Summer Synopsis

Summer is gone. Now into fall. Summer flew by. I am now officially "retired"?




I submitted and passed level three of the TKGA MHK program, I am now a Master Knitter.





Finished the Hemlock Ring Doily Blanket, Williamsro, and Clapotis.

I added 40 more rows to Primavera.
Now I'm working on Storm Rund Dug, another doily blanket.

Knitting Check Off List

Bold for stuff you’ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with bananafiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffitti knitting: knitting items on, or to be left on the street
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
Knitting to make money
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Household items: dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…
knitting socks- or other small tubular items- on two circulars
Dying with plant colours
Knitting items for a wedding
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
JewelryKnitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair (my kitties hair slips in :-))
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

Majestic White Horses

Updates Updates, and updates....

Alot has happened since my last entry. Here are the highlights:


1. Graduation. It was a blast. I can hardly believe it came and went so fast. Wasn't it just yesterday we were driving the baby home from the hospital?



2. Registration and Orientation.Everything is ready to move into the dorms and start studying hard (or was that hardly studying?). Wasn't it just yesterday we were diriving the baby home from the hospital????

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?????

and finally.....

3. I am two swatches away from becoming the next Master Knitter in the TKGA. I've got to re knit swatches 10 and 11. Traveling Twisted stitchs and Entrelac. Thank goodness they accepted my charts and patterns. The paperwork was daunting.
Everything else was accepted.

See you all in a week......

I think I've lost my mind..

I am now entering week 7 in my wait to receive my Level 3 from the committee. I pulled out levels 1 & 2, re-photographed some of them and pulled up some old photos and came up with this:

Lipizzan Movies to make you Smile

De Rigueur

I needed something to wear over my sleevless dress for graduation. Here it is and the pattern as well...





De Rigueur (Summer Shawl)


Download a PDF of De Rigueur.


Level of Experience: Beginner

Finished Measurements: 18” high x 5’ long

Materials:
Yarn:
Valley Yarns Goshen (92 yds/ 84 m; 50 grams/1.76 ounces; 48% Peruvian Cotton, 46% Modal (rayon), 6% Silk) 3 balls.

Suggested Needles:
One 40” circular needle size US15/ 10 mm or size needed to obtain correct gauge. To save time, take time to check gauge.
Note: While gauge is not critical to this pattern, it is necessary to get the correct fabric quality to ensure proper drape of the finished shawl.

Gauge: 10 sts and 16 rows = 4”/10 cm.

Special Abbreviations:
K2tog: Knit two stitches together
Yo: yarn over
Kbf: Knit through the back then front of the next st.
Kfb: Knit through the front then back of the next st.

Loosly cast on 50 sts.
Set up row (RS): K2tog, *yo, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row. (49 sts).
Row 1 and all WS rows: K1, purl to last st, k1.
Row 2 and all RS rows: K1, kbf, yo, knit to last two stitches, kfb, yo, k1.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until almost all yarn is used up or desired size is reached, ending with a WS row. Loosely cast of all sts.

**If a larger shawl is desired, use more yarn and continue in pattern to desired length.

Riding a Dead Horse

A Dakota tribal wisdom says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount. In business, however, it seems that we often try other strategies with dead horses including the following:

Buying a stronger whip.

Changing riders.

Saying things like, "This is the way we have always ridden this horse."

Appointing a committee to study the horse.

Arranging to visit other sites to see how they ride dead horses.

Appointing a tiger team to revive the dead horse.

Creating a training session to increase our riding ability.

Comparing the state of dead horses in today's environment.

Change the requirements declaring that, "This horse is not dead."

Hire contractors to ride the dead horse.

Harnessing several dead horses together for increased speed.

Declaring that, "No horse is too dead to beat."

Providing additional funding to increase the horse's performance.

Do a CA Study to see if contractors can ride it cheaper.

Purchase a product to make dead horses run faster, like a new saddle.

Declare the is, "better, faster and cheaper" dead.

Find a quality circle to find users for dead horses.

Revisit the performance requirements for horses.

Say this horse was procured with cost as an independent variable.

Promote the dead horse to a management position.

Progression to White Redux and Meet the Leopard

Still messing around with imovie:






Mr Zip's film:

Lipizzan Style

We've had some fantastic weather lately.

Since the Spring Piano Recital, I've been interested in imovie. I think I'm doing a fairly decent job. Here is the video I made to learn how to work the application:



Pretty neat.

Rabbits and Barn Swallows

This is Belle. She lives behind my barn near a little shed under an overhang. She's very sweet. You can walk up and talk to her, probably even pet her.








The barn swallows are back to their regular nest. This is year 4 for that nest. They are such pests but I still love them. They make a giant mess

I wish I could get rid of those annoying crows and those stupid June bugs.

