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NH Wool Arts Tour 2012

This past weekend was the 2012 Wool Arts Tour. My daughters and I went, as usual, and my wonderful husband babysat the grandchildren. We had a great time, scoring lots of gorgeous yarn and other things. Here’s what I came home with.

The Fiber Studio hand dyed lace weight bamboo yarn, 1336 yards, color: “Lapwing.” This is a gorgeous, SOFT yarn and much deeper in color than the photo appears. Should make a lovely shawl, not sure which pattern yet.

Artful Yarns “Lustro” yarn, 36% viscose, 25% acrylic, 20% mohair, 19% nylon. Dark nearly-black brown and gold shades. I think it will make a perfect scarf to go with my new black winter coat, and I plan to use the scarf pattern on the reverse of the yarn label, “Lace Rib Scarf.”

Fiesta La Boheme yarn, “Alaska” colorway, 50% rayon, 32% brushed kid mohair, 14% wool, 4% nylon, 165 yards.Again, the color is deeper than the picture shows. Not sure what I’ll make with this…maybe I’ll do a search on Ravelry and see what I can find. I’ve coveted a skein of this yarn for a long time.

Nightingale Fibers hand dyed “Lillian” lace weight yarn, color Red, 80% baby alpaca, 20% silk, 1000 yards. Of COURSE this will have to be a shawl too, and I’m leaning toward the “Curved Shawl” in “Victorian Lace Today.” So soft…maybe I’ll just keep it around to stroke!

Nightingale Fibers hand dyed “Eddie” fingering weight yarn, 50% superwash merino, 50% silk, 430 yards. I could make socks from this, of course. But I also may look through “Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders” and see what else I can come up with.

I also bought a lovely heart-shaped wood shawl pin, but the stick didn’t match. They’re going to mail me a matching pin, and then I’ll post a photo.

So that’s my haul. Anyone else go? What did you get?

Yarnia

 

Heeheehee!

Cat-astrophe

 

Knitting Accessories

Everyone who knits has yarns they covet. Lace weight or bulky; wool, alpaca or mohair; multicolor or single shade; we all have our preferences.

Then, there are other items we need when we knit. For example, knitting needles. Some prefer wood, others like plastic, while still others stick with aluminum.

And that leads into the discussion of straights, double-pointed or circular?

But there are other knitting related items that we don’t really need, we just want. These could include fancy knitting totes, stitch markers that are really knitting jewelry, or stitch/row counters that double as necklaces.

For me, the “unnecessary but desired” item is a shawl pin. I love shawls, both knitting them and wearing them, so shawl pins come naturally. Oddly enough, I don’t use them every time I wear a shawl, but still I covet them.

Here’s a picture of some of my shawl pins:

Okay, not the best picture. But you may be able to see that I have metal, wood, and ceramic shawl pins, some in colors to match specific shawls, while others are neutral and could go with most anything. And no matter how many I have, when a new one catches my eye, I’ll buy it!

What do YOU covet in the knitting world?

And to give you a smile today on this cold, snowy Tuesday, I’ll close with a funny:

Another Kitty Yarn

String or Nothing

It’s only for string. Posted: 15 Oct 2011 11:00 AM PDT

Yarnmageddon

I decided to try to organize my “yarn stash corner” so I can actually see what I have. This would be quite helpful in preventing me from going to my LYS, the Sheep & Wool Festival, and the Wool Arts Tour and buying the same thing I bought the previous year.

First, I had to measure the space in the corner. Since it’s under a sloping ceiling, that made it a little more difficult. But I used a tape measure and did the best I could.

I bought five pink stackable plastic milk crates, figuring I could do a column of two and another of three. I could put them open-side out so I could see the contents.

I should have taken a picture of the corner as it was, but I was so excited to get going, I forgot. Just imagine a towering pile of plastic and paper bags, containing goodies not seen since the dark ages.

I did, however, take a picture of all the “keeper” things I pulled out and put on the bed. Unfortunately, it came out blurry. But it’ll give you an idea of all the loose skeins of  yarn, books, needles, unfinished projects, unSTARTED projects, and knitting bags that were stuffed in that corner.

I also pulled our four bags of yarn scrap odds and ends, a huge pile of old magazines, and a decorative bird’s nest. Hmm.

By that point, I was thoroughly weak and exhausted, so I took a lunch break. Who knew it would be such a tough job? I think I burned off at least three hundred calories.

