Red Hat Knitter

Works In Progress-WIP's

2012-01-17T14:28:00.000-06:00

What am I currently working on besides my long term sock blankie? I have knit and written a pattern for Propaganda Yarn Club, but can't reveal that yet. It is the only finished project so far this year.

I always have a charity project on needles-which I work on on Tuesdays. This is the current hat. The yarn and pattern were a give away at Yarn Over from Yarn Garage, specifically to be knit for charity.

This is the Rivel Cardigan which I started a while ago. It will be a class at Amazing Threads starting the end of January. The shaping and construction of this sweater are unique which makes it fun to knit and I love the Three Irish Girls merino and bamboo yarn.

The sleeves are supposed to be knit flat, but I'm doing them in the round up to the armholes. They are also supposed to be elbow length, but I'm making full sleeves. I'm going slow because they are so boring and I'd much rather be knitting...

a shawl. This is Sharktooth by Stephen West from his shawl club.

This is Blathnat, a mystery sock from Sock Knitters' Anonymous. It feels good to be knitting socks again.

This project is barely started, but is Beaded Stress Ball from Heartstrings. Just stringing the beads is a project.

Sock Blankie

2012-01-11T13:33:00.000-06:00

Several years ago I started a blanket made out of left over sock yarn-long before the current trend. At the time, I knew it would be a long term project. Well, I haven't made much progress.

This is from February 2008.

December 2010

This was taken January 1, 2012.

It has grown, but not very fast, so I've set a goal to knit 3 squares a week. So far, I'm on track.

11 Shawls in 2011

2012-01-06T17:07:00.000-06:00

The last 2 shawls were blocked on New Years Eve which brings my total number knit for the year to 20! Yes, I know I'm obsessed!

Pattern: Hitchhiker

Yarn: Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock in Lovestruck colorway specifically dyed for Amazing Threads.

Needle: US #4

Pattern: Not yet released. This was a test knit.

Yarn: Three Irish Girls Cashmerino, colorway Bellini

Needle: US # 8

To Review:

Alcyone by Romi

Asterope by Romi

Brandywine by Romi

Buttonwillow by Romi

In the Land of Oz

Herbivore by Stephen West

Two Juneberry Triangles by Jared Flood

Kleio by Romi

Lazy Katy

Lisianthus by Romi

Live Oak by Romi

Miami Beach

Language of Roses

Sakaki by Romi

Spanish Moss by Romi

Taygete by Romi

Weekend Shawl

You can see several were designed by Romi. I belong to her Pin and Shawl Club and I test knit some of her shawls.

Repairs

2012-01-06T16:38:00.001-06:00

Several months I made the Tea Leaves Cardigan and when I hung it up to photograph noticed that the front bands were too long. It has been hanging in Amazing Threads since then and has bothered me everytime I had to walk by it. (I must admit, I would avoid going down that aisle so I wouldn't have to look at it.)

Well, the other day I took it home and reknit the front bands. It looks so much better!

More Yarn/Clubs

2012-01-01T13:56:00.000-06:00

Hopefully this will catch me up on posting my yarn clubs and recent purchases.

Cookie A Sock and Cookie Club for December 2011. Bugga yarn! And love another project bag.

This is a new club I just discovered. It is the Mini Skein Club by SpaceCadet. www.spacecadetcreations.com. The mini skeins can be used for the sock yarn blankets that are so popular on Ravelry, or I'm considering using them for Stephen West's Spectra shawl. I want to wait until I get some more to make that decision. I probably have more than enough yarn for my sock blankie.

This is the Socks are for Suckers shipment for January, 2012-the last one for last year's club. The extra in the green package is called "Stitch Switch". It is to enable you to try on your sweater without having to use waste yarn and transfer the stitches one by one. It is clear tubing which you squash the end securely on your needle tip, then slide the stitches onto the tubing. www.twistedpdx.com

This is the Sock are for Suckers Club for November 2011. The club originate in the Pacific Northwest so uses yarns and patterns from people in that area of the US. Fun!

I don't belong to Wool Girl's club any more, but will order special kits. This was the Christmas kit which I thought would be fun.

Almost forgot Romi's Pin and Shawl Fall selection. Love the pattern and yarn. The yarn is actually more of a burgundy color. The copper pin is beautiful, but I have a silver one very similar.

Three Irish Girls Yarn

2012-01-01T12:52:00.000-06:00

I get so confused with the Yarnista Yarn Club, because last week I chose my colorway for January and the yarn for December arrived. And the pattern does not come with the yarn, but is a download that comes a week or so later. I don't remember (oh, I'm saying that so often lately) how long I'm signed up for this club. But I do like this club because 1) I love the yarn and colorways. 2) I get my choice of colorway from 2-3 choices. The clubs I've signed up for 2012 I wrote down the specifics so I shouldn't get so confused!

These do not go together. See, I told you I get confused-a New Years Resolution is to get these pictures taken and marked right away. The yarn is a special colorway dyed for the King of Norway's visit to Duluth. It is called Skyline Parkway. The yarn is McClellan Fingering, 65% merino, 25% bamboo, 10% nylon.

This is the December Yarnista club yarn and extra. The pattern has not arrived yet, but I couldn't wait to take the picture with the pattern as the candy will be gone by that time. (Tomorrow the diet begins-as usual each year.) The yarn is Finley, sport weight I think and colorway is Bonny and Blithe. 100% merino. (Oh, the candy is delicious! It is called, "The Earl" from www.HaveItSweet.com) The extras in the shipments are always so fun.

This was a Christmas gift from a friend. It is special in several ways. I very seldom get yarn related gifts. This was a Christmas gift, but also a thank you gift from a friend who had a stroke several years ago at a very young age. Hoping to help with her therapy I gave her some yarn and big needles to get her back to knitting. As is common, she is now an avid knitter. The yarn is a special colorway dyed for Yarn Harbor yarn shop in Duluth. The yarn is Adorn Sock.

Okay, I found the correct yarn to go with the pattern. The picture was on my camera, but I hadn't downloaded it. This is the correct kit for November 2011. The extra is a highlighter pen.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T11:57:00.000-06:00

Christmas 2011 is over! The greatest joy was being with all my children, grand children, great grand children, sister, nieces and great niece and nephew-not all at the same time, but maybe it was better that way. Despite the hectic preparations and 2 melt downs the holidays were joyous.

This year we started a tradition which I hope we will continue. Baking with 4 generations!

Another day was spent with grand daughter, Sarah, but I didn't take pictures. We made Yule Kage, rice pudding and chocolate, caramel chex mix.

Playing while waiting for food and presents. Rylea lined up the cars like her uncle used to do-and probably her mother.

This is what it looked like after opening presents.

Rylea got a set of drums from her uncle Billy who is a drummer with the band Our Life Story. She was a natural!

My Christmas knitting:

Mittens for Rylea and Dani.

A chicken hat for Sarah.

A headband for Sarah.

An "Olympic" hat for Gloria.

Christmas Shawl

2011-12-12T14:43:00.001-06:00

This has been fun to wear during the holiday season.

Pattern: In the Land of Oz

Needles: Size 6, US

Yarn: Propaganda Ekaterina. 100% Superwash Merina 3 ply. Colorway: The Holly and the Ivy. A friend of mine has started her own dying business and this is her yarn. I love this yarn. www.etsy.com/shop/PropagandaYarns

Weekend Shawl

2011-11-27T12:24:00.001-06:00

Weekend Shawl. Number 17 in 2011. Am I obscessive? When I look at a yarn, all I think of is what kind of a shawl it will make.
Yarn: Juniper Moon Farm Findley I love this yarn!
Needles: Size US 5

I love to show pictures of lace prior to blocking to show how it blossoms with blocking.

I made the large size, but my finished measurements were smaller as my gauge apparently was not accurate. I had lots of yarn left over, so could have used larger needles, but I liked this fabric.

The shawl pin is one of Romi's. www.designsbyromi.com

NW Burbs Weekend Retreat

2011-11-16T11:57:00.001-06:00

Last weekend I had a "BIG" birthday and celebrated it with 10 knitters in a retreat home across the river from Red Wing, MN. What could be better!

We had lots of food! This is just the appetizers on the first evening.

