Thursday, October 15, 2009

November 2nd! Snack 'n'Stitch with Faythe Levine!

Things have been a little busy here in knitty-land lately, and I have fallen behind with the posts, but what I DO what you all to know is that the Women's Center has done it again, and have come up with yet another fun and exciting thing to do!

The WRC is sponsoring a Snack 'n' Stitch with Faythe Levine!

Lunch and Learn to embroider with Faythe Levine, author and Filmmaker of Handmade Nation: The Rise of D.I.Y. Art, Craft, and Design.

Material and patterns provided, or bring something of your own to stitch on!

Delicious and FREE Thai Basil Lunch and materials provided by the Women's Resource Center!

The Women's Resource Center
MONDAY, November 2nd, 12-1pm.
703 S. Wright St., 2nd Floor of the Freestar bank, entrance on east side of building.

(this is the flyer!)



I was not able to attend last Sunday's S'n'B, but looking at the weather forecast for this weekend, I am planning on trying to snag the sofa and chairs back by the Fireplace for this Sunday's meeting!  Hope to see you there!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Knit Happened! And it ROCKED!

I just want to start out by saying “WOW!” and “Thank You!”   First for the "WOW" -- we had about 15 people come in last night to Knit Happens!  Unfortunately a good number of them escaped before I broke out my camera.  It was a perfect mix of newbie, and well seasoned knitters, and I think that everyone left happy, and somewhat addicted!  Thank you, happy shiny, fun to be with knitters!  It is not easy to come to a new place, and be around new people and confess that you just don’t know where to start and don’t know what to do!


 Aren't they cute?
And look how happy knitting made them!  I think they are hooked! :-)

 
We even had two men come in to learn!  Kyle and Matt were such good sports, and Brittany was so helpful guiding them along.  I am hoping that they all come back to the next meeting to show us their progress!



 We even had a spinner!  YEY!   FYI, she is spinning up some New Zealand roving -- I might just have to take my spindle next time!





Thank you to the seasoned knitters who came to hang out, help, chat, and make new friends!



Here are Kathleen, Christy, and Rachel showing off their yarny afterglow grins!  Rachel did not get alot of down time to knit because she was so busy making sure that we were all comfortable, and well fed (thank you so much for the snacks!).

And last, but not least, THANK YOU again, to Rachel for finding us, and giving us a place at the Women’s Center, to bring this all together to make it all possible!

Knit Happens! will take place twice monthly at;
The Women's Resource Center
703 S. Wright St.
Corner of Wright and Green
2nd Floor, Freestar Bank

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Calling all knitters! Calling all knitters!

C-U S’n’B welcomes: El Stitch y Bitch!

In less than 1 week on September 11, the first Pecha Kucha Night (PKN) Champaign-Urbana will host 13 presenters from Pilsen Chicago’s very own, El Stitch y Bitch.

About El Stitch y Bitch: (the following was totally excerpted from S y B blog site)

El Stitch y Bitch is a culturally diverse group of knitters/crocheters. We gather in Pilsen to share stories, share new techniques and let the good times roll. At the moment we are comprised of four consistent members: Hoa is our graphic designer/expert knitter (Hoa we bow down to thee), Bibi is our mathematician/equally great knitter, Stephanie is the fabulous freelance journalist and cat lover, and Thelma, our photographer and thrift store junkie. Newcomers, including beginners are always welcome! For more information email us directly at stitchy.bitch@yahoo.com (Pilsen, watch out, our knitted graffiti is coming soon!)


“El Stitch y Bitch will be at Champaign-Urbana's first ever Pecha Kucha Night. The topic of their presentation will be knitting in communities ...”

What's Pecha Kucha you ask? It's an evening of rapid-fire presentations where creative people talk about creative things, focusing on passion, not portfolio.

Each presenter shows 20 slides for 20 seconds, totaling 6 minutes and 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. They are bringing their traveling knitted piƱata and it will be at Indi Go Artists Co-Op in downtown Champaign at the after party. They have been told about us (C-U S’n’B) and I have been told that they would love to meet us!

Please come support El Stitch y Bitch at PKN C-U Vol. 1! :)

Click here for the scoop, including the line up for Vol. 1. Oh, and please share this info with your friends. You won't want to miss it!



September 11, 2009:

Canopy Club, 708 S Goodwin Ave #1, Urbana, IL 61801
Doors open, 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. Ages 18+
$7 ($5 in advance), free for CUDO members!
Advance ticket purchase recommended. CUDO members bring photo ID to event.
Charge by phone at (217) 367-3140 or online at www.canopyclub.com
Devised and shared by Klein Dytham architecture
Hosted by CUDO, your friendly neighborhood design org
Sponsored by Unisource

Monday, August 31, 2009

I haz recap ...

