More News about the classes I'm teaching....

Once again I don't know who had more fun my students or I. In preparation for the classes I learned so much! Having to slow down and analyze how and what techniques I use or researching other techniques led me down a path of new knitting skills to be learned. The class has structure but it's a very relaxed "sitting around the table and knitting" sort of attitude. One of my students described my style of teaching as "organic".

I teach many different techniques that you can use in any of your knitting projects not just top down knitting. Knitting sweaters from the top down is ideal to make a sweater that truly will fit the wearer because you can try it on as you progress. We put so much time and effort into a knitted garment and to find out that it does not quite fit at the end or it's not quite what you had in mind is disappointing. When you are knitting a sweater and following a pattern even if you followed every instruction to the letter it's really a gamble weather it's going to fit or not. The first time you can actually try on a sweater knit in pieces is when all the pieces are done and you are able to pin it together and try it on. Well by that time it's too late to make adjustments, but with a top down technique you can try on the sweater as you go along and make any adjustment you feel are needed. I love knitting from the top down.

My friend Ellen is also a big fan of top down knitting check out her blog entry about it.

Last week I was doing "short rows". I found that there was 5 different ways to do short rows? Who knew? I tried them all and have come up with my own "hybrid" of doing short rows and I call it "the banana short row". (well what else would I call it) I have never seen it done this way in any books or on the web, I'm sure somebody must be using it because there is nothing new in knitting but I've never seen it done quite this way. It's a combination of a yarn over and Japanese short row but no pins are involved, no yarn overs or wrapping either. The result is pretty neat and hides the "turn" really well. I am working on some pages on my web site with pictures to describe it and help teach it. bananaknits.com

Updating and designing the web site has been a challenge and a lot of work, if you check it out send me an eMail and let me know what you think. And of course it's a work in progress, I'm adding things as I find them and as time permits etc......

We added another session:

The Knitting from the Top Down class was a great success, we had 11 people sign up and a waiting list of 4 so we added another session in November to accommodate the waiting list and some others who wanted to take the class.


Design Your Own Top Down Sweater

The response to this class was pretty amazing. Not only did it fill up, but we had a waiting list for the next class! So by popular demand, Ana Petrova is returning in November to teach another session of this wildly popular class. Ana will show you how to design your own sweater knit from the top down using any yarn at any gauge. She also gives you lots of awesome new skills you can use in all your knitting projects! Students taking this class must know how to knit & purl, cast on, bind off and should have a basic understanding of knitting from patterns. Also there is homework between classes that you are expected to complete before the next scheduled class.
Dates: Thursdays, November 6, 13 & 20 with a followup class to be determined.
Time: 6pm-8pm
Cost: $65 + materials

A Mano Yarn Center
12808 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310.397.7170

The classes I'm teaching.

The sock class went really well, I don't know who had more fun the students or I. We knit socks and I learned so much putting this class together it was very rewarding and fun. Some of the time I wondered why am I doing this? So much work, lots of knitting, writing patterns oh my is that tedious. But now that it's put together I can teach this class with ease.

We knit socks on 9" circular needle, goes fast and easy knit.

Now the next class:

Design Your Own Top Down Sweater

Whether you're a first-time sweater knitter or an experienced knitter who wants to expand their skills, this class with award-winning knitter Ana Petrova is for you. You'll learn to create your own sweater knit from the top down using any yarn at any gauge. The beauty of the top down sweater is that you can try it on as you go so it fits perfectly. Students taking this class must know how to knit & purl, cast on and bind off. Also there is homework between classes that you are expected to complete before the next scheduled class.
Dates: Thursdays, September 11, 18 & 25 with a followup class to be determined.
Time: 6pm-8pm
Cost: $65 + materials

A Mano Yarn Center
12808 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310.397.7170

"This cabin contains a Knitter"

I was just organizing some of my "knitting" stuff and I ran across this sign that Patricia put up on the SeaSocks 08 trip to Alaska. Each cabin door that had knitters had one of these clever signs. There was 130 of us on board so there was lots of knitting going on during the cruise.

This cabin contains a Knitter...

Knitters are uniquely wonderful folks. They have been known to travel in packs, seeking out other Knitters as if they have radar. Often Knitters can be identified in the wild by the way they notice all the hand-knits around them. Leave a hand-knit unattended and Knitters will gather not to find the owner, but to examine the seams and the stitch work.

You should approach a Knitter with care. First, be sure the Knitter is not counting (note the small motions of the Knitter's mouth). Next, do not instantly reach for the project or any yarn near the Knitter. Ask permission to touch and gush accordingly.

