KNews at Knitting Today

Hi everyone:  I’m going to blog about my top ten list and the current update so I can move on to some new projects!  You’ll recall one of the projects was the Crossed-Stitch Scarf from 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders.  That really didn’t even qualify as a UFO as it was the closest to being done when Carli and I made the list.  Well, here it is, in all its glory:  one skein of Andy’s Merino II, the pattern from 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders, page 186 and if you scroll down, I’ll tell you how I improvised to make it a quick easy weekend knit.  A note about this yarn:  The dye jobs are different or should I say “Unique” even within a shipment.  I wouldn’t want to have to integrate two skeins of the same colorway into a project, which is why I chose the scarf I did.  The colorway I chose was Mercada De Merino. I’ll be offering a class on this in January if anyone wants to do it hands on . . . .
       
Now, about this stitch pattern and how to speed it up . . . it requires knitting into the 2nd stitch first and then into the 1st stitch.  This is very awkward and time-consuming to do.  I recommend that you wrap your yarn clockwise around the needles instead of counter-clockwise when you purl.  This reverses the stitch on the needle for the knit side and then you can simply knit into the back of the 2nd stitch and then the 1st stitch and continue in pattern across the row.  Eazy Peazy!  Lea-Ann

Well…. now that Kathy has let the cat out of the bag and you all know that the snowman is done and on the tree, I must get around to blogging him.  I have to admit that he’s very cute up on top of that tree.  Not sure if you can see it in the pic or not, but he is holding a little golden star.  Tell you what though, it was not easy.  This poor guy had to undergo an episiotomy, a stuffingectomy and a labotomy (I apologize for any spelling errors) in order to get him to sit straight.  Hey, anything for Christmas, right?!

I have come across a few time savers that you may be interested in.  First and foremost is check out the scrapbooking aisle for cute (and I mean absolutely adorable) brads to use instead of buttons.  Super easy and fast. I also found a little string of Christmas lights.  Also, I would recommend getting the correct size of beads and wire because when it comes to the arms, size does matter.  I rebeaded my snowmen and they look so much better- not to mention it was much quicker and easier.  I did go with the light bulb nose, a different color for each one and a little dab of hot glue held them fast.  Let’s see…  oh, I almost forgot.  I found the poly pellets in the doll making section at Hobby Lobby.  A one pound bag was only three bucks and should do several snowmen.

I am almost done with the shawl and then I will lightening through the first set of snowmen (carolers) and post a pic. 

Happy Thanksgiving, all! - Susan 

No, I’m not talking about the elections…. I mean for my Felted Door Mitten.  I polled everyone at UFO Night (those who hadn’t already voted online) and I received 2 votes for the green and 2 for the blue.  If I add these votes to the ones online the results are as follows:  Garnet = 1 vote; Hunter Green = 4 votes; Royal Blue = 5 votes.   So….  I will be making my mitten in blue (the first one anyway…)  and will embellish with swirls of white mohair (as in snow) with a sprinkling of beads for sparkle.  I envision a snowy winter twilight when I picture this mitten in my head.  I should be able to cast on shortly, and will post pictures when I’m done.  I can’t wait… I’m so stoked!

Okay, here’s the scoop.  I have decided that I absolutely must have a felted door mitten for the winter season.  I’ve liked this project since it came in and now that we have the Shepherd’s Wool I can’t stop thinking about it.  I pull in my driveway and I picture it on my door… I dream about it… I must have it.  So, what’s the problem?  I cannot decide on a color!  I’ll walk out and pick up the skeins and squeeze them; bury my nose and inhale (they all smell the same, in case you’re wondering); turn them over in my hands. But still, no decision.  Those of you who know me know how anal I can be so what comes next will probably surprise you because….

This is where you all come in.  I have narrowed it down to three colors (Hunter Green, Garnet, and Royal Blue- see below, but note that the colors are a bit darker and deeper than what you will see) and I will let all of you pick for me.  Here’s what you do: post a comment telling me which color you like best.  I will go with the color that gets the most votes and then post the finished project here.   The nominees for Felted Door Mitten are:
 

A bit of background:  My house is buttercream yellow with an oak front door.  I have a white porch and no shutters or anything else that may argue with the mitten color. 

