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March 24, 2008

KNITTING LACE & HIGH TEA @HKC

Lisa_dahelin_at_hkc_tea_event06_2KNITTING LACE WORKSHOP-pt.II with Lisa Daehlin

&

HKC’s HIGH TEA PARTY! 

Date: Saturday, March 29th, 2008

TIME: 11:00am UNTIL 4:00pm

Place: The Harlem Knitting Circle/The George Bruce Branch Library

Admission: Bring A Dish!

PLEASE COME DRESSED FOR HIGH TEA!Angelique_and_njoya_at_hkc_tea_ev_2 

(There is a private bathroom for changing!)

PLEASE RSVP AT HKC125thSt@aol.com or lisdaehlin@yahoo.com

special occasion hats





Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on

RAIN & TEA! YES..., IT'S STILL ON!

  Green_knitted_hat_and_me_knitting SO FAR THE WEATHERMAN SAYS IT'S GOING TO RAIN THIS COMING SATURDAY-3/29 DURING OUR "KNITTING LACE & HIGH TEA" @THE HARLEM KNITTING CIRCLE!  UGH! 

OKAY..., THERE WAS A SNOWSTORM WHEN HKC FIRST OPENED, AND IT'S RAINED DURING EVERY EVENT WE'VE HAD..., BUT MAYBE THAT'S A GOOD THING!  Barbara_pouring_tea_and_knitting_teRAIN IS A CLEANSER...., TEA CALMS THE SPIRIT..., AND KNITTINGAngelique_and_njoya_at_hkc_tea_even WILL JOIN US TOGETHER WITH LAUGHTER, GOOD FOOD, AND GOOD SPIRITS! 

LISA DAEHLINLisa_dahelin_at_hkc_tea_event06 AND NJOYA ANGRUM WILL SEE YOU SATURDAY-3/29!

March 21, 2008

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE INVOLVED IN SETTING UP FOR THE APRIL 2008 CROCHET CORAL REEF EXHIBIT?

Crochet_coral_reefs1Basketing Set-Up for the Crochet Coral Reef Exhibit!

Regina_holding_coralDay(s): Saturday & Sunday-March 29th &30th!

Time:(Saturday,3/29)HKC WILL BE LEAVING FROM THE LIBRARY TO THE SET-UP DOWNTOWN AT 12:0OPM SHARP!  HKC WILL BE AT THE CORAL SET-UP FROM 1PM UNTIL 6PM! 

Time:(Sunday, 3/30)HKC will be meeting between11:00 am and 11:45am inside the Duncan Donuts on 125th St. & Amsterdam Ave and leaving sharply at 12pm.  HKC WILL BE AT THE CROCHET CORAL SET-UP FROM 1PM UNTIL 6PM SHARP!

Addmission: ANYONE INTERESTED!

Note: There will be no Knitting or crochet!  This is strictly set up! Volunteers will be covering the baskets in felt and then pinning the pieces of the reef onto baskets.Carols_coral_reef 

CORAL REEFS SUBMITTED FOR APRIL 2008 EXHIBIT WILL NOT BE RETURNED!

Address: 285 Mercer Street, 9th floor, New York, NY 10003

Take the 6-Train to Astor Place, or the A/C/E/F/B/D train stop at West 4th Street (corner of West 4th St. & 6th Avenue).  Buzz the 9th floor and someone will let them in.

If you'd like to arrive with the HKC   please sign up with Ms. Zina  at the George Bruce Branch Library on Saturday, March 22nd or RSVP at HKC125THST@AOL.COM Hkc_member_working_on_cr_project2

March 18, 2008

Sat, March 22>/Open Knit/Crochet @ HKC

Come work on your assignments from theKnitpinklaceshrug50kjpg  Knitting Lace Workshop & The Crochet Coral Reef Project together at HKC at The George Bruce Branch Library-518 West. 125th St.(btw Amsterdam Ave. & Broadway) from 11am until 2pm.Aniqua_finishing_her_coral_she_just  It's just "Open Knit/Crochet", but please RSVP at HKC125thSt@aol.com!  We have a capacity limit of 65 and we spilled over into the room upstairs(and that room is for the children and not really available).  Again there will be sharing of skills, methods, smiles, and laughter, but no formal teaching this Saturday!  Yeah! I finally get to sit and knit!Njoya_knitting_in_the_green  Please bring a food donation,(healthy food ladies!)

