Nancy's Knitting

December 2011

2012-01-05T10:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!
I finished up a couple of 2011 knitting projects and am ready to start the new year with some new knitting projects and finishing up a few older ones too.

So, finished. The afghan. Though I will say this week I missed knitting it a little because it was so warm on my lap. As you can see, it got lots of use during the holiday week with a visiting daughter :)

And finished, just last night at 11pm, my sweater. The seemingly endless project. An A-line, tunic, knit with fingering weight yarn (Ella Rae's Lace Merino). Did I mention, I LOVE this yarn! I am wearing the sweater today. It is just what I'd hoped it would be. I love when that happens!

Then the project that was started and finished during Christmas week. As you can see from the picture of the couch above, my daughter was home. She got a cute dress at the outlet mall that is sort of dressy, but no sleeves. Navy and grey. She thought she needed a navy blazer to go with it, but navy blazers are harder to find than you might think (like impossible), So, mom volunteered to knit a cardigan for it. She told me what she wanted, found a yarn, Cashsoft DK, and a week later... a sweater! I had to show you the back, too. I think it turned out cute and will go nicely with the new dress.

That's it for finished projects. My husbands navy sweater is still on the needles, with a little progress. I am about an inch from the armholes. So, progress... Same yarn as my daughter's sweater. I was hoping there'd be enough, but I think we'll be ok for him.

And I deceided I need a pair of mittens to match (well, almost) the pretty scarf I made last month for my new coat. So I found a Silk Garden color that is close to the Silk Garden Sock I used for the scarf and started mittens. These and my husbands sweater are first on the list, then on to more fun stuff...

That's about it for December, except for a few customer finishing jobs. I have piles of yarn sitting on my desk waiting to be knit and ideas swirling around in my head, so I guess it swatching time!

Well, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is ready to start a New Year. Until next month, Happy Knitting, Nancy

November 2011

2011-12-05T05:48:00.001-08:00

Whew, it's been quite a month..., but on to the knitting.

A couple of finished projects from last month, my husband's sweater. Done. But. Just had him try it on, the sleeves are a bit long, so I have too fix that, so I guess it's not quite done after all. That's the beauty of knitting sleeves from the top down, all I have to do is take the bind off out, rip back and reknit the cuffs at the right length. One of these nights soon, I promise....

And for me, knit with Cotton Classic, a summer sweater. I know, it's winter, but.... it is actually from a winter pattern and knit in a cool weather yarn, but I don't do alot of short sleeves in the winter and loved the sweater, so I knit it in cotton for the summer. The buttons are actually in the back, cute! (Though, you could wear them in the front too)

A couple of new scarf yarns, one in stock, one coming, so a couple if new scarves.

And a new coat (on sale at Coldwater Creek) so of course I needed a new scarf to go with it. The multi-directional scarf from Ann Norling, knit with Silk Garden Sock, is what I chose.

And I have 3 projects on the needles, all fairly big projects, so they are going slow, especially since I am working on all three instead of finishing up one at a time.

First, I have had yarn set aside to knit an afghan for the newly painted family room, since it was newly painted... a couple of years ago. hmmmmm... hope I get the afghan done before it needs painting again :). Anyway, it's a pretty slip stitch pattern and I am making progress. I love making an afghan in the winter, the bigger it get, the warmer you get.

Another sweater for my husband. A boring one, DK weight, navy blue, raglan sleeves, knit in the round. He needs a good basic sweater, but, not interesting knitting, which maybe why I keep working on the other things.

And the sweater I love, and want to finish because I want to wear it, but.... it is an A-line tunic knit with fingering yarn. Yes, you heard right... and maybe a little crazy, but.... I am 7 inches into it and I start decreasing, so it will start to go faster, right??
(I am not sure why these pictures won't go where they belong, but I am sure you can figure out which one is which.)

Well that's it for me, other than a few customer finishing jobs. Hopefully December will bring the end to my 3 projects and the beginning of a few more. I wish for all of you the happiest of holidays filled with joy, wonder and finishing knitting projects. Until next month... Happy knitting and holidays, Nancy

October (and the end of September) 2011

2011-11-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

Whew, another busy month (just life in general). So anyway, on to knitting...

Finished from last month, the potato chip scarf (you just can't knit enough of them...). This one is knit with Filatura Di Crosa's Gioiello. It is a soft Mohair with a strand of color and of bit of glitz. It's a fun little scarf.

Also left over from last month, another scarf. This one is knit with Rowan's Cashsoft DK and is a Christmas gift for the young man in my daughter's life. My one and only fishished Christmas gift.

And there was a Jacket started last month, finished! Knit with Tahki's Jackson, the colors are great. I love the sort of textured color effect it makes. It's a quick jacket, since the yarn is chunky.

Then... a yarn I've been wanting to try. You've heard me talk (on and on) about how much I love Ella Rae's Lace Merino (fingering weight). Well now they have the same yarn in a worsted weight, Of course, I had to try it. I used a Plymouth pattern for this cute slouchy sweater with pockets. I've worn it a couple of times and I love it. The yarn and the sweater.

Another new yarn. I have been admiring this yarn, it is wonderful!! Silk and wool, lace/fingering weight, almost 800 yards per ball. Beautiful clear colors. What to do, what to do?? The pattern book came in and though I liked the patterns, I wanted something else. Hmmm, argyle lace. That sounds interesting, so I went to the drawing board (aka. the computer) and came up with a pattern. And swatched. I liked the pattern, not sure about the fabric. A little flimsey for a sweater, perfect for a shawl, but not quite right for a sweater. Hmmmm, again... Double it. So I did and it knit at a DK weight and I LOVE it! And so, the birth of a sweater. If you listen closely, the yarn will tell you what to do.

We needed a sample. A fun Chunky yarn from Noro, Hitsuji. Lets try vertical stripes. So I knit this vest side to side and put the seams on the outside for fun. Cute over a plain blouse. And very easy to knit.

And in my bag. A sweater for my husband (probably a Christmas gift) Knit with Noro's Retro and Silk Garden. It's almost done, if you look closely at the picture, you'll see the yarn hanging off the sleeve. Finish the sleeve, weave in some ends, buttons and done! He loves a Henley neck.

And sweater for me. Actually a summer sweater (I know, my timing is a little off), but I saw the pattern and really liked it (with a few minor adjustments, of course). It has short sleeves and buttons down the back, at least it will, right now it's just a blob. Cute.

And a few more ideas brewing and yarn in bags waiting...

Until next month... Happy Knitting, Nancy

August (and a little September), 2011

2011-09-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

First let me say, that my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone impacted by the recent flood. I was very fortunate here to miss it by one block, but can see the devastation around here and the surrounding areas. My prayers are with you.

On to the blog..

We have a lot to talk about...Sorry this is late, but as I said in my shop newsletter, it was raining one day in late August, then a crack of lightning and "snap", the lights went out and came back on, the computer did not... so, I am late. And I've been busy... So here goes..

I finished some of the projects on my needles... Flicker, a beautiful Alpaca blend from Berroco with a touch of glitz. This pattern is free from Berroco. It turned out so pretty.

We have a yarn called Quillay from Araucania, a wool/acrylic blend, that's been calling to me from the shelves. It's purple, you're surprised, I know. And the yelling from from the shelves was saying "Wallaby", so that's what it is! If you've never made a Wallaby for yourself, you should try it. They are the most comfy sweater.

Also on my needles was the Entrelac Scarf for the Entrelac class. It is knit with Noro's Retro, which has very pretty subtle shading. When I was done that one I decided Plymouth's Mushisi would make a great scarf. But since that yarn has 491 yards, I had more than I needed for a scarf, so I designed a hat to go with it.

Then, a yummy new yarn came in. Tuhu, from Mirisol, Baby Llama, Merino and Angora. It is pretty and soft and I had to knit it. The colors are fun, so I knit a hat and scarf set using 3 colors.

Another new yarn... (you'll see a trend here, this happens alot this time of year) Riva from Debbie Bliss. A Chunky, stripey fun yarn. This cute shoulder cape only takes 4 or 5 balls. I wasn't sure about the shoulder cape idea, but they are showing them everywhere and they are cute. You can wear it over a coat or jacket instead of a scarf. Very cute!

Debbie Bliss has another new yarn Paloma. The yarn is a cabled Alpaca/Merino blend and even though it is chunky, knit on a 15, it is very light and airy. I let my daughter pick a sweater out of the book that she likes. She keeps asking me when she gets her sweater, I told her in about 2 years, after I sell all the yarn (she isn't that happy about that, haha).

The hats are in the mail. I told you earlier about the hats I promised to send to my daughter's boyfriend in Afghanistan, well they are on their way. 23 hats. I had the help of some wonderful knitters (you know who you are and THANK YOU!!), so I only had to knit a few. We are hoping they will help keep him and his platoon warm and safe this winter.

More new yarn, more knitting. This yarn is called Grace from Louisa Harding. It is beaded, so pretty. It needed to be a scarf and so it is. And a beautiful one at that.

Another scarf. This yarn is pretty fun. It is called Autumn from KFI and it has beads and leaves attached. One skein made this cute triangle scarf. You can download the pattern free on Ravelry.

Well, you probably fell asleep by now but there are a few more things in the works. I've got a Potato Chip scarf on the needles in a new yarn from Filatura Di Crossa, Gioiello. A little sparkle.. It will be done tomorrow!

