December 2009

I hope everyone had a very happy holiday and will have a Happy and Healthy New Year!!  I did and am looking forward to 2010 and lots of new knitting projects.  I even made a list.  I know I am getting ahead of myself knittingwise when I need a list to remember everything I want to do.  We won't even talk about the things that "butt" in line, I am sure they will pop up.

So, December.  I am not sure I was too productive.  It is always a busy month, Christmas cookies, shopping, cards, cooking, all getting in the way of my knitting.

I did make and finish a couple of Mobius (s?, plural).  They were Christmas gifts and one and a half were done before December and the other 2 and a half were knit in December.  Of course I meant to get to them sooner.  Most of them were knit with Plymouth's Buckingham, a beautidul Alpaca Silk blend and one was made with Berroco's Seduce.

My son requested another earflap hat as a gift for someone.  I thought after 15 of them last year I was done, but no, another one.  This one is done with Plymouth's Encore.  I thought the colors turned out pretty. (I would)

I also snuck in a small felted purse as a Christmas gift for my Mom.  It is knit with Araucaria's Nature Wool Chunky.  She needed a little purse to carry her keys  to dinner.  She liked it and the colors.

And my big project, Tyler's sweater, which for some reason kept getting bumped from the line up. Ok, I'll fess up, it was wrapped on the needles and finished 2 days after Christmas.  This is from the Noro Men's Book (a really good book of men's patterns) and it is knit with Araucaria's Toconao and Noro's Silk Garden.  Men's sweaters take forever.  17" to the armhole, monkey arms and a hood!  Then a 28" zipper, arghhhh.  Putting zippers in is not my favorite thing to do, but I will say I tried something new this time and was very pleased with the results.  Instead of pinning the zipper in, I basted it in first and then sewed it in (by hand, they only way to put a zipper in knitting).  The basting took some extra time, but really was the key to getting the zipper in place properly before sewing.   So, that is my tale of woe, the sweater is done and he really likes it!!

And on my needles, the lace stole from last month, still going, but not much progress.  The Mini Mochi sock, same...  I also started a sweater from Araucania' s Panguipulli.  The company sent me a sample sweater, but I didn't think it did justice to the beautiful yarn, so I ripped it out and am knitting a different sweater from it.  I think it will be very cute.

I also organized my knitting bag, for now anyway.  Each project or project-to-be in a large zip lock bag with the needles and pattern.  We'll see how long this lasts.....   And the rest is still in list form.  I am looking forward to more knitting time in January, I hope you are too!

Happy Knitting and New Year, Nancy

November 2009

This was another busy month.  Not sure how much knitting I accomplished, but we'll see.  I was away for a week on vacation and I knit going there and back on the plane, but not a stitch while I was there.  I always take it with me, a security blanket of sorts, but I seem to read when I am on vacation and not knit.  I guess considering what I do for a living, that makes it a vacation.  So I feel like I missed a week of knitting.  Mostly I did small projects this month... So here we go.....

From my needles last month, I finished my ribbon purse.  I took this with me, it is great for carrying around the few things you need, chapstick, glasses, etc..

I was also working on a short row scarf.  I finished that and guess I got carried away, because I did 2 others too.  They are great fun and can use any yarn.  The scarf will be our February Knit and Knibble project,  The 1st one is done with Noro's Silk Garden Sock yarn and size 5 needles.

The next was with Sirdar's Escape on size 7 needles.  This one would be very nice for a man as well as a woman.

And the last one was knit with Noro's Niji and size 10 needles.  As you can see, self striping yarns are perfect for this and they are sort of addicting,  (or maybe that's just me...)

I have been working on samples for the Knit and Knibble and classes, so that's why all the small projects.  The March the Knit and Knibble will be an Entrelac Tam.  Of course there are two samples.  The first knit with Berroco's Pure Merino and Debbie Bliss' Luxury Tweed.   I was really happy with how this turned out.  The 2nd was knit with Berroco's Jasper.  Also very pretty.

And January's Knit and Knibble is a vest.  Sharon has been excited about this ever since she saw a customer make one.  So, we got the pattern and it is very cute.  It is knit with Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Grande and it is SO easy.  I started it on Thanksgiving and wore it to work on Saturday.  2 days!  Sharon knit hers with Araucania's Azapa (an Alpaca/Silk blend).  I am showing you a couple different pictures because I want you to see how it works.  You actually knit a long strip with 2 different types of ribbing.  You  sew two seams and it forms the circle (with armholes) shown above.  When you put it on, it has a pretty shawl collar and is attactive from the back as well as the front.  I think the pattern needs something with a fiber like alpaca in it because of the drape.  I don't think it would lay as nicely in something stiffer.

