June and July Knitting Events

Summer is knitting time! Be sure to join us for summer knitting fun at various locations in the Charleston area. Just click on the links for more info!

World Wide Knit in Public Day--June 9

Intro to Fixing Mistakes Class--June 9

Intarsia Knitting Class--June 14

Beach Bag Workshop--July 21

Mosaic Knitting Class--July 26

Bean and Bug Babyknits

I have great news for all those who have asked me over the years to knit cute baby things. You know who you are, if my reply to you was, "I will teach you to knit it yourself..." (That offer was 100% serious and still stands, by the way!)

At the North Charleston Arts Festival I met Taryn Weatherholtz of Bean and Bug Babyknits and she would LOVE to make something for you.  Even better, take a look at what she's already knit and see if you don't find something to love in 30 seconds or less.  Cutest. Babyknits. Ever.

Taryn got to sit and knit during the Festival. Lucky!

Cutie booties!

Sweaters, hats, blankies, and more.  All beautifully handknit <3

Thrifty Sister

At the North Charleston Arts Festival I met a very talented designer named Amy Rogers at her booth  ThriftySister.  This inspiring artisan is a teacher by day who has turned her creative energies to taking old stuff and making cool new stuff. Her secret is repurposing thrift store finds like old neckties, wool sweaters and even soda cans into bags, toys, jewelry and more.

I love this!!

Button rings!!!

So cute!

 If you aren't lucky enough to catch her at a craft or arts show, check out her Etsy site.

Arts Festival 2012

A mostly free arts festival is an amazing thing.  It's like a goodwill ambassador for creativity, introducing the community to a whole new world.

I've been coming to the North Charleston Arts Festival for a few years now, and every year it offers a lot of the same things: dance, painting, photography, textiles, jewelry, music, and elephant ears.  Every year is different, though, as individual as the artists and performers who come together to make it a creative mecca.

Music!

It's so exciting to me to be able to submerse myself in this melange of creativity for a day.  My short attention span thrives in such an atmosphere.  Outside while munching on super greasy fair food, we caught a few numbers by local favorites the Shrimp City Slim Band.



Then we went inside and Presto! an Art Gallery, with both professional and amateur artists represented. Then we turned a corner and there was more music, and drums waiting to be played.

 Gallery: works by Elena Barna on the wall.

Ready for the next act.

And then we found textiles...

"Handed Down" by Susan Lenz

The gloves all have names embroidered on them...so pretty, so touching. Love it.

"I've often wondered if I was the one who left the door open when Binky flew away."

There were several things by this artist, Ellen Byrd. I love the combination of whimsy, wistfulness, and fiber.  She totally gets it.

Hand knitted by elderly Brits, so help me.

Bell Gauge :)

Teddy bear trousers, in a sea of lovely linens.

I bought a vintage bell gauge, useful for sizing your knitting "pins." This one was made in England and a quick internet search dates it circa 1935.  That's pre-war, people!

There was so much more, including a jaw-dropping selection of vintage clothing for sale, none of which I photographed.  The dealer has an online shop, though, at Ruby Lane.

I'll leave you with a charming collection of buttons and lace, none of which I purchased...this time.

Vintage lace and buttons

Cabled Cowl Workshop

Sometimes a scarf is too much, and you wish, especially during Charleston's mild winters, for a little something to warm your neck. This cowl is the perfect solution! Knit with a combination of bamboo and wool, it's warm and soft and snuggly, without being heavy or long. Add buttons like my cute vintage ones, or just sew it closed for a continuous loop of cowl-y warmth. The cables are big and fun and really not that hard to learn (I promise!).

Come join us Saturday afternoon, Feb. 25 from 1:00-3:30 as we knit this scrumptious cabled cowl at The Charleston Museum.

Knitting Group a Go-Go!

After taking a long winter's nap of sorts, the knitting group formerly known as Monday Morning Knitters will meet again tomorrow, January 16, from 10:00 am till 11:30 am. Now there's a new name and a new location: First and Third Monday Knitters meet at the Panera Bread near the Tanger Outlet Mall. See the sidebar of this blog for the full 2012 schedule.

It's going to be a great year of knitting! I have lots of ideas for ways we can knit for charity and I'll be bringing that information with me, along with an unfinished project of two to work on--the hard part is just narrowing it down to one or two!

I look forward to seeing old knitting friends and meeting new ones. This group means so much to me and I've missed it over the holidays. Hope to see you there!

A word from our sponsor

Here's what I used to do before I spent a year trying to get a knitting business going. Enjoy!

Happy Knit Year!

Every late December I make goals for the upcoming year, and somehow the majority of these tend to center on knitting. I guess I figure if the Knitting gets done everything else will surely fall into place. So, for 2012, here's what I hope will happen:

1) Monthly knitting workshops and/or events at The Charleston Museum.

2) Increased enrollment in my classes at Michael's.

3) A daily interactive record of knitting, starting January 1, over on Facebook.

4) My son's Christmas gift will NOT be on the needles next year at Christmas!

5) Complete my Knitting Instructors Certification course by the end of April.

6) Pick a charity for our knitting group to contribute knitted items to. Red Scarf Project again?? Warm Up America?? Something else??

7) Host World Wide Knit in Public Day activities in June.

8) Attend the SC Knitting Guild's Knit Inn in February.

Happy New Year and Happy Knitting!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Stitching!

I knew I should have been knitting. I had unfinished gifts, samples for upcoming workshops, and even a nifty pair of fingerless gloves all on the needles. Still, I succumbed to the lure of the brightly colored floss and I found myself embroidering. It was madness, I knew, but I did it anyway. As you can see by the results, a little more Dr. Seuss than Gallery of Art, I should definitely stick to my day job. It was a fun diversion from my usual craftiness though and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm even proud of my funny little tree.

So, no matter what your hand finds to do this holiday, enjoy it, be proud of it, and live in the moment.

Merry Christmas and Happy Stitching from KnitOasis!

Ch-ch-changes...

As we approach the end of 2011, I look back and all I can say is, "What a year it has been!!" I have had the amazing privilege of teaching many classes and workshops this year, with still more being planned for 2012. I am grateful for the opportunities of the last 11 months and SO excited for what's in store in the future!

Highlights from this year...

* Hosted World Wide Knit in Public Day and two knitting workshops at The Charleston Museum.

* Began the Craft Yarn Council's Certified Knitting Instructor Program.

* Attended the SC Knitting Guild's Knit Inn.

* Taught a Sock Knitting Workshop.

* Began teaching Discover Knitting classes at Michael's.

* Hosted weekly Monday Morning Knit group.

* Sent 6 scarves to the Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Project.

* Helped coordinate Two Huge Yarn Sales!

Coming up next year...

* Even more classes at Michael's.

* More workshops (and events!) at The Charleston Museum.

* Summer Sock Workshop.

* SC Knitting Guild's Knit Inn: Feb 3, 4, & 5.

* World Wide Knit in Public Day, June 9.

* Completion of Certified Knitting Instructor Program.

So what are these changes I mentioned? I'm glad you asked! Because of the steady increase in the number of classes and workshops, I will be making a change to Monday Morning Knitters.

Starting in 2012, Monday Morning Knitters will be held on First and Third Mondays. The location will also change to the Panera Bread near the Tanger Outlet Mall, 5070 International Blvd, Charleston, SC.

My hope is that our Monday group can continue despite my heavy schedule, so I'm counting on you all to continue to make it a success in the coming year! Come be a part of the exciting knit happenings as we carry on our quest to take over the world, one knitter at a time!