Do not ask about commercially available alternatives to the knitted item. No Knitter knits because it is economical. They knit for relaxation, addiction, love, drive, or other reasons too numerous to list. Ask any knitter and they will tell you why they knit, and the answers are as diverse as the Knitter.

Be warned -- asking about a Knitter's craft may result in needles and yarn thrust into your hands.

Knitting is addictive.

I thought I would include a picture of this sign hanging on the door of the cabins but.... I could not find a one. I thought I took a picture of it goodness knows we took pictures of everything. You can imagine 130 knitters with digital cameras, lots of blogging about it and there are 3,826 pictures posted up on flickr.

But what fun I had looking for the picture, it took me back to the trip. I feel refreshed like I just took a little mini trip. I love the internet, we are all able to post our pictures so we could see each others photos.

The "Pedicure" sock....

One of the little luxuries in life for me is having my nails done, not so much my finger nails groomed but my pedicures...... oh it is so relaxing ..... oh it is so makes me feel like a queen even if it's just for an hour.

I like to wear red nail polish on my toe nails and in the winter time wearing my "crocs" my feet get cold and I don't want to wait patiently till the polish dries besides the polish never really dries for hours.

I designed the "Pedicure Sock"

"This little piggy went to ...... have her nails done"

Yarn I used is Universal, Deluxe Chunky LP 100% wool.
The pattern is improvised.
Cuff top, "banana short row heel" crochet "toes".

Summer Knitting part "deux"... will it wash well?

I'm always hesitant laundering a knitted garment, I never know how it's going to hold it's shape and drape and over all look. Will it come out looking like a dishrag or will it be as "good as new"?

After spending $80 dollars on the yarn and all that work what will happen when I wash it? Should I take it to the dry cleaners? Oh no not the "dry" cleaners! That just means a lot of chemicals and now a days $..... I think last time I had something at the dry cleaners it cost me $7 dollars and quite frankly I was not crazy about the way they "pressed" it. The cleaners I go to is very very good, I've tested them out over the years so it's not them it's just that a knitted garment is a delicate operation to clean.

So it's always with trepidation when it comes to washing a knitted project for the first time. Because I've been wearing "Marsh" almost every day for about a week it was time for a bath. Mind you some days I only wore it a couple of hours and some days even less I did not feel it was all that dirty but I just did not want to start smelling like some of the people wondering around here in Venice. But I digress.

Because I work at home and often in my pajamas I only get "dressed" when I have to leave the house and I confess I sometimes go out in my pajamas but around here nobody knows the difference. Some days I take a shower and put on a clean pair of pajamas à la Hugh Hefner, pajamas are the most comfy wear for me and yes right now as I write this I am in my pajamas. But again I digress, back to the big test will it wash or not?

I'm using cold water and "Eucolan" soap. It is recommended for all natural fibers, according to their label and I've had good success with it before. I rinse it out some of the time depending on the garment oh yes sometimes I do not rinse!

Saves time and labor. Just soak your wool garment and squeeze out the moisture; no need to rinse or use a softener. Recommended for all natural fibers, cotton baby diapers and for laundering sheep skins. Contains fiber-restoring lanolin and moth-inhibiting eucalyptus or lavender scent. Try it - you will not want to use anything else. Available in Eucalyptus and Lavender.

Oh the water is starting to turn dark! Not a good sign! No I was not gardening or digging ditches it must be the dye coming out. Oh I just hope this works I love this top and if it does not wash well all that expense and work out the window. I let it soak then give it a rinse till the water is clear and carefully squeeze out the water and wrap it up in a towel as if it was a baby.

Then I laid it out flat and crossed my fingers. And ..... Wait.... it's a nice summer day and it dried in a few hours.

Yes! It passed the test the top is as good as new! The color looks the same the shine is there and the drape is actually a bit better. So success!

Summer Knitting

The other day when I was having my nails done and was actually sitting still without knitting one of the ladies who knows me remarked that I must not be knitting because it's summer time. Not at all my nails were wet, I didn't want to mess up the bright red nail polish I sometimes wear.

Yes I knit during the summer, maybe not a wool sweater or a lap blanket but certainly summer things like this top I made for comfort and cool. The cotton and rayon content of this Blue Heron yarn has a very nice feel to it and the boucle adds a particular shine to the fabric.

It took 2 skeins about $80 bucks, no knitting is not cheap, but so much fun to make and then to wear. Exactly to my size and exact length and comfort. Oh the pattern well I made that up, it's not rocket science.

- Marsh -

Cotton and Rayon Boucle

I'm teaching some classes.....