I am going to try to be much better about updating the S’n’B page after each meeting. With the last entry being in June, I better snap to it! Since I seem to have forgotten where the summer went, and I can only seem to dredge up the memories from 2 weeks ago, this is ALL I have.

2 weeks ago, I was suffering end-of-the-summer blahs. I sent out an S'n'B distress call. Amy, heeding my inspiration-less whines, promptly came to my air, wielding some very tempting visual treats. She brought Crazy Zauberball in scrumptious autumn colors of green and brown. Let me say I am surprised that she did not slap my had away from this beautiful yarn, as I kept wanting cuddle it, like a sweet little kitteh. Amy was also knitting up some gorgeous charade socks using some scrumptious Blue Moon Fiber arts, in algae. Perhaps she will Rav Pic some of her projects so we can all have a look see? Hint? Hint?

After lamenting on the local craziness on how the weather is reported here in Flatlandia, and getting a bunch of CRAP swept into us by the bionic-floor-sweeping-employee (People! There were PENNIES hurtling through he air at super sonic speed!) we convened.

This past Friday, Kathleen came with her twisty tea cozy... i had forgotten how I loved that little pattern, and the plans that I had some up with for it! Thank you Kathleen for reminding me!

Rachael came armed with stories about her trip to Ireland, and always, she had on her person some gorgeous yarns. She too came with a gorgeous book, “Intertwined” by Lexi Boeger laden with cool spinning techniques.

We think that Klose Knit might have a copy in the shop for folks to look upon.

Unfortunately, some point through the meeting, the planets suddenly shifted position, and both Kathleen and I ended up ripping back all (Kathleen) or part (me) of the projects we were working on. Rachael almost escaped unscathed, but alas, she did make a mistake on her lace scarf, BUT, we all determined that no-one would notice, so she bravely slogged on.

After writing the above section , I will make it my duty to now on bring a camera to the meetings. These things are always more exciting with pictures.

This knitting news this week is this ...

The Fam and I went to Cafe Copi this past weekend, and I noticed that Circles has moved. Now, one of our LONG TIME S’n’B’ers, (I will call her YW) part of The OLD Knitting Crowed, alerted us to this early lat spring, but I was not sure if I was allowed to mention it AS IT WAS STILL only rumor at that time, and I would love/hate for her to get spanked by her hairdresser for spilling the beans too early. ANYHOOOO, I notices that circles has moved. So I goes in to Copi and I orders and I asks Mister Copi Man if Copi is going to spread over in to what was Circles -- and he sez “yes”, but HOLD ON wait a minute, HOLD ON TO YOUR BALLS (of yarn that is), he said that it will take a while, but yes, they will be expanding in to there. I got all sorts of excited, and suggested some big comfy couches and chairs if possible, and the lure of “lotsa interested knitters....”. If they get it done before Christmas, I will be sure to take it as a sign that it was the mere mentioning of “if you build it, the knitters will come” that made him/them do it! :-)


last by not least, a member of a yarnie group in Maryland Rav-mailed me about the following ...

“We are an knitting group that meets at Panera down here in Maryland. The manager is getting transferred to a Panera in Illinois, and he thought it was your location. His name is Greg and he’s really sweet. His wife and kids are up there now, last night we gave him a sendoff. If he does start at your store, give him a nice warm welcome for us! Thanks!”

We will have to keep our eyes open for him at Panera, and give him a big ol' yarnie welcome!

Any more new crap, and local fiber-y gossip can me submitted to me via my Rav mail, or the private e-mail address.

Happy Knitting!
Hope to see you next week!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

New Knitting Place!

Hello Knitters!

It's been a while since I last updated this blog because we've been pretty status quo with Espresso Royale. But as of last week, we have changed spots! Here is all the information:

Panera Bread
1765 W Kirby Ave
Champaign, IL
(217) 355-9885

5:30p - 8pm

As usual, people tend to trickle between 5:30p-6:30p. It is very informal, people come and go as they please, and most often we stick around until 9pm! :-)

If you are a new participant and have any questions, please feel free to write me at chambana.snb@gmail.com or my personal email at sillybluefrog@yahoo.com. It would be great if you can email and let me know you are coming for the first time so we can be on the lookout for you!

See you guys tomorrow!

Sonia

Monday, April 13, 2009

SnB April 17, 2009

Hello knitters!

As many of you know, we've been trying different places each week for the past couple of months. We're thinking of extending the time per place now that we have a good idea of most of the locations that have been suggested. So, until further notice, we'll be meeting at the following place:

Espresso Royale
1117 W. Oregon St.
Urbana, Illinois 61801
217.337.6160

We're thinking anywhere from 4-5 weeks per spot, and of course the floor is open for suggestions to try out new places that you think might promote a great SnB environment!

