Merely a Suggestion

This Blog has moved

2009-05-20T20:11:00.000-05:00

I've moved the blog to Wordpress. Please click here to get there.

I would transfer you automatically, but I don't know how and Dani and I haven't gotten together for her to hold my hand yet.

Arrrrrgh

2009-05-19T08:48:00.002-05:00

Yesterday the ATT guy showed up to connect the new TV service. Imagine my surprise to find out we were also getting the new internet service as well. Wasn't ready for that. Actually, I supposedly have both at the moment. I can receive email, but not send it. So much for notifying the multitude who have my email address that it might change.

My computer skills are just good enough to mess things up even more and fix nothing. I can feel my blood pressure rising even as I sit here.

Knitting related--Riverbed sock number 3 is dead. Sorry, Cristi. It didn't fit and I wasn't having any fun. I frogged it and cast on a top down sock. I designed a simple cuff of K6, (yo, k2tog)3X over 60 stitches. Even number rounds are straight knit. Row 3 is K6, (k2tog, yo)3x. So why am I telling you? To explain my ah--ha!

I was knitting during DD#1's chamber singers concert and was having trouble remembering which row I was on. Finally, I did what I tell my students. I really looked at the knitting. Then I realized that when alternating yo, k2tog and k2tog, yo, all you must remember is to place the yarnover one stitch away from the old yarnover. Pictures would make this much clearer, but I have no camera at the moment.

I am enjoying my new sock.

The linen skirt is coming along. I hope the extra yarn will arrive early this week. The two tone shell will be finished soon and I will need to focus on a special project for the Greek trip coming up.

I've destashed two garbage bags of yarn. More to do.

Now to try to fix this darn email.

Local Art

2009-05-11T01:00:00.000-05:00

Remember Hieronymous Bosch.

This sculpture is a public piece in Athens, Georgia. I couldn't get any info on it. It looked up close as if it had been sculpted out of duct tape---but it was metallic hard. It is amazing. My favorite moment was watching two 8 year old boys in baseball uniforms looking at it. They were mesmerized. Art and athletics. Nice combo.

On the needles--too much

2009-05-10T13:12:00.000-05:00

This is from my top down class. I've done most of the short rows for the bustline. The quasi-sweetheart neckline is a new one for me. I simply increase two sts every other row instead of one. I wanted a slightly higher neckline so my necklace would not get lost.

The center is created by alternating the center st with navy and lavendar. Neck edging is crab stitch (backwards single crochet). I added the edging as soon as I finished the neckline so I could prevent it from stretching as I threw in in bag after bag to cart it around.
This is a sock. The third attempt at the Cat Bordhi Riverbed architecture. Turtlegirl76 is mentoring me through this. Problem is, I don't seek her help until I've gotten in too far.
This is the increase for the ankle/gusset area. I know I could have kept it in pattern (the big deal about this design is the ability to knit the whole thing in a pattern), but I really want to clearly see how this shaping works. Hold your breath that this one works. It's in Sockotta by Plymouth.
My skirt!!!! This is Louet Euroflax and I am adapting the Sasha skirt pattern. I've figured out a way to chain stitch through the fabric to create a row of stitches which will allow me to knit my ruffles as assymetrical, sloped lace pieces. Anything to avoid horizontal lines on this body.

Also knitting another Curvaceous scarf, a new lace scarf pattern. Enjoying all.

Athens Art show

2009-05-09T13:15:00.000-05:00

$30 for this really cool ring. It's some kind of glass in a sterling setting. Heavy and big and in your face. I just love it. Of course it goes with every thing I own.
This is a shibori scarf in great shades of blue. Honestly I don't (didn't) own a blue scarf.
Erica and I played in the booth and tried several on. Then she reminded me that Mother's Day was not far off. Hence, the gift was chosen. She even picked out one for her Grandmother.
Susan Ellis designed and dyed the scarf. Here's here info. Check out her etsy site.

Last look. Color is best in second pic. Loved the wrinkles. They match my cotton and linen clothes.
I have such great children.
Tomorrow, some real art from this site of the art show.

My guy

2009-05-08T13:18:00.002-05:00

Getting a hit in your ballgame . . .
and getting a second hit . . .
fielding the ball and getting some outs . . . .
checking that Nana is watching carefully . . .
tucking in and looking good.

It is all priceless. No wonder he gets handknit sweaters.

Not my best day

2009-05-06T08:23:00.002-05:00

Trying to do the right thing, even when it feels a bit wrong, can be costly. $800. That's costly.

Last night was my final responsibility to the knitting guild on whose board I have served forever. I needed to be there to present the awards for the annual guild show. And I did try.

Dear close friend's mom went to hospital late afternoon; very serious and I wanted to be more help to her. DSIL were to her home to get the dog to bring here. Couldn't reach anyone from guild to help, so had to go to take the entries.

Huge rain--no, HUGE rain started as dog arrived. By the time I got to my car, the lower end of my street was flooded.

Headed out the top end of the street. Traffic lights out, radio warning of tornadoes. Why did I not turn around and go home? Stupidity, sense of duty, general insanity? I'm putting my money on the insanity thing.

Traveling down Runnymeade, at the light at Colony, there was serious flooding. I got through it and was exhaling with relief when---going uphill--- the road just disappeared and I was floating. Scary. Pulled out of it and drove on. Heading down Sharon Amity, the yellow Check Engine light came on, then all the lights came on and the engine quit.

Why is it that when you lose your power steering you are left with no steering? Can't you just be left with non-power steering like cars used to have? I got off the road and into the driveway of one of the BIG houses. Didn't think I'd be welcome there. Called Steve who said Hmmm.

Sat for a while and tried to crank the car. Eventually it did catch and I went home at a slow speed, constantly vigilant for a place to pull off if it quit again. The yellow Check Engine message flashed the entire way.

Steve took it to the dealer this morning and I'll be without it for a few days. Drowned some major electronic computer thing. It is an $800 computer thing.

Time to dust off the bike.

New Purchases

2009-05-01T10:23:00.005-05:00

The last Stitches post, I promise. I thought you'd be interested in what I bought. The above is something from Universal Yarns. When I made my first trip through the market, Jean was busily working on the computer and phone. Hal was sitting peacefully knitting on a really funky scarf. I couldn't resist and the pattern is free on the Universal website. The "cocoons' of cotton really look like silk cocoons. You only knit the small string between. Takes two balls. I think Jean designed this pattern.

Can you spinners guess who dyed this?

Yep, it's Gale's Art. It is luminous. I just hope I can do it justice on the wheel.

I bought Habu because I don't have a clue when I'll be near some again in the future. The darker purple is silk with a rustic texture. The lighter is the silk and stainless steel stuff. They may work together or I may do something separate. Don't know.
This was my totally out of control buy. These plus a bag of Louet Euroflax solid in a violet will be a skirt. I saw the Sasha pattern made up and fell in love. I bought this from Yarn Paradise from Asheville, NC. Jan and Lisa were working there. Jan loves my Curvaceous pattern. Nuf said, I was suckered in.
The colors and a bit more intense than this. Too much light in my photo. I have no intention of doing the pattern as written. Horizontal ruffles on my BgBt. I don't think so. I've been drawing and I think I can put the ruffles at an angle and get a better effect. I'd better. This skirt will cost a fortune.
Yes, the yarn is Claudia Hand Paint.
Speaking of great dyers. I bought sock yarn from Ellen of Ellen's Half Pint yarn. I think I mentioned it earlier, but here's a picture.

This was my book buy. I want to knit an amulet necklace. I don't care that the fad has passed; I'm still here. There is a sweet bracelet in here that I might try too.

That's it. Lots of projects, more than I have time for. Nothing new there.

Stitches Prizes

2009-04-30T11:00:00.006-05:00

We went to the student banquet. I do hope you saw the flowers in yesterday's blog. akabini has even better pics on her blog.

Each ticket to the banquet had a number, so I had two chances to win at the beginning. Then Bill found a ticket on the floor and couldn't find the owner, so I got that one. As the drawing started, we looked around and saw that a tablemate eligible for a prize had left early, but left her ticket for us. By then, I was the only one at the table not employed by XRX, so I got that one. Surely I would win something --- and I did.
First I won Margaret Fisher's new book about detailed techniques to make or break a sweater.
She has taught this course for years, so I will be interested to read for any tricks or tips I might not know.

A LYS from Dalton, Ga., gave away a $25 gift certificate so I went by the booth on Sunday morning and Steve (who sneaked in with a Staff nametag that said his name was Gay) picked out a pair of socks. Louet Gem Merino.

After all the drawings at the banquet, each table was given a bag of goodies. Instructions were given as to how to hand them out, ex, Give to the third person on your right. Gay and I were the only ones left at our table. I made her take some Malabrigo and some ArtYarn and she made me take the rest.

1. The Guy Knits book in the first picture. Since I already have these patterns in my Knitter's mag archive, I will be giving this to the guild for a door prize.

2. A sock kit from Cascade to make some summer socks.

3. A handmade shawl pin--don't know who created this.

4. A pattern book and the Mission Fall 1824 cotton to make the cute hat on the front. The guild may get this one also. Yarn is not my or my daughter's color.

5. And my favorite gift--a kit from ArtFelt. We stopped by the booth on Sunday and Marcy gave me a very detailed lesson. You don't use a washing machine!!!!!! It's all done in the dryer. I can't wait to try this. One of the big secrets is the base paper to hold the fiber until it is felted . . . . .

Potato Starch Paper----available through their distributors.

I have all kinds of new things to try now. Just need some time.

PS--Thanks to all the vendors who supported this event. I've read some griping on line about some, but I just met with genuine helpfulness everywhere I stopped. I am looking forward to next year.

Stitches Photos

2009-04-29T06:59:00.008-05:00

This is Candace Eisner Strick and you should know who she is. Why? Because she is a great teacher, a marvelous designer, an inventor of the concept of merging colors yarn, and the funniest person I know. She's also wise--and I say that not only because she says I am good enough to teach on a national level--but because she just is. She graciously spent time with me this weekend and gave me such encouraging advice about my knitting career. Anyway--go to her site and the yarn is so cool.

Natalie who works for XRX took this and my great, good friend Gay e-mailed it to everyone who attends the Colorado Knitting Camp. Turns out that Natalie is the one who draws all the graphics for the website and brochures. She's marvelous. Her work is so energetic and fun. So is she. Everyone I've met from Sioux Falls is so clever. Must be the water.

Gay and I had so much fun together. I finally got to meet Bill who does all the facilities management at the Stitches events. All the designers think he is wonderful and I agree.

At the Student Banquet on Saturday night, we sat with Bill and Gay. Also at the table was Anne Claxton who does the KnitU at the Knitters website and Susan Lazear who truly knows the international knitting scene. Both were very nice.

The Atlanta Knitting Guild had knitted flowers---giant flowers---as centerpieces for this event. A local artist wired them. They were huge and clever and beautiful. Alexis Xenakis, the first X in XRX, announced that they had purchased the flowers and were going to drive them back to South Dakota. I suspect they will appear at some future Stitches events.

Sorry about the poor photograpy. These were taken after the cocktail hour, and Meghan will tell you I never took a photo without moving the camera.

These flowers make me more determined than ever to organize a public knitting project for Charlotte.

Tomorrow I'll show you the prizes I won at the banquet. Circumstances came together in such a way that I wound up with quite a haul.

Pictures

2009-04-27T23:25:00.003-05:00

The hotel found my camera cable, along with Steve's pants and shirt, and are shipping them, so yarn pics are coming.

Victoria--awesome fiber woman--was at Stitches on Saturday and told me she had knit my Curvaceous pattern. I shamelessly begged for pics and she sent them.

This is what she did:

Here are pictures of Curvaceous, knitted on maybe #15 needles with some handspun that a friend of mine spun from some Rambouillet fleece she had dyed. I had been keeping an eye out for some yarn with that "rustic" quality that I thought would look particularly nice with this pattern. The yarn was so springy I had to bump the needle size up several times (and of course, I wasn't simply trying a small swatch each time). I hope these are big enough for you to see.

It was fun to knit!

Just like having someone tell you your baby is pretty. Puffed with pride.
Thanks so much Victoria.

Stitches South

2009-04-27T10:27:00.004-05:00

So this was supposed to be a tasteful report on the weekend with pics for those who could not be there. I'd like to blame the lack of photos on the fact that I think I left my camera cable in the hotel, but the truth is I only took a few pictures. Too excited to think. Anyway, here's a brief, photoless, report which I wrote Friday night.

We’re here. Quickly saw Karen (akabini) for a brief hug while her workshop was taking a break. Hope to talk more tomorrow. Steve unloaded the bike and toured the neighborhood.

The hotel is lovely and we have a huge room. I dumped some stuff, checked in at registration and headed for the market. Not many people hanging out. Of course classes were going on when we arrived, but still seemed smaller than I expected. Same with the market.

Stephani Quattrini has a booth. Briefly talked with her and hubby Marc. Hope to have a drink later and here some stories. She’s led a really interesting life and has a bunch to tell. They lived in Tahiti for ten years, then New Zealand, and now northern Mecklenburg. Doesn’t really have a ring to it, does it.

Also spoke with Judy Ditmore of Interlacements for Colorado Springs. She helped teach my first Colorado Knitting Camp in the 90’s. Of course, it was about color. Love her yarns.

Talked with some nice folks from the North Georgia Knitting Guild. They have only been in operation a bit over a year, but seem to have their act together. I picked up a brochure and a needle guide that they use to advertise themselves to other knitters.

Ellen of Ellen’s Half Pint Farm in Vermont is here. I’ve bought from her for years and I love her colorways. I bought two lovely skeins of sock yarn (Yes, Meghan, more sock yarn) and some markers to use for my OTN Cat Bordhi socks.

Candace Eisner Strick spent some time advising me about my knitting workshops and cheering me on. I feel really good about her sweet comments and will put them to use. Her yarn company (Merging Colors) has a new colorway which sounds like me. I’ll search it out when I get online.

