Happy New Year!

Well, I can't believe how much time has passed since the last post. Christmas is a busy time.
But I still find time to knit. I finished a baby blanket on the machine, with some hand work for the lateral stripes, and a crochet edge. This will go to charity, next December.

Quick Christmas Gifts

Back in October, I knit a scarf for the Creative Festival, using Gedifra Filorosa yarn from my LYS. That yarn is simply a collection of yarns of different texture and colour, that go together, in the opinion of the yarn manufacturer. As a matter of fact, customers commented, that it looks like the manufacturer picked up a handfull of yarn bits, from the factory floor, and just tied them together.

Soooo, I thought, I can do that, with yarn from my stash.
Here is the result.

I collected all my single balls, and part balls of yarn in related colors into a bin, and then started to wind 5 to 7 meter sections, tied them together, and then knit a scarf. Using my LK100, bulky knitter, started at one side of the bed, crochet cast-on 25 to 30 stitches, knit 2 rows, decrease one stitch on one side, increase one stitch on other side, and knit two rows until I reached the desired length.

I think these are gorgeous.

Salad Wristers

These are so much fun to knit, and even more fun to wear. This particular set, (my third) were knit to slip under one of those bell-sleeve tops, that just let too much cold air up my arm in our cold, cold winter. The pattern is available for free on line.

Crochet Angels

With Christmas around the corner, here is a fun and fast crochet project. I will be teaching these angels at EWEphoria in Oak Ridges on Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Two classes have been scheduled, one from 1 to 3 in the afternoon, and in the evening from 6:30 to 8:30. Please call the store to book your spot.
905-773-9300

We knit on the weekend!

This weekend, I had two granddaughters for an overnight stay. Two and a half, and almost five. They love to craft with Nonna. So we made legwarmers on a plastic crank knitting machine from Michael's. The girls knit a long tube in the round, out of fun fur, and I added a one inch ribbing on either end. They were delighted. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture.

My Etsy Store

Today I launched my online Etsy store, called MonikasRainbows. Please visit and look around. This is an amazing place, and I am so proud to be a part of this amazing group of people.
I create because I am compelled to do so. Ideas come, and ask to be created. And when I listen, and allow creativity to happen, I am extremely happy. I hope you all enjoy visiting Etsy.

Happy Birthday!

Jane Thornley Organic Wrap number 3, is a birthday present for my daughter. I gave it to her this past Saturday evening, so now it can be posted. She has always loved pink, so I started with a skein of Handmaided Sea Silk, that had a number of beautiful shades of pink in it, as well as some beige/brown, and the green. Then I started hunting for the other yarns to pick up those colours, and to add texture. Yarn came from two different stores, and a tiny bit of pink eyelash came from my stash. This one was really interesting to knit, especially since the colours were not my usual pallette. I know my daughter was surprised, and pleased, that I had created this work of art for her. I was surprised how difficult it was for me to part with it, as it really had become a part of me for well over a month. I guess that's the "artist" in me, getting attached to my creation.
Enjoy!

Crochet! Crochet! Crochet!

Just got back from a couple of days in Niagara-on-the-Lake, for some much needed R&R.

For all of you who want to crochet, my next class is "Let's Get Crocheting" at Unwind Yarn House , at 234 Main Street in Newmarket, on Sunday, November 9th, from noon to 2pm. This is for any help you need with a project, reading a pattern, or just help in selecting a pattern and yarn. You need to call to book your spot. 905-954-1153.

On November 11th, and November 18th, from 6:30 to 8:30pm, I'll be teaching a "Beginner Crochet Class" at a new yarn shop in the Oak Ridges Marketplace at 13085 Yonge Street, called EWEphoria. 905-773-9300. This is a 2-part class, where you will learn the basic crochet stitches, how to properly hold your yarn, and also, how to read a pattern. Please call the store to book your spot.

Let's get some of you "hooked"!

Creative Festival

Well, I have to tell you, the Creative Festival was a huge success. I'm so happy, and encouraged, by all of the machine knitters, of every level, who came to say "Hello!", asked for help, made comments, and in general, were excited about machine knitting. To all of you, who come by year after year, and encourage me to "keep it up!", thank-you! I plan to organize some one and/or two day workshops around southern Ontario in the new year, and would love to hear from you, as to where you are located, and what you would like me to teach.
Here's a look at our booth, my machine knitting display/classroom and the Needles and Knits portion. We were all exhausted, but we had a great time.

WOW, What a Weekend!

