How About Yarn Selection!

Have you ever glanced at a picture of a knitted item and moved on only to see again later knitted by someone else and it really catches your eye?

Here is a perfect example!

When I selected the Koigu yarn for these Delicato Mitts pattern, I knew they would not be as nice as the pair I had already knitted.  I wanted a pink pair, loved the yarn and wanted to compare the difference and show in the knitting class I was teaching that just finished last week.

This blue pair was completed months ago with yarn from "Dye Dreams".  Everyone loves this pair and so do I. 

Notice how lace, faux cabling pops out much more in the blue pair.  The beautiful pattern is sorta lost in the pink pair.

So, when looking at patterns perhaps you put on your goggles with a different filter to view your potentially finished project.

Happy Knitting!

Ella - An Entrelac Hat

Pattern:  Hip Hop Hats
Yarn:  Lamb's Pride - approx. 120 yds. chunky
Needles:  10 1/2 dps

I love this entrelac hat. It was a quick knit and completed in a weekend of casual knitting.

I highly recommend this book.  Many, many hat patterns that I like.  I purchased it with my 40% off coupon at JoAnn's.

I had the novel idea of knitting a swatch in the future as I wish this hat were a “little deeper”. Unless it’s a sweater or something very time-consuming or special, I don’t swatch. Bad!, bad, bad!!!! That’s how knitters become such “gifting” people.
If it doesn’t fit us, it’s bound to fit someone, right? 

Entrelac falls in the category of modular knitting.  If you have a lot of yarn "nuggets", modular knitting is a great way to use them up.  Consider a pair of entrelac socks, scarf, mittens, etc.

Now isn't this an interesting way to mend or repair your handknits! 

I bet Deb could easily do this with her supply of needles that are collected like crayons.

Are any of us on this "Top Listed Blogs" ?
 
Want a laugh?  Read this new daddy's blog...one post-it note at a time!  It's a quick read.

Happy Knitting!

Hurt Book Sale

Interweave is having their annual "Hurt Book Sale".  It covers any craft you might be interested in except perhaps counted cross stitch.  I have the "the New Stranded Colorwork: Techniques and Patterns for Vibrant Knitwear" book and it's a beauty for the experienced knitter.

Happy Knitting!

Pikenaze - A Louisa Harding Design

It started innocently.  Less than five years ago I said to my daughter, Amy, "you know, someday you'll be sorry you never learned how to knit from your mother!"

So she agreed, purchased some cheap yarn and needles and started a scarf.  The only time she would knit was when she was having her hair colored at the hairdressers (yikes!).  This went on for about two years or so. 

All of a sudden, the knitting bug really hit her.  Whenever I visit we spend a lot of time knitting and I try to teach her a new knitting technique.  That, along with her LYS, YouTube, etc., she has become an accomplished knitter. 

Today she sent me this picture of a shawl she was blocking.  Isn't it beautiful!  I'm quite pleased that she is carrying on the skills that were handed down to me by my beloved Aunt Rita.

The pattern is Pikenaze by Louisa Harding.

Her cat is still living even after she caught it sleeping on top of the shawl as it was drying. 

Proud Knitter!!!

A back view for you!

And today is my daughter's 20th wedding anniversary!  Happy Anniversary to her and her husband!  They make a great couple!

Happy Knitting!

Sock Club Knitting Book

I have many, many sock knitting books.  This is my new "favorite"!  Of the 23 patterns, I really like, and would knit 22 of them.  I purchased this book with a 40% of coupon at Creative Habitat!  I never, ever, pay full price for my books.

Just getting started with my first "toe-up" sock.  Can you believe with the dozens of pairs of socks I've knitted, they have always been cuff down.

The flowers are optional!  I think I will to a variation of this one and can't wait to "play" with my idea!

Not sure about the placement of this one and the comfort when wearing a shoe.

I love to go down by the lake, sit under a shade tree, and knit!

Some sit and enjoy the scenery.  I didn't capture the Adirondack (NY) mountains in this picture but the view is breathtaking!

Others are fishing!

I like to find shelter under one of these trees.  I always will see at least one woodpecker, often there are ducks as well!  I'm am so fortunate!

Don't forget that this is "World-wide knit in public" week.  For my local knitters, I'll see you at Burlington City Hall Park on Saturday.  The weather is suppose to be beautiful!

Happy Knitting!!!!

A Smile For You - Guaranteed!!!!

I was headed to the store to get something to drink when I saw this person standing at "Five Corners", one of the area's busiest intersections.....

I decided I did not need to join "Jenny Craig" after all!!!!

Something was a little off...........

It was the beard....lol!!!

These little girls were delightful!  Of course, people were tipping well!.... One was excited to tell me that she had $16.50 and I told her she would be rich some day and I would be able to say....."I bought lemonade from her."

I told her, "Daddy must really love you to be standing out there with the lemonade sign!"  Well, daddy was in the bag yard mowing the lawn and this was a family friend promoting these girls' business development plan.  Good friend, I'd say!!!!

Lots of knitting projects to show you as the week progresses.  I've been busy knitting!!!  More later!

Happy Knitting!

What Would You Charge?

My co-worker left this ad on my desk and thought I might be interested. I called. Hmmm….interesting conversation.

The woman wanted a family Christmas stocking duplicated. She does not have the pattern and the stocking is about two feet long. Here’s a few of the comments and red flags!


“I took the stocking I already have to a yarn shop and they told me it would be easy.”

“I’m in no hurry for it but I already took it away from one lady because she had the materials for 3 weeks and had not completed the stocking.”

“Oh, it has trees in the pattern and I want my son’s name and birth date included.”

“It should go quickly. I’m not interested in learning to knit and do it myself.”

I asked what “ball park” figure did she have in mind for payment. She couldn’t come up with an amount.

I informed her I was not interested after all and suggested she contact a senior citizen center as I was sure there would be a knitter who would be interested and who had the time.

This person lives in a very affluent community. I wanted to say, but didn’t, “You would not be able to afford to pay for my time.” So, she mentioned the retirement community where she lives and said, “oh, but they would not be interested!”…………as if the task would be beneath them.

What do you think would have been a fair price? Let’s assume size 6 needles and worsted weight yarn as well as recharting the pattern.

Happy Knitting

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly!

The Good!!!

Mitt is moving right along.  Knitting with Koigu is so smooth!!!  Still awaiting a thumb!

The Bad!!!

I was knitting away while sitting under a pine tree enjoying the scent and all of a sudden I realized I had two right mitts.  Do I keep knitting and buy more yarn and make a second pair?  Forget that idea!

The Ugly!!!

and it got uglier because after I took this pic I had to frog further when I realized I had missed two rows of the repeat in the cuff.  What was I thinking????? or doing?????  not paying attention, for sure.

The Beautiful!!!

The mitt, reknitted, is coming soon.

"Know It All Knitting Bag"  (<--click)  This bag tottaly blew my mind.  It electronically keeps track of your rows and stitches.  I read the directions on knitting and assembling this bag and I won't be knitting it anytime soon.  The price of the parts is about $65 plus the yarn.  I'd love to read a post by someone who has knitted this bag.

Happy Knitting!