Hope to see you there!

Monday, April 6, 2009

SnB April 10, 2009

Hello Knitters!

Well, we tried some Indian food at Zyggyz last week, and decided cupcakes are in order for next week! Here's the information for the next meeting:

Cakes On Walnut
114 N. Walnut St.
Champaign, IL 61820

They also have a Facebook Fan Page, check it out!

Hope to see you there!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

SnB April 3, 2009

Hello Ladies!

For the next SnB, we're adding an Eastern flair by trying out a fairly new Indian fast food joint!

Here's the info:

Friday, April 3, 2009 @ 5:30pm

Zyggyz
410 E. Green St.
Champaign, IL 61820

http://www.zyggyz.com

This place isn't located right on the street like a lot of the other places on Green St., it is in like a little alcove. Look for the Pizza Hut on Green (Green and 4th I believe), and it is directly across the street from it. Look for green awnings with 'Zyggyz' written on it. The closest parking I can seem to find is usually behind "LaBamba" restaurant on 6th and Springfield, unless you're lucky enough to find metered parking that's closer!!

A quick reminder for those of you interested, Knitting Circle is tomorrow (3/30/09)! More information can be found in the post I put up before the last one (hope that didn't confuse you! :-))

Hope to see you at both!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

SnB - 2/27/09

Hello everyone!

We had a great time at Caffe Paradiso, but decided it might not be the best knitting and chatting environment! So on to yet another new location! Here's the info:

Friday, March 27, 2009 @ 5:30pm

Aroma Cafe

118 N. Neil St.
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 356-3200

www.aroma-cafe.com

Hope to see you there!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Knitting Circle

Hello fellow knitters!

It is time for Knitting Circle again! I talked about it 3-4 posts ago, and there is going to be another Knitting Circle on March 30 (please note that it is the Monday after next!). The venue is as follows:

Morning Cup and More
202 Race St.
Urbana, IL
6:30p - 8p

Brigitte Pieke, the owner of Klose Knit in Urbana, is again hosting this event! It is as informal and very relaxed. Everyone is welcome to join!

Monday, March 16, 2009

March 20 @ 5:30pm

Hello ladies,

We had a nice cozy corner at Espresso Royale, and it was fun to see more new people! This week we are trying out yet another new place. Here is the info:

Caffe Paradiso
801 S. Lincoln Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
(217)384-6066

As usual, it's on Friday at 5:30pm! See you there!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

March 13, 2009 SnB

Hello Ladies!!

Now that we've cleared the "Unofficial St. Patrick's Day" hurdle, we are free to meet near campus this coming week! Here is the information for the next meeting:

Espresso Royale
1117 W. Oregon St.
Urbana, Illinois 61801
217.337.6160

5:30pm as usual!

See you guys there!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

March 6, 2009 SnB

Hi Everybody!

The information for our next meeting is as follows:

Friday, March 6, 2009 @ 5:30pm
Panera Bread
1765 W Kirby Ave
Champaign, IL
(217) 355-9885

We are going back to Panera’s for the next meeting. It is the general consensus that it might be too rowdy/crazy to go anywhere near campus because next Friday is Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day! (Btw, we had 3 new people! Yeh!) Hope we see more new faces next week...

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Knitting Circle

This past Monday, some of us SnBers' attended the "Knitting Circle." Here is the blip I put up afterwards:

Hey guys, tonight was the Klose Knit Knitting Circle (listed under related events). It was great! We had three fellow SnBers', and 4 new faces! One of them was the owner of Morning Cup and More, one was the host, the third lady was a friend of the host's and the fourth was completely new to the whole arena! She may be showing up for SnB in the near future! Anyways, it was a lot of fun. We had snacks, drinks, and discussed projects, personal knitting-related stories (cats getting into and re-configuring yarn!), shared anecdotes (dying yarn with mouthwash after an accidental spill), etc.! Remember that this is a monthly meeting and details for the next one will be posted here in about 2 weeks!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Hello Knitters!

Welcome to the new SnB page for the Champaign-Urbana area! I'm very excited to announce that we've revamped SnB in this area, and will be heavily publicizing in the next couple of weeks. We now meet every Friday @ 5:30pm to whenever, and have the option of attending the Drunken Knit Night event once a month at a local bar. This blog will serve as a place for information, comments, suggestions, and sharing projects/ideas! Please feel free to join us and put in your two cents!

We also have pages on Facebook and Ravelry!

Our next meeting is on Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 @ 5:30pm. We'll be at Panera's on Kirby Ave. (1765 W. Kirby, Champaign).