The French Knot – Page 13 – A Full Service Yarn and Needlepoint Store on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

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.

Under Construction

March 7, 2013 by Meg

As you can see we have made a few changes. Along with a new domain name comes a new look. We hope you like it. We also have a new email address. You can find it on our contact us page.

Now on to this week’s news.

Remember…

We are having a party…

Saturday, March 16, 10 am – 3 pm…

Food…

Door Prizes…

Meet Meg…

20% off Canvases and Yarn!

I know you won’t want to miss it!

Crochet-a-long coming soon.

We will start a crochet-a-long after the Mardi Gras knit-a-long is done. This will be an instructional CAL, so here is your opportunity to learn a new skill, or just join in and help out the newbies. The crochet-a-long will begin on March 19.. Get a hook and some cotton yarn and we will end up with a wash cloth when we are done.

Top 10 Reasons Leona Shouldn’t Leave Town

March 12, 2013February 28, 2013 by Meg

10. Jane parks in front of the door.

9. Georgie has to work on a Monday.

8. Our delivery boy doesn’t bring us dinner.

7. Someone has to rehang the unsold canvases.

6. Strays follow her home with books of a questionable nature.

5. Customers are denied her expertise.

4. Her work piles up.

3. The unicorns rejoice.

2. Georgie’s hair turns gray.

1. The Knotty Knitters have no adult supervision.

And now for some more serious stuff.

A new blog feature…. Recipes. If you’ve ever been here for a party you know that we can make some yummy stuff. The first recipe to be featured comes from our very own Georgie. Enjoy!

Mexican Corn Dip

2 cans mexicorn
2 sm can chopped green chilies
4 jalapeno peppers chopped (sm)
8 oz sour cream
1 cup mayo
10 oz (or whatever it is now) mexiblend cheese
¼ tsp sugar
4 chopped green onions

Mix and chill. Serve with Fritos

And some very important Finishing information…

FINISHING DEADLINES FOR 2013

Designer pillows , large stand-ups &  kissing balls
Halloween… August 15
Thanksgiving/Hanukkah… August 23
Christmas… September 4

Christmas stockings & non-designer pillows (you choose the fabric)… October 9

Small ornaments & stand-ups… October 23

If the finishers accept an item after our due dates there will be an additional $25.00 rush charge applied to the item to be finished.

This ‘n That!

February 21, 2013 by Meg

GRAND OPENING!!

We’re gonna have a party and we want you to come.

MARCH 16 (that’s a Saturday) 10 am – 3 pm.

Come meet our new owner Meg.

There will be food, drink and door prizes on the hour.

Stuff will be on sale, too… 20% off canvases and yarn (knitting).

Mark your calendar. You do not want to miss this!

Now some happy stuff.

Look what we got!!!

Isn’t it pretty?

And look what else we got…

Now you can bring your plastic in to assist you with your stash building.

You should try something new…

How about a scarf like these that knit up quickly. These two were done by our very own Leona…

Before they were scarves they were skeins of yarn that looked like this…

A Finished Object to feature… (well actually two finished objects)

Meg’s new twin grandsons will be rummaging through these amazing stockings when they celebrate their first Christmas this year.

What We Love

February 14, 2013 by Meg

In honor of Valentines Day, a little poetry.

Roses are red,

Some of our yarn is too,

There’s yellow and green,

Orange, purple and blue.

But maybe the thing,

On which you spend your spare time,

Involves canvas and thread,

With fancy stitches entwined.

So on this Day of Love,

You have plenty to do,

Whether canvas or yarn,

We make wishes come true.

Tuesdays are for Knotty Knitters

February 12, 2013February 7, 2013 by Meg

It’s not the only time you can come to The French Knot and stitch with friendly people, but it may be the most fun. On Tuesdays we are open until 8 pm. That makes it the perfect opportunity for folks to gather around the tables and spend some time encouraging, assisting and inspiring one another. Although you will find mostly knitting on Tuesday nights, it is not required. Crocheters and needlepointers are also frequently spotted.

You may also hear great words of wisdom like… “Your problem is you actually have conversations with your husband”… or … “It’s never good to give two year olds or men too many options.” But sometimes the conversation is nothing more than pointless fun.

