see the finishing deadlines here.

My final reminder for this week is about our clubs. We have two. The Finishing Club and The Birthday Club. Send 10 items to be finished through us and the 11th is free. Send us your birthday and email address, and you will receive an invitation to save 20% off of one purchase during your birthday month.

And no blog post is complete without some finished objects. This week we have a few finished needlepoint projects to show you.

You Need Some Sunshine Today…

May 2, 2013 by Meg

Since it’s raining and feels like it will never stop, I have a few new things to share with you that should brighten up your day.

Now don’t you feel better? Those are happy and bright, aren’t they? The top picture is a bunch of tape measures. From the top and going clockwise you see an owl, a chicken, a turtle, a black sheep, a brown sheep, a sock monkey, a bunny, a queen bee (she has crown even!). In the middle is a pig, and a bear.

And those stitch markers… OMG, right? From left to right you see sheep, lady bugs, bees and Scotty dogs.

You’re welcome.

We also have some little stuff keepers. The bags on the left come in a set of three. On the right you see a collection of ort containers. Leona tells me that ort means scraps.

Now how about some yarn? This is Scrumptious DK/Worsted. It is 45% silk and 55% merino, and a 241 yard skein costs $22. It feels so good, you want to snuggle with it. I was imagining the feel of it on my head as a hat…mmmmm. I may have to cast one on with apologies to my darling husband for another excuse to neglect his sweater.

And here we have some special yarn hand dyed by Ann K. You can take home some of this beautiful yarn for yourself. Come in and see the colors in person.

Some new books and patterns came in this week as well…

Upcoming Saturday Snacks and Skills Classes…

This weekend, May 4 is the Cable Without a Cable Needle class. We will be making a washcloth. You don’t need to know how to knit cables to take this class. $20 (includes yarn)

June 15 will be a needlepoint class. Dealing With Borders. Bring a project you are already working on. $20

It’s time for some finished objects…

Margie is one prolific knitter, and she designs some of what she knits herself. Here Deanne models a few of her most recent accomplishments.

Leona did some knitting this week.

And she managed to finish these owls, too. She hasn’t decided yet how they will be finished, but she has eight more to finish before she has to make a decision.

Georgie finished this sweater for her grandson.

What did you finish recently?

No Blog Today, I Want to Knit…

April 25, 2013 by Meg

…I’m only kidding, I can be responsible. Here you go.

Saturday Snacks and Skills

May 4, Cable Without a Cable Needle

If you are planning on attending the Cable Without a Cable Needle Class (and you definitely should) you need to come in and pick out your yarn so you can get started before class. You will need to have finished about 10 rows before class. It’s not a difficult pattern at all, so don’t be intimidated

The VooDoo Doll class was a great success.

Recipe Time!

Lainey’s Awesome Spinach Cheesy Bread

Ingredients:

Unsalted butter, Allouette garlic and herb cheese x 2, chopped spinach, bread.

Melt enough butter to cover the bottom of a pan, add cheese (1.5 packages of cheese is good unless you want it extra cheesy). Stir till melted. Make sure spinach is well drained, then add to cheese. Cut up the bread. Melt a little more butter to brush the top of the bread. Toast for a few minutes till crispy. Spoon cheese-spinach mixture onto bread, toast for a few more minutes. Enjoy.

We don’t want to celebrate Leona’s screw-ups… but…

They do kinda encourage us just a little bit, don’t they?

This one was a knitting mishap. Something about doing a k2tog when she should have been doing a ssk.

Her next one is a bit more surprising, since Georgie missed it, too. This canvas went off to the finisher without being completely stitched. Fixing a finished ornament can be quite a challenge. Lavish Praise, Leona. Pay more attention next time…

I guess when you are making twelve of something, a little mistake on one of them isn’t too much of a problem.

How about some finished objects from our friends.

Hey knitters, where’s your stuff?

We want to show you this pretty tea box made by the talented Alan McIntosh. His wife is one of our finishers. He sent it to Leona as a thank-you gift.

What Are You Working On?

April 22, 2013April 18, 2013 by Meg

Thanks very much to the Pass Christian High School Knitting Club (Knit One, Parlay Two) and their adviser, Ms. Gibson for their invitation to speak last Friday. Leona and Deanne had a great time showing off many delicious yarns and finished objects to a wonderfully enthusiastic group of young knitters. I think they’re hooked.

Leona has been busy knitting up samples from the new yarns we showed you last week and we want to share them with you. Universal Yarn has a lot of free patterns to inspire you. Of course, we have some pattern books available or ideas as well.

A scarf made from Poems Puzzle. The pattern is on the skein wrapper. (Try to not be freaked out by the glass head.)

An iPad cover made using Poems, Poems Chunky, and Poems Puzzle.

A cowl from Bamboo Bloom

A cowl from Comin Up Flowers. Look at the little flowers. They form as you knit. Pretty cool, don’t you think?