We visited the Riverside Suri Alpaca farm in Lake City. I had been there with the MN Knitters' Days and arranged for us to visit. I wasn't going to take many pictures, but the alpacas are so cute! Sara was the friendliest.

Eleanor was very entertaining-and Sara very patient.

Alpacas teeth grow and have to be trimmed usually once a year, but this one grows faster.

Dana, the owner, was very gracious-even decorated for my birthday. (Wonder who told her?)

I didn't take any pictures of us knitting-I was too busy knitting. Nor did I take any pictures of any more meals-I was too busy eating. We did have some excitement as about midnight the ceiling fan sent out sparks and smelled hot, so had a visit from 3 fire trucks and the county sheriff. I was in bed, not sleeping, so could hear all the giggling and talking. Obviously nothing was harmed except the fan.

Birthday celebration with my daughter, Gloria.

Buttonwillow

2011-11-10T12:30:00.001-06:00

Shawl # 17 for 2011!

Buttonwillow by Romi Hill.

Yarn: Pagewood Farm Alyeska in color Fire Red

This was such a fun, relaxing knit. I added 4 repeats of Chart B to enlarge the shawl which made it a nice size and it is so comfy and should be warm. After blocking it measures 27 inches by 83 inches. The color did come off on my hands and the white robe I wear in the evenings, so hope it doesn't come off on my clothes when I wear it.

Romi showed these flexible blocking wires on her blog, so I ordered a set. I love them! These are the wires I used to block Buttonwillow and you can see how they can be pinned to the shape of the shawl. They are available at www.inspinknity.com

Riverside Alpacas

2011-10-31T17:32:00.001-05:00

While at MN Knitters' Days, we visited Riverside Alpacas. Dana, the owner was so gracious and clearly loves her animals and raises them for fiber-which is beautiful.

Dana likes white or light alpacas so she can dye the yarn.

She has 36 alpacas, 6 were born this summer.

Some of them were very friendly! This one almost went home with Candace.

This came home with me! Wish you could feel it. It will make a nice shawl.

MN Knitters' Days

2011-10-31T17:20:00.001-05:00

Over the weekend I was at the annual MN Knitters' Days in Fontenac, MN at the Villa Maria Retreat Center. Our teacher this year was Candace Eisner-Strick and the topic was based on her new book, Strickly Socks. (Sorry-again-that the pictures are on the side. I know the reason, but not how to correct it. If I turn my camera when I take the picture, Blogger will turn it to its original position, even if I've turned it when I downloaded it.)

She is such a fun and good instructor, very descriptive and agile in her explanations.

Candice with Sheryl Hill, the organizer of MN Knitters' Days. Sheryl has made some of the most amazing sweaters! (I've had this same one on needles for several years.)

This is the beginning of our classwork. Candace's socks start with a provisional cast on at the top of the foot, just before the top shaping. It is then knit back and forth for the top of the foot, working the decreases. When all the decreases are done, you work down the bottom of the foot, working back and forth and picking up stitches from the top piece making the increases. When the increases are done, the provisional cast on is removed and the rest of the sock is make in the round as usual. The heel is made just like the toe. I didn't work that as I figured I knew how. (I'm always a rebel to some degree.)

Candace brought sock yarn donated to us and we got to choose our color. I seemed to be on a purple streak this weekend.

Candace was selling her lace weight yarn which she used for her cascading colors kits so I bought 4-300 yard skeins of that. It's 100% merino wool.

Blackberry Ridge had some of their yarn there and I grabbed this up as soon as I saw it! 100% silk.

This year we visited an alpaca farm not far from where we were staying, but I'll do a separate post for that because I took many, many pictures.

Language of Roses

2011-10-27T16:49:00.000-05:00

This was a test knit for Aimee from Finland and was fun to knit. The shaping is not done in the traditional ways, but rather in "triangles" in the middle and sides. It starts with the branches, goes into the leaves and ends with the roses.

Yarn: Joslyn's Fiber Farm Lace Weight

Needle: US #4

Unblocked

Blocking was hard, but when I washed the shawl, I just squeezed enough water out of it so that it didn't drip across the floor, so it stayed wet while I pined and repined.

Three Lace Cardigan

2011-10-24T12:27:00.001-05:00

The Three Lace Cardigan is from a pattern book published by Juniper Moon Fiber Farm. It is a new brand of yarn which is just lovely-comes in 3 weights: Lace, Aran, and Bulky. I've knit with both the lace and aran and like both of them. The pattern is another story. It is full of mistakes, so it took some time to make the sweater. Watch my Ravelry page for errata as the last time I checked Juniper Moon Fiber Farm's websit, the errata is wrong! I will be teaching this as a class after the Holidays, so can help with the pattern problems.

Yarn: Juniper Moon Farm Findley-used only 2 balls as it has such great yardage.

Needle: Size 4

This is one time when I actually washed and blocked my gauge swatch.

I wish I had remembered to take a picture before I blocked the sweater. It was quite fun to pull it out of my knitting bag and tell people it was for me. It looked about the size to fit a 5 year old. I blocked it before I picked up the stitches for edgings and sewing sleeves in.

It turned out beautifully. It will be a perfect top for summer.

Tea Leaves Cardigan

2011-10-24T12:15:00.002-05:00

This sweater was a delight to knit as the yarn is so nice. I used MadelineTosh DK and it is just heaven.

Needles Size 6 and 7.

I am going to redo the front bands as they are too long.

I did have a fun incident knitting on this in the car on the way to Milwaukee. The yoke is done switching needle sizes and it came time to use the other size and it wasn't in my knitting bag. It was still a long way to Milwaukee and home again, so I dug out my telephone and found a yarn shop in Eau Claire, about 20 minutes away. So, we detoured through town and found a fun shop, Yellow Dog Knitting. www.yellowdogknitting.com

Knit With Love

2011-10-19T15:21:00.002-05:00

Yesterday my Culver's Knit Wits group had the pleasure of Lisa Bogart visiting us and talking and autographing her book, Knit With Love. Stories to Warm a Knitters Heart. I truely enjoyed reading the book and it inspired me to get back to my charity knitting!

While on tour, Lisa is collecting rectangles for Warm Up America and this wonderful group of women knit and crochet 58 squares for her. (Lucky her-getting to sew them all together!) www.craftyarncouncil.com/warmup

Three Irish Girls

2011-10-16T15:30:00.002-05:00

Yesterday and today, Sharon McMahon, the owner/dyer of Three Irish Girls yarn gave workshops and a trunk show at Amazing Threads. Yesterday I took a class about knitting with hand dyed yarns to learn how to work with pooling of colors and what types of patterns and stitches are best. Today's class was on yarn substitution in patterns. Both classes were excellent! And Sharon is a good teacher, using her wit and visual aids. If you ever get a chance to attend a class of hers, don't hesitate. She will be back at Amazing Threads next October and also at Yarnover in April.

This is one section of the yarn in the trunk show. Love her colors.

Yes, she is tall and I am short.

I've been a fan of her yarn for some time and have been collecting it. For fun, I gathered it all together and here is my TIG stash! I only bought 3 skeins this weekend, plus the blue in the upper right corner for a sweater I'll start as soon as I get this finished.

Too Many Shawls?

2011-10-13T10:43:00.000-05:00

Two days ago, Rosemary Hill (Romi)'s pattern Buttonwillow was released. After reading Lisa Bogard's book, "Knit With Love. Stories to Warm a Knitters Heart" I had decided to knit only for charity on Tuesdays. What a dilema. Well, with some rationalization I caved and cast on. (I had knit a charity hat for 2 hours on Monday). I started out using Three Irish Girls Casmerino in the Canyon colorway, but decided the pattern and color were too similar to the Maia Shawlette.

Going through my stash, I had enough of this Three Irish Girls Cashmerino in the Bellini colorway, but debated that the colors were too much like Kleio, but I cast on anyway. After an evening's worth of knittin, I decided it looked too "muddied' in this pattern.

This yarn was sitting on my dresser expecting to be the Seaside Shawlette in the Knitters' Brewing Company KAL which I haven't started. Too similar to Asterope.

Maybe this yarn will be the one. It was originally purchased to do Koi Rama Mystery KAL but I'm having my doubts about doing that pattern. Maybe this will be the one.

