New Book; Sale book inventory; On the needles

I finally got an inventory and some pricing on my books for the craft sale. My blog readers get first dibs and then my students. After that complete strangers are welcome. I am too stupid to post a link without having to retype the list, so if you want a look, just respond or email me and I’ll shoot you a Word file. The Denise Needles I mentioned in my last entry are already gone.


I bought the new Amy Singer book because I live in the South. She has several opening chapters about the properties of non wool fibers which I need for my sweaters. Great charts that summarize the info and allow you to compare the yarns. The patterns are lovely, but were not my primary interest.
My fave is Intoxicating which combines a mosaic front with a different mosaic back and lace sleeves (Shouldn’t get bored knitting this.) I would soften the colors and maybe put the high contrast front pattern on the back. No need to draw any more attention to my boobs.


I also love Morrigan (no pic available) which is covered in small, crisp cable patterns and is knitted in Rowan’ Calmer.
I plan to buy Calmer and some hemp ASAP. Forget the vow of no new yarn. This is necessary!

Have started the Simple Knitted Bodice by Stefanie Japel which I bought from Stitch Diva. I’m doing it in (from the stash) bright red Super 10 cotton which means changing the gauge and adding some length for shrinkage. This project was supposed to be a simple “follow someone else’s pattern” but has turned out to require thought. I forgot the part about using the same yarn as the pattern to cut down on calculations, but I don’t want a worsted weight wool sweater.

New – and best ever—sock pattern underway. Also working on a lace shawl that is jerking my chain. Do not knit lace in dark handpaint. You can’t see it.

Success—Well, growth, anyway

I made pattern row markers. The first were a bit rough. I broke more beads than I left on the wire, and I just smashed the closures beyond recognition. (See first marker in pic) A quick visit with Turtlegirl76 and I was better informed.

My wire work gets better with each try and I am really having fun. I hope I don’t get too involved in beads. No new hobbies!!!!!!

I went through all my knitting books getting ready for my craft sale. I will post a list soon to give you an idea of what is available. Now to inventory the yarn. Needles are done. I will sell a set of Denise Needles that have never been used. My loom has been sold to a friend so I know it will have a good home. When things go to friends, it is so much easier to let them go.

Lots of workmen come today, so I’ll just sit and knit and answer questions. A hard life!

Row markers/sock yarns

Check out this picture.

These are pattern row counters made by Turtlegirl76. She gave me one. You put it on your needle at the beginning of the pattern work and then slip down a circle each row. You will always know which row of your pattern you are on. I had never used such a thing, and now I can’t knit without it.

I lost mine moving it from one sock to another. I ransacked the house in a total panic. I found it. Life was good again. No, lost it again between projects. Rediscovered it. Went to her old website and searched forever to find the entry where she tells you how to make them (even a video). Let me just give you the link (pattern row keepers) because YOU NEED THIS ITEM! Scroll down to October 18th.


I finished a new sock pattern using Tofutsies from SWTC.
50% Superwash Wool
25% SOYSILK brand fiber
22.5% Cotton
2.5% Chitin (made from
shrip and crab shells!) 
8 sts = 1"
needles: US 2 (2.75mm)
425m / 100g ball 
machine wash and dry
I can’t really decide whether I like it or not. I love the pattern, but the yarn seems too fragile. I don’t know that it is, but it seems that way. I may have knit too loose or maybe it’s just how lightweight the yarn is. I’m going to swatch the yarn some more and see what I think. I had loads left over from the 100g ball.

My favorite sock yarn is the Gem Merino Opal from Louet Sales. It is sport weight, so makes a bit thicker sock. But it has great stitch definition and knits up a bit faster than fingering weight. I found a bunch of colors on ebay at a nice price so I have loaded up. Expect some fair isle patterns soon.

It’s time to start planning next quarters classes. I may do a fair isle class. I’m surprised the mosaic class didn’t make, so I may rethink that and offer it again. If I offered intarsia, I would have a color trifecta. I’ll also help Remi with beginners which I think is always fun. Any feedback on this would be appreciated.

Lavold sweater/Making a Start/Furniture/

I have been knitting. Actually this is the second time I have knitted a sweater from this yarn. No, the actual same yarn. I frogged all but a bit of the other sweater. Then I did some cool things that I will explain as soon as I am finished. Just about three more inches around the body and some tubular bind offs. Maybe I can finish and wear it to guild tomorrow night. Learned a huge amount as always when I make big mistakes. This is Elsebeth Lavold Silky wool knitted on size 4s, and size 3s, and size 2s. More later.




I have made a start. I have sorted my needles and set aside some for my knitting attic sale. Next I will sort books. Finally I will tackle the yarn. Then I will advertise the sale and invite all the knitters I know to come knit and shop. Actually it should be fun. I might make a little money (to spend on new knitting stuff) and I will have the satisfaction of knowing the stuff went to a knitter, not just a bargain shelf somewhere.

I also plan to sell my loom. That was a hard decision, but I really don't weave anymore and I need the space. It is a Schacht Baby Wolf, with a high castle shelf and 8 harnesses. It's nice looking and weaves well. I'll throw in many accessories.




The chair arrived. I swapped the self fabric pillow for a red one and it looks great. Sits fine, too. It isn't as bright as the picture I bought it from and I was counting on that. The dogs haven't discovered it yet, so it is still clean. I think the red pillow intimidates them.


The Charlotte Knitting Guild meets tomorrow night. Check the side panel for the link. Join us.

Read this Book!!!!

I bought it around lunch time yesterday and finished reading it by lunch today. It is a phenomenal story about women and their support of each other. It's about the knitters you know and love. It's about joy, tragedy, humor, survival, growth--everything. And it is so readable. The author will be at Charlotte Yarn on the 9th from 1-3 and I cannot wait to meet her. I don't go to signings and I don't get off on meeting celebrities--except John Dominic Crossan. But I am going to this one to tell her she got it just right. I've been the stranger walking into groups of knitters many times, many retreats, trips, camps. They have all had this incredible spirit that I never get over being blown away by. Read this book!! Read the first chapter online at The Friday Night Knitting Club. You will not be sorry.