Knit and More Club
Petaluma, Ca

Hello  Knit and More Club members,

I got released from jury duty early so there is a knitting meeting today.  If you have some free time
I hope you drop by.

Geez, Aqus Cafe got damaged.
http://petaluma.patch.com/articles/aqus-cafe-vandalized

This is the re-starting of the Knit and More Club.  It is no longer associated with Aqus Community which will free
me up from the membership parameters they had placed on me.  I am still an Aqus Community member but the Knit and More
Club is no longer associated with Aqus Community.

Knit and More Club has two weekly meetings available now.   Thursday or Sunday afternoons at the Riverside Bistro,
54 E Washington Blvd, Petaluma, CA from 2 to 3:30 pm.   So if you can't make it during the week, perhaps you can make
it on the weekend.  I'm  hoping adding this second meeting per week will allow more knitters to attend meetings.

I plan to be at all meetings but life happens which may prevent me from showing up.  Please email me which
day you can attend so I can be there to greet you or at least let you know I won't be there.  If you just show up, there may
not be anyone there to greet you and I don't want that to happen to you.

And, like always, it's ok just to get this newsletter and not attend meetings.


Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

Closure notice went out on May 18, 2012.  Rebuilding began May 19, 2012

2nd Edition  21th Issue 
26nd Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

Oh the Riverside Bistro was great to have the knitting meeting.   Nice breeze and very comfortable as we sat in the covered outdoor patio.
Turns out the indoor seating area does have air-conditioning but it was too cold for us so we were happy we were outside.
They had a large table and chairs for us.  Three of us had lunch and it was great to get a meat meal.
Iced tea, black with caffeine was very tasty with free refills.   Even the diet pepsi had a free refill.
We had an excellent waitress and the service was excellent.  We had an great time !!!!

It was crowded when we first got there but it wasn't long before we had the place to ourselves. 

We had a great turn out with members but we have room for more.  So if you find you have some free time on Thursday, please join us
for laughter, food and drink, and a yarn project if you have one. 

Be sure to read what Rinice sent in in the Member Submission area.  Thanks Rinice for the info.

As you know there has been some upheavel in the group of late  - but all members, even the unruly members are all welcome to join
the Knit and More Club at the Riverside Bistro, Thursdays, 2 to 4 pm.

Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

2nd Edition  20th Issue 
25nd Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

Ok this week we are having our Thursday 2 to 4 pm club meeting at Riverside Bistro. Located in the Golden Eagle Plaza -
just off of Washington Blvd in Petaluma.  Dempsey's, Merle Norman, Baskin Robbins, Grocery Outlet are a few of the stores in that shopping center.
This restaurant used to be Rosen's then Gourmet Burgers\Flippers then back to Rosen's.  A long time ago is was Oliver Twist.
Being right next to the Petaluma River makes for great breezes during hot weather as long as you sit out of direct sunlight and there is a lot of shaded
places in their covered outside patio and plenty of tables and chairs.  Huge parking lot with free parking.  You do have to go through the kitchen
but keep walking through and you will come to the dining rooms.  Freaked me out the first time I had to do this so I give you a heads up on it.
                   (Please understand we are trying this place out to see if it is a better match for us or not)

Mary D brought in a couple of opportunties for us to consider.
One was a reasonable fee for a booth to sell items at the 2012 Art & Music Festival.
For more information http://www.rpartsandmusicfest.org 

And the other one was an opportunity to watch British telly on your idevice.
For more information http://www.expattelly.com/

Thanks Mary D for sharing.

A lot has been going on in my part of the world but I think I have all that I said I would put in this newsletter in it. If not,
let me know and I will put it in the next newsletter.

See you at Riverside Bistro tomorrow !!!!!

Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

May 2, 2012 
2nd Edition  19th Issue 
24nd Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

Very interesting webpage explaining ways to measure yarn yardage.
I really like the electronic device but I doubt it would handle bulky yarn.
The niddy noddy and the kitchen chair method will handle any yarn.  Check it out.
Great information if you ever need to figure out how much yardage you have in your yarn stash.
http://www.knitchat.com/2008/04/22/how-tos-day-how-to-measure-your-mystery-yarn/

lol.  Something fun.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brain-hat

Some discussion came up about yarn made with bananas.  Here's a link if you want to explore it further
http://www.yarnmarket.com/yarn/Frabjous_Fibers_Yarn-Banana_Silk_Yarn-4654.html

It was decided last meeting that our club should chat with Lydia, the owner of Sunflower Center about food and drinks.
So I asked Lydia if she could come by our table and chat with us and she did.

Please understand Lydia is a great person.  She is very gentle, kind, thoughtful.  She was very very nice about answering
our questions.  But as I relate events, I will be brief, just don't think Lydia was brief or short because she wasn't.

Us:   Can we bring in cooked meat to add to any salad or plate of food we bought at Sunflower Center.
L:     No. The restaurant is strictly a Vegan restaurant and Lydia wants to keep it that way, so no meat whatsoever can be brought in.

Us:   Can we bring in cow milk or some other milk.
L:      No but Sunflower has almond milk.

Us:   Can we bring in sugar or honey ?
L:      No but guava syrup is a very nice sweetener. 

Us:  Can we bring in caffeine (black) tea ?
L:     Yes.

Us:  Can we get hot water ?
L:     Yes.

Everyone at the last meeting agreed to not violate these rules Lydia gave us.

You can't run a business without making money, so the knit group agreed to $2.00 per person that uses the hot water.   So this is my guess as to how
it will work.  You go to the counter and ask for a tea drink without tea.  So you get hot water mug, the tea filter and the little plate.  This will cost
you $2.00 and you will probably have to tell the cashier what you are doing.  You can bring in any caffeine tea you want.  I am bringing in PG Tipps tea.
The Sunflower Center is a restaurant remember and they have been great to let us use the floor space for free, so the members at the last meeting thought
$2.00 per hot water was a sweet deal.   Plus, Sunflower has really great tasting muffins should you want one to go along with your tea.
Yes I am aware that the sunflower charges less for their tea and if you want to pay less, go ahead and get one of their herbal teas.  I don't care for these
herbal teas myself so I am going with the $2.00 hot water set up.

I would really like to stay with Sunflower Center and work out problems as they arise BUT did anyone else notice that there was a lot more furniture in the area of the Sunflower where we hold meetings.
That makes me worry a bit  because if they keep adding furniture our group will get squeezed out.  And the air conditioning was not on again.  Did anyone else notice or was it just me ?

The Apple box was suggested but most members thought the parking would be hard, even with the public parking garage.   Petaluma Tea and Coffee on 2nd St got shot down
due to bad parking.   Riverside Bistro could be a good choice for us, good parking, a good place for our walking members - BUT - they do have a very nasty control freaking waitress.

I heard from Rinice.  They have sold their California home and they will be in Idaho at the end of May looking for a house.  She hopes she will be able to join our knitting group meeting one
or two more times before going permanently to Idaho.   Rinice sends her hi to everyone.  I wish Rinice all the best of luck as I am sure all of you do too.
 