I almost forgot, August's Knit and Knibble is a small felted purse (nothing like working ahead). So, I made two...  One with Noro's Kochoran and the other with Araucania's Panguipulli.  I thought the results were interesting.  Exact same pattern and number of stitches, but Kochoran has angora in it, so it is soft and fuzzy and larger than the one with Panguipulli, because that is all wool and felted very well.  I like them both!

Next sample... I am going to offer a class for a sweater knit from the top down, so I knit another one.  I had a sample knit with Encore, but wanted another, so I knit one with Noro's Tayio, a cotton blend.  I love the results.  The colors are fun!

One more quick scarf, in Lang's Lanalux.  A sparkley, quick scarf for the holidays.

 

I am almost done, really!!.  I didn't realize who much I did, but they are all small, so it doesn't count.  I feel like I need to knit a sweater to feel like I accomplished something.  Anyway there are still a few things on my needles and making progress. 

My lace stole is growing..  I really love this and I work on it a little bit at a time.

And the second sock in Mini Mochi is started.... hopefully it will be finished someday soon...

I also have a sweater started for Tyler, my son for Christmas (hopefully).  It is being knit with Noro's Silk Garden.  It's getting longer, but I better get working on it if I want to get it done in time.

 

And so, that was my November.  I am not sure what is in store for December after finishing my projects.  I'll probably get distracted by something else I want to knit before I get them all done.

 

I would like to take a moment and thank all of you for your support of me and Spin A Yarn for the last 16 years (I can't believe it's been that long).  I have made friends and gotten to know a lot of wonderful people by having this shop.  I would  like to thank each and everyone of you for enriching my life and making coming to work every day one of my favoriate things to do.  Whatever holiday you celebrate this season, I hope it is filled with joy, happiness and good health (and maybe some knitting).  Till next year.....  Happy Holidays!  Nancy

October 2009

So, I think this was a busy knitting month, we'll see as I start to write.  (my memory goes more and more each day, doing too much or getting old, hmmm....)

We'll start with what was on the needles last month.  Remember, a sock.  One is done.  This is made from Mini Moochi.  It's very pretty. The 2nd sock (my downfall) is on the needles....soon!

I had also started a Sweater that was a smocked baby doll style.  Done!  It has a picot edge and a smocked top.  It is made from AslanTrends Invernal.  Invernal is a wool and angora blend and it has a nice "bloom" when knit up.  I wore it to the Yarn and Chocolate Tasting, it was comfy to wear.

Now, what else?  I started and finished a Vest for my son from the Noro Men's Book (excellent book, by the way.  My son wants 3 sweaters and my husband one).  This is made with Noro's Yuzen and  Dale of Norway's Heilo.  I am going to give it to him this weekend.  I think he'll like it.  The other 2 (maybe just one) will be for Christmas.

I almost forgot, I knit a shrug for the Yarn and Chocolate Tasting so those attending could see the yarn knit up.  This is Plymouth Expression.  It is a chunky quick knit.  The shrug is really cute and knit up in just a few days. Sharon modeled it and looked adorable.  She said if felt very cozy and warm.

Next a sales rep came out last week (showing me spring yarn, if you can believe it) and we will soon be getting a Lace weight Cashmere from Araucaria.  It will arrive in time for holiday knitting and he gave me a sample skein, so I got to work and knit a pretty lace scarf  so I'd have a sample ready when the yarn arrives. It feels sooooo.. good.

I also knit a quick scard out of Katia's Nepal.  A quick knit and fun colors.

Now, on the needles, of course the sock, we talked about that before.  And the Lace Stole I was working on last month.  Wait.. I have an excuse for that... It is a very portable project so I am saving it for vacation in November.  (You heard about that bridge for sale too....) 

Also on the needles, we just got an interesting Short row scarf pattern in from Ann Norling and I have started a sample.  I am working with Noro's Silk Garden Sock yarn.  It's fun to do and is really going to look interesting when it is done.

