Trisha Mitts completed!

Knit using the Berroco Jacoby pattern.

The yarn is Just Our Yarn Travelor (Ravelry link).

I thought I was knitting them using a US size 1 (or 2) but i was using two zeros and two ones. Ugh. I think they fit beautifully.

Modification: I extended the thumb to please the recipient. I wish I had trusted my instinct and put the thumb stitches on holders and knit them longer. Instead I had to pick up the bind-off edge and knit more ribbing. There were a total of 14 thumb stitches but I picked up 18 stitches to close the gap and to allow me to follow the 2x2 rib correctly.





I have some yarn left and will keep it to use when I knit with the other skein I bought at Maryland Sheep & Wool.

Mary Ann Crago

I walk around the Visual Learning: Connecting Readers to Art display by a co-worker and great artist, Mary Ann Crago.
She has a blog I think you should visit. Go ahead and click the link. I'll wait but please come back.

What did you think? I am inspired by her process. I'm lucky because she encourages me to make some "art" and has recommended a few books to help overcome the blocks preventing me from creating. She might even be willing to trade a piece of her work for some of my knitting. That makes me feel really good and I believe she would value the knitting as much as I would value her art.

I have Mary Ann's permission to post the photos I have in a flickr set. Enjoy.

FO Gale Stole

I finished Gale Stole.
Pattern by knitspot
Yarn by Briar Rose Fibers, Grandma's Blessing. This yarn appears to be discontinued. Go look at the other yarn options.
used size 10 nylon circular needle
Cast-on 3 years ago.
for knitSB

I'll post a picture of the finished stole after I block it.
This was an enjoyable knit. A well-written pattern and a nice yarn. I do hope I'll have enough yarn to knit myself a pair of socks with the remaining yarn.

Learning to Use a Chainsaw

My BIL Jack taught me how to use my chainsaw this morning. I brought the manual with me so he could look at it just in case it has significant problems. It didn't. We (he) took it apart and tightened the chain, added chain and gasoline and it started up after a few pulls. This is impressive because I haven't used the chainsaw in almost 10 years (if not longer) and did no preparation for such long storage. Jack did a cut with it and found the chain was very dull so he let me do some cutting with his chainsaw.

After I get the saw started, it worked out pretty well. I cut two of the trees into 18" lengths. I'm looking forward to going home and being able to use my saw on my own. I'm confident I can do the cutting I need. Notice the flannel shirt my sister bought for me. I think it's nice.


After the morning, we went to Planktown Country Market. It's a bulk food store that has spices, cooking ingrediants and an incredible deli. I picked up spices, bread flour and cheese to name a few things. The horshradish cheese is quite tasty. We headed to my niece's house for a nice lunch. I got to hear about her wedding plans. She's almost done and the wedding is almost 11 months away. w00t.

Here's a video to lighten the mood a bit, especially after seeing me using a chainsaw and wearing flannel is too much for you. Enjoy!

Lavender Shawl Completed!

All done.



I learned a few things knitting this shawl.

Here is a picture of the completed shawl.

And a picture of the center stitch.

Tahoe Vest Update

This is a vest I've been working on for 4 years.  I've lost the pattern notes and I'm using the Elizabeth Percentage System as the pattern basics. But I've lost my pattern notes and years have past so I'm taking stock of my progress and moving forward. I think all that's left is joining the sleeves and accomplishing the steeks. To finish, I need to put the edging on the armholes and the v-neck. Progress report later. I am using the Alberta pattern by Jared Flood as my help.

I shared my knitting with Cat on knitrific.

Roman Rib Socks Completed and Vlogged

Roman Rib Socks from the Little Box of Socks by Charlene Schurch & Beth Parrot.
Blogged previously here.
Knit using Knit Picks Sock Garden Memories in color 23470 (Pansy). My Rav Project Link.

Gigi from the Knitmore Girls Podcast talked about the Little Box of Socks.  I think she has knit at least one pair of every sock in the box. Quite impressive to knit all of the patterns. Thanks Gigi!

Yarmando thinks the "strong heel" might also be the feegle heel if done toe-up.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and Sock Knitting :)

I eat Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Sweet Corn & Black Raspberries
with the sample spoon to make the fun last a bit longer. 
Yarmando's Evil Sock Genius Socks
Noro Kureyon Sock

Knitting Q&A for July 2010

AsKatKnits on plurk asked me
"When did you start knitting?? What do you like to knit, what is a challenge..."
Rowan asked me
"Do you ever get "knitters block" where you don't want to knit or can't find a project or UFO you want to do?"

Knitgrrl's Guide to Professional Knitwear Design

I got mail!



Shannon Okey

Knitgrrl Guide to Professional Knitwear Design
The Shannon tweet (I can't find the one announcing the book release)
The Stephanie Tweet. The Stephanie Interview with Shannon.
Cooperative Press and you can order the book from Cooperative Press here. It's available in print, digital, Kindle, iPhone, Nook & Sony versions. Makes it easy to save resources and be able to have Shannon looking over your shoulder helping you. (or prodding you to just do it...and take control for yourself). Interested in how Cooperative Press came to be? Read about it here.
It's true. I thought this book would help me understand designing and I could use this information when I teach knitting classes. On closer inspection, it probably won't. I'm going to enjoy the book because it seems like I'm sitting with Shannon and chatting with her.  There's humor, directness, honesty and support. A nice addition to the vast collection of information available in the book. 
I get all caught up in the excitement when someone I've met (Shannon), publishes a book. We've never chatted, had a drink, eaten Jeni's together or anything like that. It's one of those "brushes with greatness." Shannon, the next time I visit Cleveland, should I bring Jeni's with me?