After the nutrition hit my system, I returned and started organizing, which involved storing yarn by weight, swearing, stacking started projects, threatening the milk crates when they made suspicious creaks, and a lot of eye-rolling.

And at last, everything was in place. It’s still crowded and not easy to see everything, but it’s a vast improvement. What do you think?

I’ve learned that I have enough lace yarn, virtually all in pink, purple or blue, to make shawls for the entire Radio City Rockettes. My favorites seem to be Cherry Tree Hill yarn, and Ball and Skein yarn, based on how many skeins of each I have.

I have enough sock yarn for three or four pairs of socks, which sounds about right. And a few skeins of various sport and worsted weight yarn.

And I also have about ten unstarted or unfinished projects. I’ll certainly never run out of things to do.

There! I feel so much better. I think I’ve earned a little snack! Tomorrow, I  may open my own yarn store…

Lovely Sweater

That’s even more impressive than knitting it myself!

When Good Knitting Goes Bad

NH Sheep & Wool Festival 2011

Last weekend was the yearly much-anticipated New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival. My daughters and I always look forward to it all year and can’t wait for it to happen. We had a wonderful time as always, and because of having a few years’ experience under our belts, we made it through in record time.

Here’s a photo of my goodies:

From left to right, here’s what I got:

1) Sonatina Laceweight from Mad Color Fiber Arts, 80% merino wool, 20% Tussah silk, 1125 yards, www.madcolorfiberarts.com . Soft and plenty of yardage for a large shawl. You can’t tell it from the color I chose, but most of their yarn was, well, Mad Colors.

2) Ariane Lace from Ball and Skein, 70% alpaca, 20% silk, 10% cashmere, 875 yards, colorway “The Blues,” www.ballandskein.com . Last year I bought some of their Arequipa and made a gorgeous scarf. This yarn is SO soft, I just want to stroke it! They’re on my “must buy” list every year.

3) Estrellita handpainted 2-ply lace from Mocha’s Fiber Designs, 75% superwash merino, 20% silk, 5% silver stellina, 875 yards, colorway “Starry Starry Night,” www.mochasfiber.com . Also very soft, and the sparkle really makes it special. Will have to find exactly the right pattern to show it off.

4) Glazed Chenille from Decadent Fibers, 100% rayon chenille, 1000 yards, www.decadentfibers.com . I’m a sucker for chenille. Reminds me of the chenille bedspreads of my youth, so I think a large comfort-shawl is in order.

Did any of you attend? What did you snap up? Do tell!

Free Pattern: Magic Loop Eyelet Mitts

Here is a free pattern I hope you’ll enjoy. Please don’t sell the pattern or sell the mitts…it’s for your personal use only.

These came out pretty nicely and were easy to make. Let me know if you have questions!

MAGIC LOOP EYELET MITTS
by Elizabeth Delisi

Materials:
1 ball Jojoland Melody Superwash fingering, 220 yards
40" circular needle size 2

Size:
One size

Eyelet Lace Pattern:
Multiple of 8 sts.
Row 1 (right side): Knit.
Row 2 and all other even rows: Knit.
Row 3: *K6, yo, k2 tog, rep from *.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 7: K2, *yo, k2 tog, k6; rep from *, end with k4.
Row 8: Knit.
Repeat rows 1-8.

Directions:
Cast on 56 stitches, divide in half on both sides of the needle. Join into a round.

Work K2, P2 ribbing for 16 rounds.

Work rounds 1-8 of Eyelet Lace pattern, then work Rounds 1-4 once more.

Thumb Gusset:
Round 1: M1, K2, M1, place marker, knit across round as established in pattern.
Round 2 and 3: Knit to marker, slip marker, continue in pattern as established to end of row.
Round 4: M1, knit to marker, M1, slip marker, continue in pattern as established to end of round.
Repeat rounds 2-4 until there are 20 stitches before marker, which should end on row 5. Do rows 6-8 in pattern.

Knitting Hand:
Place first 20 stitches on holder for thumb. Cast on 2 stitches, continue in pattern to end of round 1. Continue in pattern for 15 rounds, ending on knit round. Work 8 rows of K2, P2 rib. Bind off.

Knitting Thumb:
Join yarn, knit 12 stitches in first end of needle. Knit remaining 8 stitches with other end of needle, pick up and knit 4 stitches across open area of thumb. You now have 24 stitches. Work 8 rows of K2 P2 rib. Bind off. Weave in loose ends.