March 17, 2008

Saturday, March 29th>Spring High Tea & Lace Clinic!

IsadaehlinknittinglaceinthegrottoofLadies & Gentleman! (Yes..., we had some testosterone at the Knitting Lace Workshop..., and that gentleman had skillz!) The workshop was wonderful and the house was packed!  The shapes, sizes, hues, and ages were as varied as the levels of skills!  I loved it!  Lisa is dynamic!  She gave of herself and answered everything put to her!  Her spirit is boundless!  HKC loves you Lisa D! The ladies offered suggestions, asked a multitude of questions, and shared techniques and experinces!  I learned a lot and I know there so much more to come! I am working on getting a "Knitty Cam" and microphone for the session on 3/29..., anyone who wants to help with the filming/recording email me ASAP!

On Saturday, March 29th, HKC is having it's Spring High Tea & Lace Clinic.Knitpinklaceshrug50kjpg_2   WE WANT TO HAVE FUN!  Lisa D. and Njoya A. are asking that you bring a dish to share and dress in your best "High Tea Fashion". Check out Lisa's tea outfit in our last Tea Event pictures on this site!  Aren't her hat & gloves fantastic!  I will wear a long swishy skirt and Samad_my_support_2 I'm going to find a hat that can accomdate all of this hair! Dress it up as fancy and outrageous as you can be!   The hats can be piled high with flowers or lace or anything that represents that "girly-girl" in you!  Dig those gloves& high-button boots out of the back of your Grandmother's closet!  Gentleman..., please be as "dapper" as you can!

If you're coming with friends and you want to use your tea set bring it!  If it's fragile though..., leave it home!  HKC is not responsible for any breakage!

If you were at part-1 of the Lace Workshop don't forget your homework!  If you missed it and you want to come to part-2 make sure you bring a project you're working on!  Remember,  you must already know how to cast on, purl, and knit. 

There were suggestions of cruises, trips, and other events at HKC!  Knitters & Crocheters..., my arms are wide open and welcoming!  If you're a professional designer and you want to reach a wider audience..., contact me!  If you made something you're very proud of and you want to share your skill, or if you want to show newbies how to do different stitches/methods/techniques, don't hesitate!  Email me and you will get you your own spot on our calender!Hkc_flyer 

This High Tea is an Adults Only Affair.    I look forward to seeing you!

Date:3/29/08

Place:HKC @ The George Bruce Branch Library-518 West 125th St. (btw. Amsterdam Ave & Broadway)

                     Admission: A dish of food to put on the Food Table

                     Time: 11am until 4pm

HKC would appreciate volunteers to help clean & pack up at closing

RSVP at HKC125thSt@aol.com or at lisadaehlin@yahoo.com

March 10, 2008

OPEN CLASS>LEARN TO KNIT LACE @ HKC!

Sunspotsdarklinensuzannsweddingrunn

In Celebration of Women's History Month

THE HARLEM KNITTING CIRCLE presents... 

Lisa Daehlin in a two-day

LACE KNITTING WORKSHOP culminating in
A HIGH TEA IN LACE!


Day 1 – How to Knit Lace (an introduction) – Saturday, March 15th, 10:45am-1:30pm
Day 2 – Tea Party (as the workshop continues) – Saturday, March 29th, 11am-4pm

Hkc_lace_tea_poster_march08
Download hkc_lace_tea_poster_march08.jpg

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Knit a lace sampler scarf/shawl. A marriage of yarn, artistry and arithmetic, lace knitting uses positive/negative space to create a fabric of floral and/or geometric pattern. Workshop participants will learn the various types of yarn-over increases that are paired with decreases to create their own work of lace beauty. 

