I love dyeing yarn.

I took a class from Tina Newton and we dyed sock yarn. I love dyeing yarn. I want to do more. This could be a slippery slope for a new way to have fun. Just look at how I'm concentrating and watching Tina with fascination. (picture from "IrishGirlieKnits")

All I can say is WOW

Way to go Staff Sgt. John Sorich IV

"COURTESY JOHN SORICH. Sgt. John Sorich, 26, of Eden Prairie (far right, closest to the camera) taught 10 of his fellow Army Reserves troops how to knit during their one-year deployment in Iraq. A few of them needed convincing first, but found the skill to be a great stress-reducer"

Read this StarTribune article.

Springtime Knitting

The weather is warming up and soon it will be too warm to be knitting winter wool. I am now working on a couple of projects for the summer. The first one is "Rainbow Silk Cloud" the name is obvious it is colorful and it does feel light as a cloud.

When I try this on it feels like wearing Cotton Candy. This is the second project I've knit with this type of yarn Mohair and Silk mix and I love the way it's kind of cool and warm at the same time. I know this does not make any sense, how can a sweater be cool and warm too? I don't know but it is. Some things are just magic and this sweater is one of those.

It packs up really small and does not wrinkle and is great for traveling. I have a couple of trips planned this year and look forward to making this sweater part of my travel wardrobe. The pattern I use is from the class I teach "Template Knitting" a basic top down raglan sleeve garter stitch. The class I'm affectionately calling "Gypsy Knitting" and it's a fast, easy knit. I will be teaching this class in May at the Santa Monica Library.

I'm always fascinated how we can make a whole entire garment from string, in this case almost like cob web thin silky mohair "string".

Size 10 needle which makes a lacey fabric and the project knit up very fast. Instant gratification that is always a bonus for me. Because I'm not a monogamous knitter, here is one of the other projects I'm working on. Again the same pattern with different yarn and it makes it look like it's a totally different pattern.


I call this one Molly because the colors remind me of Molly the owl. Who is Molly the owl? Here is the link. There is a couple who love birds in San Marcos California, (a bit South of here). They put up an owl box and waited 2 years for an owl to move in. Molly and McGee moved in Carlos the owner of the box put up a camera and the world started watching Molly sitting on her eggs.

The colors are not showing up the same way as on my monitor but this yarn I got does remind me of the colors Molly has. She is a barn owl and is now a proud mama of 3 Owlettes. It was fascinating to watch these little eggs hatch. Something I've never seen before. Isn't the internet wonderful?

And guess what Carlos who narrates the goings on periodically talked about his wife Donna being a knitter. One day she was off to her stitch n bitch group.

I'm progressing nicely with this summer short sleeve cardigan. I've tried it on and it too feels very nice and soft. I think this will be a wonderful little cardigan for the summer. Size 5 needle the yarn doubled and is still cob web thin but it makes a wonderful light weight fabric.

I bought the yarn a a wonderful little store in Manhattan Beach, California.

Srpingtime Haircut

Clara Parkes you're amazing

I really like Clara Parkes, she is a wonderful writer and so very knowledgeable about fiber and such. She is an author of several books and the creator of Knitter's Review. Before Ravelry and still today a wonderful fun place for knitters to chat and share information.

Check out her reviews on knitting related things like tools, events, shops, new books etc. New this week a great article about Yarn from Ducks! Softer than Cashmere! Wow I want some.

Fiber Preview: Quakmere

Clara Parkes left her career in San Francisco's booming high-tech industry to pursue her love of knitting. She now lives on the coast of Maine in a farm house full of fleece, fiber, and yarn. Best-selling author of The Knitter's Book of Yarn (Potter Craft, October 2007), she is the publisher of the top-ten knitting website KnittersReview.com, and a frequent contributor to Interweave Knits and Twist Collective.

The Knitter's Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding, Using, and Loving This Most Fabulous Fiber

Bag Furniture?

I think I want one. A perfect Knitting Couch, room for projects and tools.

Quinze & Milan has teamed up with bag manufacturer Eastpak to create a limited edition collection of "backpack furniture" to be featured during the 2010 Milan Design Week.

The Buttons are picked out & sewn on,

The ends are weaved in (well most of them) and the buttons are finally decided on and sewn on and the sweater is totally finished. (Unless I feel like changing it in the future)....I always give myself permission to change my mind or even re-change my mind. When it comes to a project that I am designing for myself I usually make adjustments as I try it on and even wear it around the house to sort of give it a test wear.

The "Winter Wonderland" cardigan fits perfectly, the sleeves are just the right length and I love it. Although it is spring now so it's turning out to be my Springtime "wear every day" sweater. I have a tendency to wear a piece of clothing frequently if I feel comfortable with it. I'm wearing it right now and it's soft and comfy. I'm sure my friends get tired of seeing me in the same clothes but if I'm comfortable so be it.

