It's Prom Season! Time to .Knit One, Crochet Two...

(Pinterest)

It's Prom Season!  Even Barbie, her besties and her date (a dark-haired Ken) plan to take the night by storm in their yarn-crafted evening gowns and accessories. They've arrived in homespun style and ready to party because it's 2016!

"Every woman should have a purse of her own."  

Susan B. Anthony

(from left to right - Cynthia, Audrey and Jackie)

Audrey, Jacqueline, Cynthia… the Women of Fresh Start

But before we venture into our handcrafted prom journey,  the First Tuesday-Third Wednesday Knitting & Crocheting Club want to thank Audrey, Jacqueline, Cynthia and Helen for their warm welcome and kindness during our visit.   

Our knitting/crocheting club based at the Glenside and Elkins Libraries decided, last year, to knit/crochet petite purses, (change purses) and washcloths wrapped in travel size toiletries and presented as mini gift baskets for women in transition.

We picked Fresh Start Now, Inc., Women's Forensic Housing Program  located at 3023 Frankford Ave., in Philadelphia,  because this great program empowers women to rebuild their lives with strength and determination in a supportive and safe environment. 

When Alice and I arrived, Jacqueline and Cynthia were cleaning the kitchen, which looked spotless.   I love kitchens and would enjoy cooking in this one.  It's apparent, they take care of this home and each other.   Audrey,  who oversees the housing program, was also a former resident, so you can see that paying- it-forward is a key component here.

Jaqueline told us that she arrived at Fresh Start without any clothes other than what she wore.   And Cynthia shared that she didn't have any shoes when she first passed through their doors.  According to Audrey, it's common for the women to arrive without any clothes or shoes other than what they arrived wearing.  Therefore, they' re in desperate need of clothes and personal hygiene products.  

Their daily responsibilities involve caring for the home, developing job skills, preparing for the job market, taking parenting classes etc.,   They're provided with supportive services to help them achieve their program goals and ultimately live positive, independent lives.  

If you want to find out more about the Fresh Start program, contact Audrey at:   215 634-8150.  They welcome all donations:  money, food, clothing, toiletries, beauty products, household cleaning products, etc.,  

Despite the liquid sunshine, this was a very special day for me and Alice.   First Tuesday-Third Wednesday Knitting Crocheting Club wish you success in this new, positive chapter in your lives. 

IT'S PROM SEASON!  TIME TO KNIT ONE, 

CROCHET TWO...  

Okay, so your prom night happened a bunch of yesterdays ago, but that doesn't stop you from feeling excited and downright giddy for the young knitter in your group, embarking on her maiden junior/senior prom in a few days or weeks.

Or maybe it's your daughter, granddaughter, niece or neighbor next door, crossing this important high school rites-of-passage.  You'll still have time to whip up an elegant or whimsical headpiece like the ones below...no pressure.

And yes, our young ladies may even make an entrance styling in a eye-catching kitted fascinator.  Fancy!

Prom Hair Accessory

Prom Head Band

Let's not forget the fellas... your son, grandson, nephew...neighbor's boy from down the street.  This rose crocheted boutonniere gives Rico Suave elegance to any After Dark Tuxedo.

(Crocheted Boutonniere Lion Brand Pattern)

Let's continue our handcrafted prom journey with the ever-so-popular shawl... or shawlette.  Knit or crochet, either way adds to the beauty of our headliner--the prom gown.

The Shawlette

(Crochet Shawlette - Lion Brand Pattern)

The above shawlette is for the Easy 2 Crocheter.

Crochet Wrap

Lion Brand Pattern - Crochet Wrap

(Knit Picks - Pattern)

Evening Bags

A hand-crafted evening bag adds a unique touch to a prom ensemble, not to mention, it's practical.  Where are you going to put your lipstick, gum, keys and cell?

(Crocheted Evening Clutch - Lion Brand Pattern)

This would look great with a black and red prom gown.

Though our above Chevron evening bag (in the photo above) was created by a talented manufacturer, an advanced crafted could re-create a knit or crochet version adding their own touches.  Are you up for the challenge?

Bead Knitting

Prom Dress

It may be too late to create a prom dress for this month, but where there's a will there's a way, especially if you have a handy knitting machine.

Jewelry

This is beautiful.  I would wear this for a wedding vow renewal in peach.  Love it!  (My wedding colors were pink and peach almost 24 years ago...hmm, maybe next year.)

