CSNF 2010

Oh yes, plans are already being made for the Creative Festival, October 22-24, 2010. I will be teaching the beginner machine knitting, as that is a very popular class. However, I would like to teach something beyond beginner, and am looking for some feedback. Anyone interested in taking classes, please let me know what you might be interested in. Some of my thoughts include the Knit Radar, Entrelac, Holes for Buttons, and Sideways Knit garments.

Superfine Alpaca Paint

Soft and cuddly and ohhhh so warm. Now this is as a yummy yarn. I bought it on sale in the summer, and had the right person to knit it up for. My daughter celebrated a birthday on the 30th of October, and was the recipient of this zig-zag scarf knit on my LK100.

New Camera!

I'm excited! I got a new camera on the weekend, so pictures will soon follow. I've been tidying up the studio since getting back from the Creative Festival, and the ideas are popping up all around. I'm also working on finishing the blankets that were knit for the oncology patients. I'm so excited about the accomplishment.

What a GREAT weekend!

I've been home for five days, and am recovering from the Creative Festival. Once again, I was the only one there with knitting machines, and to say I was busy is an understatement.
My "Classroom" was on the show floor, I taught 2 beginner classes, one entrelac class, and one on buttonholes.
It was so great to see the interest in the machines. Not a single person told me I was "cheating" this year. Also, no-one came wanting to get rid of their machine. Rather, everyone was looking for help, lessons, patterns and ideas.
I was happy to see so many machine knitters that I've met over the years come by to say"Hello!", and continuously encourage me to "keep it up".
My project to "Knit for the Oncology Patients" was a great success. I had set up a SInger 155, and asked everyone to try to knit a few rows. Some, although hesitant, had their first opportunity to try a machine, but many came specifically to knit for the cause, and every one of them had a special story to share. We knit 10 blankets in total. I'll finish them over the next couple of weeks, with edges and steaming, and they will be donated to our local Southlake Regional Health Centre.
Thank-You!!!

Socks!

It's not that I haven't been knitting, it's that the camera broke, and I just haven't been taking pictures to post. I'll make up for it.
The "pink" pair is knit in "Clown" yarn, and I made them real short to wear with my runners in the summer.
The orange pair is Maxime print from Filatura Di Crosa. It is a beautiful yarn, knit in a pattern called "Mockery Sock" by Katie Grady and is available for free on Ravelry.

Another CROCHET Class

The Town of Richmond Hill is offering Crochet Level 1 and Level 2, over 6 weeks beginning on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at the Heritage Center. I will be instructing this class. Anyone interested, please contact the Town of Richmond Hill. Please pass the information on to anyone you know who might be interested.

CROCHET Class

Anyone interested in learning to crochet, I will be teaching a beginner class at Unwind, in Newmarket on Sunday, September 27th and October 4th, from 2:30 to 4:30. We will be making a dishcloth, and covering the basic crochet stitches, as well as learning to identify the stitches created, how to count your stitches, reading a pattern, and reading a chart. We will also discuss yarns, patterns and crochet hooks, and how to choose these items for your projects. Please contact Unwind to register.

Peacock Tails

This little scarf is a direct result of the inspiration from Susan Guagliumi at Cardiknits. The pattern is hers, called Peacock Tails. It's soo easy, and interesting to knit. The yarn came from The Needle Emporium in Ancaster, where the Cardiknits Academy was held. It is Mini Mochi from Crystal Palace Yarns, and it's a beautifull colour and feels lovely.

Roman Holiday by Americo

This is a beautiful yarn, and a very simple pattern. I knit it up for one of my LYS, Unwind. A very simple stocking stitch shawl, in a wonderful yarn called Cotton Flame from Americo. The yarn is thick and thin, thus creating it's own pattern as you knit, and the finished scarf/shawl has a lovely drape and body. I knit the shawl on the LK150, and added the two rows of rib on either end by hand. I also created one row of purl stitch on either side to prevent rolling, by latching up the third stitch from the end. Approximately 600 rows took no time at all.

My Mom brought one of these from Austria in 1954

Shopping tote's are really "in" right now, but they've been around for a long time. I know I have one of these stashed away, that my mom gave me many years ago. As a matter of fact, my sister-in-law mentioned on the weekend, that she has one that my mom made. This pattern is available on the Talking Crochet website and is really quite simple to make. I did add the little tab, so that my button could be in the center, and I made the handles a little wider, so that I could carry a bit more weight in the bag. The green one is a fingering weight crochet cotton. I'm now working on one in a heavier cotton, in a dk weight. I've also been asked to design something similar in a knit.

The Quilted Lily

This has been a long project, as I only knit it in the car, to and from Florida, so it has taken 4 years. I was determined that it come home completed this year.
The pattern is a Lily Chin design, that was published in Knitters Magazine in the fall of 1999. Interesting pattern, where the size is adjusted by the gauge. I knit it in Angora Tweed from Garnstudio Drops, so it is incredibly warm. I bought the buttons in Florida, so it really is my Florida project.

Warm and Cudly in June???

