lauralkeet's 2017 Knitting Projects

Dit is een voortzetting van het onderwerp lauralkeet's 2016 Knitting Projects.

Dit onderwerp werd voortgezet door lauralkeet's 2018 Knitting Projects.

DiscussieNeedlearts

Sluit je aan bij LibraryThing om te posten.

lauralkeet's 2017 Knitting Projects

Dit onderwerp is gemarkeerd als "slapend"—het laatste bericht is van meer dan 90 dagen geleden. Je kan het activeren door een een bericht toe te voegen.

1lauralkeet
dec 30, 2016, 4:23 pm

Welcome to 2017

It may be a new year, but my 2016 projects continue:

Sprouting Socks
I'm working this in fits and starts. This is the first sock, knit from top through heel and ready to begin the foot. It has been great to bring along on vacations/travel, but I find when I'm at home I am drawn to my larger project ...


Timberline Shawl Collar Cable Cardigan
I've knit both sleeves and am working the body now. This is knit from the bottom up in one piece (right side-back-left side); the photo shows the back section. Because each row is more than 300 stitches, it is knit on a 40" circular needle making it difficult to photograph the entire piece so I've included a model photo. In my "work-in-progress" photo I've completed the 4" ribbed hem plus 2" of the cable pattern.

2lauralkeet
dec 30, 2016, 4:32 pm

Knitting Plans
Besides finishing these projects, I have a couple things percolating:


Purl Soho Botanical Yoke Pullover
My husband gave me this pattern for Christmas. He didn't know I'd been salivating over it since it was released, so well done him!

I'm also planning to register for the Lancaster (PA) Knitters Retreat, a weekend event in April hosted by Lancaster Yarn Shop. I'm eager to be in the company of other knitters. The hubs and I have been looking at craft schools too, thinking about spending a week somewhere each doing something crafty. More on that if/when it materializes!

3dudes22
dec 30, 2016, 7:03 pm

>2 lauralkeet: - love that sweater. If he didn't know you wanted it, then he knows what you'd be likely to want very well. Will be watching to see what color you choose.

4avaland
dec 31, 2016, 6:16 am

The socks looks great, and the sweater is coming along. It's nice to have several projects going at once so you can choose between them according to need, mood...etc.

The botanical yoke pullover pattern is so intriguing? I'm not sure I've seen something quite like this before. What color would you do it in, do you think? (I see Betty has asked the same question) Yay, Chris !

5lauralkeet
dec 31, 2016, 7:22 am

I haven't decided on the color yet. I love the color in the photo, but I already have several neutral/tan sweaters, as well as several gray ones, so will probably choose something different. Maybe a pink or lavender?

6SassyLassy
dec 31, 2016, 2:18 pm

>5 lauralkeet: Lovely sweater. Maybe green like twisting vines (and the name of the sweater)

7lauralkeet
dec 31, 2016, 2:38 pm

>6 SassyLassy: ooh, that's an inspiring thought!

8rosalita
dec 31, 2016, 5:51 pm

Oh boy, that sweater is gorgeous! I love those twisty cables.

9lauralkeet
dec 31, 2016, 7:31 pm

Aren't cables marvelous, Julia? They are not as hard as they look and there are so many possible variations and designs.

10rosalita
dec 31, 2016, 7:57 pm

I've only done one project with cables, a hat, and I was pleasantly surprised that they were not as difficult as I had feared. I'm not ready for anything as major as a sweater, though!

11lauralkeet
jan 1, 2017, 8:31 am

>10 rosalita: I highly recommend Knitter's Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters if you ever want to give it a try. Ann Budd's books are excellent for learning something new. The designs are not overly complicated but still produce a beautiful product, and the instructions and photos are well done.

Also, I just signed up for the 2017 Lancaster Knitters Retreat and I'm so excited!

12thornton37814
jan 1, 2017, 4:42 pm

>11 lauralkeet: That sounds like a lot of fun. It's just at a time of year I'd never be able to sneak away.

13scaifea
jan 1, 2017, 5:19 pm

Hi, Laura! Your projects are always so lovely.

And you've reminded me to start a new thread, too...

14lauralkeet
Bewerkt: jan 1, 2017, 8:36 pm

>12 thornton37814: it's only about a 40-min drive for me, Lori, so it's super convenient, and I don't anticipate any conflicting demands on my time (hope I didn't just jinx myself!)

>13 scaifea: thank you Amber. And I think I was only one stegp ahead of the thread police myself. :)

15thornton37814
jan 1, 2017, 7:41 pm

>14 lauralkeet: Of course, if I go to Lancaster (or Berks) County, I'm probably going to work on my genealogy since my Amish lines started out there in the colonies.

16avaland
jan 3, 2017, 6:51 am

The retreat looks very interesting! Will look forward to your report after attending. New things!

17al.vick
Bewerkt: jan 3, 2017, 9:56 pm

2> Ooh, I love that sweater pattern!

18lesmel
jan 3, 2017, 11:26 pm

I am still dying to see how the completed cardigan looks!! And the new pattern looks totally awesome.

19lauralkeet
Bewerkt: jan 12, 2017, 1:05 pm

Not knitting, but ... last week for my daughter's 24th birthday we went to one of those paint your own pottery places.



I chose a small bowl with a braided motif much like knitting. I used six different colors, a flecked neutral (called "vanilla dip") for the background and interior, and various complementary shades for the exterior. The photos show the piece "before," after glazing, and after being fired in the kiln.

I'm going to use it to hold knitting bits and pieces that I usually leave lying around. Row markers, cable needles, tape measure, etc.

20lauralkeet
Bewerkt: jan 12, 2017, 9:36 am

>19 lauralkeet: after writing this it dawned on me that my cable needle is not in the bowl. I suspect the last time I used it, it was in my lap and it fell on the carpet when I stood up. And then what? I have no idea. I checked around my chair, under the cushions, etc. No luck. But it's a tiny thing that could just kinda blend into the oriental carpet. I have another cable needle so I'm not completely out of luck, but it's still driving me crazy.

21avaland
jan 12, 2017, 9:12 am

>19 lauralkeet: Hadn't made the knitting pattern connection until you said it. Very clever. Good luck finding the cable needle!

22Lyndatrue
jan 12, 2017, 12:15 pm

>19 lauralkeet: Uh-oh. That third image has vanished. The first two were (and still are) from your gallery here on LT, but the third appears to be (at least now) a link to a temporary file on Amazon's AWS system.

https://cnt-00.content-na.drive.amazonaws.com/cdproxy/templink/1DQxRdRvlTCI1_9xm...

It was there when I looked before (and was really pretty). I even checked from other browsers. Color me confused?

23lauralkeet
Bewerkt: jan 12, 2017, 1:05 pm

>22 Lyndatrue: weird, it's done it to me, too. Need to investigate.

ETA: I uploaded the photo to my LT junk drawer, so it is visible now.

24dudes22
jan 12, 2017, 1:08 pm

>19 lauralkeet: - I even like it before it was glazed - I love white dishes and would have done the whole thing in white. I've seen vase that have a sweater pattern on them and been very tempted to buy them. I'll be watching for that 3rd picture.

I managed to lose 2 or 3 boxes that I store Christmas stuff in over the holidays. Now boxes are not little things like a cable needle. And I store the things I've moved to make room for Christmas in those boxes. I packed the Christmas stuff in other boxes, but gee - where could they have gone? And now I'm missing stuff that goes in my china cupboard. I've checked everywhere - basement, garage, closets. My house is not that big....,.

25lauralkeet
jan 12, 2017, 8:37 pm

RIP cable needle. I mentioned it to my husband this evening and he produced a mangled needle he had discovered in very close proximity to a certain dog.

26rosalita
jan 12, 2017, 8:53 pm

>25 lauralkeet: Oh dear! Thank heavens "certain dog" didn't swallow it. That could have been a painful experience for everyone.

27scaifea
jan 13, 2017, 10:15 am

>26 rosalita: That was my first thought, too, since we have a dog who will eat *anything* - thank goodness!

28lauralkeet
jan 13, 2017, 10:20 am

>26 rosalita:, >27 scaifea: right -- no worries about that. The needle is in two pieces but neither of them is inside a dog!

29rosalita
jan 13, 2017, 5:20 pm

30avaland
jan 31, 2017, 9:13 am

I never knew dogs would be interested in something like a cable needle....

31lauralkeet
Bewerkt: mrt 12, 2017, 10:01 am

Oh dear, I've been neglecting this thread while knitting away! I'm halfway through the second sock in >1 lauralkeet:. I've not yet started the pullover I received for Christmas. BUT ... I've knit 13" of the cable cardigan pictured in >1 lauralkeet:. When I reach 17" I will start shaping the armholes & shoulders.



