Must Share the Good News

Being part of a fairly large family on my husband's side, we have many nieces and nephews.  I have good news that one niece had a son a couple months ago.  Congratulations to Raquel and her son.  Tonight I was given the good news of another niece presenting the family with a son as well.  Mother and son are doing well, but baby is premature.  I will make a few things for this little fellow until he can grow into newborn sizes.

All the patterns I will be using come from Bev's Country Cottage  Bev very generously shares patterns she created when her own child was born prematurely.  Some are for knitting,  Some are for crocheting.  Some are for sewing.  A few are taking advantage of the knitting looms available.  Others have contributed their own patterns and variations of patterns.  I will be using easy care, hypo-allergenic acrylic yarns for the patterns I choose.  A lot of babies that size have sensitivities to animal fibers or harsh plant fibers.

And now back to the hooks and needles.  There's a little boy who's a touch under dressed.  Hopefully I can get pictures and get them uploaded.

In progress, I have a granny square afghan made from lion brand's homespun in the colorway ocean.  I will be putting a border of pale blue bunny tail around the outside edge.  I also have a cardigan/diaper shirt started with pound of love in light blue.  I'm doing the preemie size with a G hook.  I also printed the going home outfit and will be doing that one once others are done.

This is the preemie set

 

Two views of the granny blanket

 Newborn sized hat and sweater  The pattern is the 5 hour baby sweater with optional bonnet done in the boy version.

Baby Jae

Sale Time!!

Michaels has just announced!!!  

Knit & Crochet Classes during September 8 Open House will be 50% off.  What a great deal!!  


I must edit this post as new details have arrived.

Knit and Crochet classes qualify for the discount all day September 8.  The meet the instructors event is 11 - 3.  

All classes in the books will qualify for the discount.  I have classes scheduled to the end of the year.  Schedules will be available.

Getting ready for Open House

Open House  September 9

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Come meet the instructors!

As the knitting and crochet instructor, I know I will be there all 4 hours to talk to anyone and everyone who wants to discuss classes.  I know someone will be available to discuss the Wilton Cake Decorating, Grumbacher Art Painting classes, Bead Corner Design Academy classes, Paper Ed classes, Spotted Canary School, Martha Stewart classes, kid classes, birthday parties, and more.  Come check out what we have available.

My display will include projects from all available classes.  I start with the basics of knit and crochet and offer classes in some of the advanced techniques, such as loom knitting, sock knitting, double knitting, broomstick lace, intarsia, mosiac crochet, filet crochet, beaded crochet and knitting, and how to work with some of the newer novelty yarns.  If there is something you want to learn and don't see an offering for that class, let me know and I can tailor a class for you and any interested friends.  

My classes include individual attention and learning the basics of the stitches and pattern reading.  There is also a yarn department tour where a quick discussion about the variety of yarns and tools available take place.  We will also cover gauge and gauge swatches and their uses during classes.

Crochet Classes start with the basics of chaining and how to do the foundation stitches that all crochet is built on up to and including the common shells, clusters and granny square.  More advanced Crochet classes are available after the basics are learned and textural stitches, working in the round, natural folds, construction, reading charts and lace are tackled.  

Knit classes start with the basics of casting on and how to knit and purl and move through patterning and cables in the beginner classes.  The more advanced classes include learning more about shaping, working in the round, touching on fair isle, charted knitting and mitered knitting.

I even offer ideas to get you started on how to take the most basic pattern and change it so you have something completely different looking but still stay within your skill level.  Discussions can take place about trying new techniques you want to learn and how to incorporate them into something smaller to test.

New Classes being added to the calendar

New classes are being added to the existing calendar of yarnie goodness!!!  Schedules will be available with the updated classes at all classes, demonstrations, yarn nights and other events.

I am adding these classes due to requests!

Discover Time to Knit/Crochet - Novelty Yarns  September 15, 9 - 11:30am.  I will be showcasing 5 different novelty yarns and how to use them and patterns for completing the sample projects.

Discover Time to Crochet - Afghan Stitches  September 29, 9 - 11:30 am.  I will be featuring ripple stitches, granny stitch variations, and mile a minute.  Patterns will be available both written and charted.

