Convoluted Christmas Carols – French Knot Style

T’was the week before Christmas, and all through the store,
All were feverishly knitting, to finish one project more.
All the stockings were gone to be filled with good things,
Like candy and toys, and maybe some rings.

The stitchers have sent off their things to be sewn,
Into things of such beauty that’s rarely been known,
And although it’s been promised, if they made the deadline,
They can’t help but worry, will it be back in time?

Now Christmas, we know is a time of good cheer,
And we’re grateful for the fun that you bring us all year,
We plan to continue to urge and inspire,
And to help to keep burning that creative fire.

So please keep your headlights pointed to The French Knot,
And stop in to stay a short time, or a lot,
It’s a magical place, let us toot our own horn,
So special in fact, we have a pet unicorn.

It’s time now to bring this crazy rhyme to a close,
And to wish for you all that your happiness grows,
To close out this post, you know I must write,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

 

 

Finished Objects…

 

I’m All Topsy-Turvy

If I start the blog with Finished Objects, will you read the rest?

 

We have new bling.  Aren’t they cute?

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A few announcements.

Classes! Classes! Classes!

This Saturday is the Counted Thread Ornament.  Cost is $25 plus materials.  There is lots of room for personalization on these ornaments.

Coming in the new year will be more Counted Thread classes, more socks, a hat on two circular needles, a reversible cable scarf and a children’s top-down sweater and drop spindle spinning.  Be watching!

 

Special Holiday Hours…

We will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

 

Convoluted Christmas Carols — French Knot Style

The Twelve Days of Christmas

 

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree

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On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Two Hand-woven baskets,

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And some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree

 

 

 

 

 

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Three Shawl Pins,

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Two Hand-woven baskets,

And some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree!

 

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Four Pretty Yarn Bowls,

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Three Shawl Pins,
Two Hand-woven baskets,
And some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree

 

 

 

 

 

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Five Needle Blings,

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Four Pretty Yarn Bowls,
Three Shawl Pins,
Two Hand-woven baskets,
And some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree

 

 

 

 

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Six Spindles Spinning,

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Five Needle Blings,
Four Pretty Yarn Bowls,
Three Shawl Pins,
Two Hand-woven baskets,
And some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree

 

 

 

 

 

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Seven Spools of Krienik,

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Six Spindles Spinning,
Five Needle Blings,
Four Pretty Yarn Bowls,
Three Shawl Pins,
Two Hand-woven baskets,
And some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree

 

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Eight Skeins of Scrumptious,

DSCF4790Seven Spools of Krienik,
Six Spindles Spinning,
Five Needle Blings,
Four Pretty Yarn Bowls,
Three Shawl Pins,
Two Hand-woven baskets,
And some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree

 

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Nine Mini-stuffers,

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Eight Skeins of Scrumptious,
Seven Spools of Krienik,
Six Spindles Spinning,
Five Needle Blings,
Four Pretty Yarn Bowls,
Three Shawl Pins,
Two Hand-woven baskets,
And some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree

 

 

 

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Ten Christmas Stockings,

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Nine Mini-stuffers,
Eight Skeins of Scrumptious,
Seven Spools of Krienik,
Six Spindles Spinning,
Five Needle Blings,
Four Pretty Yarn Bowls,
Three Shawl Pins,
Two Hand-woven baskets,
And some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree

 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Eleven Stitchers Stitching,

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Ten Christmas Stockings,
Nine Mini-stuffers,
Eight Skeins of Scrumptious,
Seven Spools of Krienik,
Six Spindles Spinning,
Five Needle Blings,
Four Pretty Yarn Bowls,
Three Shawl Pins,
Two Hand-woven baskets,
And some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree

 

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,

Twelve Knitters Knitting,

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Eleven Stitchers Stitching,
Ten Christmas Stockings,
Nine Mini-stuffers,
Eight Skeins of Scrumptious,
Seven Spools of Krienik,
Six Spindles Spinning,
Five Needle Blings,
Four Pretty Yarn Bowls,
Three Shawl Pins,
Two Hand-woven baskets,
And some Pediboo sock yarn by Frog Tree

 

Finished Objects…

We received a big box of finishing today.  Maybe yours is in here.

 

This ‘n That

Next week is Thanksgiving
(but you already knew that)!!!

And there are 33 days till Christmas!!