Next weekend I'm attending a 2-hour "First Time Fair Isle" workshop where we will learn Fair Isle techniques by beginning a a hat, and the Lancaster Knitters Retreat is coming up in late April. I just received the "homework" for the retreat and ordered my yarn. More on that later!

32scaifea
mrt 12, 2017, 10:29 am

>31 lauralkeet: Ooof, that's gorgeous!

33lauralkeet
mrt 12, 2017, 11:52 am

Thanks Amber!!

34dudes22
Bewerkt: mrt 12, 2017, 3:30 pm

Makes me wish I had kept up with my knitting over the years. I liked the knitting well enough, but hated the putting together. I did make a fisherman knit baby bunting but I think my mother put it together and put in the zipper for me.

ETA: And if Fair Isle are the ones with the designs at the yolk, I made a couple of those also.

35justmum
mrt 12, 2017, 6:02 pm

>2 lauralkeet: lOVE THE SWEATER

36lauralkeet
Bewerkt: mrt 12, 2017, 6:18 pm

>34 dudes22:, >35 justmum: thank you so much!

37rosalita
mrt 13, 2017, 7:03 am

>31 lauralkeet: The sweater is coming along beautifully. The beauty of the yarn really shines through with the cabling.

38lauralkeet
mrt 13, 2017, 8:18 am

>37 rosalita: Thanks Julia. Just last week the hubs snagged a disturbingly similar cardigan in a disturbingly similar color on eBay for $7. It has a zip instead of buttons, and the collar and fit are different, and the sleeves are too long. But I was still mildly annoyed. He keeps assuring me he is delighted with the one I'm making and just couldn't resist the bargain ... gah.

39lesmel
mrt 13, 2017, 12:51 pm

>38 lauralkeet: Men! Now you can just make the sweater for yourself, instead. Heh. (ok, I'm sure that won't happen. lol)

40lauralkeet
mrt 13, 2017, 12:56 pm

>39 lesmel: I guess it would be what the fashion industry would call a "boyfriend sweater" these days! But to be honest, I'm not really upset. He gets carried away on eBay sometimes and I know he bought this on impulse and wasn't thinking about its similarity to my handmade work of genius. :)

41lauralkeet
mrt 19, 2017, 7:01 am

I really enjoyed yesterday's Fair Isle workshop at Lancaster Yarn Shop. Wendy, the shop owner, taught the course. She's in her mid-50s and has an interesting background in anthropology and textiles. We learned the basics of Fair Isle knitting by starting a hat. She taught us the best way to manage the two skeins of yarn to maintain tension and keep things from getting all tangled up when changing colors. Over the course of 2 hours, I knit the rib and first 5 rows of the pattern.

Here's the pattern photo and my WIP:


I've also been hit with a sudden urge to finish the cable socks. I prefer having just 2 or 3 projects on the needles, and will soon start another project for the knitting retreat, so it's time to give the socks priority. I'm currently working the heel of the second sock and will then have just the foot and sole left.

42justmum
mrt 19, 2017, 8:09 am

Well done - keep those needles clicking! The hat looks lovely - I did learn how to do it properly once too and made some lovely hats a few years ago. It's so nice to mix the colours and of course you can use up left-overs of yarn from other projects.

43avaland
mrt 19, 2017, 6:41 pm

I think that boyfriend sweater (!) is going to be gorgeous. And when it's finished, if the hubster doesn't fall on his knees before you and shower you with praises, call us. I'm sure there is some kind of torture we can apply....

44lauralkeet
mrt 25, 2017, 8:43 am

I finally finished the cable socks!

45scaifea
mrt 25, 2017, 9:53 am

>44 lauralkeet: Beautiful! Well done, you!

46dudes22
mrt 25, 2017, 6:58 pm

Those look very comfy!

47avaland
mrt 26, 2017, 6:36 pm

Those are gorgeous, Laura!

48lauralkeet
mrt 26, 2017, 6:49 pm

Thank you!! I wore them yesterday and they are comfy. Nothing beats hand knit socks.

49lesmel
mrt 27, 2017, 11:40 am

>44 lauralkeet: The socks look awesome! I'm still always amazed by how yarn can turn into something to wear.

50justmum
mrt 29, 2017, 11:30 am

well done and they should last for years.

51bell7
apr 4, 2017, 7:25 pm

>44 lauralkeet: Lovely! I have not tried socks yet, but think I should soon. Once I finish a couple of baby-related projects.

52lauralkeet
apr 5, 2017, 8:07 am

>49 lesmel: I'm still always amazed by how yarn can turn into something to wear.
Yes, me too! To be honest, I'm amazed how yarn can become fabric, let alone a garment. And I admire designers, who can visualize the garment and its construction.

>50 justmum: I hope so!

>51 bell7: Go for it. Socks are fun and very portable, and you'll find that all socks are based on the same fundamentals so if you've knit one sock, you can knit any design that strikes your fancy.

53rosalita
apr 10, 2017, 5:06 pm

>52 lauralkeet: I'm also amazed, as a pretty novice knitter, at people who can look at a pattern and visualize how it will knit and see where the potential problems might be. I run every pattern past my friend Liz so she can highlight for me the stuff that will make me want to throw my knitting across the office!

54dudes22
apr 10, 2017, 6:19 pm

That's a good friend to have. I usually figure if I take it one step at a time and read everything at least twice - slowly- I can figure it out. I'm sure when I was starting, I used to ask my mother for advice as I was learning, but I do remember fondly a few knitting projects I was proud of at the time. I'm not much of a knitter anymore. I keep thinking I'll go back to it, but so far, not yet.

55scaifea
apr 11, 2017, 6:55 am

>53 rosalita: Julia: You are a *very* pretty knitter, friend. *goofy grin*
When I started knitting, I taught myself (how else?!) by reading a book about it, but I also had the good fortune of living close to a lovely little yarn shop with the kindest owner, who was always happily willing to help me if I got stuck on something - I could just bring the hot mess of a project into the shop and she'd take a look and tell me how to fix what I'd done wrong.

Morning, Laura!

56rosalita
apr 11, 2017, 9:31 am

>55 scaifea: You are a *very* pretty knitter, friend. Come on, you've actually seen me in person — no wonder you have a goofy grin. :-D

What a treasure to have a friendly LYS. The one here in Iowa City is run by someone who is completely uninterested in anyone who isn't already a bosom buddy. It's a shame, because I would vastly prefer to buy locally but she was so rude the last time I was in there I vowed all my future purchases will be made online.

And yes — hi, Laura! Sorry for hijacking your thread.

57scaifea
apr 11, 2017, 10:05 am

>56 rosalita: Julia: Pshaw. Yes, I ve seen you in person and your lovely. Gorgeous smile. So just stop it, lady.

That stinks about your LYS person. Yoicks. We don't even have one here in Platteville, but Dubuque has a really nice one, with a fabulous owner, who is daughter to the woman who runs the bookshop next door.

Where do you do your online yarn shopping? I've recently become a big fan of loveknitting.com - decent selection and prices, and they ship the yarn is nice little fabric bags, with a couple of candies throw in, too!

Hi, again, Laura! Yes, apologies for taking over here...

58rosalita
Bewerkt: apr 11, 2017, 10:25 am

>57 scaifea: Mostly knitpicks.com — I got a nice set of interchangeable circular needles during a recent sale, and those sales are frequent enough that I've gotten some good deals on yarn. I will check out loveknitting.com — I love the idea of the yarn coming in fabric bags!

Perhaps we should have a yarn- and book-shopping date in Dubuque this summer?

59lauralkeet
apr 11, 2017, 12:23 pm

Wow, look at all the yarn chat going on here! Hi everyone!

The LYS situation near me isn't great either. The nearest shop closed a few years ago, and the next closest has a nice selection but not much of a vibe. There are good shops further away, but I long for something more convenient. My online sources have been knitpicks and WEBS (yarn.com).

Julia, I'd love to get a peek at your knitting sometime!

60scaifea
apr 11, 2017, 12:38 pm

>58 rosalita: YES! We most definitely should!! The mentioned bookshop isn't fabulous (it's a christian book store, so the selection is limited) but just across the street is River Lights Books, which is wonderful.

>59 lauralkeet: One of my dream jobs has long been to open a bookshop/yarn shop/tea house, with a nice space in the back for folks to bring in their projects and work and chat and drink tea. But, being a devoted Lady of Leisure at this point...

61lauralkeet
apr 11, 2017, 2:04 pm

>59 lauralkeet: I'd love to have a shop like that too, Amber! But I'm also afraid that turning a labor of love into work might make it less fun.

