Yesterday I set about to clear some room in my sewing/craft room in the basement. That sentence alone gives a hint of things to come. The reason I needed to do this was a I have a big sewing project to do for my day job and wanted room by my machine. I did actually get there. I did not get the job done to my satisfaction but that is for another time.
I'm convinced that yarn balls, skeins, hanks, even fleece multiplies while left alone in a darkened room. Silly you say? Hear me out. I found yarn that I do remember buying, yarn I have never seen before, yarn I have seen but don't know where it came from nor what I used it for.
Yarn I do remember buying I accept. It was close out cottons for dish cloths and such. It might have been part of a leftover ball from a Christmas present or worse whole skeins. I try to keep fibers together and weights in those broad categories, kind of like yarn departments. I'm not lucky enough to have the nice bins. But then I also don't have to worry about my pets nesting in them or having yarn get dusty before it gets used.
Yarns I have never seen before or don't remember where it came from or where I used it but do know I have are more perplexing. I found the bit of sweater that needs frogging still that had been son #2's. He has his finished sweater so all is fine. I have found things that completely bewilder me. Why would I buy that???? Where did I buy it? What did I use it for? What was I planning for this yarn?
I also clustered together the UFOs found. I have all in their own bags, a shawl, a pair of worsted weight socks for a son, a baptism shawl that is no longer needed, 5 skeins of worsted alpaca for a Miss Lambert's scarf started on a guild retreat, 3 pairs of vanilla socks for me, cotton yarn and tulle kitted up for dish cloth and scrubby creation, pumpkin hats for a guild fundraiser started but not finished, mittens also for the guild but in mismatched sizes, a feather and fan prayer shawl, granny squares for an afghan, 3 unfinished quilts of varying sizes, a kit of yarn and pattern for pocket pals also for a guild fundraiser, lavender alpaca for a scarf for my soon to be daughter in law before discovering she hates lavender, an adult surprise jacket for me, 1/4 of a hippo (?????), and an unfinished dog sweater.
Some of these things are for classes. Most are clearly guild related and should be finished. Other things should just be finished so they are done and can be utilized. The quilts are going to take time and lots of it.
Once all the yarn is away. Once all the Christmas decorations are also in their appropriate spaces. Once I sort the summer clothes and get them where they need to go and the winter stuff has a place to go. Once all this is done, I might actually be able to work in that room as I intended and get Christmas done early.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Patterns abroad
I subscribe to some blogs from other countries. I don't speak any language well with the exception of English. I can get my point across in Spanish given enough time and possibly a dictionary. I don't read any language sadly. However....
I have found that non English patterns have one of two things going for them. They are either charts with a finished picture. Or they are easily copy and pasted into Google translator. With a translate program, you might not always get the whole thing in an understandable instruction but you can usually figure it out. European languages are easiest it appears. Asian and Middle Eastern are a bit harder for this program.
Thankfully, Asian and Middle Eastern patterns that I have found are usually charted. If you can read charts, this is a great resource for you. I'm sure there are patterns that are written but I have not seen them, nor have I searched for them.
Why am I telling you about these? Other countries do such interesting things with their crafting. Things I have not seen in American patterns before.
Three of my favorites are http://www.meumundocraft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Crendo-Giocndo/194797540599902
http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/orhideya6868
The top one is in Portuguese and comes from Brazil. The middle one is a facebook page and I think you have to join facebook in order to access the page. This is an Italian page but everything is laid out like pinterest pins or is charted. Sadly, I'm too old for some of the ideas I saw but I have a soon to be daughter in law who isn't. The bottom one is in Russian. Google translate will be a great help here. This woman has a lot of great patterns and ideas.
I have seen a lot of Japanese patterns scattered all over but I don't have a site I frequent. Do you have an international blog that you follow for patterns? Are you an international reader who posts patterns? Please share.
I have found that non English patterns have one of two things going for them. They are either charts with a finished picture. Or they are easily copy and pasted into Google translator. With a translate program, you might not always get the whole thing in an understandable instruction but you can usually figure it out. European languages are easiest it appears. Asian and Middle Eastern are a bit harder for this program.