 

And on that note… we will close at 1 pm next Wednesday

Speaking of Christmas…

We will make a note of your stitching/knitting wish list to help your loved ones shop more effectively for your Christmas gifts.  Stop by and fill out a card.

And…

Georgie's Santa

Yay!!! Look who is back from the finishers.  Georgie says he will stay in the shop through next Wednesday, then he goes home for Christmas.  She will bring him back after Christmas if we promise to not pet him while he resides here.

Here are a couple detail shots…

Georgie's Santa  Georgie's Santa

Two classes in December

December 7… Setting Up A Project in knitCompanion… $25

If you have an iPad, you need knitCompanion.  It is an amazing app that can do so much.  To help you realize some of it’s potential, we will help you get started.

December 14… Counted Thread Ornament… $25

This will be a recurring class.  The first class features the class on the right.

 

We need your help…

It seems we have lost one of the phones.  Maybe it fell in your bag while you were here and now you are wondering where that phone came from… now you know.  If you’re the lucky one who found it, we’d love to have it back.

 

Finished Objects…

 

 

This one gets a special place in our Finished Objects section.  Meg’s adorable twin grandsons stopped by last week just as Georgie’s granddaughter’s chair was ready to be photographed.  Enjoy a cuteness overload!

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Just Another Glorious Day at The French Knot!

A Friendly Holiday PSA:
13 Days till Thanksgiving
40 Days till Christmas

Wish List

Do your loved ones need help knowing what to get you for Christmas?  We can help.  You can leave a list of all the wonderful knitting and needlepoint related gifts you would like to receive here with us and when they come in, we will help them shop for you.

 

A Week of Caps

Congratulations to Kenyetta Pope who correctly guessed that would knit 21 chemo caps last week.  She gets 20% her next purchase!  Just in time for Christmas!

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Classes

Setting Up A Project in knitCompanion… December 7… $20
This is a repeat of the previous knitCompanion class.  If you are a knitter and have an iPad, you need knitCompanion.  It will change your life.

Counted Thread Ornament

We will be doing a series of Counted Thread Ornament classes.  The first one is on December 14 and features the ornament on the far right below … cost is $20 plus materials.

 

 

Call or stop by the shop to sign up.

We’ve been thinking about classes in the new year.  Some of our ideas are:

More Counted Thread Ornaments
Another Beginner Sock Class
Design your own sock
Lace
Cowls
Top down sweaters (adult or child)

What classes would you like to see?  Leave your ideas in the comments.

 

Finished Objects

 

News From The Knot!

PSA
47 days till Christmas
20 days till Thanksgiving.

Now back to our regularly scheduled update.

 

Christmas Wish List.

Since Christmas is coming and we all know you want your friends and family to buy you knitting and needlepointing stuff, we thought you might like to make a wish list to leave here at the shop (thanks, Deidre).  Then your loved ones can come in and check with us regarding your perfect gift.   Of course, if your out of town, you can peruse the canvases here on the website to make your wish list.

 

Upcoming Classes.

This weekend!!!  Cabled Fingerless Gloves…  November 9… $20 plus materials

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Axel Mitts by Leona and Deanne

The pattern we plan to use, is Axel Mitts by Sarah Pope.  These are knit with a bulky yarn, so they will go fast.  You could knit them for a Christmas gift.

Bargello Minisock…  November 16… $20 plus materials.  You pick your colors.

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Setting Up A Project in knitCompanion… December 7… $20
This is a repeat of the previous knitCompanion class.  If you are a knitter and have an iPad, you need knitCompanion.  It will change your life.

Counted Thread Ornament

We will be doing a series of Counted Thread Ornament classes.  The first one is on December 14 and features the ornament on the far right below … cost is $20 plus materials.

Call or stop by the shop to sign up.

 

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Chemo Cap Contest

You may have heard that Leona is knitting only Chemo Caps this week.  She started on Monday (November 4) and will continue through next Monday (November 11).  If you can guess how many caps she will finish in that time, you will win a 20% discount on your next purchase.  So far the guesses range from 11 to 42.  Some people have very high expectations.  All are welcome to join her in knitting up some caps to donate.  Drop them off here and we will deliver them.

 

Madelinetosh Has Arrived!

We are very excited to announce that we now carry Madelinetosh.  This is lush yarn dyed in the most beautiful colors.  We have Pashmina, Tosh dk, Tosh sock, and Tosh lace.

