My Class WIPs (Works In Progress)

For those of you new to knit and crochet, you might well wonder why anyone would have more than one work in progress and how anyone keeps them straight.  I used to wonder that myself.  Now I just try to keep the unfinished things to a "manageable" number.  There is no set number, by the way.  Manageable means to me what doesn't feel overwhelming.

When I was a kid and just starting with knit and crochet, my parents didn't invest in it because it could be a phase.  Most parents didn't get their kids every last thing they wanted back then.  I used the same skein or two of yarn I had to knit and re knit different things.  I knit and crocheted that yarn until it was a mass of knots.  Then I got new.    With only one pair of needles and one hook, I couldn't start a whole lot.  I also didn't care for the patterns in the one book I had.  So scarves and I were "good friends".

So how did I get to this point of having more than one thing going?  As I had kids and they got older, they wanted sweaters in something out of the ordinary, I would start something for son A.  Son B would also want something for himself.  Thus was born 2 or 3 projects on the go.  I would also be working on Christmas gifts and afghans during this time as well.  Also my interests in what was going on around me necessitated some quick start to finish items.

Then the kids got older and started doing after school activities and sports, there was a need born for portability in my projects.  I took things with me to sports practices, drama practices, music practices.  I knit and crocheted through concerts, plays, sporting events.  My prerequisite was that it could not have too many pieces or be complicated.  Basic stockinette, garter and granny squares went everywhere with me.  When something was too big, complicated or had too many pieces, it stayed home to be finished when I had the time.  Thus was born the multiple projects.  Many got finished.  Some languished in drawers or cabinets for a while, a long while in some cases but none at this moment are more than 10 years old.

I have finally gotten a handle on my works in progress, or WIPs, as they are commonly referred to.  To date, I only have a Fleur lace scarf/necklace to knit for class, a sweater for Son B (started when he was a sophomore in high school.  He's 23 now), a dishcloth, a cabled cardigan for myself, a red and tan cardigan for myself that needs frogging (rip it, rip it, rip it), two pairs of socks for myself, a pair of socks for Son B and a broomstick lace shell for me.  If there are more, I don't want to know about them.

During the past year, my projects spiraled out of control.  It was almost overwhelming.  I was working hard to get class samples finished for my students to see, feel and learn from in class and during Open Houses or demonstrations.  I also had quite a few swatches and projects that needed to get done for my class.  On top of that, I had gifts I wanted to make.  You can see how things take priority at times.  My home projects got pushed aside to get small things for class done.  Larger projects for class were scaled down to something manageable but still had the techniques that needed to be seen.

At this time, I keep one small project in my purse.  I have tote bags with one project in each ready to go with me at a moment's notice or sit beside me as I watch TV or scroll through stuff on the computer.  Large projects live life beside the sofa and never see the outside world until finished.

When do I find the time to do all I do?  This is something a lot of family and friends ask me.  My purse projects are for just such occasions now.  Am I sitting waiting for a train to go through the middle of town, waiting in line at the grocery store/post office/bank?  Did husband and I go out to eat and wait for the waitress to take our order/bring our food after ordering/bring the check after eating?  Am I waiting for an appointment, either in the waiting room or in an office?  All these are prime knitting or crocheting opportunities.  Just a couple of minutes here and there add up to hours of time during the week.  Is there less time now that the kids don't have sporting events and plays and such?  No.  We all have the same 24 hours in a day.  I just live mine a little differently than I used to.

So the next time you are in a restaurant or home improvement center or any other kind of store, and you see a woman knitting or crocheting, stop by and say Hi!  It's probably me.

Saturday's Yarn Tasting Class

Saturday, there will be a yarn tasting class.  I will be featuring five novelty yarns, what can be done with them, and how to use them. These are the yarns and projects I plan to feature.

Premier Starbella yarn

Red Heart Boutique Chic yarn

Loops & Threads Pompom yarn

Loops & Threads Poodle Yarn

Red Heart Boutique Sashay yarn

Patterns and how-to's for each project will be in class.  Come check out the newest yarns and how to use them.

NEW CLASS!!! Learn to Fair Isle!

Just got word, there is a new class out.

Learn to Fair Isle

This is a class to learn the basics of knitting in Fair Isle and the project is a nice warm headband instead of a hat.  Even though today, temps are going to hit near 90*, fall and winter are coming.  

I have added this class to my schedule to coincide with the Discover Knit Gifts - Fair Isle Cowl.  You can choose to do one or both during those classes.

These look wonderfully easy and will help keep you warm on those cold days that are coming.

This class can be signed up for during Michaels Open House, September 8.  All Discover Knit and Crochet classes are 50% off.  

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.