July 2012

 
Whew, now that the dress is done I have about 20 projects started and in my head.  It's getting a little crowded in there.  I feel like I'm behind.  I am not used to a project taking so long.  The results were worth it.  I know I showed you the finished dress last month, but her it is on the owner (new owner).  I think it looks better on her than the dress form.

Now, on to July...  The pretty new scarf yarn that was started in June, was finished.  It's cute, it has pretty little sequins on the edges of the ruffle.  Fun.

Not sure if I mentioned that Noro put out a new magazine and it has some great stuff in it.  And as I am always distracted by something new, I had to knit from it right away.  It is a very cool jacket, using 2 colors of Silk Garden sock yarn and short rows for shaping.  Love it!!

I had a "social" knitting project in my bag that got finished up.  My kids made me go see the Batman movie, 2 hours and 45 minutes... of batman...  Perfect for my easy knitting.  It is an Infinity Scarf knit with Findley Dappled.  It is a hand dyed, lace weight, merino/silk blend.  Don't faint at the lace weight, it was knit on 7's to make it nice and airy.  I like how it turned out and if feels so good around your neck.  There is a free pattern for it on my website.

A new yarn came in, by now you know what that means... I have to try it.  This is Montana from Sirdar, a machine washable blend that stripes.  I am knitting a little boy's sweater (it comes in girl colors too) and there is a pattern book from Sirdar with kids and adult sweaters.  It is knitting up very nice.

And since I finished up my "social" knitting project, I started another.  Not much to see yet, but it is a mobius sweater type thing.  Very pretty, but the bad news is, I have 100" of stockinette stitch to do.  I am going to have to be very social, I have a ways to go...  (Sorry, this picture will only come out in it's side)

I was writing up the newsletter, deciding on a class to do.  I've had lots of requests for a class on cables, so I decided to make an easy cabled scarf that we could use for the class.  I used a chunky yarn with one braided cable, it went quick.  I am working on another one in a different yarn.

That's it for fininshed/started projects for July.  There will be some new ones in the works for August.  They are already in the knitting bag... shall I tell you?  or surprise you??  I'll surprise you, because you never know when I'll change my mind or be distracted by something new....  So until then..... Happy Knitting, Nancy

June 2012

I am afraid this will be short and sweet, It's not that I didn't knit a lot, I did, but only on a few things.

It seems the latest issue of Interweave Knits got me in trouble this month.  I showed it to my daughter and she picked out 2 things she liked.  One, a summer sweater... that's not too bad, I can do that...  It is knit with coton and has a keyhole back - cute!  I had started this last month and finished up and gave it to her already - looks better on her!

So she liked a sweater, not too bad, but... she also liked a dress.  Very cute a baby doll style.  With cable panels and pleating.  Being the good Mom, I said sure, I can do that.. someone, please smack me next time!  I don't carry the yarn, I had her look on line at the colors, and I ordered the yarn.  I should have known I was in trouble when I needed 18 (used 19) balls of DK weight yarn.  I cast on.  820 sts!!  As I said there are pleats, so the skirt doesn't really decrease as you knit up (only a little) for 20 inches.  So guess what I did all month?  Knit this dress!  And finished it last night.  I did adjust the back a bit.  The pattern had it end at the skirt and get laced up, but I wanted a little more coverage and stability so I knit a back and knit a tube at the top of it to thread the I- cord through.  I think it turned out cute.  She get it tomorrow, next month I'll post a picture of it on her rather than a dress form (it should look better).  Hopefully she loves it and wears it everyday!! :)

The only other thing I had time for this month was to start a scarf in new yarn yesterday.  Just another scarf, you say?  Yes it is like all the others, but... this one has cute little sequins on the edging.  Actually very pretty.

And that's it.  A lot of knitting and not a lot to show for it.  Now back to all the ideas I had before I was interrupted with the DRESS and all the new ideas that have come along the way.  So, we'll see what July brings..... Until then, Happy Knitting, Nancy

May 2012

May, I promised I'd finish at least 2 things in my bag and I think I did.  Not sure I'll make that promise again this month :), maybe....

So, finished... The Comfy Cardi.  I made this before (twice) and gave one away to a friend.  I love the sweater, it is comfy, but wasn't crazy about the color, so I did it again.  Again in Noro's King, but more my colors.  I do love the sweater, I had to bring it in from home to take the picture.  Finished #1.

Also finished, but just under the wire, yesterday... A shawl I've been carrying around in my bag for months.  Knit with Karabella's Gossamer.  It's a light mohair with a bit of glitz and glam to it. 2 make a pretty and special shawl.


And now new... my favorite :).  Scarves are going to be big again this year and some of the scarf yarns are very new and different, which always amazes me since there are already so many things out there.  Just when I think they can't come up with something new... it shows up! 

Here are two new yarns that are amazing, cool and beautiful.  The first is called Park Avenue. It is luxurious and elegant.  That big ruffle you see is the yarn, you are knitting just 3 stitches.  As you can see I knit the sample in purple, someday this will be mine!