Speaking of online. Why is it that the fancier, more pricey hotels nickel and dime you to death. We noticed this when we stayed at the fancy Fairmont hotels in Canada. At the Hampton Inn or Best Western, you get free parking, reasonably priced vending machines, and free internet. Here at the Renaissance Waverly the parking is free, but a Coke costs $2.00 and internet is $14.95 a day. That’s why you are not getting this the day I am typing it. Breakfast? I’ll be at the Starbucks.

Jane Godshall stopped by while I was talking to Candace and we talked a bit. She told Harriet I was here and Harriet joined us for drinks and dinner. She told Stephen stories and updated us about her daughter and her BFF Michael torturing her on Facebook. The woman is a stitch. Friends will be glad to know that no one got “to’e up.”

Haven’t caught up with Gay yet. I’ll hang some with her tomorrow while Steve rides the Silver Comet Trail. I’ll also attend the market again, but I doubt I’ll be buying anymore yarn. I will be looking at books.

Charlotte Knitters arrive on the bus about 11 tomorrow; more friends to play with.

Fun and Stitches

2009-04-21T20:48:00.006-05:00

I saw this on a blog and wanted to share it. Here. While you're there, read around; she's interesting.

********

Tomorrow we head to Stitches South to see friends and maybe buy a little yarn. Gay, who runs the Colorado Knitting Camp I go to every year, will be there with her Bill who organizes Stitches events. We are going to attend the Student Banquet with them.

Candace Eisner-Strick of Strickwear has become a great knit buddy after three years of camp. I'm picking her brain about my next teaching challenge. She's not only smart and clever, she's the funniest woman I know.

Karen Alfke, whom I met on the Vogue Canada trip, is teaching and I look forward to catching up with her. Check out her sweater pattern in the new knitty.

Steve plans to ride the Silver Comet Trail all day Saturday, so I will shop the market, catch up with the Charlotte knitters coming in on the guild's bus and just absorb the event. I can't wait to see new yarns. I wish everyone reading this could be there.

I'll take pics and let you know what new things I find.

Always planning something

2009-04-21T10:20:00.008-05:00

Of course I'm right! If you can't imagine a project for it, move it out. It's not like you can't or won't buy more yarn, cloth, fiber, etc.
--Meghan

DD2 returned from vacation and caught up on my blog. (I love that she reads it.) The above was her response to the post about my studio/junk pile. I love her spunk, but I also love her wise self. "If you can't imagine a project for it" Those are some serious guiding words.

I may need to add "that you would really love." I'm pretty imaginative, but, let's face it, life is finite; and they keep making wonderful new yarns. I'm going to set aside a morning and give it a try. I can always find a knitter who will take in orphan yarn.
So why a picture of my Esther socks? I just love them. Also I have fallen victim to the words of turtlegirl76 and am ready to reopen my copy of Cat Bordhi's book.

Cristi came for dinner last night and brought beautiful socks and sat me down and measured my foot for the Riverbed method of sock shaping. Lord, that girl is convincing. And she knows her socks. Just like one of my own daughters, she reminded me again of my love of adventure in knitting----I'm picking out the yarn today.

Tomorrow night I start a new sock class and, as is always my favorite part of teaching, I will learn something new myself.

Speaking of learning to knit socks. When you first learned or if you were to learn, would you care which technique was taught---dpns, 2 circs, magic loop? This came up in a discussion with my fearless LYS owner, and I'm just curious.

Are you on the Charlotte Yarn mailing list? The announcement came today that Wendy Johnson is teaching and signing her new book at Charlotte Yarn the weekend of June 6 and 7. There are still some spaces in the class and it is very reasonably priced. Remi is bringing Wendy down as a treat to her customers and Fiber Fans. Don't miss out if you are in the area. You can pre-order a book at Charlotte Yarn if you wish.

On the Needles

2009-04-18T22:28:00.006-05:00

Estonian Button Stitch socks (pattern on ravelry and jpknits.com) in Plymouth Sockotta that I found in the attic. These are public knitting and are for me. Next socks will be more adventurous.
This is the sweater I'm creating as I teach the Top Down Custom Fit Shell class. I'm using 1824 Cotton (Mission Falls) from the stash. It knits at 4.25 per inch and I wanted something that would knit up fast. Can't fall behind in my homework.

I'm really pleased with how the navy and the lavendar play off each other. More as I go.

The shrug I mentioned last week (Here) seems to be working out nicely. I even like it so far on me, and I don't wear shrugs. More words to eat. I will definitely offer it as a free pattern as soon as the bugs are worked out.

Stitches South is this weekend and I can't wait to meet up with knit friends from across the country. I plan to make some serious knitting plans as I look at the yarn companies new things for this coming year. Yeah, I might buy some yarn.

Backyard Battle

2009-04-18T22:15:00.003-05:00

Typical scene at the Prater bird feeder. We have awesome squirrels, but I've been winning the last few weeks. In order to eat at all, the squirrels have to hang upside down, and after a few bites, they fall off. They will regroup a few times and then they give up---or start to attack the metal cable to drop the entire feeder. (Ouch, my teeth)
Then along came the Old Timer. That tale has been stripped by combat. No bushy, bushy. But with age and experience comes wisdom.
The Old Timer sinks his claws into the porch framing and r-e-a-c-h-e-s across space to latch on to the bottom of the feeder and just eats his fill.
He rarely falls. Just look at those claws. I haven't the heart to shoo away such a clever agent.

Feeling a bit out of touch . . .

2009-04-15T12:29:00.009-05:00

I've been thinking about the new knitters that I meet and realizing that I'm not really meeting any. I love the joy of someone who is learning to knit. The light in his/her eyes. It renews my own love of the craft. And I haven't felt it lately.

Talking to my BFF I realized why. "Well, you don't teach beginners anymore!"

True. I gave all the classes to another teacher for a reason that escapes me now. No problem. I'm just going to offer some classes and see what happens.

I do get so much positive energy from all my students, but newbies are special. If you have a friend who wants a class, point them my way. I could use a little of their joy. Or maybe just spend a little time thinking about how and when you learned to knit. If possible, write your teacher a thank you note. Give her/him a bit of joy.

Mondays, May 4, 11, 18 at 6-7:30 pm, $45, at Charlotte Yarn. I love to teach when the shop is closed and we get to do some private shopping.

MOVING THE BLOG SOON

I think it is time to move the blog to wordpress.com. I love blogger.com. It is so easy and I've had very little problems with the blog. It's just that I want to make the blog the homepage for my jpknits website and my mentor says wordpress is the way to do it.

I would like to add more articles and tutorials to the site and keep them very convenient for you. Seems sensible to combine. Mentor is coming over in early May and we will make the switch then. Just thought I'd give you a heads up. You'll be forwarded over and then you can change your feed.

To check my progress and to, please, offer suggestions go to new site

New Challenges

2009-04-14T09:39:00.007-05:00

Remi has thrown yarn at me again. Make something out of this! I was skeptical, but I swatched. The flat ribbon is great, but I always like knitting with flat ribbon. The Gedifra Mexican with all the "platelets" in it was definitely different.

Tried it, loved it.

I think this is a shrug--never make a decision until you have to, my motto. It has a big triangle (isosceles) for the back and then I just picked up and knit straight from the side. Caveat: I do not yet know if this works. Just wait and let me make the errors and I'll pass it along to you ----IF it works.

New Shrinky Dink markers to assist when casting on a bezillion sts. Plastic is Brite White from Michaels. Six big pages for under $5. Also includes instructions. Jump rings available there, too.
If you don't know how to do the jump rings, buy yours at Beadlush in Charlotte and they will help you. Beware. Beadlush is a feast for your eyes.

New blog I discovered today. A must read. Craft Fail
It's by many people who post their craft failures. This sweater failure seems so familiar.

Serenity Test

2009-04-13T22:25:00.001-05:00

In another test, I was Mal. I liked this test better.

Your results:
You are Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command)

Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command)		80%
Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic)		80%
Wash (Ship Pilot)		75%
Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)		65%
Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic)		65%
Inara Serra (Companion)		45%
River (Stowaway)		45%
Jayne Cobb (Mercenary)		40%
Derrial Book (Shepherd)		40%
Alliance		40%
A Reaver (Cannibal)		10%

Dependable and trustworthy.
You love your significant other and
you are a tough cookie when in a conflict.

Click here to take the "Which Serenity character am I?" quiz...

Studio or Junk Pile

2009-04-13T17:46:00.013-05:00

I have an entire upstairs at my disposal. My daughter Meghan says I should emphasize the word disposal and get rid of some of my stuff. I tell her she doesn't understand the needs of an artist. She is probably right.I store yarn and fabric and other stuff. I store well. What I don't do is sew. This is a shame because I have no spring clothes that fit. See the T-shirt on the dress form. I started that months (and 29 lbs.) ago. It isn't quite finished---but finishing won't make it fit.
Some of this yarn will never be knit by me. The problem is I don't know which yarn that is. I really need to set up and learn to use my knitting machine.
Did I mention I also have a bit of fiber?

Meet-the-98-year-old-quake-survivor-who-knitted-to-stay-alive

2009-04-10T10:31:00.005-05:00

Check this out.

The focus we get when we knit gives us strength to deal with the world. We know that, but even so this story is amazing.

New Stuff

2009-04-09T20:13:00.000-05:00

Charlotte Knitting Guild, April meeting. This is what we learned to make. They are so cute. I went to Michaels today and bought more Shrinky Dink stuff, in bright white. I'm going to make some markers to help in counting cast on stitches. Watching melted plastic curl and transform into these baby things is incredible fun. Heat guns give you a sense of power.
Blame Cristi; she loaned me one at the shop and I succombed.
These are to hold me over until I can create a colored knitware piece in bright colors. I love the sheep. From Office Depot.
Thank Dani and the big guy for this. They took me by the hand and designed it. I only had to pay for it. I'm only slightly frustrated as I learn a new operating system. Vista puts things in some weird places.

Later.

My role model for life

2009-04-08T09:47:00.001-05:00

Today is Aunt Nene's birthday. Yes, that sexy baby is Baby Jane? Whatever happened . . . never mind.

Aunt Nene loved me totally selflessly. No strings attached, no demands--just love. She loved me enough to send me off on my own life journey without guilt for not visiting her instead of going west to ski. Absolutely no strings and when we met up again, it was always as if no time had passed.

I am more her child than anyone else's. She taught me the important things in life:

women should be athletes
never throw a card game just because your opponent is a child
crossword puzzles are your friends
mystery stories are the best, especially the Perry Mason series
never talk down to children--they are people, too.
nuture those you love and anyone else that needs it
dogs are family
be adventuresome--paint the bedroom aubergine and add some rum to that cake
root for the NY Giants, later the Atlanta Braves
Read, read, read, read, read.
Late in the day, sit down with a cup of tea (Lipton's with lemon), observe the world outside, and just quietly think.

That cup of tea moment was the subject of my first published poem. I can still see it as if I were peeping in the window of the kitchen.

Each moment I spend with my grandsons, I try to channel Aunt Nene. If I can be to them a tenth of what this lady was to me, I will have done good.

I hope someone has loved you this way.

Short Rows without Wraps

2009-04-07T10:12:00.004-05:00

I hate wrapping short rows as shown above. Then you have to pick up the wraps. I have undoubtedly wrapped one stitch backwards (or upside down or just weird) and then have to so some slip-slip--slip to get the sts in the correct relationship to hide the wrap.

Imagine the frustration of a less experienced knitter who has not yet developed the eye to see the error and then to see how to untangle the problem. (This eye comes only through lots of experience.)

I researched short rows--looked at yo's, Japanese method--tried to create a memory device for the more common method. I was still unhappy--well, very annoyed that I wasn't a mindless master of this technique.

Then lightning struck. I've turned heels for years and never wrapped anything. I just turn, slip the next st and work the row. Why couldn't I just do that when I knit short rows? On knit rows and purl rows---same thing.

Well, I can! And now I do. And my short rows are neat, less visible than before.

I'm a genius.

Since the Eureka, I have tripped over this identical technique done by dozens, maybe hundreds, of other knitters. Hardly anything is new in knitting. We just, as EZ said, "unvent" the technique for ourselves.

So I'm not a genius? I'm a knitter. Much better.

Spindle Success

2009-03-31T09:32:00.003-05:00

I learned to spin on a wheel--actually an 18th c. reproduction at a local history site--

I'm a fair hand at it. I spin by the seat of my pants. No math, no data, just two ply sport and dk weight yarns.

Drop spindles came much later and were a disaster for me. Merike Saarnit took me in hand at a dye workshop and I discover top whorls and bowls for parking. Still clumsy though.

Jet's talented husband Preston began making spindles. Gorgeous, intricate whorl patterns. Small, "lady-like" spindles. Had to have one. (Mine is one of his simpler ones.)

Bought it; couldn't spin with it. We all knew it wasn't the spindle that was the problem.

Enter friend Cat!

She said, "Oh. Change hands. Spin it with your dominant hand and draft with the other." A-hem! That's how I do it at the wheel. Duh.
She said, "Park and drive."
I said, "Park and draft."
She said, "Whatever."

Result--Sock and lace weight singles. Can ply or can knit energized singles a la Kathryn Alexander.

I love Cat.

Coloring with Cat

2009-03-30T15:20:00.004-05:00

Cat came over Sunday and we decorated my yard. Actually this was my first time dyeing with someone outside of class and it was inspirational. Well, of course, when you dye with an artist, good things have to happen.

Cat was amazing. She used 15 colors to get just the right one for this silk. I stand instructed.

This seacell is so gorgeous. I think I actually like it better than the silk.

I dyed some old handspun. I only used two colors--violet and silver grey. They blended quite a bit in the pot (another first for me) but I like the colors. On the left, some Wensleydale and on the right, mohair.

The first part of the day we dealt in soft colors.

Then we dyed roving. I love my green and my red roving. Waiting for it to dry is agony.

Cat overdyed some roving (on the right) and made lovely intense colors

This is what I knew how to do BC. (Before Cat) I dyed this in a center pull ball in the microwave. I only have 75 yards, but I'll mix it with something.