Thankfully, Asian and Middle Eastern patterns that I have found are usually charted. If you can read charts, this is a great resource for you. I'm sure there are patterns that are written but I have not seen them, nor have I searched for them.
Why am I telling you about these? Other countries do such interesting things with their crafting. Things I have not seen in American patterns before.
Three of my favorites are http://www.meumundocraft.com/
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Crendo-Giocndo/194797540599902
http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/orhideya6868
The top one is in Portuguese and comes from Brazil. The middle one is a facebook page and I think you have to join facebook in order to access the page. This is an Italian page but everything is laid out like pinterest pins or is charted. Sadly, I'm too old for some of the ideas I saw but I have a soon to be daughter in law who isn't. The bottom one is in Russian. Google translate will be a great help here. This woman has a lot of great patterns and ideas.
I have seen a lot of Japanese patterns scattered all over but I don't have a site I frequent. Do you have an international blog that you follow for patterns? Are you an international reader who posts patterns? Please share.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
New Schedules and some time off
In an effort to have sufficient time for everything coming up, one son with his fiance is coming for a visit around Easter. The same son is graduating and getting married in the month for weddings. I also wanted to make sure I had enough classes scheduled for everyone to be happy and get what they need.
Here are my classes thru the end of July. I don't want to think of August or the last third of the year just yet.
Beginner Knit Classes which are held Thursday nights unless otherwise noted are first.
Here are my classes thru the end of July. I don't want to think of August or the last third of the year just yet.
Beginner Knit Classes which are held Thursday nights unless otherwise noted are first.
Discover
Knit Stitch Class All Classes are 6 –
8:30 pm
February 28
April 4
April 6 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)
May 2
May 30
July 25
Discover Purl
Stitch Class All Classes are 6 – 8:30
pm
March 7
April 11
April 13 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)
May 9
June 6
July 5
Discover
Pattern Stitches Class All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm
February 14
March 14
April 18
April 20 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)
May 16
June 27
July 6 (Saturday 9 – 11:30am)
Discover
Cables Class All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm
February 21
March 21
April 25
April 27 (Saturday 9 – 11:30 am)
May 23
June 7
Beginner Crochet classes are next up. These are held every Monday night unless otherwise noted.
Discover
Single Crochet All
Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm
March 11
April 1
April 29
June 24
July 23
Discover
the Tall Stitches of Crochet All
Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm
February 11
March 11
April 8
May 6
June 3
July 29
Discover
Granny Squares All
Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm
February 18
March 18
April 22
May 13
June 10
July 31
Discover
Textured Stitches All
Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm
February 25
April 22
May 20
June 5
Advanced Knit classes are held Friday nights unless otherwise noted.
Discover
Baby Knits Class All Classes are 6 –
8:30 pm
Kimono March 1
Blanket & Booties April 5
Kimono May 3
Blanket & Booties May 31
Kimono July 26
Discover
Mitered Knitting Class All Classes are
6 – 8:30 pm
March 8
April 12
May 10
Discover
Fair Isle Class/Learn to Fair Isle All
Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm
February 15
March 15
April 19
May 17
June 28
Discover
Time To Knit Classes All Classes are 6
– 8:30 pm
March 22 Socks Toe Up
April 26 Double Knitting
May 24 Socks Top Down
Advanced Crochet classes are the final classes scheduled.
Discover
Baby Crochet Class All Classes are 6
– 8:30 pm
Rattle March 6
Hooded Blanket April 3
Rattle May 1
Hooded Blanket May 29
Rattle July 24
Discover
Throws and Wraps in Crochet Class All
Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm
Lace Openwork Wrap February 13
One Piece Granny Throw March 13
Lace Openwork Wrap April 10
One Piece Granny Afghan May 8
Lace Openwork Wrap June 26
Discover
Crochet Gifts Class All Classes are
6 – 8:30 pm
February 20
March 20
April 17
May 15
Discover Time to Crochet Classes All Classes are 6 – 8:30 pm
February 27 Tapestry Crochet
March 2 Knook
April 24 Broomstick Lace
May
22 Afghan Patterns
The last thing to note are yarn nights.
