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Start Your Needles
August 2007 - Vol 6; Issue 4
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Dear Gwen,

Fall is nearly upon us and with it, knitting season begins. Now many of us, maybe even most of us, knit all year around, but there is something about putting the garden to bed for the winter, the changing of the colors and the crispness of the air that makes knitting even more inviting. This is also a great time to take classes as I and most of my knitting teacher buddies are VERY busy this time of year.

I will be teaching at a variety of venues in the West, Midwest, East Coast and South over the next few months. If you are ready to learn some new skills or just want to have a few hours of knitting fun, please come be a student. Find all the details in the article below or check the calendar on the Knitability website.

I am going to be traveling all over the country for the next few months and I hope that I get to see some of you in the classes that I am offering. Fall is always a busy teaching time. I guess since the kids are back in school, the adults decide it is a good time to take a few classes as well! You can always check the website for my most up-to-date schedule, but let me give you a few of the highlights:

September 8 - The Mannings in Pensylvania
27 - 28 - The Knit & Crochet Show in Oakland, CA
October 5 - 7 - Rae's Drummond Island Retreat in Michigan
9 - Cloverhill Yarn Shop in Maryland
11 - 14 - Stitches East in Baltimore
27 - 29 - Wildflower Yarn Shop in Manhattan, KS
29 - Nov 3 - The Studio in Kansas City, MO
November 15 - 17 - The Orlando Needlework Show in Orlando

Then in January it starts up again with TNNA and a CRUISE (see below for more information)! My only challenge is to try and figure out when I am going to get some skiing in!

I love warm weather bit if it isn't warm then nothing is better than spending time in the sunshine during the winter months. It is one of the reasons I like to ski. But getting completely away from the cold weather and spending time swimming in tropical waters during the winter, that is PARADISE. The only thing that would be better is sharing the fun with a bunch of knitters!!

This January I have that chance and I am hoping that you will be one of the knitters that joins me! Forget Me Not Tours is hosting a "Beat the Winter Blahs" knitting cruise January 27 - February 3 and I will be teaching the Tons of Technique Tote. For a limited time, place your deposit and tell them that Gwen sent you and you can receive $100 off your cruise rate.

The holidays will be upon us before we know it and it is never too early to begin thinking about working on knitted gifts. There are always more than we planned and inevitably they take longer to create than expected.

I am often asked if I knit sweaters for everyone on my holiday list and the answer is "almost NEVER". Sweaters take a lot of time & materials and may not be truly appreciated by the recipient. But I will often knit gifts for people. They just need to fit a few basic rules: 1. I should be able to complete the project in 2 - 4 hours 2. Generally it should not be a "fitted" item 3. It needs to be something that has potential to ACTUALLY be used.

No surprise, some of my favorite gifts, are Knitability projects. Although the Felted Socks are a fitted item, because they are felted to fit, it is not quite so particular and still meets criteria #2. The same is true with the Hand Jive Mittens and with three styles to choose from, there is something for everyone.

Even though these projects take a bit longer, purses and bags always make a good gift because women almost always can use another bag. Currently I am carrying the Grab and Go Bag and inside I have the three mini-cases found as part of the Three Techniques for Color kit. Another very popular bag both to knit and to use is the Textured Tote. Remember, it is never too early to get started on your holiday gift list!
So if you hop over to The Knitting Professor, you will see that I have been a bit remiss in updating much lately. Although of course I have added a new entry prior to sending out this newsletter. I always say that any excuse is a good excuse, so here is my good excuse:

New entries of late have been non-existent due to the fact that I have been actually working on an entrelac book proposal to be given to a publisher! Although nothing has been finalized yet, it appears that we will most likely be able to come to an agreement in the near future. I will let folks know when I have specifics that I can share.

In the mean time, I am beginning to look for sample knitters, particularly those well-versed in entrelac. If you think that you might be interested in this endeavor, please drop me an e-mail at gwen @ knitability.com (remove the spaces) and place Entrelac Knitter in the subject line to help me identify you as "legitimate" e-mail.

Knitting season is here. And whether you want to increase you knowledge with some classes or get started on your holiday gift list, we are here to help!

Sincerely,

Printed Name
Gwen Bortner
Knitability, LLC

phone: 866.564.8548

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This email was sent to gwen@knitability.com, by gwen@knitability.com

Knitability, LLC | 11013 Le Grand Road | Le Grand | CA | 95333