January Knitwits

[LaraW]

I saw the December thread was still going, so I thought I'd get us started.

I am planning to use the month of January to get a few projects finished up, so that I can get them off my mind. :) I'm going to finish the socks I started a YEAR ago and a few other little things, and then move on forward.

I had asked for S&B for Christmas, but didn't get it, so I got it for myself. It came today, and so I was looking at it. I also ordered the sequel, S&B Nation. There are 50 patterns in it, though I haven't really looked through it much. I know that I will enjoy looking through both of these and picking out my next project.

Welcome to the newest knitters on the thread, Eva and Lisa :D

Happy Knitting, Everyone!

[Beth]

Posted on the old thread and then saw this.

I just cast on and knit one row of a bag made with fabric strips. It sure is different -- the fabric doesn't give as you work, doesn't move as easily on the needles and was a lot harder to see the cast on stitches. I think it will get easier as I work them.

While my son was getting his MRI and I was casting on, the receptionist was telling me about a scarf a friend bought at a crafts fair that was knit in a spiral. Has anyone seen one like that? I'm not sure I have.

[imloulou]

Thanks for the welcome Lara! I actually knitted a small swatch last night using only the knit stitch. I cast on, did a few rows and ripped off about 10 times...LOL! I finally got it. I can cast on quite well now...lol:D

Tonight I am learning the perl and get it but now I am trying to combine it with the knit stitch to rib a scarf from S&B (Ribbed for her pleasure scarf...love the name)

I have started and restarted 5 times now. I am going to get it tonight!! My goal is to actually knit 6 rows that match (knit and perl) I am giving myself 1 more hour.

Beth, your bag sounds neat!

See ya guys again soon,

[Wendy w]

Thanks for starting the new thread, Lara. Good luck with finishing your projects. You will love the S & B.

Beth, I've seen stuff made out of fabric pieces, but they have usually been crocheted. I'm sure you'll do fine. Sending good thoughts to your son.

Lisa, you are doing exactly what I had been doing for most of my early attempts at knitting. Hang in there. I haven't made it to perling yet, but the ribbed for her pleasure scarf certainly seems to offer good practice. ;)

I took the 1st part of my knitting class tonight and had a great time. I learned another (better) form of casting on where the finished result looks nicer and is easier to work with. I am also learning to work with just a simple yarn and smaller needles. A few others brought in large needles and fancy yarn, but I am using this to be able to see what I'm doing better and am finally doing the crawl before walking thing. It was a very positive evening for all.

Speaking of the S & B, the craft store who offers this and many other great craft classes, and has a great store, is run by a religious group, so you would never find the S & B there. I gave a brief synopsis to a few of the people there on the side and they got a chuckle out of it.

Happy knitting to all!

[clairea]

Beth, your bag sounds really neat. Post a picture when you are done! I need to go look at S&B, I have never actually seen it. Another good reference for anyone who is interested is the Vogue Knitter's Handbook. It is full of lots of good information, both basic and more advanced.

Lisa, I think everyone learns by pulling out lots of rows! If you know anyone who can sit with you and watch you knit that would probably make it easier than trying to learn just from a book. Sounds like you are doing well, though.

Claire

[Terrytx]

I started this (http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/lionbrand/index.fcgi?page=http://lionbrand.com/patterns/cwe-floralscarf.html) sweater the other day, and I'm almost through with the back. It is working up nicely.

sorry it didn't take go the way to the picture-it's the Cape Cod Unisex Pullover

[Wendy w]

Beth, to answer your question from the December thread, I used 3 together.

[Beth]

Responding to Wendy, for anyone who missed it, that's waht I did on 2 scarves I made. I really liked the way you could get the benefit of several textures and colors, a lot fo softness and a little heft from the combined yarns. If you haven't tried it, think about it.

[SamanthaD]

Hi everyone,
Delurking!!! I have been knitting again for about a year and have so much fun with it when I have time between work, my 10 month old, my six year old, cooking, cleaning, ......yada, yada, yada.:) I know that you all share the same challenges. Currently I am working on 1. a poncho for myself in a beautiful greyish blue Rowan wool 2. a hat on round size 6 needles(yikes, a challenge for me as I knit pretty tight) and 3. various scarves.
Lara, like you ,I also got a few books as gifts for xmas but didn't get SandB, the one that I really wanted. I did get a great basic book as a gift from my mom that was recommended by my LYS. It is the Knitter's Hand Book of Patterns(basic designs in multiple sizes and gauges).
Beth, I would love to see the bag from knitted fabric strips.
Wendy, your class sounds awesome.
Imaloulou, I must find some odd pleasure in ripping things out and starting over because I find that do it quite a bit when starting a project.
Claire, I have seen that book; will have to check it out next time. If I get anymore knitting books,though, I may end up like my mother who has tons of books on decorating, sewing , knitting etc. I suppose as much as we don't want to we end up like our parents in many ways:rolleyes:
Happy January knitting everyone.
Samantha

[beckms]

Ugh. I am SO bummed. You may recall the felting distaster I had with my Sophie bag that was supposed to be a present for my mom (some stitches dropped during felting, leaving a gaping hole at the top of the bag). I thought I could salvage it by sewing a fabric band across the top, but I managed to ruin that, too. It just doesn't look good, and I have to scrap the whole thing. So now, after all that work I put into making the darn thing, I don't have anything to give my mom (LATE, now) for Christmas. :mad: I'm mad that I overextended myself, and mad that I left the felting to the very last minute.