Yarn Nights are
times for you to get a question answered about a stitch, yarn or pattern
question that doesn’t require a full class.
You can also sit and stitch with me at this time. Times are 6 – 8:30 pm unless otherwise noted.
February 26
March 19
April 23
May 21
June 1 (Saturday, 1 – 4 pm)
July 30
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Needle and Hook Storage Issue
I'm working my way through a small dilemma. I have needles and hooks for my knitting and crocheting. I have collected them through my years of stitching. I have a lot, not as many as some people, but more than most I suspect.
I have multitudes of knitting needles in 14 inch length. I have at least 2 pairs in 10 inch length. I have way more circulars than I know what to do with in my house. (I may use them to teach at a local school, but that is another time.) I have at least 2 sets of each size double points in 7 inch lengths. I have several oddball lengths of double points. I have 4 cases (if you have ever seen a yarn catalog, you know the thing I mean. If not, click here.) of crochet hooks. They all have aluminum and plastic yarn hooks filled to overflowing. Only 2 have the smaller steel hooks.
This list doesn't even begin to cover the needles and hooks that are in projects that are being worked on, taking a break, hibernating or waiting for frogging. This list also doesn't take into account the needles that have been loaned out to someone who needed something while I was out and about. I also have some in my purse and vehicles for "emergencies". You never know when these might come in handy.
Currently they live in a their assorted cases or not in a cardboard box under my bed. It's a sad thing. In talking with another woman at my knitting guild, I learned that she kept her needles and hooks and notions in a vanity or train case that she found while visiting antique shops and thrift stores. (See her blog here) This is just right for the long 14 inchers and all the rest. Thinking this is a great idea and a good way to utilize something I might already have, I checked my luggage. No such luck.
I then began my hunt through local thrift stores and Michaels for an alternative. Michaels has some really nice paper boxes (see these as an example of some scrap booking paper storage boxes) but they are not large enough for my intention. I have been to every thrift store in my town and the antique market (think indoor flea market with antique prices) looking for something. I could kick myself to bypassing a nice wicker picnic basket a few days before this conversation. I even carried it around with me for a while, put it down and repeated several times before a final lay down. This would have been perfect for my loom knitting stuff to be kept together.
I will keep an eye out. I will try to go to yard sales and the flea market a little more often to see what I can find. If you have any ideas how to solve this quickly, let me know. I'm open to options.
I have multitudes of knitting needles in 14 inch length. I have at least 2 pairs in 10 inch length. I have way more circulars than I know what to do with in my house. (I may use them to teach at a local school, but that is another time.) I have at least 2 sets of each size double points in 7 inch lengths. I have several oddball lengths of double points. I have 4 cases (if you have ever seen a yarn catalog, you know the thing I mean. If not, click here.) of crochet hooks. They all have aluminum and plastic yarn hooks filled to overflowing. Only 2 have the smaller steel hooks.
This list doesn't even begin to cover the needles and hooks that are in projects that are being worked on, taking a break, hibernating or waiting for frogging. This list also doesn't take into account the needles that have been loaned out to someone who needed something while I was out and about. I also have some in my purse and vehicles for "emergencies". You never know when these might come in handy.
Currently they live in a their assorted cases or not in a cardboard box under my bed. It's a sad thing. In talking with another woman at my knitting guild, I learned that she kept her needles and hooks and notions in a vanity or train case that she found while visiting antique shops and thrift stores. (See her blog here) This is just right for the long 14 inchers and all the rest. Thinking this is a great idea and a good way to utilize something I might already have, I checked my luggage. No such luck.
I then began my hunt through local thrift stores and Michaels for an alternative. Michaels has some really nice paper boxes (see these as an example of some scrap booking paper storage boxes) but they are not large enough for my intention. I have been to every thrift store in my town and the antique market (think indoor flea market with antique prices) looking for something. I could kick myself to bypassing a nice wicker picnic basket a few days before this conversation. I even carried it around with me for a while, put it down and repeated several times before a final lay down. This would have been perfect for my loom knitting stuff to be kept together.
