Earlier today I received an email from DreamWeaverYarns.com and they were advertising big needles. But these weren't just any larger than normal size needles...as George Costanza would say about the "BIG salad," these are "BIG needles!"

These big knitting needles come in sizes US 35 (19mm) and US 50 (25 mm).  They also have big crochet hooks and a book to go with them.

Now, I don't know how those knitting needles feel to work with, but they definitely are intriguing! I don't think I'll be trying them any time soon. I think I'll start with something a little smaller. I may definitely have to check out the crochet hooks though.

        

Even Ghandi was cold today!

Today I had the pleasure of finally having the opportunity to take a free form class with one of the masters of the art -- Prudence Mapstone! I have had the opportunity to get to know Prudence over the last few years and couldn't wait to hear about her process directly from her. It was quite cold when I left the house (10 degrees Fahrenheit) this morning at 5:45 a.m. to meet up with a fellow free form buddy to catch the bus to New York City.

Within the hour we were a few blocks from the Lion Brand Yarn Studio enjoying a wonderful breakfast! Afterward we headed out into the wind and cold to walk the last few blocks to the Studio. We arrived at 9:25 a.m. for our class. To our disappointment, the woman working refused to let us in saying we were there too early. We tried to explain that we were told by arrive by 9:30 a.m., but she was adamant and wouldn't let us in and said to come back at class time. Annoyed and cold, we walked another block to a coffee shop and sat another little bit to sit and warm up. We let 15 minutes pass and decided to walk back and tell her that if class is supposed to start at 10:00 a.m., they would have to let us in ahead of time to be ready. Well, to our surprise, the shop was already bustling! I was quite miffed! When I asked why it was now OK, she said (and I quote), "well, you got here at 9:25 and I wasn't opening the doors until 9:30." Um, really? She knew I was less than pleased and ignored her and headed over to see the person I wanted to see and visit with most of all...Prudence!

We all immediately started chatting at once like school girls! It was wonderful! After a quick catch-up, we settled down, ready to begin.

Prudence's amazing wall hanging!

She already had some of her wonderful scrumbles out, her wraps, beautiful coats and an amazing new wall hanging!

I cannot describe how helpful her guidance for free form projects was today! She shared how she develops her scrumbles, assembles her garments and connect scrumbles to each other. At one point I became somewhat stuck with the piece I was working on when I asked her for assistance. She simply said "it has finished telling you what to do with that piece right now--put it aside and start another one." She also advised to never pull apart a scrumble because you don't like it at the moment. Set it aside and start a new piece. It has finished "speaking to you" at the moment. Give it some time...a few days to even when you are ready to do something with all your pieces. You never know how they will all work together!

One of Prudence's amazing scrumbles!

The hours passed by quicker than you could imagine. After a few quick purchases, the ladies of the International Free Form Crochet Guild posed for a few photos. We said our goodbyes so Prudence could prepare for her afternoon class and headed into the cold again (now a balmy 30 degrees) to catch the bus back to New Jersey.

I cannot thank Prudence enough for her time, her encouragement and her creative thought process. I plan to send her photos as my scrumbles progress and turn into whatever they tell me they should be!

If you would like to see more photos of today's class, please join my Facebook page.

        

The next get together will be this Thursday,January 28th, 7:00 p.m. at the Starbucks coffee shop next to Pier Onein the Target strip mall at the Rockaway Mall, Rockaway, NJ. We arehaving a great time getting together every few weeks and would love tohave more join in on the fun! I can't wait to see everyone again!

Many of us are also attending the Prudence Mapstone class at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio in New York City this weekend and we will be discussing the upcoming day!

If you are on Facebook, search under groups for Stitching at Starbucks and join our happy little group! Hope to see you there!

        

This weekend if the Fly Fishing Show in Somerset, NJ. Why should you care? Well, two reasons...

First, if you have never been to a fly shop, a lot of the fly tying materials provide wonderful inspiration for crochet, knitting and weaving. The materials are simply amazing! You won't believe your eyes!

Second, Glenn and I will be at the show this weekend providing tying demonstrations, giving lectures and selling our book, Ten Flies, Simple Ties, which contains my crochet rock worm. Yes, that's crochet!

If you have time, I highly recommend stopping in. If you do, make sure to stop past our table and say hi!

