Posts
in honor of National Ice Cream Day - Sunday, July 20, 2014.
Now that I've enticed your taste buds, shall we go to the beach?
There's no reason why these colors can't enter our summer knitting/crocheting world.
I love everything about the beach, especially those attached to boardwalks.
I grew up taking day trips to Atlantic City aka Chicken Bone Beach. As a child, I thought my mother's famous shoe box fried chicken added to this catchy nickname.
From Chicken Bone Beach.org...
"Martin Luther King Jr. pauses for a photo on Missouri Avenue Beach, also known as Chicken Bone Beach," a "socially restricted" area in Altantic City, N.J., in the late 1950s." Photo: Mosley Collection at Charles Blockson Collection at Temple University.
(Vintage Steel Pier - Neat Stuff Blog)
Screaming my head off with my sister, Diane, I couldn't get enough of the rides at the exciting
Steel Pier, or chewing my favorite peanut butter salt water taffy from Fralinger's and boardwalk candied apples. A trip to A.C. was never complete without also scoffing down a sundae cone with a maraschino cherry on top.
But it was the bittersweet trip to the largest boardwalk toy store where I'd pick out the latest Barbie and Mattel board game that signaled an end to our Johnson Family summer outing. Somehow it always began and ended with ice cream.
I loved flagging down the ice cream man after jumping the waves for what seemed like hours. I still remember the sweet chocolate and creamy strawberry from my favorite popsicle mixed with the salt left in my mouth from the ocean.
Maybe before we say goodbye to summer, I'll knit a strawberry and chocolate handbag in memory of chomping on my favorite popsicle on my favorite childhood beach. So of course I took a quick cyber-trip and found a few for inspiration.
(Beach Photo Above Right- Cottage Life - Etsy.com)
My Inspiration
(Zolayka - Crochet Bag - Etsy.com)
Let's get inspired with some more beach colors for summer knitting/crocheting. Okay, our next stop is beautiful Miami Beach and Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
This exquisite lace shawl transports me to my favorite snorkeling spot where the translucent water slows down my life, erasing all signs of stress. Ah ... now I just need a virgin Lava Flow to complete my fantasy.
What's a Lava Flow, you ask? It's a delicious Pina Colada with a strawberry puree that flows through the coconut yum like a real lava flow.
Was that you sighing? I completely understand. This beautiful peach, mango sunset carries me to a warm place filled with unlimited possibilities. Goodsmiths grabs one of those possibilities in this unique crochet brooch necklace. It reminds me of coral shells found on a Pacific or Caribbean beach.
Now you get it. Knitting/crocheting has the same relaxing factor in the summer as the winter. Nature's inspirations give us an explosion of soft and strong hues from the waves and sand to the sunsets and starry nights.
Wild Yarns.com reported that the new issue of Knitscene Accessories has patterns for the Lady Lindy Headband and the Polos Headband (above.)
And who says you can't knit or crochet a cute bathing suit? I love the vintage ones the best. This style gives a nod to the summer days gone by. It has that 1940s pin-up girl style.
So what are you waiting for? Share your summer yarn creations with family and friends so they can treasure them long after the leaves change colors and make their descent. (zsa zsas it list - right)
Here's how to make a Hawaiian Lava Flow.
Crochet surfboard covers? How cool is that? I think this shop is in Cape Verde, Africa. If this doesn't inspire you to knit or crochet this season, then I'm at a summer lost.
First Tuesday-Third Wednesday
Knitting & Crocheting Club at Elkins Park Free Library
News Update
Time Change
Your wish has come true. Yes, we need more time to knit/crochet and our wonderful head librarians Stephanie Campbell (Glenside) and Beth Cackowski (Elkins Park) have agreed to let us start earlier. (Yaay!)
Effective Tuesday, August 5, and Wednesday, August 17, we're starting our club session at 6:30 p.m. Our new time will be from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. We'll be able to knit/crochet to our heart's content for two hours, with a 15 minute wrap-up time. I see you smiling. You can still come at 7 p.m. if that works better for you, but we'll be crafting away at 6:30.
"September Only" Date Change
Our Wednesday, September 17 session has been changed to Monday, September 15, due to a library special event. We'll meet at our permanent new time 6:30 p.m., but again, you can still arrive at 7 p.m., if that works better for you.
Fall Chat & Chew Update
We're looking at Saturday, November 1, 2014 at noon (tentatively) for our next Chat & Chew (lunch) at possibly Da Bistro on County Line Road at Huntingdon Valley Justa Farm Shopping Center. You can check out their menu at: www.Da-Bistro.com.
We're trying to stay in the $7 range. I'm all about saving money, so Cherie is checking into the pricing. I'd like us to visit establishments that will offer a ten percent group discount or provide guest coupons. We had lovely coupons at our first Chat & Chew in June at the Hibachi Grill at Cedarbrook Shopping Plaza.