62scaifea
apr 11, 2017, 2:07 pm

63rosalita
Bewerkt: apr 11, 2017, 2:41 pm

>59 lauralkeet: I've thought about starting a thread here but my stuff is pretty embarrassing next to what you all churn out, Laura!

>60 scaifea: OK, let's make it happen! Let me know sometime what dates might look good for you.

64lauralkeet
apr 11, 2017, 5:56 pm

>63 rosalita: pish tosh, Julia! You know how in the 75ers some people are reluctant to join in because they don't read 75 books a year? And how we all say no no no the numbers don't matter, this is a great group?

I think you'll find this group has a similar mindset about the fiber arts. I don't want you to feel pressured to start a personal thread though. I think we have at least one general chat thread. And you are also welcome to just post your pix right here!

65scaifea
apr 11, 2017, 6:51 pm

>64 lauralkeet: I second that pish tosh.

66Lyndatrue
Bewerkt: apr 11, 2017, 7:07 pm

>65 scaifea: I'll third the pish tosh, and add that I don't recall adding any interesting handwork to this group, even though I love everyone else's. I have admiration for the quilters, and a good understanding of their craft (and am clever enough to know I wouldn't be good at it, and wouldn't enjoy doing it). I love looking at the knitting, too, which I've done in past, but have no need of nowadays. Once in a blue moon I might feel the need to crochet; thankfully, it passes.

The only thing I do, for the most part, is embroider, and there's little of that. On the other hand, I read every single post, in every single thread in this group, and it's one of my favorites. Many of the people active here are also active over in the gardening threads, and I love those too.

Who knew that a place for cataloging books could be such an excellent and rich environment, and with so many good people?

67rosalita
apr 12, 2017, 3:33 pm

You are all entirely too kind! I'm taking a few days off work this week and next — if I get bored I may just throw some stuff up here. xoxo

68scaifea
apr 13, 2017, 6:45 am

69lauralkeet
apr 13, 2017, 7:13 am

>68 scaifea: I second that woot!

70avaland
apr 14, 2017, 11:50 pm

>59 lauralkeet: You will have to take yarn shops into consideration when relocating!

>63 rosalita: third the woot!

71lauralkeet
apr 15, 2017, 7:10 am

>70 avaland: absolutely!

72lauralkeet
apr 24, 2017, 8:49 am

Over the weekend I attended the Lancaster (PA) Knitters Retreat.

It was amazing! Here's a recap.

The retreat was organized by the Lancaster Yarn Shop and held at a hotel about a mile away. This is in Pennsylvania Amish Country, and while it is touristy the hotel was in a beautiful setting, situated outside the high-traffic areas and surrounded by several farms. The event began on Friday evening with a reception and social time in the hotel's great room. This was a time to meet other participants, enjoy a glass of wine or two, knit, and admire what everyone else was knitting. We also received goody bags including a coupon for the shop, some notions, and a skein of Lumen, the shop's own hand-dyed yarn brand.

Saturday's program included two workshops led by guest instructors: Melissa Leapman's Crazy Cool Cables where we learned three interesting & unusual cable motifs, and Ann Weaver's Yipes Stripes Cowl, which is an exercise in stripe techniques and will ultimately result in a wearable finished object. The instructors were very good and lots of fun. We had some free time in the afternoon, where of course I visited the yarn shop and bought more yarn for a future project (after all, I had to use my coupon!). The day ended with a banquet and an after-dinner talk on color theory by Ann Weaver.

The Retreat concluded with a Knitters Salon on Sunday morning. This began with a bit of yoga, and then those who wanted could share something with the group like a story, a handknit item, or a family heirloom (we were notified of this before the retreat so people came prepared). This being my first retreat, I kind of wanted to see what this segment was like so I just watched. Some of the women are really amazing knitters. There was also a young woman who shared her first sweater with such pride and received lots of applause. It was a really wonderful supportive experience. The Salon concluded with a discussion between the two class instructors. Oh, and there were door prizes throughout the morning. I won a book on crochet stitches (which is funny, because I've occasionally thought about trying crochet).

Here are two photos of my Yipes Stripes Cowl, in progress:

Close-up on braid motif | The first 4.5", completed during the retreat

73rosalita
apr 24, 2017, 2:23 pm

>72 lauralkeet: Oh, that sounds like a wonderful weekend! I wish there was something like that around here. I would sign up in a flash. The Yipes Stripes cowl looks really interesting, and I love the colors you chose. How do you create the braided bit? Is it a sort of cable — it looks as though it stands up from the rest of the knitting but that could be an optical illusion.

74lauralkeet
Bewerkt: apr 24, 2017, 8:05 pm

>73 rosalita: Julia, those are 2-color braids and they do stand up from the rest of the knitting. You use both colors at the same time (rather than stripes, which are one color at a time). Here are the written instructions (MC=main color & CC=contrast color); in my cowl white was the braid's MC.

The first braid was a right-leaning braid, as follows:
Rnd 1: *K1 MC, k1 CC; rep from * around
Rnd 2: Holding both yarns in front and bringing each yarn under the other when switching colors, *p1 MC, p1CC; rep from * around
Rnd 3: Holding both yarns in front and bringing each yarn over the other when switching colors, *p1 MC, p1CC; rep from * around

The second was a left-leaning braid:
Rnd 1: *K1 MC, k1 CC; rep from * around
Rnd 2: Holding both yarns in front and bringing each yarn over the other when switching colors, *p1 MC, p1CC; rep from * around
Rnd 2: Holding both yarns in front and bringing each yarn under the other when switching colors, *p1 MC, p1CC; rep from * around

75lauralkeet
apr 29, 2017, 5:43 pm

Project Update

I finished two projects this week: the fair isle cap (see >41 lauralkeet:), and the striped cowl from last weekend's retreat (>72 lauralkeet:).
Et voila:



The cap still needs to be blocked for better shape at the bottom.

And then I tried on the cowl. It's toasty warm and although I love the warmer weather I hate not being able to wear this right away!



Now I need to hunker down and finish the cable cardigan. I'd say I'm about 80% finished.

76scaifea
apr 30, 2017, 9:45 am

Wow, I LOVE the colors and patterns in the cowl! And the hat is lovely, too!

77lesmel
apr 30, 2017, 10:10 am

They are both lovely!

78rosalita
apr 30, 2017, 9:03 pm

Beautiful! That cowl takes the concept of striping to whole new levels, which I know was the point of the workshop but it's inspiring to see it in a finished object.

79lauralkeet
apr 30, 2017, 9:07 pm

>78 rosalita: it's funny, the cowl is not the type of project I would have chosen on my own. But it was so fun to make and I love the result too. There's a lesson in there somewhere!

80sibylline
mei 12, 2017, 9:43 am

Beautiful!

81lauralkeet
mei 12, 2017, 10:10 am

Thank you Lucy! And thanks for visiting!

82lauralkeet
Bewerkt: mei 21, 2017, 4:51 pm

Remember the shawl collar cable cardigan pictured in >1 lauralkeet:? I finished the sleeves some time ago, and have now completed the back & front sections:



All of the cable work is finished; I now need to knit the button band and collar. And then it will be done!!

83scaifea
mei 23, 2017, 7:49 am

Wow! I can't wait to see the finished product!

84lauralkeet
mei 23, 2017, 8:04 am

Me too, Amber, LOL. I've reached the point where I'm ready to be done. Don't get me wrong, I'm very pleased with it. But as the weather heats up, working with something this bulky is like wearing a lap blanket. I just need to persist and wrap it up so the hubs can enjoy it when fall comes.

85scaifea
mei 23, 2017, 8:11 am

>84 lauralkeet: Well, you're sort of done with the fun parts, really. The sewing-it-together bit is my very least favorite.

86lauralkeet
mei 23, 2017, 9:03 am

>85 scaifea: Same. Actually I get to do a bit of easy knitting first -- the button band & collar. It's a seemingly infinite number of 20-stitch rows in k2,p2 rib with a bit of increasing/decreasing. But yeah, seaming. Blech.

87judylou
mei 23, 2017, 7:02 pm

Me too. I'd much rather have someone handy to sew up the finished pieces! Also, I have to put the knitting away for the summer. Just can't handle it. But with winter about to arrive here, I must get my knitting out again.

88lauralkeet
mei 25, 2017, 2:35 pm

I guess I have yet to mention here that I've become "a lady of leisure," retiring from my 33-year career in IT. One of the gifts I received from colleagues was a 6-month subscription to YarnCrush, and I received my first shipment today!



A skein of super-soft merino/yak/silk blend yarn, a cute pin, and two patterns (one knit, one crochet). The photo shows the knit pattern, a shawl. The crochet pattern is for a pair of yoga socks. Although I have no immediate plans or interest in taking up crochet, I'll save the patterns. You never know ...