So without further ado…here are a few pictures from this week.

Leona was gone… I took her chair mwahaha!


Some people don’t like having their picture taken. Spoil Sport!

I sneaked this picture while they were busy chatting. Shh, don’t tell.

Don’t mess with her knitting! She’s carrying sharp sticks!

And now those finished objects...

The Oh So Adorable Christina finished a pair of socks!!

Leona finished some Halloween Ornament Tags. We still have a pumpkin and a Frankenstein for you to do.

Georgie has been working on belts. There are lots more to see on our website.

And she finished a mini stuffer. You can pick yours from this page.

Both Leona and Georgie have finished throws. Twelve different yarns of your choosing make each one completely unique.

Knot Just Another Post.

January 31, 2013 by Meg

Well, ok, maybe it is, but I had to try for a catchy post title. Who can blame me?

We start this post with an update on that yarn bowl in the middle of the table meant to collect money when the phone is answered with the wrong greeting. We are doing quite well. There are only two dollars in there so far (both contributed by the same person, who shall remain nameless). I was personally hoping for a few more trip-ups so we could use the money for something fun or yummy, but alas, it looks like I may be disappointed.

We still don’t have our credit card processing up and running, but have no fear, it won’t be long now.

—–SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT—

Georgie is having a girl… well her daughter is having a girl… FINALLY! And she is very happy about it. Five grandsons can be lots of fun and all, but you know how it is. I guess she’ll be knitting a lot of patterns from this book…

…and of course she’ll be stitching a stocking with lots of pink in it. I promise to show it to you when it’s done.

Now on to the knitting and needlepoint stuff. We are going to start a mystery knit-a-long on Mardi Gras. It won’t be difficult, I promise! To kick off this new idea, we are starting with a simple project that will be a great option for Christmas giving. For a mere $10 you will sample five different yarns and see a nice project through to the end having fun with your friends. You can ask questions, but we aren’t going to tell you what it is. You know you can trust us to pick something awesome. You will need to sign up and don’t worry, if you can’t start with us on Mardi Gras, it is easy enough to catch up.

Remember the top ten reasons from last week? Reason #5 was to join the Frequent Finishers Club, the Chemo Cap Club or the Birthday Club. You may have been asking what we could have possibly meant by that. Well, let me enlighten you.

First, we have the Frequent Finishers Club. Send ten needlepoint projects for finishing through The French Knot and get an eleventh (of equal or lesser value) free. Next up is The Chemo Cap Club. Donate ten preemie or chemo hats and we will give you 10% off your next purchase. Last, but not least, is the Birthday Club. For this one we need your email address and your birthday. We will send you an email and you get 20% off a purchase during your birthday month. Pretty cool stuff, don’t ya think?

And now for those finished objects.

Knitting first…


The lovely Suzanne models Bryce Canyon, knit by Leona using Malabrigo Sock yarn.

Also modeled by Suzanne is a pair of socks knit by Julie.

Jane finished a hat with Noro Silk Garden.

Ann dyed this yarn and then knit a hat with it. Lavish Praise, Ann.

Leona threw together this throw in a couple of days, it will reside on a friend’s couch.

Now for some needlepoint.

Aubrey ‘s latest FO.

Avra stitched this adorable canvas. She sent it off to be finished as a pillow.

Terry finished this inch worm. It will be a pillow when it comes back.


Geogie’s pillow came back. She made it for her daughter. Pretty, isn’t it?

Top 10 Reasons to Come to The French Knot.

January 25, 2013 by Meg

10. Everything is tidied and reorganized.

9. Some yarns and threads have been restocked.

8. New sale yarns and canvases.

7. To celebrate Mardi Gras.

6. The chocolate bowl is restocked.

5. To join the Frequent Finishers Club, the Chemo Cap Club or the Birthday Club.

4. If you call you may run the risk of hearing “The Stitch Niche.” (But don’t worry, there are consequences when we answer the phone improperly.)

3. Because you can!

2. Leona and Georgie are still here.

and drum roll, please……

1. You might catch a glimpse of the new owner.