I will keep an eye out. I will try to go to yard sales and the flea market a little more often to see what I can find. If you have any ideas how to solve this quickly, let me know. I'm open to options.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Warm Up America
I have delivered our first installment of afghans to our local homeless shelter, Lebanon Hopes. This is a new endeavor for our county. Five full sized afghans and a baby afghan were delivered. Pictures will be posted. A great many thanks to all who donate to this worthy cause, whether it's joining or the actual squares.
While there, I asked for more information about Lebanon Hopes than was in our local newspaper. See the article here. The Resource Center has hours 8 - 4 each day with a case manager on duty. There is also a kitchenette, a playroom, a quiet room (for those who don't feel well), shower facilities and a computer to aid with job searching. The nights are spent in local church social halls.
Sadly I think this service is going to become more and more needed in the near future. For those able to donate time or resources to creating afghans, please continue to do so. It is appreciated by everyone involved.
Links here are for Warm Up America and the requirements for blocks or whole afghans.
Block Patterns
Warm Up America History
Afghan Joining requirements There are three ways I like to join. The first is the mattress stitch as promoted by the Craft Yarn Council. The second is by slip stitching in crochet on the right or wrong side of the blocks. The third is by single crocheting over the edges of both blocks.
Here in Lebanon we accept any orphans or swatches that you no longer want as well as blocks made from the basic patterns for blocks. Gauge should be kept at 5 stitches to the inch. This helps keep the user warm.
While there, I asked for more information about Lebanon Hopes than was in our local newspaper. See the article here. The Resource Center has hours 8 - 4 each day with a case manager on duty. There is also a kitchenette, a playroom, a quiet room (for those who don't feel well), shower facilities and a computer to aid with job searching. The nights are spent in local church social halls.
Sadly I think this service is going to become more and more needed in the near future. For those able to donate time or resources to creating afghans, please continue to do so. It is appreciated by everyone involved.
Links here are for Warm Up America and the requirements for blocks or whole afghans.
Block Patterns
Warm Up America History
Afghan Joining requirements There are three ways I like to join. The first is the mattress stitch as promoted by the Craft Yarn Council. The second is by slip stitching in crochet on the right or wrong side of the blocks. The third is by single crocheting over the edges of both blocks.
Here in Lebanon we accept any orphans or swatches that you no longer want as well as blocks made from the basic patterns for blocks. Gauge should be kept at 5 stitches to the inch. This helps keep the user warm.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Knitting Needles and Hooks Choices
I get asked often what type of needle or hook should I use for this. I thought I would explore this topic a bit more.
What are my options?
Aluminum hooks and needles have the benefit of being slippery. These are usually in sizes 2 - 15 US for knitting needles and B - K for crochet hooks. These sizes will get you through 95% of your knitting and crocheting. They are light in weight. They are anodized aluminum and each size is a different color. Drawbacks can be that they are slippery if you are very loose with your stitches. The aluminum doesn't warm up in most people's hands in winter and can burn if left in the sun in summer. Sizes for needles are on the stop button on the end that hold stitches on the needle. Sizes for hooks are on the grip or the end. All of these are part of the molding process. Knitting needles can be bend by being sat on, as can Tunisian crochet hooks. Aluminum needles have fairly pointy points. Aluminum hooks have points on the end of the hook to help go into tight stitches.
Plastic hooks and needles are less slippery than aluminum but more so than the other materials. Plastic hooks come in sizes D - S and can be all the same color or different colors. Plastic needles come in sizes 3 or 4 US up to 50. They can again be all the same color or different colors. A pair will be 2 of the same color. These are light in weight. They can break in smaller sizes from being sat on or held too tightly. Larger sizes are harder to break. Plastic warms up after being held for a while. Plastic needles have blunter tips than aluminum and get more so as the size goes up. Plastic hooks have blunter points on the end of the hook. Plastic is one of the more inexpensive materials and runs neck and neck with aluminum.
Bamboo needles are much more grippy than any of the other materials listed. I have not seen crochet hooks made of bamboo. My theory is that the throat can't be gotten smooth enough to prevent catching yarn fibers. I don't have this on anything other than my personal thoughts. They are polished but still grippy. They are warm to the touch and remain that way. They are hard to break unless very small such as US 1 - 4. Bamboo needles have very blunt tips compared to the other matierals. Like plastic they get more blunt as the size gets larger. Cost for this material is higher than plastic or aluminum but less than rosewood or steel.
