TNS The Stitch Quarterly

 

A Quick Note:

Ah, Summer has arrived. You’d think I will be relaxing on the beach somewhere, oh but no, I have so much going on!  I have spent the past few months filling orders as well as working my day job as a school bus driver. May and June have been especially hectic, but now schools are closed, and now I can really focus on what I want to do this summer.

I gave a lot of thought to the following question:  “Your work is so nice, do you teach?” For the past 15 years of crocheting, and 30 years of stitchery practice, I have decided to take the plunge and signed up for a correspondence courses through the Craft Yarn Council Association and FIT for Crochet I, and Crochet II. I have 6 months each to complete a binder of work filled with samples and swatches. Again, I will be using my blog to share my experiences. Along with this, I have been matched so far to Michael’s Arts and Crafts of Huntington. This is located on RTE 110, just south of Walt Whitman Mall. For class schedules, free demos, and open houses, check my Facebook page often.

Over the summer, as well as studies, I will be making new things for the next craft fair. I made new blankets for the home, and reviewing patterns, and collecting yarn. There are new things out there that will be ideal for everyone, and practical solutions as well.

~Regina

Classes

            I hooked up with Michael’s in Huntington! Yes, it is pretty far from where I live. But it is a start, right? I have a set schedule, and I can make 2 custom classes. All lessons are $25 each. If you wish to have private lessons, or a fun group session, you can reserve for one, we can hold it in your home, or a place of your choice. Lessons will still be only $25 each!

            Help me earn my required 15 hours for Crochet 1, and another 15 for Crochet 2. To make it easy for us to keep track, my project lessons listed below will make it easy to pick out what you want to learn. If you never crocheted before, you have to take the Absolute Beginner class before taking on a class that might overwhelm you. Each month, I will introduce 2-3 Level 1 classes, and 1-2 Level 2 classes. Sometimes I will make a Level 2 project a 2-parter, maybe a series!

Class Calendar:

Location:

Michael’s Arts & Crafts

Huntington Shopping Center

350 Walt Whitman Rd (Rte 110)

Huntington Station, NY 11746

631-423-0381 (call to reserve your spot!)

All classes are $25 each!

 

7/31 Discover Crochet: Time for Crochet

1-3:30

Confident Beginner and up.

Corner-to-Corner Crochet

• 2 balls Lily Sugar n Cream, you pick color
• Size H Hook, Size I hook
• Tool kit

 

8/3 Discover Crochet: Time for Crochet (Level Crochet 1)

1-3:30pm

Absolute Beginner Crochet: The basics

 

• Pick out your tool kit
• Pick out hook set
• Learn about yarn, patterns, etc.

 

8/7 Crochet Beginner 1: Skinny Scarf or phone cover (Level Crochet 1)

1-3:30pm

 

• 1 skein Caron Simply Soft your color pick
• H-Hook
• Tool kit

 

8/14 Crochet Beginner 2: Pillow or Scarf  (Level Crochet 1)

1-3:30pm

 

• 1 skein Red Heart Super Saver, your color pick
• J-hook
• Tool kit

 

8/21 Discover Crochet: Basket (Level Crochet 1)

1-3:30pm

• 2 balls Lily Sugar n Cream (color A) your color pick
• 2 balls Lily Sugar n Cream (color B) White
• H-hook
• Tool Kit
   
  8/28 Discover Crochet: Tunisian Tablet Cover (Level Crochet 2)
  1-3:30pm

• 2 balls Lily Sugar N Cream, you pick color
• L-Afghan Hook (call to reserve your spot, so we can order the hooks)
• Tool Kit
  We will go over this style crochet together before making the tablet cover.
   
  8/31 Discover Crochet: Time for Crochet
  1-3:30pm
  Autumn Throw
• Please pick out three colors that represent "Autumn" to you Here's my sample
• 5 balls Vanna’s Choice Yarn (A) Toffee
• 5 balls Vanna’s Choice Yarn (B) Olive
• 5 balls Vanna’s Choice Yarn (C) Cranberry
• Lion Brand’s size Q-19 hook
• Tool kit

What is CGOA?

The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)

Is a big club, with 3,300+ members, and more are joining every day. I became a member in 2009, and I love it! I found new friends who share my passion for the art of fiber. CGOA also encourages you to challenge yourself with fascinating new patterns, and for those more advanced, has a Master’s Class program, the ultimate challenge that rewards you with a certificate and an invitation to the pinning ceremony at the next Conference. Speaking of, yes, there is a conference for the membership to come together from all over the country! You get to rub elbows with famous designers, take a variety of classes geared for all levels, a marketplace for you to shop, a lounge to chill and chat with peers as you stitch, and a fashion show with a dinner banquet!  Giving back to the community is huge with this organization, you’ll find out just how many charities need us to make things for people in need. The benefits of the membership has been very good for me, I get Crochet! Magazine with a newsletter included, something you don’t get from the newsstand! I get discounts from retailers, and free access to the website. Go check it out! www.crochet.org

Charity Corner

Welcome to the FASNY Firemen’s Home!

At the FASNY Firemen’s Home we believe the sense of community born upon entering the fire service is a part of someone for life.  That’s why we built this "Home Away from Home," a sanctuary of sorts for former volunteer firefighters. Our Home, set against the naturally beautiful backdrop of the Catskill Mountains in Hudson, NY, provides quality healthcare, rehabilitative therapy, daily social activities and special events.  Our members relish each day spent among those who share their passion for firefighting. The Home fosters the volunteer firefighter lifestyle, encouraging members’ memories of the service to live on in their stories told to one another.

Why is this so important to me?

Several years ago, my best friend’s cousin, Doug, had major surgery on his hip and knees, he was also very heavy.  He couldn’t afford to recover on Long Island, and was transferred to the Home. His stay there was so great, did a complete 180, met Melissa, and married her! He now lives nearby, just in case if he needed to go there again. He told me when I gifted him and Melissa with a custom bedspread that the Home needs warm touches like what I make, So I decided to follow through and made a few throws. When I arrived there, and dropped these throws, the receptionist’s eyes widened, and told me that what I made is so needed! So I promised more the following year, 20 to be exact, and the following year got to meet the activities director, and she said “Oh my! You did these by yourself? Amazing! You don’t realize how much a resident appreciates a handmade gift, can you make more?”

So that’s what I intend to do, I launched Lapghan-a-thon & Shawl-a-thon for The Home. Friends have donated TONS of yarn, that I am making into cozy colorful throws and Bingo Shawls to keep frail shoulders warm as they play a wicked game of BINGO and other outdoor activities. I plan to incorporate making squares to sew together through my classes. Eventually, when I form my own chapter, we will be looking after these residents.