A year of stitches 2018 and other updates

Yes! I'm doing it again.  It's been a lot of fun in 2017.  We will be exploring laces, cables, colorwork,  texture.  More importantly,  we explore ideas for using the swatches we make.

My goal for this year's year in stitches series is one a week.  One post a week will be a stitch either written or charted for knit and crochet. One post each month will be ideas for using the swatches we make.   I'm unsure at this point if these will be ideas or actual patterns.

I will also give updates on my progress with level 1 of master crochet program.  As of Halloween 2017, I had the written answers done and about a dozen of the swatches.   It's been decided,  I have to redo some of my written work.   I have to check swatches and finish those needing to be done.

A Year of Stitches Week 50

Holidays are coming.  What do you do to get ready?  Share your family traditions.

Here is a chart for your pleasure.  This can encompass the year if you choose or you can make them all be autumn/winter related.  Notes about this chart:  Each block shown by a dark grey line is really 10 small blocks.by 10 small blocks.  I have enlarged it as far as possible.  The background of some charts are not white.  You can choose to change them as you desire.

Colorwork - New Ways to Look at It

Previously I've discussed the basic colorwork technique of stripes. These are nice and easy. They can be any sized,  all the same or a specific pattern like Fibonacci, or completely random. Color blocking also falls in this level.  For beginners,  work each color section separately.  For more advanced people,  this is an Intarsia variation.

edit to add this important fact: Without having to purchase multitudes of colors, though who wouldn't, you can have a multiple color project by using variegated yarn, ombre yarn, tonal yarn.  These yarn are multi color either in a 1 color family or a many color family.  But this choice can add interest and variety.  The choices in this range are short color repeats to long color repeats.  This could be as short as an inch or many yards before subtle shifting into the next. 

Then I discussed the next level of colorwork techniques,  Fair Isle,  intarsia, mosaic, and In the case of crochet,  tapestry.  Intarsia can be styled like a coloring book for children with large sections.   Intarsia can be styled as a single Fair Isle pattern.  Fair isle is best done in only 2 colors per round or row.  Mosaic uses 1 color per 2 passes but can have 2 or more colors (usually 2).  Tapestry is essentially a variant of Fair Isle.

Now let's talk about the 3rd level of colorwork techniques.  Filet crochet is black and white.  Best part, the background can be any color you want as can the solid parts.  Entrelac in either crochet or knit can be a fantastic way to take a small stitch pattern or colorwork pattern and make it a much larger.  Each block in the chart equals one square of the entrelac but the entrelac square can be any size.  Finally there is the box stitch or c2c stitch pattern and mitered squares.  As with the entrelac each pattern block is equal to a blocked of c2c or mitered square.  

Let's see what you can do with a level 2 or 3 and the charts. 

Christmas in July days 30 and 31

For these last 2 days, I have thoughts of electronics.  Most people have portable devices of one kind or another.  To wind down on a simple note, offer a little fun, and a chance to try out something new, I have this idea.

Get some wool yarn.  Yes I know we are heading into the dog days of summer.  Save this for later if you like or find an air conditioned place to sit.  Grab a hook or pair of needles that will match your yarn to give you a little larger gauge.  For this I mean that if your ball band recommends a size H hook or size 7 needles to get the suggested gauge, go up 2 sizes.  If you already have to change your hooks or needles, go up 2 sizes from that.  Now grab a copy of a stitch dictionary and pick a bunch of stitch patterns you want to try.

My idea is this.  felted sleeves for portable electronics.  Measure your intended appliance, add 30% more stitches  (3 more stitches for every 10 needed to get the desired measurement).  Then knit or crochet the stitch pattern you chose.  Seam it.  Wash it to felt it either a little or a lot, but only until it matches your needed size.  Let air dry.

Let us use this example:  I have a portable device measuring 2 inches wide by 4 inches tall and is less than 1/2 inch thick.  My yarn suggests a size H hook or 7 needle to get 16 stitches to 4 inches.and 19 rows to 4 inches.  I know that means that I will need to chain or cast on for 11 stitches.  My math is this:  16 stitches divide by 2 is 8 plus 3 for the 30% (I rounded up).  19 rows is 4 inches but I know that felting also pulls vertically more than horizontally so I will add up to 40% more rows to counter this.  So 19 x 40% is 7.6 rows more, round it up to 8 rows.

I know that my pattern has to have space for 11 stitches wide and 27 rows for one side.  Small patterns for small devices allow for more repeats.  Cables require even more stitches for width.  I would add another 20% (2 for every 10 of original number.  Then add the felting 30% ).  So if I choose cables, I would start with 8 stitches plus 2 for cable plus 3 for felting to give me 13 stitches.

I could even choose 2 different patterns for front and back.  I would not choose laces for felting though.  The felting is there to offer some protection from the daily bumps and drops some things get.  The felting will also offer scratch protection.

If you've never intentionally felted anything, have no fear.  It's easy.  Once the Pieces are done and sewn together (I find it easier to sew before felting,).  A bucket of hot water with some soap and a long handled wood spoon are all you need to get started.  The hot water is one felting agent.  The soap provides lubrication for the fibers to slide together.  The spoon provides the agitation, another felting agent.  Do this outside under a shady tree if possible.  It will get you wet.  The idea is to viciously stir the bucket with the soapy water and one or two small objects for felting.  You will need to remove them from time to time to see if the felting is done far enough but not too far that you can't get your final object in.

Once felting is achieved, let air dry.  You can then add a zipper to the open edge or ties or a clasp of some kind.  Have fun and thanks for this journey through July with me.