89scaifea
mei 25, 2017, 5:10 pm

>88 lauralkeet: Oh, that YarnCrush business is SO tempting! Do the patterns match/go with the yarn?

90lauralkeet
mei 25, 2017, 5:43 pm

>89 scaifea: yes they do, Amber. The monthly subscription includes both a knitting and a crochet pattern that goes with the yarn. And I assume you get enough yarn to work the project (these patterns both call for one skein). With yarncrush you can choose a color palette (warm, cool, or neutral) or say "surprise me". There's a Ravelry group where each month's colors are posted and subscribers can switch their palette if they want.

There are lots of other yarn subscription services out there (KnitCrate, Yarnbox ...). I was actually considering getting one but hadn't done my research yet. Then I received this as a gift so I'm all set for now!

91judylou
mei 25, 2017, 6:39 pm

They definitely know what you like! What a great gift.

92lauralkeet
mei 31, 2017, 8:24 pm

Hooray! I've finished all of the knitting on the cable cardigan! It still needs to be blocked and seamed, but we are leaving Saturday on vacation so I will wait until we are home to do those steps.

93avaland
jun 7, 2017, 8:41 am

I think you should share here about your Folk Arts week, when you get the chance.

94lauralkeet
Bewerkt: jun 7, 2017, 1:07 pm

>93 avaland: sure! I don't think I've said a peep about it here, oops.

This week, my husband and I are at the John C Campbell Folk School in the mountains of North Carolina. I'm taking a course in felting, and he's taking one in wood-turning. The setting is absolutely beautiful, and there's very little intrusion from the outside world (no TV, and one could choose not to use the internet too I s'pose). Each day begins with morningsong where local musicians perform for about 30 minutes, and then we have breakfast. All meals are taken in community, at tables of 8 with food served family style. Class is from 9-12, then lunch, then class again until 4:45. Dinner is at 6. Sometimes there's evening entertainment (last night was country dancing!!), or you can return to your studio to work on projects, or you can just relax in your room.

I have never done felting before, and I'm having a blast. We are using primarily wet felting techniques, sometimes using a resist to help shape our piece. I've made a hat, a small vessel, a handbag, and today I'm making slippers. I'll post photos when I'm back home.

95judylou
jun 7, 2017, 8:12 pm

What a fabulous place to be in. Lots of inspiration there I would think. I love the sound of the Morningsong - a great way to start your day.

96sibylline
jun 9, 2017, 9:43 am

Those monthly subscription sound tempting -- a great way to learn and explore.

Glad you are loving (loved?) your stay at the craft place!

97lauralkeet
jun 13, 2017, 1:35 pm

Folk School Vacation Recap

We spent a lovely week at the John C Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. It's located in the Nantahala Forest, which is south of the Great Smoky Mountains. Also in the far southwest portion of North Carolina, very close to both Tennessee and Georgia. And also in the beautiful countryside out in the middle of nowhere.

We stayed in lodging at the Folk School, which includes meals taken in a dining hall with other participants. Our home for the week was Field House, a short walk from the main building and dining hall:

The entrance to our room is right in front of that car in the middle. There were a couple of other rooms on the ground floor and a few on the upper level, plus a patio behind the trees on the left, looking out onto a wide open field. Our room had two queen beds and a bath, and while furnished simply it was perfectly comfortable.

Each day began with morningsong at 7:45, where local musicians gave a 30-minute performance. On the first day, a staff member provided a history of the folk school and played a song. The other days were more like mini-concerts. We had two sisters who sang and played guitar and fiddle, an older couple who did the same, a Frenchman (married to the Folk School music director) who sang French folk songs, and a banjo player who also sang. Morningsong was followed by breakfast in the dining hall and we then dispersed to our classes.

Classes were held in studios all over the folk school. My felting class was held in the Wet Room which was within steps of the dining room:


There were 9 of us in the class. Felting is very wet work so the tables were covered with plastic. Each day we made something different and learned techniques that built on what we did the day before. My favorite projects involved combining silk and wool:

A small vessel, and a scarf

I also made a hat, a handbag, slippers, and a second scarf. The women in my class were delightful, there was a lot of collaboration and a strong sense of camaraderie.

Class ran from 9-12:15, and 1:30-4:45. All meals were taken in community, seated at tables of 8 with food served family style. We were encouraged to mix with different people at each meal, but within a couple of days we had made friends with a few people and tended to eat together. Every evening there was some form of entertainment, like a clogging performance or country dancing for everyone, and on the final night a beautiful harp recital. Things tended to wind down by 8 or 8:30, so people had time to continue working in their studio if they wished, or you could just relax and read (no TV, yay!).

On the last day there was a student exhibition where each class set their work on a display table. It was really neat to see what all of the other classes had done -- everything from broommaking to water color painting to wood turning and wood carving -- which of course has us already thinking about what courses we might take on a future visit.

Please let me know if the photos don't come through. LT was turning photos on their side so I've linked to a public Facebook album.
The complete album can be found here


98rosalita
jun 13, 2017, 5:36 pm

The pictures look great and the workshops sound like so much fun! I'd love to do something like that when I'm retired.

99dudes22
jun 14, 2017, 6:51 am

That sounds like a great place to relax and learn something at the same time. It sounds like they have a wide variety of interesting classes.

100lauralkeet
jun 14, 2017, 11:04 am

>98 rosalita: Julia, when we booked the trip, I hadn't set a retirement date and was just thinking it would be a week's vacation from work. So if you have a job where you can take a week off, it's doable.

>99 dudes22: they have tons of classes. There were about a dozen classes going on last week, and their catalog is extensive. They do a good job of making it searchable on their website so you can narrow it down to specific interests or date ranges. And yes it was very relaxing, in no small part due to the secluded setting and the lack of television.

101lauralkeet
jun 14, 2017, 11:30 am

Of course on vacation I also had my knitting! Just before we left I started a project which I knew would travel well and it turned out to be a fairly easy knit so I finished it a day or so after we returned home.



This cowl can be worn either as you see it above, or twisted/wrapped another time so it hugs the neck. It's 48" around and I personally prefer it wrapped but maybe it depends on what you're wearing (or how tall you are, LOL). This project came from a book called Refined Knits, and was mentioned on Ravelry as a good introduction to the lace knitting used on other projects.

After this I started another, lacier cowl (not from the book) and a few rows in realized I had messed up and needed to start over. Ugh!

The shawl cardigan is blocked and ready to be seamed. The end is in sight!!

102judylou
jun 14, 2017, 9:19 pm

Sounds like a wonderful place. And your work, as always, is beautiful.

103lauralkeet
jun 14, 2017, 9:43 pm

Thank you!!

104lauralkeet
jun 20, 2017, 8:38 pm

Timberline Cardigan



Finished! This Timberline Cardigan is my most ambitious project so far, and I'd be lying if I said I was anything less than thrilled with it. And Chris loves it, too!

105Lyndatrue
jun 20, 2017, 8:49 pm

>104 lauralkeet: I'll be honest, that's one of the best looking sweaters I've seen in years. They don't sell things like this any more (quality is not to be had at any price, sadly), and if they did, the price would be prohibitive. It's just beautiful, and your work is amazing.

Congratulations! Now, where's mine?

106scaifea
jun 21, 2017, 6:41 am

>104 lauralkeet: That's just amazing, Laura. What a fabulous job - and it's gorgeous!

107rosalita
Bewerkt: jun 21, 2017, 6:44 am

>104 lauralkeet: That sweater is beyond gorgeous! You should indeed be thrilled with how it turned out. It's neat to look back at your first post of the year in this thread to see how much you finished at that point, and marvel that you've finished the whole darn thing. Well done, you!

108lauralkeet
jun 21, 2017, 6:54 am

Thank you, Lynda, Amber, and Julia. When my husband first asked for a shawl collar cable cardigan, he showed me a pattern in a book I have at home. It was nice but there was something (can't remember what) that I didn't quite like so I went searching for another and came across this design. It's by Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed, who is very well-known in the knitting world. I fell in love with all the cables, not really thinking about how intricate it would be to make, and once I showed it to my husband, there was no turning back!

It took me 9 months (like a baby, LOL), and I will be happy to spend the summer months working on smaller projects before starting another sweater!

109lesmel
jun 21, 2017, 9:31 am

I looooooove the cardigan! It's so yummy looking! I knew I was going to love it based on the color alone; but the pattern is so so so awesome!

110dudes22
jun 21, 2017, 6:19 pm

That's really SO nice! Makes me wish I had stayed with knitting more.

111judylou
jun 21, 2017, 7:56 pm

Great job! Looks beautiful. You must be very happy with it.

