January 28th, 2010 On Our Needles

ON CYD’S NEEDLES

I know, more lace is what you’re expecting. A friend of mine had a first grandson, so I knit up an old Ann Norling pattern sure to delight any baby you know - who wouldn’t want a pumpkin hat? It’s a quick little knit, with a bit of fair isle at the top to make the leaves and stem - but it can become an apple, a lemon, a watermelon with a little color change (you get the idea). I did mine out of Super 10 Butterfly in the perfect “pumpkin” color. Even machine washable (try THAT with a real pumpkin)!

 

Here’s a detail of the latest lace obsession - It’s Evelyn Clark’s Angel Lace shawl done in Elsebeth Lavold’s dreamy Silky Wool in “not-so-angelic-red”. This makes for a fun knit and the DK weight yarn blocks up to show the straighforward lace pattern beautifully. There’s lots of new colors in Silky Wool so I may have to try it on another lace pattern - that blend of nubby silk and wool feels so perfect for Arizona weather!

 

The Rambling Rows Afghan is growing steadily - another “like eating potato chips” project. You never have more than 48 stitches on the needle and I’m doing this kid-size afghan out of Cascade 220 Superwash. Pick 5 snappy colors, stick to pastels, or even go to neutrals to suit your purposes. Pattern is written for three sizes and it is FUN to do all in garter stitch. Perfect for car-knitting! Watch for my class on this one…

 

 

Lady Eleanor’s Shawl - is it a shawl or a patio chair cover? Well, right now it’s looking like the latter on its way to being a finished entrelac shawl. I’ve enjoyed working on this one, sort of like eating potato chips though. “Just one more row” has caused some very late nights of knitting! The Noro Kuryeon is perfect for this, next one might be in Silk Garden. It’s helpful to knit backwards (no, not that hard) so you’re not turning the whole thing on your lap at the end of every eight stitch row.

Update: It’s DONE and after Nancy’s most capable blocking handiwork it’s even better! After much hemming an hawing (is that really a verb?), I’ve done another one in Silk Garden while the pattern is still in my brain. Something springy and pink…and here it is, this time in Noro’s Silk Garden for a slightly lighter shawl.

 

AVA’S STUFF

 

Okay so everyone recognizes I’m a bit ADD when it comes to my knitting attention span (but I do finish lots of things). Like most of you I love to start new projects. Nothing inspires me more then our customers. It is amazing how I can spend as much time at the shop as I do & still have my customers introduce me to yarns I’ve overlooked or patterns I didn’t seem to notice on the first go round! I am making tons of gifts (hats, gloves, scarves, bowls etc), a few cardigans for me, a shawl (Wrap Me Up) for a great class coming up & when I’m not doing any of that I’m working on a cardigan for my husband! I promised to finish that while it was still cool outside (by the end of the Jan for sure.) Lots of our customers wonder how I get so many things done … I knit all the time… when I’m not carpooling, working, cooking, sleeping, paying the bills … I knit. I have my yarn with me everywhere I go & when I travel it’s shear agony not to have all my projects & stash with me! I honestly can say I love casting on as much as binding off. It’s getting a second sock that seems so hard!

*Place cursor over image to see description of item.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ON LARAINE’S NEEDLES

 

This delicious shawl has wonderful drape and is suitable for beginners. Just two skeins of Fiesta La Boheme and a size 17 needle are all you need!

 

 

Aestlight

 

My resolution for 2010 is to really push myself and learn lace, entrelac and cables. If you have seen the Aestlights knit by Ava, Cyd and Elaine you can see why I HAD to learn to do this. This project is my first foray into knitting with sock yarn (other than socks) and I am loving it. Who can resist those gorgeous colors. I am using Jitterbug, but it makes up beautifully in Pagewood Farms, Ranco or Ella Rae. Ava Cyd and Elaine are probably going to have to help me every step of the way, but once I learn to do it I plan to make more than one - maybe gifts for next Christmas. The pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry - stop in and get two skeins of gorgeous sock yarn and you will be on your way to Aestlight heaven.

 

 

 

Blue Heron Chenille Vest

 

This easy to knit side to side vest is made of out of 3 skeins (2 colorways) of the Blue Heron Chenille. The yarn is soft and luscious. The pattern is easy, The result I think will be terrific.

 

 

 Manos Ruana

 

This is my third - the first two I gave as gifts (am I a nice person or what?) Many of our customers have made this sensational wrap (Cyd’s version in southwest colors is in the shop) made out of divine Manos Clasica - 10 skeins, 6 colors and the choices are endless. The texture and color of the yarn are unparalleled and it’s an easy knit with dramatic results AND NO FINISHING. The fringe is made as you go and the two rectangles are joined by a large mitered square. The vertical stripes are very flattering. Who doesn’t love that.

 

 

 

 

ON GLORIA’S NEEDLES

The Wallaby (basically a hoodie) is the perfect knitting project for knitters of all skills levels and Gloria used her newly acquired skills learned in Cyd’s Two Fisted Knitting class to knit a Wallaby out of Comfort for the TYC bear. Knitted in the round, the pattern allows you to knit this sweater from child size 2 to adult 2X and you can choose from any of our worsted weight yarns. In addition to Comfort, Cascade 220 and Mission Falls are excellent choices. Color is key - and we have seen customers be wildly creative in their color combinations as they knit these sweaters for their kids and grandkids. You can use school colors, add a pom pom to the hood or eliminate the hood altogether. Your imagination will dictate the result. Of course, Nancy added cable to hers. Show off!

The wonderful Harley Davidson Wallaby (note the addition of the patch) was knit by Cyd - with black yarn on Lantern Moon black needles!!! She continues to amaze. I guess we have to buy that bear a hog.

Right now Gloria is crocheting 100 “kippahs” out of Butterfly for her granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah in January 2010. She is now DONE!

 

ON ANGIE’S NEEDLES

 

I finally finished a “clothing” piece, not just my typical socks, gloves and hats.  I love it too.  A customer came in wearing the Circular Shrug from Ravelry (a free pattern).  I chose black Peruvia Quick, and it was quick!  I used 6 skeins of it and it took me about a week to knit.  Size 13 needles always provide a fast return!