Two Quick Projects

2011-10-12T19:01:00.000-05:00

Each month at Amazing Threads I teach a technique class which I sometimes follow with a project using that technique or stitch. These are 2 of the recent projects.

The scarf is using an elongated stitch called Seafoam. I used a US 10 1/2 needle with Handmaiden Fine Yarn Sea Three and a pattern originally written for a Susan Koman fundraiser, Ribbon of Hope.

This neckwarmer is so soft and cuddly. It is a pattern I've written to use the Fisherman Rib stitch, incorporating crochet cast on and Jenny's Elastic Bind Off and uses a US # 7 needle. The yarn-- I just love! It is a new line from Juniper Moon Farms and this is their worsted weight called, Chadwick 60% merino and 40% alpaca. The information on Ravelry says it is Aran weight but I think it knit up at a heavy worsted weight.

Wildlife Release

2011-10-12T19:00:00.000-05:00

Two young boys who live near the State Fair Grounds had a beverage stand and gave the money earned to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. I think the total raised was $558.

This was the fall release of animals and birds. The birds were told not to fly away so fast so photographers could get pictures, but they didn't listen!

Ducks

Birds.

Squirrels were also released, but they moved so fast it was impossible to get a picture. The hummingbirds attended the festivities but are not ready to be released. If they get well enough, they will be released where the birds migrate to, not where they left from.

Miami Beach Shawlette

2011-10-09T14:07:00.001-05:00

Miami Beach Shawl is a free pattern available through Ravelry. It was a fun and quick knit. The yarn I used is Lorna's Laces Solemate on a size 6 needle. This was a gift for my good friend Maureen's special birthday.

Celia's Blankie

2011-10-09T14:01:00.002-05:00

Along with the release of this new Cottage Creation pattern comes the sad news that this is the last published pattern Carol Anderson is doing. I guess I don't blame her as she wants to have time to do knitting of other people's patterns. She will continue with her pattern orders and maybe do some individual patterns in a different format.

This blankie is based on the late Pat Penney's design, Rambling Rose. The fun of this pattern is the number of choices; weight of yarn (can use fingering, sport or worsted weight), gauge, size of squares, number of squares, and edging.

Mine used 5 skeins of Encore Colorspun Worsted weight and size 8 needle. I cast on 48 stitches for my squares and used an applied I-cord for the edging. It was fun to knit and fun to watch the color progression.

Yarns and Clubs

2011-10-09T13:20:00.000-05:00

I have been very negligent posting the last couple months, so today is catch up day. Hopefully I won't post things I've already posted! These are the yarn shipments I've been receiving.

Three Irish Girls Yarnista Club. The extra is some good hard candy. Part of the fun of this club is that we get a choice of 2 colorways each month. An advantage of being my age is that I forget what I ordered by the time it arrives. For instance, about 2-3 weeks ago I ordered the yarn for the next month, but last week the previous months yarn arrived.

Three Irish Girls Yarnista with note cards.

Three Irish Girls Yarnista. The extra was a free/discounted pattern from Alana Dakos so I chose the Cedar Leaf Shawlette. I love the yarn as it is McClellan Fingering, 65% merino, 25% bamboo, 10% nylon. It would be perfect for the shawl, except maybe not the color.

Cookie A's Sock and Cookie Club for October. I'm not real crazy about the color of the yarn and haven't even looked at the cookie recipes. Each shipment gives you 2 sock patterns and 2 cookie recipes.

The Twisted Socks are For Suckers Club. Another fun club which features yarn and patterns from indie dyers and designers from the Pacific Northwest. The extra is a fun folder with notepad and post it notes.

Wool Girl's Margarita Kit. Yarn, pattern, notepad, bag, pin cushion, stitch marker, wine glass marker, Margarita mix and jelly beans. It is always fun to open these kits and see all the surprises.

This is a club I don't remember joining. It is one that you order only one shipment at a time. So, surprise yarn. It is Zen Garden's Quasi Club.

Another Zen Garden Club is the Light and Dark Club. If I remember correctly, we had a choice of yarn colors. This shipment was delayed for a while because of difficulty getting the yarn. The pattern is a mystery pattern, coming out with 4 clues which turned out to be a scarf.

The end of the year is coming, so it is starting to be time to enroll in clubs. I don't know which ones I'm going to join again this year. I have already joined Romi's Pin and Shawl Club, selecting the pin and pattern option, not the yarn. I think I can find yarn in my stash for the shawl this year. I do like Cookie A's sock patterns, so maybe I'll join that when it opens. Other than that I don't know yet.

Saturday Sky 10-08-11

2011-10-09T12:13:00.004-05:00

I wasn't going to take a picture today, but I was sitting outside enjoying the sunshine and 80 degree temps and this view just needed to be recorded. The picture doesn't show the true beauty of the oranges/reds of the tree.

The Problem is Solved!

2011-10-06T14:48:00.001-05:00

Remember, I posted this picture asking if anyone knew what these were?

Well, the problem has been solved thanks to one of my Culver's KnitWits! They are vintage glove stretchers available on Ebay and Etsy.

Kleio

2011-10-02T13:57:00.002-05:00

Kleio shawl by Romi- www.designsbyRomi.com This is the first shawl from her new e-book, Seven Small Shawls Year 2: The Muses.

Yarn: Propaganda Nadya. I would recommend using a yarn with more contrast. I was working on the braid in a hotel room and had a hard time telling the colors apart.

Needle: Size 5. I think the yarn might have been better if I had used a smaller needle with the yarn.

Unblocked

Close up of the lace and braid.

Blocking

Just when I think I figure out why Blogger turns my pictures, it does this one. I know I didn't turn my camera to take this picture.

What Are These?

2011-09-22T14:54:00.002-05:00

Does anyone know what these are? One of the women at Culver's KnitWits found them with some yarn and knitting needles. You can see they have springs so they open. The inside when opened is unfinished wood. One is stamped "Taiwan" inside the handle. Suggestions have been: spindle for spinning (before we realized they opened), hair curler, salad tongs, pasta server.

A Knitter's Home Companion

2011-09-18T15:51:00.001-05:00

Here I am with Michelle Edwards, author of A Knitter's Home Companion. This is a delightful book with essays, read a longs, recipes and knitting patterns. Michelle 's drawings help illustrate the book. She was at the Yarnery Friday where I saw her and listened to her talk about the book, show the projects, telling how they related to the stories, read one of the essays and I was able to taste one of the goodies from the book.

After seeing this picture, I made an appointment to get my hair cut! I also figured out why my pictures are sideways. When I rotate my camera to take a picture, that is how Blogger posts the pictures even though I have rotated it on my computer. Now to figure out how to fix it.

Saturday Sky

2011-09-18T15:44:00.000-05:00

Sky overlooking the apple orchard where I went for a wine tasting to benefit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Weather was cool and cloudy most of the day, but a little clearing in the afternoon.

Book Shopping Today

2011-09-14T19:26:00.001-05:00

Went to Barnes & Noble today specifically to look at this book. I don't go there very often anymore even though this used to be one of my favorite places. Now I buy books for my Kindle or buy them from a "mom and pop" mystery book store, Once Upon a Crime.

This book is "A Heartwarming collection of stories, patterns, and recipes" and the author, Michelle Edwards is going to be at The Yarnery in St Paul on Friday signing books and reading from the book.

The Knitter's Life List by Gwen W. Steege says, "1001 Inspirations for Every Knitter, 122 Techniques & Tips to Learn, 69 Styles & Traditions to Explore, 64 Personalities to Meet, and 33 Yarn Fibers to Try". Sounds fun.

My Grandmother's Knitting by Larissa Brown is Family Stories and Inspired Knits from top designers with contributions from Ysolda Teague, Jared Flood, Meg Swansen, Cookie A., Anne Hanson, Teva Durham, Wendy Bernard, and many more. Many of these designers I have learned about from Ravelry and the family stories look interesting.

Saturday Sky 09-10-11 and The Running of the Llamas

2011-09-10T18:58:00.000-05:00

Saturday Sky in Hammond, WI where I went for the annual Running of the Llamas and parade.

That is pretty much what the parade was.

Then the llamas raced the 2 blocks of Main Street.