112lauralkeet
jun 21, 2017, 8:31 pm

>109 lesmel:, >110 dudes22:, >111 judylou: Thank you everyone! It's nice to be able to share the finished project with you. If I did a victory lap around my neighborhood waving the sweater in the air, people would think I'd gone crazy. This is the next best thing. :)

113Lyndatrue
jun 21, 2017, 8:42 pm

>112 lauralkeet: I believe that this is *better* than a victory lap around the neighborhood, because you know that we understand what went into it, and how beautiful the work is. Face it, kiddo. We love you more.

114lauralkeet
jun 22, 2017, 6:37 am

>113 Lyndatrue: Ha! So true, Lynda! LT is a fabulous place.

115lauralkeet
jun 26, 2017, 3:59 pm

Here's my June Yarncrush shipment!



Silk lace-weight yarn and a shawl pattern (there's also a crochet pattern for a sort of beach wrap). When I went to the knitter's retreat I was inspired by the magnificent lacework so many attendees had done and thought I'd give it a try. I already have two lace projects on the needles (one is from last month's Yarncrush), and I'm kind of excited to have another.

116avaland
jun 26, 2017, 4:07 pm

The contents of your shipments have been VERY interesting!

117rosalita
jun 26, 2017, 4:23 pm

>115 lauralkeet: That Yarncrush package is gorgeous. I wonder if I am kidding myself that if I subscribed to something like that it would spur me to do more knitting? Probably a pipe dream!

Also, I am excited to see your lace projects. For some reason, that technique kind of scares me — reading the patterns is even more incomprehensible than a normal one!

118judylou
jun 26, 2017, 6:48 pm

Beautiful colours.

119lauralkeet
Bewerkt: jun 26, 2017, 7:09 pm

>116 avaland: Lois, you can't imagine how often I check the tracking information while waiting for my monthly shipment. There's also a Ravelry group for Yarncrush (this seems to be common with these subscription things). Each month they post a "sneak peek" of the colors that will be sent, but this month there were 9 different colors so no way for anyone to know exactly what they would get. We don't get too many hints about the patterns although this month she posted a little swatch of the knit shawl. Anyway, it builds a lot of excitement/suspense and then people post pics of their yarn when it comes in. It's fun!!

>117 rosalita: Julia, I don't need inspiration to do more knitting, but I have a feeling the yarn & projects are going to pile up because there's no way I can finish each project before the next shipment arrives. This pattern looks a little more complicated than the lace projects I'm working now, so I definitely want to finish them first.

>118 judylou: Judy, I love the color I received too. There were a couple of colors I would have been less keen about, so I'm pretty happy!

120lauralkeet
jul 12, 2017, 2:50 pm

I've been knitting up a storm the past few weeks. After the Knitters Retreat in April, I came away inspired by the lace knitting projects many of the participants wore during the event. I decided 2017 would be my Summer of Lace. Each person at the retreat received a specially dyed skein of yarn, and then I also had my first YarnCrush project (a shawl, see >88 lauralkeet:), so I was all set.



I'll be honest the shawl pattern wasn't my favorite and I briefly thought of using the yarn for something else. But I decided it would be a good learning experience and boy, it sure was. I made a lot of mistakes, mostly dropping stitches or accidentally knitting stitches together. I found ways to work around that, but it resulted in some gaps in the knitted piece and some untidy spots.

The cowl pattern looked super easy, which made me a little cocky. I paid a price for it, but hey I learned a lot:
* After 8 rows, I realized I had twisted my knitting very early on, creating a twist in the cowl that could not be corrected or concealed. I had to frog and start again.

* After the first 26 rows I accidentally turned the cowl inside-out and knit the next section on the wrong side. I discovered this near the end of the second 26-row section. This was a major mistake, but I just didn’t have it in me to frog and start again. I was betting on the loose structure of this cowl masking the mistake when worn, which fortunately was correct. Whew!

The two most important lessons that I take away from this early adventure in lace knitting are:
1. Pay attention.
2. When you think you’re paying attention, stop and pay closer attention.

The shawl actually didn't look too bad when I tried it on. I really like the cowl -- in fact, I have learned I like cowls in general -- so now I have two more accessories to wear with tops or sweaters during the cooler months.

121rosalita
jul 12, 2017, 2:56 pm

Those both look great to me, Laura! I like the cowl a lot (and your furry friend, too). I live in fear of twisting my stitches when I am knitting on circular needles — probably because every pattern seems to say "join together, being careful not to twist stitches." It's given me a complex!

And when I was knitting my fingerless mitts, I did start knitting the wrong way round but fortunately caught it before I got too far (also, mitts are small so frogging was not painful). Those little things catch me up every time.

122lesmel
jul 12, 2017, 2:57 pm

Both projects are beeeeeeautiful! As always, I love the colors. :)

123Lyndatrue
jul 12, 2017, 3:13 pm

>120 lauralkeet: I love your cowl; it's really beautiful, and it almost makes me want to neglect my gardening duties. I may get out the crochet this winter, and I blame it on you. :-}

124lauralkeet
jul 12, 2017, 3:36 pm

>121 rosalita:, >122 lesmel:, >123 Lyndatrue: Thank you so much for the feedback! I think everyone can relate to making mistakes, and I felt safe "coming clean" in this group. And I will happily accept blame for motivating someone to get their needles out!

I'm now in "stash-busting" mode, working a shawl with some yarn I had sitting around. I noticed on Ravelry that others had used this yarn for shawls, although its texture makes me a bit skeptical. At this point I have no other ideas for it so I thought I might as well see how it works out. I also found a fun color work design (a cowl, how about that??!!) for some yarn left over from another project, so I've queued that to start ... well, someday. I also have a YarnCrush project and a cashmere sweater queued and of course more YarnCrush arriving in a couple of weeks. Well at least I won't get bored, ha ha.

125dudes22
jul 12, 2017, 7:17 pm

I really like that cowl pattern. Every time you do something wonderful, I think I should go back to knitting. But I'm still resisting.

126lauralkeet
jul 12, 2017, 8:01 pm

>125 dudes22: I'll keep trying, then. :)

127scaifea
jul 13, 2017, 6:51 am

Wonderful projects, Laura! And yeah, I've made those same couple of mistakes lots of times, too. Yoicks.

128lauralkeet
jul 16, 2017, 2:16 pm

Summer of Lace, continued

I started my June Yarncrush project a few days ago, the Pineapple Grove Shawl. Here's a pattern photo:



And here's mine, so far:



In this photo the piece is 73 stitches wide, and it will grow to 473 stitches with 10 more pattern repeats. Handmaiden Fine Yarn Sea Lace is lovely, and the most delicate yarn I've ever worked with. With such fine fiber, I'm grateful for my early lessons in paying very close attention.

I'm moving at a reasonable pace at the moment because each row is relatively short. I wonder how long it will take to knit a 473-stitch row? Watch this space ... ...

129rosalita
jul 16, 2017, 5:43 pm

Wow, it looks lovely so far and I can't wait to see it grow. What size circular needles do you need for a 473-stitch row?! Or am I imagining it wrong, and it all scrunched up nicely on a normal 24- or 32-inch cable?

130lauralkeet
jul 16, 2017, 8:13 pm

>129 rosalita: Julia, the pattern calls for US size 2 circular needles, 30" or larger. I'm using a 32" needle because I misread the instructions, so that's what I bought. Oops. The finished "wingspan" (after blocking) is 59". A 40" circular needle might have been a better choice. I'm hoping the shawl will "scrunch up nicely" !!

131rosalita
jul 16, 2017, 8:51 pm

>130 lauralkeet: I will look forward to your progress reports! I'm having the opposite problem: I just had to order a new size 8 circular needle because my interchangeable set didn't have any 16" cables, only 24" and 32". Now I know why I fought so much with the last hat I knitted: I was using a cable that was way too long and stretching the stitches so that I could barely knit. This new cable length will hopefully make it a much smoother process.

132lauralkeet
jul 17, 2017, 6:41 am

>131 rosalita: my interchangeable set is similar to yours and came with 24" and 32" cables, and I was able to buy a 40" cable for it as well. So I, too, have amassed a little collection of 16" circs. The needles in my set are larger than required for lace work, so I would have had to buy one for this project regardless. One thing I like about the circ set is being able to "swap out" the cord mid-project if I find I started with one that is too long or too short.

133rosalita
jul 17, 2017, 9:30 am

>132 lauralkeet: Yes, swapping the cord is handy! I was surprised when I went looking for a 16" cable to match the set of needles I already have that they don't make them. The 16" cables have shorter needle tips (only 2.75 inches, I think) and they don't recommend using the cable with the longer needle tips that came with my set. Which isn't a big deal, but surprised me.

