april - 2007

April 23, 2007

Just a quick note before I leave for NC: 
The One skein Wonder we're doing this Wednesday is the cell phone holder on page 66. Of course I had to knit one - it's a lot of fun - and of course then I had to knit another one with a couple refinements.  I wrote them down so you'll have them if you come this week.  Here they both are, with the original on the left and my version on the right. 

      The reason I'm writing is that I did mine on a size 7 needle instead of an 8.  Either will do, but bring a 7 if you want a firmer knit.

Have fun and see you next week!

Trish

April 16, 2007

I love knitting.

I know, you're thinking, "Of course you do, you nut, you own a yarn store!"  But think of this:  In the last 5 years, I've probably spent more time knitting than 99.9% of knitters get to spend in their entire lives.  I knit all the time except when I'm at work, which is strange if you think my work is knitting.  It's not.  My work is running a yarn store, which I also love, but believe it or not, there are many yarn store owners out there who don't knit much.  But I do.  Knitting is still my hobby, my relaxation, my passion.  I like crochet because it involves yarn which I also adore and gives my tired hands something different to do when I've been knitting too much.  But knitting  - well, I just love it.

What is it about knitting that gets me so worked up?  I've been thinking about it lately.  Is it the yarn?  Somewhat - who doesn't love a heavenly bit of cashmere or softly spun merino running through your fingers?  But frankly, if I only had acrylic, or kitchen cotton, or grocery twine to work with, I would still knit.

Is it the projects?  I love them: sweaters, mittens, bags, socks, scarves, all of them.  I love looking for the perfect pattern, choosing the perfect yarn, wearing them or giving them as gifts or even just putting them on display. I'm working on a scarf for my brother-in law, who is a champion guy, just a great, great person.  He wants a red scarf, my sister told me.   He shall have the best one I can make, I think.  I look all through the shop for a great guy red.  I pick one thing (too hairy), then another (too purply), then another (too RED!!!) finally find the absolute perfect dark but true red for him in a soft merino/alpaca blend. For Mickey I would gladly do cashmere, but this yarn, inexpensive though it is, is perfect.  Then I want to find a great stitch pattern.  He lives in Western PA, where it gets really cold and ugly in winter.  I want a warm scarf that will make him feel cozy and cherished.   I want a pattern stitch that is dense but not stiff, fancy without being feminine, lies flat and holds it shape.  I swatch, I read stitch dictionaries, I swatch, I look through magazines and I swatch.  I finally find a great stitch - it makes a thick fabric that isn't stiff and lies flat.  It's a nice pattern - complicated-looking and not frou-frou in any way and attractive on both sides.   I try various needle sizes and rip out several times until I get the right width, the right density, the absolute right fabric. I have had a really good time so far. (Only a knitter would understand just how much fun it all was.)   So is it the projects I love?  Yes, but if all I could ever do was knit swatches in plain white yarn, I would still knit. Here's the scarf, just getting started:

Boiling it down, I think that what I love best about knitting is the way stitches come together in so many ways and every way looks and feels different.  When you come right down to it, knitters and crocheters are the only people in world who can create so many complex fabrics with such simple materials and techniques.  It's so fascinating to me to know that one combination of knits and purls, k2togs and yo's can make an ethereal lace shawl that threatens to float away on the merest breeze, while another combination of the exact same stitches can make a tough bag strong enough for your weekly trip to the farmer's market. Vary one ingredient - stitch pattern, yarn or needle size - and you have a world of fabrics and useful items at your fingertips.  How it all comes together depends on you, the artisan, making good decisions, practicing your techniques, educating yourself, experimenting.  I hope you all feel this way about your "hobby" and that you never lose the thrill of bringing a project to fruition through the use of your skills.

Here are some projects beautifully completed:

Sandy Albert made this adorable hooded baby jacket for one of her grandchildren.  The stitch pattern is all cushion-y, the yarn is a soft cashmere blend and the littile sweater just feels delightful.

Maxine Goodwin used Tartelette, a gorgeous ribbon yarn, to do the ribbed vest we all did in Baby Alpaca.  What a stunning change it made, and now it's wearable well into warm weather, even for those of us who suffer from the dreaded hot flashes.  The ribbon really dressed it up - leave it to Maxine to add drama to a simple design and make it even better.

When I showed you Stephanie Fishkin's baby blanket a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that she got them monogrammed with the baby's name when they were finished.  She brought this one in to show the finished look - lucky little Matthew! (It was done at Initials Only - didn't they do a nice job?  Don't worry - I'm not getting a commission!)  

  Last but not least, this will entice you to think about knitting in the summertime.  Donna Guthrie is designing this reversible cable scarf in a great 100% rayon from Wool in the Woods...  

It's so beautiful that the picture hardly does it justice.  The pattern is fairly simple, and the rayon looks like velvet.  It would also be utterly beautiful in a wool or blend that had a high twist or sheen to it to show off the stitchwork.  This will be a class this summer, I promise!  And I promise that soon all the teachers will be getting together to figure out a fun summer class schedule.  It's not their fault the schedule looks threadbare right now - it's mine!   Soon...          

