February 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Knitting and New Year, Nancy

November 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

October 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

September 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

August 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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