Bird Release

2011-09-04T17:50:00.000-05:00

My daughter volunteers at Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of MN, www.mrcmn.org feeding birds. Today they let her take a female red wing blackbird to release. We went to a park in Rosemount and she opened the box and away he flew. She few to a nearby tree and sat there for some time before flying away.

This is the area she now lives in until she can find other birds to migrate south. The Center says instinct will lead her to other birds and migration. It was exciting to see her fly away, but scary, too, hoping she can survive in the wild. She had been cared for in the Center since she was orphaned as a baby.

Club Shipments

2011-09-04T17:43:00.000-05:00

More surprises! This is the September shipment from Socks are for Suckers. A pretty shawl pattern and I like Hazel Knits yarn. This club uses patterns and yarns from the Pacific Northwest. The little folder will be real handy.

I never know if this is August or September shipment from Three Irish Girls Yarnista Club. Even though we get a choice of 2 colorways, it is still a surprise when it arrives. The "extra" candy is pretty good, too.

Another special shipment from WoolGirl called Margarita. Cute sock pattern, lovely yarn which is new to me. That's what makes clubs so interesting-trying new yarns. Or in my case, adding them to my stash! The yarn is dashing Dachs www.DashingDachs.com. The extra goodies which don't show up too well in the picture: flip flop note pad, margarita glass charm and stitch marker, margarita mix with rimming sugar, drink umbrella, cocktail mix jelly beans, strawberry tape measure and pin cushion.

Saturday Sk 09-03-2011

2011-09-03T18:12:00.002-05:00

I wish I could figure out how to rotate pictures on Blogger. It is not rotated on my computer. The picture is poor anyway. I wanted to get the finches on the feeders. There were 9 on them when we came home this afternoon, but only these remained and they must have warned others to stay away. Today started out warm and muggy, but sitting in the living room late this morning I could feel the wind shift to the north and the humidity drop. A few drops of rain around noon and a windy partly sunny afternoon. 6PM temp 72.

Stitches Midwest

2011-08-29T11:46:00.000-05:00

Again this year, my husband and I drove to Illinois to visit friends and for me to attend Stitches Midwest Market. Since it was just one big shopping extravaganza, there is not much to show or tell about except for my purchases. This year I went on a Saturday and it seemed there were more book signings and demonstrations than I remembered from last year. Pictures were not supposed to be taken in Market, so I can't show you the knitters' paradise.

The picture above shows the patterns I bought- Hum...6 patterns and 5 are shawls. The shawls and shawl yarn just seemed to draw all of my attention.

Below are the "extras" I bought. I needed highlighter tape, so picked some of that up. The Fix A Stitch is a crochet hook gadget designed to make picking up stitches in garter stitch easier www.fixastitch.com. I haven't tried it yet. The silver "thingy" is a clasp for the bag pattern in the top picture.

I have all sorts of knitting bags, but I needed these! The knitting chickens fabric is what attracted me to the left bag. The construction is nothing special, but the price was right. I use my large Nantucket bag all the time, so thought this little one might be handy, too.

On to yarn. The Filisilk is manufactured in Germany and apparently is new in this country. This is lace weight and 70% merino extrafine and 30% silk.

This is from a company I'd never heard about-Just Our Yarn, produced in the USA www.justouryarn.com. Most of their yarn was lace weight tencel and was sold in kits with a shawl pattern, but they did have the yarn available without being kitted. This one is 100% tencel. The shawls they had on display made from tencel had such a nice drape.

Another blue! This is Lisa Souza yarn 55% silk and 45% cashmere fingering. Romi had a picture of a small detail of her next Muse shawl and it was in a similar color. Maybe that is what this yarn will grow up to be.

This is Miss Babs, www.missbabs.com. Hand dyed sock yarn 100% merino wool. I got to meet Miss Babs which is always fun.

It was fun to meet Roxanne from Zen Garden www.zenyarngarden.com in person. I had communicated with her once when I had run out of her yarn in a project and she sent another skein very fast especially coming from Canada. I belong to her Light and Dark Shawl club and just received the first shipment of that. The purply yarn is Serenity 20, color Gladiolus and is 70% Superwash Merino, 20% Cashmere and 10% Nylon. The blue one is Serenity Lace II, 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere and 10% Nylon color Navy Teal.

The last one is madelinetosh, Tosh Lace. I'm using Madelinetosh in a sweater on the needles and it is a wonderful yarn. The yarn is so consistently dyed even between skeins there is no difference as there often is with hand dyed yarn. www.madelinetosh.com. This is 100% Superwash Merino.

Saturday Sky August 27, 2011

2011-08-29T11:00:00.000-05:00

A beautiful day at Stitches Midwest in Schaumberg, Illinois.

More Yarn

2011-08-24T13:19:00.000-05:00

This is the Romance kit from Wool Girl. The bag is beautiful-silk. The other goodies not much but I like the yarn and the shawl pattern. It might get made some day.

This is the yarn from the August Zen Garden club-I think it is called Light and Dark Shawl Club. I didn't realize the pattern that comes with it is a mystery-2 clues came out shortly after the yarn arrived. I have too many projects with deadlines right now, I won't be making it for awhile.

Summer

2011-08-22T16:49:00.000-05:00

It has been a hot wet summer, but already fall seems to be in the air. The goldfinches are eating me out of house and home. I have to fill the feeder about every 2 days. I have seen some sparrows stealing a meal there too. The desert rose is a desert plant and has enjoyed our summer.

Latest Club Shipments

2011-08-14T16:02:00.000-05:00

I've said before, I love yarn clubs! Here are my latest shipments.

Above is Romi's Pin and Shawl Club. Love the pattern and the yarn. And notice the unusual pin.

Cookie A's Sock and Cookie Club. The yarn is A Verb for Keeping Warn labeled sport, but it seems to be knitting up at a fingering gauge. I have started the sock on the left.Not only does this club have 2 sock patterns, but it has 2 cookie recipes also. Off hand I don't know what the cookie recipes are, as I'm trying not to have things like that in my house.

I do not belong to Wool Girl's Sock Club any more, but I do order special shipments like this Ice Cream themed one. It is OK, nothing special. I think the yarn is Zen Garden which I've used before and really like.

Yarnista/Three Irish Girls. I love this blue yarn but I'm not crazy about the slipper pattern that came with the club. In this club you get a choice of similar colorways of yarn. It is always fun to choose, then I forget what I ordered so it is still a surprise. Each month an extra is included and this one included a $5 credit at Pulling at Strings www.pullingatstrings.com so I got the shawlette pattern by Alana from the Never Not Knitting podcast which I enjoy listening to. Hum, maybe the Wool Girl ice cream themed yarn will work for this shawl.

Live Oak Shawlette

2011-08-12T13:47:00.000-05:00

Many times I've looked on Ravelry to see people's pictures of how they have blocked their shawls. It is often very helpful-Thus, here are my pictures.

Pattern: Live Oak Shawlette from KnitScene, Fall issue. The digital magazine came out a couple weeks before the printed magazine did, so there was quite a discussion on Ravelry and people trying to persuade me to get the digital version. Believe me, I almost did, but would rather have the printed version. The day the magazine was released, I had a couple hours to kill, so went to Barnes & Noble, purchased the magazine and a cup of coffee and sat there and knit. The problem was, I read the pattern wrong, so had to rip it all out and start again.It was hard going to a group and having to knit on something else-had to wait for evening. (It was a charity knitting group.)

Yarn: Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock, colorway Padraig.
I added one pattern repeat of Chart A doubling the lace pattern.

Maile Sweater

2011-08-10T12:29:00.000-05:00

I thought this was the cutest baby sweater. The bottom yellow one is done as the pattern is written, except I exchanged the raglan decreases-SSK for K2tog and K2tog for SSK. The other 2 added the pattern to the sleeves and I did all the increases after the garter stitch cuff rather than tapering the sleeves. To make it easier to join the sleeves to the body I put 4 underarm stitches of both the body and sleeves on yarn and grafted together when finishing.

Maile is a fragrant vine endemic to Hawaii, and it is traditionally used as a kind of very special lei. The lei is traditionally worn open, draped over the shoulders, and the leaf pattern in this sweater echoes that.

Pattern: Maile Sweater from www.whattoknitwhen.com

Yarn: (Green Sweater) Milk by laines du nord-63% Merino extrafine unshrinkable, 30% Milk Fiber, 7% Cashmere.