They say Albert Einstein wore the exact same clothing every day and his closet was full of the same color clothing. I have a bit of "Einsteinism" in me, I like to buy several of the same pieces of clothing and wear the same thing every day like a uniform for the season.

A sleeveless tank under the sweater is perfect for this time of year's spring weather here in Southern California. I know I will have this sweater for a long time and will get good use out of the work and money I put into it.


The buttons I chose are from a collection of buttons with rhinestones in the middle. They are approximately the same size but each is different color and detail. Picking out the buttons is always kind of a weird exercise for me.

I have a nice and somewhat large collection of buttons, collecting buttons is in my genes. I inherited a big jar of old buttons from my mother. Some buttons are sentimental and some buttons are so beautiful that I don't want to use them. This makes no logical sense at all but it is what it is. This time I was able to enjoy and use buttons from my collection.


Buttons of all shapes and sizes, I love them so much fun to play with. I have so many but I still want more.

Going for Gold

In 2006 The YarnHarlot (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee) came up with the Knitting Olympics. Stephanie is just a witty and funny person and a hoot to be around. I got to spend some time with her up at the Sock Summit last summer. I was her "volunteer helper" during her book signing. Sitting behind her and listening to her funny conversations was great. Check out her blog or some of her books and you will see her great sense of humor. The Knitting Olympics idea immediately caught on and knitters from all around the world started knitting. They formed teams, projects were picked very carefully and rules were written.

Eligibility: Any knitter who, embracing the "Citius, Alitius Fortius" ideal, would like to challenge themselves while embracing the Olympic spirit, and is just whacked enough to play along with me.

Concept: You must cast on a project during the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics (Feb 10)- and finish before the Olympic flame goes out (Feb 26). That's 16 days.

Rules:
1. The project must be a challenge for you to complete in 16 days.
2. There are no rules about what a challenge would be. Like the real Olympics, there are many areas to compete in. If you are a new knitter, then a garter stitch baby sweater might do...If you are experienced, well. I've already considered Torino. Use your own conscience.
3. While this is intended to be somewhat difficult (like the Olympics) it is not intended to ruin your life. Don't set yourself up for failure. (Olympic athletes may cry, but they do not whine pitifully, sob and threaten members of their family with pointed sticks because they haven't slept in five days. ) This is intended to (like the Olympics) require some measure of sacrifice, and be difficult, but it should be possible to attain.
4. No casting on before the flame is lit.
5. Finish before the flame goes out.
6. You may swatch before the games. (I consider this "training.")

Medals?
The Knitting Olympics has only a gold medal. (There is only do- or do not.) Finishers get a gold medal button for their blog, their name entered into a draw for a chance at a prize from me, and the joy of knowing that they are an Olympic level knitter, no matter how experienced they are. You are only competing against yourself. (Well. And the Olympic schedule.)

During the Winter Olympics this year I took on the challenge. I did not join any teams just on my own started a sweater I call it "Winter Wonderland". I think it was the colors that grabbed me first and it just looked like a perfect project for Winter Olympics Knitting.

The yarn I'm using is "Malabrigo" worsted wool and the color is called "dejavu". I bought the yarn at one of my favorite yarn "dealers" a store in Manhattan Beach, California called Twist. Owned by Cathy Karen, her taste in yarn, fiber and colors is exquisite, her artistic sense is evident all over this small little gem of a store.

The pattern of course is improvised in the "template knitting" top down style. Start at the top and knit like hell until you decide that the raglan sleeve reaches that magic under arm spot. I'm using yarn overs for the increases with an anchor stitch in between.

This is the class I teach and this "template" can be sized up or down. If you want to knit a sweater for Barbie or Big Foot the same formula applies. Start at the top and try it on as you go, the next thing you'll know you have a sweater. And it's easy as that.

ps. As I was binding off the last stitches during the closing ceremonies and jumped up with glee announcing that I DID IT! My son is looking at me like I had finally lost it. I explained the gig to him and he declared himself the judge and immediately started giving me points.

10 points for speed, you finished it it record time.
10 points for color way, those are really nice colors.
5 points for landing, the ends are not weaved in.

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2585403

A weekend of knitting with Lily Chin.

It's taking me days to try and absorb all the information I learned during the 2 day seminar with Lily Chin. My oh my she has a lot of energy and a wealth of knowledge. I attended a very unique workshop at Newton's Yarn Country last weekend. It was two eight hour days chuck full of knitting information. Lily was teaching, hand knitting, crochet and machine knitting all at the same time! As far as I know I've never heard of any classes in all three at the same time.

It is so logical because many of us practice all three and personally I think of each skill as a tool to get the job done. I've heard remarks like if you machine knit you are cheating or chrocheters are not quite in the same league as hand knitters etc. All silly because I love it all and was grateful to receive instructions in each. I feel I really learned a lot and it's taking me days to think about how to apply all this to my projects.