Meanwhile, I'll be away next week, visiting family in North Carolina, where I hope it is spring, because it certainly doesn't feel like it here.  I'm hoping for open-toed shoes and short sleeves!  The shop will be capably womanned by Becky, Karen, Janet and Deb, so fear not, your yarn yearnings shall be assuaged! (Which reminds me to mention the bee-you-ti-ful colors of Rowan's Summer Tweed that just got here.)

Our One-skein Wednesdays series is having a catch-up session this week - bring any of our projects that you have yet to finish.  Next week we'll be doing a simple but very cute project - the cell-phone holder on page 66.  It's very practical, with a strap that will button onto anything, including a purse strap or a belt loop, so you'll always know where the *%#*!! cell phone is.  There are several colors of Bling-Bling available at the shop, or bring any heavy-worsted weight yarn that you met at Yarn Gallery, and a size-8 needle.  Deb Cech will be there to lead the session and offer support.

I'll miss you all next week - absolutely hate being away from the shop - but love my nephew and can't wait to see his kids.  Life is all about balance, right?  You're probably thanking the stars that you won't have to read through a long contemplation on knitting or whatever next week.  Well, contemplate on this:  I never forget how lucky I am to have you all in my life.

See you soon...

Trish

April 10, 2007

Another holiday behind us - hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.  This was the second Sunday off in a row for me - I could get used to this!  (But don't worry - I won't. Sundays are just great days for classes, plus it's my favorite day at the shop.)  We've been really busy at the shop getting all the spring yarns organized and the new models up.  If you haven't been in for a while, there's a lot to see!

How's about these gorgeous socks?  Amy Lipton made them for her husband Nick.  They were a Christmas present that became an Easter present - I'm guessing that's because of beautiful little Lily Grace who keep them both moving.  Anyway, Nick finally got them and won't take them off!

Here's another wonderful project done in sock yarn.  Katie Perkins knit this adorable baby set from Opal sock yarn, using the free pattern here and I think Ann Norling's baby sock pattern.  So cute!

And here, finally is my Baby Surprise Jacket.  I'm going to teach a class for this beginning Sundays in May.  You can get specifics on the Classes page.  It's fun and cute, and no one will be able to figure out how in the world you did it!  Check out the other classes while you're there.  One that you really should take - and you know who you are! - is Crochet for Knitters.  I'm asked so many questions that this class could answer:  how to crochet seams, how to do a crochet cast-on, how to put a simple edge on a sweater - it's really worth your time and will without a doubt enhance your knitting.

Our One-Skein Wonder project for this week is the Sofia Cowl on page 144.  You need 160 yd of sportweight yarn.  Some people are using Tahki/Stacy Charles "Ritratto" for a dressy look - it will be very pretty and many people have this yarn in their stash (it's irresistible.)  I made mine in Claudia "Sportweight" a handpainted merino that's smooth and comes in great colorways. Excuse the terrible picture.

You'll also need a 16" size 6 circular and a marker. Remember, the session starts at 7 but if you need supplies, please come a bit early.

See you soon!

Trish

April 3, 2007

Ack!  I have no pictures for you this week, and very little time to write.  I was away for a few days - it was a trial run to see if Geordie got along with my sister's goldens, Tess and Ivy, because I want her to keep him while I go to North Carolina in April.  It all went well - those of you who've met Geordie know he's an easy little guy to get along with.  Just one or two little growls from the big girls and things settled down. (Wish I could say the same for my sister and me, but oh, well! Two alpha females in the same house can be tough after a day or two.)

The Baby Surprise Jacket is done except for buttons, but I don't have a picture to show you yet.  If I get a chance, I won't wait till next week.  I hope to have the class scheduled also - it may be an evening class but I have to see where I can fit it in. It turned out great in a worsted weight machine washable yarn called Punto, in a combo of self-striping and solid yarns. Worsted weight yarn gives you about a one-year size, fingering weight is for a newborn, and in-between weight - well, you get the idea.

Deb Cech's Socks on Magic Loop Class just got started again, filled to the gills with enthusiastic sock knitters.  We're trying to schedule the next one, but Deb does, after all, have a real life as a teacher of children.  It's only now and then that she reveals her true identity as Sock Queen of the Universe.  You should see the costume! Ha, I said that as a joke, but we should design one for her, don't you think??  I think we could come up with a very interesting sock-themed super-heroine outfit!   And speaking of socks, I finally got another shipment of Step, the sock yarn with the aloe and jojoba oil right in the yarn.  Nice colors and feels great - price-y but there's nothing else like it on the market right now, so they can ask what they want.

Wednesday Night #3 is coming up and we're going to do the Cabled Headband on page 47 of One-Skein Wonders.  You'll need a skein of heavy worsted weight yarn, such as Montera, or (oooh, yummy soft merino and alpaca) Highlander, size 7 needles, a medium sized crochet hook, and a cable needle.  Sessions start at 7 o'clock, but come early if you need supplies.  As usual, if you haven't paid for the whole series, the cost is $6.  I'm looking forward to it: there's a cool provisional cast-on, and it's a fun first project for anyone new to the twisted ways of cables.  Can't wait to see what they want to do next!

Okay, sorry this is a cropped version of my usual tunic-length blah-blah-blahg, but must catch up the bookwork now.

See you soon...

Trish