This is Chiffon Ribbon. We got a sampling of several different colors.

We have a few other finished objects to show you this week.

Leona finished another throw. The variations possible from this pattern are infinite.

Georgie finished her VooDoo Doll just in time to show it off at class this weekend.

Speaking of VooDoo Dolls, we are very excited about the Snacks and Skills on Saturday class this week. Stay tuned. Maybe there will be pictures next week…

New This Week!

April 11, 2013April 11, 2013 by Meg

Ernie stopped by this week and brought us some goodies. We made him stop for a moment to take his picture. Then we got busy.

Look what we got…

Some new patterns

Some more new patterns

Some pattern books to help you decide what to make with…

…all this new yarn.

What you see here is Mohair Mountain, Cotton Supreme Splash, Poems Chunky, Poems Silk, Poems Puzzle, Poems Socks, Poems, Classic Shades, Saki Silk, Deluxe Worsted, and Bamboo Bloom.

Don’t forget about the Snacks and Skills on Saturday.

April 20 (Needlepoint), Voodoo Doll Class, $150, includes canvas, threads and stitch guide.

May 4 (Knitting), Cable Without a Cable Needle, $20, includes pattern and yarn.

June 15 (Needlepoint), Dealing with Borders, $20, bring a work in progress that needs a border.

Mark your calendar.

Now for some finished objects.

Sarah finished these two pillows.

Eileen stitched this one.

Georgie made this sweet sweater for her soon to be born granddaughter. The pattern, along with lots of other adorable patterns is in this book.

Leona made this blanket for Georgie’s soon to be born granddaughter. The pattern is Diagonal Eyelet Baby Blanket from Lion Brand.

These pods were knit by Eileen to have her grandbaby’s picture taken in.

Ten Things You Need to Know

April 5, 2013 by Meg

Snacks and Skills on Saturday

1. Voodoo Doll Class: April 20 @ 10:30: $150

We’ve had a few spaces open up, so you haven’t missed your chance. Call (228-255-3100) or email (info@frknot.com) the shop to register.

2. Learn to Cable Without a Cable Needle: May 4 @ 10:30: $20

Whether you know how to cable or not, this class will be helpful. If you already know how to make cables, this will give you a technique to speed up your cable knitting. Of course, if you’ve never made cables before, this is a great time to learn.

We are taking registrations for this class and there will be a very small bit of pre-work to be ready for class. The cost is $20 which includes the yarn and the pattern.

3. The Website is Constantly Changing

The Canvas Page is undergoing major construction. Soon, all the canvases in the shop will be available to see online.

4. We Have an Online Store

Not only can you see our canvases online, but you can also purchase them online. You can get to the store from the individual canvas pages or you can click on the Shopping link above.

5. We Are Putting Some Yarn On Sale.

Some of the Noro Yarns…

Cash Iroha $9.60
Cashmere Island $9.60
Iro $16
Kureyon $7.20
Silk Garden $9.56
Silk Garden Chunky $9.56
Silk Garden Lite $9.56

and

Cascade 220 $7.20
220 Paints $9.60
220 Quatro $8

6. We Have Some New Canvases

7. We Have a Group on Ravelry

Lot’s of fun conversations over there. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Ravelry, it is a social networking site for knitters, crocheters, spinners, and general lovers of fiber. You have to join, which is free and then the benefits are endless… patterns, yarn information, like-minded groups, and general fun.

8. We Have a Facebook Page

You can like us and leave comments telling us how much you love us. We will return the favor by telling you how grateful we are for your loyalty.

9. We Have a Google Group

This is the email list we use to inform folks of blog updates, upcoming events and general news. We won’t flood your inbox, we promise. If you want to join, just give us your email.

10. Finished Objects

This one isn’t quite finished, but since the stitcher is from out of town, and the canvas is so beautiful, we just had to share it with you.

We call this the Anniversary Moth because it’s been almost exactly a year since she started it. She came in just in time to make it into the blog.

Deidre cross-stitched Disney Princesses.

Julie finished this amazing shawl. Lavish praise, Julie.

A pair of socks by Deanne.

A pair of socks by Becky.

A quotable quote: “You’re not just saying ‘ok’ cuz it’s ok, it’s ok, right?”

This and That

March 29, 2013 by Meg

This is an update of tidbits.

Many have asked, we listened… you will be excited to know that we now accept American Express. There will be a 1.5% surcharge on these transactions.

Snacks and Skills on Saturdays

Needlepoint — Voodoo Doll Class — $150
April 20, 10:30 am
The class is full, but we will open a waiting list on the off chance someone drops out.

We have a picture!!! Pretty awesome canvas, isn’t it?

Knitting — Cables Without a Cable Needle — $20
May 4, 10:30 am
Yarn and pattern provided
Call or email the shop to reserve your spot.

Needlepoint — Dealing with Borders $10
June 15, 10:30
Bring a current project that needs a border.