Brookgreen Shawl Finished

2009-03-24T09:03:00.006-05:00

The story here is more about the photo taking session. It's me with my new haircut trying to look sophisticated (impossible).

The length is very impressive here. I blocked the #$^%$ out of this thing. Made is less bouncy, but drapes nicely.
A shorter look when wrapped around my body. Nice and warm.
This shows the back (top) and front of the shawl at the same time. I almost like the back better.
Steve just takes pictures. He doesn't really look at his subject too often and never waits until I am ready.
The back view! Wouldn't you think he would have mentioned that it wasn't really draped well. At least I can enjoy that the huge backside has shrunk a bit.

I need a more involved photographer. Meghan-n-n-n-n-n!

I knit this lengthwise, in the round, and cut a steek. I think I'll offer it as a class for there is much to learn.

Sassy--in Process

2009-03-21T10:25:00.001-05:00

She is almost finished. But NOTE: I have already finished the neck and sleeves, well, not sleeves. I have even done the tie.

I telling you right now----You do NOT have to wait until the end to finish a piece. I even blocked this just before I started the bottom. Yes, wet blocked. I like this do it as you go. When I finish, I will be able to just weave in that last tail, put it on, and go. Do I sound like a kid at the shoe store? I always wore my new shoes home.
Here's a closeup of the tie and the bottom pattern. Notice that the whole sweater is on a string, not a needle. This is the only way to try it on and be certain what it will look like and how it will fit. This is not punishment, but opportunity.
Three rows of single crochet and then crab stitch.
One row of single crochet and then crab stitch.

Remi wants me to write this up. I am going to give it a try. I'll probably write it as a standard pattern, but fill it with optional fit suggestions. For instance, don't choose your sweater pattern size by your bust measurement!

I'll be using this a bunch in the Top Down Custom Fit Shell class in April. If you like it, and even if you would like it a bit more subdued, join us.

Socks a la Fassett

2009-03-20T10:12:00.006-05:00

Steve's new socks. I used his favorite K4, P1 cuff. It doesn't interfere with the color and the color is what these socks are ALL about.
The toe is a K1 color A, K1 color B pattern. I knit from the outside in, but to get the other color, I pulled from the inside until I found one that would contrast well.
The heel is a K2 (A), K2(B) offset on rows 3 and 4. For this one I wasn't as choosy about the contrasting color. Also the large size of the heel flap used the color repeats more rapidly than the toe.

Sorry the photos are so small. But you get the idea. They are on my sockblockers which don't show them off to my advantage. I think I need to buy him his own sockblockers. Cristi, do you do bicycles?

OTN

2009-03-19T15:45:00.002-05:00

A new sweater--top down of course--in process. I have stopped here to make a decision on where it goes. Definitely empire line, but what will be the bottom? Katia Bombay, 100% mercerized cotton. Has some bounce. I may publish the pattern.
Please note the crochet on the edge of the neck. Big important tip!!! Use a row of single crochet or a running basting stitch along the edge of necklines and armholes to prevent over stretching them while you are knitting the rest of the garment. When you complete the garment, you can remove them or use them. I like options.
Regia sock yarn in a Kaffe Fassett colorway. This was souvenir yarn from a beach trip with the gang. Way back when I bought it, I had not yet seen this available in Charlotte. Now Charlotte Yarn stocks it regularly. The colors are too beautiful.
However-----I have to break up the strip somewhere, somehow. Tune in later.

Sweet Thing Sticks to Your Shoulders

2009-03-17T15:43:00.001-05:00

The latest Merely a Suggestion pattern.

This scarf/shawl works well as both a simple shawl which is shaped enough to stay on your shoulders (First important design detail) and
as a scarf worn with the triangle in front and the ends wrapped around the neck and falling to the front.
The lovely lace edging is simply knitted on at the end of the pattern. No sewing on or knitting tiny rows forever and slip stitching them to the body. (Second important design detail.)

I used the new Araucania yarn Ruca Multy for the main body of the shawl. It is 100% sugar cane, hence the name. Softer than possible, it drapes beautifully over the body. After much swatching I discovered the colors were shown best in simple garter stitch. The yarn is available at Charlotte Yarn ($14, 263 yds. per 100 gr) and you only need one skein.

The lace edge is knit in Crystal Palace Panda Silk ($9, Bamboo, Merino, Silk, 204 yds/ 50 gr.) and uses less than one skein.

Sizing the shawl up or down is easy and the directions for doing so are in the pattern. It is available from Charlotte Yarn, jpknits.com, and Ravelry. Enjoy.

Keeping Track

2009-03-12T03:42:00.001-05:00

Often in classes, I'm asked how to keep track of things like increases and decreases. Here is a raglan jacket for DD#2. I've shaped it to skim her body. At each decrease is one of my favorite markers.

This is how I keep track.

The light blue thread marks the place where she tried it on for length and I saw I needed four more inches to reach her waist.

One of the secrets to a custom fit is to try it on often and mark where you are.

Pride and Copying

2009-03-10T12:41:00.001-05:00

I am a Jane Austen fan, hence the title.
My great-good-forever-friend Pat Moore made her own version of my Top Cat pattern. Truly this is a great gift to me. Doesn't she look beautiful?

I read the blogs of Yea I Knit and Turtlegirl 76 (links in sidebar) Both seem to belong to the same dishcloth KAL. Both posted pics of a stitch pattern that intrigued me, and so I have copied them. It's fun to knit, feels "sproingy" and mystifies non-knitters.

Check it out for yourself. Pattern

New Yarn from the Retreat

2009-03-09T08:00:00.003-05:00

Miss Babs brought us a trunk show of yarns. The fingering weight sock yarns were beautiful. I, of course, need more sock yarn like Iceland needs snow, but I felt a responsibility to purchase after her huge effort to support us. Honest!

The grey ombre (OOK Storm)is for doing some fancy colorwork with all the bits and pieces of left overs I have---or maybe something more planned.

The silveriness appealed.
This green colorway (Bluegrass) is a bit more vibrant that the pic, but it still has a soft, feminine quality to it.

A Strand of Purls, one of Hickory's LYS, opened Saturday evening just for us. It was a nice thing to do, and I wanted to support her, also, with a purchase.

Her base yarns seem to be Universal Yarn and Sublime. I wasn't interested in either of those. Her sock yarn didn't interest me because I had just seen Miss Babs' show. I almost bought some Rowan magazines. I never knit anything from them, but I can enjoy the photos for years,

Finally I found a Louisa Harding silk yarn called Mulberry in a great color for me. I also liked the spin which really shows the luster. I had never seen this yarn before and it was screaming "Lacy shawlette" at me. I bought four skeins to play with. (126 yds/ 50 g; 100% silk)

I'm in a small shawl / large scarf mood just now. More on this later.

I think I showed remarkable restraint. Just don't ask when I plan to cast on and knit these babies.

The Retreat in Hickory---late report

2009-03-08T18:05:00.000-05:00

Shelley and I wind Kate's sticky yarn.

This is what I wrote after I arrived at the Catholic Conference Center near Hickory--
I'm always glad to travel Hiway 321 because the roadside is so clean--no billboards. The grass isn't very green and the trees are stark naked. Even so, the absence of civilization (except for the big asphalt ribbons of road and the occasional truck) is a nice mental break.

At that point, Lynda M showed up and put me to work. And it started . . .

Sallie, Linda, Heather

The "campers" were all interesting folk with great stories to share. Meal times were lively. As camp food goes, it was better than some I've been to. My fish on Friday night had been baked with lemon and capers and was good. Breakfast provided lots of choices and I didn't have to eat that biscuit---which was so go-o-o-d.

Rachel, Pat, Kate

Charlene Schurch is an excellent instructor. Her visual aids were really excellent. She pitched the class so taht all levels learned. We got to see the socks from her two great books. I loved that she confessed most of them have no mate.

Meg, Lynda, Dinah

When I first started designing, I wore my pieces. Then I realized I needed to be able to show them, so now they go into a drawer. It hadn't occurred to me to knit just one. Hm-m-m-m.

Charlene's Frost Flower lace shawl was my favorite. This picture doesn't capture the vivid color, but you can clearly see the pattern.

Jet, Karen, Elizabeth

I thought the weekend was a blast. The location was truly a retreat from a busy life; class and yarn shopping was fun, but best of all, was the two night slumber party.

Shelley who loves to have her picture taken

FO-OTN-Miss Babs-Jeans

2009-02-26T11:18:00.004-05:00

First, thanks for the awesome suggestions for my Greek list. It will be so much better than it was.

The Melon shawl--Steve named it after the small watermelons we see early in May before real watermelon season--is complete except for embellishing. I was very far into it before I discovered this particular technique for handling the sneeziness I was battling with the mohair. I had a Kleenex trapped under my glasses to mask my lower face. Now that really looked ridiculous, and it didn't work all that well. Then I remembered the masks I use for dyeing. Better. A really good idea is a soft surgical mask. Now to figure out how to wear it---without the mask. Final pic later.

Next project?
Remi purchased some wonderful new summer yarns. I'm using this neat cotton--Katia Bombay--fingering wt--100g=251 yds--$14.00. Long color repeats. This little lace pic is nice on a size 4 needle. So far this is a pullover. Other decisions as necessary. Probably a slightly dropped empire line. Definitely short sleeves. I just think it will look great with the white pants and white shirts I wear all summer. Maybe this will stop people coming up and asking for medical advice. Do I look like a nurse??? Well . . . .

Monday I drove up to Hickory to the Catholic Conference Center where the Charlotte Knitting Guild is hosting a retreat this weekend. The famous Miss Babs of hand dye fame (redundant) is providing a trunk show for the group and I showed up to help arrange storage for the yarn until we get there and buy it all. She is so sweet and brought such good stuff.

I started to take pictures as Jennifer unloaded, but then I decided to wait so as not to frustrate this weekend's participants. Also didn't want anyone to see the yarn I have already put back for me --hee--hee. Check out her website if you haven't seen her stuff. She also brought us gifts--no hints.

Finally, those great (2 size smaller) jeans I am wearing in the picture with Miss Babs are brand new and so cool. They were featured on Oprah and the salesclerk at Dillards insisted I try them on. Smart woman. Ask for Wade. Anyway, they come with a disclaimer and I share it with you. This is a label from inside the jeans.

Future Fair Isle Idea

2009-02-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'm loving knitting my fairly mindless shawl and socks. I'm also thinking about pillow covers. No shaping, no increases, no critical fitting issues. Just knit.

I found this Kaffe Fassett chart called African Rope in Rowan #37. It makes more sense to turn it 90 degrees, at least to my strange brain. I think it would work that way.

I like cotton better than wool for throw pillows. Wool pills from the hard use Steve gives any and all pillows. Classic Elite Provence is my all time favorite cotton, followed by it's cousin Butterfly 10 or Tahki Cotton Classic. I swear they come from the same mill. They do all come from Greece. Oh wait! I'm going to Greece. Perhaps, just maybe, if I find the time, I might buy just a little bit of Butterfly 10 in my den colors. Or my living room. Or both.

How about a light taupe and a dark eggplant?

Temptation is so . . . well, tempting.

Nana Knits with Evan

2009-02-18T23:22:00.001-05:00

Is this not the cutest thing you have ever seen? He only uses one needle and just wraps it to death. He's not quite ready for real lessons, but he will be soon. He knows just where his yarn is and goes to it every time he comes. He loves to make things. I am deeply in love.

New (to me) Yarn--Pagewood Farm Yukon

2009-02-17T21:00:00.000-05:00

Nice Gift and Calling All Greek Lovers

2009-02-17T09:07:00.000-05:00

This first pic is a gift from Kate. These are felted balls, no, she didn't make them. Some of them have bells in them. Just another way to add fiber to my home decor. Aren't the colors terrific?

HELP!!!!See below.
What I'm Reading
Thomas Cahill's Sailing the Wine Dark Sea

Re-reading actually. I read this before my first trip to Greece. Enjoying it even more this time. The subtitle is "Why the Greeks Matter." This is prep for my June trip when I will be chaperoning college students for a 10 day visit. These students are all NC Teacher Scholars which means they have qualified for a great scholarship program and will repay the state by teaching here for three years. A way of getting the best and brightest into teaching.

My job, besides counting heads, is to help the kids prepare to relate to what they see and to show them many of the ways their own experiences will inform their classrooms. I'm pretty excited about both.

I'm trying to put together a viewing/reading/listening list of material for them. Most of the list should be fairly light. This isn't a course. Cahill is a fairly serious book English and history majors would like. Also on the list are
Zorba the Greek--novel or film
Clash of the Titans--the worst film ever made about Greek mythology, but my students always loved it
300--lots of Spartan history and great graphic visuals
Edith Hamilton's Mythology--an easy read

The Iliad and The Odyssey are really required, but I'm hoping they will remember it from high school.

Before I do my English teacher thing, I'm hoping you can help me by sending me names of books, films, music that somehow connect to Greece. Children's stories?

Does anything fun come to mind?

Matador-ish is finally finished.

2009-02-16T14:46:00.005-05:00

Side view. Steve took these and I'm finally getting him to understand that you only care about the sweater and to get in close.
Here's the back and I really like the simple peplum suggested by Kate.
The front--Yes, I should have put on a different shirt. Also I am all scrunched up because I haven't yet done the couture closure that I promised. I'm holding it closed against the elastic and am trying to pretend I'm not. Just need to go buy the grograin ribbon.
This really shows the stitches. I used a linen stitch for about an inch around the waist. Inside I have hem stitched a nice piece of black elastic to the top and bottom of the linen stitch rows. This pulls everything in nicely and gives some support to the waist area. I'm very pleased with this touch.

All in all I am satisfied with this top down sweater. It fits perfectly and the Shelridge Farm W4 yarn is so soft.

V-Day and New on Needles

2009-02-16T14:24:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day and a gorgeous bouquet from Steve. Lily, gerber daisy, other daisy, roses, chrysanthemum--all favorites of mine. Just so sweet. He was clearly proud of his choices, and I am so grateful--I love fresh flowers.

