Happy Mason-Dixon KAL To You-All!



Couldn't resist joining, so now my big angst is "what to knit?" from this adorable book! I'm thinking the kimono with leftover Bernat cotton, and maybe a bib.....
Back to the knitting!

I CELEBRATE NURSES WEEK!

Many thanks to all the terrific people who make nursing such a wonderful profession!

Lots of knitting on the needles this month.....

Here's the summer knitting treatment plan:

1. Finish mitered squares baby boy blanket by May 25!

2. Sew together 36 garter stitch squares for St. Joe's Knitting Ministry by June 10 in time for ProLife Garage Sale!

3. Cast on for ankle socks for me!

4. Finish and felt French Market bag-only have handles left to knit!

5. Finish Kid Merino shrug-it's no longer an Easter scarf!

6. Dye Paton's Classic wool sample with Wilton cake icing, Teal, knit up a coaster, and felt it for June 1st.

7. Begin SOMETHING with the gazillion balls of Sugar and cream cotton-

will find inspiration from the much loved Mason-Dixon knitting book!

8. Knit rug from the colossal yarn ball #1 son is constructing out of potholder loops.

9. Consider baby gift for co-worker due in January 2007.

Will post pictures when available-so happy knitting to all for now!

THE PROMISES OF YET ANOTHER KNITTING BOOK...

MUST HAVE A VERY BAD CASE OF SPRING FEVER!

So to end the fever I bought the book and signed up for the One Skein Secret Pal Exchange. Very much looking forward to the swap, and considering what I will knit from One Skein to send to my pal in August. Thinking of knitting a cupcake for my sister-in-law for Easter dinner as a lark! Would make a cute hostess gift, I think!

Go to www.oneskein.com and www.oneskein.blogspot.com to see what all the buzz is about. You even get to peek inside the book to see some of the offerings. It was well worth $19.95!
My favorites, beside the cupcakes, are Petal baby bib, tank top, baby bolero, garter mittens, felted bowls, OH, JUST GO BY THE BOOK ALREADY-IT'S TERRIFIC!

Also bought Nicki Epstein's Knitted Flowers. Each photo is a work of art.

And finally, I was completely charmed by the Mason-Dixon Knitting book, as it is chock full of folksie-gone-contemporary knitting ideas that will keep me busy this summer with the mountain of Sugar and cream cotton yarn I have collected.

ON THE NEEDLES:

kid merino Easter scarf

dish cloth baby blanket squares

french market basket

THINKING ABOUT CASTING ON FOR:

ankle socks with Trekking- free pattern to be found at

www.countryvariety.com

flower wash cloth from Weekend Knits with 1824 cotton

LONG TIME NO POST....

BUT I HAVE BEEN KNITTING!

Let's just say I tried to resist as long as I could, but I am afraid I have succumbed to this KNITTED BABE CRAZE!

I think these are just the coolest dolls and so open to creative expression!
so, I rationalize knitting these cuties by telling myself I will donate them to my son's school for their tricky tray fundraiser next month.....We shall see....

Here are some samples from Claire Garson's book, which I bought after eying it for about a month at Barnes and Nobles.







THIS IS A BABE OF ANOTHER TYPE THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERY WEDNESDAY...LEST I BE LOST!



LONG LIVE THE BABES!

NEW YEAR.....NEW ADVENTURES IN KNITTING!



Decided that I JUST WASN'T BUSY ENOUGH, so now I am teaching knitting at my local Michael's Arts and Craft store!

ATTENTION ALL KNITTERS!

MICHAEL'S ARTS AND CRAFTS IN THE EASTON/BETHLEHEM AREA IS HOSTING A 5 HOUR YARN EVENT ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 29TH!

I will be there knitting and offering help, as well as encouragement, to all who come by from 12 noon to 5 pm. There will also be contests and prizes, according to the store flyer. Sounds like it will be a fun day. Yes, folks, I am being paid to knit, talk to people, and be helpful. Does it get any better than this?

I started this commitment in December, and now that the word is getting out, I am starting to have a few students. Meeting some really nice people who really have the desire to learn. Which makes it so much fun for me, especially when I can see the look on their faces when they GET IT!

As you can see from my very first class sample, I am keeping it really simple for beginners, because nothing kills a new knitter's psyche more than getting overwhelmed with trying to master too many techniques at the start. Who wouldn't love to wash dishes with this cute little dishcloth?

Meanwhile, I am knitting some scarf samples for possible March classes, as well as beginning one of 2 mitered square type baby blankets for my nonknitting friends. Today I hope to cast on for the FRENCH MARKET BAG-see it here at

www.Knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/PATTfrenchmarket.html

Pictures to follow...

