Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday two days
a week in a 9 week cycles. Weeks of:
Sept 17 - Nov 14
Nov 21 - Jan 30
Feb 6 - Apr 3
Apr 10 - Jun 5
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
AFTER SCHOOL: Knit & Crochet
Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday two days
a week in a 9 week cycles. Weeks of:
Sept 17 - Nov 14
Nov 21 - Jan 30
Feb 6 - Apr 3
Apr 10 - Jun 5
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
FELTED GOODS: A Workshop
 |
Stitch Therapy is running two sessions of this workshop w/ BECKY WALKER, Felt maker. |
WOOL + HOT WATER + SOAP + “ELBOW GREASE” = FELT
Wool is an unique fiber – different from all other fur or hair – because, under the right conditions, it can “stick” together to form a fabric, without having been woven or sewn. Under a microscope, we can see the tiny, overlapping scales that cover each strand. With the addition of hot water and soap, those scales open, the core of the fiber swells, the fibers catch onto each other. With repeated pressure* and agitation* the air is forced from between the fibers, and they can lock together more securely. Wool also shrinks when it exposed to temperature changes, so this factor also contributes to the felting process.
Felt is the oldest known fabric, predating spinning and weaving. No one knows exactly when or how it was discovered, but it has been used for centuries for clothing, housing, and other practical purposes. Several different cultures have embraced its usefulness through the ages. Recently, this ancient product has found its way into the art/craft world. Although still being made for traditional purposes, it is now used to produce artwork for purely aesthetic reasons.
Felt making is an art form that is accessible to everyone. It requires very little in the way of equipment. Once the principles are understood, there are very few rules! Patience and effort are rewarded… the only mistake is not working hard enough!
Felt Making is an art form
that is accessible to everyone.
· No knit
or crochet involved
· Express yourself with colorful wool roving
· 3 hour workshop
· Workshop fee: $55.00
Class materials Fee: $25.00
Class materials Fee: $25.00
DATE: Saturday, September 14th
TIME: 10:00 am or 2:00
pm
Register
now with Paypal or call 718/398-2020
BECKY WALKER - Felt Maker
Learning to
knit was my first experience in the fiber arts, and many sweaters and pairs of
sock later, it is still a passion. The
desire to keep sheep encouraged me to learn to spin, and because of my active
nature, to make felt.
 |
| Becky Walker with her flock. |
A felt
making class in the early 1990’s began my exploration of wool and its
possibilities. Although quite ancient,
felt has recently found its way into fine arts and crafts circles. Since I live in the South, felt clothing is
impractical, so I began thinking of useful items for the home. Throughout history, the artist has found ways
to make utilitarian items beautiful, and this urge has become my focus.
Some further study and a lot of
experimentation have brought me to a level of instructional expertise and
artistic production that has allowed me to teach classes and workshops for
adults and children.My formula for felt making is: Wool + Hot Water +Soap + “Elbow Grease” = FELT! It is my goal to make this activity accessible to anyone and to help each student be successful in producing a piece of art that can be used.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Chair Shiatsu and Stretching for Knitters and Crocheters
 |
| STITCH THERAPY Happy Hour: July 26th Friday night 7 - 10 pm $25.00 cover. |
Bring a Friend
1. Stretches
Breaks where you employ wrist, finger and hand stretches can be very valuable. Even 5-10 min each day can make a huge difference, either in between stitching sets or while you are waiting in line. Pulling the fascia (the connective collagen and tissue that lives between the muscles) is very helpful. To loosen the fascia you must pull on the skin, do not use lotion...as you want it to be tacky and not glide over the surface superficially. You want to feel a slight burning sensation.
To release the fasciae in your forearm, grasp it right below the elbow with the opposite hand and squeeze just tight enough, squeeze for about 90 seconds to allow the fasciae to loosen...then push down very slowly towards your wrist. Do this a few times on each side. After completing, you can do wrist rotations and twists, finger stretches and more.
2. Postural Awareness
Pay attention to where your shoulders are. Are you hunching? Be sure to continuously check in on the tension in your upper body, shoulders and neck. Sometimes deep focus and concentration, can cause one to lose track of her, somatic awareness. It's important to keep returning to the body, and keep track of the tension that could be building, sending the breath there and standing up to shake it out or do a few full body stretched or yoga poses. Sometimes just paying attention to the breath can help bring us back into the body.
When one slouches, she tends to place strain on the lower back while messing up the curvature of the spine in the process. Pulling the shoulders back, sitting tall and making sure the head is not in a constant downward position can help ease the stress on the neck and upper shoulders, and keep the spine in proper alignment, etc...
3. Chair Massage and Shiatsu
Chair massage is able to target areas where knitters feel the burn the most...arms, hands, shoulders, neck and back. It is amazing what 10-20 minutes can do to prevent repetitive movement injuries and strain, while releasing tension and pain at the same time, especially when recieved on a periodic basis.
Massage sends oxygen to those areas and releases lactic acid that can build up over time...releases adhesions, and tightness in the muscle and connective tissue, AND sends feel good hormones and chemicals to the brain that counteract the feelings of pain. When acupressure is employed, there is even greater benefits, as it works with the time tested Chinese meridian system to create a smoother flow of chi and movement in the entire body. Shiatsu is a tonic for the creative spirit and life force energy (chi).
Good luck with your yarn endeavors, may you continue keeping humanity warm, snuggly and colorful!
Happy creating!
Courtney Sheets
Certified Zen Shiatsu Practitioner and Thai Yoga Therapist
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