This mess is going to be a small pouch purse.  It is knit with Katia's Venecia, a ribbon yarn.  I am making it to take on vacation with me, I like to have something small to carry stuff in without lugging around a big purse.  So, it will be done soon.

I also started the next sweater for my son.  Not very far along, but you have to start somewhere...

So, I think that's it for October.  Swim season starts this weekend, so I am looking forward to lots of car knitting. Hope you have lots of time to enjoy your kniiting this month.  Happy Knitting, Nancy 

September 2009

September, another busy month and fall is here (especially today, brrr). Well, I think I got more done than last month.

I finished my Beaded Lace Cardigan knit with Ella Rae's Lace Merino (love this yarn!!) and I have even worn it!

We have a Yarn and Chocolate Tasting coming up at the shop this month, you know (it's lots of fun, we'd love to have you join us!) and I made a sample sweater for one of the yarns we will be taasting from Plymouth's Trabajos Del Peru. I made a jacket using two colors in vertical garter ridges. I was pleased with the results.

We recent got a new yarn in and I've been dying to knit with it. Lanalux from Lang. It is a Merino Wool with Metallic and is surprisingly soft. So, I knit the pretty sweater on the back cover of their booklet. All I need now is a special occasion to wear it to. In the meantime, you can see it on display at the shop.

A big Thank You to everyone who voted for my Ruffled Shawl, which was selected as a semi finalist in the Berroco Sock Yarn Contest. I just got an email, minutes ago. I am one of the winners. Yea! It was knit with Ultra Alpaca Fine and though I knit it last month, I couldn’t post the picture, so here it is. Again, a big thank you to everyone for their support and votes.

Now, on my needles, first a sock, I know, another sock who’da thought? This one is Mini Mochi from Crystal Palace. It is beautiful sock yarn and we have been knitting lots of beautiful shawls with it, but I thought I’d try it for it’s intended purpose as well. I still love. The colors are just beautiful and it is so soft. Keep cheering me on so the 2nd sock gets done.

Also on needles is the beginning of a sweater from AslandTrends Invernal . The sweater will be a baby doll style with two color smock on the top. (Good thing I told you, because you’d never know from this picture) The yarn is a wool/angora blend. It is soft and lovely with a light halo form the angora.

And finally, a group of friends that I knit with decided to do lace project, Here is the start of mine. It is from the book, Victorian Lace and is being knit with Mountain Colors Winter Lace, a Silk and Wool blend. I chose this colorway because it is called Crazy Woman (enough said!)

And that is my month. I will finish what’s on my needles (at least 1 sock) and have plans in the works for new projects. I hope you are having a good fall knitting season. Happy Knitting, Nancy

August 2009

August, another crazy month. I knit, a little. Instead of knitting I moved 3 people. My daughter from New Paltz to Ithaca for Grad school, my son back to college and my Mom to Castle Gardens. Time to breathe.... and KNIT!!

So this month, I did finish the beautiful Cape out of Debbie Bliss' Luxury Tweed Chunky. The picture doesn't do it justice, it looks really nice on. I think I will get a lot of use out of, (as soon as I take it out of the shop).

I also finished the shawl for the contest that I told you about last month. No picture though, they said it can't be published anywhere so I was afraid to put up a picture. But what happens is... Berroco will select 20 entries and put them in their enewsletter KnitBits. They will ask subscribers to vote and 8 entries will be selected and published in a booklet. This is where you come in, if I am lucky enough to be one of the 20 selected, I am going to ask you to vote. I'll let you know more soon, they said the 20 will be selected in September. Fingers crossed!!

I also squeezed in a little finishing for customers, so no pictures there either.

We are doing somehting fun this month at Spin A Yarn (at least I hope you think it's fun). A Kids Sweater Kontest. You use the pattern provided and do whatever you want to it. Add color, texture, embellishments, etc... You could win a gift certificate to Spin A Yarn. Follow the link above to find out the details. So, I knit a sample of the sweater, from the Kontest pattern. It's a very basic sweater, the fun stuff is up to you, but I really liked the yarn I used (though you can use any yarn we carry for the kontest). I used SWTC's Vespera, a kettle dyed merino.

Some progress is being made on the Beaded Lace Merino Cardigan. I am on the sleeves. This is a slow knit; fingering yarn, size 3 needles and beads. This month - done!! (I hope).

