How many variables???

While at home, I tend to mostly machine knit.  There’s always a hand-knitting project on the go, for knitting in front of the TV, and in the car, waiting in lines, at the doctor’s office, at YRKG meetings, etc. 

For our annual trip to Florida, I enjoy picking a hand-knitting project to knit along the way, and also during our stay, and the drive back.  That’s a fair amount of knitting time.  I pick multiple projects, so there is variety, and of course, so I don’t run out of anything to knit.

Well, this year, was a little more hectic than most, in December, and clearly, I did not read the materials very well.

Project #1.  Harvest Jewels, in Knitters Magazine K104.  I thought this was a top-down knit, with fair-isle at the yolk, knit in the round.  Great project to try the Portuguese style of knitting, for the colorwork.  Well!!! Not a top-down, but I can do this, knit it “upside down”.  Oh yes! And backwards, since the Portuguese style of knitting is easiest when doing the purl stitch.  This style of knitting really reminds me most of machine knitting, as I am looking at the purl side as I am working.  Well, it’s started.  I did decide ahead of time to use only one yarn for the fair-isle, so that should make it a bit easier?!?!?

I’ll keep you posted.

Teaching in 2012

I'm very excited about the coming year, and all the teaching opportunities that have come my way.  It's still hard to believe that 2012 is just around the corner.
Now, there is a new LYS minutes down the road, where I will be teaching quite a few classes in the new year.  The Quilt Store has posted the classes on their web site, so please check them out.  There are beginner knitting and crocheting classes for adults and kids, as well as a introduction to machine knitting, and ravelry.

Knitting for the Hospital

As a member of the York Region Knitting Guild, we knit for several charities in York Region. Personally, I like to knit for the hospital, as we have been asked for lap blankets for the oncology unit. After dropping this group of blankets off, I received a lovely card from a volunteer, who informed me that the paliative care unit received the lap blankets, and mentioned that full size, single bed blankets were needed. That's what I am working on now. Should have three of them ready before Christmas.
Happy Knitting!

Crochet Wise!

Here's another crochet class for those of you who know the stitches and want to move forward.

In this class you will learn how to:
*Read a pattern and follow a chart;
*Understand gauge and needle size;
*Work pattern stitches straight and in the round;
*Select a pattern and yarn;
*Finish your projects, and much more.

This is a technique class.
You will be working on samples. All yarns are included!
Please bring your crochet hooks.

Wednesday, October 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2011, 7:00pm to 9:00pm $80.00
Call now to book your spot!

At Needles & Knits, 15040 Yonge Street, Aurora, 905-713-2066

Sheep Strings Cafe

I will be hosting the Sheep Strings Cafe at the Heritage Centre in Richmond Hill this coming Thursday, September 15 and the following Thursday, September 22nd.
The information can be found on the Town of Richmond Hill Web Site, in the Leisure Guide on Page 13.
Hope to see you there! Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Crochet Class coming up!

I will be teaching an eight week crochet class for the Town of Richmond Hill, beginning on September 19th, 2011.

Information can be found in the Leisure Guide, Adult Programs on page 8.

Registration is through the Town of Richmond Hill.

Hope to see you soon!

Happy Crocheting!

Shawls are the thing...

This one is based on a pattern on Ravelry. I've done several of these as blankets, and thought I'd try it in a laceweight yarn from KnitPicks. I just love the border, knit on after the panels were done. Love how it striped.

February Blah....s!

Well it's the last day of the month. Just read in the paper that March will be wet and dreary - oh great. Well, as soon as I get all the book-keeping out of the way, I plan to spend some major time in my studio. I'm slowly re-organizing my space, since our son has moved on, and fluctuate between organizing, and knitting. I have a new machine to set up, as soon as there's room, and am looking forward and planning for the week in Haliburton. Tomorrow is the first day for signing up! I'm soooo excited.

Sheep Strings Cafe

As part of Ontario Heritage week, The Town of Richmond Hill is inviting us to join in some of events, one of them being the Sheep Strings Cafe, held every Thursday evening at the Heritage Centre. A great opportunity to meet fellow knitters, enjoy sharing your handiwork, and some great company. I'm planning to attend. Hope to see some of you there. Happy Knitting!

Teaching!

Teaching machine knitting is my passion. I am delighted to announce that I will be teaching at the Haliburton School of The Arts-Fleming College this summer for one week.
The course is titled "Tips, Tricks, and Techniques" and is suitable to beginner and intermediate knitters who want to have some fun with their machines.
I plan to post a little more regularly, so that you can see what we will be working on.
I'm excited!!!

Gifts that were knit

I just cannot get over how quickly time flies, and it has been months since I last posted. Could it be that I was busy knitting. By all means. I knit two shawls as gifts. One is the short row technique that I used in my capelet, done in a beautiful mohair and silk yarn. I'll post the exact details on Ravelry when I get back home, but here is a picture of that shawl. It turned out gorgeous, as it is so soft and light weight.