Another scarf, a Christmas gift, shhh... A man's scarf in double moss stitch and Cashsoft DK. It's really going to be very nice. Hope he likes it...

And finally, you thought I'd never finish.. A soon to be jacket in Jackson a new yarn from Tahki. I am playing with this, doing knitting in different directions in parts, we'll see how it works. It's still a little early to tell, but I like the yarn.

So there are 3 things on the needles and a problem has come up. We got another new yarn that I am dying to try. It is a silk/merino blend in a fingering weight. It is amazing and I am itching to get to it....Patience....

So, until next month, November, probably. Happy Knitting, Nancy

July 2011

2011-07-29T08:55:00.000-07:00

Well, July was a busy month. New fall yarns are starting to arrive and as usual, I can't keep up. But I tried....

First, I finished something I've been working on for a while. The Ruffled sweater knit with Ella Rae's Lace Merino. And... I love it, just what I was going for. (I love when that happens!) This is a wonderful lightweight cardigan that I can wear all year round and in my favorite color (surprising, I know!)

So in between, there was a scarf. This new yarn from Katia, Triana. So cool and so quick and so cute!

Then a Sweater, new yarn from Berroco, Boboli. It reminds me of a Monet painting, the colorways are great. And it needed an embelishment, so a cute flower corsage. The flower is just pinned on, so you could add it to any sweater, a coat, jacket or headband and dress it up. They would make cute gifts. (A free pattern from Spin A Yarn or on Ravelry: here)

And inbetween, that, I had to do a project for the Knitting Guild for the October meeting. We will be learning the Brioche stitch, so I made a Brioche Cowl and Gaiter. They turned out really cute (if I do say so myself). Brioche is really cool because it creates a reversible fabric that can feature a different color on each side. Fun! On the Cowl I used 2 different colors of Ultra Alpaca and on the Gaiter I used Mochi Plus (a self striping) and Tancano (solid).

Then, I had a lot of customers coming in to buy a ball of ribbon yarn. They were taking a class at the library to make a felted purse. Well, one of my customers made the purse and brought it in to show me. Adorable!!! So I called Sherry Kowalski from the Broome County Libraries, who held the class and asked her about the pattern. It is her own design and she was kind enough to allow me to share it with my customers. So naturally I had to make a couple. I did one with worsted weight wool (as the pattern calls for) and one with bulky wool, making a little larger bag. Aren't they cute? What is so clever is that the addition of ribbon yarn is what makes it "bubble".

And in my bag.... Berroco Flicker. This will be a beautiful cardigan, someday soon. This yarn is interesting it is a cabled yarn with an amazing amount of stretch and it's sooooo soft. It is alpaca with a just a touch of glitz.

And... A Scarf. I am going to offer an Entrelac class in October, so we need a sample. This is the beginning of a the scarf we will make in the class.

Then, because I didn't have enough to do, I started a Wallaby. Actually I love this yarn and have been wanting to knit with it and Wallaby seemed to suit it and it's an easy pick up sweater when I need "social" knitting. So, that's it for July... Who knows what August will bring. There is still lots of new yarn that hasn't been knit yet, so I guess I still have lots to do.. See you in August... Happy Knitting, Nancy

June 2011

2011-07-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

Well, June was a busy month, but I don't have a lot of knitting to show for it. For the first week I was away on vacation and only did a little knitting.

I went back to the Entrelac Skirt I told you about a few months ago. It's on fingering weight yarn so it doesn't look like it but there has been progress. The waistband is complete and I am working my way down the skirt. That was pretty much my vacation knitting.

Back home I did a few scarves as samples for the shop and one as a gift. The gift was a lacey scarf knit with cashmere and silk that was completed and blocked the night before I needed it, so sorry, but no picture. The others... Two muti directional scarves. One with Jojoland's Rhythm and the other, a new yarn from Crystal Palace, Mochi Plus.

Then a new yarn, Boulder from Tahki. It comes in a huge ball and knits up quick on a size 35 needle. Really pretty colors.

Then a little more work on the soldier knitting for my daughter's boyfriend. Socks, yes, you heard right I knit (and finished a pair of socks). Black socks... not fun knitting for me, but they are done. Hopefully they will help keep him warm (and safe) through the Afghan winter....

And still for the boyfriend, (and his platoon) hats. I finished another one and thanks to my wonderful friends (you know who you are) we have 17 so far (working our way to 26, the size of his platoon).

And then, more knitting on fingering weight. The cardigan I started last month, or the month before... Progress, but not done. I am working on the sleeves. And even though we are getting in some beautiful new yarns that are calling me to knit samples out of them, I vow to finish this first! Hopefully within the week....

So I guess that's it for June, I don't feel like I have alot to show for it, but 2 fingering weight projects are SLOW... My hope for July is to have some beautiful new samples to show you in the wonderful new fall yarns.
Until then.... Happy Knitting, Nancy

May, 2011

2011-06-03T09:27:00.000-07:00

What a crazy month this has been, winter to summer in one fell swoop. Some knitters are starting to tell me, see you again in the fall... If I waited to fall to knit again, I'd have serious withdrawl. Not me, I'll be knitting all summer long. So, May...

I started the month working on the Ella Race Lace Merino Cardigan... then I got distracted.... Remember, it's on 3's so it slow going. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it..

I was distracted by the need for multi- directional scarf samples, so I made 2. One with Noro's Yuzen and one with Noro's Kocheron. I also have one on the needles in Ultra Alpaca Tonal. that one will be very pretty.

Then another scarf in a pretty ribbon yarns. A fun accessory scarf for year round use.

And then there was my "at home" project. I had a store bought black and cream striped sweater that I loved. One on my favorites and in cleaning out my closet this spring, realized it had seen better days and was ready for the "rag bag". So I decided that before I toss it, I should make another one, like it. So with Cotton Classic, I set off to make a sweater like the one I loved. It is not an exact duplicate, but "in the spirit of" my old sweater.

Then there came the new "Knit Noro" book. There are only about 10 thing in it that I want to knit, but I'll start with 3. Two hats. Knit with Noro Kureyon. One is felted the other has earflaps and is knit fair isle. Both very cute.

And finally from the book a sweater that I love. This falls into the never rush to finish a sweater so you can put it in the blog category. As I was quickly blocking the sweater with needles still hanging off the back, hoping you wouldn't notice... I found a mistake. I forgot stripe of black on one sleeve, at the top... have to take the sleeve out and redo it... arghhhh. Anyway, rushing never pays off. But her is the sweater and when I fix it, you'll love it as much as I do. It reminds me of stained glass, knit with Noro Silk Garden and Brown Sheep NatureSpun.

I also finished a hat for the "boyfriend's" platoon. Thanks to my wonderful knitting friends we have 14 so far! And I will be continuing to work on them. Not sure what else is in the workd for june other than fixing my sleeve, arghhhh.. and continuing my cardigan, but I am sure something will catch my eye and get me off track again... until then, Happy Knitting, Nancy

April 2011

2011-05-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

Spring Knitting? Well, I've been knitting for spring, but I'm not sure where it is yet. Oh well, here goes....

I finished up the two sweaters that were started last month. One, I designed, the Lace Bordered Cardigan knit with Aruacania's Chaiten. All silk. I was pleased with the results. It haas a lacy bottom and sleeves, which should be nice for spring or summer.

The other sweater that had just been started is a reversible batwing sweater from a Sirdar book. One side has a V-neck and the other a crew neck and it can be worn with either in the from (or back). I knit it with Louisa Harding's Jasmine, A cotton, silk and bamboo blend with just a touch of glitz. I love it and am looking forward to wearing it (when I come steal it off my wall)

Then I bought a pretty top on sale at Coldwater Creek and it needed a sweater over it to make an outfil. So.... Here it is, knit with Berroco's Seduce. Why is it that buying something on sale always costs me more money in yarn....

I also just finished a Pretty Vest from Noro's new book, Flowers 2. It is knit with a new yarn of theirs, Taiyo Sock yarn. It is mostly cotton so nice and soft. But it's knit on size 3 needles, so a little slower than usual for me.

I have also started (with a little help from my friends, Thank you!!) knitting 26 black watch caps. Why you ask? My daughter is dating a very nice young man who was recently deployed to Afganistan and he is in charge of a platoon, 25 men. I said by fall we would have 26 wool hats to send to him for his platoon. So we are starting now. Mine is the one still on the needles..

I think that's it for April. Last night I just cast on for a cardigan knit with Ella Rae's Lace Merino, so that will be coming. On size 3 needles again, so it will be coming slowly. And other than the unfinished socks and barely started skirt in my bag, the next projects are still in the idea stages... Sometimes planning is half the fun. So, until next month, Happy Knitting, Nancy

March 2011

2011-04-01T07:55:00.000-07:00

March was sample month.
Yes, those socks are still on the needles and haven't been touched. So I won't bother with a picture that is the same as last month.

I am knitting spring samples in the the hopes that spring will actually arrive. No luck so far. But here goes....

I did finish the Trapeeze Tee knit with Arucania's Ruca. It is cute and soft and drapey. A great top for summer.

Then a new yarn and new pattern book. Summer Stripes from Sirdar. It's a cotton arylic blend and knits up in fun stripes. This sweater is knit form their book Summer Safari. There are lots of cute sweaters in the booklet, it was hard to choose.