*Prerequisite: Students must know how to cast on, knit, purl and bind-off. Lacelegsat72ndstreetverdisquare

LOCATION-George Bruce Branch Library 518 West 125th Street (@ Amsterdam Ave) 
http://www.nypl.org/branch/local/man/br.cfm

RSVP HKC125thSt@aol.com or lisadaehlin@yahoo.com

THIS IS A FREE EVENT!

INSTRUCTOR
Isadaehlinknittinglaceinthegrotto_3Lisa Daehlin is a knitting designer and opera singer. She is a continuing education faculty member at Cooper Union. Her designs can be seen walking the streets of Manhattan as well as on the pages of Interweave Knits, Knit 1 and Vogue Knitting magazines. Her latest designs are featured in the Lace Style and Bag Style books published by Interweave Press.

SUPPLIES - To the Lace Workshop, PLEASE BRING the following:Lacelegssalutingtheansonia

  • One pair of (size 7 or 8 or similar) bamboo knitting needles (metal are fine as an alternative). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED are Bryspun (brand) needles, as they have a good point on them which is an excellent tool in lace work.
  • One skein or ball, of a light-colored (non-white) NON-FUZZY yarn (worsted weight). This color/texture recommendation will allow you to easily see your beautiful work as it grows into fabric.
  • One crochet hook (size G or H or similar).
  • Your beautiful self and lovely attitude. ;-)Knitpinklaceshrug50kjpg

March 07, 2008

HKC's Crochet Coral Reef Luncheon

Njoya_at_coral_reef_luncheon_feb_23On February 23, 2008 I gave a "Crochet Coral Reef Luncheon" for my members who were participating and contributing to THIFF's Coral Reef Project! How did HKC get involved you ask?  Well, many of HKC's members/participants go to more then one organization.  Some of my ladies are also members of the NY Crochet Guild which meets every Wednesday at the Citigroup Center and they go to Guild's "Crochet in Public" meetings. These meetings are in the Atrium at the CitiGroup Building on 53rd between Park and Lexington Avenues every Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. This is for any and all crocheters.   I asked my group of crocheters what they were working on during one of HKC's Open Knit/Crochet sessions. They explained how they were working on this project at the Crochet Guild and what is was about.  When I heard the words enviormentalism my ears perked right up!  As an elementary teacher I've done a Green Thumb project with my class each year, so this was right up my alley! I contacted Margaret and Christine WertheimMargeret_and_crochet_coral_reef_of_ at the Institute For Figuring in Los Angeles, CA(www.theiff.org, mail@theiff.org), to ask for more information on their project.Beginning_of_carols_coral_reef  Their response was immediate!  They said they were happy to hear from us and would be in NY in March and they'd love to stop by HKC!  I was estatic! Margaret knew she had to give a lecture at NYU later in the day and said she could stop at HKC first and give us a preview lecture/workshop!  Carol_working_on_her_coral_reef_proI agreed, my members went to work, and I put the word out for all to join us in our efforts to what we agreed was a worthwhile cause!  Anything to save the enviornment is worthwhile, so I dug deep and held a Coral Reef Luncheon the following Saturday for those who worked so cohesively on this project!  They deserved it! The ladies came en mass and the luncheon was superb!   Good Spanish food and desert bought by newly appointed Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rh_22HKC supervisor Zina Malik!   They crocheted our hearts out and even got me started! New crocheters New_member_carol_at_coral_reef_luncarrived and I began giving out yarn!  I just opened up the vault and began handing out the goodies!  Thanks to Sue who helped me organize the yarn and put it back!  I was exhausted by the end!  Zina has been making so many crochet reefs!  She is the Crochet Coral Reef Diva at HKC! The library had to remind us when it was time to go we got so comfortable and focused!  Coral_reef_project2_2 Hkc6 Hkc_coral_reefs5 Hkc_member_working_at_coral_reef_lu 201023571077_90Hkc_member_working_at_coral_reef__2 Hkc_coral_reefs3 New_member_at_coral_reef_luncheon Njoya_at_coral_reef_luncheon_feb__2 Njoya_giving_out_yarn_for_coral_ree Zina_at_reef_luncheon

Njoya Recieves Community Award!