Well, I still would like to make her a purse of some sort. I just bought a sewing machine, so maybe sewing something would be faster, at this point. I've looked online for free patterns, but I haven't seen anything I like. I'm going to see if I can find a book...in the meantime, if anyone has a purse pattern in mind, I'd love to see!

Thanks for letting me whine.

Welcome to all the new knitters!:cool:

[linsleyd]

I'm still here working on the same project, the windy city scarf. I went to start back up on it last night and found it was half ripped off the needles. Boo. So I ripped it out and started over last night and got about half way to the point I was when I had to rip it out. So we'll see. I am having anxiety problems, though on splitting and knitting, for the hole. Any suggestions on that?

[cniles]

Hi guys!

I finished my second project over Xmas - a scarf for my MIL. Turned out great! Almost done with my mom's scarf and will start the collegiate scarves for my sons (in the Winter 04 edition of EASY KNITTING) - I have the garter stitch mastered! I want to get better at the K1P1 or K2P2 - Fortunately my S&B group meets on Sunday and I can run my work by them (we have 6 people in our neighborhood that meet 2x a month!!)

My hope is to get to my LYS - There is one about 30 mins away and I just haven't gone there yet. I just want to go and touch all the yarn!!!;)

Happy knitting!!

[beckms]

Originally posted by cniles


My hope is to get to my LYS - There is one about 30 mins away and I just haven't gone there yet. I just want to go and touch all the yarn!!!;)



Be veeerry veeerry careful...because "touching all the yarn" quickly becomes "BUYING all the yarn"....:p

[imloulou]

Yes...Yes...YES!!!! I finally got the K2P2 ribbing to work!! Woohoo!! I tried so hard last night and finally gave up (after ripping it out again...LOL!)

This afternoon I had an hour before the kids came home from school and decided to give it a shot. To create the ribbing you have to end the row in Perl and then TOP IT WITH Knit NOT another perl. I was imagining that the knits needed to be above knits and perls above perls...

What a revelation!!

Here is the begining of my scarf (it gets better the more rows I add...LOL!:

editing to add: I am not sure why the pic is not very good I will post a better one when I finish.

http://a0.cpimg.com/image/8C/BA/43955340-7cbf-01F40167-.jpg

[Wendy w]

Originally posted by beckms


Be veeerry veeerry careful...because "touching all the yarn" quickly becomes "BUYING all the yarn"....:p

<snort> Veeeerry true.

Congratulations Lisa! It looks great! :)

[imloulou]

Originally posted by Wendy w


Congratulations Lisa! It looks great! :)

Thanks Wendy!

I have a question for all you knitters...

I live in a small city (Pensacola) that has ONE litte yarn shop. We have Hobby Lobby (that was destroyed in the hurricane and is not opened back up yet) Michaels, JoAnn's Fabric, and Hancock. All the chains sell the same ole yarn.

I found a place here called King's Sewing (on Creighton across from Walmart for anyone who lives here and may be lurking) but it is the only one we have and I know there are a TON more yarns avaliable.

Does anyone shop online? If so, where? Does anyone know of any really great yarn shops on the Gulf Coast (florida alabama louisiana) I heard there are some great ones in New Orleans (that is only a few hours away and I could be talked into going to New Orleans:D )

Also I visit St Louis a few times a year and drive so I can make stops on the way (through Alabama, Kentucky, Tn, Illinois) or go to a store in St Louis.

Any ideas?

[Beth]

Lisa, I have seen some links to yarn sites in prior yarn discussions, but I don't know anything about them. I'll leave it to those who have used them to tell you more.

I have bought some yarn off ebay -- another way to find sellers who may have an ebay store or an online site off ebay.

JoAnn sells more yarn on line that the bagful they carry at the local store. It's also on sale right now. HTH

[aggie94]

When I was browsing online yesterday for the yarn that I ordered from my LYS (that I am impatiently awaiting), I came across Kaleidoscope Yarns (http://www.kaleidoscopeyarns.com), which looks like a super cute store. I wish it was near me. :( Anyway, I did a quick search and saw one post where JHolcomb mentioned that she had ordered from them before.

[imloulou]

Originally posted by SamanthaD
Hi everyone,
Delurking!!!

Welcome back...I am glad you found a topic here to get you out of lurkdom. Sounds like you have been BUSY! (and not just with knitting:eek: )

I am glad you are joinin' in!!!!!! Keep us up with what's goin on!

[beckms]

Originally posted by imloulou


Thanks Wendy!

I have a question for all you knitters...

I live in a small city (Pensacola) that has ONE litte yarn shop. We have Hobby Lobby (that was destroyed in the hurricane and is not opened back up yet) Michaels, JoAnn's Fabric, and Hancock. All the chains sell the same ole yarn.

I found a place here called King's Sewing (on Creighton across from Walmart for anyone who lives here and may be lurking) but it is the only one we have and I know there are a TON more yarns avaliable.

Does anyone shop online? If so, where? Does anyone know of any really great yarn shops on the Gulf Coast (florida alabama louisiana) I heard there are some great ones in New Orleans (that is only a few hours away and I could be talked into going to New Orleans:D )

Also I visit St Louis a few times a year and drive so I can make stops on the way (through Alabama, Kentucky, Tn, Illinois) or go to a store in St Louis.

Any ideas?

