![Kay Crowthers of the MN Knitter's Guild works on a pair of mittens during Vogue Knitting Live. ] (Leila Navidi/Star Tribune) leila.navidi@startribune.com BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Vogue Knitting Live conference at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Sunday, November 6, 2016. The event features an opening yarn drop, boutique marketplace, workshops, a runway fashion show and yoga for knitters.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/Q6OV36EMX2N3SM6DKEJW6S4E6I.jpg?&w=1080)
pick of the week: The folks who gather at the Minnesota History Center on the last Tuesday of each month are a close-knit group — literally. The monthly Knitting Social is a chance to chat and work on knitting or embroidery. You can bring a project that's in process or start something new. Needles and yarn are provided. The gathering, held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, is held on the third floor of the History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Admission is free. (mnhs.org/event/2638)
We're halfway there: If you're looking for a reason to get an early jump on celebrating the 4th of July, celebrate the 2nd of July. It's the midpoint of the year; there will have been 182 days in 2017 before it, and there will be 182 days after it. If you really want to get into the midway party mode, be sure to mark 1 p.m., which is the middle of the middle day. (No, it's not noon because while daylight saving time might have changed our clocks, it didn't change the orbital path of the Earth.)
Day by day: You'll probably hear about this on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, but just in case, Friday is national Social Media Day.
recommended reading: Is there a road trip in your future? If so, check out Wednesday's Variety for our guide to podcasts that are perfect for traveling.
JEFF STRICKLER
