Episode 15

There is still time to participate in the Knitalong.  I will be randomly choosing one person to receive a prize, that includes a gauge, a book (The Secret Language of Knitters), and a gorgeous project bag provided (and made) by my good friend Cindy. Here is a picture of what the bag will look like:

Participate in the KAL, and you could get a
lovely project bag like this!

Rules:

1. Knit a dishcloth by choosing a skill you want to learn/improve.  

2. Post a picture of it on my Ravelry group, under "September 2012 Knitalong (KAL)", along with a brief description of what skill you worked on.

3. On October 1, I will randomly choose one person who has completed the above and you will win a prize.

Norwegian Purl stitch (for Continental knitters)-- I learned about this new method that I want to try out!

If you are ever near Columbus, OH this time of year, go and visit Young's Jersey Farm.  They have a large wool gathering every year.

I bought some lovely gradient yarn (cotton), dyed by Wolle's Yarn Creations.  Her blog is wollesyarncreations.blogspot.com.  The color ways is "Capri"

What I've been working on/FO:

Bella's Mittens (Twilight).  The yarn I am using is Debbie Bliss Glen.

My Annis Shawl is finished!!!!  See previous episode for details and links.  I'm starting on another one for my mother-in-law.

Episode 14: Wear it! Don't Eat It!

Don't forget about the KnitAlong that will begin September 1-30.  See last episode's show notes for details.

I'm almost finished with the Independence Day Pillow (Which should have been finished last month!)

See knitpurlhunter.com for more details.

The shawl I am working on is the Annis Shawl, which introduces me to two new skills--short rows, and Nupps.  I had a little bit of trouble with the Nupp stitch until I found the tutorial on how to do a Nupp with a *gasp* crochet hook.  Much easier now.

In this episode I feature a clip that I recorded at the Mid-Ohio Fiber Fair of Paul from corny goodness.com.  He explains all about this interesting new fiber made of corn.  

Have a fabulous Labor Day Weekend and see you next time!

My daughter, decorating the alpaca mittens

Click on image to enlarge

Happy Knitting!

Episode 13: Knit-Alongs (KAL)

Here are today's notes:

Knitalong, by Larissa Brown and Martin John Brown.
The pattern I made is called Meathead hat

Donna Druchunas' class: Knit Shop Workshop

Knitalong project, Independence Pillow,  with knitpurlhunter.com
Michelle has great video tutorials for button holes, mattress seam, and invisible horizontal seams.

Wannabe Knitter KAL --Skill builder dishcloth
In September we will have a knitalong, and this KAL is specifically to build knitting skills.  The challenge here is to choose a skill you wish to improve (ie. purling, lace, cables, color work, etc. . .).  Cotton or a cotton/bamboo mix is the best type of yarn to use for this project, and is fairly inexpensive.

Knit a square using the skill of your choice, and then post a picture and an explanation of what skill it was you worked on.  At the end of September, I will do a random-number drawing and give a prize to one person who finished the challenge.    To be eligible to win, a picture of your finished project must be posted.

That's it!

TINK= "knit" spelled backwards.  when you have to undo a small section of knitted stitches, it's called a "TINK."

I visited the warehouse for www.yarnmarket.com

Twisted Sister yarn, colorways Zazu "Blue Curacao"

Tofutsies yarn is made from chitin (shrimp and crabshells).  It is supposed to be antibacterial, and great for making socks.  Warning:  DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO SHELLFISH!!

Free classes on Craftsy.com:

Know your Wool
Short Rows


They also have free classes on Modern Buttercream, Sewing Machine 911, and Craftsy block of the month (quilting).

The calming effects of knitting

I just wanted to say that sometimes I get feelings of anxiety and overwhelm because of all the demands in my life.  Today was one of those days.  It's been building up all week.  All this unpacking and organizing is overwhelming for me.  I finally got out a hank of purple yarn in my yarn stash, set up my swift on the kitchen table, and proceeded to roll up the hank of yarn.  My daughter helped me. I then sat down and started making a gauge swatch.  This particular yarn, hand dyed from Chile, is perfect for making socks.  I'm still determined to make myself a pair. By the time I finished the swatch it was way past midnight, but I felt a lot calmer.  I am amazed at how calming knitting can be.  It helps me keep my mind off the daily stresses of life and feeds my inner desire to create.

Our household goods arrived last Saturday, and I have been busy, busy, busy.  In this episode I included a visit my family took to an Anglo Saxon Village, just 15 minutes from our old house in England.  It's called West Stow Anglo Saxon village.  This particular day, there were re enactors trying to recreate what life might have been like during the Anglo Saxon era.

Episode 11: I'm Back!

I am back from my 3-year European vacation, and ready to learn more about knitting, and hopefully improve my skills.  Columbus is a great place to improve knitting skills.  I have already met a few knitting experts, and I have found that the more I learn, the less I know.

Columbus has three knitting stores (I have only visited one), but the one closest to my house is Knitting Temptations.  The ladies are extremely helpful, there are different classes, and they have knitting groups three times a week (all for free!)

On my cruise I was working on the Little Shells shawl by Holly and Ella.  I used Debbie Bliss Pure Silk wool.

I have also been working on the Clarus shawl, as taught by Laura Nelkin at Craftsy.com.

I also learned how to wind a ball of wool so that you pull from the center.

I made ANOTHER baby cocoon, this time for my new little nephew, born on July 4th!
Welcome, little soldier!  I used Lion Brand Quick and Cozy to make the softest cocoon ever!

I am doing my very first Knit Along (KAL) with Michelle from KnitPurlHunter.com.  She offers video tutorials to help build skills along the way.  In this KAL, we are making a pillow.

I am currently taking a class from Craftsy.com on Lace Shawl Designs by Miriam Felton.  I bought some cotton wool from Walmart just to practice different designs.  I got a little sidetracked, and found a dishcloth pattern that I thought I'd try out.  I tried out "Vineyard" by Danielle Cote.  Scroll down for the English version.

Here is info on the Cahokia Mounds, across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.  At the top of the mound, you can actually see the St. Louis Arch.


My daughter and I are attending one day at the Mid-Ohio Fiber Fair on August 18th, in Newark, Ohio. I'm so excited, it's my very first fiber fair!

Episode 10:Travels and Charity

I have been so busy lately with traveling as well as getting ready to move.

Here are the notes from this episode's show:

I visited Lyme Park, where they filmed "Pemberly" in BBC's Pride and Prejudice.
I also visited Highclere Castle, where they filmed Downton Abbey.

Baby hat patterns:

Baby bunny hat
Baby Bear Hat
The Trendy Baby Hat can be found on ravelry.com

Here are a few photos of my travels and projects:

 Highclere Castle, aka "Downton Abbey"

 Lyme Park, aka "Pemberly"

Here are all my finished hats!