TKGA Master Hand Knitting Bibliography

This is a combination of all of my sources for the MHK program levels 1-3. I tried to put the level I used the source for ahead of the entry. I removed email and personal correspondence. This has been copied and pasted several times, so no underlining or italics have come through, some of the links look funny and there are no hyperlinks, Blogger would not post some links as well so they are missing. Most have annotations.

3 "Alphabet." Little Cotton Rabbits. 10 Jan. 2009 .
Charted letters; duplicate stitch.

3 Anvin, Susan. "Knitting how-to guide - Instructions and electronic chart notation for every knit stitch." The Anvin clan home page. 2003. 22 Feb. 2009
Computer chart symbols.

3 Balvanz, Denise. Denise's Easy Graph Designer. Program documentation. Denise Needleworks. .
Colorwork charting software.

3 Barton, Ariel. "Charts are Your Friends." Knitty: Winter 2008. Winter 2008. 22 Feb. 2009 .
Article on charts.

2 Basic Sock Video. Dir. Wiseman M. Nancie. Videocassette. Wisewater Productions, 1996.
Sock construction.

2 Becker, Paula. "Knitting for Victory -- World War II." HistoryLink.Org. 19 Aug. 2004. History Ink. 9 Jan. 2007 "http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=5721" http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=5721
Website dedicated to Washington State History. This page addresses Victory Knitting during WWII.

1,2,3.The Best of Vogue Knitting Magazine: 25 Years of Articles, Techniques, and Expert Advice. New York: Sixth and Springs, 2007.
Knitting Articles.

2,3 Blanchard, Nanette. Stranded Color Knitting. 15 Dec. 2006 .
Self published work on stranded knitting. Used for Fair Isle mitten and questions.

2 Breiter, Barbara. "Glossary of Knitting Terms." Knitting on the Net. 16 Jan. 2007 "http://www.knittingonthenet.com/learn/glossary.htm" http://www.knittingonthenet.com/learn/glossary.htm
Website explains basic knitting and has some patterns.

2, 3 Budd, Ann. The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns : Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges. New York: Interweave P, LLC, 2002.
Pattern design--hat/ sweater patterns and book review.

3 Budd, Ann. The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges. New York: Interweave P, LLC, 2004.
Sweater design; sweater project.

3 Coniglio, Joni, ed. The Great American Aran Afghan. Danbury: XRX, Incorporated, 2003.
Chart symbols (XRX).

1, 2, 3 Buss, Katharina. Big Book of Knitting. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2001
Knitting reference book.

3 Dale of Norway. Dalegarn Nr.138. Brochure. Waukesha: 2004.
Sweater project.

2, 3 Don, Sarah. Fair Isle Knitting. Minneapolis: Dover Publications, Incorporated, 2007.
Design and history; used for traditional knitting reports.

3 Eckman, Edie. The Crochet Answer Book. Grand Rapids: Storey, LLC, 2005.
Dye lot.

2 Ehrlinger, Lorraine. "On Your Way to the Masters: Great Beginnings." Cast On. Fall 2004: 76-78.
Cast ons.

2 Ehrlinger, Lorraine. "On Your Way to the Masters: Tame Cables Cable Flare &
Puckering." Cast On Winter 2004: 60-61.
Technical: information on cable flare.

3 Englund, Oma. "Entrelac Instructions." About. 9 June 2005 .
Entrelac instruction. No longer available.

3 Fee, Jacqueline. The Sweater Workshop: Knit Creative, Seam-Free Sweaters on Your Own with Any Yarn. New York: Down East Books, 2002.
Source for EPS sweater design, Traditional knititng report.

2, 3 Feitelson, Ann. The Art of Fair Isle Knitting: History, Technique, Color and Patterns. New York: Interweave P, LLC, 1996.
In depth Fair Isle design, history and patterns. Historical, Technical and Pattern Book: Used for the historical content and for the Fair Isle mitten project.

1, 2, 3 Finlay, Amy. "Basic Techniques—Decreases." Knitting Help.Com. 16 Jan. 2007 .
How to website; Used for decrease swatches

3 Fisher, Margaret. "Mosaics." Cast On Aug.-Sept. 2006: 50-52.
Mosaic knitting.


2 German Hosiery Museum. 09 July 2003. 19 Feb. 2007 .
History.

2, 3 Gibson-Roberts, Priscilla A., and Robson, Deborah. Knitting in the Old Way: Designs & Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters. Fort Collins: Nomad P, 2004.
In depth history and technique.

3 Gregory, Barbara. "Delft Tiles Tee." Interweave Knits Summer 2008: 58-60.
Adapted chart from pattern for Mosaic swatch #13.