Two that I know of are www.yarns.com and www.elann.com

[cniles]

ARgh!!! I'm having a problem with the K2P2 stitch!!! My stupid question is.... after I knit I know I need to bring my yarn around to the front to purl BUT.... do I bring it around the back or up over the top?????? Do you guys know what I mean? My stuff looks like a jumbled mess everytime I try this - HELP!! (thank you!) :rolleyes: :)

[merley]

I'd like to introduce myself. I am a new knitter (OK I'm addicted).
I started knitting in Sept. I have made lots and lots of scarfs. I can knit, purl and (I'm proud to say), cable. I can decrease, I can't increase without creating a whole.

So my question today is, What else can I make? The patterns that I see look too hard. What is the next step for a beginner. I have a few book, even bought SnB Nation, but everything looks so hard.

Help me find a new project! Save my family from getting more scarves!
TIA

[clairea]

Charisse, to purl bring the yarn between the needles, so it comes over the top of the work. To knit again, bring the yarn back between the needles. Does that make sense?

Claire

[Wendy w]

Merley, how about a shawl, poncho, or hat? Those are next on my agenda when I get tired of scarves.

[Beth]

I thought I posted about an hour ago, but it didn't take.

When changing from knit to purl and back, I move the yarn from front to back in between the needles. You are trying to get the yarn into the proper starting position for the stitch without adding any loops or crossings on the needle. Does that help?

[cniles]

Claire and Beth - thanks! I'm gonna try it again this afternoon. I have made additional loops on my needle before... I'll report back in!!:D

[Peggy]

Originally posted by Wendy w
You will love the S & B.

Embarrassed to ask but what is the S & B???:o :o

Peggy

[LaraW]

Originally posted by Peggy


Embarrassed to ask but what is the S & B???:o :o

Peggy

It is a book called Stitch and B****. There is another book called Stitch and B**** Nation, which is mostly patterns. The first S&B has a lot of instruction and some patterns, and the S&B Nation is mostly patterns.

[Beth]

Something is acting up -- Claire's reply wasn't there when I posted. I was saying the same thing, so it didn't need to be repeated, but hope that helps. I made a royal mess of some ribbing once because nothing in my book or in the pattern instructions told you to move the yarn -- I had yarn going everywhere! :o

[aggie94]

Okay, so here are the pictures of my first knitting project. Please ignore the way I look - the weather here has been crummy, so I've been going makeup-less and ponytailing it. :o :o

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid153/pe0472ca362e017466a18fde72985ec1b/f59a3b0a.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid153/pd5bde6e91a8dd321b6607989fe2faa5f/f59a3b14.jpg

BTW, that's my new kitchen in the background. :D

[Wendy w]

Eva, you, the scarf and the kitchen are all looking great and coordinated. ;) Love the cabinetry, counters and yarn color. What size needles did you use?

[aggie94]

Thanks, Wendy! :) I think I used size 11 needles on the scarf, but I would have to double check for sure when I get home.

[cniles]

Eva - the scarf (and kitchen) looks great!!!!

I however just cannot seem to get a handle on this K1P1!!! I tried for about 2 hours this afternoon and everytime I come up with a twisted snake looking thing that piles ontop of my needles.

So I calmly (!) put it away and finished my mom's scarf (all garter stitch!!) This took me forever b/c the yarn is thin sock like yarn and I used size 6 needles.

I will now start my collegiate scarf for my youngest (PSU blue and white!!:D ) in the garter stitch and wait for my group to help me out on Sunday. I appreciate your feedback but I think I need to SEE it done - very visually oriented!;)

The weather is yucky here so I don't think I'll get down to the LYS - and Rebecca you're right - once I start touching I may never stop - I may have to pull out my credit card :eek: :)

Again, thanks Beth and Claire!!

[LaraW]

Eva, the scarf and the kitchen look great!

Charisse, I hope you figure out the purl stitch. I don't recall having trouble with it, but I do remember that my grandma was right there and I had done it wrong, but she set me straight right away.

Lara

[cniles]

Thanks Lara - I can do the stockinette stitch without a problem - I just can't switch the yarn from front to back (and vice versa) on those K1P1 or K2P2 stitches correctly without doing something really wrong!!:( I know a lightbulb will go off in my head once I see it!!:D

[LaraW]

Oh my, this is a dangerous place :p

I just did a search for an old knitwits thread because there was a link to a hat pattern on it, and while I was there, I found a pattern for an ADORABLE felted bag. So, I printed that off too. :o

So, now I have 2 projects waiting behind my socks, which I am hopefully going to get working on tonight :)

[Beth]

Eva, that's not fair -- I really want cherry cabinets, but do not want to replace the white ones I have. :( Congrats on the scarf. The first complete project is such a great feeling.

[Peggy]

Originally posted by LaraW


It is a book called Stitch and B****. There is another book called Stitch and B**** Nation, which is mostly patterns. The first S&B has a lot of instruction and some patterns, and the S&B Nation is mostly patterns.

Thanks for the clarification, Lara.:p I just couldn't figure it out!!!

Peggy

[imloulou]

Originally posted by cniles
Claire and Beth - thanks! I'm gonna try it again this afternoon. I have made additional loops on my needle before... I'll report back in!!:D


Charisse,
I just went through all this learning the ribbing. Do what the others have suggested and make sure you bring the yarn between the needles. Also make sure you are ending your row with 2 perls and when you switch hands make sure you are putting 2 Knit stitches on top of the 2 perls.

If you have not seen this site yet check out their diagrams for knit perl and ribbing.When you get to site go to {b]Knit/Crochet FAQ[/b]:

Knit Perl and Ribbing diagrams (http://www.lionbrand.com/)

Hope this helps! Once the light bulb goes on there will be no stoppin ya!