NEW ON NEEDLES

A brioche stitch shawl knit lengthwise with a steek so I can mindlessly work on it. I will cut the steek, pull out the stitches and have fringe--or weave in the ends and have a different end treatment.

Noro Yuzen, Wool, silk, mohair. Color 1; black, charcoal, grey, teal, yellow-green from Charlotte Yarn.
Brooks Farm Primero--100% mohair. Green ombre from SAFF, 2007.

Size 8 US Kollage SQUARE needles with the softest circular cable you could ever imagine. Ordered from yarnmarket.com.

I'm guessing I'll use about 500 yards of each yarn for a finished shawl about 77 inches long and 18 wide.

I'm knitting it lengthwise so I will have vertical stripes on my back when I wear it. Always thinking vertical as in "vertically challenged."

Brioche stitch--it bears repeating--is so rhythmic and fun to knit. Zen like. And I'm not alone in my opinion. See earlier comment.

Brioche vs. K1below

2009-02-07T18:00:00.000-05:00

I did buy the new XRX book , Knit One Below by Elise Duvekot. I would post pictures to demonstrate my comments, but I'm a little scared of Alexis.

This book is laid out beautifully, much like the three Sally Melville books they did. The text is extraordinarily helpful. Ellise is clear and anticipates problems before they happen. The projects show beautiful fabrics and color combinations to die for. Yes, here comes the BUT---Too many straight lines. Straight shoulders don't fit my super slanted ones; straight armcyes don't fit my curved arms. Dropped shoulders, even modified drop shoulders aren't ever your best choice. That said, I'm not sorry I bought the book.

I plan to use what I have learned from Elise and create my own shapes. Do look at the book when you get a chance.

Another but---
I started knitting Elise's mitered square in the K1below technique and found it only okay. I changed midway to the brioche st (tutorial on my website) and learned a lot.
Take a look. The brioche is at the top of the piece; K1b is at the bottom. They look the same to me--well, almost. The K1b is a bit denser, which could be important to your project, especially in colder climes.

This is the back of the piece. Focus on the left side of the picture; the right side is a mess because I'm still trying to figure out the mitered decrease section. Pretty similar; some would say the same.

This is my joining following the K1below directions. I don't think it is a fair show; I may could have knit this much better. I'm using a Bernat cotton that splits like crazy, but feels really great.
This shows the K1 below both back and front.

This is the join I figured out using the brioche st. I like it better--I know this is sloppy--I'm still figuring out how I want to do it.

So, what have I learned as I knit this washcloth?
1. I don't enjoy the K1b nearly as much as I like working the brioche st. It's a rhythm thing.
2. I'd probably choose to do the striped mitered square as a fair isle project if I wanted a firmer fabric. Both brioche and K1below give a very drapey, bouncy fabric unless you torture the yarn with supersmall needles.
3. I think brioche would make a killer winter coat.
4. I know brioche will make a luscious reading shawl.

Planning my knit life

2009-02-06T16:30:00.001-05:00

Remi is such a taskmaster. Nag, nag, nag. What are you going to teach? When will you write it up? ---NOT-T-T!!!! Actually she is always so "when you have time" oriented that it makes me a little guilty. Therefore I'm planning 6 months ahead this time.

I'm not going to announce all 6 months; can't be that locked in. But I will have something ready for her before she even asks. A-hah!! Feeling proud.

I love my new little two hour classes because they bring me together with so many new folks. They don't realize how old my jokes are. They bring new yarns and new problems for me to solve--I love both.

I think we know have a lot of sweater knitters who may be interested in learning how to custom fit their work rather than just knitting a medium. I'm going to offer a class on making a sloper and analyzing your places to tweak the pattern, and how. I'm also going to offer a top down tank class followed by a set in sleeve class.

I've been redecorating (as a pace that would stifle a snail) and I'm thinking home dec stuff. I love decorating pillows someone else made and stuffed--I know it's easy--it's just not really fun. For me. Spaghetti sauce on your pillow--Great--Knit a fix.
This one is just stashdiving and intarsia.

I also want to put my new brioche skills to work. Maybe a throw, maybe just a cloth.

My Matadorish sweater is completed, but needs some alterations. Kate taught me a neat way -- actually the coutour way-- to button a jacket waistband. It doesn't include a buttonhole. Stay tuned.

Mark's Curvaceous

2009-02-05T12:41:00.003-05:00

My friend, Kate, knit this for her son who is in England for a semester. She had the yarn hand dyed by Debbie at Yarns to Dye For. It's a big, bulky, soft merino that is fabulous to fondle. My photos don't do it justice. Debbie worked with Kate until the color was perfect--a dark eggplant--lots of black in the purple. He is going to love this.
I tried photographing it on a hand dyed, hand woven piece I bought in Ecuador years ago. I still cherish the memory of the man who wove while sitting on the floor--he actually had a concrete floor. So many of the people we visited only had dirt.
Here's a slightly different angle--I'm too lazy to go back and tilt the picture.

Look at how well Kate prevented cable flare. I think she added a few rows to the pattern before she did the first cable. Smart move.

This detail shows the effects of the kettle dyeing. I have to get back to that shop. Heaven knows I don't have enough yarn. Bulky yarn, I mean.

A treat for you---
Some SC quilters found a clever, artsy way to raise money for breast cancer research. These are gorgeous.

New Patterns on Ravelry, jpknits, and Charlotte Yarn

2009-01-27T20:02:00.001-05:00

Encircle is a one skein project and perfect for jazzing up a Tshirt.
Top Cat is a sassy little hat which knits up quickly.

Both are available for download through ravelry or through jpknits. Remi has hardcopies for sale at Charlotte Yarn.

On my needles today are a pair of socks for DH. I taught a socks on magic loop class--Hey, guys!--and had to do the homework I assigned, so I took a deep breath and started some new socks with the Shelridge Farm So Soft Sock yarn I bought in Canada. Steve picked out a different pattern, but this one from Barbara Walker looked like more fun.

The traveling stitches carve out a ribbonesque design and there are diamonds of seed st at the curves. It's a 36 row pattern, 12-14 st repeat. You do have to refer to the chart most rounds, but you aren't glued to it.

31 more days until the Charlotte Knitting Guild Retreat kicks off. There are still a few openings and the price is great. Check the website for more details. Hope to see you there.

New Sofas

2009-01-24T19:38:00.001-05:00

We have received our new sectional sofas. I'm proud to announce that they will hold three knitters and two dogs, provided all are close friends. I'm ready for some serious group knitting.

Of course, new anything makes everything old look a little dingy--unless you are counting pricey antiques. Friday was a day off for Steve so he tackled putting a coat of paint on the end wall of the den. It's highly textured and I do hate to paint brick, but we have too many different textures in here and I was tired of my table art being lost among the bricks. My teak furniture really stands out now. As Steve painted, Henry and Jake supervised. I just stacked stuff and moved stuff and generally created chaos.

A new color scheme is under advisement. This fabric has chocolate, icy blue and hot green. It's a start, and quite a change from all the red. I really want to bring in lots of apple green. A ceiling guy comes Thursday to scrape the popcorn off the ceiling. Then it's pick colors (just open a vein) and hire a painter.

Big doings this weekend. DGS#2 spent the night without his parents. This was the first time. He's so young we didn't want to put him upstairs alone, so he slept in the back bedroom aka the closet. He loved it. I sneaked a picture while he was asleep, but that eye sure does look open.

Clearly from the pictures I need to declutter and symplify. Anyone want to come coach me?

Short Row Hat; Yarn Art

2009-01-24T08:40:00.005-05:00

I was thinking about my short row class and wished I had a simple project to give them. Just sat and knitted up this little number. The garter stitch swallows the wraps and the possibilities for colorwork are numerous.

I also did the Idiot cord on a beautiful hard carved spool I bought in Mitchell, Nebraska at the Brown Sheep Company. A local guy carves them. Then I just sewed it on.

I will put a tutorial for the hat on my website soon, so that others might get a jump start on short rows. Can't fit a garment without them.

New Yarn Art
Click here for a treat. I'm loving this public yarn art. This appears to be crochet rather than knit, but who cares?

Lucky accidents

2009-01-22T09:20:00.004-05:00

I was trying to knit a sample for the shop so folks could see how beautiful this Elsebeth Lavold Bamboucle yarn is. So I just knit another Encircle, my collar pattern.

This yarn is a bit big for the pattern and I thought I'd have to pull it out and start over, but then I lay it down, then it slipped to the floor, and then I noticed how it naturally folded at the center of the lace pattern. Not only folded over but slid into a natural curve.

Now, just between us, the whole thing was an accident, but if I get compliments on this, I will just smile. No need to let the non-knitting world know. Keep them amazed and maybe they will learn to knit.

Free--Micheline, aka Michael

2009-01-08T13:41:00.010-05:00

I've been playing with brioche stitch. Before you say "So what?" let me tell you my history with brioche.

My friend, Michael G., who took quite a few classes from me as he began his knitting career said--"Oh, I love the look of this two color brioche hat I found in this great new book of patterns, but I can't figure it out. --blah--blah--blah Wish you'd teach a class--blah--blah--blah.

Okay, I bought the ^&(^*(%^&% book. (Can you see where this is headed?) Tried the pattern--didn't work out--spent hours trying to figure it out--no help online--determined I could conquer this--worked, cussed, worked some more--Got it!!!

Offered the class and NO ONE, especially Michael, signed up. Forgive him? Hell, no! I will harass him forever about this. If you knew Michael, you'd know how much fun that can be.

RESOLVED: Never knit brioche stitch again.

Years pass. Fisherman Rib, a cousin to brioche, becomes a hot new stitch pattern. I get an itch to knit the two colored brioche--a cowl scarf.

Research. Eureka!!! I find Nancy Marchant's website.

She is the queen of brioche and has enough tutorials online to keep me busy for years. I-love-this-stitch. (Earlier resolution is null and void. Again, words are eaten.) Brioche is fast, fun, and the fabric is cushy and bouncy (kind of like me). I made three cowl collars.

Here is what I learned.
1. Start with two colors. It is so much easier to see what you are doing.

2. Needle size determines if the pattern is crisp (standard size needle for the yarn)

or slouchy (go up 2 or 3 needle sizes).

Both work well.

3. You only need about 75 yards of each color.---STASH BUSTER! Here's how I did it!

To knit this project, go to my website.

Happy New Year to All

2009-01-01T16:17:00.003-05:00

It's January 1 and Steve and I are caulking the den pre-painting. It's never ending excitement at this house.

Just read Dani's blog about not doing resolutions. My only resolution is to try to make good choices. Not a bad life philosophy actually. I always taught that life was a series of decisions you make (That's why your homework wasn't done on time.) and you have to take the consequences.

I'm working hard on pattern writing. It's hard to divorce the teacher from the designer and left alone all my patterns would be 50 pages----and therefore never finished for publication. Curvaceous has done so well that I have Follow-up-itis about anything that comes out next. Top Cat, a silk collar, and the beaded handwarmers should come out in a week or so. This has so strangled my brain that I haven't even really published my class lists.

Deciding on classes hasn't been easy either. The smart business woman would just teach what people request. But I always THINK that what they request is not really what they need to grow as a knitter.

I still want to do a rather lengthy Knit to Fit workshop series. There is so much to know and none of it hard in order to custom fit your projects. It is so sad to see someone work so hard on a project and then never wear it because it doesn't quite fit. I've frogged quite a few in my time and it isn't pleasant. I've worked out an outline and may try teaching it as individual classes.

OTN
I'm still working on my version of Nicki Epstein's Matador Jacket. Also the jacket with the mitered squares lapels. I've added a top down raglan cardi for Meghan. No socks; burned out. Need to knit DGS#2 a sweater and DGS#! a Transformer hat.

Have several lace projects in my head and have done some swatching. I'm just bouncing all over the place.

Oh, I've lost 14 lbs. Thank you, Katherine.

Still meeting lots of former students on Facebook which is great fun. One I thought was dead turned up healthy and happy. Now that was a present.

Best wishes to everyone and thanks in advance for all the things you guys will teach me this year.

Happy Holidays and perfect gifts

2008-12-25T13:09:00.005-05:00

Happiest holidays to all of you and thank you for caring enough to check in with me here.

DH isn't the easiest man to buy for, but the kids and I nailed him this year. Bike jerseys with Prater sarcasm--he loved them.

And, of course, as soon as we returned home, he hit the streets. Well, it is 65 degrees here. The neighborhood kids are in shorts.

Happy New Year to all.

Merisoft by Punta

2008-12-21T02:38:00.004-05:00

Sandy discovered this yarn and Remi ordered it and I bought it. It is wonderful. I am making another version of my new hat pattern which will come out after Christmas. The colors are marvelous. Some are subdued blends and others very intense as is the blue I chose.

I generally don't like a single twist yarn. But this one is different. The yarn is twisted enough that it won't pill like crazy or develop weak spots. It is quite firm, yet very, very soft. The firmness will allow the yarn to show stitch patterns. I haven't cabled with it, but I'll bet it's great for that.

It has a nice price point for such a luxurious feel. Only $15.00 for 197 yards. That's a lot of yardage. It's a worsted weight, so I knitted it on an 8US for my first swatching. Lovely and wearable.

I'm discovering a real affection for worsted weight yarn after years of tiny yarn obsession. This and the Selridge Farm Soft Wool have made me a believer. And guess what? It knits up a lot faster than fingering weight. Duh!

Check your local yarn shop and prepare to fall in love with Merisoft.

Thoughts; new pattern progress

2008-12-18T10:43:00.005-05:00

Looks like this might be the next pattern released. I had hoped it would be Top Cat but I am having some problems writing that one specifically enough. I like to write a pattern that helps you custom fit things to yourself, but sometimes that leaves a newer knitter a bit anxious. Kate, my trusty and excellent test knitter, has given me some food for thought and I plan to rewrite Top Cat a bit more specifically.

Above is Encircle, a collar or neck warmer I designed for the shop to show off the Debbie Bliss Pure Silk yarn. It needs a quick test knit and will be ready to go. It's less bulky than most neckwarmers which makes it great for here in the South and perfect for Winter warming seasons up North. The key is a great button.

