Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Mn Knitters' Days 2009

Some of the 40 participants. Again, a wonderful weekend at Villa Maria Retreat Center in Fontenac, MN.
Cheryl Oberle (left) was the instructor this year, teaching Fair Isle knitting. Sheryl Hill has been the organizer for several years. Thanks, Sheryl for another good event!
Some of the projects-a choice of mitten, wrist warmer, or cowl.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

2009 MN Knitter's Days!!

25th ANNUAL

MINNESOTA KNITTERS’ DAYS 2009

October 16, 17, 18, 2009

Dear Knitters,

Welcome to Minnesota Knitters’ Days! This is a special year as we welcome an instructor from our past “Days”, we are excited to have Cheryl Oberle return as our guest instructor this year!

We will gather at The Villa Maria around 5:00 in the front lobby for registration and move into our rooms before dinner. All meals are in Marian Hall in the lower level; our rooms are located on third floor along with our classroom called “The Lakeview Room” starting Saturday morning. If you can not make it for dinner Friday evening, let me know 2 weeks before camp begins. (They require an accurate count for meals.)

We will conduct our Annual Chinese Auction on Friday Evening. Please bring a wrapped item to auction that is related to knitting of a value of $5-$8. This “knitting related” item need not be a hand knitted gift, camper’s choice. Every year we have a wonderful variety of items and everyone seems to have a hard time choosing the item they prefer. It’s a fun evening getting to know everyone in our group.

Please bring projects for Show and Share scheduled for Saturday evening. We would like to see what everyone is creating, for new ideas and inspiration. This is just for fun, no contest! Every year we have a “knitting garage sale” of sorts…..so feel free to bring items to sell. We will find a space for display.

Feel free to bring snacks to share, no alcoholic beverages are allowed at the Villa. The Villa is smoke free.

The Villa’s phone number is (651) 345-3457, if you need to be contacted during the weekend. The caller should be prepared to give the receptionist a name and number so you may return the call. Address is: 29847 County 2 Blvd., Frontenac , MN 55026 . There is a website www.villamariaretreats.org. Feel free to go visit.

Attn: Dinner is at 6:00 Friday evening cafeteria style until 6:30 . If you will be late let me know and a plate will be make up for you. Saturday breakfast is 8:00 , Lunch at noon , Dinner at 6:00 . Sunday brunch is 10:00 .

Cheryl will have her yarn and kits available at camp, visit her website at www.CherylOberle.com to see her selections. E-mail her if there is something you maybe interested in seeing, she has some limitations as to what she may transport to camp. Bring your personal copies of Cheryl’s books for her to autograph for you.

Anne Bosch of Blackberry Ridge will be with us again this year. Let her know what you may want to see, visit her website at www.blackberry-ridge.com to check out what she has to offer. Then e-mail her with suggestions and/or questions that you may have.

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Student Supplies: Sport, DK, or Shetland yarn in at least two contrasting colors (bring twenty colors if you like!), 1-2 oz each color, wool is best, and 16" circular or double-pointed needles, size 2- 4 . We will be working on a small circular projects so if you prefer to do the pull-out loop or to work on two circulars bring what you need for those techniques in the suggested sizes (class does not include those techniques but if you are already proficient in them and want to use them that is fine!). Bring a colored pencil to mark chart. Also, a magnetic board, or “post it” notes, a tapestry or sewing-up needle, contrasting color scrap yarn, basic knitting supplies, scissors, pencil and paper.

Homework (Pre-class preparation) **

Cheryl is offering 3 different projects that you may choose:

For the Neck warmer: CO 124 sts with a needle 2 sizes smaller than what you want to use for your project ( St St gauge of 4-1/2 to 6 sts per inch depending on the yarns you choose) and work in K1 P1 ribbing for 1-1/4- 1-1/2 inches. This is flat knitting...do not join in the ribbing! We'll join in class and go on from there so you'll need the circular needle then. The neck warmer is good for those of you who want to try a steek as well as color work on your project. We will also discuss different ways to finish this piece to alter the size and style of the neck warmer, make it a hat (or a tea cozy!)

For the mitts ( I suggest a St st gauge of 5-1/2 to 6 st/inch for these) CO 48 sts,, JOIN, and do 3 inches of K1, P1 ribbing on needles 2 sizes smaller than for desired gauge.

She also has a small hat (baby - toddler size) size project for those of you who want to just do the circular color work.... 4-1/2 - 5 sts / inch. Cast on 74 sts on smaller needles, JOIN and work K1, P1 ribbing for 1 inch. A 16 inch circular would work for this project.