Yay! Madelinetosh!
Yay! Madelinetosh!

 

New Yarn Bowls

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Needles and Notions

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We’ve restocked needles, we have Addi Rockets, Hiya Hiya Sharps, bamboo circulars and Nova interchangeables.  Also restocked are the Puppy Snips and stitch markers.

 

KNA  Group Therapy Sessions

Tuesday nights till 8 pm and Wednesdays all day.

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Finished Objects

Click on image to enlarge.

Happy Halloween!

We hope your Halloween is scary good fun!

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Geogie’s all dressed up for Halloween.

 

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Some Knotty Knitters dressed for a party Tuesday night.

 

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Deidre came as Leona’s worst nightmare. A clown monkey riding a unicorn. Leona knows how to deal with her fears!

 

 

Classes

We have scheduled some classes for the next two months.

Cabled Fingerless Gloves…  November 9… $20 plus materials

Here is a link to the pattern we plan to use.  Axel Mitts by Sarah Pope.  These are knit with a bulky yarn, so they will go fast.  You could knit them for a Christmas gift.

Bargello Minisock…  November 16… $20 plus materials.  You pick your colors.

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Setting Up A Project in knitCompanion… December 7… $20
this is a repeat of the previous knitCompanion class.  If you are a knitter and have an iPad, you need knitCompanion.  It will change your life.

Counted Thread Ornament

We will be doing a series of Counted Thread Ornament classes.  The first one is on December 14 and features the ornament on the far right below … cost is $20 plus materials.

Call or stop by the shop to sign up.

 

Remember the Cowl KAL we talked about last week?  We’ve had a few people join in.  It’s not too late to start yours.  Another great Christmas gift idea.

Here is Leona’s finished sample.

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And here are a few more cowls to whet your appetite…

 

Who’s ready for some finished objects?

click on the thumbnail to see the full image

Are you ready for Halloween?

We are…

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This lovely group of stitchers (and a few more who didn’t have such cute head-wear) were here Wednesday to stitch with friends.  You are welcome to join us as well.  Wednesdays all day, and Tuesday nights are the organized get together times, but as you know, we are happy to host and/or help any time.  Some folks have even been known to organize an impromptu get together.

 

Christmas is only 61 days away…

Now I know that lots of folks get upset that Halloween and Thanksgiving get drowned out by Christmas, but… as crafters, we know that we have to plan ahead for Christmas gifts.  So to help you jump start your Christmas knitting we are sponsoring a Cowl KAL (that’s Knit-A-Long).  The pattern is Black Forest by Nancy TottenWe will be using Ranco sock yarn.  Yarn and pattern will be $21.  You can knit this as a Christmas gift or give the kit to your favorite knitter.  Bang!! One gift done!!

While you are thinking about Christmas knitting remember our Chemo Cap Club.  Bring them in and drop them off (we’ll deliver them to Memorial Hospital).  Knit ten Chemo caps and receive 20% off your next purchase after the tenth cap.

 

Ranco

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Of course, we can’t leave the needlepointers in your life out of all of this Holiday Spirit.  What do you give to the stitcher in your life?  Well how about a book of stitches and some happy needle bling?  We have lots of books.  Here is a small sampling.

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Now for the New Stuff

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A Couple New Santas.
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Finishing Ideas For The Above Santas

 

Director's Chair

Director's Chair
Director’s Chair

 

 

Hurry in for one of these baskets.  They won’t last long.  Aren’t they cute?

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How About Some Finished Objects?

 

A Short Update For You

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the October 10, 2013 edition of News From The Knot.  Today you will see a few new Halloween canvases, a knit sample of the new yarn I showed you last week, a few reminders of things you may have forgotten (or maybe you never knew), and of course finished objects.  So let’s get started, shall we.

 

First up… new stuff.

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Which reminds me…

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How cute would a Halloween tree decorated with candy corn ornaments be?  These are small.  You could finish these really fast.

That’s not the only new stuff to show you…

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Which reminds me…

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We have a lot of needle and scissor bling.  The needle bling is a super strong magnet that you can attach to your canvas.  Your needle rests there when you are not using it, so you won’t lose it.  The scissor bling attaches to your scissors, making them easy to find.   There is something for everyone.  We have alligators, ladybugs, crowns, bees, snails, flowers, bunnies, Hello Kitty, fish, frogs, roosters, pigs, dogs, pineapples, elephants, flamingos, teapots, turtles, owls, pumpkins, stars, polar bears, a mouse and a martini glass.  Some people have been known to wear the needle bling as jewelry.  And others have used the scissor bling as a key ring.