3 Haggerty, Bridget. "Aran Isle Sweaters - how a dropped stitch gave rise to a popular myth." Irish Cultures and Customs. 18 Oct. 2006. 19 June 2008 .
Aran hat project.

3 "Handspinning Woollen and Worsted Yarn." The Joy of Handspinning. 2007. 29 July 2008 .
Fiber report.

1, 2, 3 The Harmony Guide to Knitting Stitches. London: Lyric Books, 1983.
Book of pattern stitches.

3 Harris, Bronwyn. "What is novelty yarn." Wise Geek. 1 Aug. 2008
.
Fiber report.

1, 2, 3 Hiatt Hemmons, June. The Principles of Knitting. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1988.
Comprehensive knitting reference book.

2 HistoricKnit. .
Historical knitting discussion group; provided links to many interesting historical sites.
All information is opinion unless documented.

1, 2 Holladay, Arenda. "On Your Way to the Masters: Decreases, Part 1." Cast On Spring
2005: 22-24.
Technical article; used for decrease swatches.

1, 2 Holladay, Arenda. "On Your Way to the Masters: Decreases, Part 2." Cast On Summer 2005: 16-17.
Technical article; used for decrease swatches.

2 Holladay, Arenda. "On Your Way to the Masters: Seams, Part 1.” Cast On August- October 2007: 67-69.
Stockinette, reverse stockinette, garter and seed stitch seams.

2 Holladay, Arenda. "On Your Way to the Masters: Seams, Part 2.” Cast On November 2007- January 2008: 65-66.
2x2 and1x1 rib seams.

2 Holladay, Arenda. "On Your Way to the Masters: Seams, Part 3.” Cast On. February- April 2008: 64-66.
Horizontal/horizontal and vertical/horizontal seams.

2, 3 Holladay, Arenda. "On Your Way to the Masters: Pattern Writing, Part One." Cast On Spring 2004: 76-77.
Pattern writing--swatches

2, 3 Holladay, Arenda. "On Your Way to the Masters: Pattern Writing, Part Two." Cast On Spring 2004: 60-61.
Pattern writing--projects


1 2 Holladay, Arenda. "On Your Way to the Masters: Those Pesky Yarn Tails." Cast On Spring 2003: 13-15.
Technical: used for weaving tail end—new technique.

3 Holland, Micah. "Acrylic - It’s Old, It’s New, It’s Everywhere!" The Costumer's Manifesto. 2006. 30 July 2008 .
Fiber report--acrylic yarn history.

3 Interweave Knits Fall 2008.
Magazine review.

3 Interweave Knits Spring 2008.
Magazine review.

3 Interweave Knits Summer 2008.
Magazine review.

3 Interweave Knits Winter 2008
Magazine review.

3 Jang, Eunny. "Bayerische." See Eunnny Knit. 14 Sept. 2006. 15 July 2008 .
Traveling twisted Stitches.

3 Jang, Eunny. "Beyond the Basics: Steeks-- Cutting the Edge." Interweave Knits Winter 2006: 100-102.
Steeks

3 Jang, Eunny. "The Steeking Chronicles." See Eunny Knit. 11 Jan. 2006. 17 June 2008 .
Steeks

3 Jezek, Geno. "What is polyester/History of Polyester/Uses of Polyester/Manufacture of Polyester." What is Polyester. 2006. 1 Aug. 2008 .
Fiber report.

3 Kariniemi-Alve, Leena. "From the Arctic Circle: Knitted Rovaniemi Mittens." Piecework Jan. & Feb. 2008: 12-15.
Rovaniemi mittens; traditional knitting report.

2, 3 Kartus, Lisa. Knit Fix. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 2006.
Recognizing and fixing knitting problems.

2, 3 Keele, Wendy, . Poems of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Tradition. New York: Interweave P, LLC, 1995.
Bohus knitting; traditional knitting report.

3 Knight, Erika. Harmony Guide: Basic Crochet Stitches 250 Stitches to Crochet (The Harmony Guides). New York: Interweave P, 2008. (Trim)
Sweater project.

3 A Knitting Glossary. Dir. Chris Swansen. Perf. Elizabeth Zimmermann, Meg Swansen. DVD. Schoolhouse Press, 2005.
DVD demonstrating knitting techniques.

2 Lind, Vibeke. Knitting in the Nordic Tradition. Asheville: Lark Books, 1997.
Translation of: Strik med nordisk tradition. History of Nordic patterns, garment styles, tools, traditions and techniques. Includes charts.