(Yellow Sweaters) Dream in Color Smooshy. Almost got both sweaters out of 1 skein. I did make the body of the all yellow one a little longer as my gauge was off.

Needles: US #4

Lazy Katy

2011-08-08T14:21:00.000-05:00

The construction and shaping of this shawl made me do it! The coloration of the yarn added to its appeal. The pattern is called Lazy Katy and the yarn is Marks & Kattens Fama Trend and I used about 400 yards. The finished measurements are 58 X 28 inches. It was a simple knit so a good pattern to be knit in public.

Saturday Sky August 06, 2011

2011-08-07T11:54:00.002-05:00

Another hot and humid day.

Spent yesterday and today basically coming and going on this road from home to Milwaukee for the funeral of my cousin who died suddenly at age 69.

Got some knitting done in the car, but also did half of the driving. I'm working on a sweater which uses 2 sizes of needles in the yoke, so when I got to the place to change needles, my other needle was not in my knitting bag! My trusty phone app told me there was a yarn shop in Eau Clair, 20 miles ahead, so with the phone GPS we had a scenic tour of Eau Clair, right to the door of the yarn shop. Yellow Dog Knitting, a lovely one! www.YellowDogKnitting.com (Yes, Christine, I did see a yarn shop!)

Saturday Sky 07-30-11

2011-07-30T13:06:00.001-05:00

Just when I think I'm going to quit posting Saturday Sky pictures, someone tells me how much they like them, so here is today's picture. Temperature at 12:30 is 83 with high humidity again.

Saturday Sky 07-23-11

2011-07-30T13:06:00.000-05:00

When it rains, it pours! The weather this summer-when it finally arrived has been extreme. Extreme heat, humitidy, and storms. This Saturday morning storm dumped over an inch of rain and raised the humidity. Temperature was just in the high 80's.

Knit & Crochet Show

2011-07-30T13:05:00.000-05:00

Yesterday (July 29), I attended the Knit & Crochet Show at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. The show is sponsored by The Knitting Guild Association (www.TKGA.com) and Crochet Guild of America (www.Crochet.org)

This picture is the "free goodies" I received. Because I was one of the first 500 people to register, I got the Lion Brand bag with the silver yarn and fun fur. The blue yarn is Butterfly Mercerized Cotton which was part of the centerpiece at the banquet. Each person at the table could pick a color of yarn. The Clover interchangeable needle set I won at the door prize drawing at the banquet.

Of course, there was a market! My purchases seem to favor Three Irish Girls! The skein on the bottom is called Peacock and was specially dyed for Stephen Be of Yarn Garage. The light blue is a new yarn for TIG a Bamboo Cotton Fingering, color Not a Cloud in the Sky. The bundle was from Amazing Threads and was put together to make a pound of yarn. A good deal and good coordinating colors. The reddish yarn is Habu bamboo probably for a shawl, they had a beautiful one made up. The shawl pattern was also displayed and was so much prettier than this picture shows.

It was sad as attendance was very poor. I got there at 3 PM and still was able to get a parking discount given to the first 100 attendees. The market floor was almost deserted which made it easy to shop, but was bad for the vendors. The banquet had less than 100 people there. The show continues until Sunday, July 31 with the shopping floor open 10-3. Try to make it.

Lisianthus

2011-07-18T22:40:00.002-05:00

Since I forgot to put the pin on the finished shawl, here is the club shipment when it arrived in April. This is Rosemary Hill's Pin and Shawl Club www.designsbyRomi.com. (Sign ups are full right now.) When you sign up you have the option to get the pin, pattern and yarn, or just the pin and pattern. I always can use more yarn for shawls so I got that option. (If you believe that, I have some property in the swamp I can sell you.)

This is the beginning of the shawl. It started our in the round, then began back and forth. I used Emily Ocker's circular cast on. The "outie" center blocked out.I have been knitting almost exclusively on this shawl for the last couple weeks and finally finished. At the end, there were nearly 1000 stitches on the needle.

She surely doesn't look very elegant when finished knitting and not blocked. It took over 2 hours to block-pinning and re pinning. I started by marking my blocking board with the finished measurements just as a guide. I then pinned the center stem into place, put pins in the top most nupp and centered and pinned the edge. From there I pinned the rest of the shawl. I had bought 2 more boxes of T pins to add to all the blocking pins I had, but still ran out so had to use sewing pins.

The wine glass says, "Knit 1, Sip 1." I needed the whole glass when I finished blocking.

Probably the biggest feeling of accomplishment is seeing the lace blossom after blocking!

Saturday Sky 07-09-11

2011-07-11T11:39:00.002-05:00

It was a hot, humid day again. High in the low 90's. We met our son and family for dinner and ate outside which was fairly comfortable. This picture was taken from the car crossing the Mississippi River. Notice how high the water is for July.

More Yarns

2011-07-08T12:27:00.005-05:00

This yarn arrived today from Three Irish Girls. The sock pattern always comes later via PDF; this time a second pattern is a bonus. The yarn is Velvet Sock, 100% superwash merino, colorway Sprouting.

Socks are for Suckers Club for July. Love the yarn, beads and Sivia Harding pattern. The little crochet hook is an extra. The yarn is Pico Accuardi Dyewords in Oregon handpainted, 60% Angora, 40% Columbia Wool. Pattern is Midsummer.

Yarnista Sock Club May shipment. The colorway is Berry Blast in Adorn Sock Yarn. The little blue is an extra. I bought 2 skeins of this a while ago and took it out when yarn diving for yarn to make Romi's Oak Leaves shawl. The pattern is in the Fall KnitScene magazine, due out July 12. I'll wind it today and be ready to start.

This is an exclusive colorway of Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock called Lovestruck, dyed for Amazing Threads.

Today I got the pink skein from my friend who just opened her own business, Propaganda Yarn. The pink is called Cut my teeth on Tourmaline and the green is Cut my teeth on Diamonds. I think I'll use them for Romi's first Muse shawl.

This is Hazel Knits yarn. I have no idea when or where I got it but found it in my closet. New that I haven't put away? Something I took out of the stash for a project? Or is my yarn just reproducing? And why did Blogger download all my pictures upside down?

Spanish Moss Shawl

2011-07-07T15:16:00.003-05:00

Pattern: Spanish Moss by Rosemary (Romi) Hill. This yarn and pattern is from the January 2011 Pin and Shawl Club.

Yarn: Royale Hare Merino Lace.

Needle: US # 4

There are beads in the 2 end sections but they don't show in the picture.

I think it is a beautiful shawl and was fun to knit (as are all of Romi's)

Saturday Sky July 2, 2011

2011-07-02T12:48:00.001-05:00

This is the view as I sat on our deck knitting. The weather has turned from HOT and HUMID ot beautiful. Today the humidity is down and temps should be in the 80's.

Spud

2011-06-29T14:12:00.004-05:00

A fun book with children's Read A Long. What I like about Susan B Anderson's toy patterns as they are pretty much knit in the round. Spud was made with Spud and Chloe Sweater Yarn. The wool was real putzy, but turned out nicely. Susan has a good video demonstrating the technique on her blog and is worth watching.

www.spud&Chloe.com/blog/2011/05/twisted-loop-stitch-tutorial

Saturday Sky 06-25-11

2011-06-25T15:43:00.003-05:00

This picture looks identical to last weeks-it is not. The newspaper said today would be a "lovely summer day." Sunny with high of 79. Well, the sky has looked like this all day, a little rain fell a while ago and at 4 PM the temperature is 69. I've put my sweater back on-I took it off yesterday.

Propaganda Yarn

2011-06-24T14:34:00.006-05:00

A friend of mine has started a hand dyed yarn company, Propaganda Yarn launching on www.Artfire.com this month.

This is Anastasia-Fingering- 100% merino- Color, Cut My Teeth on Diamonds.

This is Dacha- DK-100% merino.
Neither one has told me what it wants to be when it grows up.