Rosewood hooks and needles lightweight, warm to the touch, sharp points on both the hooks and needles. These are less grippy than bamboo but more so than plastic. In Michaels I have seen US 5 - 10 (or so) knitting needles and size G - K hooks. Smaller than this and they will be too fragile. Larger than this and they won't get used as much since the larger sizes are not as versatile for as many sizes of yarn. They are a luxury item. They are very nice to use. Cost is one of the downsides to this material. They make a very nice gift for the knitter or crocheter on your list.
Steel hooks and needles are the smallest in size. Steel hooks are usually used for thread crochet and are sized from 00 to 16. 00 is about the same size as about a D aluminum hook and is used for size 3 crochet thread. A 16 is very fine and is used for size 100 crochet thread; this is finer than sewing thread. Steel needles are sized US 2 down to 0000. Steel knitting needles are used for things done with very fine yarns like sock yarns or knitted doilys. US 2 steel needles are the same size as US 2 aluminum. 0000 is used for fine crochet threads. Steel is stronger than any of the above listed materials. They bend very rarely. They break even less. They are somewhere around plastic in the grippiness category.
For knitting needles you have the further option of short straights, long straights, circulars, and double point needles. Short straights are usually 10 inches in length. Long straights are 14 inches. Double points are usually 7 inches long. Circulars have a multitude of lengths available but are almost always 29 inches in the stores.
Short straights are nice for small projects. Short straights are not so good for close quarters like buses, theaters, planes. You run the risk of poking those beside you. Long straights are nice for larger projects. They have the same drawbacks as shorts. They also have the issue of weight once you get some fabric on them. The long needles allow most of the weight to hang on the ends of large projects and for people with weak wrists or repetitive stress injuries, this can make knitting almost impossible.
Circular needles are versatile. You can knit back and forth on flat projects like straights or you can knit in the round. You can use them for small projects. You can use them for large projects. You can use them for really really large projects. The weight of the bigger stuff hangs on the cable between the needle tips and can lay in your lap. This is a plus for cold weather knitting. This is not so good for summer knitting. Circulars can be one piece or interchangeable. One piece circulars are just that, both needle tips are the same size (whatever that might be) and permanently connected to the cable which is also going to remain the same length.
Interchangeable circulars have needle tips that detach from the cable. Sets of interchangeable needles usually are sized from US 2 to US 15. Cable lengths come in 16 inches up to 24 inches. Some screw together. Some click together. This all depends on the manufacturer. I can speak from experience on the screw together interchangeable needles being able to link the cables together to make extremely long cables. Circular needles whether interchangeable or not have the added benefit of being able to be used in close quarters.
Double Point Needles are short, straight needles with a point on each end. Some antique dpns are very long and were used for sweaters. Today their short length makes them ideal for sleeves and socks, the tops of hats and other very small circular projects. These are used in 4 or 5 needle sets. 3 or 4 are holding stitches and the last one is used to do the work. A lot of people are afraid of the thought of dpns. No need for this. You are only working with 2 needles at a time. The others are just hanging out waiting for their turn.
What are my options?
- aluminum
- plastic
- bamboo
- rosewood
- steel
Aluminum hooks and needles have the benefit of being slippery. These are usually in sizes 2 - 15 US for knitting needles and B - K for crochet hooks. These sizes will get you through 95% of your knitting and crocheting. They are light in weight. They are anodized aluminum and each size is a different color. Drawbacks can be that they are slippery if you are very loose with your stitches. The aluminum doesn't warm up in most people's hands in winter and can burn if left in the sun in summer. Sizes for needles are on the stop button on the end that hold stitches on the needle. Sizes for hooks are on the grip or the end. All of these are part of the molding process. Knitting needles can be bend by being sat on, as can Tunisian crochet hooks. Aluminum needles have fairly pointy points. Aluminum hooks have points on the end of the hook to help go into tight stitches.
