Update from Seattle

Randy came in from Seattle and Judy came from New York to celebrate Pat's birthday.

Of course, Randy had to stop by and say hello on Oct.1 to all of us at Panera's.

Pat is wearing the sweater Randy made for her. Looks a perfect fit. You can also see Pat working on her tote which she intends to felt. Apparently Randy and Judy refer to her project as "the boat". They'll be jealous when it's done.

They talked for awhile with me and Rebecca whom you can see working on something for Robyn's latest endeavor. She is very brave in my book: I never bring a Robyn project to group because I'd make so many mistakes, I would only have to do the work over .

Randy is making a sweater for her daughter Julia. The pattern is called Cobblestone and the Yarn is Shelter Yarn both by Jared Flood (website:Brooklyntweed.com). How does someone in Seattle get their hands on this yarn? They get on a ferry to Bainbridge Island and order the yarn in their chosen color at the Churchmouse Yarn & Tea. Randy's holding some well traveled yarn!

But here is a story for the generations. Pat taught Randy to knit (apparently several times). Randy taught the sweet young girl with her knitting project how to knit. She is a daughter of one of Randy's business partners. Randy says she picked it up like a natural. She's making something for her mom. Next, Randy is going to teach her how to crochet. And the beat goes on!

Carol Keeps Busy

Carol does her best to make sure that Linus Project always has afghans. She also uses this chance to put together new stitches with colors that don't look like they should go together. I think she's getting rather good at it.

Everything she makes is developing that experienced look. She works hard at really expanding her skills. I'm sure she told me info that I've forgotten by now. Sorry, Carol. Maybe you can add something in the comments section, too.

Long Awaited Projects

Just to show you how lax I was all summer, Paulette showed us these two scarves in June. Two really different what I think of as decorative scarves that you put on to finish off an outfit.
Then she went on vacation and made the sweater (she wasn't gone THAT long either). I know it's made from yarn she purchased at Highlands Alpaca. She was very nice about sending me info about the pattern but that email is long gone.
Paulette is like the energizer bunny; she just doesn't stop. But if she happens to check this blog and still has the missing info maybe she will add it in the comments section.

Grand Prize Winner of Creative Design Contest

Last week at the CGOA conference I won the Grand Prize in the Creative Design Contest. I won $1000 and was on an adrenaline high for days.
I wore this top at last fall's Yarn Ball. When we all got a chance to go to the Chain Link in Greensboro, I decided to send it in with the idea of winning something in the thread category. Wow, did I get a surprise!
I was not planning to model the top or I would have brought something with me dark. The white top I wore does not highlight the designs in the motifs.
I've never counted the number of motifs in the top. They were all made individually and then put together. I love motifs and how was I ever going to get a chance to make all the ones I liked? So I had the idea you see here. Apparently I like symmetry and it's evident in the patterning. So I got a chance to make 2 of every motif I liked (almost).
I worked on this top over period of a year and a half. I started just making motifs and collecting them until I thought I had enough to start laying them out. My friends called it the "Mythical top" because, of course, I talked about it but no one ever saw it. I was going to call it "An Homage to Myra Wood" because exactly how it got all together is best explained in her book, Creative Crocheted Lace. But I finally went back to my original idea, and named the top "So Many Motifs, So Little Time".

More Accomplishments

Karen is showing off her hat made from yarn at Highland Alpaca. It was so cute, we encouraged Karen to do a "cute" pose. This hat is on sale at Highland Alpaca (as well as the yarn).
Peggy made this pretty shawl. The color suits her well and the crocheting is just beautiful.

Personal Projects

While it may seem that the only thing 3RC members have done this summer is make Special Olympic Scarves, that would be untrue.

As you can see here Amanda was working on her color work skills. She is donating this hat to our Holiday Sales. Right now everyone is starting to think about what to make for the sales, but I am holding back on pictures so all the items can be shown in November right before our sale dates (Dec 2-Dec 10).

This lovely young woman is Amanda's daughter, Cara, on her wedding day. She is wearing a stole made lovingly by Amanda for this occasion. You can see some of the intricacy of the stitches when you look closely. Amanda worked intensely to finish this shawl on time and arrive with it in California. I think it is just wonderful that she can wear this shawl on many other occasions and be reminded of a wonderful day and a wonderful mom at the same time. It's sad to think that not every bride has a wonderful memento made by their own mom. (or perhaps dad)

Last Few Special Olympic Scarves

The last few Special Olympics scarves have been collected (with the possibility of one more). As you can see more of the group is trying for dimensional motifs. This is one of the examples of what happens when you belong to a group. You see what someone else has done and then you say. "I think I'll try that, too."
The blue and red striped scarves (kind of makes me think of Waldo) looks knitted but they're crocheted. The knitted scarves have large blocks of color and then a zig zaggy effect.
They've all been washed and tagged, ready to be sent.