Autumn is a fine time to begin knitting

Two Sticks

By CATHERINE HOLLINGSWORTH
Daily News correspondent

Published: October 11th, 2005 05:45 AM
Last Modified: October 3rd, 2007 04:02 PM

If you didn't know it already, let me tell you: October is Knitting Month. Anchorage's guild, The Knitters of the North (the local chapter of the national organization known by knitters as TKGA), is stepping up to host a whole weekend of knitting, shopping and socializing called Expo II. Events go from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Pioneer School House at Third Avenue and Eagle Street.

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Saturday is the day for classes and learning, not to mention the chance to do some yarn shopping. More than 11 local yarn vendors will gather for this daylong extravaganza. You'll be able to shop and enjoy food provided by Alaska's Bistro, a Valdez restaurant co-owned by Kay Smith, who also owns The Far North Yarn Co. in Anchorage.

The Craft Yarn Council's Knit Out and Crochet Too will provide free knitting and crocheting instruction. Lion Brand Yarn Co. has donated Learn to Knit Kits for those wishing to come and learn. Spinning, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and other fiber arts will be demonstrated by the Anchorage Spinners and Weavers, Ididachain Crochet Guild, Arctic Needleworkers, Valley Fiber Arts Guild and Knitters of the North.

Professional knitting classes also will be offered during the weekend. Joan Schrouder from Eugene, Ore., an internationally acclaimed knitting instructor from Eugene, Ore., will teach five classes: charted lace, Faroese lace shawls, tips and tricks, beginning entrelac, and toe-up socks. Shrouder is famous for her lace shawls and her easy manner of teaching.

SCARF TIME

Time to think of bundling up for winter snowstorms. Hats, mittens and scarves make great portable projects and wonderful seasonal gifts. These items are much needed for those less fortunate in our community.

Southcentral Alaska has many agencies -- Catholic Social Services and the Anchorage School District -- that accept donations of knitted or crocheted items, which are distributed to adults and children throughout the area. Chugach Electric Association, Inc. recently donated $500 to The Far North Yarn Company for supplies and yarn to knit hats and miottens for Anchorage school children. Lion Brand Yarn has free patterns for hats, mittens and scarves available online at www.LionBrand.com.

Another source for free hat patterns is the tear sheets in the yarn department at many stores. Several yarn companies create patterns to promote their yarns, and most are for beginning to intermediate skill levels. Yarn choices for charity items should be washable. It's a good idea to label your work with fiber content, washing instructions and size. Check with your local yarn store for charity knitting events.

Craft Yarn Council's Warm Up America! campaign is going on all month at JoAnn stores nationwide. Started by Wisconsin's Evie Rosen in 1991, this project provides afghans for local community charities. The foundation has produced more than 80,000 afghans for victims of natural disasters, battered women living in shelters and the homeless. You can either knit or crochet squares that are sewn into afghans. Make one square or a whole afghan. The patterns are available online at www.WarmUpAmerica.com. Get help making a square for the afghan all month at your local JoAnn's. The Joining Party is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 29. It's a great learning project for your kids.

MORE IS COMPANY

Crisp fall days are perfect for gathering to knit or visit at your local yarn store. Two shops in Anchorage are creating especially cozy environs for knitters. Far North Yarn Co. in Spenard has moved into bigger quarters and installed large sofas in which to relax and stay all day if you want. The Knitting Grounds is planning for winter conversation with an adult's-only Monday Night Knitter's Forum. Palmer's Fantastic Fibers has expanded, too. More room to knit and a washing machine for felting projects!

Call your favorite yarn store for information on classes this fall. Plan your winter projects to include challenging new stitches, and try one of those fabulous yarns.

Catherine Hollingsworth, interior designer, artist and professional knitter, has lived in Alaska for 17 years. A past president of Knitters of the North, she designs knitwear patterns for publication.

YARN EXPO

Yarn Expo II, a day of shopping, free learn-to-knit and crocheting classes, and sessions with experts will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Pioneer School House, 437 E. Third Ave. Expo classes with Joan Schrouder are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Call for registration information, times and fees: Catherine, 644-9954, or, in the Valley, Kathy, 1-907-373-5717.