Knitting as jewelry has always been my favorite.

Here's a non knitting treat for you.

From Zen Crafting

And, here are some words of wisdom from Lesley Riley’s Quilted Memories; Journaling, Scrapbooking and Creating Keepsakes with Fabric (2005):

Just because it doesn’t look the way you thought it would does not mean it isn’t any good.
Don’t be so critical of your own work. Don’t spend time fussing and fretting, just finish and go on to the next project. This was actually a valuable lesson my daughter taught me when she was two years old. I watched her draw (scribble) picture after picture without ever stopping to judge, criticize, or ask my opinion. It was obvious the joy was in the making, not the product. I have realized that with quantity you get quality.

I've been reading some non-knitting sites and have loved looking at pictures of paper art. The above quote just knocked me out. So often I react to a swatch as a failure, instead of as a new possibility for another time. I'm going to work on that.

When do you block?

2008-12-15T16:01:00.005-05:00

Knitters often ask me when they should block. Usually they mean a sweater and should they block before or after they sew. That is not the only time the question should be asked. Above is a new lace scarf pattern I am designing--OR--a swatch of a lace piece that didn't work. I won't know which until it dries.

Is the yarn I chose suitable for this design? Or will it draw up into a lump or fail to hold the stitch definition and become a limp rag. Never know until I try. Even though I tend to design on the needles as I go, that doesn't mean I am willing to labor long on merely a possibility (pun). So----I block while it is still on the needles.

I love these Brittany needles because of the curved points. I also love them because you can immerse your knitting for a pre-blocking soak without taking it off the needles. No rust; no swollen wood; just good old plastic.

When do I block? Only when I must. For lace, you must in order to see its beauty. For a cotton pullover that will be washed and lain flat to dry, why bother? I will steam things to set the stitches before I wear them, but that means I will steam them each time I launder them to just perk them up. The stretching and pinning kind of blocking is reserved only for things I will again stretch and pin as I launder. That will never apply to a casual garment that will be worn and laundered often.

Maybe that evening wear Aran with the boa feathers in Nicky Epstein's new book . . . .But where would I ever wear it?

This is the beginning of a Jojoland pattern for a scarf or shawl. I love modular knitting and hexagons seemed like fun (They are.) The yarn is sinfully inexpensive and this blue is my color. Why am I stalled? How the heck do you block this? Even with blocking wires, it will take a million pins. I'm trying to decide if it is worth it.

Sometimes strange details determine if you start or finish a project.

Fun sites and pattern news

2008-12-14T17:39:00.006-05:00

Garnstudio sent out an email asking for votes for which patterns should be available first in their summer/spring selection. I did vote. I based my vote on techniques I wanted to see--a how did they do that kind of thing.
I chose this because it appeals to my ADD knitting style. I like to mix colors, styles, etc. I also prefer color blocking to hand dyes for my garments.

This is very neat. I have a ss pullover that appears to be knit this way. I think it will really catch the eye. This could even be a stash buster project.

I don't like this yarn, but I do like this shape. I think it will emphasize a curvy figure whether you have one or not. I also want to see how they stabilize this to prevent bias stretching---If they do that. So many diagonal knits don't.

I also liked these. I love mitered squares and think these would be easy to figure out just from the photo. I've seen versions of this lots of places, but these were just cute enough to ring my bell.

If you are unfamiliar with Garnstudio, go to their website. Thousands of free patterns, all with schematics and well written.

Sing up for their Christmas calendar and get a new holiday pattern each day in the month of December. It's not too late. Lots of cute stuff.

No one is getting a knitted Christmas present this year. I'm so wrapped up in writing patterns or figuring out new designs that all my time has been spent there. No complaint. It's been fun. I even like knitting swatches. I'd better. A lot of them tell me to NOT use this stitch for this purpose. I am learning a lot, but I have not got much to physically show for my efforts. Don't care. Having fun.

Facebook

2008-12-10T08:02:00.003-05:00

I have resisted joining Facebook or any of its clones. I already waste too much knitting time on Ravelry and have trouble keeping up with the blogs I truly want to read. But Tvini sucked me in. She sent me a post from a former student from Smith Junior High--we are talking many years ago--naming me her favorite English teacher ever. This student has a degree in English, so I'm facing tough competition for this honor.

Well, after dribbling all over myself at the post, I registered and now I just sit around grinning stupidly. I have located so many great kids who have grown into great adults. You think you really know who they will be; at 16, the possibilities are obvious. Finding out who they are now is exhilarating. So many East Meck kids whom I loved and who taught me so much. A few from Northwest who were very special to me. And the nutty crowd from the early days of my career at Smith.

Yesterday reminded me that it was worth it. Even the bad years at the end. I wish everyone could have the joy of knowing that you touch the future. We all do, but teachers get to know it every day.

I'm grateful that I still get to teach. My knitting classes bring me such joy. Even when I'm designing or writing a pattern, I still approach it as if it is a lesson I'm planning. Even advertising my classes, I think in terms of what will you learn.

I never wanted to become a teacher. Took the college courses to get certified because my mother nagged. (What if you need to work and raise children at the same time.) I quit as soon as I had my first child and was tricked into going back after my second started school. Three months later, I was devastated to think I might not be able to teach after my temporary assignment ended.

I didn't choose to teach; Someone else chose me.

Brain Waves

2008-11-26T09:57:00.009-05:00

Image from gizmondo.com.

This is me. I've either been at the computer or at the needles for the last week. My brain is fried.

I finally put myself out there by publishing a pattern which I charge for. Now I have the typical writer's fear of what to do next. Lots of ideas just swirling, but I haven't focused yet. I'm running between joy that so many people like Curvaceous to fear the next one will be a disappointment--no, humiliation.

Time to just suck it up and write.

Life at the Charlotte Knitting Guild is getting exciting. The retreat for late February is going to be awesome. And we are very proud to be bringing it in at such an affordable price. (Non-profit is our goal.) The three classes Charlene Schurch will teach are nicely varied and geared to every level.

The lace class will be interesting because she is publishing a book on lace soon. The heel class is suitable for expert sock knitters as well as beginners. If you've never knit a sock, you'll just start your learning process at the heel.

My favorite is the class where we explore using handpaints. I have often bought a gorgeous skein of handpaint, caressed it lovingly, planned the project and, after knitting, found the color less exciting than in the skein. I can't wait to hear her tips on making the most of my special yarns.

Find out all the details about the weekend at http://charlotteknittingguild.org.

The guild board is also throwing around some ideas for workshops to be taught on the weekends later in the year--2009. We are collecting ideas. I'm pushing Sue Dial to teach how to make her gorgeous shawl pins from clay. Speaking of clay, Cat Babbie might teach some button making. Dyeing is always a fun afternoon. Guess I'm just in the mood to make something. How about some spinning workshops? Maybe the Fiber Guild would like to co-sponsor?

Like I said we have ideas swirling and are looking for more. What would you like to see as a workshop? Do you have a favorite teacher we could bring in?

Can you make a basket? Let me know or just comment on the guild website.

Exhilaration

2008-11-16T09:18:00.009-05:00

Curvaceous, a scarf

Exhilaration is the only word to describe how I felt last night. I (with some struggle) got my new pattern up in my new Ravelry store (thanks, Turtlegirl76) and in 15 minutes I had sold one to some wonderful human being from France. Mouth open, eyes wide, I went screaming it to tell Steve.

I didn't expect to have the pattern finished until early December, but I am ahead of deadline. Imagine that. It's selling on Ravelry as a download and at Charlotte Yarn in hardcopy. It can be bought in a cumbersome way at jpknits, but Miss Dani will have to hold my hand to set up that efficiently.

I promise to stop talking about this soon. It's just like a new puppy and I feel so good about others liking my work.

For those in town, I will teach a class on this on Nov. 30. Details at Charlotte Yarn or jpknits.

So where have I been

2008-11-14T14:26:00.007-05:00

Blame Davey. Well no, blame me some. Mostly me. I bought an iPod. Simple. But then I decided to try to use some of the software that came with my iMac--several years ago. Of course my PC laptop with my beloved Outlook that I can't use because I had to use Palm Desktop is immediately to my right. So basically, I have too many calendars and not enough brains.

Oops. I also have a paper calendar on the frig so Steve will know when I won't be here for dinner.

So when Katherine called earlier this week to say where are you you are two hours late and you promised to work on my computer----all I could say was I forgot. You aren't on any of the calendars--but she was, just not the ones I had checked.

When you keep having a nagging feeling that you are supposed to be someplace, you ARE!

The iPod has some neat games and will search the web in a pinch. As soon as I get my mail fixed, it will be even better. My mail would be set up except I can't remember the combination of username and password to set it up. I only have several of each, but the permutations are overwhelming me.

In the meantime, I have finished a new pattern which will be released Dec. 3rd. It's a reversible cable scarf that I just love. I'm teaching a class on it Nov. 30th at the shop (Charlotte Yarn) of course. Here's a sneak peak . . . If you have read this far, you deserve a look.It will be for sale at Charlotte Yarn and on Ravelry.

Lace Scarf Finished

2008-11-05T13:40:00.005-05:00

This is the scarf I'm using to teach my Lace Sampler Scarf class Dec. 7th. Above is Fishtale lace that I love.
Another traditional one is this fern lace.
This is a vintage pattern I discovered from Cindy Moore's yahoo group The Art of Knitting.
Faggoting and Beehive--sounds a bit risque.

I've forgotten this one, but I like it and will find out what it is.
Milanese Lace--I love this.

There are several more patterns, but you get the idea. The class is intended to introduce folks to some of these designs and to show how to pick random designs and put them together into your own scarf. There is some math involved, but not much. We'll also talk about edges and edging.

This is perfect work for me because by the time I'm bored it's time to change patterns. Looks stunning. (I'm such a shy and humble person.)

The yarn is Malabrigo Lace; colorway--verdi.
Size 4 needle.
Less than one ball.

I also found a simple but lovely edging in Nancy Bush's new lace book. She also explains a clever way the women of Estonia attach their edgings.

Cold Air, Warm Feet

2008-10-30T10:31:00.003-05:00

I'm in love again. It's been at least one entire winter without felted clogs and I had forgotten that special feeling. I only have them now because of a failure to check the felting process and the fact I have very short (insubstantially short) feet.

These were for Erica for Christmas---sorry kid. I was "teaching" BFF Kate to felt. The washer is down in the basement and my knees are @#$%^ed. Kate's pumpkins faired well, but two pair of clogs went to Shortville. Surely the DGS will grow to the greens ones.

I wear them everyday. Some nights I sleep in them. I hate to go out because I have to take them off. I thought I could just give the ones still on the needles to one of the girls, but . . . . After all, those are bright blue and black and were designed just for me. It wouldn't be too selfish to keep them, would it? (Be sure to answer correctly here.)

I use the old FiberTrends pattern which I have rewritten so it can be easily read. That blue paper is for the birds, and even white paper doesn't help when the print is small and all crammed together. Oops. That is another rant, I mean, topic.

Felted clog tip: Choose a color that is brighter than the finished color you want. My soft pink is a little too soft and looks a bit faded. Felting always dulls the color some.

Late Night at the Yarn Shop

2008-10-28T09:01:00.006-05:00

I love Remi for lots of reasons, but clearly a big one is that she lets me create. Yesterday, bad knees and all, we stalked the creative muse to discover some more display options. First she let me play in the windows, begin some displays and discover things we needed to make it all better and easier. (Those gorgeous baskets were from Phyllis.)
Next we bought chain at Home Depot to use for hanging garments from the ceiling.

(Picture cute Remi pushing her grayhaired Nana around the store in a wheelchair. Men were falling all over themselves to help us find what we needed and I don't mean the employees.)

DH Steve was enlisted to climb and engineer after hours. Remi, Phyllis and I gave him more suggestions that he needed.

Remi selected garments for the walls and other displays. We all kept in mind her new mantra of "Clean, Classic, Elegant." It is hard to keep it clean lined because we have so much to display and sell. This is our new challenge--to be incredibly innovative and clever in use of space.

Even Steve had fun. Don't forget to notice the new chair cushions that Sandy made. They fit the mantra well.

Works in Progress

2008-10-23T08:31:00.002-05:00

The Mitered Something progresses. I sort of see these as the front panels of a vest or jacket. I have several sketches, but I don't really have to commit yet. The jewel tone colors are drop dead gorgeous--a mix of Fleece Artist, Cherry Tree Hill, and oddball leftovers.
In November, I teach a class on Lace Sampler scarves and this is my prototype. I like knitting a pattern for 5 or 6 inches and then changing. Appeals to my short attention span. Patterns come from Barbara Walker's books, magazines, and sites online. I'll put together a complete list when the scarf if finished and blocked.
The mittens Beth sent me are moving along a few rows at a time. Note the dropped stitch held by the marker. In this dark wool, it can't be seen, so I will tack it to the back with yarn after I finish. I really like the Jamieson Wool. This is my first project with it.

Also knitting some family gifts which will remain secret. One of my girls actually reads my blog occasionally.

The stitches are out of my knee and I walk pretty well. Still some healing to do. Again a big thank you to all of you who nursed me through this.

SAFF is this weekend and half of Charlotte will be there. I'm staying home and allowing others to buy all that beautiful yarn. Makes me feel noble.

To be or not to be?

2008-10-17T11:21:00.001-05:00

Ten skeins of Shelridge Farm worsted. Unbelievably soft. What should it be?

My first thought was a wrap cardigan from Vogue. I love the soft, reversible cable edge. I spent time swatching and revising the pattern to knit it strip by strip to ensure a perfect fit, but ------

Lots of pictures of this type of pattern are showing up in the knitting world and the bottom edge drapes dramatically. Drama rarely flatters big hips. Pendulous draping is only for tall people. (Us shorties worry about stepping on the hems and falling on our noses.)

In my never ending quest to look tall and slim, I’ve decided to forego this pattern. At least for the moment.

So now what?

Yes, I have scoured all 165 pages of cardigans on Ravelry.

