Look at me! I’m crocheting!

Not long after I started knitting, my mom decided to show me how to
crochet as well.  My grandmother is an amazing crocheter – she has made
her grandchildren & great-grandchildren so many crochet afghans and
I’m lucky to have several in my possession to keep me warm.  And my mom
did crochet more than knitting for a long period of time, so she thought
she should teach me that too!  Unfortunately, while I picked up
knitting fairly easily, it wasn’t the same story with crochet.  I just
couldn’t get it & got so frustrated.  So I abandoned the hooks &
turned deaf ears to everyone who told me “It’s fun and so much easier
than knitting!”.

But I’ve been becoming more interested in crochet
in the past few months, especially with the addition of crochet
patterns
to the IDP program.   There are so many that I love, but
most of all is Lauren
Osborne’s Adva Scarf

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Crocheted Shawl – week 1

I got my yarn (Stroll Tonal Gypsy) and wound it…  enlarged the chart for my selected pattern (Diamonds Shawl from Crochet so Fine)… got my crochet hook… and ready to go…   At first I started reading
the pattern since crochet charts were not familiar to me…  but I
ripped out several times and thought UGH!!!  so I tried the chart…

what a difference!  just like knitting charts make life easier, so
do crochet charts, so don’t let them scare you away!  and a little
hint: get a highlighting pen and mark the rows as you complete them… 
makes it much easier to find your spot…  I also do counting a head of
time on some of the larger repeats, so I don’t have to stop at each
row…

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New England Knits & Gloss sneak peek

I have been so excited about New England Knits since we first started seeing pictures from it and I finally got my very own copy!

We’re all pretty excited about it here – in fact Kate & I
unknowingly both tweeted about how excited we were about it. I went to
the coast this weekend & with the cool weather there, it was
perfect time to thumb through it & think about all the lovely
cardigans I want to make!  And goodness, I think I want to make every
single project in this book – something I haven’t seen in a book for a
very long time – well that doesn’t include cute toys like Knitting
Mochimochi! 🙂

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Mastering Color Knitting – and a giveaway!

Since finishing my first real colorwork project (the Grab a Pint Mitts
I wrote about awhile back), I’ve been wanting to get more & more
into colorwork.  Well, lo & behold, Melissa Leapman is putting out a
brand new book called Mastering Color Knitting!  Perfect timing right?

There are some neat patterns included – I really like this scarf included in the double knit reversable section

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Podcast Episode 51: Sock Blanks!

We love our sock blanks!! And, after several months of secretive planning and knitting, Tina and I are thrilled to be able to share a few of our experiences as we worked out the details and then enjoyed our own dyeing and knitting pleasures.
Sock Blank Information
Blank Dyeing Tutorial – Video
Blank Dyeing Instructions – PDF
Dye Pattern Techniques – PDF
Sock Blank Knitalong
Free Toe-Up, Two-at-a-Time, Magic Loop Sock Pattern
Sock Blank Materials
Sock Blanks
Jacquard Acid Dyes

What’s On My Needles
To keep up with my knitting progress during the week, be sure to check out my personal blog.

3 easy ways to listen…
Suscribe in iTunes Episode 51: Sock Blanks! RSS feed

Music used in this Podcast
Introduction: A Sunken Ship Irony – Reflection at Sundown [http://spotlessrecords.com/asunkenshipirony/]
Book Review: Jim Ronayne – The Three Brethren [http://www.jimronayne.co.uk/]
What’s On My Needles: Beyond The Pale – The Music Plays Me …

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Podcast Episode 52: To Block or Not to Block

Blocking is one of those essential elements for successful knitting that is oddly left out of basic lessons. But, I love blocking for several reasons. It not only helps before you begin a project but is very important after you having finished your knitting.
Books in Book Review

Easy Beaded Knits by Jeanette Trotman
25 Beaded Knits by Debbie Abrahams
Stunning Shawls and Wraps by Scarlet Taylor
Tools in Book Review
Kookaburra Wool Wash

Lace blocking wires

Fork pins
What’s On My Needles
I am so happy being able to finally turn all my creative attention to my own knitting projects. No more work knitting and no more big trips are planned. We are going to be heading up to Canada next week to watch some friends play in a golf tournament. A long drive in both directions will be perfect for the garter stitch baby blanket knitting. I bought a nice backpack for Xena so my hands will be …

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Podcast Episode 53: Interview with Margaret Hubert

Kelley chats with Margaret, author of “Knits for Men,” about her adventures in designing patterns and writing books.

Knits for Men by Margaret Hubert
To keep up with my knitting progress during the week, be sure to check out my personal blog.

3 easy ways to listen…
Suscribe in iTunes Episode 53: Interview with Margaret Hubert RSS feed

Music used in this Podcast
Introduction: A Sunken Ship Irony – Reflection at Sundown [http://spotlessrecords.com/asunkenshipirony/]
Book Review: Jim Ronayne – The Three Brethren [http://www.jimronayne.co.uk/]
What’s On My Needles: Beyond The Pale – The Music Plays Me [http://www.beyond-the-pale.com/]
Ending: Jim Ronayne – Thoughts Of You [http://www.jimronayne.co.uk/] <

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Podcast Episode 54: It

Summer provides lots of opportunities for knitting in public. If you have hesitated before, take my word for it, now is the time to give it a try.
Books in Book Review
The Best of Interweave Knits edited by Ann Budd

Finishing Techniques for Hand Knitters by Sharon Brant

What’s On My Needles
Lots and walking and knitting while we were in Canada. Thankfully the weather was cool and comfortable. I truly enjoy watching our friends play golf.
I am determined to take my own advice regarding public fiber demonstrations. In my case, it will be learning to handle my drop spindle, or some of my drop spindles to be more accurate.

To keep up with my knitting progress during the week, be sure to check out my personal blog.

3 easy ways to listen…
Suscribe in iTunes Episode 54: It's Summer, time to knit in public! Read more »



Podcast Episode 55: Interview with Gale Zucker

Kelley chats with Gale Zucker, photographer for Shear Spirit.
References
Shear Spirit by Joan Tapper
Flickr tattoo

North American Babydoll Southdown Sheep Association and Registry
Gale’s website
What’s On My Needles
To keep up with my knitting progress during the week, be sure to check out my personal blog.

3 easy ways to listen…
Suscribe in iTunes Episode 55: Gale Zucker Interview RSS feed

Music used in this Podcast
Introduction: A Sunken Ship Irony – Reflection at Sundown [http://spotlessrecords.com/asunkenshipirony/]
Book Review: Jim Ronayne – The Three Brethren [http://www.jimronayne.co.uk/]
What’s On My Needles: Beyond The Pale – The Music Plays Me [http://www.beyond-the-pale.com/]
Ending: Jim Ronayne – Thoughts Of You [http://www.jimronayne.co.uk/] <

Read more »