Frustration/Class ideas

Both thumbs hurt. Try as I may, I cannot quite put all the blame on too much computing. It hurts to knit.

I spent yesterday spinning--Heaven forbid it be a fiber-less day--and didn't touch the needles until the evening. Knitted until it hurt and stopped.

I must be good. I must be good. I must be good.

I leave for Colorado Knitting Camp next week and I do want to be able to fully participate.





The Color Techniques class at The Sewing Bird has been so much fun to teach that I may offer it again at Charlotte Yarn in the fall. I also could offer it in individual sessions. Many people have complemented my Recycled silk bag (just above) and the new Noro Fair Isle one (first pic), so those could go in the mix. They were both fun to make and I do love the compliments they get.

I've enjoyed the scrumbled bag, but scrumbling is a tricky business. The technique is easy and absolutely forgiving, but color is hard. There are a lot of UGLY scrumbled pieces out there. Some of them are mine!! I gathered yarns to knit the Chris Bylsma Crayon Jacket (which would look awful on me because of its shape) and I think I will try scrumbling with some of them. Keeping it to many shades of two or three colors may be the answer. It's worth trying anyway. This is the only scrumbled piece that I have actually turned into anything.



Always thinking!

Fall Classes

I'm into my favorite teaching place--planning the units. I'm moving to a new LYS to teach beginning in August and will introduce myself to their folks with some lace classes. One is based on a horseshoe lace scarf I designed. This is for knitters who just want to try lace for the short term. For those who want to do a bit more, I'm designing a small sampler scarf. Which patterns to include and in which order--that is the question.

First and foremost--I have to enjoy knitting the pattern. That probably means the WS rows are just purl. It's nice to have a break from thinking. It also means that after one or two repeats, I am no longer stuck to the directions, but can "See" what comes next. Less thinking, more knitting is always my watchword. Actually I do a lot of thinking, I just want to do it before I cast on.

The new LYS has many young mothers as clients, so I'm also putting together a top down raglan class for them. I believe we should always knit top down if we really need a good fit. This class is a great starter for anyone. I'm just about finished with a sweater for DGS#1 in a slip stitch pattern which I just love.

I've knit DGS#2 a blanket in stripes using Cascade's Luna, which is their answer to Mission Falls cotton. Bad answer. Every skein has had at least one knot and some have had three. I'll never buy this again. I do like the colors and I am putting his name and birthday on it in duplicate stitch. Hope it's a hit with both DD and him.

World Cup Knitting

I missed the Olympic knitting because I just missed it.. Regreted I didn't get up for it. Decided not to miss the World Cup challenge though. I am knitting a jacket based on the one in Alterknits but with much different yarns and some extras. The back is purple Debbie Bliss Cathay; the front will be Cathay in Pink. As of now the sleeves will be Noro Lily in a spring green. I have done a small Celtic knot in intarsia in the upper mid back using Noro Sakura. I'll add some embellishment to this and will use the Sakura again either in the lower flap or the front pocket flap. Having fun mixing the yarns. Will even use some Maggi'e Linen in gold somewhere. It's more sedate than it sounds.

I'm revving up for my move to Charlotte Yarn to teach. I'm excited that I may be able to do some classes based on children's sweaters. We just don't have young mom's at the Sewing Bird. I love the fun of children's clothers and the fact that they knit up so quickly. Also---fit isn't such a stress. At some age they will wear it and kids are far less picky than adults about that kind of thing.

The Guild begins a new year and I do so hope it will grow. I hope we can get some energetic new members. Charlotte could support a very large guild with great benefits to many people.

Gave platelets today. A small thing, but so badly needed. The folks at the Red Cross are always so caring and kind.