134lauralkeet
jul 27, 2017, 8:47 pm

Here's my July YarnCrush shipment. A skein of fingering weight cashmere/merino blend with a shawl pattern and a fun adult coloring book. I was unsure about the shawl, but it involves both lace and cables which is mighty tempting. I'm not ready to start anything new yet so I'll give it some thought ...



135lesmel
jul 28, 2017, 8:21 am

I love that chubby unicorn on the book cover! LOL

136rosalita
jul 28, 2017, 9:31 am

Ah, you are so tempting me with your YarnCrush unboxings — but please don't stop! I love seeing what you get, and that yarn is lovely. And the coloring book looks super fun! I wonder if they are available for sale on their own ... must investigate.

137lauralkeet
jul 28, 2017, 11:17 am

>135 lesmel: it's a cute coloring book. I haven't been bitten by the "adult coloring" bug but I admire the creativity.

>136 rosalita: Julia, I checked the YarnCrush shop and they aren't available for sale yet although I wouldn't be surprised to see them. Here's a link to the shop (you may want to have someone confiscate your credit cards first ... or not):
https://yarncrush.cratejoy.com/shop/all/

But hey ... I'd be happy to send you my coloring book! If you're interested leave me a PM with your address!

138SassyLassy
jul 29, 2017, 7:50 pm

>137 lauralkeet: Just catching up since April. Wonderful work here. I had not heard of YarnCrush and it does look like fun.

I have just moved and am getting back into knitting, which I used to do constantly, (lace, fair isle and Aran), but have ignored these past few years. This area is full of yarn stores, spinners and dyers, so I had to give in to all that temptation, starting with buying a book on two colour brioche knitting. This will be new to me. Does anyone here do it, and if so, what pitfalls should I watch for?

I was somewhat sceptical of adult colouring books, but found they are useful for colour planning. Just make several copies of a page that appeals and then try it in different colourways. I love this for paisleys.

139lauralkeet
aug 1, 2017, 5:55 pm

>138 SassyLassy: Hi there, thanks for visiting! I'm jealous of your new yarntastic living situation. I haven't done brioche at all, let alone in two colors. But brioche is something I'd like to try sometime, and I'd like to do more color work. There are SO MANY things you can do with yarn, I just love it.

Feel free to share your creations with this group!!

140lauralkeet
aug 19, 2017, 11:29 am

It's been a while ... I've been working away at the Pineapple Grove Shawl (>128 lauralkeet:) and am in the home stretch, so I will hold off on photos until it's finished.

I'm also taking a correspondence course from The Knitting Guild Association (TGKA), which I learned about from a woman I met at the Folk School in June. TKGA is "dedicated to providing education and resources to knitters to advance their mastery of the craft of knitting." At the time I just said "hmm, interesting," but then came across a mention on Ravelry, which inspired me to look into it further. TKGA offers correspondence courses on specific topics and a Master Hand Knitter certification program. The courses are all about technique, the theory behind the work, and what makes it look good (or not). TKGA runs a pretty active Ravelry group so you can interact with the instructors and other students both for questions and general socializing.

I enrolled in the "Basics, Basics, Basics" course which covers fundamentals and is considered good preparation for anyone considering the masters program. The course is made up of three lessons, each of which involves making swatches to demonstrate specific techniques, as well as some written work, which is all sent to the instructor for review and critique.

This morning I mailed Lesson 1 to the instructor. Here's a collage of my 5 swatches:


My Ravelry project has photos of each individual swatch. I *think* you can see it without registering?
TKGA Basics - Lesson 1

It was a very interesting exercise. I made heavy use of recommended references, especially the instructor's blog which is filled with TKGA techniques and videos. While I've used some of these increase methods before, I learned more about when to use each method, and the "stitch architecture" which influences the method used in specific projects.

Next, the instructor will review my work and return to me with comments and feedback. I may receive this as soon as a week from now, depending on how busy she is. I'll be sure to post an update here.

141Lyndatrue
aug 19, 2017, 12:43 pm

>140 lauralkeet: Sadly, it insists on an account. That's okay, though. I'll survive without creating another account that I'll forget I made. Your swatches are some very nice work; I wish that I still knitted (the fingers just won't cooperate nowadays).

142lauralkeet
aug 19, 2017, 12:45 pm

>141 Lyndatrue: Well, durn it, but at least I learned something from trying. I can share individual photos from Ravelry (like the one above), so if anyone is clamoring for a closer look just say the word.

143rosalita
aug 19, 2017, 5:44 pm

Wow, that sounds like a fascinating course! Way above my ability level, but it looks like you did a great job. I'm looking forward to seeing the next lessons and the feedback you get.

144lauralkeet
aug 25, 2017, 3:23 pm

>140 lauralkeet: I passed Lesson 1 of the TKGA Basics Course!

The instructor's feedback was so thorough and very instructive.
* My tension is "especially impressive." :) I do need to watch my tension at the beginning and end of rows.
* Blocked stockinette edges should be smoother and flatter
* In my ribbing, the knit stitches are large compared to others in the piece (see the second column of ribbing on Swatch 1, and the knit columns of ribbing on Swatch 2). The solution is to bring the yarn forward more firmly when changing from knit to purl.
* The instructor marked Swatches 1 & 2 to demonstrate the correct way to weave in ends using the duplicate stitch method. Full disclosure: this was the first time I ever tried this method.

On to Lesson 2! But first, I'm going to practice the duplicate stitch method of weaving in ends by doing what I should have done at the beginning: practicing on a swatch on knit with large needles, which makes the yarn's path more visible.

145Lyndatrue
aug 25, 2017, 3:28 pm

>144 lauralkeet: Congratulations on passing. Your instructor sounds excellent, too. :-}

146rosalita
aug 25, 2017, 3:31 pm

Congratulations! Uneven tension is the bane of my knitting existence, so I am "especially impressed" right along with your instructor that you've mastered that.

Can't wait to see Lesson 2.

147lauralkeet
aug 25, 2017, 5:51 pm

Thanks Julia. I was happy about my tension, too. I haven't worked hard on it so it must just happen, no idea why. TKGA does have a "Taming Tension" course similar to this Basics course, since it's such a common concern.

Lesson 2 looks to be 8 swatches on the topic of decreases. Stay tuned.

148dudes22
aug 25, 2017, 7:43 pm

I haven't done any knitting in a long time. I took some with me a couple of years ago when we spent a month with my husband's uncle and was going to work on these adorable mittens that my mother used to make for my nieces and nephews which were animals. I got two tops and two "mouths" done and realized I wouldn't put them together and quit. (but I still have the yarn I bought). Anyway, that's the long story to say I found the instructor's comment about bring the yarn forward more firmly for purls very interesting - I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever decide to start knitting again.

and then - I thought your comment about lesson 2 said "diseases" at first. LOL

149lauralkeet
aug 26, 2017, 6:30 am

>148 dudes22: about diseases ... well, some people probably think our needle arts obsessions are some sort of disease, right?

I think it's funny you still have the yarn for those mittens, like you haven't totally given up on the project.

150dudes22
aug 27, 2017, 7:11 am

And yesterday at the farmer's market, there was a vendor who raises alpacas and sells products and also yarn. I bought my husband a pair of socks for Christmas because I had bought him some before and he said they kept his feet really warm. She was having a deal on the yarn - buy 2, get 1 free and I was tempted.

ETA: she brings a couple of alpacas with her - I so wish I was younger - I'd do alpaca farming.

151lauralkeet
Bewerkt: aug 27, 2017, 7:26 am

I would not have been able to resist!

152SassyLassy
aug 27, 2017, 10:58 am

That does sound very helpful indeed. What a great instructor (and of course knitter!).

Waiting to see what Lesson 2 brings.

153thornton37814
sep 3, 2017, 4:40 pm

>150 dudes22: That does sound very tempting. I think I would have gone for the three as >151 lauralkeet: said.

154lauralkeet
Bewerkt: sep 7, 2017, 6:37 pm

I've completed Lesson 2 of the TKGA "Basics" course. Here's a swatch collage:



The instructor's feedback was, once again, super helpful.
* Apparently I reversed the tags on Swatches 2 & 3. Doh!
* My blocking was improved over Lesson 1; the instructor recommended pinning at an angle to be sure the edges stay flat as they dry.
* Weaving in ends via duplicate stitch was also better, but the yarn was pulled too tight.
* My SSK decreases were “pretty good,” but I still have an opportunity to work on preventing the yarn from stretching. This stretching is so subtle, I'm not sure I can even see it -- but maybe when the swatches come back in the mail it will jump out at me. The instructor included useful information and links to other sources on this topic so I can continue working on it.

On to Lesson 3, which is about gauge, and then I will have completed the course.

