It's a porch!!!/Socks and yarn.

The porch is finished and so far there is always a breeze across it. We’ve abandoned all the other rooms in the house for this one. I’ve moved the old leather couch out there with some other random chairs. I want to spend a season with it before I decide exactly how to furnish it. The new gutters are also up and I want to see what happens when we get a big rain.

The SSKs (Serious Secret Knitters) came over Sunday and we sat out there and knitted and talked—lots of talk. It was lovely. Both dogs really like it. Henry still cannot hear, so the smell factor has really become important. He may injure his sniffer at the rate he is going.

My hands are better but I cannot knit anywhere near the amount I’d like. It’s very frustrating. So many new yarns and so many new ideas. Yarns Forever in Greer, SC is closing and are offering 50% off this week. (Email me for the code.) I bought some sock yarn and a cotton silk blend to do either a throw for the new living room or a sweater for Steve. Depends on the exact shade of blue. Monitors lie!

I finished the first pair of socks on two circs in many years. Getting ready to teach it. They will go to a friendly male of my acquaintance. The yarn is Tiny Toes by Interlacements and I knit them on Size 1s. The pattern is mine—such as it is. I used a tubular cast on for the cuff, a 4X1 rib, and double moss st for the heel flap.




My next design is on the needles and has turned into a complex nightmare. It may have something to do with fitting very short legs with large calves. It has a braid cast on and the entrelac is decreased all the way down. The cuff started at 80sts and at the ankle is only 40. But it fits. Pattern up when I get it worked out reasonably.



The entrelac socks are using Ms. Babs sock yarn, size 0 and 1 needles. The foot will be simple as will the heel and toe. At least I think so. Only done the cuff so far.

I’ve purchased lots of sock yarn lately. Shelley went to Seattle and visited Tricoter. A mind-blowing experience. They designed a sweater for her to her measurements and gauge on the spot!! Another shop served tea and scones. She’s still reeling. Anyway she brought me back my first Socks that Rock and my first Fleece Artist.



At the beach I bought the Ms. Babs for the entrelac and another skein below. I would have had some Colinette Jitterbug, but I hesitated and Beth Sicilia jumped on it.


Found a deal on Euroflax Opal on ebay and bought some colors to take with me to Colorado Knitting Camp in July. We’re doing fair isle there. Have lots of other colors to mix with them.


My latest takealong project is a hand towel. I’m using this gorgeous chocolate Hempathy from Elsebeth Lavold. Just did a few inches of Feather and Fan and then it’s all seed stitch with a chain selvedge. My linen one is at Charlotte Yarn on display. I’ve really loved it and it holds up well in the wash. These would make a great gift with some bubble bath or hand made soap.

Summer Classes

All classes are taught at Charlotte Yarn
Call the shop to sign up.


Beginners, Part 2
June 12, 19, 26 (T)
6:00 – 7:30 pm
$45

For those who knit comfortably, but are ready for more interesting projects. In this class we will learn to purl, to increase and decrease so you can shape your knitting, a new cast on, how to seam pieces together, some pattern reading techniques, how to measure gauge accurately, and how to knit a chain selvedge.

Materials needed: Worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn in a solid, light color; size 6, 7, or 8 needles, pictures or patterns that interest you, scissors, stitch markers, tapestry needle, tape measure and pencil.

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Socks on 2 Circs
June 16 (Sat) OR Aug. 11 (Sat)
10:30 am – 3:30 pm
$65

Join the sock knitting revolution. Many people find using two circular needles to knit socks is easier and faster than other methods. You will knit a small sock to learn the techniques and then start a pair of adult socks for yourself.

Materials needed: Bring ALL of your circular needles size 6 or smaller for the sample sock and some plain worsted weight yarn in a solid, light color. You will probably want to purchase sock weight yarn and two size 0 – 2 needles to start your project during the class.

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Beginning Knitting
July 17, 24, 31 (T)
6:00 – 7:30 pm
$45

For those who have NEVER knitted before.

Materials needed: 10” straight needles in a size 6 or 7. Worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn in a solid, light color, scissors, and a pencil.

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Caberet Bag
August 14, 21
6:00 – 7:30 pm
$35

Use this simple drawstring bag (a Merely a Suggestion pattern is included in the fee) to learn about mixing yarns and using double –pointed needles. Most of the bag can be knit on a 16” circular if you wish. See samples in the shop.
This is a great project for new knitters.

Materials needed: Selection of yarns including 50 g of a smooth base yarn, worsted or DK weight. Bits and scraps of contrasting yarns—at least 2. Don’t forget to look in the sale bins for yarns to include. Some of the sample bags may include everything you need. The instructor will also have some yarns you may add to your bag. Needles—one 16” circular needle (or 2 if you don’t wish to use double pointed needles) and one set of double pointed needles for the second class. Scissors, stitch markers, pencil.

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Couture Cast Ons
August 18 (Sat)
10 am – 1 pm
$35


For intermediate and advanced knitters. Jazz up your knitting with some fancy cast ons. These will work with sweaters, socks, mittens and shawls. We’ll look at braids, I-cord, Twisted German and more.

Materials needed: Scraps of worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn in a solid, light color; size 6, 7, or 8 needles , scissors, stitch markers, tapestry needle, tape measure and pencil.

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Sock Options
August 25
10 am –2:30 pm
$45

For the experienced sock knitter. Learn Lucy Neatby’s garter stitch heel and Nancy Bush’s version of the Balbriggan heel. Also learn the garter stitch toe and the star toe. If there is time, we will learn some interesting cast ons.

Materials needed: Worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn in a solid, light color; size 6, 7, or 8 needles, scissors, stitch markers, tapestry needle, tape measure and pencil. Please bring one or more pairs of socks you have knitted just to show and tell.

Catching up/What Were They Thinking?

I haven’t blogged in so long. I always feel I must have a knitting picture for the blog and I don’t at the moment. The above will have to do.

I have finished my Stitch Diva sweater and some socks; I have another sweater to finish and, of course, more socks. I also hope to have two more sock patterns up on the blog very soon. Waiting for the pictures.

The Sewing Bird Staff went to the beach again and had a blast. We actually knitted a bit. Mostly ate and drank beverages. The weather was too cool for swimming, but we didn’t care. The porch was lovely and the laughter was riotous.

I’ve bought some new furniture for the living room and that has been exciting. The new color scheme is blue and white; never done blue before, so new afghans and pillows must be knit.

The new screened porch is being painted as I type. I look forward to knitting and spinning out there soon.

One more class in the Spring series---Entrelac---next Saturday at Charlotte Yarn. Summer schedule is coming soon. It will be a huge shock, especially for Pat Moore and Harriet Overcash. Some “word eating” in my future.

Thanks to everyone who bought books from me. There are still some more on the list. I really hate passing along knitting stuff to non-knitters. My stash is in my will.

I do have a What Were They Thinking? picture for you. All of my students have heard me talk about the odds of an error, new yarn join, or bobble ending up in an embarrassing place. These folks didn’t hear.