3 Lovick, Elizabeth. A Fair Isle Workbook. St Margaret's Hope, Orkney, 2008.
Fair Isle workshop. Sweater project.

3 Lovick, Elizabeth. "Orkney Pi Shawl." Ms. Northern Lace, 1 Sweyn Court, Church Road, St Margaret's Hope, Orkney KW17 2SR; / . 2008. http://www.northernlace.co.uk
Knit-along hosted by Liz Lovick involving Orkney/Shetland Lace pattern with the EZ as Pi Yahoo Group. Pattern now for sale.

3 Luutonen, Marketta. Handmade Memories. 2008. The Finnish Crafts Organization. 2 Mar. 2009 .Rustic product as a conveyor of meaning. [A study of Finnish pullovers]). Helsinki, Finland. Pp. 331-341
Doctoral thesis concerning memories and meanings associated with handmade items. traditional knitting report.

3 Marchant, Nancy. "Brioche Stitch." Interweave Knits Spring 2005: 80-85.
Brioche stitch --swatch 6.

3 Marchant, Nancy. "Honeycomb Brioche Stitch." The Brioche Stitch. 2007. 3 July 2008 .
Brioche stitch --swatch 6.

3 Mates, Kathyrn. "On Your Way to the Masters: Keys to Successful Duplicate Stitch." Cast On Feb-April, 2008: 58-59.
Duplicate stitch; Intarsia Swatch.

2, 3 McGregor, Sheila. Traditional Fair Isle Knitting. Minneapolis: Dover Publications, Incorporated, 2003.
Fair Isle discussion and design; good chart source. Traditional knitting report.

2, 3 McGregor, Sheila. Traditional Scandinavian Knitting. Minneapolis: Dover Publications, Incorporated, 2004.
Nordic knitting discussion and design; good chart source. Traditional knitting report and sweater project.

2 Melville, Sally. The Knitting Experience: Book 3: Color. Sioux Falls: Xrx Books, 2005.
Pattern book with technical information on various methods of color knitting.


2 Miller, Geoffrey. "The History of the Gansey." Flamborough Marine Limited. 3 Jan.
2007 << HYPERLINK "http://www.manorhouse.clara.net/knitwear/history.htm" http://www.manorhouse.clara.net/knitwear/history.htm>.
Historical: Website of a British sweater company selling historical ganseys. These pages discuss the history of the gansey.

2 Morris, Charlotte. "Beyond the Basics: Perfect Seams, Part 1." Interweave Knits Spring 2002: 68-70.
Seed stitch seaming.

3 Nolan, Katherine. "Aran Stitches and their Meanings." DoChara Your Irish Friend. 2004. InKK Designs. 26 Oct. 2008
Aran hat project.

3 Pagoldh, Susanne. Nordic Knitting New York: Interweave P, 1997.
Nordic knitting history, technique and patterns. Traditional knitting report.

3 Pentikainen, Juha. and Poom, Riva. Kalevala Mythology. Bloomington, Ind: Indiana UP, 1999.
Translation/ Finnish mythology, p 144 definition for traditional knitting report.

3 Piecework Jan. & Feb. 2008.
Magazine review.

3 Reckweg, Nurhanne. "Tips for Doily Knitting." Yarn Over. 2007. 6 July 2008 .
Doily information: materials, working the project, blocking, + more.

2 "Regional Knitting in the British Isles & Ireland." The Victoria and Albert Museum. 8 Jan. 2005 .
Website of the Victoria and Albert museum; these pages address historical items and provides links to other knitting sites.

1, 2, 3 Righetti, Maggie. Knitting in Plain English. New York: St Martin’s Press, 1986.
Comprehensive reference book on knitting.


1 Roberts, Marilyn A. “Blocking for Blockheads.” The Knitting Curmudgeon. 2002. [Cited 17 August 2006]. HYPERLINK "http://www.knittingcurmudgeon.com/" http:// www.knittingcurmudgeon.com/BlockingforBlockheads.pdf.
Blocking report.

2, 3 Roberts, Marilyn A. "Swatch Out!" Knitty.Com. 2003. 8 Feb. 2007 . .
Knitty website: Article on gauge.

2 3 Rutt, Richard. The History of Hand Knitting. Loveland, Colorado: Interweave Press, 1987.
Book on knitting history.


2 St. Claire, Celine. "The Cowichin Sweater." The Cowichin Webzine. 4 Jan. 2007 .
Website dedicated to the Cowichin Indians; this page addresses the Cowichin sweater.

2 Sowerby, Jane. Victorian Lace Today. Sioux Falls: Xrx Books, 2006.
Book addressing history, technique, design and patterns; XRX charts. Book addressing history, technique, design and patterns; used for book review and historical information.