155rosalita
sep 7, 2017, 5:52 pm

Gosh, Laura, those swatches look awfully good to me! It's good that your instructor is so exacting, though. There's nothing worse than doing something for "grading" and just getting back a humdrum "this is fine" answer.

156lauralkeet
sep 11, 2017, 6:53 pm

I finished the Pineapple Grove Shawl yesterday. This project, with its intricate lace pattern and delicate lace-weight yarn, proved to be the most challenging project I’ve ever done. The number of repeats, and rows that grew to more than 450 stitches wide, required considerable knitting stamina. I would never have gone this far outside my comfort zone were it not for my YarnCrush subscription!

I'm donating this to Planned Parenthood of Delaware, for a silent auction at an annual fundraiser this weekend.

157rosalita
sep 11, 2017, 7:55 pm

Wow, that is absolutely stunning! I cannot imagine ever being able to complete something that intricate, but you did an amazing job. And how awesome that you are donating it to raise funds for PP.

158lesmel
sep 11, 2017, 10:09 pm

That is gorgeous! Awesome that you are donating it.

159Lyndatrue
sep 11, 2017, 10:40 pm

>156 lauralkeet: Oh, it's really beautiful! If I lived anywhere near Delaware, I'd show up just to bid on it. Amazing work.

160lauralkeet
sep 12, 2017, 6:38 am

>157 rosalita:, >158 lesmel:, >159 Lyndatrue: thank you so much! I'm on the PP of Delaware board and a few months ago the president/CEO kind of nudged me about possibly knitting something for the auction. I had just started this project and thought it was a possibility but it presented so many new challenges for me that I wasn't sure I could pull it off. And the funny thing about lace is, you don't really know how it's turned out until you block it. Blocking "opens up" the lace pattern and I thought okay well, this is when all my mistakes will become obvious and look horrible. And of course there are a couple that look obvious to me, but they sort of blend into the rest of the piece.

Anyway, thanks for all the lace love ...

161SassyLassy
sep 12, 2017, 11:17 am

More "lace love" here. That is a beautiful piece. Did the pattern come from yarn crush, or is it available elsewhere?

162lauralkeet
sep 12, 2017, 1:55 pm

>161 SassyLassy: thank you! The pattern came as part of my YarnCrush subscription, and is also available through the designer's Ravelry store:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pineapple-grove-shawl

163souloftherose
sep 17, 2017, 11:05 am

>144 lauralkeet: Congratulations on 'especially impressive' tension! :-D This sounds like a really good course to do.

>156 lauralkeet: That looks amazing - I can appreciate the amount of work that must have gone into this.

164lauralkeet
sep 17, 2017, 12:35 pm

Thank you, Heather. I enjoyed knitting lace but I'm not so sure about lace-weight yarn. Fingering is easier to handle.

I finished the third and final lesson of the TKGA Basics course and will mail it in tomorrow. It's been a very useful course, and good preparation for pursuing Master Hand Knitter certification. I'm going to wait until the new year to begin the Masters program.

165dudes22
sep 18, 2017, 8:43 am

Haven't been here in a few days, so I'm a little late but wanted to say how lovely that shawl is. No wonder you're going to get your master knitter certification.

166lauralkeet
sep 18, 2017, 11:34 am

>165 dudes22: thank you so much!!

167lauralkeet
sep 24, 2017, 5:57 pm

Here's my swatch collage from the third and final lesson of the TKGA "Basics" course:



* My tension remains good, and my extra credit pattern and swatch (at lower right in the collage) were "excellent."
* I had some trouble with cable tension on the OXOX cable swatch, so I requested advice on how to avoid stretching stitches (which makes them look larger).
* My seed stitch is a bit loose, which I was unaware of. But you can see light through the swatch, which is a problem. The seed stitch swatch was wider than my garter and stockinette swatches, which should have been a clue. I need to bring the yarn forward more tightly when changing from a knit to a purl.
* The primary purpose of this lesson was to learn about measuring gauge, and I have work to do here both in where I placed the marking threads and making accurate measurements. The instructor's feedback was detailed and thorough, so I can practice and improve on my own.

I never expected to get so much out of this course. The personalized feedback and emphasis on fine details are tremendously valuable. This is an excellent foundation for the Master Hand Knitter Program, which I plan to begin in early 2018.

168dudes22
sep 24, 2017, 6:39 pm

This sounds like it was a very worthwhile course. I remember when I used to knit that I always was worried that I was pulling the yarn too tight when switching from knit to purl. I think gauge is just so difficult to keep consistent.

169lauralkeet
sep 24, 2017, 9:30 pm

>168 dudes22: I agree! TKGA has another course, Taming Tension, to dive into that aspect further. Since the instructor felt my tension was already pretty good I don't plan to take the course, but others have found it very useful.

170rosalita
sep 24, 2017, 9:36 pm

>167 lauralkeet: Well done! Tension is the bane of my existence, and I've never learned the knack for threading the yarn through my fingers to "feed" it to the knitting. I've watched a ton of YouTube videos but every time I try one of the techniques it just feels so awkward that I give up and go back to the way I do it.

171lauralkeet
Bewerkt: sep 25, 2017, 3:28 pm

I'm behind on sharing my YarnCrush boxes with you all.



MadelineTosh Silk/Merino DK weight | Reywa Fibers 100% Tibetan Yak DK weight

I bought an extra skein of the MadelineTosh just because I loved the deep red colorway and its silky feel. I also love the autumn color of the Reywa Fibers yarn. Both came with hat patterns but I really don't wear hats; these may become cowls instead.

I have one more shipment left in my gift subscription. That will be a good time to take a break what with moving, the holidays, and now having a little stash to work through, but I am considering a new subscription sometime next year.

172Lyndatrue
sep 25, 2017, 4:21 pm

>171 lauralkeet: I ought to send you a bunch of yarn out of my "will never get around to using it" baskets. Then again, you did mention moving... :-}

You know, I really should consider finding a home for some of it. I will never, ever use most of it, and it seems a shame to see it sit idle.

173lauralkeet
sep 25, 2017, 6:18 pm

>172 Lyndatrue: Lynda, I recommend a local chapter of Project Linus, which makes blankets for hospitalized children. I donated my mom's fabric stash to them and the woman showed me samples of their work. Knit & crochet were the majority (although they do have volunteers who quilt so the fabric was welcome). Anyway, I bet they could make good use of your surplus yarn.

174SassyLassy
sep 26, 2017, 6:23 pm

Just got a great new knitting book as a present and interestingly, the author leaves you to work out your own needle size, just giving you the desired tension and number of balls of yarn she used. I am already contemplating some of the patterns: Inspired by Islay and the book itself brings back memories of a wonderful holiday.

175lauralkeet
sep 26, 2017, 10:02 pm

>174 SassyLassy: That looks like fun!!

176judylou
sep 28, 2017, 1:47 am

That is beautiful work. SO fine and delicate. I have been encouraged to pick up the needles again. I've only made a couple of little baby toys so far, but I have lots of ideas.

177lauralkeet
sep 28, 2017, 7:52 am

Thank you Judy! And that's great that you're trying knitting again.

178lauralkeet
okt 10, 2017, 1:47 pm

I finished this Color Swatch Cowl the other day:



This is made with worsted weight yarn; it could be work as an accessory or to keep warm outdoors. I bought the yarn originally for a cowl made at the knitting retreat I attended in April, but that project didn't use even half the yarn I had on hand. I found this pattern on Ravelry and thought it would be a good stash-buster. But I still have enough yarn left to make another one! If I ever decided to do that, I'll change the order of the colors to make the red more dominant, not just an accent.

I also have a sweater on the needles but not much to show for it yet. And I'm knitting cowls for my daughters as Christmas gifts. Both are openwork/lace patterns using a medium-weight yarn (DK weight, for those who know yarn), so they will be soft and feminine but not too delicate. These should work up quickly so I'll share photos here when they are finished.

179judylou
okt 10, 2017, 6:01 pm

Beautiful work.

I have been inspired to start a baby jacket. It is very simple - all done in garter stitch. But the trouble I have had with it. I'm on my third attempt now. Firstly I was unable to get the specific wool for the pattern, so chose a wool that I thought was close enough. Turns out it was a different ply altogether. SO pulled it all out and started again using the larger size. So, I was almost finished the back when I realize that I have too many stitches. Check the pattern, check the pattern again, and again (don't laugh too hard at me now . . . ) finally to see that I have cast on the chest measurement, not the actual stitches. *sigh* Anyway, started again.

180rosalita
okt 10, 2017, 8:10 pm

>179 judylou: Ooh, I like the looks of that cowl, Laura! Do you remember the name of the pattern on Ravelry?