And something called Tecido Trico.  It is a piece of fabric with holes punched in the top, which you knit.  It comes in animal prints and florals and makes a wonderful and different spring scarf.

Next I will tell you the tale of a sweater.  It all started by moving some yarn into the clearance room.  I moved in a yarn (actually it is a carry along) called Pansy.  It is a thin thread with little poofs on it. The colors are pink, yellow and orange and I've always liked it. So as I am moving it I am thinking, "what can I do with this?" Hmmmm..... It's a carry along, so what colors go with it?  Pima Cotton is right around the corner and a DK, so it could be good for summer.  Hmmm, hot pink and yellow, holding the carry along up to it, I like it.  But not sure I want the carry along in the whole sweater, maybe stripes, some with and some without.  Maybe another color to break the yellow and pink.  Lime Green.  Ok, three colors, how do I stripe? Off to the computer and Stitch Wizard, I play with stripes, deciding on some thin and some thicker stripes, with the carry along on the thick stripes only and no thick green stripes.  Now a swatch to make sure I like it.  A little fiddling and a few adjustments and I have a stripe pattern.  Now what to do with it. Hmmm... again.  I see a pattern on the cover of the Debbie Bliss magazine that is cute.  A few adjustments and that could work.  Adjustments?  It has no sleeves, I need sleeves, it is fingering weight, this is DK.  Ok, still doable.  A little math and with the yarn weight difference the next size up will work. It's in pieces, I want to work in the round.  I cast on the back x2 and off we go.  Getting close to the armholes and read ahead to see what to do next. Ooops, should have read better in the beginning, I was supposed to cast on a different amount for the front and the back.  Ok, another adjustment, I think I can make it work. Add sleeves, a few changes at the neck and I think we have a sweater.  Like the pattern only different.  That's my sweater story.

And in the works.  I showed a magazine to my daughter, she picked out 2 things she liked.  A sweater and a DRESS!.  The sweater is started.  I have to order yarn for the dress.  It is cute, but a dress?  I'll keep you up to date of the progress of that.

I also started an Infinity Scarf. They are very popular long circular scarves that you wrap around a couple of times.  I am knitting it out of Findley Dappled and it is my social knitting.  Since it is in the round and just knitting, I can knit and talk, so I am keeping this project for when I need something easy and mindless.

That's it for May.  There are piles of yarn on my desk with ideas attached to them and a new magazine from Noro that has a few things calling to me...We'll see where all this leads to in June.  So for now, Happy Knitting, Nancy

April 2012

Whew, April.  A busy month, but not for knitting.  Just so you know why I din't get as much knitting done as usual, my life for April:  Brought my Mom home from rehab after a hip replacement, Easter and company, daughter in Rochester smashed her thumb and needed surgery.  So, I'm glad April is over :).  Now the knitting...

I did finish the beaded top I had been working on for the last couple of months.  The picture on the left is the front and and on the right is the back.  (though I guess you could switch that too)  It is knit with Findley, a lace weight silk wool blend, doubled to knit as a DK.  It is so beautiful and drapey.  I am very happy with it.

I group of us started an Entrelac Envelope Purse from the book Entree to Entrelac.  I made an evening bag in black and decided that any good evening bag needs beads.  So mine has beads!

Then a new pattern book came in from Noro, really cute sweater on the cover... you can see where this is going already.  We have the yarn it calls for, but I chose a differnt yarn.  Actually I ripped out a sweater that was too big for me and knit it out of that.  I used Katia's Bombay.  I also added sleeves, but it is cute either way.

Other than that, there was a little customer finishing, a swatch for another idea brewing and still the unfinished projects from last month.  I won't bore you with the pictures, sadly, not much has changed with them.

And next month.  I vow to finish at least one of the 2 unfinished things in my bag, then.... who knows.... So until next month, Happy Knitting, Nancy

March 2012

Well, in March my KADD (Knitter's Attention Deficit Disorder really kicked.  I didn't do a very good job of staying focused, but, here goes...

When I left you in February, 2 sweaters were started.... well, we'll have to get back to them later, they are still in progress.  It seems that when something caught my eye this month, I had to try it.  So, I intrupeted those projects and knit this shawl.  As you look at it, you might recall, I knit the same shawl last month, with a different yarn.  The pattern calls for a DK yarn, last month I did it with a lace weight, adding a few rows. It was beautiful, but not quite big enough for me and I wasn't quite satisfied, so I decided to go again.  This time with fingering weight, Ella Rae Lace Merino (yes, I know you are tired of hearing about this yarn) and beads.  Now I love it.  The beads embellish the top floral area and the bottom border.  Did I mention I love it?

A few more rows on the 2 started sweaters, then a new yarn arrives.  From Noro, Ayatori.  Well, it is a DK weight, Silk and Wool blend and I have never felt a Noro yarn so soft.  And such pretty colors.  You can guess where we go from here... I had to knit it.  A cute drapey bolero it is.

In between here, I have been working on finishing some sweaters for customers.