[LaraW]

Charisse, did you figure out the Knit/Purl thing? I agree that once you figure it out, there's no stopping you :)

Well, I got started finishing my socks last night. I think if I can work on them for a while today and tonight, and maybe this weekend I should have them finished by the end of the weekend or early next week. The directions call for having 56 stitches distributed 13, 30 and 13 (working on 3 dpn's). It was really awkward to knit in the round like that, and so I distributed them more evenly. Well, when I went to start shaping the toe, I forgot to re-distribute the stitches correctly, and the toe was decreasing on what would be the top and bottom of my foot, rather than on the sides of my foot. I had to undo several rows to get back to where I could re-distribute them properly.

The next thing on the list is to see if I can fix Natalie's hat. S&B had instructions on how you can undo the cast on row to fix thngs. I figure I don't have anything to lose. If I mess it up and have to re-do it, I'm no worse off than I am now.

I'll post a picture of my socks when I finish them.

[cniles]

Hi guys - just taking a quick break while making Lindrusso's sauce this morning!! The afternoon is devoted to figuring this thing out!:D Thanks for the link Lisa - It looks pretty clear... I was going to visit the LYS today but decided to hang in and cook! (and knit!) On the side, the collegiate scarf I started yesterday is really cute! Blue and white stripes.

Lara - can't wait to see your socks!!:)

[cniles]

Woooooo hooooooo!!!!!!!
Light bulb shining bright!!!:D

wow - figured it out. I was bringing my yarn around front ACROSS MY ALREADY KNITTED WORK - thus binding it into a snarling tangled mess on my needles. Duh.

I feel so good now. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.:p

[linsleyd]

Glad you figured it out Charisse. It took me quite awhile to figure that one out as well!
Eva, the scarf and kitchen look great!

Still going on my windy city scarf....:)

[Robyncz]

Hey Knitwits!

I'm delurking to ask whether anyone can help me out. A group of my girlfriends and I are going to the beach next weekend. A couple of them have been asking me to help them learn to knit, so this is the perfect opportunity. I'm looking for a beginner project to get them started on. Here are my criteria:

1) It should be very simple, but should incorporate both knitting and pearling, so they can get practice on both while we're all together.
2) It should call for inexpensive and readily available yarn rather than something I'd have to pay prime for at my LYS.
3) The end product should be worthwhile. My first project was the UGLIEST scarf imaginable. I'd rather them make something they might want to keep.
4) I want it to actually be from a written pattern so they can learn to read all the shorthand.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Robyn

[Minky]

Hi Robyn:

My very first knitting project was a scarf made with Lion Brand Fancy Fur. It requires just one skein, and incorporates both knitting and purling. The yarn is widely available at about $5/skein. I ended up making almost a dozen of the scarves for my sons' female teachers, but also gave several to friends after they oohed and aahed over them:D

I think the website is www.lionbrand.com if you want to check it out!

Sheila

[Beth]

Cniles, glad it clicked in. You're off and running now!

Robyn, does everyone want to do the same project? If you stick with things that just knit and purl, there could be different yarns and needle sizes for the same thing or say different widths so that one person might wind up with a scarf and another a shorter, wider rectangle that might be sewn into a handbag.

It might be worth spending a couple of dollars on an inexpensive skein that each person can work with to knit a swatch and get the feel of things before starting on a project. That also makes it easier to see the stitches while learning, but the furry yarns hide imperfect stitches and guage once you get going.

I made the fun bag that is shown on the Lion site under Fun Fur. If you make it, I think the handles call for 8 stitches, but I would do 4 or no morwe than 6 -- or buy wooden or plastic handles and save yourself the trouble. You can buy the 2 yarns under $10, but you also need 2 sets of needles in different sizes.

They also have some scarves that would be very easy. The trellis yarns are shown on the pattern list page. That scarf uses one ball ($7) of a ribbon trellis yarn on large needles (I think it's a 17). I bought a ball at Michael's, but I haven't made the scarf yet. They have a solid ribbon yarn in a variety of varigated colors -- they would be fun scarves for adding some color to an outfit without adding warmth. Plus, you can probably see the individual stitches.

I know there are other simple bags out there. The ones I have on my mind right now are felted ones, but with the handles that are available or making an I-cord, you can take just about any rectangle and turn it into a bag.

Let us know how it goes. Someone said I should teach a knitting class this spring -- not sure if I'm up to that, but I'd be interested in hearing about your experience in case I do get hit up again.

[Beth]

This pattern starts out with knitting 8 stitches on row 1, then K1, M1 for 16 stitches on row 2. Obviously, it is increasing -- but is the M telling you something specific about how to increase that I am not thinking of? A friend wants to make this bag and asked me about it this morning. I can't think of what the M stands for.

[Beth]

Bumping to see if anyone knows what the M stands for.

[imloulou]

Thanks for the links to the yarn sites! I have had fun looking online.

Eva, your scarf looks great (so does your kitchen...and come to think of it, so do you...:D

Beth...try this:

Make one (M1) (http://knitting.about.com/library/bllearnmake1.htm)

Hope that helps

[Beth]

Yes, thanks Lisa! Since she says that there are a number of ways to M!, I read that as basically meaning increase 1. I was wondering if it meant a particular way of increasinf. SInce she is going to felt the bag, I think I'd go with knitting into the front of the stitch and not taking a chance on the hole showing up in the finished bag.

Thanks again.