Then inbetween a new chunky yarn came in from Noro. It screamed baby blanket to me, so... a baby blanket. It only took 2 skiens and I machine washed it, no problem.

Then another new yarn and a more challenging sample. This yarn is intresting, it is called Ripple from Tahki and it is a thick and thin cotton. The knitting was interesting. The back is straight, easy. The fronts are knit in a different direction, still not quite sure which one. So, I had to have faith and just follow the pattern, something that is hard for me.... But, I did and it worked! I tried it on and it is really cute on. This one might get some wear this summer.

More samples... On my needles, expect a pattern and completed picture by Monday. Watch our Facebook page for the completed sweater. This is Chaiten from Arucania, 100% silk. As you can see I am on the last sleeve, so after that is done and buttons are sewn on, it will be done. Tonight I hope!

And on the needles... A pretty sweater from a Sirdar booklet in Louisa Harding's Jasmine. It is a cotton/silk/bamboo blend with a touch of metallic. Hard to tell anything yet, but it will be a very pretty sweater....soon!

And I've pulled yarn for 2 more projects..... Who knows what next month will bring.

'Til then, happy knitting! Nancy

February 2011

2011-02-28T04:41:00.000-08:00

So seriously, don't you think we've had enough winter? I do!

I finished up a cool weather sweater and now for some warm weather knitting. New yarns for spring are coming in, so it's sample knitting time.

First, from last month, I finished up the Noro Kogarashi sweater. It turned out cute and I have even worn it, even though it is now on display in the shop. It looks nice with a turtleneck under it or as a spring jacket.

I also finished my son's tie, in time for Valentines Day. He was thrilled and can't wait to wear it. Ella Rae's Lace Merino, I love, love , love this yarn.

As I mentioned last month we had a baby shower to go to for sisters who are both expecting in May. A boy and girl, so since they will be cousins, i thought they needed matching sweaters. One blue and one pink, of course!

Another gift. I will be needing a gift for a friend later this spring and so I decided on a shawl. It is knit with Berroco's Seduce and I think will be perfect for spring and summer. I was really happy with the results, I hope she will be too. But shhh.... I don't give it to her for a couple of months.

Then a sweater, a sample of new yarn. This is Louisa Harding's Ondine. A beautiful cotton with tweedy coloring. I thought this sweater from one of her books was really pretty, so, here it is. The sweater is shown with 3 options, one plain, one with contrasting colors and one with beads. I chose beads. I think this will be really cute with a little cami under it for spring and summer.

And on the needles, Arucania's Ruca made from sugar cane, that's right, sugar cane, is a wonderful yarn that we have had in shop for a while without a sample, so, I am working on one. The yarn has wonderful drape and I want to take advantage of that, so I am working on a trapeze style top for summer. As you can see I still have a ways to go.

I also have a pair of socks started. Socks?? Yes, socks. I scheduled a class for knitting 2 socks on 2 circular needles, so I needed a sample. But.... no one signed up for the class. Shall we take bets on how long it will take to finish the socks....

And last but not least, a swatch. For the Entrelac dress I've been talking about since January. Some day soon it will be started. It is again, Ella Rae's Lace Merino and will be knit on 3's. So don't expect to see quick results on this one. I expect you will be hearing about this for the next year or so. That's ok, I enjoy working on the yarn so I won't mind dragging the project out for a while.

I think that is it for February. March will bring a few more samples and hopefully a little progress on some of the above things. (except maybe the socks..) Until then, Happy Knitting, Nancy

January 2011

2011-02-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

I didn't think I accomplished alot this month, but glacing back, I guess I did.

To start, I finished my son's vest. It is wonderful, if I do say so myself. Love the yarn!! loved knitting with it and now that it is done and blocked, I love the results even more. It is Ella Rae's Lace Merino. Fingering weight. I know, but it's worth it. The yarn has a beautiful twist giving it great stitch definition and the finished sweater is so soft with a wonderful drape. Ok, I'll stop going on and on about the yarn.

Then I had to knit a shawl for a customer. Sorry, I didn't take a picture, but it was the Landscape Shawl knit with Mountain Colors Wool Crepe.

Now one to "Me Month". I started one sweater for me.
Well.... then we got a new DK weight yarn, Indulgence 6py from KFI, in that does fair isle striping. Baby Surprise Jacket. That won't take too long. Then there was yarn left over (from 1 skein!) so of course, a hat to complete the ensemble. I really like the way the yarn turned out in the sweater. Cute!

I also had some yarn left over from my son's vest and thought wouldn't a tie using the reverse colors be cool. Well, it will be when it's done.

So, as I said, I started... and finished one sweater for me. The knitting and designing of the sweater was as much for me as the finished sweater. I love seeing the picture in my head turn into something that actually resembles the picture in my head. This one did pretty good. It is a swing jacket knit with Berroco's Ultra Alpaca. I knit the "skirt" side to side using different colors and short rows to give it the "swing". You then pick up from the skirt and knit the bodice and sleeves. I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

I mentioned last month a skirt and top using entrelac and the Lace Merino yarn (again). I only got a swatch done on that so far and I am still debating the right needle size for the project. This might get started soon, but I might save most of it for out Knitting Weekend in early March.

That doesn't mean I was done for the month. Once again I ripped out a sample I didn't like and am reknitting it into something much cuter. It is with Noro's new yarn, Kogarashi. This is the beginning of the back.

Then there is a yarn, Noro's Retro, that I've been wanting to knit a sample with. I just couldn't find the right project. It is an interesting yarn. Angora, Silk and Wool. Dyed solid, but each fiber takes the dye a little different so there is subtle striping. Walking around the shop the other day (friday) I figured it out! It would look great in one of those short sleeved vests (you wear over a turtleneck) that they are showing in all the stores right now. So that is what it became. Knit from the top down, in one piece. I am looking forward to wearing it.

So, January was busier than I thought. February will finish the Kogarashi sweater and bring a couple of baby sweaters. I was invited to a baby shower for the girl who used to babysit my kids. She and her sister are pregnant and the shower is on the 19th. That is next on the list. I also have to do a pair of socks, crazy, I know. But if you check the class schedule there is a class on 2 socks on 2 circular needles, so, I am committed
I hope your January had more "Me" knitting than mine. We can extend it into February, March and..... if you want!
Happy Knitting, Nancy

December 2010

2011-01-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

Finally all the holiday knitting is done, well almost. Just one straggler hanging on.... So what did I accomplish in December?

Remember the socks I've been claiming to be knitting for more than a year now? DONE!!! They look and feel great, not sure if he's worn them yet.... I knit them at the same time on 2 circular needles with Berroco's Ultra Alplaca Fine. I love the yarn and am a fan of getting 2 socks done at the same time.

My daughter's sweater, knit with Berroco's Soft Twist, was finished and fit perfectly. That is always a thrill, when the gift fits and is liked!.

I also finished up some gifts that I couldn't talk about before. I knit 5 lace scarves out of Filatura di Crosa's Superior for 5 people I love! This is a silk and cashmere blend and is as light as air. Ahhhhh....

Another Tie for my son, this time from Berroco's Sox. It seems I was going to be done in time, so I just kept adding projects. It wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't work until the very last minute.

And in that spirit, I also knit the Kimono Sweater for my Mom. This was knit with Sirdar's Escape and was finished on Christmas Eve. It was still a little damp from blocking when it was opened. I love this sweater, the style is flattering on everyone and it looks so nice in so many different yarns.

I had a few spare moments before the holidays, got a little over zealous and started a vest out of fingering weight yarn for my son. Needless to say, it was not done in time and it's still not done, but getting closer. He doesn't even know it's for him yet. It is knit with Ella Rae's Lace Merino. I LOVE this yarn and have something planned for myself with it very soon. Hopefully this will be done this week.

As I said last month, Spin A Yarn would like to declare January "Me Month" and we encourage you to knit something for yourself, now that your holiday knitting is done. And in that spirit, I have 2 projects that I am excited about, just waiting for me. First I have to finish a shawl for a customer order then, fun knitting for me. A skirt and top from the Entree to Entrelac book. This will last past January, since it is going to be knit with the Ella Rae Lace Merino on 3's and a fairly drastic revision of a sweater in the latest Knitter's magazine. I'll keep you up dated on my progress.

So, until next month, I hope you find a project to knit for you that you can't wait to start! Happy Knitting, Nancy

November 2010

2010-11-30T12:39:00.000-08:00

November has definately been gift knitting month. Not quite sure why I waited until now to knit a bunch of gifts for Christmas, but, I did and here it goes.

First I'll start with a finished project from last month. I was knitting the Comfy Cardi with Noro's Shirakba. Since the pattern is written for multi gauges, I wanted a sample in a heavier yarn than the original. I am very happy with the results and you'll be surprised to hear I like the color, haha. I added a shawl pin (they are new at the shop) and tried it closed. I like that too!

Now, gifts. I am working on a couple of gifts that I can't talk about here, but I will take pictures and share them at the end of December. I don't want to spoil any surprises. But I can talk about a few things for people who won't see this.

I just finished up a Bag for a birthday gift actually. It uses the Paper Bag pattern but is knit with Arucania's Pehuen.