Spinning Again

2011-06-23T15:11:00.003-05:00

When I retired 11 years ago, I oiled my hibernating spinning wheel, spun 1 bobbin of wool and didn't touch it again until a few months ago. While in hibernation the wheel did nothing but serve as a ship's wheel when the grandchildren played with it. A few months ago I decided I wanted to spin again so brought out the wheel and put it back together as best as I could remember. I did do a little spinning with some wool that was so dirty all I did was pick out vegetable matter, so that fiber didn't stay around. I started on the blue fiber but after spinning 1 bobbin, decided I wanted to take some classes to refresh my memory and skill. So, this is what I have produced after 2 classes. I do not know what either of the fibers are; found the natural in my fiber stash and bought the blue at Stitches last year, but do not remember what it was.

Alcyone

2011-06-22T17:53:00.004-05:00

Pattern: Alcyone by Romi from e-book, 7Small Shawls Book 1

Yarn: All For Love of Yarn Nogi.

Needle: US 5

Finish blocked measurements: 86 inches by 16 inches.

Another gem by Romi! I am excited that she will be doing another book during the next year-and I'm a test knitter!

Saturday Sky 06-18-11

2011-06-18T17:22:00.003-05:00

Cloudy and humid until this afternoon when the rain started-just a nice soaking rain with temperature about 70.

Juneberry Triangle

2011-06-16T13:15:00.004-05:00

When I made my first Juneberry Triangle by Jarod Flood in a sport weight yarn, I wondered if the pattern would stand out better in a worsted weight yarn, so I knit another one!

Yarn for this one is Plymouth Select Worsted Merino Superwash using US 7 needles.

Shawl Pins

2011-06-15T09:45:00.002-05:00

I HATE going to Curves, but because I know it is good for me, I force myself to go 3 times a week. Lately it has been more fun to go because I found out one of the women who goes when I do makes this beautiful jewelry from vintage silverware. When I saw her shawl pins, I just had to have one because I knit so many shawls. (the bottom picture). When I saw the picture of a new technique she developed (the top picture) I ordered it almost as soon as I saw it. Her website is: www.etsy.com/shop/BentSpoonJewelry

Saturday Sky 06-11-11

2011-06-13T15:08:00.001-05:00

Beautiful sunny, but cool day.

Gadget Box

2011-06-08T20:55:00.000-05:00

This is something I carry in my knitting bag most of the time. It holds most everything I might need. I found a small crochet that fits, my puppy scissors fit, and more markers than I'll ever need. People are surprised when I tell them where I got it-Cabella's. It is a fishing tackle box. All the compartments are stationary except the large one on the left which has removable partitions.Looking at the bottom picture, it isn't very big.

Sakaki

2011-06-05T16:04:00.001-05:00

This is Sakaki, a pattern by Rosemary Hill (Romi) designed to benefit Japan's earthquake survivors and recovery. (I'm a Red Hatter so can wear red and purple.) Sorry about the awful expression on my face. I always have to give my husband directions to take a picture and he snaps while I'm talking.

I laid it out when I was this far along to take a picture for Ravelry and discovered this...

At the time, I didn't know what I had done, but ripped it back and reknit. The pattern is easily memorized and a relaxing knit, so it wasn't so bad. Towards the end, I found the same problem and in taking it out realized what I had done-did it two other times, too. When I made the picot, I cast on 3 sts, K2 tog tbl, K1 tbl, pass first stitch off over 2nd. I was forgetting to pass the stitch off.

Yarn: Hazel Knits Sock Yarn (from my last sock club shipment!)

Needles: US 5

This is how much yarn I had left over! I did eliminate 2 ruffles in order to have yarn to finish.

Saturday Sky 06-04-11

2011-06-05T15:54:00.002-05:00

This has been a beautiful weekend! Summer has arrived in MN. Temps both Saturday and Sunday in low 80's and humidity is down.

Brandywine Shawl

2011-05-29T15:05:00.004-05:00

My daughter in law wanted a shawl for a friend of her's daughter's wedding, so I did not complain as long as I got to pick the yarn and pattern. I did this one in just over a week.

Pattern: Brandywine by Rosemary (Romi) Hill. www.designsbyromi.com . A portion of the sales of this pattern go to Haiti relief.

Yarn: Sublime. Merino, cashmere and silk-yummy!

Needles: Size US 5

Saturday Sky 05-28-11

2011-05-29T15:03:00.003-05:00

This is the sky in Rosemount-40 miles southeast of us when we were visiting our daughter. Partly cloudy, chilly, but we ate outside.

More Clubs

2011-05-24T18:23:00.001-05:00

I thoroughly enjoy receiving club shipments! But I'm beginning to think I belong to more than I should!

This is Loopy Ewe April shipment. I've heard people talk about this yarn, so now I own some. Who knows what it will end up to be? Both of these patterns are nice.

This is the May Three Irish Girls yarn. We had our choice of these colors, but were told that the pattern would be a two color pattern, so I ordered the 2nd skein in case I wanted to knit the pattern-I don't, but am looking at the sock pattern from the book, Knit One Below by Elise Duvekot. She is teaching this sock at Stitches in August and am thinking about taking it. Or, try to figure it out on my own. But as the bag above says, there is never enough time to knit!

This is the Shawls are for Suckers May selection. I love the bag and the yarn. The pattern-probably not.

I was not the last one to receive Romi's Shawl and Pin club this time. It actually arrived before I started looking for it, which was fun! This month's pin is exceptionally beautiful I think.

Hazel Knits. I think this is my last kit from Hazel Knits. Nice yarn and patterns.

Not one of these yarns/projects has even been started!

Marina Scarf

2011-05-21T16:59:00.002-05:00

Little did I know when I started this scarf that this is where it would end up! Our grand daughter broke her wrist on a ripstick (a skateboard which swivels) and needed closed reduction under anesthesia. She wanted to wear the scarf to surgery; MD said she could, anesthetist said no. All is well now, except she won't get her pink cast for 2 weeks. Note the pink "tail" on her cap.

Yarn: Marina

Needles: Size 13

Pattern: Cast on 8 stitches and knit (using the loops in the tape as yarn) until yarn is used up. Bind off.

Saturday Sky 05-21-11

2011-05-21T16:55:00.002-05:00

Heavy rains this morning turned into a nice afternoon with a temperature of 71. Didn't mind the rain this time as our association replaced winter damaged sod and then the sprinkler system broke. It's much easier for the rain to keep it watered.

New Books

2011-05-16T21:28:00.004-05:00

The last two days, I've received 3 new knitting books. One I have been waiting a long time for: Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knit One, Knit All. The designs are ones that she wanted published in a book, but publishers never agreed with her. Now, her daughter and grand son together with some volunteer knitters have put together the designs and published this book. Many of the designs had no written instructions so the patterns were put together from her notes or drawings, her journal, or the actual garments were disected. I have made one of the designs many years ago-the Suspender Sweater at Door County Knitting Camp with Carol Anderson of Cottage Creations. I thought the book contained patterns never before printed, but they are patterns not in any of EZ's books. The Suspender Sweater was from a Wool Gathering and is a sweater I get many compliments on every time I wear it and it was fun to knit-interesting construction.

The second book is the book completely about charts. This I ordered as a reference for my teaching. Anything you ever need to know about charted knitting.

The third book, 10 Secrets of the Laidback Knitters, A Guide to Holistic Knitting, Yarn, and Life I bought just from a blog and pictures on the internet and it turned out to be an absolute gem. The picture on the cover of the little lace scarf is the one that yelled out to me as it looked like it was made from the stainless steel yarn I bought last year at Stitches and which had about 3 inches of a scarf which I wasn't very crazy about. The big surprise was seeing the pattern and seeing that it-plus one more in the book-are designed by Romi! This book has stories, pictures, patterns, history, and lots more.

Oh, for more time to knit!!

Saturday Sky 05-14-11

2011-05-14T16:39:00.002-05:00

A gray, wet, nasty day! No wonder I'm grumpy! The temperature isn't even up to 50 and it has been misty/raining all day. Now I'm home and it's a good day to stay there and knit. At least the leaves are appearing on the tree.

Why Do Things Become UFO's?

2011-05-11T11:17:00.004-05:00

Here's one example. Couldn't wait to start Spanish Moss from Romi's Shawl and Pin Club. If you remember, my kit got lost and I waited and waited for it to arrive. I took it along on my trip to France and got the center panel done but it had to be put aside because...

I had to make Juneberry Triangle for a shop sample so I could teach the class this summer. (I did finish this one-but I thought maybe the patterning would show up better on a heavier yarn, so after I finish the one I'm working one, that will be my next project-in a pretty red.)