3 Spence-Ash, Laura. "Knitting out of the Pantry." Interweave Knits Summer 2004: 34-36.
Fiber report--bamboo.

1, 2, 3 Stanley, Montise. Reader’s Digest Knitter’s Handbook. Pleasantville, NY: The Reader’s
Digest Association, 2001.
Comprehensive reference book on knitting.

2 Stenersen, Theresa, Vinson. "Techniques with Theresa." Knitty. 2004. 24 Jan. 2007 .
Web magazine; this article address grafting of stitches.

2 Szabo, Janet. Aran Sweater Design. Kalispell, MT: Big Sky Knitting Designs, 2006.
Self published book about Aran sweater design and element; cable swatches.

2 "Textiles." Shetland Museum Service. 31 Mar. 2005. 8 Jan. 2007 .
Website of the Shetland Museum (historical) Pages address knitting in the Shetland Isles.


1 Thomas, Jessica Fenlon. “To Block or Not to Block...” 2002. Knitty. [Cited 28 January 2006]. http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/FEATdiyknitter.html.
Blocking report.

3 "Tikkuripaita." Silmukka silmkalta, kerros derrokselta perinteen maailmaan. Mar. 2003. 2 Mar. 2009
Tikkuri paita sweater; traditional knitting report. Page translation.

3 Tran, Khanh T. "Designers Go Green With Sustainable Fabrics." Bamboo Clothes: bamboo textiles. 2006. 31 July 2008 .


1, 2, 3Vogue Knitting: the Ultimate Knitting Book. New York: Sixth and Springs Books, 2002.
Comprehensive knitting reference book.

2 Walker, Barbara G. Charted Knitting Designs. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1972.
Book on knitting designs; used for explanation of mosaic knitting.

3 White, Sarah E. "Knitting with Bamboo Yarn." About.com. 2008. 31 July 2008 .
fiber report--bamboo.

1 Wilson, Jenna. “…a field guide to yarn substitutions.” 2003. Knitty. [Cited 5 February 2006] Yarn substitution.

1, 2, 3 Wiseman, Nancie M. The Knitter’s Book of Finishing Techniques. Woodinville: Martingale and Company, 2002.
Book addressing techniques to finish knitted pieces.

3Working Travelling Twisted Stitches." Crossed in Translation. 4 Jan. 2006. 14 July 2008 .
Austrian Twisted Stitches swatch.

3Wyche, Carol. "Entrelac Handout." PrismNet : Austin TX VOIP, Broadband Colocation, Web Hosting. 13 Aug. 2008 .
Entrelac

3Zimmermann, Elizabeth. The Opinionated Knitter. New York: Schoolhouse P, 2005.
Collection of Elizabeth Zimmermann's Newsletters; Traditional knitting report.

Taos Woven Jacket

Check your new issue of Cast On for the Taos Woven Jacket:

I'm so excited to see this in print.

And the original:



Still working on the stash reduction blanket.  One problem with the stash reduction blanket:  Mr. Zip and company keep taking the stash

Yeah they look innocent but they aren't.


Job done:




With some divine intervention.

Hemlock Ring Blanket

Work is continuing on the Hemlock Ring (Doily) Blanket. This is such a fun project.  I wondering if I've got enough yarn.  I may need to get more.  It's really a clever idea making a doily large enough to be a lap blanket.

Hemlock always remind me of Socrates.  So if you've never heard the world's shortest biography:

Socrates was a man.  Socrates was a Greek.  He went around telling everyone what to do.  They poisoned him.

Hmmm.....

My Level three made it to the TKGA office.  I think it will take close to 3 months to review, especially since the convention is this May, and they will all be busy with that.

I am also working on a "stash reduction" Blanket.  I saw something like it on the Yarn Harlot's

Ravelry page.  So I can't take credit for this one.  It's great if you've got alot of yarn snippets and part used up balls of yarn.  Some of you saw it last week.

This is a project my student's will love.  No gauge swatch!  No (real) counting! (if you can count to 3 you're set and even then if you don't feel like counting---don't).

Basically what I did was:

Size #9 (32") circular needles

Using a worsted weight yarn make a tail that is several yards long (don't measure--Esimate!!!) Start casting on (lontail) while your waiting for pages to load on the computer or reading emails or what ever.  Cast on for about 1/2 hour with distractions.  You should have 200 +/- 

stitches. Don't count!! Should fill up your needles. 

Choose a pattern stitch.  I'm doing garter st.  Then work one row with your cast on yarn.  Cut yarn , leaving a tail.  Pick another yarn from your stash and begin knitting with that.  Tie the tail of this yarn together with the first yarn (fringe).  Knit an odd # of rows (I've been doing 3 so far), cut yarn leaving a tail.  Keep doing this until you feel like stopping. Or just keep going.