So, there you have it.  Post a comment and let’s get the ball rolling.  Pun intended.

Susan

The first thing that comes to mind when I squeeze this yarn is “YUM”.   It’s top merino so it’s extra lofty, which also means that it’s perfect for felting.  The really cool thing about Shepherd’s Wool is that it’s practically homegrown- it is milled and spun right in East Jordan, MI.  I have three projects picked out to do with this yarn, and that’s only because I don’t have time to pick out any more.  I want a Wonderful Wallaby , a pair of Felted Clogs, and a Covered Rock Saddlebag. Oh, and maybe a Felted Door Mitten. Check back in a few days and look for the new Noni patterns.  She’s expanded into clothing designs (cute, cute, cute!) and she now uses Shepherd’s Wool for her designs.  Can’t say as I blame her!  We’re going to carry all 45 colors…. here’s what we have so far.   - Susan

Click to see Shepherd’s Wool

Why am I the only one who has TEN on her list (notice comments from previous post entitled “With a Little Help from some friends . . “? Don’t you guys really have other things stashed away that you need encouragement getting through? Carli, I had to mix the list order up a little bit more than what *we* had originally decided. October is almost here and I want Vicky’s prayer shawl to be done. I think I’m going to stash away the Mexico Socks and only work on them during class time. I’m seriously feeling the need to start a sweater in the new Shepherd’s Wool so I’m diligently working to get the projects that belong to other people off the list. Cross off, done, finished, yeah –

1. Cross Stitch Scarf
2. Peg’s Sweater
3. Becky’s Sweater. 

Retired to Hibernating status: Filigree Lace Shawl. In the bag and working on:

1. Vicky’s shawl
2. Penny’s Baby Sweater repair,
3. Marilyn’s sweater finishing.  
4. Ring of Lace shawl — my travel knitting but I dropped a stitch late during UFO night and I now need to do a repair. I’ll tackle it tonight at horse.  

Notice I have not yet added more to the list, but when I do its going to be Shepherd’s Wool projects. That stuff is just wayyyyy too yummy to ignore for much longer. Oh, and I’m working on a postcard mailing for an upcoming sale — keep your ears tuned! Lea-Ann

Sometimes it takes a while for the correct elements to come together.  Do you know what I mean?  I’ve had my eye on the 2nd Time Cotton for a long, long time and absolutely refused to get rid of it because I just knew the perfect project would come along.  Well, Helene Rush the owner of Knit One, Crochet Too has done it.  She designed “hey, Teach!” for knitty.com.  The best thing about the pattern is it is upsized 55″ and I can’t believe it wouldn’t look good on anyone.  The pattern can be found here:

http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATTheyteach.html

And, it is designed for 2nd Time Cotton, which can be ordered here:

http://www.knittingtoday.com/go.mvc?ID=7070

Hi everyone: Yes, we’ll be here on Good Friday, 10-4 … come and knit! This weekend will also end the Amaiz-ing Baby Trunk show and we’ve just received more new sock yarn as well as Organic Cotton, Ulmo Multy, Snuggly DK, Chacabuco, Linen Isle, new colors of Silkience, new color of Amaizing, new colors of hempathy as well as matching patterns and book.  And, like I said, more new sock yarn. The store is entirely rearranged to freshen up for Spring. Come and enjoy! Lea-Ann
P.S. Only two more openings in the toe-up two at a time sock class that starts this Saturday a.m.

Susan is moving right along on her Noro Hoodie . . . . The yarn is color 150 at http://www.knittingtoday.com/go.mvc?ID=noro . . . Who would have guessed that it had a cool green hidden in the ball?  The pattern is from the Noro Unlimited book:  http://www.knittingtoday.com/go.mvc?ID=81854

Its moving along pretty fast.  If it stays freezing outside at night, perhaps she’ll get to wear it this season! 

- Lea-Ann

starting fifteen more!  The new spring/summer yarns are arriving along with their respective pattern books and leaflets.  I.am.inspired!  I still have a list of projects I want to do from the fall/winter season yarns.  What to do.  Oh, what to do.  I have techniques I want to learn/try/share, I have yarns I want to try, there are new colors of favorite yarns to do new things in, and there are new patterns that inspire . . .  hmmmm!  What do you do?  Lea-Ann