Knitting Camp Day 1--yarn

Today I begin camp. Yesterday was a flight to Denver and an adventurous drive to Fort Collins in Edie’s big truck which pulled her traveling yarn shop. Five of us laughed and made fun of Edie’s Tom-Tom guidance system.

Every few minutes this low sexy woman’s voice would pipe in “Stay to the left.” Now I know why men like this device. I’m waiting for one in a male voice with a French accent.

Candace arrived sans suitcase. She was stranded in Chicago overnight, slept in the airport, and now has only one suitcase. The missing one holds all her fair isle samples and the yarn and handouts for class. We will soldier on this morning anyway and I know it will be successful.

I met Peggy Wells last night. Peggy is the daughter of the Brown in Brown Sheep. She and her husband now run the business. She’s very friendly and we share a serious interest in cotton yarns. We plan to sit down and talk a bit about better ways to market the yarns other than Lamb’s Pride. Of course, I have opinions!

The Residence Inn is quite nice and I love the setup for a workshop weekend affair. I share a suite with Gay, our camp director. We each have a bedroom and bath; the living room, dining area and kitchen divide the bedrooms. We have 3—yes, three—TVs. There is a lovely pond outside my window.

I do have the Versus channel, so I can watch the Tour de France. Also have lots of access to New Belgium Brewery’s Fat Tire ale. Don’t know how that will impact the knitting.

We had a brief discussion of color this morning and then went to lunch at the restaurant attached to Lambspun. This is the yarn shop fictionalized in Maggie Setton’s mystery series. They do weaving and spinning also. I wasn’t very impressed with the yarns, but bought a silk cap and some soy silk to spin. Also got a hook for my wheel; this one has an eyelet on it so I can chain it on and maybe keep it a while.

Bought some gifts (not pictured) and some sock yarn (doesn’t count). Also bought some new yarn Brown Sheep is just releasing to play with and some Prairie Silk.

Off to beer and burgers and then to watch the tape of the Tour.

Lace Vest

Finished object just in time to wear to camp. This vest has no body shaping, but the drape allows it to fit nicely on the body. I love the hand of the Hempathy yarn and after blocking it is still very nice.

My DGS, Zachary, spent the last 12 days with us and he is the photographer for these pics. Not too bad for a 5 year old.

The only adjustments I made were because my gauge wasn’t the same as called for. I use a fingering weight yarn. You knit the back, then each side and finally do a three needle bindoff to join. This means it is very easy to change the length of the piece. I also think you could easily add a panel or gusset to the underarm if you should so choose. I did not add any short rows to the bustline.

Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy 05 off white
154 yards/50g skein. Blend of 41% cotton, 34% hemp, 25% modal with a gauge of 5.5 sts/in on size 5 needles.

Ilga Leja Antique Lace vest Ilga's site
Sizes: Small to 2X
Level: Advanced Intermediate
Suggested Yarn: Sport weight or double knitting yarn
Needles: 4.5 mm. (US 7)
Gauge: 18 sts = 10 cm./4 in

Colorado Knitting Camp

I've started my packing list. I leave Wednesday morning for Colorado and a reunion with some awesome knitters--awesome people,too. I wish I could take everyone I know to this event. The first year I went was just to give me something to do during a visit to DD who lived in Denver at the time. How could I know these women would change my life?

I didn't return until almost 10 years later--and it was like I had never left. They make every new camper feel totally a part of the group within the hour. Amazing.

Candace Eisner-Strick is returning this year to do a workshop on fair isle. Some of us are fairly new to this technique; others, like me, teach it. It really says something about Candace that we could care less what the topic is; we know we will learn some new tricks. She will bring suitcases filled with examples and I will steal as many good ideas as she will let me.

My biggest quandary is what yarn to take. Candace is bringing the complete line of Harrisville wool and Peggy Wells, owner of Brown Sheep, is bringing the complete line of their wool, and we have access to yarn shops--But! I am a Southerner who rarely wears wool--especially fair isle double layered things. I may take Louet Opal to design some socks and some thin cottons like Cotton Fine.