Rinice sent in two links to some sales she found.
One for knitting needles   http://www.knitpicks.com/kpimages/BEM/BE120423.html?elink=0--HTM

And another one on sock yarn
http://nordicmart.cmail2.com/t/ViewEmail/r/CB71907FDA8F92E2/A42CDD9AF6C0CDF10B3A73003FEB3522

Here's something fun to try.  Go to google.com and search on the words    knit and more club   

Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

April 19, 2012    (forgot to change the date to April 26, 2012)
2nd Edition  18th Issue 
23nd Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

Bonnie, as promised last meeting, will be bringing 2 or 3 people with her.

Not much news this week, lol.

See you tomorrow at the Sunflower Center !!!


Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

April 19, 2012 
2nd Edition  17th Issue 
22nd Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

Bonnie was knitting a beautiful scarf and some members were asking what knitting style she used.  Entrelac.
I found an Enterlac scarf pattern.   Here's the link to the scarf I found and yes it's free but you may have to sign up first. 
http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/24498.aspx

Bonnie also brought in a diagonal pot holder or coaster that she bought and it was a mystery as how it was put together.   Valerie looked up how to make
one on her phone and sent me that link.

http://www.mielkesfarm.com/diagonal_hotpad.htm



I am not sure how much longer I will remain an Aqus Community member.  There are problems behind the scenes which may or may not fester into a worst
condition.  What this means is if I quit my membership the Knit and More Club will not be advertised in the Aqus Community newsletter.  Since the Sunflower
Center is an Aqus Community member I don't know how this will effect whether or not we can have our meetings there.  I stopped in the Sunflower on Saturday
to try and catch the owner for a quick chat but she was way too busy.   I did have lunch there.  I had the Rodeo Burrito which has no meat but it tasted like it had meat.
It was so yummy.  I was chatting with other people eating lunch to see what they thought of the meal they ate and kudos is all I found.   One diner had a wonderful
looking sandwich that she said was called The Super Burger.  It's a vegan burger, no meat, but she said it was great.  Next time I have lunch there I will try that Super
Burger.   The reason I tell you of the food is quite frankly I was very leery of these foods.  I had tried vegan meals before and yuck and puke up was my reaction
Well vegan meals have come a longs ways and it's amazing food now, at least at the Sunflower Center it is.  
If you have had a meal there, please email me and let me know what you had and if you liked it or not.  It may allow the other members to let down their guard on this
food and will order some of it.
I had their green tea and it was undrinkable to me.  Just letting you know my honest opinion on what this restaurant offers.   Their chocolate desserts are divine but also
very expensive, but worth the money in my opinion.   They do offer a sample plate but it had seaweed on it and I hate seaweed.   Seaweed is a yuck and puke up reaction for me, lol.

Something fun to learn.
What did people used before toilet paper was invented.
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/572/what-did-people-use-before-toilet-paper-was-invented
    Now what I heard was people use to keep many cloths or wash clothes and would use those and then put them in
a pail of water with some soap, like one did when diapers were cloth.  But this article does not mention this.

Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

2nd Edition  16th Issue 
21th Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

REMINDER:    We are meeting at the Sunflower Center 1435 N McDowell bldg Petaluma tomorrow.  I hope you found some time and energy
to locate this place before tomorrow's meeting.

I know that several members like to walk.  I was thinking for those that want to walk, you could park in the Kohl's shopping center and walk the 1 block
to the Sunflower Center.  Just an idea for the walkers.

Cindy contacted Glenfiddich Wool Store regarding the swoncho pattern.  This is that sweater project that Mary Durfee was showing us
at the last meeting.   This pattern can be purchased for $10.00  or there are kits available as well.  The kits have yarn specifically for this pattern. but
the kits are priced a bit on the high side.

 
(Alice paraphrasing Barb's email)
The difference between the 2 two kits:  The $90 kit is our custom spun beautiful Border Leicester yarn which is spun in an artisan fiber mill. 
It has a great deal of luster, a beautiful drape, and is quite dense. The colors are natural..(unless you choose the $120 kit which has
been hand-dyed.) :o)  This staple is 6 to 8 inches.  This is the yarn the creator of this sweater designed the Swoncho in.
Each kit contains 5 skeins.  The $90 kit has 1000 yards, and is 20oz.
The $50 kit has 1050 yards for 20 oz.
The $50 kit is also from their sheep, but it is the shorter staple.  It is sent to Harmony, ME, and is spun with more loft.  There is no apparent luster,
but the colors are beautiful, and after a washing or two, is extremely soft to the touch, and great to wear.  The creator decided to make a Swoncho with
this yarn as well....because they needed a price range.  As the creator mentioned, it has a bit more loft, so the drape is just a tiny bit less obvious.,..but
beautiful, never-the-less!

Thanks Cindy for this information.

The Petaluma Tea and Coffee on Second Street, Petaluma has been suggested as a meeting place.  Several members have suggested this place.
It looks great to me, but I kind of want to see how the Sunflower Center works out for us.   I remind you I am a member of the Aqus Community and right now
I kind of want to do things their way.  The Sunflower Center is an Aqus Community member and we are encouraged to work with members. 
Please continue to submit other places for meetings in case the Sunflower goes to seed on us, lol.

Ok see you Thursday at the Sunflower Center.

Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

April 5, 2012           back to menu   
2nd Edition  15th Issue 
20th Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

A bit of a problem with the KnitandMoreClub.com website.  Because I use styling or .css sheets to make the website, you just
can't refresh the page to see anything that is new that has been added or changed on the page.  So,  right mouse click the page you want to refresh
and a dialog box will come up. Select the option   This Frame   that will bring up a menu and you want  Show Only This Frame. 
This basically pulls that page out of my styling or .css framework which is ok to do.  You will now see instead of
just KnitandMoreClub.com in your location or URL box you will now see TabbyCatMusicArchives.com/KnitandMoreClub.  Now you can refresh the page and see anything that is new. 
If you want to return to the styling or .css framework, just type in your location or URL box, KnitandMoreClub.com   knitandmoreclub.com works as well.  Now all
the new items will be showing.

I have added a link called Interesting Reading at the bottom of the pages.  When you have something you think others might like to read, send it to me and I will post it for you.

April 3, Sue held her Kimono Knit Event.  9 members showed up.  It was so much fun.  Great beverages and snacks.  We played a while with figuring out gauge which
was a lot of fun, then, we started knitting the Kimono.  Some members had already started their Kimonos but yours truly started mine at the meeting.
Most of us stayed long after the 3 pm ending time.   Everyone at this function agreed to again have a meeting to see how we are progressing with our Kimono projects.
This time it will be held at Sue's house on May 7 1-3pm, which is a Monday.  More information and contact info to follow soon.  It was very much like any meeting of the Knit
and More Club meetings except we were all focused on this Kimono project.  Wonderful selection of yarns are being used. I am using a worsted weight 100% wool, garnet heather.
Everyone is welcome to this second meeting, even if you did not attend the first one.  Lots of ideas fly around.  Like Valerie showed us how to insert the needle into
a row you want to tear down to, so once you get there all the stitches are already on the needle.  This information is worth it's weight in gold !!!!!   Don't have to make a Kimono
to attend the meeting.  Just hang out with us and share and learn.  It was a wonderful time !!!!

For the new members without a name tag, I have them finished and will bring them in tomorrow for you.

See you Thursday !!!

Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

March 29, 2012           back to menu   
2nd Edition  14th Issue 
19th Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

I am late getting this newsletter out this week.  Just clean forgot to send it yesterday. Doh !!!