When I finished Juneberry, I started Sakaki. It is really a simple pattern, but I've had to rip substantial amounts 3 times for a simple loose stitch in my YO's. I do enjoy this pattern and it is a good one to do when with people as it doesn't take a lot of concentration. (My mistakes were sloppy knitting, not pattern mistakes.) But...this has been set aside...

because my daughter in law wants me to make a shawl for a friend's wedding June 18. A deadline pushes this to the top of the queue. This is Brandywine Shawl by Romi.

So that explains 3 unfinished shawls, plus one in the "need to do right now" queue. Notice, they're all shawls! I have started Spud the sheep from the book, Spud and Chloe at the Farm by Susan B. Anderson, which is also for a class and I work on when I'm in the mood. It's real putzy! There just isn't enough time!

Haleakala Socks

2011-05-11T11:09:00.002-05:00

A finished project! Even though it took a long time to make these, I enjoyed doing them. I love the rambling ribs and cables of Cookie A's socks even though it takes a little more concentration.

Pattern: Haleakala by Cookie A. From her Sock and Cookie Club

Yarn: String Theory Hand Dyed Yarn Caper Sock. Wonderful, soft yarn which shows good stitch definition.

Needles: 2.5 mm. Made both at the same time on magic loop, my new favorite method of making socks.

Shepherd's Harvest

2011-05-08T21:52:00.008-05:00

Today was Shepherd's Harvest and my daughter and I had a fun time browsing. Of course the biggest attraction for me was 4 huge buildings full of yarn and fiber for sale.

There were people all over knitting and spinning.

Musicians.

Sheep

Rabbits. (I want one so bad!)

Llamas (Thee were alpacas too.)

Some had fancy haircuts.

Goats

This is all I bought. The roving is 100% alpaca, a Signature needle and the yarn is from All For Love of Yarn! a local dyer- 90% superwash merino and 10% nylon. I bought it for the beautiful color.

Oh! There was food, too. Mostly the typical fair food. Twice we stood in line for fried pickles, but the line never moved, so all we got was kettle corn which was shared with my great grand daughters when we got home.

Saturday Sky 05-07-11

2011-05-08T21:50:00.002-05:00

Blue sky! It was a beautiful day! Got up to 70 degrees and the rain forcasted missed us.

Juneberry Triangle

2011-05-06T12:14:00.004-05:00

In progress. This was made for Amazing Threads where I will be teaching this as a class this summer.

Pattern: Juneberry Triangle by Jared Flood.
Yarn: Marion Foale 100% wool. This was between a fingering and sport weight. The pattern called for sport or worsted. I'm wondering if the pattern would show up better in a heavier weight yarn.

Needles: US 7

Prior to blocking. It doesn't look like much.

Blocking brings out the beauty of lace. It is such fun to wet it and stretch it out into shape and see the true beauty.

This project restored my confidence in my lace knitting. A while ago I started a shawl which had patterning on both the right and wrong side rows. (I can never remember if that is knitted lace or lace knitting.) I just could not get that pattern, so gave it up and felt like my mental abilities were slipping. Well, this pattern has patterning on both sides, and I accomplished it, but it is not a project for a beginner lace knitter.

Knotty Scarflet

2011-05-06T12:05:00.004-05:00

I do finish things. I don't just buy yarn, but realistically I buy more than I knit! This was a fast, easily memorized pattern.

This picture is prior to blocking.

Pattern: Knotty Scarflet by Sivia Harding

Yarn: Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino (only used 1 ball, so cost only $9.50.)

Needles: US 7

Blocking.

And the final product.

Yarnover 2011

2011-05-01T12:49:00.006-05:00

Yesterday was the MN Knitters' Guild 25th annual Yarnover. I have been with the guild since almost day one and attended number one. Sixty people attended the first one with local teachers except Kate Martinson from Decorah, Iowa. On the right in the picture is Peg Torgeson who had the original idea for a one day knitting get together. Nancy, a good friend is on the left.

In commemoration of the 25 years, I found these items available. The mug is made by Jennie the Potter: www.jenniethepotter.com. The little button is a magnet which was all that was available when I got to the table. The teachers and the lucky people who got to the table first got pins. Actually I'll probably enjoy the magnet more as it will be on my refrigerator all the time.

These are a few of the teachers. This year was a stellar group of national and international teachers. We are only able to take two classes, so it was a really difficult choice of which classes to attend.

This is a poor picture of the 400 some attendees at the keynote speech by Merike Saarnitt.
In the morning I attended a class on Japanese short rows and bind off given by Susanna Hansson. I sure wish I'd taken the class before I made the Traveling Sweater.

Class sample. (Mine has a couple mistakes in it.)

The class I took in the afternoon was with Rosemary Hill, http://www.designsbyromi.com/ . I took the class to get to meet her as I've been knitting so many of her shawls which I just love! In the picture I'm wearing Maia from her e-book, 7 Small Shawls.

Romi with some of her fans.

The class was correcting mistakes in lace knitting. Knitting the homework sample made me appreciate the habit I have of admiring my work so ofter. I would have seen this mistake before I got it this far.

This is how to go about reknitting just the portion with the mistake. I have done this many times with just a few stitches and a few rows, but had never pinned the yarns in the correct order. Now I will pin my strands and won't have to reknit rows over because I used the wrong strand of yarn. (I did not complete the correction-I learned what I needed to know and had shopping to do.)

There were 43 vendors at the market so shopping opportunities were plenty. These are my purchases. In the top row, left is a bar of silk shampoo from Shepherd's Choice in Anoka, www.shepherdschoice.com . I love this shampoo for my fine hair! (Getting it at Yarnover saves me a trip to Anoka and the temptation of the new ice cream store!) The book is the 2nd book by Catherine Friend, author of Hit By a Farm and now Sheepish, Two Women, Fifty Sheep & Enough Wool to Save the Planet. The books are about her and her partner starting a farm in MN. The first one was fun to read and I anticipate this one will be too. The yarn from left to right: 1) Happy Hands Hand Dyed Superwash Merino Tencel: www.happyhandsyarn.com .

2) Corny Goodness, 100% corn fiber: www.cornygoodness.com .

3 & 4) ilLOOMimated yarns 75% superwash merino/20% nylon/ 5% gold or silver stelina. www.illoomiminatedyarns.com/shop

We always receive gifts at Yarnover! The silver needle gauge necklace was given to the first 425 participants commemorating the 25th anniversary. The light green yarn it is sitting on was my door prize; Cascade Cloud 9 donated by Shelly's Yarn and Fiber Shoppe. The dark green Jo Sharp DK Cotton and pin saying, "I Knit because I am smarter than you" and shop bucks were donated by Three Kittens www.3kittensneedlearts.com and was given to participants after completing the evaluation. Also given after completing the evaluation was the Boro Boro, hat pattern and little silver tag, saying "made with love" were donated by Steven Be, www.yarngarage.com .

Need I say it was a fun day? But...I should have taken pictures of Sharon from Three Irish Girls, Catherine Friend, author of Sheepish, and the group from Ravelry.

Saturday Sky 04-30-11

2011-04-30T21:22:00.003-05:00

At last we got some blue sky and sun. The morning was raining, but the afternoon cleared up and the sun came out. This was a wonderful day at MN Knitters' Guild 25th annual Yarnover. More about that tomorrow.

Bird/Animal Feeder

2011-04-26T17:01:00.003-05:00

For Christmas, my son and family gave me this birdfeeder. We finally got it put out and we're having lots of birds eating from it.

So are the ducks!

And a bunny-or maybe he is the Easter bunny.

Saturday Sky 04-23-11

2011-04-23T15:34:00.003-05:00

My, this looks just like every April Saturday sky this month. Haven't seen much sun, but the temp today is up to 46.

Winter That Refuses to Leave

2011-04-23T15:31:00.002-05:00

April 20, 2011!!!!!

Saturday Sky 04-16-11

2011-04-17T16:06:00.002-05:00

This was not April weather! It was cold and windy all day; I don't think it got up to 40. About noon there was still this much snow on our deck-it had been about 2 inches in the morning.