[ellen6242]

Speaking of the S & B, the craft store who offers this and many other great craft classes, and has a great store, is run by a religious group, so you would never find the S & B there. I gave a brief synopsis to a few of the people there on the side and they got a chuckle out of it.

Wendy - did you take your class at Piecemakers? I took a knitting class there last year - I believe Nevenka was the instructor. She was very sweet and helpful. I've never been very good at casting on. There is an OC S&B group on yahoo that gets together and also an Orange County Knitting Meet-up every 2 weeks. I'm on the mailing lists and I'm going to start going to the meetings. I want to do a lot more knitting, along with reading and cooking, this year. Where to find the time, though :)

Ellen

[cniles]

Have you guys noticed that there is an article on knitting in almost every magazine this month?!! (I'm such a magazine junkie!!) CL, Martha Stewart, Country Living, etc.... Amazing.

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by Wendy w
Here's a picture of me and some of my recent scarf creations.


http://images.ofoto.com/photos1058/2/22/76/94/86/6/686947622203_0_ALB.jpg

tres chic:D

[Beth]

Wendy, I can't see the picture, unless you're hiding behind that red X. I'm sure they look geat, but.....

Actually, I came here to ask you about working with fabric strips. I ripped out what I started, went a little further and then ripped it out again. I'm not sure how well the fabric will do if I keep ripping out. :rolleyes:

Anyway, I'm still finding this harder to work with and maybe that is why the gauge is running smaller than it should. I'm going to restart with larger needles, but was wondering if you have any tips for working with fabric. Is it normal for the gauge to run smaller since the strips don't flow as smoothly as yarn? I may be having to pull it just a bit. Oh well, hope to start again tonight.

[ellen6242]

Can anyone tell me what the Two Hour Scarf is? I think I'd like to make one this weekend.

Thanks!
Ellen

[Beth]

I think that is the on on the Lion website that is made with one skein of fun fur and one skein of another yarn (a smooth one) held together and worked on larger needles. I think it may be the one that had a picture posted -- maybe above on this thread, in golden tones.

I really only came to check and see if someone was telling me fabric is a pain, doesn;t knit to gauge and I will get this done. ;)

Nope, wasn't this thread, but someone posted the picture of it. Just go to Lion's website and look through the list of free knitting patterns. You'll find that one and probably something else to peak your interest.

[ellen6242]

Thanks, Beth. I googled Two Hour Scarf and found the Lion site. Now I want to knit everything!!!!!!!

Ellen

[Beth]

Originally posted by ellen6242
Thanks, Beth. I googled Two Hour Scarf and found the Lion site. Now I want to knit everything!!!!!!!

Ellen

That's a risk you have to take! LOL ;) Have fun deciding on the first one.

[ellen6242]

Even though we're in the midst of a terrible 4 day rain storm, I'm going to stop at Michael's on my way home tonight and buy yarn to do the Two Hour Scarf.

[imloulou]

Originally posted by Wendy w
Here's a picture of me and some of my recent scarf creations.


http://images.ofoto.com/photos1058/2/22/76/94/86/6/686947622203_0_ALB.jpg

Wendy I love your scarves! How fun!

If you guys cant see the picture go here:

Wendy's Scarves (http://images.ofoto.com/photos1058/2/22/76/94/86/6/686947622203_0_ALB.jpg)

It did not show up for me either but when I went to reply I saw the address for ofoto and copy/pasted it into my address window.

[imloulou]

Well look at that...it showed up in my reply but I cant see it in Wendy's post...hmmmm?!?

[lisas3575]

Here is our lovely and talented Wendy! :cool:

http://www.ideasmithdesign.com/clients/cookinglight/pic1.JPG

I haven't been knitting too much recently. I did just start a no-pattern wrap with some mohair/silk fingering weight yarn. It requires a lot of concentration so that I pick up the stitches correctly, so it will take some time. I'm excited for my sweater knitting class to start next week.

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by ellen6242
Thanks, Beth. I googled Two Hour Scarf and found the Lion site. Now I want to knit everything!!!!!!!

Ellen

LOL, know the feeling. I'm almost through with the Cape Cod Pullover fron their site and next up is the knitted Oversized Poncho (male). There are so many things on that site that I like.

[LaraW]

Hi everyone,

Wendy, you and your scarves are beautiful! :)

Well, I'm excited to report that I finished my socks. :) I will post a picture, but our camera is being fixed right now. I should be able to do it later this week.

Last night I started a cabled hat for DD out of the S&B Nation book. Hopefully it will go quickly. :)

Hi Lisa!

[clairea]

Wendy, the scarves look great.

Well, I have about 15 more rows to finish DD's sweater, and I think I may be the first person in history to get sidelined with a knitting injury:o I have developed bad tendonitis in my left wrist, and the only thing DH and I can think of is that I have been knitting a lot when I hadn't done so in a couple of years. I haven't really changed anything else. I had to put it in a splint and am doing the ibuprofen and ice thing so hopefully in a couple of days it will be gone. It is frustrating to be so close to finishing and not be able to do it. I already bought yarn to make a sweater for DS when I finish this, but all these scarves are so cute I think I might have to knock a couple of those out quickly first!

Claire

[Wendy w]

Thanks Lisa and ladies. The wrap sounds really pretty. Please share when done.

Ellen, the 1st 2 scarves that I made were the 2-hour scarf. This takes a bit longer than 2 hrs. because I made them longer than specified and used about a skein and a half for each. Btw: the class is at Piecemakers.

[Robyncz]

Thanks to those of you who helped me come up with an idea for teaching my friends how to knit. We decided to start with the one-hour scarf on the lion brand site. It meets all my criteria!