This wool is so soft that the project must be cuddly. The solid color of the yarn needs textured stitches or----BOREDOM.

So, I’m thinking gansey. Arans make me look like a fire hydrant (Am I confusing cause and effect?) so lots of cables are not really acceptable.

I have a cotton fleece gansey pullover that is as cuddly as a blankie. It’s my favorite comfort garment for when I don’t feel well. This is beginning to seem like a good idea.

Designing a gansey is fun and easy. I’ve devoured the wisdom of Beth Brown-Reinsel in her book Knitted Ganseys (on my top ten list). I’ve even taught a class on ganseys a time or two. There are still some tricks I want to explore, especially a saddle sleeve version.

But I don’t know.

This is special souvenir yarn and I don’t want to blow it. I could incorporate another color to give it punch and do some intarsia thing.

I don’t know. Help.

Bobbles gone bad.

2008-10-16T14:24:00.002-05:00

This sweater is knit beautifully and fits her very well. I love white, so I am attracted to it. But--how many times have I warned you about checking the design as you go. I do have a friend or two that I would suspect of intentionally placing these bobbles just to watch men try to not look at them. But . . . .

Knee is mending. The original problem seems to still be there, but the tear has been fixed and that section greatly improved. Ain't science wonderful? Still not driving which is a bummer; don't think I could slam on brake in an emergency. DSIL and DGS come by today to walk the dogs and entertain Nana.

I have the attention span of a flea. I will knit half a mitered square and stop; then two rows on the mittens and stop; then 6 or 7 clues on a crossword and stop, etc. Hope it is just a side effect. Otherwise my finished object stats are going to be a disaster.

My friends, and you know who you are, have been just great. Lots of calls and emails and nursing and feeding. Thank you all so much.

Knee Surgery; new class update

2008-10-12T11:49:00.003-05:00

I am having some Meniscus tears repaired tomorrow. Both knees have just been devastated and the pain has been pretty constant for the last few weeks. Remember Tim Conway on Laugh-In? (Ages you if you do) I walk a lot like that. I do so hope the repair and possible arthritis cleanup will eliminate the pain in the right knee. Then maybe the left knee will recover from overuse protecting it's sister.

Anyway--I can already feel the well wishes. Thank you in advance.

While recuperating, I will plan the new series of classes. I'm planning to teach several colorwork classes and some technique ones as well. Time slots will be Saturday and Sundays at 1pm. Remi and I will put those out sometime next week. Intarsia and continental knitting will be among the first.

In the meantime, knit the knits and purl the purls.

On the needles

2008-10-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

These are a gift from Beth in Boston. She had started these and became disenchanted. The yarn is Jamieson's and the pattern is from the cover of the last Vogue. The green ones.

I'm enjoying these, but may morph them into fingerless gloves which is more suited to my environment. Can't wait to wash them and feel the wool softened.
I call this LacePlay. It's a scarf sampler of various lace patterns knit in Malabrigo Lace, color Verde. I'm using a size 4 needle. I started this because I wanted to watch various lace patterns at the pattern-shift point. I'm discovering some patterns that I like to knit enough to do a larger project and some that I'd like to combine into the elusive perfect shawl pattern.

The yarn rocks. So soft and easy to manipulate.

It's another experiment. It's beautiful, but I still don't know what it wants to be. Goal is to make mitered garments shaped for human bodies--which are rounded! More to come as I figure it out.

Nana Rocks and Super Cyclist

2008-10-10T10:25:00.000-05:00

My grandson thinks his Nana is #1. I made him a new sweater with an Autobot on the front. (Transformer good guy) It was a surprise and when he saw it, he just lit up. Worth the incredible effort to knit that image in intarsia in the round. Never again!! It can be done, but isn't worth it. Bring on the seams.

The graph for the autobot is from Lori Magnus of yesImadethat.blogspot.com

It's a top down raglan, so he can grow with it some. I like the rolled neck for him because it is easy to get on and off. The yarn is Schulana Super Cotton. I bought it at Charlotte Yarn for a bit of nothing. I think it is older than Remi. The composition is 70% cotton with 30% polyester elastic.
Number 8 needle.

Steve rode the MS Ride last month as usual. But this time he rode for a particular person--Lynda Murray, the saint. She signed his bandana for him and he wanted to display it so no one would miss it.
The little ponytail in the back is just too cute. As is DH.

Charlotte Yarn has moved

2008-10-09T10:10:00.004-05:00

Kate and I took on the project of saving the old white shelves. Thanks to Cat for jumping in on the final coat.
She who brings the camera does not have to show the world her work outfit or her left leg painted battleship grey primer.
We were supervised for the last coat by Mr. Brody.

The new shop is at Kenilworth Commons on East Blvd. Where the Harris Teeter is. Next door to Foot Solutions. It's bee-you-ti-ful. Come and see.

FO and Some Fun

2008-09-24T11:08:00.005-05:00

The Ode to Cristi toe up socks are finished. Pause while I eat some more words. I had some interesting discoveries with these.
You can do a heel flap heel in a toe up sock. The directions for this came from Wendy Johnson's Seaweed Sock pattern. It is easy to do (well written instructions) but the flap is a bit short. I will think about that some.
The sock on the left was the first to be started and I was using the pattern in Wendy's Seaweed, but I couldn't really see it in this yarn. Sometimes it works best just to go with plain stockinette. Doing so did not hurt the impact of this design and it sure made them more portable. I wear so many clogs that a plain foot is often preferable.
I finished these in Canada. You need to know that because of the cuff design. I didn't want to knit a stockinette cuff--too boring, so I decided to knit a design I have used before on an unreleased sock pattern. Surely I could remember it. Yeah, well.

I fiddled and messed up and kept knitting and then looked down and liked what I saw. It isn't what I intended, but is something I like. I am still playing with this 10 st design, because it can be even better. I'll let you know when I've finished swatching and then you can try it.

Major discovery: If I knit toe up, I can save the best for last. The cuff is always the most interesting part for me. Now, if I can just find my perfect heel.

Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta Regia Bamboo Color, 2 skeins
Needle: Size 0, 32" Magic Loop technique

**********
Another new design rattling around in my head is this.This is a building in Toronto and the picture was taken through the bus window. Look at the pinkish building. It's a sweater--even has a V-neck. The windows can all be the same contrasting color, or multi colored, or ascending tints of the same color. I used to take lots of vacation pictures of architectural features that could be quilted; now it's buildings to knit.

Georgian Bay and Cottage Industries--yeah, Yarn!

2008-09-22T13:43:00.007-05:00

On the way to Georgian Bay, we stopped at Shelridge Farms.
Inside the workshop, one wall held most of the designs done for Don and Buffy by Lucy Neatby and Maureen Mason-Jamieson.

Most of these are available in kit form in their yarn (It ain't called Soft Touch for nothin'.) at their website.

How do you choose? And this comes in Worsted, DK, Fingering/Sock, and Lace.

Don met us at the end of their driveway which was too small for the bus. However, Barbara Spohn had let them know about my knee problem, so Buffy drove her car down to save me the walk on the unpaved drive. Isn't this why we love fiber people so much? Would a stock broker have done that?

Buffy set up the dye table that she uses each day to dye their product and members of the group were invited to dye up some stock.
Foreground is Maureen who talked about her design philosophy some and just played with us. She is a marvelous teacher. I've had several classes with her and I like how she structures and controls a class.
Don and Buffy's daughter has a bakery. Aren't these adorable?
And i bought 10 skeins of Soft Touch W4 to make a jacket or sweater or maybe just to sit and hold for a while. It really is amazingly soft---beyond Malabrigo.
More important that the product is the cottage industry process they have created. Scan back at the photos and try not to look at the yarn or people. Look at the workroom. It isn't all that big. Maybe a three car garage with very high ceilings. Yet they manage to run a business to support themselves and their family with only two employees--Don and Buffy.

Koigu wasn't any larger, if as large. Maie and her daughter and another artist create all of the Koigu yarn that is sold in the world in a small building in the woods in Canada. That is astonishing to me.

The courage it takes to begin one of these businesses leaves me very humble; I know I don't have it. This trip has caused me to wax philosophical about the role of the Small Business in the creation of American society. In this scary economically volatile time, I'm not asking what is best for the people, but what is best for the small business owner--like Remi at Charlotte Yarn and Donna at Harding Realty. They are the people who risk and give back and create the caring communities that make life better for all of us.

Sorry, but I'm reading about the FairTax and I'm convinced.

Fiber ART makes me smile

2008-09-19T11:58:00.006-05:00

The Textile Museum of Canada is located in Toronto. The museum is small and (this won't surprise you) managed by a passionate group of people many of whom are knitters. Nora and I were leg weary when we arrived, so decided to go to the gift shop (only broken legs keep me out of museum gift shops) and wait for the others.

Thank goodness one of the DKC knitters was volunteering that day. She insisted we go down the corridor and see just one exhibit involving knitting. Here are the clue pictures:

The complete pieces in the exhibit follow:

Well, of course, I lost it. The bobble suit alone had me laughing tears. And just think--Halloween isn't far off. Does this suggest a knit-a-long?

But it isn't over. The room next to this wasn't much knitting, but it was fiber---fake fur, and lots of it. Here's a clue picture:

From the bottom . . .

From below . . . .
From the side . . .
The Full Monty with our DKC volunteer (lt) and Barbara, our tour guide who owns Traveling Together who stood near for scale.

Next time you hear, "One big mother" you'll know what it means.

The only funnier part of this day was watching some of our more staid group members enter this room. :)

Toronto's Downtown Knit Collective; LYSs, Yarn

2008-09-17T10:48:00.017-05:00

Guilds of the world--listen up.

The Downtown Knit Collective (DKC) sets the standard. About 50 of their 280 members hosted the Vogue tour group for a fantastic fiber afternoon at the University of Toronto.

Carly Scott, Executive Editor of Vogue Knitting, is with us and she brought many of the pieces in the Fall, 08, magazine. I hadn't seen too much of interest in the magazine---that's changed!!! In person, like great art, sweaters can truly be seen and these were works of art. She even brought a few pieces from Nicki Epstein's new book and they were dynamite. Sorry, no pics.

FYI -- I wasn't aware of the videos and commentary by Carla on the Vogue website. It allows you to see the garments from all sides and moving. Check them out here.

Linda Pratt, who used to own Great Yarns in Raleigh was also there. She now does marketing for Westminster Fibers (Rowan, Kertzer, etc,). She brought sweaters from Rowan and Nashua publications.

After some mighty swanky refreshments, the speakers began.

Fiona Ellis shared some of her work. I was most interested in her design stories.

Some lesser known locals including Kurt Dunn who is knitting three stained glass windows, one each of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Kurt studied with Kaffe Fassett and the windows literally glow because of the blends of colors and textures. They will be huge and stunning.

My favorite knitting mind, Debbie New, was there and was hilarious. In the past Debbie has knit portraits, stained glass, a one-strip sweater, and a boat. Now she is knitting kaleidoscopes and sort of whirligigs. Incredible.

Lots of door prizes. I won a package from Soak--a big bottle, about 30 single wash size packets and a stunning baseball hat.

Dinner at the Royal York together and a special gift--another bottle of Soak.

Knitting purchases for this day. A copy of the Nashua magazine just released. I had to beg and plead with Linda Pratt to sell it to me, but I got it.

Sunday we went shopping!

The first time we got on the bus this lovely young woman came up to me and said, "Jane Prater, my name is Beth Levine from Boston, and I read your blog." Well, I was just blown away. She had discovered me through the blog of the World Renowned Turtlegirl76. ( Is there anyone out there who doesn't read Cristi's blog?)

Today when we got to Lettuce Knits, Beth insisted on a "yarn harlot" moment and her mom took our picture.

Louise is a great lady, but not much of a photographer. She is seated on my right and Beth took this picture.

If you look closely, you can see the young owner of the shop with her 5-week old baby tied to her front. She opened just for us and gave us 10% off --and--wait for it---several packets of Soak!!

I purchased one skein of Handmaiden Casbah. This is the first time I had encountered this yarn. It is 80% Merino, 10 % Cashmere, 10% Nylon;
325 m/115g
Machine washable, sport wt.

Feels luscious, so it will probably be a scarf thing.

I was disappointed that she only had a few skeins of the hemp I had hoped to buy.

Next stop was Romni Wools. Romni is reminiscent of the 7th Avenue shops in NYC. Thousands of cheap plastic bins stacked to impressive heights. They carry just about everything you ever heard of, but not Allhemp3--the object of my quest.

I managed to adhere to my goal of purchasing responsibly. I bought
1. Rowan Mag #37

2. One skein of Classic Elite Alpaca Sock Yarn which I had never seen. According to Rosemary, the Chicago winters are tolerable only if you have several pairs of socks in this yarn.
60% alpaca, 20% merino, 20% nylon
100 grams = 450 yards
8 sts/in on #2

Handwash-----definitely a scarf.

3. One skein of Malabrigo sock yarn!
100% merino superwash, kettle dyed
3.5 oz. = 440 yards

Soft? It's Malabrigo.

Royal Ontario Museum and fiber--Sat. morning

2008-09-16T11:23:00.008-05:00

Okay, now a bit about yarn and stuff. The Royal Ontario Museum has a small, but quality textile department. I only spent a little time there. Just took pics of things that interested me and moved on.
This is a pine and walnut four shaft loom originally from Northern Ireland. It arrived in Lake Huron County in 1845. Samuel Pentland became a professional weaver and used it to weave a variety of woolens for garments and the home.

I learned to weave on a loom of similar design and antiquity at the Hezekiah Alexander home in Charlotte. But not in the 1800's.
This tapestry loom uses rocks to weight the warp and provide tension. Looking at looms through the centuries always make me respect the intellect and ingenuity of fiber workers. I'm going to build one of these some day and weave this way just to see the problems.
This is a two shaft strip loom common in western Africa. The weaver suspends this from a tripod and ties the warp to the house to maintain tension. Like Kinte cloth, the final yardage consists of many of these strips sewn together to achieve the desired width.
This is a vertical single heddle frame loom. It was typically used in Togo and Cameroon. The yardage is wider than the loom above, but still needed to be joined together to get more than a table runner.