In Fall'06 I was contacted by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc-(NANBPWC, Inc.) and told I'd been nominated to recieve an awardfor the work I do at HKC! Sexy_njoya_at_photo_shoot  I was very flattered and then surprised when I was called back in January'07 and told I'd won!  I was told there would be a ceremony at the Alahambra Ballroom in New York!  I was stunned!  It feels great to know that your efforts are being appreciated!  So on Sunday, March 25th, 2007 I dressed up in my Sunday best, pulled and twisted all the hair up, and was escorted by Mr. J. Knight, (my own Knight in shining armor and sexy as all get out ladies!), to the ball!  The ladies were gorgeous and the men were dapper in their suits!  I sat on a dias with many other women who had also been recognized for various reason.  My stomach was tight and I had butterflies in my stomach!  There was entertainment and when they called my name I held my breath and went to the podium to recieve my award!  The award says "The Riverside Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc Community Service Award.  Presented to Anntoinette Njoya Angrum for Outstanding Service and Support to the Community-March 25th, 2007-Betty G. Smith-President."  I was given a gorgeous plaque, took several pictures with different members, and then enjoyed the rest of the ceremony.  My coach turned into a pumpkin at about 7pm.  I had a blast! I'd also like to say, "Thank you to all of HKC's members and participants who make HKC the phenomenal group that it is today!  Without your hard work I wouldn't be able to continue doing what I love!  Thank you!The picture above was taken by HKC Media Specialist Mr. Joe Major.  He can be contacted at: joemajor2003@yahoo.com, joemajor@verizon.net   Below is just a synopsis of what the organization is about:

                               Embracing Change: Paving the Road to Success

The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. founded in 1935, emerged as a national non-profit organization in light of the need to promote and protect the interests of women business owners and professionals.

The importance of education and economic development through entrepreneurship was emphasized as women sought to support women through community service and social activism. The NANBPWC, Inc. through its national leadership, regional districts and local clubs provides opportunities for women to increase their leadership skills, experience governance and parliamentary procedures, and enhance their educational awareness of issues impacting the Black community through volunteerism. The NANBPWC, Inc. encourages youth and young adults to achieve economic independence by joining the rising tide of young people in business today. Our International Affairs Division operates in Africa, the Caribbean and the global community building socio-economic relationships between women. The members of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. understand that we can make a difference by sharing our blessings.

New Orlean's Revisited...

Hurrican Katrina's devestation is still being felt by the families of New Orleans!  HKC's New Orlean's Knitting/Crocheting Project is ongoing!  If you want to knit/crochet and add to our care package then drop items off or send them to the George Bruce Branch Library.  Last Dec'07 HKC sent two big boxes of crocheted/knitted articles collected from various HKC members.  I also sent things that people knitted/crocheted and dropped off at the library. HKC is accepting and sending Crocheted or Knitted items only! 

A colleague of mine just came back from New Orleans.  She says the "9th Ward" is horrific! She says it doesn't even feel as if you're in the United States walking through the 9th Ward..., and that's where the shelter is located! To contribute any other items please send directly to the shelter!   Below is the letter the shelter sent me with the PO Box, the number, and the Directors name (http://nolawomenshelter.org/directorletter.pdf/).  Please send items to them directly. I recently spoke to the director at length and she said they are in need of Baby wipes, diapers of all sizes, alcohol, baby lotion/wash, clothing for toddlers, children's sneakers, and it's cold there right now!, so I"m sure they need coats, winter socks, tights, thermals, and jeans.  Most of the children in the shelter are toddlers.  Mommies..., you know the variety of sizes toddlers wear.  "Please send items that you would put on your own child.  If worn let it be "gently worn and clean".  The director says a big help would be Gift Certificates from TARGETS & Walmarts for baby items.  She said when you purchase the certificate it can be specified what it has to be spent on which allows for accountability. Please send all items directly to the address below.  *Please call and speak with the director before sending anything out in case of changes of information! 

