The Evolution of Network Knitting

In 2011 we started a knitting group here at the library which was called Knitting for Causes.  My original idea was to get yarn donations and several patterns (for prayer shawls, dish cloths for resale, hats for sailors and chemo patients, and comfort bears for children) in the hopes people would knit for causes.

As it turned out, people were very interested in knitting, but they wanted to do their own projects with their own yarn.  Hence, we changed the name to Network Knitting.  We meet from September to May, excluding December.  Every year the women wanted to meet over the summer months.  So finally, this year I approached Shannex, Orchard Court, in Kentville and made arrangements to meet there for June, July, and August, same day, and same time as Network Knitting.  

They liked it so much, they asked if we could continue on until Christmas.  So we are now meeting there on the second Tuesday of the month, 1-3 pm, and at the Library on the last Tuesday of the month from noon to 1:45 pm.  

We met this past week, September 8^th with a total of 17 women, 7 from the library group, and 10 from Shannex, (5 of which were knitting, and 5 there for the social).   Interested? Join us for our next group on Tuesday, September 29, 12 noon at the Kentville Library! 

Lynn Manning

September 10, 2015

International Back to Back Wool Challenge

There is an International Back to Back Wool Challenge spinning competition held every year around the world in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Japan, USA and Canada. The event may be held in a public location of the team's choice, during the months of May and June, and the rules are the same for everyone. A team consists of 7 handspinners and knitters and 1 blade shearer. The objective is to complete a sweater following the same pattern within 8 hours. Some teams use the event to raise funds for charity, and all teams are interested in promoting the wool industry locally and in establishing a worldwide network among the participants.

Shear Delights is a local team who have joined the challenge. This is the second year they have competed. The event will be held on May 31 at the Lawrencetown Fire Hall, 549 Main Street, Lawrencetown, NS. Doors will open at 8:30 am. The event will run from 9 am until the team is done. Light lunches and home baked goodies will be available for purchase along with tea and coffee. Donations are welcomed and give you the opportunity to win the Challenge Sweater as well as other surprises. 

This year Shear Delights is pleased to raise funds for the Annapolis Valley Regional Library. Check out our new Bookmobile which will be onsite from 8:30 am  - 4:30 pm. Join Youth Services Librarian Angela Reynolds at 11 am for storytime. Another stortyime will follow at 3 pm.  

You can follow this event on the Shear Delights Facebook page.

Come cheer the team, Shear Delights, at this unique event as they compete against the best in the world and raise funds for the Annapolis Valley Regional Library.

Knitting Inspirations

I am a seasonal knitter, usually beginning mid-fall and continuing until about the end of February.  The urge to pick up my needles is inspired by cool weather and a desire to create some unique Christmas gifts for family.  This year I began a little earlier and am pleased to say that I’ve already completed a sweater for my two year old great niece, I guess her birthday was the spark that started me this year.  Because I have started earlier than usual, I have more ideas of things I would like to complete before Christmas, maybe too many things.

Your library is a great source for patterns and ideas.  I know that I have found some wonderful patterns and ideas for my knitting projects in the many great books in our collection.  Some great titles are: Knitted Animal Hats, 60 More Quick Baby Knits, Cutest Ever Baby Knits, Not Just Socks, and Socks from the Toe Up. 

Maybe you would like some company as you knit.  There is a knitting group that meets on the last Tuesday of the month in the Kentville Library from September to May.  Several branches hosted knitting groups last year.  Inquire at a branch near you or maybe you would like to start such a group.  They meet and bring their knitting with them.  It is an opportunity to talk with fellow knitters, share patterns and ideas.

One of my new, but fast becoming a favourite source for knitting patterns, is Pinterest.  It is just, WOW!  You can see the completed project and then pin it to your account, so you have this wonderful, graphical source of patterns.  Many of them are free, others are for sale as a downloadable file.

Perhaps you are new to knitting or would like to learn.  There are books for beginners in our collection as well.  For a great source on-line try http://www.knittinghelp.com/  The glossary will tell you what all those abbreviations are, for example M1B, and many of them have a video included that shows you how to do it.

This little boy’s sweater is my current project, which I found through Pinterest as a free pattern.  It will be a Christmas gift for my new great nephew.  It is so much fun and very rewarding.  Hopefully you will soon picking up your needles.

Charlotte Janes,
Head of Systems and Administration

NS Public Libraries’ Seniors Week - October 20-26, 2013

From Walkabouts, to walks down Memory Lane, whether it’s discovering a new book, a new hobby, a new idea, a new neighbour, or perhaps rediscovering – join us at a public library this week as we celebrate the wisdom and knowledge ... that comes with experience.

Your local library has developed some special programs this week for older adults. Some of them include talks on Senior Travel, Knitting and Felting, Book Talks, Writing workshops, Financial Advice for Seniors, Technology workshops, an Arthritis Workshop, a talk on “The Culture of Whales” and also some afternoon socials. Check out our website for a list of events, or stop by your local library to see what is happening!