And finally, here's a beautiful necklace that should be a quick turnaround.  If she's artsy and love to stand out, this tee shirt yarn necklace may fit the bill.

Tee-Shirt Yarn Necklace

Crochet Wire Earrings

Crochet Lace Necklace

(Dysfunctional Designs)

Tell us about your handcrafted prom adventures.  

Happy Crocheting and Knitting!

High Tea, High Style Hair Accessory: the Fascinating Fascinator

It's Time for High Tea, British Style

What better reason to create the only fascinator you'd dare yourself to wear...the hat that fits your playful personality...a spring headband that says you don't take herself too seriously...or a flower with a futuristic flair.  Let's not forget our faithful lacy shrug and shawl, waiting for just the right occasion to make an appearance.  

And yes, we also can't forget those lace gloves that unfortunately lost their rightful place in women's accessories decades ago.  But we vintage girls say... heck yeah, gotta wear lace gloves when we go to high tea/afternoon tea. 
 Red Heart - Pattern

Vintage Lace Gloves

Today's Lace Gloves - Craftsy

That's right, ladies...it's time for high tea.  Knitting and crocheting divas like yourselves, don't waste time shopping when you can let your creative juices run havoc, designing something modern, vintage, off-the-wall, traditional, artsy...for this 
long-standing tradition from across the pond and beyond. 

(Black & White Knitted Fascinator-Right Photo)

(Black Heart Fascinator - Below - Pop Sugar)

              Above - Red Heart Pattern)

So What Exactly is a Fascinator?

From V is for Vintage  (Edited)

A fascinator hat is a small ornamental headpiece that fits on the head using an Alice-in-Wonder-land-band-type base or headband or even a small comb. It's always lightweight and usually features feathers, beads or flowers. But these days they can also be knitted and crocheted as we see in the photos above.  

The term fascinator began in the 1990s when these headpieces became popular for wearing at weddings to avoid getting helmet hair from a veil or wedding hat.  You could stay bridal cute with a fascinator and easily go from wedding to reception without flagging down a hair stylist in between.

1980s FASCINATORS

(Knitted Fascinator)

FASCINATING FASCINATOR FACTS

1.  These days, it's worn for any occasion, but mostly formal.  
2.  It's only purpose is as hair decoration. 
3.  It sits at an angle on the head as if perching on top of a favorite hairstyle.  
4.  A cross between a hair accessory and a cocktail hat, it often comes with a veil or a pouf of tulle/organza.

ITS ORIGIN?

Fascinators as we know it today were adopted in the London (Luton-based) millinery trade during the late 1970s and 80s. However, the word ‘fascinator’ has been used in previous centuries to describe a lacy head-covering similar to a shawl but much smaller and lighter.

21st CENTURY FASCINATORS

Today's modern fascinator is often embellished with crystals, beads, or loops of ribbon, and attaches via a comb or headband. Others have a small, stiff, flat base that can be secured with pins.  It can be whimsical, stylish or daring as you like.  Your imagination holds the key.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN 

AFTERNOON TEA AND A HIGH TEA?

Brief Tea History from About Food 

(A website for traditional British and Irish recipes.)

What is an Afternoon Tea?

Afternoon Tea is a British food tradition, an afternoon treat of tea, sandwiches, scones and cake. But, often the term High Tea is used. These two are often confused, but actually, they are different.

Answer:
Afternoon tea is served around 4.00pm.

When afternoon tea became fashionable in the early 19th century, thanks to the Anna, the Duchess of Bedford it was never intended to replace dinner but rather to fill in the long gap between lunch and dinner at a time when dinner was served at 8pm. Lifestyles have changed since those times and afternoon tea is now a treat, rather than a stop-gap.

Origins of Afternoon Tea was preserved from the 19th century. For workers in the newly industrialized Britain, ‘tea’ had to wait until after work and be substantially more than just tea and cakes.

Workers needed sustenance after a day of hard labor, so the after work meal was more often hot and filling and accompanied by a pot of good, strong tea to revive from a weary day.

TRADITIONAL BRITISH HIGH TEA FARE

Ritz London

The Ritz London Afternoon Tea Menus

We are proud to present the menu for our world famous afternoon tea.

SANDWICH SELECTION

Ham with Grain Mustard Mayonnaise on Brioche Bread

Cheddar Cheese with Chutney on Tomato Bread
Cucumber with Cream Cheese, Dill and Chives on Granary Bread
Chicken Breast with Parsley Cream on Malt Bread
Scottish Smoked Salmon with Lemon Butter on Sourdough Bread
Egg Mayonnaise with Chopped Shallots and Watercress on White Bread

SCONES AND PASTRIES

Freshly Baked Raisin and Plain Scones with Cornish Clotted Cream and Strawberry Preserve.