181lauralkeet
okt 10, 2017, 9:02 pm

>179 judylou: Judy, I'm impressed with your determination. I hate having to rip out and start over, but it happens. But now you can put that behind you, and I'm sure the baby jacket will be lovely.

>180 rosalita: Julia, it's this one: Color Swatch Cowl. The knitting itself is just stockinette stitch in the round. Although there are 5 colors, you only have to deal with 2 in any given row. The bigger challenge is keeping all the yarn from getting tangled together, lol.

182rosalita
okt 10, 2017, 9:11 pm

Thanks! I added it to my favorites over there, for a future project idea. Right now I'm in the midst of my first-ever colorwork project, which is going pretty well but is only two colors so not nearly as complicated.

183lauralkeet
okt 18, 2017, 12:34 pm

Not knitting, but thought it might be of interest to this crafty group. Last weekend I attended a 2-day basket making workshop at Peters Valley School of Craft in NJ. I came to this with no prior experience, as did the other 4 students. And we each left with two baskets, a market basket and a tote!


The market basket is about 14" long. The tote base is 10.5"x5" and it's about 10" high without the strap. We were able to choose our colors, so everyone's basket was a little bit different and personalized. Both projects began by making the base, weaving the rattan together. From there we worked the sides, handle, and rim. Each piece had its own nuances, but some of the techniques we learned on the first basket were used on the second.

The best part is, I can actually envision putting these to use. It was really fun and I hope to do more on my own.

184scaifea
okt 18, 2017, 4:53 pm

Get right out of town - You made those baskets?! WHOA. They're amazing!!

185lauralkeet
okt 18, 2017, 5:12 pm

Thanks Amber. It's definitely possible if you have a) a good instructor and b) all day. We were in class from 9-5:30 both days. The market basket was mostly complete on Saturday, with a bit left to do Sunday morning. Then we went right into making the tote which, with some foundational techniques under our belt, went more quickly but still required a full day. The instructor was there to rescue us if we were having trouble. For example, I struggled getting the sides of the tote started. We were working with two strands of reed at once and I kept tangling them up. After having to rip out and start over a couple times, the instructor offered to get me over that hurdle, which I gladly allowed her to do!!

186rosalita
okt 18, 2017, 5:41 pm

Beautiful baskets! I went to a basket workshop once and had great fun. We made baskets similar to your market tote, except I somehow failed to keep the sides straight so it was shaped more like a peanut (or as I whined to my friend Chuck, like Richard Nixon's head). I don't think I'll be founding the next generation of Longabergers!

187judylou
okt 18, 2017, 6:03 pm

They look so good. Hard to believe this was your first go at making them. You are very clever and very versatile!

188lauralkeet
okt 18, 2017, 6:53 pm

>186 rosalita: ha, a peanut basket! I feel like the basket craft has fallen by the wayside over time, and I'm sure part of the reason is you can get lovely baskets at reasonable prices anywhere from Michaels to Pier 1 to Target. And then there are those pretty (and more expensive) Longabergers.

>187 judylou: Thanks Judy! I feel compelled to say that I don't have any unique abilities in this area. Everyone brought some type of crafting experience to the course, albeit not in basket-making, and so I'm sure that helped each of us. But every single basket looked really nice!

189dudes22
okt 18, 2017, 7:38 pm

I really like the pattern in the market basket; the contrasting colors really make it pop. How hard is the handle part? There's a local lady around here who does really nice baskets and I've been tempted to buy one when I've seen them. She usually has a table at some of the quilt shows I've been to and sometimes at the Christmas bazaars.

190lauralkeet
okt 18, 2017, 7:58 pm

>189 dudes22: oh, the handle. well, it helped tremendously to have a pre-made handle. Ours was made of wood and shaped like a D. The straight part was woven into the bottom of the basket. The rounded part came up the sides and formed the handle. We had to cover the handle using a 1/4" strand of reed and two thinner strands of cane woven sort of like a braid.

191lauralkeet
Bewerkt: okt 28, 2017, 4:59 pm

Time for a project update, methinks.

I recently finished cowls to give my daughters for Christmas:


Downton Cowl in MadelineTosh Silk/Merino 'Court and Spark'


Rivoletto Cowl in Reywa Fibers Embrace 'Harvest'

The 'Court and Spark' colorway is a gray/brown with hints of both copper and blue, it's really pretty. The 'Harvest' color kept washing out in the cowl photos, so I included a pic of the yarn which is much more true to color.

I finally started the Botanical Yoke Pullover mentioned in >2 lauralkeet:, which I received as a Christmas gift last year. I'd love to finish it before Christmas 2017! I've knit the sleeves and am working the body, which is 14.5" of ribbing before you get to the fun cables. Gotta say, that's a bit tedious.



To break up the monotony, I'm about to start both a pair of mittens and a cowl using yarns I received in my YarnCrush subscription. Instead of using the patterns that came with my subscription, I've found ones by designer Jared Flood. He designed the cable cardigan I finished earlier this year and I've found his designs really appeal to me.

192dudes22
okt 28, 2017, 5:16 pm

I love that sweater pattern. I remember when you first posted it that it almost made me want to go back to knitting.

193lauralkeet
okt 28, 2017, 5:39 pm

>192 dudes22: would you like to knit up to the cable section for me?! LOL.

194dudes22
okt 28, 2017, 9:00 pm

>193 lauralkeet: - Sure! That's the best part!

195souloftherose
okt 29, 2017, 4:33 pm

>191 lauralkeet: '14.5" of ribbing'

Ugh, and I find ribbing much slower than stocking stitch. It does look like it will make a stunning pullover though. Good luck!

196lauralkeet
okt 29, 2017, 4:39 pm

>194 dudes22:, >195 souloftherose: Well, I'm trying to convince myself the ribbing is meditative. It's definitely good knitting for TV-watching, so there's that.

197lauralkeet
nov 17, 2017, 9:11 pm

Still plugging away at the pullover, I'm at about the halfway point of the ribbed body. Meanwhile, I made some mittens with my last YarnCrush box:

198scaifea
nov 18, 2017, 8:49 am

Oh, those are excellent! Well done!

199lauralkeet
nov 18, 2017, 10:56 am

Thanks Amber!

200rosalita
nov 18, 2017, 11:25 am

Those look toasty warm!

201lauralkeet
nov 18, 2017, 11:41 am

>200 rosalita: they need to be fully tested but I'm okay with waiting for Mother Nature to bring us winter weather. :)

202Lyndatrue
nov 18, 2017, 11:56 am

>201 lauralkeet: I'll be happy to test them for you. You can send them to me, and I'll even provide the postage. :-}

They're very nice; you do good work.

203lauralkeet
nov 18, 2017, 12:27 pm

>202 Lyndatrue: ha ha thanks Linda, but I'm pretty sure winter will hit the Philadelphia area sooner rather than later!

204dudes22
nov 19, 2017, 6:49 am

Nice mittens! They kind of remind me of the socks from post #1.

205lauralkeet
nov 19, 2017, 7:30 am

>204 dudes22: funny you should say that, Betty. The other day I was rummaging in my dresser for a pair of socks and came across that pair. I had a similar "huh, whaddaya know" reaction. The colors are just different enough to not match, if you know what I mean. And the sock yarn is lighter weight than the mitten yarn. But anyway, a funny coincidence for sure.

206lauralkeet
Bewerkt: dec 11, 2017, 8:17 am

I finished my Christmas knitting, sneaking in a cable hat for the hubs. It's very difficult to knit for someone you live with. I found myself dashing to my knitting bag every time he went to take a shower!



I've also made a lot of progress on my Botanical Yoke Pullover. It's time to start knitting the cable yoke section:



207scaifea
dec 11, 2017, 9:20 am

Oh, I love that hat, and I can't wait to see how the cabled neck turns out on the sweater!

208lauralkeet
dec 11, 2017, 9:11 pm

>207 scaifea: Thanks Amber!

209judylou
dec 15, 2017, 5:31 pm

That jumper will be beautiful. I always enjoyed the challenge of doing cables, but like you, the ribbing part is way too tedious.

210souloftherose
dec 24, 2017, 7:11 am

>206 lauralkeet: Very nice hat - I hope the girls and hubby enjoy all the Xmas presents you've made them.

211lauralkeet
dec 24, 2017, 8:06 am

Thanks Judy & Heather. We've been moving house and I haven't picked up my needles in about 10 days. I almost did so yesterday, but we watched a movie and the lights were too low. It's been stressful and crazy and I *need* my knitting to relax, so I'm sure in the next day or two I'll be back at it.
Dit onderwerp werd voortgezet door lauralkeet's 2018 Knitting Projects.

Aansluiten om berichten te kunnen plaatsen