 |
| aluminum needles in various sizes 14 inch length |
Plastic hooks and needles are less slippery than aluminum but more so than the other materials. Plastic hooks come in sizes D - S and can be all the same color or different colors. Plastic needles come in sizes 3 or 4 US up to 50. They can again be all the same color or different colors. A pair will be 2 of the same color. These are light in weight. They can break in smaller sizes from being sat on or held too tightly. Larger sizes are harder to break. Plastic warms up after being held for a while. Plastic needles have blunter tips than aluminum and get more so as the size goes up. Plastic hooks have blunter points on the end of the hook. Plastic is one of the more inexpensive materials and runs neck and neck with aluminum.
 |
| Plastic knitting needles various sizes and lengths. Some are in use and therefore missing. |
Bamboo needles are much more grippy than any of the other materials listed. I have not seen crochet hooks made of bamboo. My theory is that the throat can't be gotten smooth enough to prevent catching yarn fibers. I don't have this on anything other than my personal thoughts. They are polished but still grippy. They are warm to the touch and remain that way. They are hard to break unless very small such as US 1 - 4. Bamboo needles have very blunt tips compared to the other matierals. Like plastic they get more blunt as the size gets larger. Cost for this material is higher than plastic or aluminum but less than rosewood or steel.
 |
| Steel Knitting needles. Not found in most stores these days. |
 |
| Circular Knitting needles Left: aluminum tips, soft plastic cable; Top Right: Plastic tips and cable is same plastic; Bottom Right: Bamboo tips, soft plastic cable Lengths vary as do the tips |
Steel hooks and needles are the smallest in size. Steel hooks are usually used for thread crochet and are sized from 00 to 16. 00 is about the same size as about a D aluminum hook and is used for size 3 crochet thread. A 16 is very fine and is used for size 100 crochet thread; this is finer than sewing thread. Steel needles are sized US 2 down to 0000. Steel knitting needles are used for things done with very fine yarns like sock yarns or knitted doilys. US 2 steel needles are the same size as US 2 aluminum. 0000 is used for fine crochet threads. Steel is stronger than any of the above listed materials. They bend very rarely. They break even less. They are somewhere around plastic in the grippiness category.
For knitting needles you have the further option of short straights, long straights, circulars, and double point needles. Short straights are usually 10 inches in length. Long straights are 14 inches. Double points are usually 7 inches long. Circulars have a multitude of lengths available but are almost always 29 inches in the stores.
Short straights are nice for small projects. Short straights are not so good for close quarters like buses, theaters, planes. You run the risk of poking those beside you. Long straights are nice for larger projects. They have the same drawbacks as shorts. They also have the issue of weight once you get some fabric on them. The long needles allow most of the weight to hang on the ends of large projects and for people with weak wrists or repetitive stress injuries, this can make knitting almost impossible.
Circular needles are versatile. You can knit back and forth on flat projects like straights or you can knit in the round. You can use them for small projects. You can use them for large projects. You can use them for really really large projects. The weight of the bigger stuff hangs on the cable between the needle tips and can lay in your lap. This is a plus for cold weather knitting. This is not so good for summer knitting. Circulars can be one piece or interchangeable. One piece circulars are just that, both needle tips are the same size (whatever that might be) and permanently connected to the cable which is also going to remain the same length.
Interchangeable circulars have needle tips that detach from the cable. Sets of interchangeable needles usually are sized from US 2 to US 15. Cable lengths come in 16 inches up to 24 inches. Some screw together. Some click together. This all depends on the manufacturer. I can speak from experience on the screw together interchangeable needles being able to link the cables together to make extremely long cables. Circular needles whether interchangeable or not have the added benefit of being able to be used in close quarters.
Double Point Needles are short, straight needles with a point on each end. Some antique dpns are very long and were used for sweaters. Today their short length makes them ideal for sleeves and socks, the tops of hats and other very small circular projects. These are used in 4 or 5 needle sets. 3 or 4 are holding stitches and the last one is used to do the work. A lot of people are afraid of the thought of dpns. No need for this. You are only working with 2 needles at a time. The others are just hanging out waiting for their turn.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Sale Update
Class discount is 25% for January 12 & 13! Class supply discount is 25% also!
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