I'm not sure what "pos·sessed" me but I agreed to teach a couple of knitting classes at my LYS (Local Yarn Store). I've created a bunch of extra work for myself..... shish....

I decided to write an original pattern for the sock class. The sock is called "Mandzsetta" which simply means cuff in Hungarian. Why because I love to name my projects and I like to get very "creative" with my naming. No simple task mind you it takes some research and thought to name children, puppies and projects.


I have been extremely busy knitting samples and writing patterns as I say I've created a bunch of extra work for myself but it's a labor of love.


BananaKnits.com is teaching a SOCK Class

at Amano Yarn Center

When: Saturday Aug 23 rd & Saturday August 30 th 2008
What Time: ... 3-5 pm


A Mano Yarn Center
12808 Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90066

(310) 397-7170 phone

amanoyarn@gmail.com

I'm posting this because I want to learn how to do fair isle knitting and it's just easier to have it on my blog then to go and search around for it.

Fair Isle Knitting with 2 yarns in the left hand, Continental Style.

Hiya Hiya Sock it to me.

My newest discovery: Knitting socks on a 9" circular needle. It has opened a whole new world. I usually knit socks on 5 double pointed needles and have been satisfied with this method. Well during the SeaSock Cruise to Alaska a lady named Angela was knitting on these tiny little needles and her progress was remarkable.

I thought I would give it a try, it takes a bit of getting used to but the speed you pick up is amazing. I am a convert from now on it's 9" circular for me. Socks knitted from some of my yarn stash from Alaska.

http://www.hiyahiya.com

Indiana Jones actress: " went to go knit"

Karen Allen Fiber Arts
Handmade Cashmere Clothing

from the Los Angeles Times:

Did she quit Hollywood or did Hollywood quit her? We mean, after 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and that nakedly classical opening salvo: "Indiana Jones. I always knew someday you'd come walking back through my door." There was, less remembered now, 1984's "Starman," in which she played another loner tough girl -- this one visited by an outer-space creature (Jeff Bridges).

But at some point she went to go knit in the Berkshire Mountains.

Yarn Shops we visited.

2818 NE 55th St.

Seattle, WA 98105
800-987-6354
(206) 525-1726

Acorn is a delightful shop and staff! Very helpful nice selection of high quality yarns and gadgets for the knitter. I met Janet and she was a delight, had some great giggles with her, by the time I got home she had already added me to her "friends" on Ravelry.com If I ever go to Seattle again I am definitely going to visit this shop.

************

Churchmouse Yarns and Teas
118 Madrone Lane,
Bainbridge Island,
WA 98110
206.780.2686
Very nice people, nice and organized and if you are into tea they have it.

************
The Weaving Works
4717 Brooklyn Ave. NE
Seattle, WA 98105
206.524.1221
If you are a "spinner" this shop is a must. Previous to this trip I only spin around my own axes but I am now a proud owner of 3 drop spindles and lots of roving to spin. I'll let you know how that goes.

************
Bead & Yarn Shoppe: Salmon Landing Market

Second Floor,
Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-2858

‎
Amy Singer from Knitty.com shopping .......


Brenda Dayne from Cast-on a knitting podcaster also shopping as the rest of us. Oh the sooo soft and warm Quiviot !

I actually have so many pictures and as time permits I will be posting more. I just wanted to remember the yarn stores we visited. Oh so much fun to shop for yarn.....

Alaska was Beautiful!

I had a wonderful time, knit and ate and knitted some more and then we ate dinner. Then we knitted and had a snack. ...... ... ......

Thank You Ellen Bloom

Ellen posted about the gallery show last Sunday and she did a wonderful job! Great Pictures Ellen!

Just Dreaming

Felted, and warm and cozy

I'm packing these, just getting ready to go to Alaska! It's SeaSocks 08! Wow I can hardly wait knitting socks on the high seas!

I'm part of a Exhibition in Venice

Please come to the reception on Sunday, May 4th, 2008. Reception will be a fun party. Wear your tiara, I'm wearing mine. Live music by Fred Sokolow, Lina Sved & emerging musicians.

I have submitted 5 pieces to an Art Gallery and my pieces will be part of an Exhibit called

"All Fired Up!"

The exhibit will run from May 4th, 2008 through May 25th, 2008.

The Reception will be May 4th from 3-6 pm at the Gallery.

"Off Rose Gallery"
841 Flower Avenue
Venice, CA 90291

310-664-8977

Gallery Hours: Saturdays 2-5 pm or by appointment.

Directions: Rose Avenue & Lincoln Blvd.
One block south of Rose just east of Lincoln Blvd.
The Gallery is in the back.