Discover Time to Knit - Loom Knitting  9 - 11:30 am  Don't want to learn to knit with needles?  Can't knit due to health issues such as arthritis?  Just want to learn a new way to knit??  I show you how to use a loom to knit flat panels and in the round.  

I am also listing my demonstrations that I know of to the end of the year.  I will update this as new things crop up.  I can answer simple questions about yarn, tools, and patterns during these times.

September 22  11 - 1                                              November 3    11 - 1
October 13      1 - 3                                                December 8    11 - 1

Second Friday of October (October 12)

I Love Yarn Day

I will be in from 430 - 530 for I love Yarn day.  Come Check out some of the neat things being done with yarn!

Warm Up America

 will be kicking off in the beginning of November and information will follow.  All afghans created will be donated locally to Lebanon Rescue Mission/Agape House, Lebanon's homeless shelters.  

I also want to include these Yarn Nights:

September 22     1:30 - 3:30 pm

October 16         6 - 8 pm

October 30         6 - 8 pm

November 27     6 - 8 pm

December 1       11 - 1

During Yarn Night, I will be available to answer simple questions about patterns you may have, questions about yarns, etc.  I will have yarn as well as hooks and needles for use during these times for anyone who wants to help with making blocks for Warm Up America afghans.  Come on out and sit and stitch with me.

My Mother's in law hooded scarf present ~ Christmas 2011

Last year, I gave my mother in law a hooded, pocketed scarf.  It was done in red wool/acrylic blend.  Red was chosen because it favors her well.  It was a fairly quick knit on size 13 needles and with a super bulky yarn.  The area inside the pockets is stockinette.  The body of the scarf is 3 stitches of seed stitch and a plait cable in the center with 3 stitches in reverse stockinette.  I will have to see my Mother iu law about getting good pictures of her with her scarf and the scarf alone.  The pictures I took with my cell phone and camera are less than acceptable.  Pictures and I are uneasy friends.  Maybe I should invest in a photography class for beginners.

Mom's Scarf

I used 6 skeins Cozy Wool and size 13 US needles.

Stitches used are Seed Stitch, Reverse Stockinette Stitch, and Plait Cable.

CO 11 sts.
Row 1,3:  K 5, m1, K to end.
Rows 2, 4:  P 5, m1p-wise, P to end.
Row 5:  k 1, p1, k1, p 2, k3, m1, k2, p2, k 1, p1, k1.
Row 6:  k1, p1, k3, p3, m1 p-wise, p3, k3, p1, k1
Row 7:  k1, p1, k1, p2, k3, m1, k4, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 8:  k1, p1, k3, p4, m1 p-wise, p4, k3, p1, k1
Row 9:  k1, p1, k1, p2, k9, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 10:  k1, p1, k3, p9, k3, p1, k1

You should have 19 sts on R 10.

Now start the plait cable

Row 11:  k1, p1, k1, p2, k9, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 12:  k1, p1, k3, p9, k3, p1, k1
Row 13:  k1, p1, k1, p2, FC6, k3, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 14:  k1, p1, k3, p9, k3, p1, k1
Row 15:  k1, p1, k1, p2, k9, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 16:  k1, p1, k3, p9, k3, p1, k1
Row 17:  k1, p1, k1, p2, k3, BC 6, p2, k1, p1, k1
Row 18:   k1, p1, k3, p9, k3, p1, k1

Rep R 11 - 18 until you have 6ft of scarf.  Start doing reverse shaping from R 10 - 1, using k2 tog in place of m1 and p2tog in place of m1 p-wise.

To make pockets (Make 2)

CO 11

Row 1,3, 5, 7, 9:  K 5, m1, K to end.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10:  P 5, m1p-wise, P to end.


Work 2 inches in k1, p1 rib.  Bind off in pattern.

Mattress Stitch to Scarf ends.

To do the hood portion

Fold scarf in half and on center 36 inches pick up 2 sts for every 3 rows.  Work 3 sts at each edge in seed stitch and working in to center, 1 stitch Rev Stockinette, a 6 stitch plait cable, 1 stitch Rev Stockinette, and the bulk of the hood is stockinette.  Work in this manner for 15 inches.  Graft edges together for a seamless look.