Thank you to all of HKC's members and Global Participants who helped since the beginning of this catastrophe and continue to do so! Below is the email I recieved from Director of the New Orlean's Women's Shelter:

Subject: Donation to the New Orleans Women's Shelter
Date: 1/4/2008 6:28:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: heldman,c
Sent from the Internet (Details)

Dear Ms. Angrum,

Thank you for much for your generous donations of blankets, infant sets, and shawls for residents of the New Orleans Women's Shelter.  They are really coming in handy with the cold snap we are presently experiencing.

The shelter would appreciate any other contributions you are able to make.  We presently have 11 children in the house: three infants, 6 toddlers, and a 7-year-old girl.

Thanks again!

Caroline Heldman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Politics Department
Occidental College
-----------------------------
Director
New Orleans Women's Shelter
P.O. Box 3520
New Orleans, LA 70177
(504) 421-1218

Here is a newly crocheted infant outfitKnitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rh_18 Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rh_20  being sent to the New Orlean's Women's Shelter soon Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rh_19 because one of the women at the shelter is having a baby soon!Is20gareau20a20crocheter20at20hkc_2 HKC member Lois did a beautiful job! Her skills, as you can see, are superb!Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rh_21 Thank you Lois!

"HKC's Holiday Sock Event" or "Attack of the Dreaded DPN's!" December'07

Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rhi_5 The final Saturday's in December'07 super crochet/knitting certified teacher Esperenza Z. and I organized a Holiday Sock Event at HKCKnitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rhi_9I was so jazzed!  Finally, I'd learn to work with the dreaded "DPN's!" We put the word out and they came!  These are just some of HKC's members and participants that participated in the Holiday Sock Event! Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rh_12 It was great!  Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rh_11It was over a two week period, so the following Saturday ladies came back with the mistakes to be fixed at our Sick Sock Event!

Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rh_10"Now..., where's your sock Njoya?", you might ask.  Still on those dreaded "DPN's!"  Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rhi_7I've discovered that when I'm starting something I am no different from my students that I teach..., I fare better in the beginning at a "one to one" approach or small setting and that wasn't happening at HKC! So yes..., my sock still languishes on their DPN's!  They're put to the side..., but not forgotten! Esperenza has moved on as so many of our participants do, Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rhi_8so I'm open to any knitting/crocheting dynamo who is looking for a Saturday home, is open to a "whole lot of teaching, enthusiastic that she/he's sharing the craft" and will help me get my wee little sock of my DPN's!!! Hey.., just come on down!  My sock, my members, and I are awaiting you with open arms! 

Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rhi_6*And hooray to HKC member Ms. Cinnamon who was the first to completely finish her sock!  

2007 In Retrospect @ The Harlem Knitting Circle

2007 was rough for me..., from beginning to end.196265607301_90   From finding out Administrative Children's Services isn't all it's cracked up to to be, (I like to help families not tear them apart if necessary, so I like to start out proactive which is not how they operate), returning and finding my footing in the NYC school system, leaving my Girl Scout Troop, and then dealing with my fiance's cancer and subsequent passing was a bit much.  Plus, cleaning house at HKC has also been a bit stressful.  Like anything else when things become stagnate they tend to collect unwanted attributes and that was happening at HKC.   