HAPPY KNITTING FOR NOW!

THIS CALLS TO ME......

..........AND THIS TOO!





And yet, I continue to let the poor darlings lanquish in the Closet of Neglected Projects.


Which one should I start knitting?




It has been a very busy holiday for me, and I'm afraid I have taken many a knitting detour since my last posting early in December.

After knitting several scarves, bookmarkers, G.I. Joe clothing, Church bazaar items, dying yarn, and class samples for my new adventure as a knitting instructor at my local Michaels, its time to knit for ME!


I have fallen in love with those cute corkscrew/ruffled scarves I've been seeing online and in several new books. I completed one in about 8 hours knitted in Crystal Palace Kid Merino and finished with less than a quarter skein of Fizz Stardust. At the end I was binding off 800 stitches! Still, it was a labor of love, as I love the look of the 2 yarns! Pictures to follow sooner or later.... see, another knitting detour!

Need to do a Knitter's To Do list!

Don't you just love New Years Resolutions!!!

KNITTING USUALLY MAKES ME MELLOW, LIKE KRINGLE HERE.......













However, I've been very busy conducting secret knitting sessions in order to complete my gifts for Christmas.

Here is my Knitting WIP Wish List

1. A pair of Trekking socks knitted by new to be learned magic loop, toe up, two at one time. Yes, I am a masochist.
2. Chunky mittens in LionBrand Thick and I hope Quick in navy for son.
3. Harry Potter Azkaban scarf for son.
4. Hat, sweater, and blanket for G.I. Joe per son's request
5. Hooded sweater for Sis-in-law's new dog
6. Argyle Christmas stocking for front door, started last Christmas, half completed.

And Christmas is in 2 1/2 weeks......

GIDDY-UP!

MY SECRET INDULGENCE....
ALMOST 50 AND STILL PLAYING WITH DOLLS!












Ok, so some kids never grow up! I have this thing about knitting Barbie clothes. The novelty yarns make fabulous outfits for my gal! Not so hard to do once you've mastered the zero range of needles, or use #1's or #2's. I knitted a few things for my church Christmas bazaar, having absolutely no idea what would sell. Maybe next year I'll stick to just knitting Barbie sets, as they seemed to be well received.

For this lovely ensemble I believe I casted on 40 stitches with size 1 DP needles and knitted flat till the length equaled the length of Barbie's outstretched arms. Then I sewed the sleeves till underarms custom fit. SHEEEEESSSSSH! I finished her shrug before mine!

The hat was flat knit a la pattern from Nicki Epstein's Knitting for Barbie. This was knit with a very small amount of Plymouth Flash from my stash.
Any novelty yarn would certainly work for this set. You're limited by only what you have in your stash.

Here are the different items I donated.

The Barbie poncho was knit with Paton's brilliant as the main body and trimmed with Paton's Silverlash. Same with the hat, which was a cast on of 24 stitches on size 1 needle, and knitted circular 1:1 rib for 6 rows before changing to stockinette stitch, knitting circular till I felt it was time to decrease for the crown.

The poncho was a 40 stitch cast on DP needles and knitted circular 1:1 rib for six rounds. Afterwhich, I placed a marker between the 20th and 21st stitches. At the beginning and end of the round I made my increases, as well as at the stitches before and after the placed marker. It might be helpful to place a marker at the beginning of the round only to jog your memory so you don't overlook the increases there. On alternate rows I knit plain without making any increases. Very simple. Stop when you are satisfied with the length and the width.

The Flash hat and scarf were no brainers.

The 2 cell phone bags were constructed by measuring my phone and adjusting the gauge for LionBrand Landscape Yarn. I selected a cabled pattern from an Aran Stitch guide, and knit till I could comfortably fold it over, seaming close the sides with a single crocheted edge. Weave ribbon of your choice through cable twist closest to the top edge and tie into pretty bow. Again, very easy. Consider it a knitted swatch with a mission!

My dear AKSP Maggie sent me another glorious parcel of goodies! Click on the photo and you will see that the Project bag, which I love, is signed by Barry Klein. How cool is that!!!! The coffee cup conveys my sentiments exactly! Wild Rose scented soap will go into the yarn drawer,(doesn't everyone have a yarn drawer in their family room?) and a pretty tin to keep my knitting odds and ends in. The magazine I've been planning to pick up......How does she know these things? My God, the woman lives in Virginia!!!!! Thank- you so much, again, Maggie, for all the wonderful things you send me! I just love this Secret pal exchange, and would feel sorry to see it end. I love selecting and sending things also to my other pal, Judith, from New Jersey. Wish we all lived close!