I'm not just a weaving freak. I also love antique clothing. Can't you just see turtlegirl76 in this. It is handmade.
I skipped the lectures on kimonos and costumes. I've seen that often. Instead I headed down to the First People's exhibit. I'm a nut about Native American stuff. On the way, I was stopped by some Chinese art. This Buddha was impressive and very decorative.

This is a Chinese tomb mound--specifically the tomb mound of General Zu Dashou ofYongtai Village near Beijing. 1656, Qing dynasty. Inside is stone coffin platforms for the General's body and for each of his three wives. I had to wait until someone showed up so I could put them in the photo to show the scale of this thing. (see guy in left lower corner)
I loved the carriage. Always do. The red earthy colors remind me of lots of yarn in my attic.

Check out this detail of the wheel. I think I can knit both the wheel and the side panel.

Yes, most of my photos are for designing purposes.

At the First People's exhibit, I found this inspiration.

And for a friend . . .
In the gift shop--I can make that!!!

Back from Canada

2008-09-16T11:04:00.006-05:00

Canadian side

US side with Maid of the Mist

We are back from a great trip to Canada with Vogue Knitting Magazine and Traveling Together who organized the trip. Wonderful job! Lots to see and some pampering. I would certainly travel with this group again.

I know you want to know what I bought, but you will just have to wait. I took a few pics and they are going on the blog.

We arrived Friday noon and checked in at the Fairmont Royal York, where the Queen stays in Canada. The Toronto film festival was in full bloom.

Steve rented a car and we headed straight to Niagara Falls. I'd never been and it seemed a shame to be so close and not see it. A--M--A--Z--I--N--G!

The color of the water coming over the falls--a light true green. Some kind of ubiquitous dark maple tree, aubergine best describes it. Charcoal boulders and taupe water. Is that a colorway or what?

Back to the Royal York and the movie stars. I saw Renee Zellwinger--very tiny person surrounded with sycophants. Others spotted Viggo Mortenson and Ed Harris. The amount of security surrounding them was impressive. Lots of guys with earpieces and sunglasses in dark suits. Big guys.

The hotel is plush. Our simple room retailed at $450 a night. I'm sure we didn't pay that. Instead of being impressed, I was somewhat annoyed. The atmosphere was so formal that we never found a way to sit and hang out and knit with each other. That is such a big part of these trips for me. I also was not amused at how they nickeled and dimed you to death. No snack or drinks machines; instead a mini-bar with prices that were obscene. The TV sucked and email and internet were only available at a price.

I guess I'm just not a "couture hotel" person. I was much happier at the Best Western in Owen Sound. We took over the bar and the patio to drink and knit; had drink machines that worked, free computer with internet, and handrails in the tub for those of us with bad knees. Steve always knew I was fairly low maintenance.

I do need to say that the people of Canada are terrific. Friendly, helpful, and great sense of humor. We will go back.

Tomorrow is the first day of the tour and it begins with a quick museum bit and then the Downtown Knit Collective's entertainment for us.

Defeated and Moving On

2008-08-27T12:20:00.006-05:00

First it is about Hillary. Her speech last night was magnificent. But when she said, "Did you do this just for me?" I got it. It's over, no miracles and I have to think of the future. That means I vote for Obama. I'm not happy about it; I don't trust his hype, and his wife still scares me. There is nothing but ice in those eyes. Okay, over. Done. Sort of.

Another over and doneseems to be the Posy sweater I was knitting from a Rowan pattern. I did it all like I'm supposed to--gauge, math, schematic, etc., and it still will be a terrible fit. I didn't frog it. I am committing it to the knitting sanitorium for rest while I think about how I would have to cut and re-graft it to make it fit---and do I want to bother. How much did I knit? All but three inches on the front. When did I first suspect this was not going to work. Three quarters of the way through the back side. Yes, way long ago.

I tell students to listen to that first nagging doubt and I didn't.

I'm going to wallow in self-pity this afternoon and then cast on something fast to knit.

New patterns I covet

2008-08-20T15:09:00.010-05:00

I saw this in a letter from Cheryl Potter of Cherry Tree Hill. I've just taught a mitered square class and plan to teach Jill Vosburg's Diamond Patch Sweater in the Fall. But wait!!!

I love this--I love the directionality of the colors on the bottom and top. I love neckline and the empire waist. I really love the mitered squares at the end of the sleeves.

I'm headed to Koigu in Canada in September and I was kind of looking for a pattern I could make using their yarns. I can even get their help in mixing the colorways. Or I could use Silky Wool or Noro of some type.

I'm just in love!!

If you don't subscribe to the Berroco newsletter, you probably missed this.
This links to a blog that describes a dye party where they used Rit to dye handknit sweaters. The purpose was to create an ombre look with dark bottoms fading to light shoulders. It's a neat idea. Full pics and directions.

Kate called my attention to the Felted Pumpkin patterns on Carol Bristol's website. I order it and the Quick gifts to felt. Loved the shape of the bowls.

Cool New Site (at least to me)

2008-08-20T14:52:00.005-05:00

Have you heard of The Fitter Knitter?
How about the Yahoo group The Art of Knitting?

Both are the work of Cindy Moore. I discovered these sites while reading her article
on Vintage lace in this new issue of The Inside Loop. This is a free online magazine celebrating knitting in the UK.

Cindy has taken on a great project. She loves charts; what lace knitter doesn't. Her project is to take a vintage knitting book which is no longer covered by copyright and to translate the lace patterns into charts which she posts on her blog. She uses the Yahoo group to notify members when a new chart goes up and to answer questions.

The title of the book is The Art of Knitting 1897. You can buy a copy here
or just get a peek at the illustrations. There are several I can see using as garments for today.

I've joined the group and have already downloaded the charts to date. I'm an inch away from swatching Fancy Pattern17 and Knob Stitch 10. Go to Cindy's blog and check these out.

I just think this is such a neat project. Wish I had one for me. ( . . . like I need a hole in my head.)

The Joy of Teaching and other things

2008-08-20T09:53:00.006-05:00

This is Jean. Check out that smile. This is Jean seaming her first mattress stitch seam.
Jean grinned for the remainder of the class and swore she was headed home to take apart everything she had seamed to date. Jean was so-o-o-o happy. So was I. This is why I teach.
Debra and Sherry also had fun. I warned Debra she would be posted on the blog. Here you are, girl.

I taught the mitered class which used my Diamond Patch Hat pattern. Kate went right home and made this one for a new member of the family--well, a toddler. She will look stupendous. The tiny, fringy things were Kate's idea. She wanted to show off the star shape that begins this pattern. I just love the colors.
Flipper turns three. The most important thing for the boys was getting their birthday hats on. Who knew? My girls ripped them off even before the pictures.

This is the Eddie the Elephant (some TV character) cake sculpted by G-dad.

What I'm working on.

2008-08-20T09:43:00.014-05:00

For the Ravelympics--5 pair of clogs. (Fibertrends pattern; Paton's Classic Wool) I've done 2.5 pair. That's not even Bronze, but at least some of the Christmas knitting is done.
Brithday sock for DD1 finished. Did I show you this already? They went to her this weekend, and she loved them. Original pattern, Crystal Palace Maizy (corn) and Panda Cotton for the heel and toe. Nice transitional weight pair.

I'm also working on more shawls--learning to shape. I've got a Cookie A. sock I want to start and I've finished the Beaded Handwarmer pattern editing. I'm working on a gift pair in CTH sock yarn and want to start one in some handspun I did some months ago.

My Posy shell is at a stop for the Olympic knitting, but I hope to finish it before vacation in September. Rowan pattern in Mission Falls Cotton. I'm putting the flower on both the front and the back.

The Central Park Vest is still a vest. I have no clue.

This is Maureen Mason-Jamison's Whimsey pattern available from her website. The yarn is a new one to me, Zaol, which I bought at Close Knits in Gastonia.

Here are my two boys in what they think are their chairs.

Breaking the silence.

2008-08-05T17:56:00.003-05:00

Iliane wrote about not having people over because the house isn't clean enough or she has nothing to serve---a page from my own life. I've been knitting like crazy, but haven't mentioned any of it because I haven't taken decent photos of them.

The Brithday (SIC) socks for DD#1 are finished except for the wash and block.

The Noro Matsuri experimental shawl-shaping project is complete. Pics later but highly recommend the yarn. It feels so good.

Have started a new experimental shawl using Kureyon Sock yarn and my favorite horseshoe lace pattern.

Mission Falls tank 75%.

Tried to sign up for the Rowan club. Sandy talked me into it. Website is bummed. Will try again later.

Bought two Namaste bags. Be the last on your block . . . .

photos and more stuff soon.

Muffalettas , More Yarn, and Latvian knits

2008-07-23T08:47:00.009-05:00

Candace designed these lovely fingerless gloves or muffalettas. My picture does not do it justice. This is Shelagh's finished glove. Wednesday night we met and purchased beads and received the pattern and some tips. The idea was that we would knit this on the bus to and from Brown Sheep. Well, I don't really like Feather and Fan, and I like my gloves to really hug my hand, and I like a few less beads----Surprise! I knit something different.
This is very influenced by Candace's pattern. I offset the Feather and Fan at the beginning, but used her ending. I used an old lace pattern to design the bead placements, and the reverse (palm) side of mine is totally plain. The yarn is the real key. It is from Edie's alpace Bo. So soft and warm you can't believe it.

I had to buy some for Steve. This is a mix of Bo and Bart (pictured on the label). She had the processing mill mix the black and white fibers to create a gorgeous Oxford grey. Her phone number is on the label. You can only buy this yarn from her. Her internet store is under construction. Just call her; you will love her.

This will be muffalettas for Steve--if he is good.

Last yarn purchase of the trip. Handmaiden Sea Silk. Bought this at My Sister Knits in Fort Collins.

I guess this will be a shawl. After all, that was the focus of this year's class and I have a design almost finished.

This is a group of knitters helping their friend destash. Anne is selling her Colorado house and needs to dispose of some yarn and patterns. As her friends, we tried to help.
I lucked into 10 balls of ecru Brasil for a shawl and 15 skeins of Classic Elite Newport Lite cotton which will become a sweater.

Finally, Linda's Latvian collections. This is a top border for an ecru pair of socks.
A lace glove that is still sturdy.
Another sock top; the cuff was lace and the foot plain.
My favorite. I've used this braid as a cast on for a sock, but never thought of it in the middle of the pattern. Mary Ellen told me that she uses it as the Empire line in sweaters, particularly her Gansey cardigans.

This camp is so amazing because we learn so much from each other. Do yourself a favor: Go to camp.

Shawl class at Camp; Show and Tell

2008-07-23T07:50:00.007-05:00

Candace Eisner Strick does not stand on ceremony--at least not at camp. She is writing a new book and it will be about shawls and shawl shaping. Our class was based on some of what she will share in her book which she will self-publish. I'll let you know when it's out because it will be a must-have. I'm hoping we can bring Candace to Charlotte to teach. She's a blast and very smart.
The New Carolyn and Laura are two of our new campers. Paula Sue makes certain they feel welcome. Both plan to come back, so it must have worked.
The well-traveled Linda works with Aisha and her mom, Susan. Linda has been everywhere; I'll share some of her Latvian souvenirs later. It's exciting every year at camp to hear about her travels in the past year and she gorgeous pictures and knitwear.

Paula Sue sent me this pic from the bus trip. Can you say intense??

One of the best parts of camp is the show and tell. Usually we show things we have made in the past year. Agnes showed a gift from a friend who teases her about her obsession with pink (Aimee?). It's a lovely pink wig.
Jay and his mom won the Palm d'Or this year. This is Jay's shawl--2ply mohair lace wt. spun by Jay and his design of a hugely gorgeous shawl.
Can you see Edie on the right? Taking pictures is also a bit part of class.

Jay's mom Betty made us swoon. She has taken on the challenge of afghan's for each of Jay's four children. This is for his daughter and it is the Great American Aran Afghan from XRX. Second row from the top, second from left is Jay's own design which was chosen by Knitter's for this pattern. This made me want to dig back through my mags to find some of these patterns and maybe make some pillows, or even an Aran shawl.

Next: Latvian designs and muffalettas.

Brown Sheep Purchases

2008-07-17T08:28:00.004-05:00

See how good I was. Just this much bought and all of it either a second or a discontinued color.
This is a superwash in a DK weight. I have some in a blue and a turquoise. I'm thinking heavy socks for this. Occasionally I need some instant gratification knitting.
My beloved Cotton Fleece in the Cherry Moon colorway. This is planned for a sweater for me. Maybe a new Gansey sweater. My old one is cotton fleece and is pretty worn.
My favorite. Ten skeins of Cotton Fine, Cotton Fleece's baby sister. The colorway is Grey Dawn and -- darn it-- has been discontinued. I bought all they had. It will be a lace something. I love this yarn for lace. The 20% wool makes it a year round yarn for us Southerners and the twist of the cotton holds the shape of a lace pattern beautifully.
This is the color card for a new yarn from Brown Sheep. Most of the world loves Lamb's Pride because it felts so beautifully. The 15% mohair content also adds a halo effect to it. Some folks do not like the halo, so Brown Sheep has produced Lanaloft. It is simply Lamb's Pride without mohair. Same great felting quality and some stunning handpaints. I showed this to Remi at Charlotte Yarn and I do bellieve she will be buying it and the Burly Spun for winter.

Last night I promised Cristi I would really talk up the Cotton Fine to Remi also.

I brought a pound of top to share with my spinsters. It is the same wool they use for Top of the Lamb, another of their wool yarns. Has a great feel and Remi can order it for us. I left a sample at the shop.

Colorado Knitting Camp Day 1

2008-07-16T08:35:00.006-05:00

The bus trip to Brown Sheep in Nebraska.