Assortment of British Tea, Pastries and Cakes.

TEA SELECTION

Ritz Royal English	Darjeeling First Flush	Assam Tippy Orthodox	Ceylon Orange Pekoe
Oolong Formosa	Earl Grey Imperial	Rose Congou	Lapsang Souchong
Russian Caravan	Dragon Pearls	Chun Mee	Moroccan Mint
Rooibos Red Tea	Passion Fruit and Orange	Camomile Flowers	Lemon Verbena
The Ritz Chai	Chocolate Mint Rooibos

Ritz Carlton Philly could learn a thing or two from the Ritz London.

A Taste of Britain - Cafe, Tea Shop, Catering

If you don't have a passport or need to update it and live near Wayne, Pennsylvania... you can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, along with English dishes at A Taste of Britain.  

• Full Afternoon Tea — 18.0

  Today’s Delicious Selection of 8 Tea Sandwiches, Freshly Baked Scone Served with Clotted Cream, Lemon Curd, and Preserves, Plus an Assortment of Mini Pastries, Along with your Favorite Pot of Tea. Select your scone type and beverage.

ENGLISH FAVORITES 

Mushroom Savory Bread Pudding

Many of these are also available in our freezer for you to enjoy at home.

• Wild Mushroom and Parmesan Bread Pudding - 12.5

  Savory Bread Pudding with Mushrooms, Herbs, Fontina and Parmesan Cheese, Served with a House Salad or Cup of Soup
  

• Mushrooms with Toast — 11

  Sauteed Mushrooms in a Cream Sauce with English Cheddar and a Touch of Mustard, Served with Toast Points for Dipping
  

• Welsh Rarebit (please allow 20 minutes) — 10

  Cheese Sauce made with Guinness, Colman’s Mustard, and Egg, Broiled on Bread
  Add Heinz Baked Beans – 4.5
  

• Chicken Pot Pie — 13.5

  Tender Pieces of Chicken, Peas, and Carrots, Topped with a Flaky Puff Pastry Served with a House Salad or Cup of Soup
  

• Ploughman's Platter (great to share!) — 13.5

  Assorted English Cheeses, Pickled Onions, Branston Pickles, Fruit, and Crackers
  

• Cheese & Onion Pasty ~ or ~ Cornish Pasty - 13.5

  A Tender Pastry Crust filled with a Savory Cheese and Onion Mixture or a Ground Beef and Potato Mixture, Served with Baked Beans or House Salad
  

• Sausage Rolls - 10

  Sausage and Onion Mixture Wrapped in Puff Pastry, Two Rolls per Order, Served with Colman’s Mustard or Curried Ketchup
  

• Beef Cottage Pie - 13.5

  Savory Ground Beef, Peas, Carrots, and Onions, Topped with Mashed Potatoes, Served with a House Salad or Cup of Soup

SPRING SHRUGS

You can go sassy or fancy.  You decide.

Spring Crocheted Shrug

I Love Crochet - Spring Shrug

Ravelry

ALICE IN WONDERLAND FASCINATOR 

AND HEADBAND

Alice in Wonderland-Inspired Fascinator

Alice in Wonderland-Inspired Headband

Flaunt your personal style, whatever they is, and enjoy your high tea--your way.

First Tuesday-Thursday Knitting & Crocheting Club wants to hear about your group's ventures into high/afternoon tea land.  Talk about your favorite place to go in your town and show off your photos on our Facebook page or our Google+ page.  And please don't forget to like us, we're a fun group...just like you.


Happy Knitting & Crocheting!

It's Summertime…Inspiration Galore!

(Junk Chic Cottage)

It's summertime, so why am I opening up with a home coffee bar and not the beach?  Let me take you back to our title:  
It's Summertime…Inspiration Galore!  Simply put, I'm inspired…and you will be too.

Here's why I'm inspired.  I see a cozy cottage basking in the summer sun, even though the beverage it produces will be hot and dark, before the cream flows.

(Junk Chic Cottage)

I can envision (First Tuesday-Third Wednesday Knitting & Crocheting Club) knitting and crocheting around that large table, enjoying our Kreug coffee and warm muffins from the vintage hanging baskets.   I call dibs on the Shabby Chic lounge chair.  