Inspired by the handknit ties I saw in Italy, I wanted to knit my son a tie. He liked the ones with triangles. So, the search began. The yarn for the ties I saw looked like a medium weight cotton. Hmmm... I worry about cotton stretching in a tie and looking sloppy and medium weight seems heavy when it is tied. I really want to do fingering weight and more of a wool. I look again at the picture and the tie has 3 colors. Looking at my sock yarn I see three colors that will look good together, but 3 100gm skeins of sock yarn for 1 tie? I won't even talk about how much this tie would have cost. How can I get a similar effect with out 3 skeins of yarn. I wandered around the shop for a while and spotted the popular multi directional scarf - hmmm, what it I use a self striping yarn and turn this into a tie? - Done! The pattern adjustments are available as a free download on Ravelry or at the shop.

I also decided a family member needs a sweater for Christmas (I won't mention who, just in case). The very popular Kimono sweater would be nice. And I decided to use Berroco's Lustra. I was going to do it in brown and decided, just for the heck of it, I'll look at Ravelry and see what others have down with the sweater. I have made one in a multi color, which turned out pretty, but I saw one there in two tones. Why didn't I think of that? Love the idea (and the sweater!)

A friend that I meet for coffee once a week was wearing this cute necklace one morning. I complimented her and she showed it to me. It was many strands of a ladder type yarn (such as Eros or Nocheros) chained and looped. I can do that!! So I did. Super easy and another free pattern download on Ravelry or at the shop.

I almost forgot. I have this very cute Snowball yarn from Sirdar at the shop and I finally got a sample knit up with it. Too cute!! Baby Snowball is combined with Baby Bamboo to make this adorable set.

Now I'd like to say I am almost done my Holiday knitting, but nope!
My daughter requested a sweater. So she will get one. Knit with Berroco's Soft Twist, I am doing a V-neck variation on the Comfy Cardi.

And I am determined to finish the Socks I've been showing you glacial progress on forever. They are still being knit with Berroco's Ultra Alpaca Fine and progress is being made! My husband will enjoy them (or else!) because they feel amazing.

And one more... another sweater (I hope) I haven't started yet and I can't tell you who or what, but I will later.

I decided that at Spin A Yarn we should declare January "Me Month". The gift are knitted, they have been worn and cherished by the recipient and now it time to knit something for you! So, start thinking about what you want to knit next (I already have a few ideas in mind). It will make the gift knitting go quicker and you will have something wonderful to look forward to knitting in the new year.

So, to each and everyone of you, I wish you a wonderful holiday season. May you finish all your projects, enjoy your friends and family and take the time to sit back, if even for a minute and enjoy the love that surrounds you. Happy, Happy Holidays (and Knitting), Nancy

October 2010

2010-11-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

Whew, October blew by. The first two weeks I was busy knitting and the second two weeks I was busy traveling. (a little more about that later, I'll even try to relate it to knitting)

First the knitting and a few finished projects. I finished the two sweaters started last month. First a Swing Sweater made from Noro's Yuzen. It think it's really cute. It's hanging in the shop right now, but I am looking forward to wearing it.

Next, I finished the double breasted cardigan from Twilley's Spirit. I really like the way this turned out too. The yarn is DK weight wool and very nice to knit with.

Then a few other projects, I knit a quick scarf in School Colors for a friend who took a job with Kings College. This is knit with 2 strands of Berroco's Comfort.

I decided I needed a small bag for my trip. There is an adorable bag in the new book Entree to Entrelac. (as well as about 5 other projects that I'd like to knit. You'll see more on that coming up soon, after the holiday knitting is done) So, I reached into my stash (and the shop) and made this purse. Isn't it cute? I lined it and put a magnet in it to keep it closed. It is made with Berroco's Suede and Sensuwool and Plymouth's Superwash Merino. I know you are surprised at the color!

I also decided to remake a sweater I wasn't completely happy with before I left. I remade it using the Comfy Cardi pattern and smaller needles. The yarn is Flirt from Sirdar. A wool and bamboo blend. Now I'm happy. I finished it the night before we left. This is me wearing it on the top of the Domo in Florence, Italy.

Before I left I started another Comfy Cardi for the shop in a different yarn. The pattern is written for different gauges and I thought another sample would be good. Besides, I've been wanting to knit with this yarn It is Shirakba by Noro. It is mostly Cotton and Silk with a little wool. I am not too far, but hopefully it will be done before long.

I also took with me a few Christmas gifts to work on while I traveled. Shhhhsh... I will take pictures and show you in January.

Now, the traveling part of the month. My son is in Italy for a semester and we went to visit him. We also took a 7 day cruise while we were there to celebrate our 28th Anniversary. We had a wonderful time and while we were wandering around Rome with my son, I saw a few knitting related sites I thought you might enjoy seeing. I also have a few pictures of myself wearing some of my sweaters. (just to prove I really do wear them, they just don't hang in the shop.)

A Yarn Shop! (and bras) Love her door handle.

Another yarn shop (and hosiery) Is there a trend? Actually, when Lily Chin was here teaching for a guild weekend, she said all the yarn shops in Greece were in Lingerie stores. Must be a European thing.

We walked past this window display - Handknit ties - Cool! All in garter stitch. My son might be ordering a few. I'll have to enlarge the picture to figure out what to do.

Knits everywhere!

And finally, me wearing the Sweater knit with Superior to dinner and the Drawstring Top knit with Lonco for a day of touring.

And that's it for October, on to November and some holiday knitting to get under control. Until next month, Happy Knitting , Nancy

September 2010

2010-10-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

September, I can't believe the month is gone already. Seems like time is just flying by. Oh well, on to the knitting.

I finished the cute sweater knit with Lang's Tosca Light. I knit it as a Child's size 6, but the pattern is written in Children's and Adult sizes. This is great yarn. It is a machine washable blend that has graduated colors. The 100g skein has 440 yards (oh my!)

I also finished the sweater knit with Noro's new yarn, King. This yarn is so pretty, I couldn't wait to knit with it. It is fairly thin and could be a fingering or sport. It's an acrylic/silk/wool/mohair blend and I wanted what I made to have some drape. It has great yardage and would be perfect for a shawl, but I wanted to do something different than that; a sweater. So keeping the drape issue in mind, I did a loose, drapey cardigan and I love the results. I knit it at a slightly looser gauge than I normally would and made the front panels oversized and flowy (is that a word?). Anyway, here it is and I have worn it and named it Comfy Cardi, because that is exactly what it is. Since I loved this so much when I wore it, I also decided to write the pattern in multiple gauges, so you could easily make it with different yarns.

Now, a little story... this is why I carry more (3-4) projects than I can possible finish in a weekend when I go away. We went to our boat for a day, then to Rochester for the rest of the weekend in mid September. In my bag, I had the socks (since forever) on my very nice Darn Pretty Needles (colored wood needles), the lace shawl (about halfway up the border), and 2 unstarted sweaters. One I wanted to do for the yarn tasting in two weeks, the other was a ripped out sample that I was going to reknit into something else.

Here’s how the weekend went. I thought maybe as well as the sweater I could get the lace stole done in time for the Yarn Tasting, so I worked on it all day Saturday . I got up to the corner and counted my repeats, hmmm, one more than I was supposed to have, oh well, keep going. Read the corner instructions, hmmmm, that’s a little confusing, I’ll set that aside and think about it while I start the sweater.

Pull out the yarn and the pattern… I don’t know, it doesn’t feel right. I was going to make the pattern in a smaller size (not mine) and thought maybe someday my daughter could wear it. She would not have picked out the pattern I did, so, I’ll wait until we see her tomorrow and see if she likes something else in the book.

Ok, let try the socks. One of my Darn Pretty Needles is broken, Oh No! I am bummed, I really like those needles, but not too upset that I don’t have to knit socks (haha!). So on to the last resort sweater. I got that started and it is going fine.

So the moral of the story is… always have a back up project (or two, or three..).

Just so you know how the story ends, I showed my daughter the book and she picked out a sweater “she’d wear”, but I don’t like it and don’t think it would make a great sample, so I started a different one altogether, maybe she’ll wear it, maybe not. And the lace stole, urg… I came home and read the book again, the corner instructions are right there, not where I was looking and so were the instructions telling me where to start the border (which I didn’t do), so I have ripped out the entire border and have to start again. It has been set aside for now, until I feel up to it. Patterns are so much easier when you read them right. You will hear about the lace stole again, after a little time has passed and I am over the pain of ripping.

So of 2 other sweaters I started, one is out of Noro's Yuzen. This was a Sample Sweater that wasn't doing it's job (selling yarn), so I ripped it out and am knittng something much cuter with it.

The other is out of a new yarn from Twilley's Spirit. This one I wanted to get done in time for the Yarn Tasting, October 3. Now I am going to whine for a minute... We had to cancel the Yarn Tasting due to lack of interest. I am very dissapointed, we have had so much fun at it the last 2 years and this year we only had a couple of people sign up. I was pretty down all weekend about it, I guess I was frustrated. Ok, done whining, back to knitting. The sweater is not done yet, but will be in time for the almost-yarn tasting.

That's where I am at the end of September. October will bring both of these sweater to a finish and a few holiday projects started and I want to make another Comfy Cardi in different yarn. I am sure a few more thing will add them selves to the finished and unfinished list.

Happy Knitting, Nancy

August 2010

2010-08-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

August, I have to stop and think... yes, another busy month. We moved my daughter to Rochester, so lots of drving back and forth; not much knitting. And took my son to JFK airport for his semester in Rome; lots of knitting. They are both off where they belong, so back to normal??! What ever that is....