Our friend and instructor, Candace Eisner-Strick (rt) talks with Laura, whose book comes out soon, while Ken Strick looks on.
Gay, my fantabulous roomie and the camp organizer.
Aisha, age 20, our youngest camper sits with her father who also knits. Behind him is my new friend Jay who spins, designs, and teaches his 5th graders to make spindles and spin.

Gay got a real deal on a very large bus. We lucked out and had a fabulous driver, Patsy, who plans to take knitting lessons.

Twenty minutes out of Fort Collins, the bus dies. Patsy calls the owner who says "Oh, yeah. It overheats sometimes. Just let the motor cool, and from now on, don't use the air conditioner when you are going uphill."

Forty minutes later, the bus quits. We are in Wyoming. Wyoming is desolate for very long distances. Desolate means no cell towers; thus, no way to call for help. We opened the two ceiling hatches (the windows don't open) and headed off again as soon as the motor cooled. Luckily we all had Emergency Knitting.

Ultimately we made it. Peggy Wells, the owner and general manager, had made lunch for us. Peggy and her sister had attended camp last year and invited us up for the current year. We toured the facility and ate and then, bought!!!
The "hat" I'm wearing was designed by Kathy Hartmeister for Brown Sheep. Helen rode up on the bus with us. Unfortunately the pattern is still at the printer, but I will be getting it. It is more like a crown so it doesn't smush your hair. The wild felted fringe can be worn up or down. I like up---makes me look taller. The pattern for matching mittens is already out.

What did I buy? Oh, that's for another day.

Pretty in Pink Linen

2008-06-30T08:29:00.010-05:00

Happy Fourth.Cristi was over and she is such a perfect model, so I grabbed her. She is wearing my latest FO which has received raves everywhere I go. It is lovely thanks to Euroflax's marvelous linen yarn and Monika Eckert's wonderful design.
The reason this capelet is receiving so much attention is the way it drapes. It elegantly flows as you move in it. Again, thank Monika. This piece is shaped to fall this way and you shouldn't settle for less. Human bodies are never rectangular and never have straight lines. Neither will my knitting.
The sawtooth border is called Narrow Dice Edging and is found in Barbara Walker, book 2, p. 368. It's almost a leaf edge; I love leaves. I just knit to size and sewed it on.
The pin has celtic braid on it; found it on ebay long ago. I like how it fits the piece.

Here are some details.

Yarn: 2 skeins of Euroflax Geneva (worsted wt 100% linen) 380 yards
Size 9 needle.
Only steam blocked this--wanted a bouncy feel.
Pattern: Dem Fischer sin Fru by Monika Eckert

My camp in Colorado is planning to address shawls and shaping will be my main interest. Then I get to design.

So much yarn . . .

2008-06-28T15:14:00.005-05:00

It's Yarn Swap time at Charlotte Yarn!!!!!! Time to destash and hopefully not to spend too much helping others do the same. I'm getting ready.

Most of this stays. There is a skein of Koigu for Cristi to recycle.
Felting wools, but will I ever use them?
These go. Some great superwash in manly colors.
I'm not sure how to sort these.
Yes, Aimee, that is roving. Foxfire Cotton and a cone of black mohair.
More cones, chenille and cotton. Mostly cottons of lace weight size. Can I let any of it go?

At least the exercise of going through it has produced new interest in some of the yarns. I have 5 projects under consideration, all from the stash. I feel noble.

Goddess Knits Anniversary Shawl

2008-06-28T14:55:00.003-05:00

Back in the day, when I was a humble (hah) teacher of our nation's youth, I made them call me the English goddess if I had done something to amaze or shock them. Or if I cut them some slack. Usually the latter.

It is only fit that I explore a mystery shawl from someone named Goddess Knits. Renee also has a cafe press store from which I'm contemplating a black T shirt.

Above is her logo which I find really lovely. (Hope she doesn't mind that I snitched the photo.)

Anyway I bring it up to you because you can still join this mystery event until June 30. The designer is using EZ's Pi shawl as the base. Hardly a mystery. But she has sort of turned the tables. Each clue gives you four different lace charts. The knitter chooses one to follow for that section of the shawl. So far there are three clues available. The mystery design depends on the knitter's choices -- No, I haven't started it yet; that would require serious ball winding.

I think it is very fascinating to look at the pictures of works in progress. This really is an online lace class. Watching how each shared piece unfolds can help you decide what you'd like to knit if you aren't willing to take that stab in the dark. You'll also learn some things about putting different lace patterns together.

This is like a huge group design project and I commend Renee of Goddess Knits for thinking it up. It's a Yahoo Group so go here and join. You won't be sorry.

Oh yeah. You might want to opt to get email in digest or just special notices from Renee and then read the rest online. This is a chatty bunch.

Diamond Patch Finished

2008-06-26T09:47:00.006-05:00

I have made this sweater before and know how it stretches. This time, I chose a size to just fit my hips and then I altered for waist and bust and, especially, the shoulders.
I knit the horizontal row option in the pattern and liked it much better than the diagonal because I could try it on as I went. As usual, I used short row shaping to extend the cap into a real sleeve.
Thanks to Carol Hurt, I had a needle plan. I started with size 7 needles for the first row. I then switched to 6's for the next two rows and finished with a size 4. The smaller needles control both fit and the stretchiness of cotton yarn. I love it.
I took the pics myself and in every one of them I had a goofy look on my face from jumping in front of the camera. In this last pic, I just went with it.
Pattern: Diamond Patch Sweater by Jill Vosburg at Just One More Row.
Yarn: Classic Elite Provence--the best all cotton yarn in my book. 4 skeins.
Needles: 7--4

A sock pattern that everyone has written

2008-06-18T17:03:00.007-05:00

This is my latest sock pattern. I used a Faux Baby Cable and extended it down onto the heel flap. I really liked it and looked forward to sharing it. Then it started. I would net surf on blogs or pattern sites and Voila! There was my pattern. Different name, yarn, designer, but still my pattern (except for the heel). One or two that I saw were for sale. Shucks.
I still love mine. The cuffs came out well and Steve loves the way they fit him. They hug his dainty ankles. :)
I did some linen stitch on the arch area of the foot for another hug.
The cables should strengthen the heel flap.

Star toe is becoming a standard for me.

Yarn is Misty Mountain Farm Blue Ridge Jubilee in colorway Waterfall. Bought it at Charlotte Yarn. Steve selected this skein for himself and I love the greys. Size one needles 60 sts.

I'll eventually get the pattern up on jpknits.com, but just look around--this pattern is everywhere.

Socken Kreativ Liste pattern -- Esther

2008-06-18T16:44:00.006-05:00

This pattern was designed by Stephanie van der Linden who is the ringleader of a German yahoo group named Sockenkreativliste. Chat is mostly German, with an occasional English post, but all patterns are produced in both German and English. Stephanie is so very talented and has some of the best designs I've seen in years.
I don't often knit lace socks, because I like to knit a fairly mindless sock that I can work on anywhere. This had a 24 row pattern repeat, so I only knit it at home alone. I changed the heel and toe to my favorites.
The gorgeous yarn is Fleece Artist Nova Sock yarn given to me by Cristi. (She can't bear to watch old women stand and salivate and deny themselves.) I used my usual size 1 Addi Lace circ and knit magic loop.
The picot edge on the cuff is easy and just a bit more girlie for this sock.
Bottom of the foot is worked in stockinette.

New Seaworthy in a Solid

2008-06-18T16:41:00.005-05:00

This is the latest version of my new pattern. I used Misti Cotton from Misti International 2 skeins. It is a cotton/silk blend--very soft. Similar to Blue Sky cotton only better. Love that bit of silk. The brown ribbon needs to be replaced with a silk ribbon--but I like the brown.
The model is my other beautiful daughter. I had hoped she would rave about it and I could give it to her for her birthday, but she didn't. The body language doesn't reflect great joy at being my model.
This yarn is a big bigger that the Sea Song and hangs just a bit longer. I'm a 3/4 length sleeve girl anyway.
Close up of one of the laces.
Close up of the shoulder shaping.

Pattern is at my web site.

Pineapples

2008-06-12T15:08:00.005-05:00

This is a new book by Sasha Kagan. It's beautiful and filled with pretty designs--squares, motifs, flowers. etc.
I've been playing. (Book available through Charlotte libraries.)
Unblocked and made from leftover sock yarn, it's a thing. Actually it's a square with a pineapple stitch design. Stretched over a solid, contrasting color pillow, it should make a neat embellishment. Here's a closeup.
If you don't crochet, consider learning. As a knitter, I turn to my crochet hook for lots of quick help. Cast ons, bind offs, seam reinforcements, and great edgings are really easy.

Diamond Patch sweater has a neckline and one sleeve. I hope to finish it early this week. Central Park Hoodie, er, Vest is still in a bag. Lacy socks just need one foot and toe. Still working on the lace edging for the pink wrap. When I finish two of these projects, I'll start another. Something from my stash, but what?????

It's all about the shape.

2008-06-12T15:03:00.008-05:00

Okay--I hate triangular shawls because they don't stay on. Bodies are curvy--even skinny ones. If the clothing is straight lines and angles , it doesn't fit!! I have been on the search for perfect shawl shaping.

This is one way that fits my requirements. It is simply the top 65 rows of Dem Fisher sin Fru by Monica Eckert which was one of my KALs recently.
Once the capelet was the length I want, I knit 2 rows of garter stitch and bound off. I added garter edges at the two front edges and began to look for an edging.
Okay--I'm a leaf freak. Could be worse. Can't find where I wrote the source of the edging. Will look for it and post later.
Here's a close up. I'll just sew it on. I may make some cute closing device. Inspiration still hasn't hit about that.

Diamond Patch UFO

2008-06-12T14:58:00.004-05:00

I was knockin' around in the attic and look what I found. This is a partial Jill Vosburg Diamond Patch Sweater. Not the first one I have made, but this one is tweaked. I began with a size 8 needle for row one; switched to size 6 for rounds 2 and 3; ended with size 4. It fits. I know it will stretch because of the bias nature of the diamonds, so I have deliberately made it to fit tighter than I really want.
I used my favorite cotton--Classic Elite Provence, color #2690 (an earthy teal). I've finished all the diamonds. This time I knit in horizontal rows. I like this best because I could try it on as I went along.
Now to decide on the neckline and sleeves. I think I will knit the neck in a rib as per directions. Before I crocheted it. I haven't decided about sleeves. There will be some and they will be different than the pattern. I'm rather pleased with this effort.

I told friends that I just wanted to knit someone else's patterns for a while. Hope to wear this one soon.

Tubular Dream Scarf

2008-06-12T14:56:00.006-05:00

Remi gave me a ball of Tahki Dream which looked like crochet thread, but turned out to be a wool nylon blend. "What would you do with this?" she asked. I swatched like crazy and this is what I came up with. I like it. It's fun; it bounces as you bop along. You can change the fabric or scarf you use for the insert. It is a no brainer to knit. Looks like a winner to me. Pattern below.

Tubular Dream Scarf

by Jane D. Prater

1 ball Tahki Dream (or a fingering weight yarn)

1 ball Debbie Bliss Astrakhan or other CC from your stash

1.5 yds 60” wide chiffon

#9 needles

With Dream, cast on 24 inches.

Knit in stockinette stitch (or garter or seed stitch) until scarf measures 65 inches or desired length. Bind off.

Bring the long sides of the scarf together and join with your Contrasting Color yarn. I used a single crochet seam, but sewing with a whip stitch or blanket stitch would work as well. You are trying to join the knitting into a tube and limit the lengthwise stretch at the same time.

Pick up 24 sts around one end of the scarf tube with the Contrasting Color.

Row 1—K1, (yo, K2tog), to end of row.

Row 2—Knit all.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 three times or until desired ruffle length. Bind off.

Repeat ruffle at other end of the scarf.

Insert chiffon into the tube. I gather the tube the same as I would when putting on pantyhose. Grab one corner of the cut end of the fabric and pull the fabric through the scarf. Allow a small amount of the fabric to hang below each ruffle.

Tie an overhand knot in each end of the scarf to secure the fabric and help the scarf drape nicely.

Note: You may knit the scarf in the round---but the sewing of the seam prevents excess stretching.

Learning to Break the Rules

2008-06-05T20:18:00.004-05:00

I love teaching freeform knitting. People always amaze themselves at what they can do without a pattern. We giggle a lot and make spontaneous decisions and a few mistakes and it's all good. Sunday's class was just a hoot. Especially since we had told people that the class started at three different times!!

And it did. I told everyone that the repetition was just good pedagogy. What a great group.

Elizabeth ( a felting fool) poked through some of my samples while Joanne and Sally knit.
Linda was in the third arriving group and quickly caught up; Lynn is looking for a crochet hook. It was so great that several folks could crochet--and so we did.
I don't know why Sally was breaking up. Truth--I wanted a picture of that fun sweater she knit.
Cindy and Tiffany were the first arrivals and left first as well. Rumor was someone was cooking dinner for them. Look hard and you can see Jean at the cash register. Buying yarn, what else?

This class has been very popular and I love to teach it. I'll do another in the fall.

For Cristi and JP

2008-05-30T10:36:00.006-05:00

This is my ~~cat~~ dog Jake. He's the newest and weirdest one.
These are the Charlotte boys--Jake acting like a cat; Henry on guard duty; and Thor, who really misses his family, but loves to be able to get on the sofa.
Here are ALL my boys. DH and my two wish I would take the camera away; Thor is just enjoying the sofa. They are quite a pleasant group.

Good luck to JP as he continues his efforts to move here to our knitting nirvana.

See Jane Teach

2008-05-30T10:30:00.005-05:00

Yep, that's me showing my Knitter's Math class diagrams of necks and armcyes.
Everyone was transfixed. Well, Frances and Rose were. Robin is wondering what she's doing in this madness and Jeannie is sure I've lost my mind.
Dani, my computer mentor, is doing the geek thing--taking notes. But Corey--ah, Corey, she is a true knitter. She's listening, she's questioning, but most importantly, she's knitting.

I always take my knitting to classes in case there is some wait time or a break. Never waste a moment when there is knitting to be done. Ask turtlegirl76 about her socks for knitting in traffic.