But I have a question for those of you who have actually knitted this scarf. Unlike anything else I've done with eyelash yarns, this pattern calls for stockinette (knit odd rows and purl even rows) instead of garter stitch. That's fine with me since I want them to get practice knitting and purling. But I have a question--Since there's no border on the sides, don't the sides of the final product curl inward? Is it cute that way or slightly annoying?

[imloulou]

Hi guys!
My scarf is coming along...it is about a foot and a half long. I have been really busy but just ache to get back to my knitting basket! I just finished a bunch of business work(hmmm...10:50pm:rolleyes: ) and I am ready to get into bed and knit about 3 or 4 rows...not much but enough.

I am really enjoying knitting! I just love this yarn (Lamb's Pride Bulky) it is so comfy!!!

I just heard our Hobby Lobby opened back up!!! Woohooo!! It was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in Sept and just opened back up. I am so happy!! We are not a big city so most of our stores (Michaels, JoAnn's, Hancock ) don't have a really big selection of yarns...Hobby Lobby always tends to have more of EVERYTHING! LOL! So I am excited to go check it out!

Thanks for the ebay idea for finding yarn Beth...I have been looking and see lots that I want to get.

I can see that this is going to be addicting!

[SamanthaD]

Robyn
I think that it will roll. I would just do garter stitch with your friends. I think that beginers should first master kniting before that start to purl. For me that was the best way to pick everything back up. Once I was comfortable knitting the other stuff came easier.

[ellen6242]

I stopped at Michael's last night to get some fun fur and boucle yarn to make the 2 Hour Scarf. There was very little boucle to choose from. I decided to do a scarf just from the fun fur - I bought 3 skeins of Tropical - I'll probably just use 2 at the most and take the other back. I'm not going to make it too wide - probably just about 16 stitches on size 11 needles. I can knit and purl no problem - but for the life of me I cannot cast on. I have a terrible mental block about it. I work with a woman who is a very experienced knitter, so I'm going to see if she'll show me what I'm doing wrong today.

Ellen

[scudgal]

Hi - I like this online yarn shop - lots of great yarns:

www.imagiknit.com

One of these days I'm going to visit their SFO store when I get out to the west coast. I hear it's very nice.


Leslie

[LaraW]

Robin, I did a scarf with the stockingette stitch (made out of the eylash yarn) and I think that because it is done on such big needles, the stitches are much looser than say, a sweater.

I did not have any trouble with the scarf rolling in on itself, so I'd say that it is probably fine to do the stockingette. :)

[ellen6242]

Lara,
I'm doing a scarf with eyelash yarn on size 11 needles. How many stitches did you use for your scarf? I'm thinking between 16 and 20 for mine.

Ellen

[LaraW]

I think I did 16. I made 2 scarves, one on 10's and one on 11's - I think I did 16 on one and 18 on the other, so you're right in there.

[LaraW]

I'm working on a cabled hat for my DD. I need a little help with the pattern.

**Rows 1,2,3,4 and 5 have the same pattern, Row 6 is the one where you do the cable.**

The pattern gives teh sts for rows 1-5 and row 6, then says repeat from ** to ** 3 times.

My question is do I have a total of 4 repetitions of the pattern or 3?

Thanks

[cniles]

Lara, I wish I could help you - sorry!

Everyone else, the scarves sound lovely!!

I went to our LYS last friday and bought lots of yarn!! I'm excited b/c I bought some Debbie Bliss merino wool on sale and decided I'm going to make a big felted knitting bag! A woman in our SnB is making one now and I'm going to use her pattern - very excited!!!!:D

[Arete]

Originally posted by LaraW
I'm working on a cabled hat for my DD. I need a little help with the pattern.

**Rows 1,2,3,4 and 5 have the same pattern, Row 6 is the one where you do the cable.**

The pattern gives teh sts for rows 1-5 and row 6, then says repeat from ** to ** 3 times.

My question is do I have a total of 4 repetitions of the pattern or 3?

Thanks

Lara, you should end up with a total of 4 repititions. I had the same question when I first started knitting! :D

[LaraW]

THanks, Arete. That is actually what I thought, but it really wasn't clear to me.

:)

[imloulou]

Good Afternoon!
I hope everyone's knitting is coming along. I am starting another scarf. It is a Lion Boucle-Fun Fur Fur-Trimmed Scarf. I have a question:

It calls for 1 skein Fun Fur. The first instruction says this:

With 2 strands of Fun Fur held together, cast on 18 stitches. Knit every row for 4 inches. Cut Fun Fur, leaving 6" to weave in.

How would you go about using 2 strands with only one skein? Is there a formula to figure out how much yarn to pull out and cut to double?

This may be a "Duh" question but I cannot think of a solution:eek:

Thanks!!

[ErinM]

I think what they want you to do is to knit using both ends. Find the first end, then the second, then go to it. Although, to me, that just sounds like it will make you spend more time untangling than knitting. I'd probably just buy two and go from there. Hope that helps!

[Beth]

I have worked with both ends of fun fur without a problem. With some yarns, it would never work. You can also roll off half of the yarn ito a ball and work from the ball and the original skein.

[imloulou]

Originally posted by ErinM
I think what they want you to do is to knit using both ends. Find the first end, then the second, then go to it. Although, to me, that just sounds like it will make you spend more time untangling than knitting. I'd probably just buy two and go from there. Hope that helps!

Thanks Erin!
That is a great idea...I will see if it tangles...because that would be way easier than rolling into 2 balls.

