Bryanne opened the colorful Moon and Craft Room May 27, 2023. Look below and see her in the bright pink shirt, helping us find yarn and other fiber related items.
Today my friend Randi and I ventured into the North Hills and spent some delightful time in this happy space. Potholder looms and loops were on my shopping list!
Last week when I was visiting my two Columbus, Ohio families, I popped into 614 Knit Studio to get a sock needle and some sock yarn to knit men’s socks. Believe it or not, I hadn’t taken enough knitting projects with me. I ended up staying almost ten days instead of five and had completed two projects. Thought I’d get a jump on some Christmas knitting.
When I was at the shop, a sign on the door said the shop was going to be closed Memorial Day Weekend because they were going to be a vendor at the Great Lakes Fiber Show in Wooster Ohio. When I entered Wooster into my Maps App it was a mere hour and fifteen minutes from Laura’s house and on the way home (sort of) to Pittsburgh.
Here’s owner 614 Knit Studio Owner Andrea Panzica
I bought a merit badge pin for a couple of knitting friends. I had to tell Andrea it was because of her sign at her shop that I came to the Great Lakes Fiber Show
Look at this gorgeous Studio Dog Fibers yarn they are featuring
Here are some of the vendors I met at the show. People at Work
Do you have a Spinning Wheel that needs repair or servicing? Here is Ed Jr. Ed the Wheel Healer. Located in Oberlin,Ohio you’ll have to email or give him a phone call as they are not on social media.
Look at all these Inkle Looms! Chuck and Angie own Egill’s Woostuffs
Here’s Chuck with a cutting board of Spalted Walnut, Cherry and ____?_____and Angie with a handmade loom.
Chuck ELECTROCUTES some of the wood for this effect. He showed me a video of the process 
Recycled Yarn Co has an Etsy shop sells cranked tubes to make socks by adding cuff, heels and toes. I’ve knit several pairs of Opal yarn socks and it’s hardy and long wearing. Thanks to my friend Terry who introduced me to the brand.
Merino wool sneakers for sale from WOOLLOOMOOLOO
Knitting Needle Jewelry by Bur Oak Studio from Danville Indiana
I bought a basket (woven in Ghana) from Frog It Yarns I’ll use it to hold my front porch knitting 
How about these custom wooden needles by Ann Carpenter? And the cotton cord is made in Poland from recycled clothing.
Watch a short Sheep Herding Demonstration on YouTube
thank you Andrea for telling me about the Great Lakes Fiber Show
Thank you Joanne who sent the article and photographs from Halifax
The Volunteers Bronze Statue in Halifax, at the Waterfront, Nova Scotia (click link for article written when the monument was unveiled in 2017)
“The bronze sculpture, called “The Volunteers,” features three life-sized figures from three generations: A young girl pulling a wagon full of salvaged metal, an African-Nova Scotian woman holding a tray of coffee and sandwiches, and an older woman seated with a Mi’kmaq basket and knitting.”
The sculptor is Marlene Hilton Moore
This vintage book of directions for making Macrame Plant Hangers or rather Macrame Pot Hangers and this huge twine were in the donations my friend Donna gave to my art teacher friend Bob.
In the seventies, I never used such a thick rope but instead a thinner white cord and some wooden beads.
Macrame belts were holding up lots of bell bottom jeans when I was in college.
Do you or have you ever done macrame?
My daughter Laura sorted the giant bag of colorful potholder loops on the dining room table. I photographed it with the iPhone.
We’re in crafty production this week!
Maura brought them with her from Columbus for her visit to Grandma’s house.
When the potholder is all woven, I slip 4 unsharpened pencils through the loops on all sides. So much easier to finish up with a crochet hook, a loop at a time.
Taking the woven piece off the loom keeps it together instead of it trying to pop off the metal loom as you bind off.
World Wide Knit in Public Day–Better living through stitching together!
McKeesport Library hosted a Knitting in Public event Saturday June 18th and I drove over the Monongahela River and back to attend. I’m so glad I did. Everyone was so welcoming. It was a perfect summer day though sitting under the tree in the shade was just right.
I was invited to join the group for a picnic lunch, which was delicious and generous of them to include me.