A reminder that Cindy is hosting a Kimono Knit Event at her Petaluma home Tuesday April 3 from 1 to 3pm.
Get contact information from me - asf0@comcast.net or from Cindy at the next meeting.
I will be attending this event.   I did buy yarn for this project, but if you don't want to buy yarn now, no problem
you can still attend and watch.  Cindy says there will be beverages and drinks.  This is a free event !!!!

Hope to see you at today's club meeting at the Aqus Cafe !!!!

Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

March 22, 2012           back to menu   
2nd Edition  13th Issue 
18th Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

Hiya Hiya bamboo circular 9 inch, size 2 (2.75 mm) are getting scarse.   I surfed online and sent out a links email on where I found both metal
and bamboo ones.    If you still are having a hard time finding them, I did buy 2 of the bamboo and will sell them for 10.00 each.  So email me and let me know if you
want one or even both.  First come, first served.

Kathy was at Cast Away Yarn shop  ( on 4th street in Railroad Square here in Santa Rosa).  They have a large supply of HiyaHiya knitting needles in all sizes steel and bamboo.
They also have some lovely yarns at good prices, on most things less than the Knitterly. 
 
Cindy Hendrix is having a Tuesday afternoon, April 3, Kimono knit event at her home, 1 - 3pm.  Please email Cindy if you have questions or comments on this event.
or email me for Cindy's email address.  asf0@comcast.net

I am expecting a new member, Martha to join us today.  She will probably have a blanket project on so let's keep an eye for Martha tomorrow.

Just reminding you that our website is http://knitandmoreclub.com


Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

***********************************
MEMBER SUBMISSION: 

Cindy Hendrix is having a Tuesday afternoon, April 3, Kimono knit event at her home, 1 - 3pm.  Please email Cindy if you have questions or comments on this event.
or email me for Cindy's email address.  asf0@comcast.net

March 15, 2012           back to menu   
2nd Edition  13th Issue 
17th Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

CINDY'S HOSTING A KIMONO KNIT EVENT
Cindy quote::
I will be hosting the Knit and More Club event for anyone who wants to learn or begin the kimono.
Tuesday April 3 from 1-3Pm.
 ***Address and phone number will be handed out at the next Knit and More Club Meeting.***(Alice edit)
I would like either an email or a phone call for anyone who wishes to attend so I can plan on how many to expect.  I am sure I have
enough room for all who are interested. Please let me know by Monday April 2nd.  ( I will have beverages and snacks).
Let me know if you have any questions.
Cindy unquote:

Mary Bales came up with an excellent idea for the blank members page on our website.
It will be webpages about our members.  You can list your blog, or websites,  other groups you belong to including other knitting groups.
Let me know if it's ok to post your photograph to your page.  It's ok if you don't want to do that.   Send the info to me and I will add it to your page and
if you don't yet have a page, I will make one for you.  Add links to stuff you are selling.  This new website is not with Aqus Community so we can
do whatever we want on it.  List of books, diets you liked, tv shows, stuff that says this is what you do when you are not knitting and stuff you have done with knitting
or needlework.   Can't go wrong with jokes.  Photos of pets.  Recipes.   Keep it all a G rating.

The Big Book of Socks by Kathleen Taylor available at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/The-Big-Book-Socks-Beyond-The-Basics/dp/1600850855/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331255352&sr=8-1
   The tube sock Rinice is knitting is in this book and I just don't remember what page Rinice said it was on.

The circular 9 inch knitting needles are called Hiya Hiya.  Make sure it's size 2 and\or 2.75 cm.  Available on Amazon.com
Amazon has two needles it calls size 2 and the other one is 2.50 and you don't want that one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TDGBX0/ref=oh_o03_s00_i00_details
The size is further down the page under Product Features.

NordicMart.com is where you get that yarn that patterns itself as you knit.  Amazing.  It does depend on the stitches you cast on
and what your gauge is to have it work out.  The pattern in the book of socks above has it cast on 60 stitches so you should follow suit.
The colors I bought are 161P and 162P
Here's a link to the Fabel.
http://nordicmart.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=43&cat=DROPS+Fabel

Keep your name tag with your knitting so you can wear at the club meetings.  Remember, we are doing this to help others who have trouble remembering
who we are, lol.   So do try and bring it each time.  I just keep mine in my knitting bag that I take to meetings.

Rinice had requested to Knitpicks.com to carry the 9 inch circular needles a while ago and she has discovered they now carry them  but only in metal. 
Rinice feels you need the bamboo because you won't lose stitches like you can on the slippery metal ones.  I agree with this assetment but I do love the metal
ones and so I am tempted to purchase the metal ones.

Books that were talked about at previous and last club meeting.
The Kitchen House  by  Kathleen Grissom 
The Book Thief  by  Markus Zusak
Bet Me  by Jennifer Cruise
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins   (this is a trilogy, Catching Fire and MockingJay are the other two titles)
The Help by  Kathyn Stockett
       All these books available on Amazon.com as books or Kindle editions.  Read descriptions of books on Amazon.


Be sure to view the member submission below.


Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

***********************************
MEMBER SUBMISSION: 
___________________________________
http://www.thedietdiary.com/knittingfiend/tools/IncreaseEvenlySpace.html

Knitting help link submitted by Mary Bales.
I also added it to the links page.
************************************.
Submission by Rinice:
Remember to check your gauge.

March 8, 2012           back to menu   
2nd Edition  12th Issue 
16th Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

At the last meeting everyone decided that name tags was a great idea as it is hard to remember names.
Everyone at the meeting decided on the rope around the neck name badge, like they use at conventions.
After the meeting I went to Staples and got the supplies and I have them all made up.  I worked very hard at
not forgetting anyone but I am bringing is some temporary name tags in case I did.   These name tags are free
to you as my gift.   It's my little token of saying thank you so much for making me look like a huge success
in the eyes of the Aqus Community. 

Debby took some photos last meeting.  I have them on the website now.  http://knitandmoreclub.com
On the bottom of the webpage the  next and previous links looked grayed out but they do work. I am trying to correct that.
I also added a link at the top of the photo or gallery pages to get back and forth. 

Ok this newsletter is now a lot shorter as I have a lot of the standard information now on the website.

I couldn't think  of what would be good to put in the  Members  page so I left it blank.  Please send me in any ideas
you think would work.  

See you Thursday !!!!
 



Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

***********************************
MEMBER SUBMISSION: 
___________________________________
Nothing this week
.

******************************************
    Members can ebb and flow.  This means they can show up when they want and not show up.  I do appreciate an email telling your plans but an email is not necessary.  
We will enjoy you when you attend meetings and we will miss you when you can't.
    For members only, if you have something you would like to add to this newsletter, email me.  Things like birthday announcements,  you won an award, you found some
great yarn or sale, whatever.   asf0@comcast.net   (asf zero)

NEWSLETTERS
********************************************
TWO GREAT NEWSLETTERS TO GET\STAY CONNECTED !!!!
********************************************

    Hey, sign up for the Aqus Community newsletter.  Get all the latest news on music events, trivia night, crawl nights
and more.  There is so much going on I am sure you will find something you like and get reconnected with people. 
Show up at events with like minded people and that beats being alone any day of the week.  The whole point of the Aqus Community
is to get and keep folks connected with other folks. You can start doing that by signing up for the Aqus Community newsletter.
Please visit their website for their newsletter sign up.  The newsletter signup is at the top of
the web page 

        The place where the Thursday Knit and More club meets is called Aqus Cafe.  Sign up for the Aqus Cafe newsletter on their
website.     