But I had pockets of good times in 2007! I was nominated and accepted into a Master's program at Long Island University due to the community work I do at HKC, HKC started going on little trips, and we finally heard back from the New Orlean's Women's Shelter we sent all those boxes for the Katrina Relief in '06!(smile)

Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rhi_2 Just this past December'07 one of HKC's participants suggested we go on an impromptu trip to New Jersey to check out the yarn scene and prices out there! Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rhi_3We went and after much confusion at Port Authority..., their customer service sucks!, we waited for our bus and then we were off!  The bus ride is not that long and was very comfortable!  Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rhi_4We started off at Walmarts which surprisingly had a vast amount and array of yarn!  And they had some good stuff!  I grabbed a shopping cart and an entire box of hard to find Red Heart Holiday Victorine Wine/Gold colored Christmas yarn.  That was the best buy I made!  2007 member Esperanza Z., one of the best knitting/crochet technique teachers I've met, volunteered to teach the basics of crocheting a sock using the dreaded "DPN needles!"  Ugh! Someone save me! lol  Well, I have to admit I was excited at the prospect of learning how to crochet with the DPN's!  We had just decided to do a "Sock Event" as an HKC holiday event that afternoon, so I figured I'd give out Christmas yarn so everyone could make a gift or two!  That Victorian Wine &Gold  yarn is delicious!  I also grabbed up all the red and green Christmas yarn in bulk.  That Walmart had a good selection and okay prices!  Their check out is great too and that's saying something during the holiday shopping season!  Then we trooped across the highway, up over a bridge, (me pushing a shopping cart from Walmart..., hey! How'd that get there?), and we walked to another mall to go shopping in JoAnn's!  I was not a happy camper!  The sale the young lady had seen in the paper was not all it said it was, their yarn selection was minimal, and their customer service was poor.  I was already loaded down from my $100.00+ shopping spree at Walmart, and I was cold, so I made other arrangements.  The ladies knew I would be leaving the group early, so I dialed my SOS and a tall dark and oh so handsome knight rode up in his jeep and rescued me.  Well, the rest of my evening is not for this site, but I had an excellent evening!(wink!!!)  When I got home my phone was ringing off the hook!  I'd left my sedate group shopping with smiles on their faces and rummaging through yarn, but I was told later that the service soon turned sour and even some of the patrons had become a bit quarrelsome!  Well, I'm sure that's not JoAnn's fault, but I won't be going back to that one anytime soon!  I like the JoAnn's in Nyack..., hey! Maybe that's our next trip! Good customer service, an extensive amount of yarn and needles, and enough elbow room and check-out counters so everyone is comfortable!  If you'd like to go on a trip somewhere come in and let's talk about getting it on our events calender!  Knitting_pictures_retreat_hkc_rhine

March 04, 2008

HKC Made the NY Times!

http://harlemknittingcircle.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/09/njoya_in_her_first_hat_and_scarf_se.jpg Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 I woke up and was greeted by the following email:

"Hi Njoya,
             Congratulations..., you made the NY Times!"

                                 Millie

Don't miss NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/04/arts/design/04crochet.html?ex=1205298000&en=541e5a7c70c37e34&ei=5070

I was ecstatic and the email response has been greathttp://harlemknittingcircle.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/09/hkc_flyer.jpg & overwhelming!

HKC went to NYU to support the Crochet Coral Reef Lecture & Workshop after Margaret Wertheim,  of The Institute For Figuring, PO Box 50346, Los Angeles CA 90050, www.theiff.org and mail@theiff.org, left the George Bruce Branch Library-518 West. 125th St, NY NY 10027.http://harlemknittingcircle.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/09/george_bruce_librarian_miranda_and_.jpg 

HKC'S media specialist, Joe Major, documented both events.  All of these pictures are by Joe Major who can be reached at joemajor2003@yahoo.com, joemajor@verizon.net.

Earlier that morning Margaret had stopped in and gave a wonderful presentation at HKChttp://harlemknittingcircle.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/09/201066437253_90.jpg and the ladies were estatic that she'd taken the A-train to Harlem to give us a preview!