And knitting. I finished the sweater from my stash ribbon and have worn it. It is loosely based on the Parachutte Top in this summer's Vogue Knitting. That top was basically two rectanlges sewn together. I wanted sleeves, but still the loose, drapey look of their top. Because of the ribbon and the nature of the stitch pattern I wanted to keep seams to a minimum, so as I knit up the front, I cast on extra sts for the sleeves, bound off the neck, kept going over the shoulders, add the neck back in and bound off the sleeve sts and finished the back. All in one piece, just side and underarm seams to sew. I love it, it feels slippery and drapey. The yarn was (and still is :)) Tess Designer Yarn Microfiber Ribbon. A treasure I picked up at Stitches about 10 years ago.

We got this crazy, wild yarn in called Flounce. So a scarf was made. 6 sts, the yarn is making the ruffles, so much fun!

Another new yarn, another new project. Textured Cashmere from KFI. It is a lovely sport weight cashmere that would be perfect for gloves, mittens, scarfs or sweaters. So I made a vest. Only 4 balls for my size. A little lace and it feels..... well, like cashmere, ahhhh...

Anothere new yarn, another interesteing fiber. Yak from Lang. And of course another project. Just finished it this morning for you to see. It is a cute shrug. The yarn is yak and merino and I think it will be toasty warm. It doesn't hurt that it's cute too.

That's it for finished projects. We won't discuss the things on the needles that have fallen out of the line up for now (I'll give you my excuse: It's fall, we are getting new yarns and I need to make samples...and ... I am easily distracted). On my needles that will be finished by next month is a childs sweater (with adult sizes too) in Tosca Light, another new yarn from Lang. I love the colors.

As soon as that is done, another sweater will be coming along in a new yarn from Noro, King. And then another.... Focus!

I'll let you know how all of this went in early October, talk to you soon. Happy Knitting! Nancy

July 2010

2010-07-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

Whew, what a month. Knitting had to fall to the back burner a bit this month. We were busy finding my daughter an apartment in Rochester (for her new job, yea!!) and then moving her out of her old apartment and into her new one. So between cleaning and driving (not riding) and shopping and moving, my knitting time was slightly curtailed. But anyway, I managed to get a few things done (one finished just this morning, so you could see it).

I finished up the Kimono, knit with Plymouth's Mushishi. It is a VERY easy sweater and looks great on everyone who has tried it on. The yarn is a silk and wool combination with great colors. Great TV or car knitting.

We got two new yarns in that I knit up scarves for. The first is Flying Print from Filatura Di Crosa. This I made into a "bubble" scarf with some increases and decreases. It's fun!

And the next is Evviva, also from Filatura Di Crosa. This is just a simple garter stitch, but I changed colors halfway through, making for a funky scarf.

Then I knit up the samples for the December Knit and Knibble. The pattern says they are luggage tags, but I think they would also make great Gift tags. They are knit with sock yarn and the perfect way to use up little leftovers.

And last but not least, finished this morning in a rush so that I could take a picture and share it with you is the sweater I started last month with the beads. It was inspired by and very loosely based on a cardigan in the last Knitter's magazine, but I changed it to a pullover, changed the pattern st count and added beads. And I am very happy with it. I used Blue Heron's Rayon Metallic, which has a hint of glitz and added beads. The pattern is a little time consuming because you bind off and cast on 3 stitches every for rows, and of course add the bead. But I think is will be really cute over a camisole. This sweater is for me and will probably head home in a few days.

So, that's it for finished knitting. I have also started a sweater with a ribbon yarn from my stash (too little done to even show you yet), the lace stole is still in the bag and was left untouched this month and new yarns are arriving so it it sample knitting time.
Until next month, Happy Knitting, Nancy

June 2010

2010-07-02T06:10:00.000-07:00

June must have been a busy month, my memory is a blur. Ahh, yes, my son is back from college and my daughter is off coaching a swim camp, but needs to move to Rochester while she is away and I think I knitted somewhere in there, no wonder it's a blur. Well on to the knitting...

I did finish the reknitted Tulip sweater as promised. And I love it. Tulips and Purple, some of my favorite things. No wonder I was willing to reknit it. It is hard to see here but the bottom panel is tulips with a lettuce edging. Done and worn!

I also finished the Little Girls Jumper that I had started last month. It is soooo cute. It is kit with Noro's Kureyon Sock Yarn. It can be knit with any fingering weight sock yarn. You can see this jumper on display at the shop.

I also wanted to make a sample up using Plymouth's new Merino Superwash. It is a wonderful worsted weight Merino that can me machine washed and dried. So, using a Plymouth pattern for the yarn I knit this sweater featuring a pretty fair Isle pattern. The pattern shows a turtleneck, so I knit it with a plain crew neck to show how easy it is to change something like that about a pattern,

Now, this is where I got myself into a little bit of trouble It is the season for new yarns to be arriving and for me to be knitting samples, but... new magazines came out and I saw some things I liked, well, liked but wanted to change. So, there are a couple of things in the new Vogue Knitting that caught my eye, but I haven't started anything yet, so we'll talk about that later when I do. But there was something in Knitter's that inspired me and that has been started. I say inspired me because, it is a cardigan and mine is a pullover and I have altered the stitch pattern slightly to accommodate the beads that I added. So it is just like the pattern in Knitter's, but different (haha). I am not quite up to the armholes. I am knitting it with Blue Heron's Rayon Metallic and adding beads. It is beautiful and I hope to get it done this month.

But I got waylayed by another sample. This is an adorable A line Smocked Sweater knit with Plymouth's Happy Feet DK. We are doing in class for this sweater in July and August so I wanted to get the sample done right away. That is why the newsletter is a little late, I thought I could finish faster than I did. So, last night it was finished and photographed this morning. In the class we will adjust the pattern a little. We will knit some of it in the round, learn about smocking and knit the sleeves from the top down. Classes will be a few weeks apart giving everyone lots of time to knit in between.

The lace stole is still in progress, but was mostly ignored this month, And last night I cast on for another sample. This one is with a new yarn from Plymouth, Mushisi. It is a silk and wool blend in a huge skein with 491 yards. I am going to knit the Kimono sweater that is in the shop and has been extremely popular. It should be beautiful in this yarn.

And that's it for June, I will keep knitting my way through July. I hope you do too (and have as much fun as I do) Have a wonderful summer and Happy Knitting! Until next month, Nancy

May 2010

2010-05-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

May has been busy! Not sure how much I got done, but I have about 4 things on my needles that need finishing, not to mention the things in my head, that need to be started...

So, finished. The Drawstring Sweater in Araucania's Lonco Multi - Done! I am really happy with this, it turned out like the picture in my head, I love when that happens! The yarn is a hand dyed fingering weight cotton. It is knit in the round and the i-cord drawstring is knit in, no threading later!

I also started and finished a sweater in Noro's Kochoran. I received this as a sample from the company and wasn't getting much interest in it, so I decided to rip it out and make something else with it. I made a Chevron Stitch cardigan from the book "Knitting Noro". I think it's cute (and it fits!)

Then, I knit a bead bracelet as a sample for June's Knit and Knibble. Coincidentally, it matches my sweater.

Then, I received a newsletter from Plymouth asking shops to send in pictures of their shop and a free pattern and they will select a "Featured Shop" of the month in the next consumer newsletter. So, I got knitting and writing. I sent pictures and a pattern for this a beaded Chemo hat. And, I was selected as the "Featured Shop" for June. So, if you go to http://www.plymouthyarn.com/ before June 1 and sign up for their newsletter you will see your favorite shop (Hopefully your favorite!, haha)

I think that's it for finished projects, now the unfinished and in progress. I worked a little on the lace stole. I finished the body of it and started the edging. Still a long way to go, but a start. It is going to be amazing when it is done. I keep saying I will stop everything and finish, but.....

I also have in progress and hope to finish this weekend, an old sweater that I ripped out and am reknitting. I always loved this sweater, and rewrote the pattern and knit it to accommodate a larger size. Well. luckily it hasn't fit for a few years, so since I loved it so much I ripped and am doing it again. It has two of my favorite thing, purple and tulips. I am on the sleeves and I promise you will see a finished sweater next month.

We receive an adorable little girl's dress/jumper in from Plymouth, so that too, is on the needles. I am knitting it with Noro's Kureyon sock. It will be cute and also finished soon!

So that's it. I hope to get lots of knitting done this weekend. Happy Knitting and see you next month. Nancy

2010-04-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

April was kind of a slow knitting month. I was away for a week and had a stomach flu for a couple of days. Well, there are my excuses, now for the knitting.

I did finish and wear my black sweater made from Sirdar's Baby Bamboo. It was very close to what I wanted. I might work on this style again with another yarn and write up the pattern. There are a lot of things I like about it with a few tweaks.

I also started a sweater using Araucania's Lonco. It is a hand dyed fingering weight cotton. I wanted to make a summer sweater with a drawstring on the bottom and the top. As you can see I am up to the armhole and have started a sleeve. The sweater and the pattern will be finished in May.

We have the Mobuis cast on coming up for the May Knit and Knibble, so I decided to make a couple samples for the program. The one on the right uses Noro's Kureyon Sock Yarn held together with Rowan's Kid Silk Haze. I was really pleased with the results. The one on the left is made with SWTC's Vespera. It is a kettle dyed wool. It has very pretty and subtle colorations.