********************************************
AQUS COMMUNITY KNIT AND MORE CLUB NEWSLETTER
********************************************

Subscribe


Unsubscribe





**********************************
Club meeting times and locations:  Please email the hostess.
________________________________________


Aqus Community Knit and More Club   -   Club  Hostess:  Alice Franceschini

Thursday 2:00 to 3:30 at Aqus Café,    Email: asf0@comcast.net  (asf zero)

_________________________________________

I am always looking for more hostesses.  If you think you would like to try hosting your own Aqus Community Knit and More Club meeting, email me.
If you have a knitting group and would like me to list it, email me the name of your club, location, day and time and a valid contact email address.
Folks have questions or concerns so your club has to have a valid contact email or I won't list you.  I will be checking the contact email
and if I find it is invalid I will remove your listing until I get a valid email.

February 29, 2012           back to menu           
2nd Edition  11th Issue 
15th Newsletter
                         UPDATED:  I guess the Aqus Community website is NOT getting shut down as announced.
Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

I hope you all had a fabulous week.

It was announced at The Sunflower Center, that the Aqus Community will be working towards shutting 
down their yet unlaunched website.   Since this is what they are planning to do, I am no longer waiting on 
them for our forum and website.  I started building it yesterday.   I need to get a domain name before I 
can give you the link to it.   We also have a forum that I hope you will post to even if it's only one posting.  
Say you introduce yourself or something like that.  I have several postings on there so you should be able 
to figure it out pretty quickly.  This forum is open to members and non members.
I do think you have to log in or register with a valid email address so I am hoping you will do that.
I hope you will explore the website and if you have any ideas for it please email me. 
I use Netscape as my emailer software and I have found that the email links are not working properly 
with Netscape.  I have a contact page so if you run into problems please go to the contact page.
Once the website is fully functional this newsletter will get a lot smaller.  All the stuff on the bottom 
will no longer be there.


Got some information on another yarn shop in Petaluma.  This is just an online store and only has
yarn that you color.  I didn't see any colored yarn for knitting.  They do carry knitting needles and some o
ther yarn tools so worth a look and see. 
Dharma Trading Co
19805 South McDowell Blvd Ext
Petaluma, Ca 94952
http://www.dharmatrading.com/topnav/fiber/

Fun website claiming to list all the yarn shop near Petaluma.  They have San Rafael listed and I don't think of 
that is close to Petaluma http://www.knittingnewscast.com/YarnStores/California/Petaluma

The Sunflower Center event of officially launching the Aqus Community was a smashing hit as far as having a 
huge crowd show up.  Kudos to Diane and John and the rest !!!

 It was wall to wall people for the two hours that I stayed.  I was planning on staying the full 4 hours but it was 
hard to get tea or anything to eat because if you left your chair it would be gone when you got back.  I didn't take 
anything to eat or drink as I thought something would be provided to those who worked the event.
 It got so hot with all the folks standing almost shoulder to shoulder.  It was hard to move through the crowd as 
they were like statues and would not move so anyone could get pass easily.  A polite "excuse me" was ignored.  You 
just had to find a hole and push through, so that was uncomfortable.
  Angelina Bryne (hope I spelled that right) and Mary Durfee arrived a little before 4 pm and the crowd wasn't so 
thick as it got  a few minutes later, so they were able to find the table and they sat with me for 2 hours, chatting 
with folks and handing out my Knit and More contact flyers.   
  What a good time I had with Mary and Angelina.  Thanks to both of them.
  There seemed to be a lack of chairs for the hoard of folks (approx 200) that showed up so this is why any empty chair 
was taken.  Poor Cindy Hendrix  had stopped by at 5 pm and she can attest to the amount of people there. And she found 
moving through the crowd as uncomfortable as I did so she did find our table.
 Thank you Cindy for attending even if you couldn't find us. 
 Diane had promised me that a table and 4 chairs would be set up for us and all we needed to do was show up.  
No table, no chairs and no floor space for us.  So they squeezed us near the stage in a tiny space that I think was a walkway 
and it was very hard to find a few minutes after 4 because the crowd got really thick.
  I only stayed for 2 hours.  Angelina and Mary left about 6 pm.  Without food and drink, and with all those standing 
people shoulder to shoulder, it got really hot so I grabbed my stuff  and left at 6:15 pm  That is when I found out how 
unyielding the crowd was to get through.  Geez.  I rudely pushed my way through the crowd and out the door.  Oh boy 
how sweet the cool night air was. 

I met Vicki at The Sunflower Center event and she was telling me about this Copperfield's Book yarn event.  So I said 
send me details and I would add it to this newsletter.
Sunday, March 4, 2 pm at Petaluma Copperfield's Books
Attention Knitters! Yarn Event at Copperfield's! Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, award-winning staff favorites, 
will join us for a dramatic reading of their wonderful new picture book Extra Yarn, followed by author signings, 
knitting, demos, and snacks. Help us yarn bomb the store! All fiber arts books are 20% off too! Knitters, crocheters, 
spinners, weavers,macrame, rug hooking...come one, come all and bring yarn!

I went driving around this Sunday in Petaluma. 
Rumpelstiltskin Yarn Shop is no longer in business at
620 Petaluma Blvd N Ste C2
Petaluma, CA 94952
707-762-9406        CW Gun & Reloading is in that space now.
I have deleted it from the bottom of this newsletter.


I found Knitterly.
Sue Pettengill, a dear friend of mine, used to have a yarn shop in that same store.
Well, things happen and Sue went out of business.  Very nice to see this is where the Knitterly is.
Tons of people were in the shop as I drove by so that is nice it is doing well.
I am planning on going inside later this week and asking if I can advertise the Knit and More Club by leaving a flyer.


Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

February 22, 2012                        back to menu 
2nd Edition  9th Issue 
14th Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

  February 25th is this coming Saturday and I wanted to remind you that The Sunflower Center in Petaluma
is hosting the launching party for the Aqus Community from 4 to 8 pm.    I am planning on being there
from 4 to 8, so if you want to drop in and check it out or come by and sit for a while and knit with me,
please do so.    I chatted with Diane and there will be a table and some chairs for us.    I have a large poster
advertising the Knit and More club which I will set near the table so if I happen to be in the bathroom when you
stop by you will know which table the knitters are at.   
  From the way I understand it, this event has been heavily advertised so I am expecting a large crowd.  The Aqus
Community is a collection of musicians, business people networking with each other, games like Trivia, crafts persons,
and more which includes the Knit and More Club.   So you can see it will be a diversified crowd. 
    Sorry to say, no caffeine drinks are offered by The Sunflower Center.  Yes it is a restaurant but it only offers healthy foods
and drinks.  I have eaten some of the salads and I find them very tasty.   They have these wonderful chocolate like candies that so good.
They only accept cash and personal checks, no credit cards.
     If you haven't been there, it's a huge place with plenty of flat parking space (unlike the Aqus Cafe, lol).  It's in the old Cisco building. 
Located at 1435 North McDowell Blvd, Petaluma.    North McDowell Blvd has Old Redwood Highway crossing it.  You need to cross over
Old Redwood Highway to continue on North McDowell Blvd.   There is a huge sign with the number of the buildings.  Look for 1435
and pull in.  As you pull in the building is on your right.  Keeping to the right, drive pass the front of the building and turn left.  Drive
the length of the building, you should start seeing signs for The SunFlower Center.  If not, keep driving and read what the door says,
you will soon find it.  It's the last door.   Visit their website http://www.thesunflowercenter.org/

    Carol sent in a link to a yarn sale so be sure to check that out.

