I finally got the Fall 2014 Newsletter and Class Schedule finished. You can get your copy at the shop or online here: http://terrisyarnsandcrafts.com/Newsletter_and_Class_Schedule.php .

It's hard to believe that it is almost time for the holidays again. The years really do seem to be going by faster and faster. Spooks and jack-o-lanterns will soon be giving way to turkeys and then santa and snowmen. Makes me want to pour another cup of coffee and relax for a few moments just to enjoy the present.

I've been working on finishing the formatting of some patterns so I can get them out there for sale. Some are knitting and crocheting, some are cross stitch. There are more in the pipeline so keep an eye out.

I hope you have a great day and week!

Ava

An Afternoon In History

Civil War history has interested me, but especially after my brother and I started researching our ancestors. It turns out that we have ancestors on both sides!

I live in a region of the country (the mountains of east Tennessee) that is rich in both Revolutionary and Civil War History. On July 20, 2014 I went to a Civil War living history event at the Wheatlands Plantation in Sevierville, TN with some friends. We had a great time! The plantation was established in 1791 by the Chandler family who lived on the land until the 1970s. The house currently on the site was built in 1825. The present owners are restoring the house and grounds while giving tours and hosting events such as the one we attended.

The group of re-enactors was small so they didn't stage a battle. They instead showed a skirmish between Confederate soldiers trying to steal chickens, the women left at home when their men went to war, and a Union detachment pledging to protect and get the chickens back. It may sound comical but that happened often, I'm sure, with either side perpetrating the thievery.

A very interesting part was the presentation given by the "Doctor" in his medical tent. Some of the instruments don't differ a lot from those used today - thankfully medical practices have improved.

At the end of the skirmish the two leaders each gave talks about the units that they were portraying, explaining about the gear the soldiers carried, the hardships faced, and what a re-enactor needs to take part in a living history event.

President and Mrs. Lincoln were on hand as was General Lee (who was very happy to pose for pictures with the audience).

That will teach me to go dressed for comfort and not publicity!

It was a very enjoyable day. I congratulate the owners of Wheatlands Plantation and all of the Civil War re-enactors for a job well done!

Knitting With
Beads

Want to spice up your knitting and
try something a little different? Add beads! You can make jewelry,
Christmas ornaments or add pizzazz to your clothing.

There are three major ways to add beads to your knitting without
sewing them on a completed knit.

The first way is to thread the beads onto the
yarn. It is time consuming and means the yarn must go through the
hole in the beads. For jewelry and items with several beads added to
the same row, this is a good method to use. The stitch size
(controlled by the needle size) needs to be roughly the same as the
bead size.

1. String the beads in the order needed for your design (or randomly if you want). Push the beads away from the end of the yarn.



2. Cast on the correct number of stitches and work to the point where the first bead is needed.

3. On the knit side of stockinette stitch insert the right needle into the back of the next stitch. Pull the bead down to the needle and pop it through the next stitch so that it sits on the front of the work. Knit into the back of the stitch.

4. On the purl side of stockinette stitch push the bead through to the front side of the stitch and purl it as normal. Knit into the back of the beaded stitches on the next row.

The second way is to use a crochet hook to pull a stitch through a bead. The hook has to be small enough to go through the hole. This method allows you to put a bead right where you want it which is an advantage if you are knitting a design using different colors of beads.

1. Knit to the point where the bead is needed.



2. Place the bead on the crochet hook.

3. Slide the stitch off the left needle onto the hook. Pull the stitch through the bead.

4. Put the stitch on the right needle, holding the yarn at the back. Purl the stitch as normal on the next row.

The third way is to string the beads on a small thread and hold it along with your larger yarn as you knit your project. In this way you can add seed beads to a design. Thread that is clear or matches your yarn keeps the extra strand from showing. Carry the beads along the back of the work as you would a second color of yarn, catching the thread every inch or so to avoid long floats. When you reach a point where a bead is needed, swing the thread and one bead to the front between the needles. Knit the next stitch. Move the thread to the back and knit the next stitch.

Enjoy making different designs with beads in your knits! It's not
as hard as you might think.

Hello all! Spring is finally here (I think). It's been a long and dreary winter. Maybe now we will all feel like stirring around and getting some things done.

I've been working on some sweater designs. So far I just have samples done for toddlers but the adult versions are coming. I think you'll like them.

The Spring / Summer 2014 Newsletter is out now. I'm trying shorter versions of classes for the next few months. That way you can try out a craft technique without making a big investment in time or money. Check out the newsletter here: Spring / Summer 2013 Newsletter and Class Schedule .

While you are on the site, take a look at the home page. It looks a little different. You now see the departments listed on the side without having to enter the store. You'll also find a coupon there that you can print before you come into the shop.

Join us on Google+ and Facebook for announcements and pictures.

That's about all for now. Happy Crafting and I hope to see you soon!