CCAD and Knitting

KnitBeth asked me almost a year ago about my experiences at Columbus College of Art and Design. Her email came after my Albums I gave to knitSB.



I did go back to CCAD about 10 years ago and took some Fashion Design classes. These were really enjoyable for me and taught me how to make flat patterns from 36 measurements taken from the body. I also learned how to construct garments from those flat patterns.

Take any class from Carol Griffith. Her gallery of art. She's a great teacher.

Sorry it's taken so long to get to this. I hope Brock has a great freshman year.

Tink Knit and Purl

I asked on Plurk what people would like me to vlog about today. 
Msesheta asked "how to tink back in both knit and purl."
Rowan said she "has problems when she tinks finding where to put the needle. Its not always evident to me where it goes to tink back."

Thanks for the topic ladies!  Please let me know if you find this helpful.

"Tink" is unknitting (not knitting backwards like I say in the video). Tink is actually knit spelled backwards. Cool, huh?



I'll work on the focus for the next instructional video post. I'm using a flip camera with a 1" screen. It's kinda difficult to make sure I'm actually in focus.

There are a couple of good videos available that shows you how to Tink. This one is from Jimmy Beans Wool. Here are two from The Knit Witch one about tinking the knit and purl sts.

Waves and Piers Socks Update: Heel

I've been enjoying the Waves and Piers Socks from the Little Box of Socks using the Kaffe Fassett yarn from Regia. Blogged here.

 

6 needles sticking out is pretty cool, huh?  Or at least I think it looks menacing so when people look in my direction they wonder "what is he doing?"  I worked on the kitchener stitch to close the first heel in a bar tonight with my brothers. The lighting was good but my needle size was just a bit too large. I have this hanging loop thing that I need to work on a bit more before I give up and simply pull the loop to the inside and tack it down. **grrr**

Did you see Cat made me into a puppet? How cool is that?

Gift for MamaChris

I knit a shawl for MamaChris. She is the wonderful lady that I met while working at my LYS. She was the person who asked me why I wasn't in a relationship several years back. I mentioned it in this blog post.

I saw MamaChris today at Knitters Connections. She loves the shawl and it arrived at the perfect time. She needed the lift. It came in the form of a knitted shawl. Multnomah
by Kate Flagg

Finished Socks!

Well, they are footies from the Little Box of Socks by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott. There are a few really nice socks in this gem of a book. The first pair used Cascade Fixation and the Golf/Athletic Socks pattern. I'm pleased with how they turned out.  I did make a few alterations. I did a K2P2 rib for 12 rows instead of the suggested rolled edge.  I do like the garter heel but will combine it with a slipped stitch heel for my next pair.

The new pair of socks uses the Waves and Piers pattern.  I wanted to take advantage of some of the stripping yarn in my stash and wanted to make the socks more interesting.  This pattern should do nicely.  I'm using the Regia yarn in the Kaffe Fassett Colors.



More details on both these projects will be added to my Ravelry page shortly.

Thinking about classes

I've been thinking about classes that might be interesting to teach at my LYS. The trouble for me right now is that I don't have a lot of time to create a new curriculum. Thoughts?



Jeremy suggested his Shadow Knit Greek Key Scarf.   It's a nice scarf and would be a nice one day class.  He's given permission to use the pattern. 

The Leaf Lace Shawl and Swallowtail Shawl are high on the list. Of course, I have to review the copyright for these patterns. I really want to find a pattern that I could get the students to purchase and have good options for yarns.  I'm trying to use up my sock stash yarn.  I also don't want a class to go on for too long. 

I've been really enjoying listening to Hoxton Handmade Podcast. Have you heard it? I'm enjoying the essays and humor of the magazine reviews.  I'll vlog about my love affair on this a bit later. 

Summer 2010 Interweave Knits Review

This is a rant.
I didn't like the IK Summer 2010. You can find the preview here.
I've been frustrated for several years about the lack of man's patterns that are available in knitting magazines.  I've been noticing the increase of online magazines over the last several years and how print magazines are quickly making patterns available for individual purchases just about a year after they showed up in the magazine.  I find this a bit annoying.  Over the last year I've like only a few patterns from IK.

Notice the Singalong Sweater. Which boy wants 3/4" sleeves? Really?! The sweater looks like it doesn't fit.  Poor kid.

Kudos to Kenny for having another pattern available in IK.  He blogs here.

I'm glad to be finished.  I'll be taking my business to the designers that can be found on Ravelry, knitty and TwistCollective. 



Bye IK. I don't see myself in your magazine.
I need your help. What online resources do you use?

knittingbrow & his mom

A chat with my mom.
I want to fix this so she can wear it.

The Turn A Square is out of red Cascade 220.
The Topi pattern is here and is being knit out of Manos. Yes, this is my 5th or 6th one.

knitSB, LJ and I visited mom on Sunday. She cooked turkey and noodles for us. She even made an apple crumble for dessert. Man, was it good. We played euchre and chatted. It was a perfect afternoon and evening.

How I Became A Pirate rehearsal

I love doing shows with TheaterNancy. She has her shows blocked before the auditions happen. The planning makes it easier for the cast and crew to learn what is supposed to happen and when early and gives us all a chance to have some fun! I took a video of, what I call, the soccer ball scene during rehearsal last night.

This show is going to be great!



Want details about HIBAP? Find them here.