   I will bring in my fisherman's sweater project for show and tell.  I am still working on the back.  Bring in anything you have been working on
for show and tell if you want.  I am bringing in my purple ruffled scarf for show and tell so if you made one bring it in.  Ok see you Thursday,
which is tomorrow. 

 
Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess
  

February 15, 2012                        back to menu
2nd Edition  8th Issue 
13th Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

     One end of the knitting table last week got into talking about a knitted boob.  Yep, with nipple and everything.
I surfed online and found a free pattern for it.   http://arpelia.blogspot.com/2007/10/knitted-boob.html
     First this is a fun thing to have and next for those who have misplaced or lost their real boob(s), this makes a nice
knitted addition to your other body parts.   Some folks are wearing these as hats but I don't think I am brave
enough for doing that.  I am a boob I just don't want to advertise that fact by wearing a boob hat, lol, unless you all wear them.

     Reminder that Feb 25 from 4 to 8 pm, at the Sunflower Center in Petaluma the Aqus Community is having a "crawl"
or gathering of folks as this is the offical launching of the Aqus Community.  The website will have to launch later as it is still not ready.
I will be there to advertise the Knit and More Club and to entice new knitters into joining us.  If you want to sell knitted items bring them
and we will offer them for sale.  This is on a Saturday and if you have some time, drop by, and see what is going on or bring a knitting project and sit with me
a while and chat to folks who are interested in the group.  I am not sure if there will be free food or drink so bring a bit
of money.  Please let me know if you think you can attend so I can have a chair ready for you.  Diane wants a head count
a day or so before the event.   Diane said I would have a table and chairs.  I am sure we can wrestle up a chair for you if you just
drop in with no notice.

    I have started to knit my husband a fisherman's sweater with all the cables and fancy stitches.  After tearing it out for the 4th time
I worked out a way to knit it without tears and mistakes.  I have a nice start to the back piece now.   Once it's done I will bring it in for show and tell.
If interested in how I made it easier to knit, let me know and I can write up instructions OR if you have instructions please share them
with the group.

    Ok, see you at tomorrow's Knit and More Club meeting, still at Aqus Cafe in Petaluma.
 
Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

February 8, 2012                      back to menu
2nd Edition  7th Issue 
12th Newsletter

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

    Last Thurday's club meeting was fun.  However, if you ordered your tea and got it in a mug and not the pilsner glass you may have
found it undrinkable like I did with my Earl Gray tea.  I asked about the mug and I was told that many of the pilsner glasses had broken
and the ones they had were all being used.  But the mug holds a lot less water than the pilsner glass did but they put in the same amount
of loose tea so for me it got too strong and totally undrinkable.  So I wanted to remind you of this so if you order tea beware of them
putting it in a mug.  I am tempted in bringing in my own pilsner glass.

   Ok, be sure to read the members submission just below this area in this newsletter.  Cindy has a submission.

    I finished that ruffled scarf.  This is the pattern that Carol brought in.  The one that you cast on 648 stitches for.  If you made one of these
scarf, please bring it with you for show and tell. 

   I just want to remind you that February 25, 2012 from 4 to 8 pm (Saturday) I will be at The Sunflower Center in Petaluma to promote the knitting
club.  If you have some spare time I hope you drop by with a project to show or just drop by and see what is going on.  The Sunflower Center
does have website so if you want to know more, just google them.
   
 
Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

February 1, 2012                   back to menu
2nd Edition  6th Issue

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

    Happy Feb 1st !!!  Man, spring is close now !!!

    We got invited !!  Aqus Community is having a "Crawl" (a gathering of people) at The Sunflower Center, 1435 N McDowell Blvd, Petaluma, Ca.
February 25th from 3:45 to 8 pm.   I will be there representing the Knit and More Club and I hope you can join me.  You do not have to stay the whole time
so drop by for a while or bring your knitting gear and stay and meet the public with me.  We will have tables and chairs.   I am planning on staying the entire time.
Other items you might want to bring are some nice yarn, projects, any needlework, any books you want to show off to the public.  I will have some yarn and
needles for anyone that wants to try knitting but only enough for one person to try at a time.  If you have spare needles and some yarn please bring that so more than
one can try knitting.   Please let me know if you can attend, as Diane wants to know so she can arrange a space and tables and chairs.

    I have written up the instructions to my Mangy Cat Tea Cozy.  It's in a pdf file.  I have put it on my personal website so you can download
the pdf file if you want it.  Yes it is free pattern.  http://tabbycatmusicarchives.com/knit_&_more_club/Mangy Cat Tea Cozy   by Alice Franceschini.pdf

    I have been yakking about how I am getting a BLOG and a forum for our Knit and More Group on the Aqus Community
website.   I have been working on that.   Now, when I started this, I was led to believe that non members could puruse the
website.  Well, when I log out and try to view the forum, it tells me I have to be a member.  Membership is 35.00 a year and
I just don't think anyone wants to pay that just to see a forum.  I don't know if this is because the official launching of this new website
has not happened that non members can not view the forum.  Non member can view my BLOG of the club.  I was going to attend
the Tuesday night debugging party for more information but it was cancelled.    But if it remains that you have to be a paid
member, I will find a free forum for us to use.  Right now everything is a wait and see.

    I sent out a link to all Knit and More Club members about new photos to be seen.  These are currently on my personal website and will remain
there until I figure out more about the Aqus Community website.   See that previous email for link.

    Last Thursday's club meeting was fun filled and as enjoyable as all the previous meetings.  Cindy brought in an interesting book called Luxury Yarns 1 skein wonders.
Tons of great knitting patterns in that book that I bought it at Amazon.com    Here's the Amazon link to that book.  Check it out.
 http://www.amazon.com/Luxury-Yarn-One-Skein-Wonders-Indulgences/dp/1603420797/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327871882&sr=1-1 
   
   Dorothy has decided to not have Knit and More Club meetings.  So she has cancelled her once a month meetings due to no knitters showing up.
Real sad to have this happen but hey I would cancel it as well.   It is so hard to start a once a month club meetings.  Highly recommended you
have it weekly should you decide you would like to become a Knit and More hostess.  I would like to offer more locations and times for knitters
so if you can host a meeting email me and we can set you up.  Right now all I have is Thursday afternoon meetings.

    Bring in projects for photographing if you want too.  I could use a few more photos.

     I hope you read and enjoyed Rinice submission in the last newsletter.  Delightful but sad story cause the lady died.  If you have something you want to share with the group
please send it to me.


Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

January 25, 2012                           back to menu
2nd Edition  5th Issue

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

  In case you missed the links we discussed in the meeting.
   http://nordicmart.com
   http://knitpicks.com
Both are great places to get yarn.  I buy tons of stuff from knitpicks and have yet to be disappointed with anything I got.
Knitpicks is where I got the labels and the earrings that I gifted to everyone last meeting.  If you weren't there, you missed out.
I have not dealt with Nordic Mart yet as it was a new link to me during the knitting club meeting.
Don't forget to look through the links and store lists at the bottom of this news letter for knitting supplies if you haven't done that in a while.
There are new listings.

   Adding a new feature.  When I get submissions from members I will add just below this area a section called MEMBER SUBMISSION:
As you can see in this newsletter.  Wonderful knitting story sent in by Rinice Phillips.

   If you had stayed late after the last club meeting, you would have seen a very pleasant and smiling blonde waitress taking a table away from our club
and setting it up for someone else.  There were only four of us left so we only needed one table.  So it is really great to see this change in the waitress
because I don't think any of the knitting club members need to be treated so harshly as we are a very accommodating and helpful group. 
Nice change in the blonde waitress and I hope it lasts.

   Folk Socks by Nancy Bush is the name of the sock book I have that I depend on for information about sock heel turning with the cuff down method opposed to the
toe up.

    I am bringing in my camera so please bring in projects to be photographed and I will be adding them to the BLOG and Forum of the Knit and More areas of the
Aqus Community website.   The projects can be from any time, they don't have to be items you worked on in the group.  I would love it if you bring those
wrist warmers, if you made them.

    Also, sometimes you get a question or comment during the week and you wished you had that member's email address.  How do you feel about me making an
email list of members for everyone ?   It will be only a hard copy and not posted anywhere on the website.  Let me know how you feel about it.

   See you tomorrow if you can attend and I will miss you like the dickens if you can't attend..  

Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess
MEMBER SUBMISSION:  A sweet story
Sent in by Rinice Phillips   Edited by Alice Franceschini
___________________________________
This has to do with folk (I am thinking mostly women) that knit bandages by hand for lepers in Viet Nam.  Yes, hand knit bandages!  They are the best!  They are still needed!
But, the story is about one of my recent heros (a woman hero, but stronger and older than a heroine!)  On the day before I die, I (don't) want to be worried if my bandage is long enough! 
And, perhaps I will ask for another day or two to finish it!  I want to keep going strong right until the very end!

image needs to be here
Behind Every Bandage is a Story: The "Unfinished Bandage"

Sitting in front of me are four lovely bandages. They are all very special but one in particular instantly brings tears to my eyes.
These bandages were knit by a lovely lady named Meiko and forwarded to me by her dear friend Wendy a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Norwich, Vermont.
Wendy had contacted me via e-mail as follows:
Dear Linda, Just a question, one of our dear crochet ladies passed away and the day before her death, she was very concerned that she could not finish one of her bandages.
It is about 6" short of completion. We don't have any others who crochet. Would that length be OK or do you have anyone who could complete it?
Now this e-mail had come to me literally just after my husband and I had been discussing how important the process of creating the bandages was to our volunteers.
I truly believe that God sent me her e-mail at just the right time as it totally wrapped up the conversation I had just been having with my husband.
Here is the reply I sent to Wendy:
Regarding the length of the bandage...I would say it is exactly the right length...a length determined by a higher authority than us. Please send it to me marked "special".
Wendy, you have literally made my day, my week, my month, my year, etc.
Please also accept my condolences for the loss of your dear friend. Perhaps if she knew the day was coming it may have been a relief from pain and suffering.
I am sure they don't need leper bandages in Heaven so now her hands can also take a rest.
We have long known that this project is beneficial to both the bandage recipient and to the volunteers making the bandages.
However, until now, I could not have comprehended anyone, on the last day of their life, regretting that they did not finish one last bandage.
May you all be blessed by your work and generous spirit!

January 18, 2012                          back to menu
2nd Edition  4th Issue

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

   I was able to contact Mary Bales and she will be attending tomorrow's meeting so get that purple yarn ready for her.

   I came across a pattern for a grape hat that had k5b in it.  All I could find on youtube was k1b but what was being shown
was not what was written in the hat pattern directions.  So k5b must be done differently.  K5b,  I know, what the heck is this ?  
k1b and k5b is a knitting process that knits the stitch(es) below the stitch on your left needle.  Yep right up there with confusing.
But I really want a grape hat and so I must go into the dark passages of k5b learning.
Then I found this wonderful webpage that explains exactly how to do it and it matches what is written on the pattern.  I love the web !!!

http://www.knit1frog2.com/2007/10/k5b.html

Here's a link that will show you various people doing the k1b.  Just pick a link and view the video.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=knit+k1b&oq=knit+k1b&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=2377l2377l0l3364l1l1l0l0l0l0l156l156l0.1l1l0


Adding a new link.  Here is a forum where you can show off your needlework. It is fun to see what other members have posted.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/

I am so happy the knit and more group is growing but I am concerned we will out-grow the Aqus Cafe and that would be just great if we do.
So with that in mind,  I am looking into larger places for holding meetings with Diane's blessing.  I am a member of the Aqus Community and I
guess you could call Diane my boss and I need to do things her way in order to be a good Aqus Community member. 
I am hoping that if you are riding around Petaluma that you will look up the address below and let me know what you think of it for holding meetings
in.   I have not yet contacted the owners of this place to inquire if meetings can be held there but Diane was pretty sure they would be welcoming.
It is a bit of a foo-foo place that serves things like tofu with bean sprouts sandwiches and all they have is herbal tea.  Their unfinished website does
have a pdf file with their full menu.  So if you have a bit of time, check them out and let me know what you think.  It is in the Redwood
Business Park in Petaluma in one of the buildings that Cisco abandoned.  Nice to see those buildings housing businesses again.  Our group is not yet
big enough to move but that could change very quickly so Diane has requested the group, no matter the size, should stay at the Aqus Cafe until
the end of January.  Diane puts out a monthly newsletter with events listed and this is why she makes her request.  HOWEVER I don't think the group
is large enough to move YET.  All I am doing is looking for other places if we do get big enough.  

The Sun Flower Center
1435 North McDowell
Petaluma, CA
In the Redwood Business District or area
http://www.thesunflowercenter.org/index2.html  the web site
http://www.thesunflowercenter.org/images/restaurantmenu.pdf    the menu

Also, if any of you noticed how grumpy the Aqus Cafe waitresses are - I asked Diane if our group was bothersome to them and Diane assured me that we are not.
It's just that the female waitresses they have are grumpy and we are not to let it bother us.  If any of you noticed last week the push and shoving of
that table between me and the blonde waitress and the snarl on her face, this is that grumpy thing I am talking about.  Got to tell you if this happens again
I don't think I will ignore it.  Just wanted to give you all a heads up on that.

Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess
****************
January 12, 2012                               back to menu
2nd Edition  3rd Issue

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,
    
    At the meeting a few weeks ago, someone wanted to know if there were labels available saying how to care
for the hand knit items that could be sewn in to the knitting.   Knitpicks.com has them and here is the the link
http://www.knitpicks.com/cfSearch/Search.cfm?q=label&keywordOnly.x=0&keywordOnly.y=0&ac=1
    I bought enough of both the Machine Wash and Hand Wash labels so everyone can have some to take home with
them but you do have to attend the club meeting to get them.   Of course, it's ok for you to just go ahead and order
them at the above link.  I just placed the order so I am waiting for them to arrive.  I will let you  know via this newsletter
when they get here and when I will bring them to the meeting.  These are free to you.
This is a one time deal so if you don't make it to the meeting, you don't get the free labels.
What's that old saying ?  You snooze you lose.
    I am working on the Knit and More blog and also a forum.   I am bringing my camera with me to take some photos of the
meetings so I can add the photos to the blog.  If you are running from the law, or in the witness protection program, or just
don't want your photo taken, let me know and I won't take any photos with you in them.  But I am hoping most of you are
show ponies and will be ok with photos.