I am now on Twitter as lipizzanknitter (what else!!)

Bread and circuses

News:

I sent my level III off this morning. Hoping it gets to

Zanesville safely.

Master Knitter Level III Update

Here is the knitting I will be submitting for the TKGA MK Level III:

Tubular Cast On/Bind Off




Double Decreases:





SSP:





P2tog tbl:





Yarn Overs:




Brioche Stitch:




Herringbone Stitch:



Smocking Stitch:




Elongated Stitches:





Traveling Twisted Stitches:




Entrelac:



Slipped Stitches:






Mosaic:




Charted Symbols (Lace and cable):




Intarsia:




Duplicate Stitch:




Short Rows:





Doily:




And the
Aran Hat:




Nordic Style Stranded Sweater(blocking):





I reviewd 2 magazines:
Piecework
Interweave Knits
2 design books:
The Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd
Colorful Knitwear Design by Threads

I wrote 2 reports:
1. Description of 6 fibers covering the 3 main fiber types.
and
2.Traditional Knitting Report
a. Traditional Technique: Yoke Sweaters. Here I included 3 swatches of tradtional yokes:




b. Tradtional Regional Knitting: Traditonal and Ethnic Knitting in Finland.

Cherry Tree Hill Socks...The Men's Version

I've gotten a few requests for an update and resizing so here it is:




Cherry Tree Hill Socks...The Men's Version


Download a PDF of Cherry Tree Hill Socks...The Men's Version

Size: men’s med(9.5” circumference)/large(10” circumference)

Materials:
450 yds of Fingering weight sock yarn
One set Size US2 DPNs or size needed to obtain gauge.


Gauge: 28 sts and 38 rows = 4” or 10 cm in st st. To save time, take time to check gauge.

Abbreviations:
DPN: double point needles
St(s): stitch(es)
Rnd: round
St st: stockinette stitch
K: knit
P: purl
Sl: slip
k2tog: knit 2 sts together
p2tog: purl 2 sts together
Ssk: slip slip knit.
st st: stockinette stitch

Cuff and Leg:
Cast on 68/72 sts. Arrange sts evenly on 3 dpns. Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts.
Cuff—Broken Rib stitch as follows:
Rnd 1: K1 P1
Rnd 2: K
Repeat rnds 1 & 2 until piece measures 2”. Continue Leg in st st (knit every rnd) until leg is desired length.

Heel:
Knit across 17/18 sts, turn work and purl across 34/36 sts. These are the heel sts. The other sts will be the instep stitches and will not be knit until later.
Work back and forth on heel sts as follows:
Row 1 (RS): *Sl 1 k1* repeat across row
Row 2 (WS): Sl, purl to end of row
Repeat rows 1 & 2 until 34/36 rows have been worked (end on a WS row)


Turn Heel:
Row 1: Knit across 19/20 sts, ssk, k1, turn
Row 2: Sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1 turn
Row 3: Sl 1, k 6, ssk, k1, turn
Row 4: Sl 1, p 7, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 5: Sl 1, k 8, ssk, k1, turn
Row 6: Sl 1, p 9, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 7: Sl 1, k 10, ssk, k1, turn
Row 8: Sl 1, p11, p2 tog, p1 turn
Row 9: Sl 1, k12, ssk, k1, turn
Row 10:Sl 1, p13, p2tog, p1 turn.
Row 11: Sl 1, k14, ssk,k1 turn
Row 12: Sl 1, P14, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 13: Sl 1, k15, ssk,k1 turn

Row 14: Med Sl1, p16, p2 tog p1, end (20 sts)
Large: Sl 1 p16, p2tog p1, turn
Row 15: Large: sl 1, k17, ssk, turn
Row 16 Large: sl1, p18, p2tog end (20 sts)


Gusset:
Knit across all heel sts and with the same dpn pick up and knit 17/18 sts along selvedge edge of heel flap (This is needle #1)
With another dpn knit across all instep sts (This is needle #2)
With another dpn pick up and knit 17/18 sts along the other selvedge of the heel and then knit 10/10 stitches from needle #1 (This is needle #3)
The rnd now begins at the center of the heel.
Rnd 1: Needle 1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
Needle 2: k
Needle 3: k1, ssk, k to end
Rnd 2: knit (no decreases)
Repeat rnds 1 & 2 until 68/72 sts remain

Foot:
Work even in st st until foot measures 2 1/2” less than desired length.

Toe:
Rnd 1: Needle 1: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts,k2 tog, k1
Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end.
Rnd 2: knit (no decreases)
Repeat rnds 1 & 2 until 24/28 sts remain, then repeat only rnd 1 until 12/12 sts remain.
Knit sts from needle1 onto needle 3. Cut yarn leaving an 18” tail. Using Kitchener st, graft remaining sts together.