[imloulou]

Originally posted by ErinM
I think what they want you to do is to knit using both ends. Find the first end, then the second, then go to it. Although, to me, that just sounds like it will make you spend more time untangling than knitting. I'd probably just buy two and go from there. Hope that helps!

Thanks Erin!
That is a great idea...I will see if it tangles...because that would be way easier than rolling into 2 balls.

[imloulou]

Originally posted by Beth
I have worked with both ends of fun fur without a problem. With some yarns, it would never work. You can also roll off half of the yarn ito a ball and work from the ball and the original skein.

Thanks to you too Beth!

[imloulou]

I ended up wrapping all the fun fur into a ball then winding another ball from the first one so I could try to get them even (ended up with 2 equal sized balls) The fun fur is small and really took no time at all.

Thanks for everyone's help!

[ErinM]

There's a knit along going, if anyone's interested....

Knit your own Fry Up! (http://www.cult45.fsbusiness.co.uk/featuresjackie.html)


All I can say is.....:eek: :eek: :eek: :D

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by ErinM
There's a knit along going, if anyone's interested....

Knit your own Fry Up! (http://www.cult45.fsbusiness.co.uk/featuresjackie.html)


All I can say is.....:eek: :eek: :eek: :D

My Goodness:eek:

[Wendy w]

Originally posted by ErinM
There's a knit along going, if anyone's interested....

Knit your own Fry Up! (http://www.cult45.fsbusiness.co.uk/featuresjackie.html)


All I can say is.....:eek: :eek: :eek: :D

Interesting. :eek: :rolleyes: :D


Editing to say that Bethany could make this and change it to green eggs and spam. :p

[ErinM]

Originally posted by Wendy w


Interesting. :eek: :rolleyes: :D


Editing to say that Bethany could make this and change it to green eggs and spam. :p


Oooh, good idea! I second that! :D

[LaraW]

Originally posted by Wendy w

Editing to say that Bethany could make this and change it to green eggs and spam. :p

snort!

[Beth]

They say I'll be the envy of all my friends. More like the laughing stock! :o Well, maybe if you could carry it off and follow it up with the burgers and fries bag, then the pasta bowl bag and the hot fudge sundae bag -- then you could start a trend, and next thing you know they'd be selling for hundreds of dollars and inspiring knock-offs everywhere. ;)

Not sure the hats would catch on -- at least not with the over 6 yr old crowd. Hey, maybe that's your market, but you'll have to do a mac and cheese and pizza version too! :D

[imloulou]

Originally posted by ErinM
There's a knit along going, if anyone's interested....

Knit your own Fry Up! (http://www.cult45.fsbusiness.co.uk/featuresjackie.html)


All I can say is.....:eek: :eek: :eek: :D

Oh my gosh...that is so funny! I love finding old...WAIT...let me rephrase NOT OLD...since I was a teenager when that ad came out. Let's try again....

Oh my gosh...that is so funny! I love finding magazine ads like that...I can tell it is the 70's! I love going to garage sales and finding cookbooks and gardening books that are from the 50's 60's and 70's. I just started getting into knitting so I will have to keep an eye out for things like this too!

I will post if I find any! It will be hard to top the bacon and eggs though!!!LOL!

[LaraW]

Well, I just got my yarn and needles to make a felted bag. I have been wanting to make this bag for a long long time, and now I can finally get started! :) I went to a new LYS yesterday - what a cool place! It is a bit far from home, but is close to my office. I was able to drive over there, poke around for a bit, and still make it back to work in less than an hour. I'm excited. The yarn is a really pretty purple color, kind of a medium purple. I have been in to purple lately.

[Arete]

Lara,

Mind if I ask which LYS you went to? There are several in the Denver area that I've wanted to check out, but never gotten around to it when I'm in Denver.

Also, what felted bag are you making? I've made "My Constant Companion" for my mom, "My Little Companion" for myself (use it as my everyday purse and get tons of compliments on it!) and the felted backpack from the Winter 2004 Interweave Knits for me (which I haven't assembled yet...) I'm planning to make another "My Little Companion" for my neighbor and another felted backpack for myself, just cuz I like it soo much.

I love purple too and I always seem to end up buying the Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride in "Jack's Plum" which is a sort of dark purple that I just LOVE. Imagine my joy when I opened my Xmas gift from MIL and it was another felted purse pattern with enough Lamb's Pride in "Jack's Plum" and some eyelash yarn to match!

[Wendy w]

Lara, I'm taking a felted bag class next month-can't wait. It will be in 3 3 hour sessions. It will be in Lamb's pride, I chose a peacock blue. It is a beginning/intermediate class where we will learn to use circulars and read patterns.

I got most of my supplies, but it has been hard for the store to get the supplies because the yarn companies are overwhelmed.

[ellen6242]

Can anyone tell me where I can find the patterns for these great-sounding bags that you're all making? Thanks!

I've been whipping out scarves like a madwoman. I did one Saturday that was out of Lion Fun Fur in Lava (a black/gray/white combination) and Homespun in black. The 2 together looked so good, if I say so myself. I did a few just using Fun Fur and some using Fun Fur with cotton. This is so much fun!! Tonight is my 2 hour Sit & Knit at Michael's - I can't wait!!

Ellen

[Arete]

Here are the ones I mentioned:

My Constant Companion (http://www.knitkit.com/MyConstantCompanion.htm) Made this for my mom, she loves it. But then, she loves anything that comes from "her little girl"! :)

My Little Companion (http://www.knitkit.com/MyLittleCompanion.htm) I made the style without the flap on top, and added a front pocket (sorta like the graduated green striped one on the bottom right.) I'll post a pic later. Mine is purple w/gold stripes (my college colors!)