Recipe Corner

Canned Vegetable Salad
from Meg
serves 8

1 can (17 ounce size) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (16 ounce size) green beans, (lengthwise cut), drained
1 can (8 1/2 ounce size) peas, drained
2 ounces pimientos, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 cup sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Combine corn, green beans, pimiento, celery, green pepper, and onion in a large bowl, tossing lightly. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour. Combine vinegar, oil, water, and sugar; mix well. You can use any kind of vinegar, I prefer red wine. Pour over vegetable mixture. Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours. Drain and serve in a lettuce-lined bowl.

Some New Bling for Needlepointers.

Since we like to have pretty tools to make our stitching more of a pleasure we have…

… needle threaders for $7

…and counted thread stitch markers.

Finished Objects

Margaret knit this sweater of her own design using Cascade 220. Isn’t it beautiful?

Judy finished her second sweater. She knit it with Tiny Tots yarn. Nice job, Judy.

Our new friend, Kristy hung out with us while visiting the area. While she was in Mississippi, she finished her Omelet, so as an honorary Knotty Knitter, we are putting her finished object here for you to enjoy.

Sue finished a baby blanket using Tiny Tots as well.

Ann’s Virgin Mary stand-up came back from the finisher this week.

A French Knot Rhyme

March 21, 2013March 21, 2013 by Meg

The day has arrived for another quick post,
About our favorite store,
About a few classes that we plan to host
And finished objects galore.

The open house was a rousing success,
We’re so grateful for all the support,
And though happy thoughts are oft hard to express,
Our great customers are quick to exhort.

So on to the stuff, you came here to know,
This rhyme is now almost done,
Accept these warm wishes from our little chateau,
May all of your projects be fun!

Congratulations to Patt Low and Sue Hebert, they each won a grand prize in Saturday’s drawing. Pat won the needlepoint prize and Sue won the knitting prize.

Upcoming Snacks and Skills classes…

Voodoo Doll needlepoint class, April 20, 10:30 am.
Pictures and prices coming soon. Call the shop to reserve your spot. The class is limited to 20 and is filling up fast.

Cable Without a Cable Needle knitting class, May 4, 10:30.

Some of our Knotty Knitters learned to crochet Tuesday night. The newbies sat next to someone who already knows how to crochet and the fun began! Here is Lainey teaching Deidre!

And now for some finished objects.

Janet made La La’s Simple Shawl using yarn she received as a gift.

Suzanne made the same shawl, but used Swagger Light, a heavier yarn. Lavish praise, ladies, they are both beautiful!

Leona finished a cowl. She says if you come in for the yarn, she’ll give you the pattern free. Sweet deal!

Jane finished her coat. She knit it with Noro Silk Garden. The pattern is in Knit Noro, a book with lots of great patterns.

Leona did some samples for the crochet-a-long. Pretty, aren’t they?

That granddaughter of Georgie’s is already spoiled and she’s not even born yet. This is the latest project Georgie has finished for her.

Three stitchers will be excited to know that their pillows have come back.

Also from our amazing Georgie… some clothes for a stuffed monkey. I think he should stick around for awhile…

Open House This Saturday!

March 14, 2013 by Meg

We’ve been sprucing up for the party!

Meet Meg

Eat food

Win a door prize

Oh yeah… 20% off canvases and yarn.

Saturday, 10-3

Speaking of Saturdays and food, we’ve added a new attraction here at The French Knot.

Snacks and Skills on Saturdays

Once a month, we will have a class to teach a new technique, project or skill and we’ll throw in some coffee and muffins as well. The classes will start at 10:30 and will alternate between needlepoint and knitting.

Starting on April 20th, our first class will be a needlepoint Voodoo Doll. This class will include an exclusive canvas (designed just for us) as well as a stitch guide, threads and instruction. The cost will be announced asap. Bring your own tools.

On May 4, knitters can Learn to Cable without a Cable Needle. This is a handy technique that will speed up your cable knitting. If you don’t know how to knit cables, this is a great time to learn. We will knit a washcloth. Yarn and pattern will be provided, you’ll need a set of size 7 needles. Cost is $20 for this class.

Speaking of learning something new… This Tuesday, Knotty Knitters will be learning to crochet. All are welcome! Tuesdays nights are a great time at The French Knot. You don’t have to be a knitter to come hang out. As you can see, this week the knitters will be crocheting. We plan to start a washcloth, so bring a hook and cotton yarn if you have it, if not, we’ll set you up!!

How About Some Finished Objects?

Leona finished this jacket from knit, Swirl. It’s a great book full of unique patterns.

Some firsts from a few of our knitters…

A first sweater

A first project… a cat blanket (to be donated to an animal shelter).

A first pink project… by Georgie… for her first granddaughter.

A first hat.

For those of you wondering where all that yarn came from for the yarn bombing… One of the yarn vandals cleaned out the bottom of her closet of old yard sale yarn and put it to its highest and best use. Now she has more room to buy quality yarn from The French Knot.