Just a quick flower posting

I have patterns for all the ornaments for the ornament classes with one exception.  The flower.  I can't devote much time to it for another week.  But I do think about it in odd little moments when carnival thoughts allow it in.

I have the basics worked out.  I'm just having trouble with finding an increase that works like I want.  I even asked my husband one morning at breakfast what he thought of using yarn overs.  Before you all yell that he won't understand, this is one he does.  He knows this makes a hole.  He didn't like it.  I did a petal in it anyway to see what it would look like.  Jury is still out on my thoughts.  I might pull out "The Principles of Knitting" to see what I can find there that is along my thoughts for increases.

For the crochet ornament class, there will be a stocking, bird, butterfly, popcorn garland with and without cranberries and a stocking.  For the knit ornament class I have planned for a stocking, a sweater, a hat, a bell and this flower.  Some patterns will have size variants or variations to make it look different but still the same.

Pictures will come in 2 weeks.  Next week is the carnival and I have a ton of details to finish for my jobs.  These are all last minute things that can't be done ahead of time.  Then comes the carnival and a day of rest.  Two Mondays from now will be clean up day and then I'm back in teaching mode again.

Have a safe July.

Works in progress and nurturing new knitters

At a recent Christmas party, I had the great joy of helping a grand niece learn to use her knitting machine.  It's an updated version of one I received when I was about her age. Hers has more capabilities than mine did. My only complaint is it came with eyelash yarn.  This young lady let me know what I knew but didn't voice. This yarn in not easy for a beginner to learn with.  My solution? To give her yarn that I know I won't be using for whatever reason.  My problem? I could not find it anywhere. I just knew it was in certain storage containers. It took me three weeks and a nasty bout of stomach flu to find it. It was exactly where I put it. I had consolidated most of my stash in the way that makes sense to me.

Unfortunately the finding of stash coincided with some really cold (definitely Arctic) weather and our heat was lost. The air intake and exhaust were blocked by ice. No way was I going to pack yarn in 30* temps in my basement.  Now we have heat back and a new problem. But I can pack the yarn in relative warmth.   She will be getting a nice big box of assorted yarns and colors.

My new issue? We had a leak that is threatening our bedroom ceiling. My task is to clean out all the things I can so we can move the furniture out to replace the ceiling.  I'm finding projects I forgot about, projects I started and put aside, projects for classes, charity afghans for warm up America.

I decided to make two lists.  One of each UFO and who it is for, when it was started, when it is needed by.  The other list is who is on the gift list and three ideas for each.  Where I can I will be matching up these two lists.  So far I have almost twenty UFO s.

I also have an opportunity to put each project in its own bag. This will make it easier to grab something on my way out the door or as I sit down and relax.  When the list is finished, I will post it.  This might be better for holding me accountable and get things finished.

What else I'm working on and for whom

Right now I have many things on my plate knit-wise and crochet-wise.  Some of it is for me, some is for others who are current friends or family, some for potential future friends or family through a charity of one kind or another.  I never say no to a new friend.

1.  I'm knitting a sweater that must get done for my certification level 2 from Craft Yarn Council of America.  (I have to do all of the crochet level 2 yet).  I'm using Paton's Super Wool that I got from a de-stash after a home yarn shop closed due to the death of the owner.  The color is a beige/khaki that I can wear in winter for teaching.

2. I started a ballerina style sweater for my new daughter in law for Christmas last year.  It hasn't been touched since I started it.  This is also being done in Paton's Super Wool in a magenta color.

3. I have worsted weight olive drab wool socks started for my son to replace his worn out ones.  He's in the Marines and these meet warmth requirements for wearing under his worn out socks.  He has size 11 feet.  The leg must be 12 inches or better.  I started these twice, the first time 2 at a time on 2 circulars, this time I'm doing them one at a time on either dpns or 2 circulars.  I don't have the brain space to keep track of 2 at a time right now.  I'm using Paton's Classic Wool for these.

4. I am working on a c2c baby afghan.  C2C is corner to corner.  This is a new fad on some of the fb boards featuring crochet.  I may have seen it on Ravelry also.  I've seen this before but loved the reminder.  I'm doing this instead of the "thermal baby blanket" I found in a 1960's era pattern book.  The recipient was the matron of honor in my son's wedding.  The thermal baby blanket that I had started was chains and single crochets in an elongated single crochet filet.  This is beautiful but very slow growing.  I'm using 4 skeins of Deborah Norville Serenity Sock Yarn in two colorways, Indigo and Pink Sugar.  I don't know if the baby is a boy or girl, hence the pink and blue combo.  

5.  There is a 3/4 Pi Shawl in the works.  I'm using Paton's Lace for this in bonfire.  I'll be posting how I did this in a future post.  This is a variant of Elizabeth Zimmermann's Pi Shawl from the book Knitting Workshop.

6.  There is a lace mystery shawl in Paton's Lace (colorway Porcelain).  I'm designing this triangular shawl but it's slow going due to having trouble with picking lace patterns.  This will be put up in the future too.

7 & 8.  8 inch swatches for the stitch pattern of the month being given out at the end of the month during a yarn night.  August's patterns are Feather and Fan (K) and Box Stitch (C).  For these, I'm using Lion Brand Fisherman wool.  I have one skein of each color  See the beautiful natural shades here.  When I reach August 2014, I should have enough blocks for an afghan.

9.  I'm also swatching a baby sweater.  I had been wanting to use it for my level 2 certification project but it didn't meet requirements.  I have the back and at least 1 front done.  I don't remember if I have a sleeve done or just thought our.  Pattern will again be coming.  For the swatch I'm using Red Heart Super Saver in Aran colorway.

10.  New projects to showcase new yarns.  I'm using free patterns from the yarn companies.  I'm doing a hat in Paton's Metallic, a partial scarf in Paton's Colorwul , a 1/2 size baby vest in Bernat Tizzy, a cowl for Paton's Cobbles yarn, a tiny heart pillow in Loops & Threads Fashion Fur, a cowl in L&T Fabulous Fur, and finally a project using LionBrand's bon bons yarn.  Pictures will be coming.  

11.  In hibernation, I have a yellow cotton summer top/vest from a pattern from Lion Brand.  The free pattern is here.  It's a broomstick lace in the round.  I started this 2 years ago on my 25th wedding anniversary trip.  I have the shoulder straps done and all joined in the round by at least 1 round.  The yarn was from a salvaged thrifted sweater.  I got it for the color.  It's a bright, bright yellow.  I like bright colors for summer.

12.  Always on the go for bedtime, cotton dishcloths done from Sugar & Cream or Peaches & Creme.  I don't have to think for this and can knit in my twilight zone.  I use size 6 - 8 US needles for this in circular.  Circs minimize me pulling the stitches off the needles when I fall asleep.  The points don't hurt when I lay on them.  The ball of yarn is not so comfortable.  I pick up balls of both brands when I see new colors.  I have a bunch of balls waiting to be made up but when I do these as just bedtime knitting, I don't get them done terribly fast.  

13.  I also started the Lion Brand Tranquility Knit along from this past spring.  I didn't finish it.  I barely started it.  I really like this pattern.  I like the yarn I am using (cotton worsted weight yarn in the breast cancer awareness pink ombre).  Again this could be a summer top or a vest for cooler weather.

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.