Christmas in July day 21

Today is about the sports enthusiast.  Gifts could include anything from previous posts done in someone's favorite team colors, camoflage for the hunter/fisherman.  In the past I have found a lot of difficulty in getting free patterns of the licensed logos.  For that matter, I have found difficulty in getting paid patterning for licensed logos.  If you are really determined, though, you can use graph paper and draw it out yourself.  For crochet, use single crochet and graph paper found anywhere that is square.  For knitting, you need specialized paper that is wider than tall to mimic the nature of the stitch.

Here is a link to some

https://www.google.com/search?q=knitting+graph+paper&rlz=1C2OPRB_enUS512US520&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=RcW3UYD7GLe14AP1xIGIDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDUQsAQ&biw=1325&bih=837

Christmas In July

It's that time of year again.  Time to think of what, if anything will I make for family and friends.  Even though the temps are 90+* for most of us and the last thing we want to contemplate is holding all that nice warm wool, we can think of what to make and gather patterns and materials.  Even I don't do much knitting or crocheting in summer.

Will you do sweaters?  Those do need time to complete.  Depending on how you work and what you do, a lot of time is required to finish a sweater.

Will you do quick and easy projects for more people?  Things like hats and mittens are quick and easy.  Slippers fall into this category.  

Are shawls and afghans on your hit list for gift giving?  Perhaps you have wee ones on your list who might like toys.  Possibly you and your recipients are of a practical nature and gift giving is of the use it up variety.

During this month, I will be linking to things of all types that might be on your gift recipients lists.  Some sites will require you to register to access the pattern.  All are free.  Most will want no more than your user name and a password.

To get us started and stay cool for now, try these ideas.  Pair them up with new cooking utensils or a set of pans.  Add these personal touches to a dinner basket that has all the fixings for a favorite meal for the cook in the family.  

Crocheted potholder  Knit potholder  Don't like these?  Try these links for more options.  One thing to keep in mind for this type of project of to use either wool or cotton.  Acrylic will  melt. 

More crocheted potholders   More knitted potholders

As always, if you need help with a project, either directions in the pattern or a specific technique, check with your local Michaels to see when your Knit or Crochet Instructor is available.

New techniques being offered in fall

I'm offering new techniques in the fall!

In addition to the basic classes and advanced classes I already offer, I will be adding  Mobius knitting, Intarsia, Entrelac, Short Rows, I-cord , tapestry Crochet, a 2 needle sock class, Tunisian Crochet (knit and purl variants), Crocodile stitch,  Bavarian Crochet, and painted crochet. Yarn Nights will now include a stitch pattern of the month for knit and crochet.

The basic classes being offered have not changed.  The advanced classes currently being offered also will not change.  

The stitch patterns will come from a variety of sources.  If they come from a book Michaels sells, you will know about that book.

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 Scheduled

Well, Lent and Easter are over.  I hope everyone had a nice holiday vacation.  I know I did.  Even though I cooked for the family like I do every year, I got to spend a lot of time with my husband and son that I don't normally have due to work conflicts.

Festival season will be starting soon.  I co-chair my church's festival each year.  During that time for set up, festival week, and clean up, I will not be running classes.  You will notice a gap in the class line up from the middle of June until the end of July.  This is why there is a gap.  I look forward to doing more blogging in the future.

Here is a schedule of my beginner knit classes.  Below you can find the advanced knit classes and both beginner and advanced crochet classes.  I look forward to each one of these classes.

Discover Knit Stitch Class

May 24  6 – 8:30 pm

July 26  6 – 8:30 pm

August 23  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Purl Stitch Class

May 31  6 – 8:30 pm

August 2  6 – 8:30 pm

August 30  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Pattern Stitches Class

May 10  6 – 8:30 pm

June 7  6 – 8:30 pm

August 9  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Cables Class

June 14 6 – 8:30 pm

August 16  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Single Crochet

May 21  6 – 8:30 pm

July 23  6 – 8:30 pm

August 20  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover the Tall Stitches of Crochet

May 29  6 – 8:30 pm

July 30  6 – 8:30 pm

August 27  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Textured Stitches

June 4  6 – 8:30 pm

August 6  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Granny Squares

June 11 6 – 8:30 pm

August 27  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Baby Knits Class

May 25  6 – 8:30 pm

July 31  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Mitered Knitting Class

June 1  6 – 8:30 pm

July 27 6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Fair Isle Class

June 8  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Advanced Knitting Classes

May 11 6-8:30 pm Intarsia

June 15 6-8:30 pm  Beaded Knitting

August 3 6 – 8:30 pm  Socks Pt. 1 – Example sock

August 10 6 – 8:30 pm Socks Pt. 2 – Cuff, Leg and Heel

August 17 6 – 8:30 pm Socks Pt. 3 – Foot, Toe and Graft of Toe 

Discover Baby Crochet Class

May 23  6 – 8:30 pm

July 25  6 – 8:30 pm

August 22  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Throws and Wraps in Crochet Class

May 30  6 – 8:30 pm

August 29 6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Crochet Gifts Class

June 6  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Advanced Crochet Classes

June 13 6-8:30 pm Beaded Crochet

Intarsia example

I was hunting in my crafting room recently to find this sweater.  Both my sons wore this sweater.  It is an intarsia panda bear.  This is just one example of the many things you can do with this remarkable technique.  Just had to share. 
As I find more examples of the techniques I plan to offer in the Advanced classes, I will be sure to post them.