When traveling I also worked on my lace stole from the book Victorian Lace. You've seen this before and I made some progress. I am finished the center panel and am ready to start the border. Soon!!

Well, I guess that's it for April. May will see the end of the drawstring sweater and hopefully some of the unfinished projects you saw started a while ago.

Happy Knitting! Nancy

March 2010

2010-03-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

March! As of today it's going out like a lion, blustery and sleet. A great day to stay in and knit. It was a busy month and I have a few finished projects to show for it.

First as I promised last month - a Paper Bag! Knit with Katia's Paper. It's pretty cool stuff. This would make a great beach bag or market bag.

Then, our knitting weekend. What fun!! We knit, we ate, we knit , we ate, we knit... ok, you get the picture. It was great fun and I made a lot of progress on my Harlequin Jacket from Jane Slicer-Smith's book, Swing, Swaggr and Drape. And when I got home I continued on and finished it. Well, nothing that big goes without a story... I finished it at work on a Tuesday morning in time to model it for Sit 'n Knit. The arms were a little long, but I was willing to live with it, it was DONE! And a customer says to me, "Are the arms supposed to be different?" Argggggh!! In my haste to finish, I had left out a color section on one of the arms. Ok, no one else noticed, so I'll leave it for now and fix it when I come back from vacation in April. As the day wore on it made me crazier and crazier.., so, I took the sleeve out and took it home and over the next two days, I fixed the sleeve and decided to shorten both as long as I had it apart. So, the moral of the story is...I don't know...don't hurry and pay attention. But, I love it, love the colors, Love the jacket.

Then I finished up the bathing suit cover up I had started last month. It is knit with Katia's Colibri. I like it and it pretty much turned out the way I wanted it to. (always a good thing and sometimes a surprise)

I had ordered new colors in Plymouth's Kudo and when I did, I thought would that be cute in the popular top down sweater pattern. Of course when the yarn showed up I had to try it. So, about a half an hour ago, I finished it! Love it amd while I was making it I had to use my coupon and Kohl's to buy capri's and tee shirt to go with it. Just a side note, I used these really cool buttons. They are made from recycled paper (from Spin A Yarn), but they can't be washed. So, I sewed a smaller button to the back of them and poked them through the knitting rather than sewing them in. This way they can easily be removed for washing.

And on the needles, among other things, is a black short cardi. I bought a black a white skirt and a white top and got to thinking (always dangerous) it needs a little something. So this blob is soon to be a sweater.

Then the Lonco drawstring sweater and then hopefully catch up on a few more unfinished projects cluttering up the knitting bag.

So here's to spring (coming soon!). Don't let the sunshine keep you from knittng. Until next month, Nancy

February 2010

2010-03-01T05:36:00.000-08:00

February, a short month, but busy. I actually feel like I accomplished a few things this month, not the ufo's in my knitting bag, but other things. We have gotten a lot of our new spring yarns in and they are so tempting and samples need to be made; any other excuses?? So here we go..

I did finish the Cabled Rib Sweater made with two strands of sock yarn held together. I used Aruacania's Ranco. A solid and a multi. This is a great way to enjoy all the beautiful sock yarns without knitting socks on 1's. Two strands of sock yarn = worsted weight. So I got to enjoy these beautiful yarns and knit on 8's. I love the color effects you can get by mixing yarns.

Then new yarn shows up....We got a yarn called Bombay by Katia. It is a self striping cotton in great colors. So, I pictured (in my head) a little girls sun dress and an adult summer cardigan. The little sun dress has a cute ruffle around the neck and the Cardi uses a slip stitch pattern to break up the horizontal striping a little. I am pleased with the way they turned out.

Another new yarn is a Lace Weight from Noro, Sekku. I had to try this out too. I started knitting it in my Lucsious Lace scarf pattern, but as with all Noro yarns there is some thick and thinness to it. It did not do the yarn or the pattern justice, so, rippp... I then decided on a simple feather and fan pattern - perfect. Feather and Fan is such a simple pattern, but works well for so many things.

I also needed to get a sample made for July's Knit and Knibble, so Beaded Bookmarks were in order. I wrote the pattern and charts and knitted 3 of them. The knitting went very quick. I knit all three in one day (ok, it was a snow day and I had a little extra free time). I used Panda Silk on 2 of them and Ellla Rae's Lace Merino on the other.

We won't discuss or show pictures (again) of the unfinished projects in my bag (Lace Stole, 2 socks, my husbands sweater), because they are still there and not much has changed. But I didn't let that stop me from starting some new unfinished projects...

First, is a bathing suit coverup I am making out of Katia's Colibri and Plymouth's Wildflower. This will get done, I need it for April.

The knitting guild is having it's annual Knitting Weekend later this month and we are knitting something (of our choice) out of the new book Swing, Swagger and Drape. I am going to do the cover sweater and so this weekend I did some swatching and started my first one and a half miters for the sweater. I wanted to make sure it is going the right way and I uderstand the pattern before we go. I am knitting it from a new yarn from Plymouth, Merino Superwash. It is really a nice yarn and I am doing three colors, Charcoal Grey, Grey and Pink. Will this be done by the end of March??? .....

And a swatch for two more new yarns. Lonco, a fingering weight cotton by Araucania. Hopefulley will be a drawstring top one of these days and Paper from Katia. Yes, paper...to be a Bag.

It has been a busy knitting month and March promises to be the same. I am really looking forward to the knitting weekend and 3 days of KNITTING!! (and great company, while doing it).

Happy Knitting to you, until next month, Nancy

January 2010

2010-02-01T07:46:00.000-08:00

Here's my story for January. First I was making progress, then I got distracted.... Story of my knitting life.

I did finish the sweater I started from Araucania's Panguipulli. As I said last month, they sent me a sample and I didn't think it did the yarn justiice, so I ripped it out and knit something else with it. It's a cute shawl collared cardigan and you can't see it but has the perfect button on it. I love it when I find the perfect button!!

Then, I wanted to get my lace stole going so I started working on that. It's longer.....

So I'd have something that was easier than lace to work on in between, I started a sweater for my husband from the same Noro Mens book that I knit my son's sweaters from. As you can see, that got set aside and hasn't gotten very far.

Then... a sample sweater needed to be made. It's very cute, knit from the top down and it goes very quick. The sample is knit with Encore Tweed, but can be done with any worsted weight. I think I am going to do one in Kudo, a self striping cotton next for spring.

Next I started to work on designing a sweater using 2 strands of sock yarn, this is probably where the month started to go downhill. We were taking inventory and moving yarn around and the beautiful colors of Araucaria's Ranco were calling to me. Once in a while yarn start yelling at me from the shelf when I walk by, that's another whole story... but anyway, they have kettle dyed solids and multi colored handpaints and I thought would it be pretty to combine one of each and knit it as a worsted weight. So, off to the drawing broard. I picked some colors and started swatching, then I started typing (a pattern), then I cast on the back of the sweater and started knitting, All the way up past the armholes....nope, it didn't look good, rip, try again, more pattern writting, more knitting.... no, start again. Third try, simpler pattern and I think I am on to something. So this one is a keeper, but not nearly the progress I was hoping to have by now. The back is done and the front started.

Then, the big distraction came. I found out when the Berroco pattern books would be arriving. The one that has may shawl in it from the sock yarn contest. And I wanted to plan an event to thank everyone for their votes and support in the contest. So, the event will be Friday, February 5. (See my newsletter for details). I am supposed to get my shawl back, but I am not sure when and how "shop worn" it will be, so I decided to knit another. It is knit from Berroco's Ultra Alpaca Fine and is so soft and drapey. So, I dropped everything and knit another shawl, so that I would have it here on display for Customer Appreciation Day. I finished it last night.

Also, here is a preview of the mittens from the cover of Berroco book 297, but I can not take credit for knitting them. Cele knit them for us from Berroco Sox Metallic. They are really pretty, wait until you see them in person.

The month is done and there are still alot of unfinished projects in my bag. Will February bring more of them to a conclusion or will I be distracted yet again....... Stay tuned.

Happy Knitting..... Until next month, Nancy

December 2009

2009-12-30T09:33:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-02T08:24:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-01T06:04:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-31T06:30:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-07-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

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

May 2009

2009-05-27T03:43:00.000-07:00

Another month has flown by...

It was a busy month, my daughter graduated from college and my son finished his freshman year at college. I couldn't be prouder of both of them. So it was a big month for all of us, Graduation ceremony and moving out of the dorm. But of course, in between, I got a little knitting done.

I finished up my started projects from last month.

The Kudo sweater turned out really pretty. I love the colors (and so does everyone else, I am now waiting for the back order to show up). It is a self striping cotton/rayon/silk blend. No wool and very nice to work with.

Yesterday was our last class for the Seville Jacket and I wore mine to class. The yarn is Cosmos and the border is Soft Twist. I think it turned out cute. Hopefully there will be picture soon in the customer gallery as the rest of the class finishes their sweater. I love to see the same sweater in different yarns, It is so much fun to see all of the possibilities.

I also finished my black sweater out of Crystal Palace's Panda Silk DK. It is a Merino/Bamboo/Silk blend and a dream to work with. It is hard to see in the big picture, but the top is cabled giving the bottom fullness. I needed a black sweater to wear with everything and I saw a few in patterns that I liked, so I combined elements of each of them and got my sweater. I am very pleased with it.