Finishing:
Weave in loose ends. Block if desired.

Garbage can liner:

For the Wednesday afternoon girls:

Garter stitch garbage can liner.
A boring and worthless project.
Remember 5 year olds can make this in their sleep.

Finished measurment: each one is an individual
Materials: yarn you you hate.
Needles needed to get gauge.
Gauge 16 sts = 4”/10cm To save time, take time to check gauge.

Cast on 160 sts.
Knit every row until the piece fits your garbage can. Seam side and bottom .Weave in ends. Put in the garbage.


He's not making a garbage can liner:

Writing a book review TKGA style

From my moment of wisdom:

This is from the post so many people have pm'd me about on Ravelry. I added a few notes to it. Hope it helps you out. Writing a book review isn't that hard especially with an organized format to follow:

Here’s a list of items I put together (from searching the internet) before I wrote the book reports:

1.Write a statement giving essential information about the book: title, author, first copyright date, price and ISBN number of pages.

(I put this information at the left top of the page)

Then began the prose with:

2.State the author’s purpose in writing the book. Sometimes authors state their purpose in the preface or the first chapter.

3.Talk about the contents. What topics the book covers. Describe any thesis or themes at this point.

4.Explain the layout/organization of the book. How the chapters are arranged, etc.

5.Evaluate the book for interest, accuracy, objectivity, importance, thoroughness, and usefulness. What did you agree/disagree/like/dislike. Is the book relevant. Is there anything new or special to this book or does it retell (better or worse) information.
Include the Front matter which would include table of contents, preface, introduction by someone else etc.

6.Discuss the book’s format. layout, binding typography, quality of pictures and diagrams.

7.Check the back matter: Is the index accurate. Does the book provide a good bibliography. What sources did the author use.
Backmatter would include appendices, index,glossary,sources, bibliography.

8.Summerize/Analyze the contents. Do you recomend the book and to who. State any other opinions you have about the book. Do not introduce new material at this point

9.Provide information on the author.

Good luck to you all!!

As far as magazine reviews go… 

I wrote mine using the format of the Book Review with a few changes. First you must decide whether you are going to write about the magazine in general or a specific issue. I did one of each, that way I wrote two different types of reviews. Today I might choose to write about a print magazine and and online magazine. But it really doesn’t matter.

Basically you want to observe the magazine, just like you would observe anything, notice the makeup both physical and content. Just use words to describe it.

There is a whole lot more to write about a magazine than a book, which was a surprise to me.Here are some ideas in no particular order, but your magazine may have something else worth discussing as well:

Introduce the Magazine being Reviewed. How often is it published and by whom? What is the main content dedicated to? 

What issue or issues are you using for the review.

Who is the editor? Who writes the mag intro?--usually one of the editors. 

Typically there will be “departments” or columns? What are they and who writes them? Are they good/bad/ useful/fluff? 

Where are they located in the magazine?

What else in the magazine occurs on a regular basis? Is it helpful. I’m thinking about the list of errata from previous issues, “knitting instructions or school”, glossary of terms, etc. Classified section--what’s in it? Letters to the editor? Table of contents.

How user friendly is the magazine. How hard is it to find something using the page number. Do I need to flip pages when working a pattern or are they fairly easy to follow. How well written are the patterns? Riddled with errors that we master knitters pick up right away?

What about the advertising? I found some magazines did not include advertising with the patterns? Useful or not? Is the advertising something of interest to the reader? or totally off topic? Distracting? Is there a list of advertisers at the end? 

Sometimes the advertising is more useful than the magazine.

What about the patterns? Types? Who are they for? Trendy vs Classic? Levol of experience? What about listing of supplies for the patterns?

Talk about the quality of the photos, charts, schematics etc. Glossy vs Matte pages. How sturdy is the magazine.

Who would enjoy the magazine--target audience.

Any online supplements? How does one access them?

Where can your reader get the magazine? How much does it cost per issue/ subscription? How about those annoying cards that constantly fall out?

Noro Entrelac Scarf

I know, this is a This & That oldie, but always popular. A great project for learning entrelac.





Download a PDF of Noro Entrelac Scarf.

NORO ENTRELAC SCARF

Finished measurement: 6 ½ inches x 46 inches without fringe.