I can't find a pic of the backpack from IK online. But it's the Winter2004 mag, so it should still be in stores.

I've also made The French Market Bag (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/PATTfrenchmarket.html) from Knitty.com (http://www.knitty.com) which isn't really a purse, but it makes a great project bag for knit projects.

I have to run to the store now, but I can post a few more later if you want.

[lisas3575]

Originally posted by Arete
the felted backpack from the Winter 2004 Interweave Knits for me (which I haven't assembled yet...) I'm planning to make another "My Little Companion" for my neighbor and another felted backpack for myself, just cuz I like it soo much.

Ooo! Ooo! Ooo! I bought that issue just for that *cute* felted backpack. How hard was it? I need to learn the provisional cast on before I start, and it's made it's way down the list of projects because of that.

I also looooooved that 40s inspired skirt suit in that issue, but I doubt I'd ever tackle it. :) It's so gorgeous though. I think I posted the photo last month.

[Arete]

Lisa, it wasn't hard at all. But (there's always a but :)) I must admit I didn't follow the pattern exactly (I never seem to, I always modify things.) In this case, I wanted to use the Lamb's Pride Bulky, rather than the Lopi Lite. I did a bunch of swatches a while ago with Lambs Pride worsted and bulky (some with a single strand, some with double strand) and wrote down all of the details: Needles used, how big they were to start, how big they ended up and the "shrinkage ratio" (I'm a knitting and math geek!) so that I could easily switch yarns in felting patterns. So I really liked the weight of the felted fabric that I got from using the Bulky, single strand, so I converted the pattern to the use that. Also, I read the part about the provisional cast-on (which I've never done) and realized that the end result (after felting) would be about the same as the base from the "My Little Companion" purse, which I really like. Plus the MLC purse bottom is knit in garter stitch rather than Stockinette stitch, and I prefer the garter stitch because it makes a more "solid" feeling base. So I basically used the base instructions from MLC and then followed the rest of the backpack instructions as written, except that all the stitch counts were different for mine since I subbed a different yarn. Gosh, I'm starting to sound like one of the Allrecipes.com reviews... "I made it exactly as written except I subbed x for y, a for b, and c for d and I cooked in the oven rather than on the stove." :D

So, the long and the short of it is (OK, that was mostly the long) it's not hard, and I can write up the base instructions from MLC if you want to see if that lowers your trepidation level.

That other skirt suit is cute! But looks like a LOT of work! I know what you mean about things getting pushed down the project list. I have a project wish list that has 36 items, plus 4 projects on needles... :rolleyes:

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by Arete
Plus the MLC purse bottom is knit in garter stitch rather than Stockinette stitch, and I prefer the garter stitch because it makes a more "solid" feeling base. So I basically used the base instructions from MLC and then followed the rest of the backpack instructions as written, except that all the stitch counts were different for mine since I subbed a different yarn.

So, the long and the short of it is (OK, that was mostly the long) it's not hard, and I can write up the base instructions from MLC if you want to see if that lowers your trepidation level.


If you would be so kind, I would like you to write up the base instructions like you did it. I like the idea that it has a more solid feel.

[cniles]

Can I second the request???;) I just printed off the free pattern for Special Companions off of knitkit.com - what a cute little bag!! I'd love to see how you did the backpack! Thanks!!!:)

[LaraW]

Originally posted by Arete
Lara,

Mind if I ask which LYS you went to? There are several in the Denver area that I've wanted to check out, but never gotten around to it when I'm in Denver.


The LYS was actually in Boulder - it is called Shuttles, Spindles and Skeins. Its at the intersection of Table Mesa Dr. and Broadway, in the Table Mesa Shopping Center (if that helps). Where are you? Are you in the Denver area?

I'll find the pattern for the bag - it is called a Booga Bag.

[Arete]

Lara, I've heard of SS&S, but never been there. I keep threatening to drag DH up there! We live farther south along the Front Range, so I don't get up there that often.

For the others, I will post the instructions for what I did on the backpack later tonight. I'm supposed to be working right now, but apparently I'm easily distracted. So I'm going to buckle down, get some work done, then I can come back to play!

[imloulou]

I love all the purses and bags!! Wow! I did not know you could felt things like that. Ohhhhh...I feel a project coming on...LOL!

[imloulou]

Woohoo I finished my first scarf! I found my daughter in her room reading a book looking nice and comfy!

I am still working on the "Ribbed for her Pleasure" scarf. I am 3/4 of the way finished. I am definately a "2 project girl" When ya get tired of one thing...pick up the other.

http://a1.cpimg.com/image/59/02/44695641-8a55-01800200-.jpg

http://a8.cpimg.com/image/8C/0C/44695948-5f8b-01800200-.jpg

[cniles]

Lisa, your daughter and the scarf are adorable!!

I'm in the middle of 3 projects!! A scarf for my dad (in the mode of ribbed for her pleasure); a scarf for my son (the collegiate one) and one for myself!!! - it's a k3p3 pattern yarn by Cedifra in black. It's so soft and lush - I can't wait to finish it!!

NOW I want to make all of these bags (Thanks Arete!!):)

[lisas3575]

So has anyone successfully felted anything in a front load washer? I'd never thought it through, and my instructor says there's not enough agitation to felt. Can anyone prove her wrong?