We are going to explore actually cutting steeks. Bring an old sweater that is from your “rag pile” or knit a swatch ahead of time, that we may “sew and cut”. There will be a sewing machine available to share at camp.

**If you have any questions on the yarn and/or projects, please e-mail directly to Cheryl at: Cheryl@cheryloberle.com

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

2009!

25th ANNIVERSARY MINNESOTA KNITTERS’ DAYS

FRONTENAC, MN

OCTOBER 16TH, 17TH, 18TH, 2009

Come and join us at the Villa Maria Retreat Center for the weekend on Lake Pepin, located about one and a half hours south of the Twin Cities! Enjoy knitting, relaxing and sharing quality time with fellow knitters!

INSTRUCTOR: Cheryl Oberle is a knitwear designer and knitting instructor based in Denver, Colorado. She designs for magazines and yarn companies, has her own line of self-published designs, hand-dyed yarns and kits. Her work has appeared in Interweave Knits and Knitter’s magazines, and she is the author of Folk Vests and Folk Shawls, her newest book just released is Knit Jackets with Style, 20 Designs from Classic to Contemporary.


CLASS: FAIR-ISLE knitters create the wonderfully colored and patterned garments that are traditional favorites of knitters everywhere. In this hands-on workshop, learn the Fair-Isle knitters’ techniques of two-color stranded knitting while by working on a pair of fingerless mitts, a hat, or a cozy collar.. Also, includes information on Fair-Isle color choices and construction techniques.

QUESTIONS: Call Sheryl Hill at 651-388-2905 or e-mail me at: sherknits@yahoo.com

FEE: The cost is $300, which includes room, all meals and instruction. Private rooms are available for $35 additional fee. Please send full payment (or $100 deposit) with your completed registration to hold your space. (Balance due in September)

REGISTRATION: The first 40 applicants will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. Send registration and check to: Sheryl Hill, 285 Motel Avenue, Red Wing, MN 55066. If camp is full when you register, I will let you know and put you on a “waiting list”. CANCELLATIONS: If you cancel $50 is non-refundable, remainder will be refunded if/when a replacement is found from the “waiting list”.

Friday Night is Chinese Auction night! Bring a small “knitted related” item wrapped, no tag, for our fun exchange. You may or may not choose to knit something…..”knitter’s choice”, it’s up to you.

Our group will stay in Marian Hall at the Villa Maria. Historically the Villa Maria was a private boarding school for girls. Our accommodations are shared rooms with bath/shower facilities on the third floor. There is a separate floor for any male knitters interested in attending. Most rooms have a private sink and closet included. There are shared rooms available for two, three or four knitters. Please specify names in your group on your registration. Our meeting area is a large room with a beautiful view overlooking Lake Pepin. All meals are included and served “cafeteria style” in the lower level. Special dietary meals are available upon request. The Villa Maria Center is a non-smoking facility.

CAMP SHIRTS, BAGS, ECT. Camper’s Choice; T-shirts and Sweatshirts in White, Ash, Stone, Gray Heather, Royal, Red, Forrest Green, Burgundy, Navy or Black; Denim long sleeved shirt; all in sizes small to XXL; Knitting Bag (15x13x5), micro-fiber polyester, in black, with a zippered top. All items will include “Minnesota Knitters’ Days” with a “knitting theme” embroidered on them. If you would like any of these items, include it on your registration form.

CHECK IN will be from 4:30-6:00 Friday evening before dinner at 6pm.

HOMEWORK instructions will be sent to you in plenty of time to complete and bring with you to camp, along with a schedule and map.

QUESTIONS: Call Sheryl Hill at 651-388-2905 or e-mail me: sherknits@yahoo.com

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REGISTRATION FORM

NAME____________________________________PHONE_____________

ADDRESS________________________________EMAIL_____________

CITY/STATE________________________________________ZIP_______


OPTIONAL ITEMS:

SWEATSHIRT: $30 T-SHIRT: $15 KNITTING BAG: $25

SIZE (S-XXL) _______ SIZE __________

COLOR ______________ COLOR _______________


DENIM SHIRT: $30

SIZE (S-XXL) ________ CAMP ITEM(S) PAYMENT $__________

SINGLE ROOM ($35) $__________

Diet Request:

CAMP FEE: $ 300.00

Sharing Room with:

TOTAL ENCLOSED: $__________