Clothes?? I'm not sure I'll have room. I may have to wear them all out there. Yarn is far more important.

Check in often. I'll try to keep you up to date. Second in importance to take is my computer.

Notice the Hufflepuff button on the side. I succumbed to being sorted. Yes, the book is on order. I am an unashamed Harry Potter fan.

Fireworks at the ballpark; Mini Stitch and Pitch

Charlotte Knights 7 Durham Bulls 3

After the game

We stayed to watch the WBT Sky Show

as it exploded right over our heads.

Fabulous.

During the game, I started a new sock with my Socks that Rock. I have to invent a slip stitch rib to prevent the colors pooling. Pics and pattern for that next.

Mystery Stole #3 Knit a Long, Sidewinders

Mystery Stole #3 Knit a Long

Clue #1 came out today. Above is a picture of Chart A. We are knitting on the diagonal. I changed my mind about the yarn. I’m using a mercerized cotton that I bought some years ago in Copenhagen. I remember when I bought it wondering what on earth I would do with it—I didn’t knit lace then—but it was the most beautiful dark pewter gray I had ever seen. Over the years I have fondled it regularly. This contest was the “Aha!” I’m using beads leftover from another project. I hope I have enough---but if not, there is a design opportunity.

It is not too late to join me and over 3,000 other knitters around the world who are participating in this knitalong. You can even just lurk and read the chat—boy, these guys do talk alot. Google Mystery Stole 3 and it will send you to the yahoo groups. The sign ups close July 6th.


Sidewinders Sock

This is the cast on for the most wearable vertical sock I have seen to date. The design is available from Nona Knits.

The instructions are long, but that makes them thorough. She has sized them for every imaginable foot. Warning: Do a real swatch. I didn’t and knit the first sock to fit Olive Oyl. I’m keeping it to show and tell. After I swatched, I went to a #2 needle (I usually knit on #0 for socks.) It fits well. It also fits my daughter (see pictures). Once I knit the second (third) one, I’ll have to decide who gets to keep them. The yarn is Opal—the Hundertwerken series I mentioned earlier. I loved working with it and after it was washed it softened nicely.





I highly recommend the pattern. Nona knows her stuff!! I like best the vertical instead of horizontal strip. Also – it seemed to take a long time and some serious thought to knit the first sock. The second sock flew. There is a learning curve with this, but it’s steep.

Lace Scarf from Handspun

The gorgeous yarn that Christi gave me is now a lace scarf. I love the energized singles that I used. They haven’t caused the scarf to bias, but the surface of the lace is busy! The green and red in the yarn dominate at different places. I will really love wearing this. I can’t believe I hadn’t spun in so long. Thanks again, Christ, for pushing me back towards something I love.

Size 6 needles; Snowdrop Lace pattern from Charlotte Yarn.

Mystery Stole #3 Knit a Long

June 18th DH and I have been married 41 years. He gave me a new digital camera; mine is the first Canon PowerShot and it does not take a great picture. At least that is my story and I’m sticking to it. The new one is the PowerShot A640. Hopefully I can take sharper images. If not, be discreet and don’t mention it to me.

I don’t get involved in Knit-a-longs. More words to eat.

HERE is the site to join this global whirlwind. Melissa from Leesburg, Va. is hosting her third Mystery Stole Knit-a-Long and over 2,000 knitters from around the world have signed up. The email traffic is major—do select the digest to begin with to keep from swamping your mailbox.

It is a bit of a chore to go through or delete the email, but I have already learned some neat things and discovered some good sites who will take my money and send me yarn. Lots of help for adding beads (optional), reading charts, knitting lace, and who makes the best lace needles. (I’m still an Inox fan and just found some Inox express for socks.) Everyone says the email traffic will subside once the first clue is posted on June 29th. You can always just check to read it online.