(Junk Chic Cottage)

This cute cottage inspires me to be both bold and subtle, knitting bright, summer colors and soft white hues.  I can leap out of my comfort zone and land on a challenging project that may spell disaster.  

(Minkaluv)

Sure, it could end up as a curly ball of mess on my living room floor that's so not in a cottage.  But I'm not fretting… how could I… it's summertime, and mostly anything goes.  Almost… but remember this… what happens in the summertime, stays in the summertime.  Just stay away from cameras.

(JenClyde)

What's really great is that you don't have to look like you stepped off a New York Fashion Week runway.  Yaay! This is the season your clothes don't have to match.  Pantyhose stay in hiatus in your lingerie drawer until October.  You can let a floppy straw hat hide your hair's moody disposition to the sun, heat, chlorine and salt water fun.  Yes, carefree just arrived for a visit and it's ready to twerk.  The proof is in Aunt Suzie's 4th of July potato salad.

(A bad hair day?)

Still not convinced?

Remember that watermelon wedge you devoured a few days ago?  Did you worry about the watermelon juice dripping down your arms as you enjoyed each delightful slurp?  That's what I thought.

How about your last visit to the frozen desert stand.   Water ice, shaved ice, snow cones, Mister Softee and Good Humor stains now add character to your favorite tees and skorts.   Surprisingly, celebs don't care about wearing white when they're enjoying an ice cream cone with extra sprinkles.

(Pinterest)

We even look forward to a hot sunny day, pampering us with our second favorite beverage.  We're more than happy to supply the sugar and lemon.   Hmm…sugar and lemon…describes summer to a tea? (I couldn't resist.)

Classic Sun Tea

Choose a sun tea container. The container you use to make sun tea should be clear, to allow the sun's rays to penetrate to the tea bags and water. Choose a container that has a lid so you can prevent bugs and other outside particles from getting into your tea as it steeps. 

Ingredients

Classic Sun Tea

• 4 cups of distilled water
• 5 teabags of any kind

Herbal Sun Tea

• 4 cups of distilled water
• 1 cup of an assortment of fresh herbs, such as mint, hibiscus, chamomile, lemon verbena, and so on

• Make sure to use a container that is easy to clean. Don't use one that could easily harbor bacteria, like a container with a spigot that's difficult to wash.
• Avoid using plastic containers to make sun tea. Chemicals in the plastic can leach into the water, affecting the tea's taste and posing a health risk as well.  Follow the instructions from this link-Wiki-How.

So back to our sweet and sour summer analogy.  You've got the sweet--long, sunny days--tangy barbecue at a moment's notice--delicious veggies and fruits picked from your garden -- along with visits to water parks and beaches where we leave our sand castle signatures.  Then there's the sour side of summer--those pesky mosquitoes, never-ending flies and scary thunderstorms that make you run for cover.

No worries, it's all worth it.  So slather on some Off, grab a fly swatter and you'll be good to go.  

What's that?  I didn't tell you about my summer knitting challenge.  Wow, good timing... I was just about to hit publish.
Okay, it's a knitted swim suit.  Since I love vintage, this pattern is a win-win. 

(Vintage Visage)

I'm no stranger to modification.  I'd turn this into a tankini.  See what I mean about being bold.  Or, I may knit the pattern below and use the high-collar neckline for my two-piece design.

(knitted two-piece)

Here are a few more that might inspire you.

(Pattern-Pinup)

(eVintage Vixen)

And if sewing is your craft of choice, you'll enjoy creating this pattern.

(Sewing Pattern Village)

And for the crocheters...

(Wonkey Zebra)

(ArtFire)

(Late Night Coffee)

(Minkaluv)

The suits above would also look great in a solid color.   But if you're really feeling summer bold,  and want to create your own suit without a pattern, here are few to inspire you.

(Poyvore)

(Women's Crochet - Target)

(Missoni Eva)

(Hawaii)

If you're feeling really daring, and can pull it off.  Here's a fun swim suit that'll turn heads.

(Ravelry.com)

(A Girl and a Glue Gun)

 
Want a fun summer craft?  Try making these colorful yarn bracelets.  Click on the link for instructions.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July! 

(First Tuesday-Third Wednesday Yarn Bombing at Elkins Park Library)

First Tuesday-Third Wednesday Members - Google Alert

Don't Forget our Solstice Picnic on Wednesday, July, 15.  Bring your favorite summertime dish.   See you there!