Jody, visiting family in McKeesport but now living in Gainesville FL, reads the history of World Wide Knit in Public Day telling the group how it was started in 2005 by Danielle Landes with just 25 events and now it’s over 850 around the world.”
Jody’s daughter Ellie, going into Fifth grade, was the youngest member of the Knit in Public Event.
Many of the women knit hats, blankets and or shawls for Chemotherapy patients and donate them to several hospitals including Magee and Veterans.They get together throughout the year on Thursdays.
Another Ruth just started knitting but she has crocheted beautiful Butterfly shawls and blankets. Some of the women knit at the Magee Hospital group which hosted a KIP event today, too. There were events at Mt. Lebanon Library and Steel City Fiber, too. And if you go to the site, you will see there was KIP in the Arctic Circle, too.
Kim’s two color knitted hat matched both her shirt and pants!
Weaving by Judith G, hostessing the KIP event. The weaving is for a class she’s going to be teaching this summer.
Picnic Lunch- BBQ chipped ham is a Pittsburgh specialty
The library was built in 1902
Architect was William J. East and is a National Historic Landmark
from the front- what a lawn to mow!
One of the women, Pat, mentioned she was on her way to the McKeesport Heritage Center for another event.
Maura found the potholder looms in the guest room night stand this evening. I’d rummaged around for them when I’d visit but could not find them. What a happy find tonight.
Anna and her friend got right to work. Maura needed some help. I use knitting needles or pencils through the loop ends as I approach the finish. Keep it from popping off prematurely. Then a crochet hook to bind off.
Weaving these provides major stress relief for me. Over under over under. Under over under over- The repetition.
Reminds me of childhood, too.
I like them especially for hot pot lids
when I want to peek inside.
Today’s post is primarily people. A few animals. Or people and animals. The food highlights will be a separate post. Stay tuned for a Deep Fried Buckeye. No, I didn’t eat it but someone let me photograph theirs.
I accompanied two moms and seven children! We had a wonderful afternoon. Perfect summer day. Last year our visit to the fair was cut short by a severe thunderstorm. If you are new to the blog you can check it out here
Fans from the egg farmers- outside the Taste of Oho Pavillion- four of them are my grandchildren. Three are their friends.
Thanks for letting me photograph your shirt in the Taste of Ohio Pavillion
No, not going to guess my weight or age today!
Union General from the Civil War Encampment checks out the cowgirl boots
Being taken back to the livestock/ stall area after showing
Abe Lincoln chats with fairgoers
Cowgirl Boots galore
Airbrush artist
Posting a No Firearms sign on the Dairy Pavillion
Jack and Drew talk to the Pirate about missing treasure
At the Cardinal gate.
Bent traffic cone and Ohio State Trooper giving directions
Jack milked a cow. Why he put the sticker on his mouth is beyond me.We did not put it there!
Watching the pig races
Weaving a scarf
Rousing band music
Checking the bags of wool
The horse barn
Sleeping near the livestock
Catching a quick nap behind the concession stands
Waiting in line to milk the cow
Looking down the walkway lined with horse stalls
Exhausted. This woman takes a nap on the grass.
Perfect summer day. Last year our visit to the fair was cut short by a severe thunderstorm. If you are new to the blog you can check it out here
A two hour drive from Pittsburgh. My book club had a fun and memorable getaway weekend trip. We stayed at the Historic Bedford Resort.
Sunday, Joan and I went to see the National Museum of the American Coverlet– housed in a beautiful Historic Common School. A coverlet is a woven bed cover, although there were some floor coverings, too. The coverlets display changes every four months. We learned a lot about the history of the coverlets with our knowledgeable guide explaining the differences. The last photos are of the gift shop where you can purchase reproductions of the antique designs and fabric for quilters.
from the National Museum of the American Coverlet
The Museum and Museum Shop are open daily, year round.
Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Admission is $6 ($5 for age 60 and over). Kids under 12 are free. Group rates available.
If you have a coverlet, you can bring it to Melinda and Laszlo Zongor and they can help date it and identify the weaving method.
The Jacquard Loom
There are looms and spinning wheels on exhibit.