Here is a photo of Barbie in the poncho and hat. I think she looks adorable.

MAY I PRESENT THE LAST PERFECT ROSE, IN NOVEMBER, NO LESS!






So, I bet you've been wondering what I've been knitting lately?

This is one of the cell phone bags that I made for my church bazaar recently. It was knitted with Lion Brand Landscape and finished with ribbon from Michael's. What do you think?


Started the Turtleneck Shrug by Teva Durham from Scarf Style sometime in October when it was still 70 degrees outside. Love working with this Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande. I made some adjustments in needle sizes and cast on to accommadate the yarn. I have a quarter of the second sleeve done. Hopefully, to be completed before Christmas as a present to myself!


Another landscape cell phone bag with a pretty pink bow.


Some cool goodies from my wonderful AK Secret Pal! Every month is like Christmas when her package arrives in the mail! I can't wait to knit those Whacky Sox. They are from Dancing Leaf Farms, and I spied them years ago at Stitches East. Been regretting I did not purchase at the time. My Pal came through for me! The Peace Fleace yarn will be made into fingerless mittens for my cold hands. The delicious peanut squares are long gone! The Knitting On The Go box of cards is full of really neat projects! The knitting bag is from Alan Stuart New York, and currently holds my turtleneck shrug WIP Thanks Maggie! Your the best Pal a knitter could ever hope for!

THINGS THAT MAKE ME GO "AAAAAAAAAAH"!



Been trying to get focused on starting and completing projects for upcoming November 19th Christmas bazaar at my church, but am going in all directions! Prime example is this little purse I knit for myself to carry my cell phone and lipstick in. Discovered that cables are not at all difficult to knit and I love making them!
HMMMMMMMMMMM! I see a sweater in my future.......

I also am knitting the second sleeve to the Turtleneck Shrug by Teva Durham from Scarf Style. I adjusted it a bit to accommadate both my beautiful ampleness and the chunky Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande that is a joy to work with!

Among the other detours along the knitting path I have taken was my adventure in koolaid dying. While it was fun, I learned that unwinding 600 yards of dk merino to fit into a pyrex dish can test one's patience and endurance!

I now know that dying is best attempted with smaller amounts because it will take the yarn DAYS to drip dry!

Oh, the things we learn in the School of Knitting!


This is Purplemint Twist drying in my bathroom during the heat and humidity of the heat of September. What a mish-mosh mess!
It also spent time drying on my back porch, and my bedroom.

When finally dried, the real fun began!
Oh, what a tangled web, when we wind merino wool into two 350 yard balls!

I learned I am a very patient woman, much to my and my family's surprise!

Next, I have that glorious yarn I ordered from Shadyside Farms waiting in the wings for me to begin knitting their version of the Rambling Rows sweater. Believe me, I can't wait to begin!




Since I am the proprieter of My Very Own Little Yarn Shoppe right here in my home, I continue to struggle with remaining on hiatus from yarn shopping, at least till after the holidays.

We shall see.....

I made it into The Pinwheel Gallery! Go to www.larissmix.typepad.com to see all the lovely additions to her knit-a-long gallery. I am humbled by all the creative knitting that is going on around me!

FALL IS HERE..........A TIME TO FINISH SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT LANQUISHED IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER!


Ta-DA!
Finally am posting photo of the baby pinwheel blanket.
I enjoyed making it, but to do again, I definitely WOULD NOT knit this in a DK weight, because it takes forever!
I used 2 skeins of Euro Yarns Cuddly Fluff, 187 yards each.


I trimmed it with Wendy Shimmer, 60 yards skein, color 2043. This was Plan B, as I ran out of the mohair, and couldn't do the rounds of feather and fan lace I had originally intended. But, I'm pleased with it, and hope my friend will be too!
Next, I'm sending a photo to www.larissmix.typepad.com . She has a delightful Pinwheel Blanket Gallery that's well worth the looksie!

Settled into my Post Stitches Knitting Mode


By the way, if you have ever wondered about the kitty I am holding, I included a photo of Miss Chesea Marie and Kringle Joseph today. Hope you are happy now, John!

I finally finished Sonny! He's currently hanging in my picture window greeting the squirrels who are eating all my tulip bulbs!

Also finished THE PINWHEEL BABY BLANKET and the blanket design is not at all like I had originally planned. I only used what I had in my stash, so it was a great stash reduction project! I definitely would make another one! Endless possibilities! Will post those pictures on another day. I'm contemplating sending a photo to www.larissmix.typepad.com to add to her Pinwheel Knitalong Gallery, if she likes. Credit is given to Genia Planck for her original and free pinwheel pattern. THANKS, LADIES!