Reminder
First Tuesday and Third Wednesday members who are participating in the Compassion Afghan Project, your blue 10"x10" square (you can do one or several) is due Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 14, respectively.
You can knit or crochet; use any stitch in light and/or dark shades of blue. You can use wool, but let me know ahead of time, so I can use gloves. (I'm allergic to wool.)
Now, back to our recap.
We had a treat at our Third Wednesday Knitting & Crocheting session at Elkins Park Free Library. Our newest member, 14-year-old Samir, baked us a delicious layered chocolate cake that we all enjoyed. Thanks, Samir!
We were so glad to see Lisa who stopped by on her way to her family reunion in Michigan. We're touched that she took the time to see us before hitting the highway. Her family and car were literally packed and ready to go. They'll stop by Niagara Falls on their trek back home.
Once again, Joquina's sunny afghan put a smile on our chocolate-smeared faces. Send me photos. And thanks Cherie, for giving me great suggestions regarding my next purse project. I stumbled on some beautiful yarn from India made from saris. I'll provide a photo in an upcoming blog.
News Update
Time Change
Your wish has come true. Yes, we need more time to knit/crochet and our wonderful head librarians Stephanie Campbell (Glenside) and Beth Cackowski (Elkins Park) have agreed to let us start earlier. (Yaay!)
Effective Tuesday, August 5, and Wednesday, August 17, we're starting our club session at 6:30 p.m. Our new time will be from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. We'll be able to knit/crochet to our heart's content for two hours, with a 15 minute wrap-up time. I see you smiling. You can still come at 7 p.m. if that works better for you, but we'll be crafting away at 6:30.
"September Only" Date Change
Our Wednesday, September 17 session has been changed to Monday, September 15, due to a library special event. We'll meet at our permanent new time 6:30 p.m., but again, you can still arrive at 7 p.m., if that works better for you.
Fall Chat & Chew Update
We're looking at Saturday, November 1, 2014 at noon (tentatively) for our next Chat & Chew (lunch) at possibly Da Bistro on County Line Road at Huntingdon Valley Justa Farm Shopping Center. You can check out their menu at: www.Da-Bistro.com.
We're trying to stay in the $7 range. I'm all about saving money, so Cherie is checking into the pricing. I'd like us to visit establishments that will offer a ten percent group discount or provide guest coupons. We had lovely coupons at our first Chat & Chew in June at the Hibachi Grill at Cedarbrook Shopping Plaza.
Reminder
First Tuesday and Third Wednesday members who are participating in the Compassion Afghan Project, your blue 10"x10" square (you can do one or several) is due Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 14, respectively.
You can knit or crochet; use any stitch in light and/or dark shades of blue. You can use wool, but let me know ahead of time, so I can use gloves. (I'm allergic to wool.)
Now, back to our recap.
We had a treat at our Third Wednesday Knitting & Crocheting session at Elkins Park Free Library. Our newest member, 14-year-old Samir, baked us a delicious layered chocolate cake that we all enjoyed. Thanks, Samir!
Mary added yummy snickerdoodles and gingerbread to our biscotti and coffee fare. Thanks again, Mary!
We're pleased to say that Samir's knitting in the round is coming along nicely. Thanks, Cherie ... for lending a helping knitting hand.
We were so glad to see Lisa who stopped by on her way to her family reunion in Michigan. We're touched that she took the time to see us before hitting the highway. Her family and car were literally packed and ready to go. They'll stop by Niagara Falls on their trek back home.
Once again, Joquina's sunny afghan put a smile on our chocolate-smeared faces. Send me photos. And thanks Cherie, for giving me great suggestions regarding my next purse project. I stumbled on some beautiful yarn from India made from saris. I'll provide a photo in an upcoming blog.
It was great to see Kathy. We missed you. And Karen, your lace work is incredible. Thanks for lending a hand whenever we're stumped on a stitch or pattern. Actually, you all help each other, which is why we gather the first Tuesday and the third Wednesday of every month.
Speaking of First Tuesday, we welcomed three new members to our knitting/crocheting fold: Teresa Elston, Kathleen Cox and Dawn Kelley.
I must admit, I have difficulty finding people who knit or crochet in my daily travels, so it was great when Chantal, Karen's neighbor, joined our humble group a few months ago. Thanks for joining the fun, Chantal.
Speaking of First Tuesday, we welcomed three new members to our knitting/crocheting fold: Teresa Elston, Kathleen Cox and Dawn Kelley.
I must admit, I have difficulty finding people who knit or crochet in my daily travels, so it was great when Chantal, Karen's neighbor, joined our humble group a few months ago. Thanks for joining the fun, Chantal.
Keep up with your summer projects and don't forget to send me photos so I can share them with our cyber-friends. I know ...I'm sounding like a broken record.
Until next time, happy knitting and crocheting!
