My current “Go To” project

This is the first sock I have made from Camille Chang’s wonderful collection of sock patterns. Camille is a member of our Independent Designer Program. The short repeat in these Tic Tac Toe socks is easy to memorize, or figure out from the row below. That is why these have become my Go To project.

Today is a perfect example. Bob didn’t inform me that we were going out to dinner tonight until we were heading out to the garage this morning. No worries! I did a quick turn-around, went to the living room and grabbed the small Knitting Project Bag holding my socks and accessories.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having this kind of project always ready. Maybe I should change the name to “Marriage Saving” project.

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I am taking a Knitting Day!

Most people would call it a “Mental Health Day”. I am lucky enough to have knitting in my job description so I can take “a day” and still be working.

I can’t explain it but every once in awhile I need to just sit and knit and knit and knit for hours. The urge is irresistible. I have a nice little picnic basket in my office. I am going to take it across the street and settle down on the grass of the office park, in the shade of a big tree and knit. I will take along some water, a new audio book and Xena.

My goal is to get into a nice rythmn with my Gail Shawl. I am at that awkward stage where I am still learning the repeat. I have to think a lot, my hands feel big and clumsy with the fine lace yarn, the bit of fabric is so small and insubstantial that it is almost annoying. The annoying part could just be my mood.

I really need to go knit now!

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Sweater Class Show and Tell

Knitters in our Sweater Class
are doing some wonderful work! I was really excited to see all the
progess and resources that were shared over the last week. Many of us
are discovering that sweater knitting can be easier than we though, and
even those of us who are not ready to knit a sweater have been able to
follow along, ask questions, and bookmark the lessons for future
reference! Follow the link above to view the whole class archive.

This
week, while we’re finishing the body and sleeves of our sweaters, I
have some reader-submitttedmaterial to share–some progress pictures,
some sweater knitting tools, and some design resources! The first is a
progress shot from Linda (poodlechick on Ravelery.) She’s making a
brilliant red seweater with a seed-stitch hem and swatched, cast on,
and knit through the waist decreases all in one weekend! Linda is using
Comfy in Serrano and I love the way this is knitting up!

Next up are progress pictures of the TWO sweaters that Cellogirl is
working along with the class. I have to say, she is a knitting
overaceiver in the best way! Read on to see what she’s done…

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Socks? Umm, not so much

I love this yarn! I bought it at Sock Summit from Gypsy Girl Creations. The colorway is Mountain Home.

But, I am not thrilled with how it is knitting up into a sock. The color change is too long and I’m not feeling the love. So, I have ripped out the sock and I am going to look for a lacy scarf pattern that will take advantage of the way the colors transition. I have two skeins. Plenty to make a scarf in colors that I will love to wear with my winter outfits.

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Dye Blank Contest Winners

Wow!  A lot of you sent us pictures of your custom dyed sock blanks, and we were really impressed with the results!  In case you’re curious and want to see all of the stunning dye blanks, I’ve made a slide show so everyone can see the contest entries, and it is posted in the Dye-Along group here.

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A long weekend of not exactly crocheting

As an absolute beginning crocheter, I have a lot to learn. This weekend I learned that I need to darn in my yarn ends as I finish each block. Otherwise, I will spend many mind-numbing hours threading the needle, weaving the yarn and cutting the yarn. Threading the needle, weaving the yarn and cutting the yarn. Threading the needle, weaving the yarn and cutting the yarn.

All without the assistance of football!! Well, American football. There was plenty of soccer so I guess I should be glad there was something interesting to watch.

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A couple of crochet stumbles

 

I am absolutely thrilled with my crochet progress but I have to
admit that I had to make the center square five times! It has been
thirty years since I had to learn how to read a pattern and make new
stitches! It’s been a good mental exercise. I’ve been pleased with how
comfortable the Soft Touch crochet hook is to hold for hours.

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Design A Sweater. Lesson 4: Sleeves!

I raced through the body of my sweater in order to stay ahead of the
class, but even if you haven’t finished that sections, you can always
start on a sleeve!

Knitting sleeeves can be a welcome break from
working the torso of a sweater–they are more portable, and smaller, so
each round goes much faster and the length gows perceptibly, for a real
feeling of accomplishment! In this lesson, we’ll go over the math
behind sleeve shaping, and discuss some potential modifications that
allow you to get custom sleeves!

Click the link below for the handout:

Lesson 4: Sleeves

And
check out our videos, where I (somewhat tiredly–apologies! I should
maybe not shoot these lessons on Monday!) walk you through the math and
show how the formulas in the handout gave me the sleeve I want!

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You have to have faith to knit lace

 

Here is the absolute beginning of my Gail Shawl! What an ugly tangled looking mess! I couldn’t resist showing it to you, though because I wanted any potential lace knitters to see that everyone’s lace looks bad when it is on the needles. Particularly the first few inches because the knit fabric is so light, it can’t show its’ own structure.

 

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