        

Alert! Stitching at Starbucks is back in full swing! Our first get together after the holiday season will be this Thursday, January 14th, 7:00 p.m. at the Starbucks coffee shop next to Pier One in the Target strip mall at the Rockaway Mall, Rockaway, NJ. We are having a great time getting together every few weeks and would love to have more join in on the fun! I can't wait to see everyone again!

If you are on Facebook, search under groups for Stitching at Starbucks and join our happy little group! Hope to see you there!

        

As 2010 begins, it is a natural time to make resolutions and goals for the new year. Many resolve to exercise, loose weight, spend more time with family and be a better person.

Those are all great goals, but for those of us who knit, crochet, felt and spin, we often have different goals. So what are my goals? I plan to give knitting another try. I purchased some lovely needles from Knit Picks and am researching videos on YouTube to help with casting on. I plan to spin more. I didn't get to spin nearly as much as I would like. I also want to continue to improve my skills on both the wheel and spindle.

I really want to write more. I have pitched several article ideas to fiber-focused magazines and I hope to hear something soon! My fingers are crossed!

From a design aspect, I plan to continue to design and am working on a pattern booklet idea I hope to pitch to different publishers in the hopes someone will like my ideas. I will also continue to design independently and list my patterns on Patternfish.

So those are my fiber-focused goals. A big list, I know, but I am determined!

What are your fiber goals???

        

The following is an email that was sent out from Peter's Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ. Bottom line is that they lost $78,000 in funding from the state. It would be a terrible thing is New Jersey and the art community as a whole looses this wonderful resource! If you can help, I urge you to make a donation...every little bit counts!


Dear Friends of Peters Valley,

We have a crisis! On Friday, December 4th, we received the news that our $78,000 grant from New Jersey has been frozen. No information is available about if or when it will be re-established.

The loss of the New Jersey funding on top of the short fall of workshop income and reduced expectations for future funding has created a serious financial crisis. We have taken immediate steps to restructure to improve our financial stability and to function during these difficult economic times with reduced  income, but need additional help now.

With your help and our belt tightening program, we can survive the next few months, until workshop revenues begin  to arrive.

Our board has been generously supportive. Please join them with your donation.

Donations of $500 or more will receive a special thank you gift of a signed pottery piece by Bruce Dehnert.  Bruce is head of our ceramics department and a well known ceramic artist.

Additionally we will give a special thanks to all supporters with a listing on our website.

We truly need your help now and your support is deeply appreciated.

Kristin Muller
Executive Director
Peters Valley Craft Center
19 Kuhn Road
Layton, NJ 07851
973-948-5200  ext. 201
director@petersvalley.org

        

The amazing fiber artist, Prudence Mapstone, from down under will be teaching a class on free form knitting and crochet at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio in New York City on January 31, 2010. I already signed up and just can't wait!

I have always wanted to take a class with Prudence, but never had the opportunity. I truly admire her work and know this class will exceed all my expectations!

You can learn more at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio's web site. If you are able to attend, trust me when I tell you...you will NOT be sorry!

        

Lisa's Prayer Shawl

I am very excited to announce that my new pattern line is now available on Patternfish! These patterns include a prayer shawl, ear warmers, a child's hat, fashion belt, scarf and dish cloths! These patterns can be worked up quickly for yourself or as a quick gift.

A special note about one pattern - Lisa's Prayer Shawl. This shawl was created in honor of my friend Lisa. She is a five-year breast cancer survivor. She is an amazing person and a wonderful friend. For every purchase of Lisa's Prayer Shawl pattern, I will donate $2 to Casting for Recovery. I met Lisa at a Casting for Recovery retreat where I was a volunteer. This wonderful organization provides free fly fishing retreats for breast cancer survivors. My husband Glenn and I have been volunteering with this organization since 2003.

I have put much though and care into developing these patterns. I certainly hope you enjoy making these items as much as I enjoyed creating them.

        

Get inspired this weekend at the Saints Peter & Paul Orthodox Christian Church's Christmas Bazaar! There will be plenty of hand-made items (including yours truly), as well as professional vendors to get your holiday shopping done. Bring the kids so they can craft with Mrs. Claus and tell Santa what they want for Christmas! There will also be plenty of homemade Slovak goodies to snack on while you are shopping.

The event will run from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 5th. The Saints Peter & Paul Orthodox Church is located at 64 Beach Street, Rockaway Boro, NJ.

Be sure to stop by and say hi!