I also started another sweater, using two colors of Plymouth's

Trabajos Del Peru. It is going to be a jacket. As you can see I haven't gotten very far, but again I am hoping to finish this month. I have to, my list is getting longer by the minute...

And that's it for August. I am tired, but don't feel like I was very productive (at least knitting wise). More to come in September. Happy knitting to you!! Nancy

July 2009

July.... life has been a little crazy, so I have to think back. I don't think July was a very productive month knitting wise. I caught a bug at the beginning of the month and it lasted 3 weeks, so I didn't feel well for a lot of the month and a still trying to get caught up.
I feel like I started things (with all the best intentions), then got side tracked on to other things and so not much got done. Ever have one of those months?
So, here's what I did and am doing.

I finished my beautiful pink sweater made with Superior, the Cashmere and Silk yarn from Filatura di Crosa. I really love it and can't wait for a special occasion to wear it. In the meantime it is at the shop, so you can see it.

I also made a funny little earflap hat with a new yarn that we got in from Berroco, Sundae. It uses 4 different colors and different stitches. It is cute and fun. I think teenagers would love it.

Sadly, I also had to make a couple of Chemo Caps that I gave away, and forgot to take pictures first. They were sent off with love and prayers to the recipients.

I think that's it for actual accomplishments.
I worked on my beaded sweater and made some progress (I am ready to break for the armholes), then new yarn came in and I thought I should make a sample....

So, I started a Cape made with Debbie Bliss' new yarn Luxury Tweed Chunky. Of course you can't tell from the brown glob on the left, but it will soon look like the beautiful cape on the right. Soon... As soon as I get back to it.

I read that Berroco was having a contest featuring their sock yarns, but not necessarily for socks. So, I decided to enter. They will pick the top 20 entries and have their customers (you) vote for the top 8. They will publish the booklet this spring with the winning designs. The dead line to submit is August 31. So, that is where this mess of sock yarn fits in. I am frantically knitting to get my shawl knit and pattern written to submit for the contest. Fingers crossed, it is selected and I will ask you all to vote for me (if you like it,of course).

So, that was my month, a month of getting started and getting distracted.

June 2009

Well, June was a busy month, but not necessarily for knitting. I didn't accomplish as much as I usually do.

We were on family vacation for the 2 weeks in the beginning of June and though I took lots of knitting with me I only knit on the way there and the way back. So I guess I took a vacation from knitting too.

But, I did accomplish a few things and probably added a few more to my list.

I showed you the Curilcue Coverlet that I wanted to turn into a shawl. Well, I did and I am very pleased with the results. I used Mini Mochi, a sock yarn from Crystal Palace. It is a fingering weight yarn and I knit the shawl on 7's to give it more drape. This really turned out pretty and it's fun to do. I am going to offer it in a class this fall and you can make either the coverlet or the shawl.

When I got back to the shop we had gotten in a new book from Noro, Mini Knits Two and there is an adorable baby sweater in it made with Silk Garden Sock. I had a sample vest that the company had sent me and I never really liked it or thought it made a good sample, so I ripped it out and made this cute little sweater.

Also awaiting me was a new yarn from Lang, Mille Colori Big. Big. It is a big ball of big yarn it great colors and there is a scarf pattern on the label. One "big" ball makes a beautiful scarf. The only thing I did differently from the pattern on the label was the needle size. I used and 10.5 instead of a 10. I think the 10 would have made it too tight nad I think the yarn could even handle an 11. The colors are very pretty. It was had to choose which one to make.

Now, on my needles....

I am making progress in the sweater out of Ella Rae's Lace Merino, that was just a swatch last month. I have about 8" done and I don't know if you can see it but there is a bead in the center of each little lace pattern. It will be a cardigan, someday soon.

I also started a sweater out of Superior from Filatura di Crosa . It is a silk and cashmere blend and it doesn't get much better than that. About 5" and counting so far. It is a pullover, has a bottom ruffle and a cabled top. Next month you will see the finished sweater. It is light, airy and like a dream. (yes, you see two balls of yarn attached. I have two different dye lots and I am alternating them every 2 rows, so you'll never know, unless you read this of course.)

And in my head, (well not much, somedays), but knittingwise, still the argyle vest for my son and a few other ideas swirling around. And then the new Berroco books and yarn came in for fall..... I need more time!!!

Happy Knitting, hope to see you soon. Until next month, Nancy