Back in 2004 I knit a cardigan in Fleece Artist Curlylocks in beautiful shades of red and orange, and I just love that sweater, so warm and cuddly. So I had to have another one. I wanted this one to be big and comfy, and have a bit of pizzazz, so here it is, in a beautiful blue, green and purple colorway. I added crochet triangles in Lanett to hold the buttons, and the button loops. Take a close look at the buttons, I put two buttons together to create a unique one. I added a triangle on each sleeve, just to add a bit of weight to the sleeve, as the yarn is so light and airy. I just love to wear this one, it really keeps my warm.

Stitching in Public

Wow, it is actually starting to feel like summer, and I, for one, am looking to take my knitting and crocheting outside.
In June, there are two weekends set aside as WWKIP days.
WORLD WIDE KNIT IN PUBLIC DAY!!!!
What a terrific way to take our skills to the public. Check your local yarn shop to see if they are participating. Currently, Knitter's Attic in Richmond Hill is participating, as well as Ewephoria, in Oak Ridges.
Let's all get out there, enjoy summer weather, and show our skills in public.

Socks for a Grandson!

Many times I have commented that I would rather spend time with my Grandchildren, than knit for them, but if one of them asks for something specific, Nonna just can't say no. So when my one grandson asked for socks, and then asked if he could have beads on them, I couldn't pass up the chance to knit them for his 5th birthday. Oh!!! to be 5.
The yarn is Garnstudio DROPS Fabel, in a fabulous colorway, and the beads were added on afterwards, with a nylon thread, so that they don't come off, unless of course I'm asked to take them off. I don't think that will happen any time soon, as he gasped in awe when he opened them up, and had to put them on immediately. They were still on his feet when we left the party in the evening. The pattern is "Most Basic Kid's Sock" by Evelyn Skae, and is available on Ravelry, as well as on her web site. Thank-you Evelyn.

Setting up the LK150

There is a discussion on Ravelry regarding setting up the tension mast for the LK150.

Here is a picture of what the back of the machine looks like, with the assembly in place, as well as a picture of the base for the mast and a good look at where it needs to be inserted.

Occasionally, the base needs a really good push to properly fit into the holder. Sometimes, I find it necessary to put a piece of craft foam under the holder, to hold it steady, when the table is not quite flat.

WOW!!! What a great seminar!

I attended the Cardiknits Academy this past weekend, the guest instructor was Susan Guagliumi, author or Hand-Manipulated Stitches for the Machine Knitter. She is an amazing instructor, with GREAT ideas. My only regret was that I did not have my LK150 with me in the hotel room, to start practicing what we learned on the Friday. I'm making up for it now, and have started 2 projects already. I'll have pictures in a day or two. Thank-you Pat for once again hosting a fabulous Academy.

The Many Benefits of Knitting or Crocheting!

Now, those of us who knit and crochet, already know how good it makes us feel, and what a sense of accomplishment we get, when we master a new technique, and finish a project, but now it's "GOOD FOR OUR HEALTH" is a proven fact.

Feather and Fan

I know I've mentioned that I love this pattern before, so here it is again. I knit this one on vacation, mostly during the driving, for my daughter-in-law who's birthday was in January. She got it after I got back, and was able to show it off at the York Region Knitting Guild meeting.

Trying to Knit

Well, we've been back for two months, but I have not been knitting. Life has a way of throwing some pretty intense, emotional curves, and my life has been turned upside down. Nothing we can't get through, but it is taking time, and a toll on my knitting. I'll share a couple of projects soon.
I'm also getting ready to start a crochet class, as well as teaching knitting for the Town of Richmond Hill soon.
Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Machine Knitting Seminar!

Just got back from holidays and am looking forward to getting back into machine knitting. The hand-knitting was great while I was away, and I've got ideas and inspiration galore.
The annual Cardiknits seminar is now available, and I've just sent in my registration. This is a stimulating, exciting seminar, and fabulous value for my money. Not to mention that one of the instructors this year is Susan Guagliumi, author of 'Hand-Manipulated Stitches for Machine Knitters'.

Holiday Knitting!

Well, I'm on vacation, and it's a long, long car ride, and of course I can't use a knitting machine, so it's hand-knitting I'm doing right now. I started this scarf for my hubby on the ride down. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Knit in Berroco Jasper, the pattern is from the Lion Brand web site and it's free.

Bracelets and Beads

Yes, I think I am addicted. Beads and cotton yarn and knitting needles, three variables, that allow me to create soooo many different combinations, one idea just leads to another, and more and more bracelets are born. Here is my creative space on holiday. Beads, in all colours, shapes and sizes, some already threaded up, and a few already knit and completed. Some of these will end up in my Etsy store, as soon as I am back home.

Socks Again!

Here is a pair of socks, that has had the lace replaced. The first time I knit them, I used Sandnes Garn Lanett, and it felted in the wash, to the point where I couldn't wear them any more. So I cut off the lace, picked the ribbing up on needles, and knit a new lace in Mandarin Petit Cotton. The pattern is Lesley's Socks. The original socks were knit on my Singer 560, in South West Trading Company TOFUtsies, with the ribbing and the lace done by hand.

Socks and Socks

Well, I'm back to socks. It seems to go with this time of year. One pair for me (pink and mauve), and one as a gift for my son-in-law. These took a bit of extra work in calculating, as he wears a size 13.5 shoe, and I had my grand-daughter helping her mom get the measurements, but I think they turned out beautiful. Hope to hear how he likes them.