Here are some links:
http://www.knitonthenet.com/designchart/
http://www.theknittingsite.com/graph.htm?ref=1
Some shows Lily did for DIY "Knitty Gritty":
http://www.diynetwork.com/videos/secrets-of-stitching/5860.html
http://www.diynetwork.com/videos/stitching-with-beads/7776.html
http://www.diynetwork.com/videos/decorative-stitches/7985.html

Another day Another bag.

I love combining felted (shrunk) knitting with regular knitting. The felted area gives the project more body because it's thicker. I've been designing these little project bags and have made several. The bottom is felted so it stands up and the top is knitted. The decoration "curly cues" are needle felted on the bottom, to add a bit of pizazz.

Because I name most of my projects I named this bag Arizona. It just has that South Western flavor to it. Made of wool and the bottom has a bit of detail about 3" of a Moebious then decreases to make the narrow part. When I want it to sit on it's bottom the point tucks in and it sits flat. Perfect for a little sock project on the go. Just the right size to hold a ball of yarn.

My xxx zig zag stitch is added for holding the needles and keeping the stitches safe. (I made a little video demonstrating how to do this stitch here.) The bag is attractive and practical, it turned out well.

Knitting Guild News

I am a member of two knitting guilds in my area, the Sand & Sea the Slipt Stitchers and occasionally I attend a machine knitters group that meets in the San Fernando Valley. The guilds are organized and belonging to a knitting guild or a knitting group has been an enjoyable activity for me. I've learned a lot from other knitters and enjoyed getting together with them. The guilds also offer educational programs, right here locally and at lower cost than other knitting venues.

We have "show and tell" which is really terrific to be able to see all the wonderful projects the members have done. Being able to ask questions about how and what techniques were used perhaps even shown the particular technique has been wonderful.

I am the educational chair person for Sand & Sea Guild and we have two workshops a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. I booked Amy Singer to come and teach us from Knitty.com in April and Anna Zilboorg to teach in October. Very exciting to see them both and I look forward to all the wonderful things we will be learning from them.

If you live in the Los Angeles area and you think you may want to attend these workshops send me an eMail. I will put you on a special list, if we have any spaces left we will accept non guild members to sign up and take the workshop. You might want to become a member of the guild the cost is $25 dollars a year, well worth it. We meet on the second Saturday of the month from 11 am to 1:30 and a pot luck lunch is served.

Location: St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 11555 National Blvd. Los Angeles 90064

Amy is going to teach "Plug-and-Play shawl design"

In this class, Amy will give you a simple plug-and-play manual that will let you turn sock yarn, or any other fingering-weight yarn, into something gorgeous to wrap around your shoulders. Triangles and rectangular wrap options are offered and the lace patterns are guaranteed easy-but-beautiful.

This class provides the basis for designing your own lace shawls and an afternoo's instruction, feedback and support as you wrok through your ideas.

Who is Amy?

Born in New Jersey, Amy R Singer has spent most of her life in Canada and likes it there.

A professional editor and proofreader in the advertising industry
since 1986, Amy used to think she was wasting away the Bachelor's
degree in Radio & Television Arts she earned at Ryerson
University. But in 2006, she quit her day job and is now wasting away her degree with a career in knitting, as a full-time writer, and editor of the online knitting magazine Knitty.

Thanks to the gentle patience of her grandma Lillian, Amy learned to knit when she was 6. She vaguely remembers creating large, shapeless blobs of garter stitch, but has managed to block out the details. Allergic to wool and insanely sensitive to most animal fibers, she has cultivated an intense appreciation for non-wool yarns. If you ask her what she's coveting now, she'll tell you that nothing turns her crank like a skein of hand-dyed silk from Handmaiden.

I'm getting ready to teach Felting

Just to get in the mood I'm watching one of my favorite Youtube videos. Mongolian Felt Making, I'm not sure why this fascinates me and why I can watch it many times but it amuses me each time. Maybe in a previous life I was a Mongolian felt maker.



Then there is this:



And here are some of my felted projects I finished in the past. All of them well used and enjoyed.

Just finished

I love color and texture and most of all function. If I can custom make something that is cleverly useful I am satisfied with the project. I've been using this bag from the minute I bound off the stitches and put the last needle felted detail on the bottom.

This little bag is designed to hold yarn or some sock knitting project to make it portable and pretty. The bottom is crochet & felted in the washing machine. Then stitches are picked up and knit in the round. I finished it off with some needle felting. The iCord is long enough to be able to wear across the shoulders also can be tied shorter to hang on my wrist keeping the yarn handy as I'm knitting.

Love this little bag, I'm making more of these for sure. And yes I added my current favorite stitch the Elongated Zig Zag stitch. It seems to work itself into a lot of my projects. I made a little YouTube video demonstrating it here.


I'm almost finished with my "Goth Socks" see them peeking out? I'll post more about the socks next time.