Materials: 3 skeins Noro Kureyon or Silk Garden yarn (more if longer scarf desired----each skein will knit about 17 inches of entrelac)
Size 10.5 needles

Gauge: 16 stitches = 4”/10cm in stockinette (gauge is not critical to this piece)

Abbreviations:
K: knit
P: purl
K2tog: knit two stitches together
P2tog: purl 2 stitches together
Ssk: slip one stitch as if to knit, slip another stitch as if to knit, knit these 2 stitches together through the back loop
Sl: slip stitch, slip all stitches purlwise unless otherwise directed
M1:make one stitch

Make 3 base triangles:
Cast on 15 stitches
Begin first triangle:
Row 1 (WS): P2 turn work
Row 2: Slip the first st, k1
Row 3: Sl1, p2, turn
Row 4: Sl1, k2
Row 5: Sl1, p3, turn
Row 6: Sl1, k3
Row 7: Sl1 p4, turn

Repeat above steps for second triangle on the next 5 stitches, then repeat again on the final 5 stitches for third triangle. Turn work.

Make body of scarf:

Make a right side triangle:
Row 1(RS): K2, turn
Row 2: Sl1, p1
Row 3: Sl1, m1, ssk, turn
Row 4: Sl1, p2,
Row 5: Sl1, m1, k1, ssk, turn
Row 6: Sl1, p3
Row 7: Sl1, m1, k2, ssk, do not turn.

Make a left leaning rectangle:
Row 1 (RS): Pick up and knit 5 stitches along the edge of the base triangle (or rectangle), turn
Row 2,4,6,8,10,: Sl1, p5
Row 3,5,7,9,: Sl1, k4, ssk, turn
Row 11: Sl1, k4, ssk, do not turn

Make 1 more left leaning rectangle along the next base triangle (or rectangle) edge.

Make a left side triangle:
Row 1 (RS): Pick up and knit 5 stitches along base triangle (or rectangle) edge.
Row 2: Sl1, p4, turn
Row 3: Sl1, k2, k2tog
Row 4: Sl1, p3, turn
Row 5: Sl1, k1, k2tog
Row 6: Sl1, p2, turn
Row 7: Sl1, k2tog
Row 8: Sl1, p1, turn
Row 9: K2tog

Make a right leaning rectangle:
Row 1 (WS): Slip remaining stitch to RH needle, pick up and purl 5 stitches along edge of last triangle (or rectangle), turn
Row 2,4,6,8,10,12: Sl1, k5
Row 3,5,7,9,11: Sl1 p4, p2tog, turn
Row 13: Sl1, p4, p2tog, do not turn

Make 2 more right leaning rectangles along the next left leaning rectangles.

Repeat the above directions until scarf measures 46” or desired length. End on the WS.

3. Make 3 Finishing Triangles:
With CC,
Row 1: Slip remaining stitch to the RH needle, pick up and purl 6 stitches along the edge of the last triangle, turn
Row 2: Sl1, k4, k2tog
Row 3: Sl1, p4, p2tog, turn
Row 4, Sl1, k3, k2tog
Row 5: Sl1, p3, p2tog, turn
Row 6: Sl1, k2, k2tog
Row 7: Sl1, p2, p2tog, turn
Row 8: Sl1, k1, k2tog
Row 9: Sl1, p1, p2tog, turn
Row 10: Sl1, k2tog
Row 11: Sl1, p2tog
Row 12: Ssk
Row 13; P2tog

Work 2 more finishing triangles along the edges of the next 2 rectangles.

Weave in ends and block to measurement.

Escape

Down load a PDF of Escape.


Instructions for Gay’s Netted Shawl:

Materials:
350 yds worsted weight (#5) yarn
Size 13 needles

Gauge is not critical to this project.

Abbreviations:
kfb: knit into the front and back of the stitch
k2tog: knit two stitches together

Loosely cast on 34 sts.

Set up:
row 1: Kfb, k to last st, kfb
row 2: K

Begin pattern:
Row 1: Kfb, k1, *y, k2tog* rep from *to* to last st, kfb.
Row 2: K2, p to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 3: Kfb, *k2tog, yo* rep from *to* to last 2 sts, k1, kfb.
Row 4: K2, p to last 2 sts, k2

Repeat rows 1-4 to desired length. Knit 2 rows, Bind of all sts.
Weave in ends, block if needed.

Swatch 5

Swatch 5



Cotton DK















Wool















Something to disturb you.

Project Spice

Project Spice is underway.


It all began innocently. I went to buy a manure spreader from a friend, a spinning friend. I got the spreader and came home with this as well:















On Feb 14 we went to Shearing Day at Rising Meadows Farm:









Muppets waiting to be fleeced.















There were even babies:













I came home with this:











and this:















Spice a 3.4lb Corriedale Lamb fleece:
Freshly skirted(cleaned)








After a quick lesson and some reading, I decided to go ahead and wash the fleece.

It wasn’t hard at all, and it hardly took any time. I did it all in the barn, where I’ve got access to super hot water.