The Creative Festival was a huge success!
Here's my van all loaded up on Thursday, to go down to the Convention Centre, about a one hour trip.
We got there at 3:00pm, got into the loading dock really quick, and unloaded. The set-up, of course, took much, much longer. Our curtain, for the back of the booth, finally arrived about 9:00pm, and then we left to get some rest. Unfortunately, the hotel had overbooked, and even though I had a confirmation number, and they had my credit card, we didn't have a room, and were re-located to another hotel. Needless to say, we were beyond exhausted.
Things were a bit better in the morning, as we headed to our booth to finish setting up the back wall, and to get ready for the day, and classes.
And what a day it was. Classes were great, students were awesome, and the people just kept coming. I managed to grab a cup of coffee at the instructor's lounge in the morning, as I picked up my class list, and then I had a bite to eat at 3 in the afternoon. Joan, one of our staff, made sandwiches for us every day, and made sure we ate at least one per day. I had to excuse myself from the line of ladies waiting to talk to me, just to go to the bathroom. One lady even timed me. 3 minutes was all I was allowed (just kidding). You see, I was the only "Machine Knitting" person at the show, and people were coming just for that.
Machine Knitting is alive and well, judging by the number of people that came to talk to me, interested in techniques, looking for help with their machines, and looking for machines.
I am seriously considering setting up some one or two day workshops in and around southern Ontario to accommodate all the enthusiastic knitters who were looking for instruction.
Thank-You! to all of you who visited our booth, stopped to say "Hello!" and made me feel so welcome. I apologize to those I didn't get to speak to, and hope to see you soon.
More tomorrow.

Countdown!

New yarns come into the LYS and not always with pattern support. This is one of those yarns, that needs to be seen either knit or crocheted, to fully appreciate how great it really is.

The beige one is crocheted, and the blue one is knit (on the LK150 knitting machine).

Both will be on display at the Creative Festival, and the patterns will be available, with the yarn.

Preparations are in full swing!

Wow! Next week is the Creative Festival, and Thanksgiving comes in between then and now. What to work on first, and next and in between!!!
Here's a look at my knitting room.


And my laundry room.



Yes, those are Christmas trees I'm working on for our display.
Part of our theme is "Gifts for the Knitter".
I'm also looking to sell some of my knit items, such as the lace capelet, and various shawls.
Now it really is one day at a time, the countdown has begun.

Teaching is the BEST!!!

When I look at all the different things that I do, I repeatedly come to the conclusion, that teaching someone to be creative, be it knitting, crocheting, sewing, or just crafting, is what I love most. My life has been greatly enhanced by my creative endeavors, and to be able to pass this passion on to others is very, very rewarding.
This past Friday evening, I began a beginner knitting class for the Town of Richmond Hill. What an absolute pleasure it was, to see these ladies start knitting, and to be able to encourage them to think about projects they would like to knit.
On Sunday, I taught the second part of a "Learn to Crochet" class at Unwind. We started with a cotton dishcloth in single crochet, and this week we added a double crochet border. I was excited to show the students what they could now consider doing with their new-found skill.
This week will be busy getting my machines packed up for the Creative Festival.
Happy Creating everyone!

WOW! I like this!

Today I found some really cool backgrounds, available for free. I really wanted to have something that was a little more creative, and I think this is it. You can click on the link in the top, left-hand corner, and take a look at all that is available. I will probably change the background periodically, to suit my mood. Who knows!
My daughter was here today, and really helped with navigating around to add things to my blog.
I'm learning.

Slideshow Breakthrough!

I've been trying, and trying, to follow all the instructions in the help menu, to get my slideshow up and running, to no avail. Yesterday, I traded my knitting skills for some amazing computer skills, and my blog is looking a whole lot better.
I'm working as much as I can to get things ready for the Creative Festival, and really hope to get much more active blogging about my creative accomplishments.

Time Flies

Well, it's been forever, since I logged on and updated my rainbows.
I will be teaching Machine Knitting at the Creative Festival in Toronto from October 17th to the 19th, and the preparations are going, going, going.
I'm sure that a few of my projects will not get done, but I'm prioritizing and working away.
Finished another Organic Wrap, totally out of my stash, so this one is for me.

Finished

Oh my, I can't remember when I've had this much fun with odd balls of yarn. I look at my stash in a whole new way. I've finished, blocked, and given away my first Feather and Fan Organic Wrap, and am well into the second one.

Here's the finished one.

One Small Step

Well, I've managed to add my picture. And I've changed the template, to better suit me.
I'd like to get my knitting pictures added as a slide show, but I think I have a lot to learn. In the meantime, one project currently on the knitting needles... Feather and Fan Organic Wrap by Jane Thornley, is my first foray into free form knitting, and I love it. Can't wait to finish and start another. This one was started as a gift, but I'm not so sure I can part with it.

Today is the Day!

I am very excited to begin a new step in dealing with the internet technology.
What I hope to do is cronicle my creativity, and in so doing, share with anyone who wishes to follow my journey.