Now for the Unfinished.....

This fall marks the 2 year anniversary of The Tapestry Jacket Project I began at my favorite yarn shop, Kraemer's. I have been revising, frogging, and analyzing this sucker to no avail. Been stuffing it in and out of the project bag weekly. Well, NO MORE! Out it stays, visible, so I can knit off a sleeve row whenever I happen to notice it! I don't know what my problem is! All I have to do is : knit down the 2 sleeves, design cuffs, knit a bottom and 2 button bands, and a collar. Maybe line it also. Let's see how it goes! Good intentions and all that!

Maybe I should call it The Children Are Waiting Jacket!

This Is Miss Chelsea. She is 13 years old, Bullemic, and very moody. She weighs 6 pounds. A very petite miss!

Here you can see the prep work I am doing before beginning Kool Aid dying. I am unraveling the undyed merino I bought at Kraemers for layout in a long pyrex dish. I think I will try to varigate 3 or 4 colors for a shawl. I also have several smaller skeins of superwash dk weight that I want to dye for sock yarn.

This is Kringle standing guard over some of my Stitches purchases, lest Chelsea happen to feel the need to hurl. He is going to be 11 years old this month. The local A.S.P.C.A. gave him that name. He is very good natured. He weighs 16 pounds and loves to nap!

Missing from the photo are the new felted flower and Christmas ornaments patterns from 2 old Bags.

Projects for another day.

STITCHES EAST 2005 - PART TWO

As promised, I am revealing the identity of the knitting celeb!



LILY CHIN! LILY CHIN!

What a lovely and gracious person she is. Every nice thing you hear about her is true!


This is the back view of my Mitered Square Cardi that I ordered from Shadyside Farm.
I think I could make this the front of a sweater also!


This the the front of the Mitered Square Cardi. The nice folks at Shadyside Farm are dying yarn for my kit the special shade of green, as it was unavailable at the show. Can't wait! That yarn is as soft as it looks!


Here is a display of their beautiful Shadyside Farm yarns.


This is the novel and pretty knitted scarf tubing from Habu Textiles that I brought home with me.


more...at a later time!

STITCHES REPORT 2005 PART ONE:

I AM SHOUTING WITH JOY AFTER ALL THE FUN I HAD AT THIS YEAR'S BIG EVENT.
I MET MY LOVELY AKSP, JUDITH, AND I HAD MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH A FIBER WORLD CELEBRITY, ALL IN THE SAME DAY. CAN YOU GUESS WHO?

MY FAVORITE VENDOR HAD TO BE SHADYSIDE FARM BECAUSE I ORDERED A MITERED SQUARE CARDI KIT FROM THEM WITHIN MINUTES OF MY ARRIVAL ON THE FLOOR! I HAVE BOUGHT FROM THEM IN THE PAST, AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT THEIR ANGORA AND MOHAIRS, AS WELL AS THEIR BASIC WOOLS, ARE SCRUMPTIOUS!

MY DEAR FRIEND, JEANIE AND I, SCOPED OUT THE FIBERWARES, PATTERNS, AND ALL THE FABULOUS SHAWLS, PONCHOS, AND SWEATERS WORN BY OUR FELLOW KNITTERS. LOTS OF USE OF NOVELTY YARNS INCORPORATED INTO DESIGNS, ALL VERY TASTEFULLY DONE. LOTS OF CROCHET AND KNITTING PATTERN COMBOS FOR NECK WEAR.

WE COULD BARELY WALK WHEN IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE, SO BURDONED WITH LOVELY PACKAGES WERE WE!

PUSSY CAT2 HAD VERY WHIMSICAL PURSE KITS. MY FAVORITE WAS THE CANDY CORN BAG!

2 OLD BAGS HAS BEEN MY ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE FOR NEW FELTING PATTERNS. I BOUGHT. IT'S TRADITION!

NOT JUST PLAIN JANE WAS A FEAST FOR THE EYES!

ALWAYS LOVE HABU TEXTILES. THEY ARE VERY INNOVATIVE!


ANN AND EUGENE ARE BOTH VERY WARM PEOPLE. I WON A SHAWL KIT OF THEIRS LAST WEEK WHEN I WAS TAKING A 2 HANDED KNITTING CLASS AT KRAEMER'S YARN SHOP BEING TAUGHT BY ANN AND EUGENE. HOW LUCKY CAN YOU GET?


MORE STORIES AND PHOTOS OF STITCHES 2005 TO COME.....