I also knit a sweater from Sally Melville's book, The Knit Stitch. It is called Caddy's Sweater. It is all garter stitch, but the bottom is done on size 5 needles making it opaque and the top on 10.5's making it sheer. A very nice effect. I made it from Araucania Ruca. It is made from sugar cane (yes, sugar) and comes in lucsious colors and I have been dying to work with it.

I also made a sample for the shop from a new yarn, Nepal from Katia. It is a Super Chunky that self stripes, is machine washable and knits very quick. It is a little swing jacket and pointy hat. Fun colors.

I also finished up one of a few Christmas presents, shhhh... and have another on my needles. You'll have to wait until January to hear more about that. And on my needles (or in my head)...

We just got a new yarn in, Crystal Palace's Mini Mochi, so cool. Another self striping sock yarn, but really pretty colors and very soft. Of course it's not screaming socks to me (it will to many, but not me), but it has been saying it wants to be a shawl. So, what shawl, I looked at patterns on line and while it makes up beautifully in a lace pattern (check out http://straw.com/cpy/free_pattern_yarnssort.html#Mmochi for lots of free patterns with it) I wanted something else. So while walking one day, I remembered that when I was done making the Curlicue Coverlet last month, I thought it would also make a great shawl. It works so well with self striping yarns that I decided Mini Mochi would be perfect. It's not very far along yet, but I love it. The colors are great and it feels good. Even though it is a fingering weight yarn I am knitting it on a 7 and think the drape will be good for a shawl. Stay tuned...

Almost on my needles, is a sweater out of Ella Rae's Lace Merino. This has been sitting on my desk looking at me. I made a pair of socks out of it (yes, I did) and loved the yarn, so of course I wanted a sweater too. So I've been playing with patterns and what to do with it and the other day I found a bag of beads I had set aside, they were the perfect accent and so I swatched. I am pretty sure it will be a cardigan. I seem to have a thing going on with fingering yarns, I need more time!!

I have also worked a few more rows on the Alice Starmore makeover sweater that has been mentioned in months past.

And last, but not least, an argyle vest. This has not yet reached my needles and is still mostly in my head. But my son said he would wear a vest if I made one and he likes argyle, so a vest is in the works. I have charted the argyle and we picked out a yarn (Berroco's Comfort, machine washable, he's a college student) and colors. So, hopefully it will end up on needles soon.

So, that was May. I wish all you a happy summer of knitting! Till next month, Nancy

April 2009

2009-04-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

It's spring and the flowers are blooming and though gardening sounds tempting (not really), I'd rather knit. So here goes:

Finishing up from last month - Afghan squares. I'm not sure how many you've seen but here are 3 more. There are 5 in all and the class is doing well. This week we will learn about putting them together. I was thinking, I'll just make these square for class and call it a day, but they really are pretty and now I'm starting to think about making more and an afghan.... maybe later.

Next, The Einstein Coat - done and I love it.

Then the sweater in Berroco's Seduce from Norah Gaughan, vol. 4 called Frond. It is very pretty yarn and the sweater is cute with ruffles down the front.

So that's it for finishing up last month's projects , this month I knit the Curves and Columns Vest from Knit One Below by Elise Duvekot. I used Soft Twist from Berroco and Merino Worsted from Malibrigo. I love this one too. It was fun to knit and I think it is a really cute vest. We are offering a class to make the vest. The knit one below technique is really fun and not too difficult once you get used to it.

Our knitting guild project for the month was Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise sweater. We did them in sock yarn so we could dress teddy bears and send them to children who need a bear hug. I made mine out of Plymouth's Happy Feet.

This is why it is called a "Surprise" sweater, because you knit this blob and when you are done and fold it into shape, Surprise! you have a sweater.

I also started and finished the Curlicue Coverlet from Oat Couture. I have been fascinated by this pattern for years and decided it was time to make it. I used Jojoland's Rhythm, a self striping worsted weight wool. It can also be made with a DK weight. It is knit using short rows to give you the swirl effect. It was really fun to knit and is so pretty. It looking at this before I sewed the only seam, I thought, hmmm.... wouldn't that be a beautiful shawl, and... what other yarns would be fun to work with... so many yarns and patterns, so little time.....

Now on my needles: The Seville Jacket. I am teaching a class this month on Knitting a Sweater My Way. That means taking a pattern and changing a few things to make it easier to do (at least I think so) and to improve the results (again, at least I think so) and we are making the Seville Jacket from Oat Couture. I am working a week ahead of the class and they start tomorrow, so my sweater is done to the shoulders (week 2).

I am also making a short sleeve sweater out of Plymouth's Kudo, a cotton, rayon and silk blend, which self stripes. It is using a Cheveron Stitch pattern. This will be done soon.

Also, I got started on my black Panda Silk DK sweater. It is a combination of about 3 patterns that I liked and will be a cardigan. I am hoping to get in done for vacation (30 days and counting....). I still have a long way to go! Argh..

And as long as we are talking about my knitting journey, I just returned from a Knitting Weekend sponsored by out Knitting Guild. Lily Chin was our quest teacher and it was wonderful. She taught us about reversible color knitting and custom fitting. We learned alot and ate too much, but had lots of fun.
And so my journey ends for another month, see you again in May for more knitting.
Until then, Nancy

March 2009

2009-03-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

I feel like I got alot of knitting done this month, but we'll see as I start writing, if I really did.

First off, I finished my Knit One Below Sweater. This sweater was a Child's sweater knit with fingering weight yarn, I used Cotton Classic and bigger needles and was able to knit the sweater right from the pattern changing only the length. And it fits. This technique is so much fun I will be offering a class on the Curves and Columns Vest from Elise Duvekot's book, Knit One Below. That will be on my needles soon.

I am not sure about the order here (my memory is shot), and some of these things were done simultaneously, but I also knit and felted another purse from the book Pursenalties. This is the Ruffles to Riches Bag. The bottom is Berroco's Ultra Alpaca and Tahki's Shannon held together. The ruffle is just Ultra Alpaca. There are so many great bags in the book.

Next came a crochet vest. Yes, you heard me right. I crocheted. Well, we got this pretty new yarn in from Plymouth, Happy Feet DK and we have this cute crocheted vest pattern, so I thought it would make a good sample. And so I crocheted a vest. It went fine, I like the yarn alot and the vest looks very nice.

So, I also thought we could use a sample of a summer sweater, so I designed and knit a summer tie top from Beroco's Zen. I think it turned out cute. It would look great with a pair of white capris this summer. Maybe I'll take it with me on vacation.

This I am really happy with. First, it's a project you've seen before, in all it's unfinished glory. So this was the month it was going to be finished. There was a very pretty shell on the cover of the Summer 2008 Interweave Knits. Well, my sleeveless days are over, so I wanted to make it and add sleeves. The original was knit with a fingering weight silk (only $40 a ball) so I decided to use Crystal Palace's Panda Silk. It is a bamboo, silk and wool blend that has a similar drape to silk. I am very please with the results and just need to get back on the diet so I can wear it this spring. I love it when a project turns out the way you want it to.

I guess that's it. It was a pretty busy month.
Now for what's on my needles and about to be on them. I have a sweater started with Berroco's Seduce. A very pretty rayon, silk and linen blend. I have the body done and the sleeves are next. Hopefully it will be done this weekend. It also gets ruffles on the front. I am anxious to see it done. you'll have to stop in and see it.

Also on needles is a new Einstein Coat. Yes, I already made one, but I am not really happy with it. I used a multi colored yarn and though I love the yarn and the colors I did not mix my skeins (knit 2 rows with one skein, knit 2 rows with another skein) and they tell you to do that for a reason. Handpainted yarns vary a little from skein to skein and I am just not satisfied when I look at the coat. I haven't decided if I will rip it and reknit it or rip it and save it for another project. Hmmm..., but in the meantime one of the people in my class made a color block Einstein coat for a child and it was so cute, I decided to make my new Einstein Coat color blocked. So here's the start of it. the bottom will be this dark purple (you're surprised, I know). The top will be charcoal grey and the sleeves will be red and teal. I am using Lamb's Pride Bulky this time.

And last but not least, another afghan square for class. I have to get this done by Tuesday, so the class can see the sample.

In the line up is the Knit One Below Vest, a black sweater in Panda Silk DK, a Swirl Throw, the Seville Jacket and what ever else distracts me from the project at hand.

And if you made it this far in my journey this month, we also had a remodeling at the shop, which I hope you will all enjoy. We have a new knitting room and I hope you will stop in, enjoy a cup of tea and knit few rows. Hope to see you all soon, I'll be back next month with more unfinished projects.

February 2009

2009-02-25T12:14:00.000-08:00

I don't know how people do this daily or weekly, I have trouble keeping up each month. Well, here goes. Looking back right now, February feels like a blur, so I am not sure I'll get this in chronological order, but I try to remember everything.

I scheduled a class on Felted Clogs, So I had to make a pair (or 3). First pair, class sample, Plymouth Galway and Brown Sheep Naturespun. They were fun to make and comfortable to wear, so I made another pair for Mom for Valentienes Day (no picture). We're on a roll now, what about a different yarn? Another pair with Lamb's Pride Bulky. I liked these alot, but they did need a haircut. I didn't want Mom to slip on them so I reseached what to do with the soles. One suggetsion was caulk and one was something called plastic dip (for the handles of hammers) The red pair has plastic dip on the bottom and Mom's pair has both. They worked well.