I’ve knit my gauge swatch for the project. I used a Cormo yarn that I bought in Colorado last year at camp. It’s from a small rancher and was just a fluke that it was available. It’s the bounciest yarn I have ever knit and I love the feel in my hands. ( Elsa Sheep and Wool Company) Mine is worsted spun and 2,000 yards per pound.

I was shocked that it took a size 7 needle for me to get the look and drape I wanted, but this will give me a 24” width with the 99 st cast on.

This is going to be so interesting. I can’t change the pattern because I won’t know what is coming next.

Please check out the website and join in. Several folks from the Charlotte Knitting Guild are signed up, so we might can meet early for our special show and tell.

Gifted Again!

I’m always stunned when someone gives me a gift out of nowhere. Of course, those are the very best gifts. Turtlegirl76(see Favorite Links) attended the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival where she single-handedly cured every yarn vendor's economic woes. Better yet, she bought me a present.

At Guild last Tuesday, she gave me a four ounce braid of a mixed wool blending which was a green/red/brown colorway. Needless to say, I want to spin it well and make something outstandingly beautiful from it. I’ve spun ¾ of it in a fingering weight single—my default size—and it looks like I will have about 500 yards.




What to make? I think something lacy. I’ve been looking through my gallery of ideas and through Barbara Walker’s books. I have found some patterns I like. I don’t normally ever wear brown (a color I love but looks awful on me) but this is quite nice. I think it is the red—a color I wear often. I held it up to my face while wearing a red sweater and it looked nice. Very rich. Just goes to show that you don’t know til you try. Also goes to show that Turtlegirl76 is great with color.

I carefully saved the band with the info on the group who produced this roving and when I find it again, I will post that data. The stuff literally spins itself.

Art Socks

I’m so excited about Opal Yarn's new Hundertwasser sock yarn. (Opal's site) I’ve finished one pair and they are just beautiful. Here’s why this yarn is so cool.

Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser (born Friedrich Stowasser December 15, 1928 – February 19, 2000) was an Austrian painter and sculptor. He was very controversial as were most of my favorite artists. He was influenced by Klimt, Schiele, and Anton Gaudi who designed those bizarre buildings in Spain. Hope to see them some day. His work has been used for posters, stamps, even flags. Now it is socks. (Scroll down for some pics.)

The Opal folks have taken a work, analyzed the colors and then reproduced them into a self patterning sock yarn, being careful to keep the same proportion of color as the original work. Thanks to Burgl Pruitt for bringing this yarn to my attention at a Charlotte Knitting Guild meeting.

The yarn is 75% superwash wool and 25% polymid—machine washable and dryable (but I always air dry). It doesn’t feel soft in the ball, but softens considerably in the wash. There are free patterns, one of which knits the sock lengthwise. I just used a K3, P1 cuff and a Pat Moore’s favorite Dutch heel. I was even able to knit them on a size 1 instead of a 0; 64 sts. Steve loves them., especially the heel.

Charlotte Yarn is carrying this yarn, but you had better hurry—I want more!!!

New Free Pattern

When my first grandson was born, we only had 24 hours notice of his existence until my daughter picked him up at the local hospital. Yes, he is adopted. She had called me the day before he was born to tell me a doctor had called and offered them the opportunity to bring him into our family. As I left town the day after his birth, I realized I had no baby yarn. There is a Michaels between my house and I-85. Quick stop, several balls of acrylic, no patterns, head to meet the son and heir.

The Newborn Sweater Vest was one of the sweaters I created for him out of my head during the few days I was with them. Erica took him to a shower the next week and he wore it with the Z, his first initial, embroidered large and proud. The other mothers had a fit over it, especially how easy it was to get on and off. I've knit a few of these over the years, and I decided it was time to share the pattern. It takes very little yarn--about 50 grams, I think. I used ribbons on some and just chained some ties for others.

Check out the link in the free patterns section of the sidebar. Let me know if you have any questions.

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

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

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

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

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




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



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

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



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


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


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

Summer Classes

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For those who have NEVER knitted before.

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

Catching up/What Were They Thinking?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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