Adding these online links to the link collection at the bottom of this newsletter.  If you have a favorite online store and want it listed, if it
isn't already, email me the link.
    http://www.yarnmarket.com
   http://www.stuff4knitting.com/
 
I stumbled onto the following webpage.   It has how much yarn calculator and many more knitting tools making knitter's lives more easy.
The tools stay on the website but they are free to use and seem to be accurate.
http://www.thedietdiary.com/knittingfiend/tools/index.html

Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

January 4, 2012                      back to menu
2nd Edition  1st Issue

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

     I am looking forward to tomorrow's (Thursday) meeting.   Thanks to all of you, it is a very pleasant event.

      Did you happen to notice last week the man that was chatting with Sue and myself during the club meeting.  His name is Dennis
and he is a knitter.   I think he would like to join our group, so if he shows up again this week, let's make him feel welcome.
He showed us the scarf he knitted and it was very nice indeed.  He spends time at the Knitterly buying yarn and books and getting
help.  He seemed like a very nice gentleman so I think he would fit right in with the rest of us.

     Last week's meeting was as much fun and enjoyable as all the other meetings.  Even the spilt tea did not spoil things.
I find myself chuckling with delight during the week thinking about things that went on at the meetings.   I am always very eager
to get to the next meeting.  I hope it is all working out for all of you but if there is something I can do to make it better for you, email me.

     Aqus Community has been developing a new website and Tuesday night I was at the Aqus Cafe helping with debugging the software.
That was a lot of fun.  Anyway, I am also working on this website project at home so I don't have much in the way of knitting show and tell but
if you do please bring it in and show it off.  Bring in patterns too, doesn't have to be a finished project.   While working I did manage to spill
my full glass of beer all over the table and people and their things. Gosh what a mess.  Between the two spills, I prefer the tea with honey, lol.

      Ok, Aqus Cafe, 2:00 to 3:30 pm Thurday, which is tomorrow.

     Adding a new online store to the list below.  http://www.ericas.com

     If you read this whole newsletter, and who wouldn't, lol, you will see that  Dorothy Antosca has started her once a month knitting club.
It's the first Monday of every month, 6 to 8 pm, at her home.  Email Dorothy for the address.  She has a cat and a dog and seating is limited.
I find Dorothy a blast to email with but have not met her in person, but, she is charming and anyone that attends her meetings will have a lot of fun.
So if you know someone that needs the meeting to be in the evening let them know about Dorothy.
 
Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

December 28, 2011                           back to menu
1st Edition  6th Issue

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

    The club will again meet this coming Thursday December 29, 2011 from 2 to 3:30 pm at the Aqus Cafe.  I sure missed last week's
meeting but was very glad to have the time to do Christmas stuff.

    I had a great Christmas I hope that all of you  did too.   Got everything that I asked for under the Christmas tree and then some.   Most years we have
the traditional roast prime rib dinner but this year we decided on a lasagna with antipasta salad.   It was great !!!

     I have been busy with crocheting and knitting this holiday.  I will be bringing some show and tell items and I hope you do too if you have any.
I made a sheep tea cozy, a snail tea cozy, I did finish the tea cozy with pine cones and holly.  I made two pairs of those fingerless
gloves pattern that I sent to all members.

     I have been struggling with trying to figure out how a thread crocheted tea cup that I got from Ebay was made and that struggle goes on.  So when I
was looking for possible help in understanding the teacup online I came across a small white swan made from thread crochet.  So I bumped around the
internet until I found a pattern and yep, I made one of those too.   I did messed up the neck and I got the beak a bit too long,
but all in all, in my humble opinion, it looks like a swan.  I will be bringing it to the meeting.

Keep on knitting,
Alice Franceschini
Aqus Community Knit and More Club: Hostess

December 21, 2011                         back to menu
1st Edition  5th Issue

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

     There will be no meeting tomorrow (Thursday) as most of us are too busy with our Christmas plans and shopping.
We will have another meeting the following Thursday at the Aqus Cafe  2 to 3:30 pm.

     Mary Bales has submitted some links that you might find interesting.

My blog.
http://mariasarts.blogspot.com

Knit on two circular needles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RybPvCNfrT8

Sock Knitting class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wSFaGpmVSw&NR=1

    Mary has been a member for a while now but last week's meeting was the first meeting she attended. 

     Again the meeting was a blast and fun filled.   Knitting knowledge and ideas freely floating around, beautiful projects to view.  Members
have nice diverse backgrounds and it's fun learning about some of those backgrounds. 

     We have discussed making infant hats to be donated to places that need to keep infants warm that don't have enough hats.  Another idea was
to knit up some dog sweaters for the small dogs held at the dog pound so it's not so cold for them when they go outside.   We are only chatting
about these ideas so far as a way to give back to the community.

    I did send out a pattern for fingerless gloves a few days ago.  I am unsure of the copy right laws so I didn't send it in this newsletter and I did not
mention who shared the pattern with us.   The idea behind this was to have something easy and fast to knit up that we all did so we could chat about
about it.   I did make my first set of fingerless gloves, it was easy and took me 2 days to complete them.  I would call these a weekend project.
I have been wearing them every day since I made them.    I think they look really cool with a pin or brooch on them.   I am bringing in my set
the next meeting and if you made them, bring in your set too.

    The members that attend the meetings know I have been working on tea cozies.  I have completed two cozies and I will bring them in next meeting.
The cozy with the pine cones and holly turned out well but I can only use it on a  2 cup tea pot, which is ok, but I was making it for a 6 cup pot, lol.
My second tea cozy fits my Martha Stewart teapot just great.   I have in my future plans to make a snail tea cozy.  So while I am waiting for my
yarn for my snail cozy to arrive, I have gone to a thread crochet project.   I bought from Ebay a thread crochet tea cup and saucer.  These are known
as nut cups.   I guess they were very popular to make and use at baby showers and weddings.   I have searched and searched for a pattern for the one
I have and can not find one, so now I am trying to reverse engineer the thing.   I am writing down the instructions and if I can come up with an
acceptable tea cup with saucer I will share the directions with anyone member that wants it.   It may not be exactly like it but close.

     Have a safe, sane and happy holiday season.  See you next meeting December 29, 2011 Aqus Cafe, 2 to 3:30 pm.

Keep on knitting
Alice
Aqud Community Knit and More Hostess.  