Larry Millett

2011-04-17T16:01:00.003-05:00

Larry Millett, author of The Magic Bullet, was autographing books at Once Upon a Crime on Tuesday. I was glad to see another book by him, as I've liked the other ones I've read. They are fiction, but based on MN/St Paul history and since I grew up in St Paul, they are fun to read.

Yarn Clubs

2011-04-17T15:57:00.002-05:00

Only one package of yarn waited for me when I returned from France. This is the Three Irish Girls April package. Below, Cookie A's Sock Club package arrived a few days ago. The yarn is a sneak preview of a new yarn not even named yet.

Paris to Normandy

2011-04-15T11:07:00.008-05:00

A week ago I returned from another wonderful trip with Grand Circle Travel. This was a riverboat trip from Paris to Normandy. That is the way to travel! We were taken from the plane to the boat and stayed on the boat until the last night we spent in a hotel by the airport. Of course, cruises are all they are cracked up to be! River boats have the added advantage of beautiful scenery. These pictures are only a fraction of what we saw. Above is the Arc de Triumphe from Champs Elysees.

One evening we had dinner cruising through Paris so were able to see the Eiffel Tower light up. What a spectacular sight! I travel with my college friend, Maureen so here we are at the Eiffel Tower.

Notre Dame. (One view of 5 I took.)

The Mona Lisa at the Louvre. That is as close as I wanted to get with all the people. Flowers and trees were in bloom everywhere we went.

The Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.

The Gardens at Versailles

Above is a picture of a Van Gogh painting and below is the church he painted. We had a tour of the town of Auvers-sur-Oise learning about Van Gogh, his life and paintings as he lived there the last months of his life.

These are a few pictures of Giverny, Monet's home and gardens.

Our boat, the Bizet, docked at Les Andelys.

Vernon

Les Andelys

"Monet's" Cathedral in Rouen

Honflour

The American Cemetery at Omaha Beach.This was a very moving place. When we arrived, we had a program-facing the statue,"The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves", the Star Spangled Banner was played. We then turned toward the cemetery and they played "Taps" followed by a minute of silence. Lots of tears and sniffles could be heard. Each of us was then given a rose to place on a grave. This was very meaningful as it is a part of history I can vaguely remember.

I'm Published!

2011-04-11T11:04:00.003-05:00

This last weekend several yarn shops in the Twin Cities had their annual Shop Hop. Each shop had an exclusive hand dyed yarn from local dyers in a colorway exclusive to their shop. Amazing Threads had this pretty yarn from Three Irish Girls in Duluth, MN-one of my favorite dyers. Several years ago a friend and I were attending the MN Opera and walking from the car to the theater, we were behind a woman wearing a shawl which my friend liked. I studied it and wrote up this pattern. I dug it out, made some revisions and this is the pattern Amazing Threads gave out on the Shop Hop made out of their exclusive yarn. This is done in worsted weight, but is also available in fingering. I forgot to buy my yarn yesterday when I was in the shop. (I did not make this sample as I wanted someone to test the pattern.)

Vacation Knitting

2011-04-11T11:00:00.004-05:00

Spanish Moss shawl by Rosemary Hill. This was the January pattern in her Shawl and Pin Club. I was about a quarter of the way when I left home (I thought I had taken a picture, but can't find it.), hoping to finish the center while on my trip, but I didn't do as much knitting as I figured. Isn't that always the way-I always pack more knitting than I could possibly do, but I don't want to run out!

Saturday Sky

2011-04-11T10:55:00.002-05:00

Saturday Sky, April 11, 2011. Mostly cloudy with temps in the 60's. Can you see the buds forming on the tree?

Saturday Sky April 2, 2011. Cruising down the Seine River in France! Cool (in the 60's.) and hazy sun.

Saturday Sky 03-26-11

2011-03-26T18:42:00.002-05:00

More snow. Had about 7 inches on Wednesday and has been cold since then. Clear sky and windy today with a hight of only 30.

More Sock Clubs

2011-03-25T14:36:00.004-05:00

Wool Girl Hot Cocoa Kisses. I nearly missed the cone of cocoa with chocolate chips and marshmellows when I took the picture. Love the mug! The picture doesn't show the little hint of pink in the yarn.

The Loopy Ewe. I also love bags!

Oh how I love getting these kits in the mail! And how I wish I could knit them all up, but they age well in my yarn closet.

Haleakala

2011-03-23T14:18:00.003-05:00

Finally started making something from one of my clubs. These are the Haleakala Socks by Cookie A from the February selection. The yarn is Caper Sock by String Theory Hand Dyed Yarns and is yummy to work on.

Asterope

2011-03-23T14:13:00.003-05:00

This is another test knit to be published in 7 Small Shawls by Rosemary Hill (Romi). I have loved every one of the shawls I've made of hers. The pattern didn't show up well until I blocked the shawl and then it reminded me of a spring garden with the flowers blooming.
Prior to blocking. A few rows in the last chart were challenging, but the rest was not too hard. (My daughter says I alway say that!)

Aran Camisole

2011-03-23T14:10:00.003-05:00

Pattern: Aran Camisole from Interweave Knits, Spring 2010.
Yarn: Rowan Linen

This is not a style I normally wear but knit it as a teaching project. The cables, short rows and picking up stitches make a good class project.I probably would wear it with a tee or under a blazer.

I did not make the lenth to joining as long as the pattern said as the armholes would be very large and if I were going to do it again I would make the straps a little shorter.

Saturday Sky

2011-03-23T14:06:00.003-05:00

March 12, 2011. Think it was warm but don't remember.

March 19, 2011. Temperature was in the 40's, so the snow is going down and can see the lawn and winter damage. Glad we're in a town house and don't have to worry about repairing it.

EZ Ribwarmer

2011-03-18T21:11:00.002-05:00

I test knit patterns for Carol Anderson of Cottage Creations and she wanted me to test this pattern. She is giving a workshop on Elizabeth Zimmermann's Ribwarmer so for the class to be able to complete the project she is having them do it it doll or bear size. Isn't it cute? I wonder if it would be a good class to teach the adult size?

Herbivore

2011-03-09T11:53:00.004-06:00

Herbivore by Stephen West.
Yarn: Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock Yarn, colorway Colleen. The picture above is the best picture of the color.
This was fast, easy and fun to knit.
Needles: US 6.

Traveling Sweater

2011-03-09T11:43:00.006-06:00

This was a long, but soothing knit. I was intriqued by the construction, so just had to make it to figure out how it went together.

I blocked both sleeves together as I then only had to measure and shape it once, plus it used so many pins-I didn't have enough.

I also folded the mail body and collar piece in half to block-and good thing I did because I had not done one of the wedges. If I did it again I would block the main piece while I was knitting the sleeves-again because of the shortage of pins and blocking the pieces double it took longer to dry.

Too short!

This kind of shows how it goes together. I never would have figured out the assembly without this blog: http://akabini.squarespace.com/akabini/2010/11/28/traveling-sweater-assembly.html

And the finished garment! I love the way it fits and feels. The yarn I used was Cascade Sport Superwash and am wondering if it is going to hold the ribbed blocking.

Pattern: Traveling Sweater by Blue Moon Fibers.

Needles: US 3.

Taygete

2011-03-09T11:39:00.004-06:00

Taygete by Designs by Romi's 7 Small Shawls E-book.

Yarn: Gypsyknits Sock It! Merino Superwash.

Needle: US 5.

Yarn Clubs

2011-03-09T11:22:00.004-06:00

I have joined several yarn clubs this year! Here they are!

Socks are for Sockers. This is the March shipment.

Future shipments: May, July, Sept, Nov, Jan.

Romi's Shawl and Pin. This is January shipment.

Future shipments: April, July, Oct.

Yarnista February shipment.
Future shipments: this is a monthly shipping, but I don't remember how many months I signed up for. (That is bad!)

Cookie A's sock and cookie club February.
Future: April, June, Aug, Oct, Dec.

Hazel Knits February.

Future: I think I only have an April shipment left.

Club Loopy February. This club is ordered each month.

Wool Girl Let Them Eat Cake. I did not join the regular club this year, but this is a special kit. I've also ordered the What's the Scoop? (ice cream) which will come out in July.

How many of these have I knit? The only one on needles right now is the Romi Shawl. I'm thinking of winding the yarn for Cookie A's socks today.