 

A sample…

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Which reminds me… remember this new yarn from last week?

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It’s called Funky Felts and is 100% polyester.  That means it will be a breeze to care for.  The gauge for this yarn is 11 stitches and 13 rows for four inches on US17 needles.  That means it knits up really fast.  It is incredibly soft and we also have some patterns designed specifically for it.  That hat knit up in a few hours and is super squishy soft.

 

Sock Class

— Session One — This Saturday, October 12, 10 am.  Come join us.  The second session is October 26, and the cost is $40 (plus supplies) for both sessions.  In the first session we will cast on, work the cuff and leg.  In the second session we will cover how to do the heel and the foot.

 

Did you know…

… our canvases are on our website.  You can see them by letting your mouse hover over “Needlepoint” above, then click on “Canvases.”  There you can browse canvases to your heart’s content.  Or you can just click here.  Happy Browsing!

… we give free lessons for both knitting and needlepoint.

… Knit Night on Tuesday nights and Stitch ‘n Bitch all day Wednesdays.

… finishing deadline for small ornaments and small stand-ups in time for this Christmas is October 23.  That’s less than two weeks.

 

 And now for some finished objects…

 

 

 

 

Eighty-two Days Till Christmas

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Meg’s Stand-up Santas

 

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Deanne’s easel-backed Santa

Just a friendly reminder that you might want to get that Christmas knitting started.  You still have a few weeks to finish up your needlepoint ornaments (October 23 is the deadline for small ornaments and stand-ups).  Unfortunately, you’ve missed the deadline for stockings and larger items.

 

Now back to our regularly scheduled blog update.

 

New Needlepoint Books

Look at these new stitch books.  They are chock full of great ideas.

New Needlepoint Books

 

New Yarn

We had some new yarn arrive this week and along with the yarn came some really cute patterns.  This yarn is super soft and it’s bulky, so whatever you knit with it will go quick.

 

 

Come Stitch With Us

I know I’ve told you many times before, but it’s worth repeating.  Tuesdays and Wednesdays are Fundays… On Tuesdays the shop is open until 8 pm and it becomes a favorite hangout for knitters (needlepointers are never excluded, though).  If you come on a Tuesday night, you will discover others who share your love of knitting.  You will also find admiration for your work, encouragement to stretch yourself to new levels of accomplishment and inspiration to try those ability stretching projects.

On Wednesdays you will primarily find needlepointers (although just like on Tuesdays, all are welcome).  You can get help, be encouraged, see how others are stitching their projects and chatter with those who share your love of needlepoint.

Although Saturdays have never officially been designated a specific gathering time, you will often find several folks enjoying each other’s company while stitching or knitting then as well.

Sock Class Coming Up

October 12 & 26 will be our sock class(es).  It is actually one class in two sessions.  The first session will be cuff and leg.  Session two will cover the heel and foot.  Cost is $40 plus supplies.  Call (228-255-3100) or email (info@frknot.com) us to sign up.

Speaking of classes, here is Suzanne’s needle felting from the last class.  Aren’t they cute?

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Finished Objects

We got lots of ornaments back from the finisher this week.  Enjoy.

 

And last but not least…

An October Recipe.

Pumpkin Roll

3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup mashed, cooked pumpkin
1 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup chopped pecans
powdered sugar
1 8-oz pkg. softened cream cheese
1/3 cup softened margarine or butter
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Grease and flour 15x10x1″ jelly roll pan, set aside.  Beat eggs in large bowl till thick.  Gradually add sugar and beat 5 minutes.  Stir in pumpkin and lemon juice. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients.  Stir into pumpkin mixture.  Spread evenly in pan and sprinkle with pecans.  Press into batter and bake at 375 for 12-15 min.

Sift powdered sugar in rectangle on dish towel.  When done, loosen cake and turn onto towel.  Roll cake and towel together.  Cool completely, seam side down.

Beat cream cheese and butter.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla.  Unroll cake, spread with cream cheese mixture and reroll.  Place on plate seam side down.