December 15, 2011                           back to menu
1st Edition  4th Issue

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

    We had another fine club meeting.  The club mainly focused on knitting this time so we were a more quiet group. 
It was fun to see what members brought in for their show and tell.   I am so pleased how talented members are and this
includes the new knitters !!!! 
    Five members, including myself, attended.  We have more room for other knitters that want to join. 
    From time to time my newsletter gets published in the Aqus Community newsletter so I write directly to members but also
to knitters not yet in the group or to members that could not attend the meeting.  I am sure you have figured this out but I do
like to explain the whys and therefores of my writing.  I am prone to errors.  I just noticed this newletter and last newsletter have the same date.
With some luck I have the right date on this newsletter, lol.  And dang it, this is a day late going out.
    Also, remember, when you have something you would like to share with the group, email me, let's get it in the newsletter.
     Knitterly is having a sale this "Thursday only" on mohair yarn.  Mmm, I love mohair yarn. So if you are needing mohair now is the time to buy.
    During the meetings, books\products are discussed or used and I think I will start to list them in this newsletter.  Since I just thought to do this
I only can recall one book. 

  
BOOKS:
Sheepish  by Catherine Friend
http://www.amazon.com/Sheepish-Women-Fifty-Enough-Planet/dp/0306818442/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323707398&sr=1-1
TEA:
P G Tipps
Avail @ Raleys in the Kmart shopping center, Petaluma, Ca
After the meeting I went out and bought this tea.  Oh my gosh, great tea and cute 3 sided tea bags too.  This is a strong tea so careful how long
you let it brew.  I brew it for 5 minutes, oh my gosh, great tea.
LOTIONS:
Topricin
Avail @ Whole Foods, Petaluma, CA
A topical lotion for pain reduction.  My poor husband has a bit of gout so I got some of this lotion for him.  It did reduce the pain but did not get rid of the pain.
But any pain reduction was a relief to him. 

    Members can ebb and flow.  This means they can show up when they want and not show up.  I do appreciate an email telling your plans but an email is not necessary.  
We will enjoy you when you attend meetings and we will miss you when you can't.
    For members only, if you have something you would like to add to this newsletter, email me.  Things like birthday announcements,  you won an award, you found some
great yarn or sale, whatever.   asf0@comcast.net   (asf zero)

December 15, 2011                           back to menu
1st Edition  3rd Issue

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

    The first two meetings of the club have been just full of  laughter and good will.  Gosh the time just flys by.
We start out as a quiet group but then we get to telling funny stories or events in our lives we get a bit noisy laughing.
And this all happens on coffee and cookies !!!   But you can drink beer if you want.
    For my first meeting I was thinking that no one would show up.   So I had brought in my Color Nook reader to play with.  I do
stay for the full time even if no one shows up.  I also have a deck of cards.  I do this because if someone shows up during the last half hour I want them to
have someone from the club to sit with.   But, to my utter delight, both meetings have had very charming and wonderful people join me.  Meetings
have been a sheer blast and if you like good times you should join us. 
    I do have a sign that I set on the table.  So if you are one of those folks that wants to be sure it's the club members before
you speak, just look for this sign.   I took an 8 x 11 paper, folded it so it will stand up and I have printed on both sides the name
of the club.   Now you will know if you have the right table or not.   I try and make it as comfortable to find us as I can.
If you have ideas, comments, questions, please email me.   asf0@comcast.net (asf zero)
    It's ok to show up without a needlework project too, just to check out the group. 
    I remind you that members can ebb and flow.  This means they can show up when they want and not show up.  I do appreciate
an email telling your plans but an email is not necessary.   We will enjoy you when you attend meetings and we will miss you when you can't.
    For members only, if you have something you would like to add to this newsletter, email me.  Things like birthday announcements or you won an award, whatever.

All genders, all ages, all skill levels, all needlework, all welcome. 

December 8, 2011                   back to menu
1st Edition  2nd Issue

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

         The first two meetings of the club have been just full of  laughter and good will.  Gosh the time just flys by.
We start out as a quiet group but then we get to telling funny stories or events in our lives we get a bit noisy laughing.
And this all happens on coffee and cookies !!!   But you can drink beer if you want.
    For my first meeting I was thinking that no one would show up.   So I had brought in my Color Nook reader to play with.  I do
stay for the full time even if no one shows up.  I also have a deck of cards.  I do this because if someone shows up during the last half hour I want them to
have someone from the club to sit with.   But, to my utter delight, both meetings have had very charming and wonderful people join me.  Meetings
have been a sheer blast and if you like good times you should join us. 
    I do have a sign that I set on the table.  So if you are one of those folks that wants to be sure it's the club members before
you speak, just look for this sign.   I took an 8 x 11 paper, folded it so it will stand up and I have printed on both sides the name
of the club.   Now you will know if you have the right table or not.   I try and make it as comfortable to find us as I can.
If you have ideas, comments, questions, please email me.   asf0@comcast.net (asf zero)
    It's ok to show up without a needlework project too, just to check out the group. 
    I remind you that members can ebb and flow.  This means they can show up when they want and not show up.  I do appreciate
an email telling your plans but an email is not necessary.   We will enjoy you when you attend meetings and we will miss you when you can't.
    If you have something you would like to add to this newsletter, email me.  Things like birthday announcements or you won an award, whatever.

    Club meets Thursday afternoon, 2 to 3:30 at the Aqus Cafe.  Love you to join us.

    Hey bring in finished projects for a show and tell.  I am bringing in a bunch of knitted items.


All genders, all ages, all skill levels, all needlework, all welcome. 

December 1, 2011                     back to menu
1st Edition  1st Issue

Hello Aqus Community Knit and More members,

    Welcome to the first edition of the club's newsletter.  Please email me about
great yarns you have found, or a website, a new tool, an upcoming event, a needlework
class, why you like or dislike something. Birthday announcements are always fun. This
newsletter is pretty wide open so email me if you want to get something in the newsletter.

    This newsletter will be set up in 3 parts.  We have this information front end.  This
will tell you of any club changes.  Perhaps a small report on how the last meeting went.
(The first meeting was great.)  The meeting coming up on December 1 will be the second meeting.
I know some of you will not attend the second meeting due to other obligations or fun in your
lives.  And that is ok, you will attend when you can.  I want the meetings to be ebb and flow
with members.  Show up when you can and we will miss you when you can't.  I am a hostess
so I will be there unless this newsletter says I won't be.  And it's still ok for other members
to show up without me, just pick out a temporary hostess and you are good to go.  You need a
hostess before you can have a meeting. Someone has to be in charge, lol.

      The second part will be a listing of all knitting groups.  I have three listed now but I am
hoping I can add more groups soon.   All interested in hosting their own group, please email me.

    The third part will be a listing of websites and stores that sell needlework items.  If you
know of a great place, email me and I will add it to the list.
   
    This newsletter currently will not accept paid advertisements, but I am more than happy to tell
of needlework sales or events for stores that are coming up as a news item.  Again, email me.

    This is a free club to join.  Sign up for the newsletter and you're a member. You do not have
to sign up for the newsletter to join but you won't have the latest news.  I am the hostess to the
Thursday club and we meet at the Aqus Cafe 2:00 TO 3:30 PM.  If you want to drink or snack
you need money for that.  Bring in projects to show off.  We are not a teaching club but beginners
are welcome, just bring in knitting needles and some yarn.  I am sure more advanced knitters will be
glad to help you out.  Don't like knitting ? - no problem !! 
Bring in  any needlework, like crochet, tatting, bobbin lace, spinning, loom weaving, ribbon work,
quilting or what have you. That is the "more" part of the club's name.  Knit and More Club.

All genders, all ages, all skill levels, all needlework, all welcome.