We had a few samples that were out of date (the yarns gone or almost gone). So new fingerless gloves.  The first, from Lace Merino Worsted, what a wonderful crisp yarn in great colors and the other in a new Noro, 100% cashmere.  Oh my, need I say more?

And a baby surprise sweater, this time in Summer Stripes, by Sirdar, a cotton blend.  Cute!  Even better if it weren't on it's side, I tried everything , for some reason, I can only post the picture on it's side, sorry!

 Then an idea I have been thinking about for a while.  A large bead on I-cord as a necklace.  So I have been shopping around looking for large beads, with big enough holes for I-cord.  No luck. So the other day I was sitting here and it came to me... Sculpey Clay.  I happen to have some here and so I made beads before I left the shop for the day.  I found yarn to match.  I went home and baked the beads and knit I cord.  I wore one the next day.  Aren't they cute?  I think they could make great gifts.


Then one more sample update.  My Gossamer Shawl needed to be redone in a color in stock, so it's in progress.

And still on the needles, with some progress being made, my Comfy Cardi out of Noro's King.  I had just cast on last month, so I have done some knitting on this.  It's good social knitting.

And finally, my beaded Findley top.  I am further along, but I was struggling with the neck a bit and I find when I am not quite sure what to so next or want to avoid trying to figure it out, I end up starting new things.  As you can see that happened this month.  I really do love this and am happy with how it is turning out and last night, I sat down and worked on the neck.   A few rip out's and maybe I am on track....we'll find out next month....

Happy Knitting, Nancy

February 2012

Well, February was kind of a sad month for me.  As you probably know by now, I lost my best friend, Teddy.  He came to work with me almost every day for 12 years and I miss him and his companionship.  He was a good friend, but his health was failing quickly and it was time for his suffering to end.  So, I am sure he is in heaven greeting all the knitters and running around pain free.  But I miss him... 
I want to thank everyone for their kind words and thoughts, it was a comfort and felt good to know so many people understand and are supportive. Thank You!!

Now, knitting...

The black cardigan, in Ultra Alpaca Light, done!  As a matter a fact, I am wearing it as I type this.  Not much to say about this.  It is a basic black cardigan, but I do love the yarn.  I actually bought this just for this sweater, thinking I'll try it and see if I like it enough for the shop.  It is now in stock and on the shelves.  I must have liked it, :).  It is as wonderful as Ultra Alpaca, but a little thinner, DK, so a very nice indoor weight.  Pretty colors too!

As ususal, I was distracted by a pretty new yarn.  We already carry Findley, by Juniper Moon Farms, and I have knit with it as well and love it.  It is a lace weight, silk and wool blend.  What's not to love, right?  Well, now it came in as Findley Dappled, multi colors, ahhh....  So, a shawl had to be made.  I have been admiring this shawl in a Prayer Shawl book that we have and have been waiting for the right yarn...

And a couple of  Neck Warmers.  Super easy, pretty buttons, great gifts.

Another new yarn, another sample sweater (which I will steal and wear at some point).  Captiva, from Berroco.  A light summer yarn that has a little shimmer.  I love this cute top!

And on the needles... Findley, again, but this time doubled, for a sweater.  And yes, if you look closely there are beads.  The very early stages, but this should end up as a 3/4 sleeve pullover.  At least that's the plan.

Then a more portable project and this was just started, so hard to tell anything from the picture, but it is the Comfy Cardi in Noro's King.  Now if you have a very good memory, you'll remember that I did this already.  I didn't love the color, so I gave it to a friend and am making another one for myself in a color I like more. This cardi really is comfy and is worth making a second time.


That's it for now, March should see these last 2 finished and who knows what else...

So, Happy Spring Knitting to you!  Nancy

January 2012

The first month of 2012, gone already.  Is it just me or does time just seem to dissapear?  Especially with so many knitting project that need knitting.

Well, January saw the end of a few and the beginning or a few more.  Mittens, check.  Knit with Noro's Silk Garden, they match my scarf and coat great.

Also finished my husband's navy blue V-neck.  Boring, but done.  He just needed a plain indoor sweater, so here it is.



Then the new Vogue Knitting magazine came in, of course there was this cute sweater I couldn't resist.  It is a Dloman sleeve, drapey thing.  I am wearing it today.  It is really comfy and cute (if I do say so myself).  It is knit with Filatura Di Crosa's Gioiello with just a hint of glitz.

Then in between we got this cute scarf yarn in, Berroco's Lacey, so... a scarf!  It is super easy, you don't actually knit, you just sort of bind off.

And on the needles... Another boring sweater.  I needed a plain black cardigan to wear with... everything, haha.  So I am trying a new yarn, we don't even carry it, but maybe....  It is Ultra Alpaca DK.  Very nice, of course we have the worsted weigh, which I love, but I wanted the sweater to be a littl more lightweight, so I am trying it out.  So far, so good. You may see it on the shelves soon.

Well, that about it for January.  There are balls of yarn sitting on my desk waiting to be knit, so as soon as the black sweater is done....

Until next month, Happy Knitting, Nancy