I also needed a sample for the yarn of the month (Sirdar's Crofter DK) so I made this Wrap Vest from Pattern book 349. It is really cute and comes with sleeves or without and in adult and children's sizes. Hopefully my daughter will wear it when the shop is done with it.

Then off to a 4 day swim meet, 4 knitting bags full of projects. What was I thinking. 2 were finished and 2 are still in progress. Finished: Freddy the Frog, too cute. I used Encore Worsted. I did the frog before I left so I could finish the back and sleeves at the meet.

Also finished: The Vintage Bubble Bag form the book Pursenalities. I made this bag before and people loved it, but the book was out of print. I found out the book was back in print so I ordered some and made a new bag with Brown Sheep's Nature Spun and Noro's Yuzen. I am looking through the book and thinking of another bag too. Another swim meet, maybe another purse. I'll keep you updated.

Still in the works: My Knit One Below project: From the new book Knit One Below. An interesting technique with too many wonderful patterns to choose from. I am actually doing a kids pattern with larger yarn and getting an adult sweater. This still needs sleeves and hopefully I'll make some progress on them at the swim meet.

Also in the works a crocheted vest (yes you heard me right). No picture (so no proof) because it's at home. I promise it will be done in time for next month's update.

I also completed a square for the Great American Aran Afghan (an other class).
And I just finished a Mitten out of a new yarn. Malabrigo Merino Worsted. It is lovely soft wool. and the second mitten is on the needles, promis, I did the first one last night.

Well, that was my month. I'm tired. Until next month, Nancy

January 2009

2009-01-30T05:51:00.000-08:00

New year, New knitting! Sort of. I spent most of the month finishing my Sweater from Kuryeon Sock yarn sweater. Back to that in a minute.

Before Christmas I asked my daughter, would your boyfriend like one of these hats (danish earflap hats). "Oh no, he doesn't wear hats." Ask my son about a friend of his too. Same answer. As I said before, my kids loved theirs and wear them all the time. My son did say he'd like another in red and black. So, they are back at college and I get a call from my daughter, Dave saw my hat and would really like one. "I thought he didn't wear hats?".... Ok, I'll make him one. A few days later, I get another call from my daughter, "I was having dinner with the boys swim team and love my hat." Are you kidding me?? At swim meets they have a chinese auction to raise money, so I made two hats in the school colors for the auction. I told her if the boys want a hat, have their parents bid on one. So I still have to make the red and black one for my son and I get a call from him. "My friend really likes my hat and would like one after all." .... Ok, what colors does he want? The hats were all delivered and a huge success. Mothers came to me at the swim meet saying they put all their tickets in the hat cup and if they don't win, I will have to make one for them...I hope they win! So far, 11 hats.

Back to the sweater, it's really cute and I love the colors. It is knit with Noro's Kureyon Sock yarn on size 2 needles. It was not the quickest knit, but I did enjoy it.

From one extreme to the other, I just finished (and I mean just, about 15 minutes ago) an Einstein Coat from Sally Melville's book, The Knitting Experience: Book I, The Knit Stitch. I knit it with Araucaria's Nature Wool Chunky on size 10 needles. The entire coat is garter stitch and a great beginner project. We are going to offer this as a class at the shop. I saw a customer wearing this coat and it is really cute on. It is so popular it even has it's own ravelry group.

And now, I know there are still unfinished things in my bag, shhhh... I am going to make a pair of felted clogs and do a class. And I am going to cast on today to start a cute wrap top out of a new yarn from Sirdar, Crofter. And, I almost forget, I have the yarn pulled to make somethoing from the Knit One Below Book. I need more hours in the day!

Until next month.... Nancy

2009-01-05T05:37:00.000-08:00

Done!

December, 2008

2009-01-02T08:21:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I had a busy knitting month, but I don't feel like I have a lot to show for it. All that Christmas shopping and cooking (and eating) must have gotten in the way. Well, here's what I did get done:

First, more hats. Two more earflap hats and 2 more pairs of fingerless gloves. They were for gifts and very well received. And by the way, the two hats I made last month, one for each of my children (and I use the term children loosley, they are 21 and 18), were very big hits. My son wore his the whole week he was home, even around the house. (maybe I should turn the heat on!) I also have requests for 2 more, another for my son and one for his friend. I have other things I want to knit!!

I also made him a tie, no not the one I started .... months ago, but a new one. It was shown in this month's Knitter's magazine and I thought, that's cute, I can whip that up before the holidays. Hmmm... the knitting wasn't too bad. It is Opal's Harry Potter sock yarn, but it was a bear to finish. You sew the back together as a center seam, not so bad, but the main part of the tie is overlapped and sewn together. I had to tack down the one layer (hard to see) and then sew the other layer. I might not do this again.

Also from Knitter's Magazine, Winter 2008, came an idea for another sweater. They made a sweater (pg. 89) using 2 strands of different colors of Trekking XXL sock yarn. It is knit on a size 8 needle as a worsted weight. What a great idea. I didn't love the sweater they made, so I looked for another worsted weight pattern and decided on the South Slope Cardigan from Oat Couture. I too, used 2 strands of two different colors of trekking XXl and size 8 needles. The sweater is knit on the diagonal giving a nice effect to the colors. It was a fun way to use sock yarn and really gives you the chance to create "custom" colors.

Well, I must have really liked Knitter's Winter 2008, because I am kntting another sweater from it (Triple Checks, pg.94) and was hoping to have it done in time for this, but I'm not quite there. Hopefully this weekend. It uses Berroco yarns, Inca Gold, Bonsai and Geode. I am using Berroco's Inca Gold. Soft Twist and Jasper. I am working on the band, which ties in the front and hope to be finished very soon. I will post an update, when I finish (hopefully Monday).

I have also started a sweater from Jenny Watson's Catwalk Pattern book out of Noro's Kureyon Sock Yarn. It's going to be a cute little cardigan. I love, love, love the colors. (but you knew that already)

Yes, there are still the UFO's, waiting patiently for me to get back to them. And I will... just not sure when.

Until next month, a very Happy New Year to you all! Nancy

2008-12-24T08:14:00.000-08:00

This has been a busy knitting month. I guess I've had lots of time in the car, riding to swim meets. 600 miles in one weekend; bad for the driver, my husband, good for the knitter, me!
So here goes:

I decided I needed a sample knit up in Berroco's Comfort, so I thought a Kids sweater would be fun, more than one color and of course cables so I'm not bored. Naturally I don't like sewing together, so, let's do it in the round. And the Kid's Colored Cables was born, knit and written into a pattern. I liked it so much; what about an Adult version with a V-neck? Also in the round. And here it is. The pattern available for both with V-neck or crew. They are really pretty easy knits and could be done with any worsted weight yarn.

In the meantime, I finished the 3 hats from Hat's On. One was a birthday gift that has been given and worn already (A success!) and 2 for Christmas gifts. These are so much fun to do. I may even squeeze one more in before Christmas.

The Bamboo from SWTC came in and the sales rep had shown me this really cool shawl. It was very pretty, but the really neat thing about it was the front, there is a "keyhole" like closure. So, since the yarn came in, I had to try it. It is a really pretty shawl, the bamboo is so drapey and wonderful. I wore the shawl one day and it is really easy to wear. The closure works great and you don't have to worry about adjusting the shawl or it falling off all day. It is a really well thought out design. Love it!

And another shop sample, Big Softie from Sirdar arrived and so a sample needed to be knit: Here it is: On 15's it literally took 3 days to knit. Started on Tuesday and finished on Thursday morning, Thanksgiving. (I will admit I did not cook Thanksgiving dinner). But still, it goes very quick.

And then, we had a sample of a diagonal scarf from Nanci Wiseman's book Knitted Shawls, Stoles and Scarves and we no longer carry the yarn. The scarf was very popular so I decided to knit another one in a different yarn. I choose, Tahki's Shannon and I am really please with how it turned out. It is a fun scarf to knit.

I also made a decision about the Koigu Mosaic Jacket. (one of the projects that ended up in the basket near my chair) I decided I wasn't getting back to it because I wasn't that happy with it, so, I cut my losses and ripped. I now have a beautiful ball of Koigu that I will add to my stash and use for another project (some day).

Oh yes, I also finished the Christmas presents I've been talking about for the last few months. Yea! I am also finishing a sweater for a customer.
Now, the other unfinished projects....This weekend I picked up the Alice Starmore sweater and did a few more rows, not enough to take a new picture, but a little progress.
.
My Panda Silk Sweater - still at the same place. (It's a spring sweater, no need to rush, right???)
The sock is not longer. Soon....

I have added some new projects to the list, however (of course!) There is a tie in the current issue of Knitter's (I know, I know, I have another one started, but this looks easier). It uses sock yarn and I may get this started soon.
Another sweater from Knitter's uses 2 strands of sock yarn (= worsted weight). And though I will probably not do the sweater in Knitter's I like the idea and my try something else with 2 strands of sock yarn.
And...The book Knit One Below is in and there are things in there begging to be knit. I don't need to shop, decorate and bake for the holidays, do I??
So, that's it for now. I hope each and everyone of you have a wonderful and joyous holiday season and that you get all your knitting done in time!

... Until next month... Nancy