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Delisi

 

As promised, here's the free dishcloth pattern. I just ask that you not sell or redistribute the pattern, or sell finished dishcloths made from this pattern. It's for your personal enjoyment!

Liz

Pi Openwork Dishcloth

Pattern by Elizabeth Delisi


Materials:
Cotton worsted-weight yarn (I used Peaches and Cream, color 130 Shaded Pastels)
Size 7 knitting needles
Crochet hook or tapestry needle to weave in ends

Finished size:
Approx. 9x9" square

Gauge:
Not important

Pi Openwork pattern stitch:

Multiple of 3

1st row (RS): K2, *YO, K3, with left needle pull first of 3 st. just knitted over last 2 and off the needle; repeat from * to last st., K1.

2nd row and all WS rows: P.

3rd row: K1, *K3, with left needle pull first of 3 st. just knitted over last 2 and off the needle, YO; repeat from * to last two st., K2.

Repeat these four rows for pattern.



Dishcloth pattern:

Cast on 43 stitches.

K 6 rows in garter stitch.

Row 7: K5, follow Row 1 of Pi Openwork pattern over next 33 stitches, K5.

Row 8: K5, P33 (Row 2 of Pi Openwork pattern), K5.

Row 9: K5, follow Row 3 of Pi Openwork pattern over next 33 stitches, K5.

Row 10: K5, P33 (WS row of Pi Openwork pattern), K5.

Repeat rows 7-10 until piece is 3/4" less than desired length, ending with WS row.

Next 6 rows: Work in garter stitch. Bind off, weave in ends.

Variation: Use seed stitch for border instead of garter stitch.


Questions? Contact me at elizabeth@elizabethdelisi.com.

Have fun!

Copyright 2007 Elizabeth Delisi

 

Kitty Helper

And to add a little written knitting content…I’m going to my LYS today to yell for help. The hoodie I’m working on is coming out way off gauge. No, that’s not right. The gauge seems fine but it’s still going to be way longer than it should be when the side shaping is done. So I’m going to go whine and cry and see if there’s an option beyond starting over! Wish me luck.

When Good Plans Go Bad

Kitty Knitting

Just add a couple hundred Christmas lights, and you’ll have the Griswalds’ Christmas vacation! Hah.

So, on the needles. Or to be more precise, on the hook. I’m almost done with the crocheted project “Zaubertote” from the book “Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders.” Only problem is, one skein of the Zauberball wasn’t enough despite the book title, and it costs $19.99 per ball, so now instead of a basic $20 tote, I’ll have a $40 tote! I’d better get lots of use out of it.

At least I’m having fun crocheting for a break from knitting. And the yarn color changes are awesome, shades of purple, pink and orange.

Once the tote is done, I’ll return to the shawl I’m knitting, the Water Turtles Shawl from the book “Wrapped in Comfort.” It’s going slowly as each row is so long, and it’s hard to see the pattern yet as it’s only 6 or 8 inches long. It’ll be a challenge to block, I suspect.

What’s on your needles…or hook?

Beware the Soul Stealer

Just had to share this:

 

Free Cowl Pattern

I decided to get my hair cut on the spur of the moment. Since it would be my last visit to my hairdresser before Christmas, I wanted to give her a gift. But what?

I browsed the shelves at my LYS and found a bulky weight yarn I really liked—Plymouth Yarn “Multiplicity.” At first I thought it would make a nice scarf, but then I opted for a cowl—a little more style than a plain scarf.

I didn’t have time to search my books and Ravelry to find a pattern, so I just cast on and started knitting. It came out great, only took a few hours to finish, and my hairdresser absolutely loved it. So I figured I’d share the ultra-simple pattern with you! Enjoy.

BULKY COWL

One size fits all

1 skein Plymouth “Multiplicity” yarn in color 3167 or your choice

1 pair size 15 knitting needles

Cast on 20 stitches.

Pattern: K1, *K2tog, YO. Repeat from * to last stitch, K1.

Work in pattern until you’ve used up all or nearly all the yarn, and ending with a stripe of the opposite color than you started with.

Bind off. Flip one end over to put a twist in the cowl; sew or crochet ends together.

Can be worn around the neck, or pulled up over the head as a hood.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Knitting

I'll bet, like me, you're up to your eyeballs in Christmas knitting. That makes this time of year fun...and dangerous.

Dangerous? Because you can't talk about your knitting or you might let something slip. Can't show it off to the wrong person. And you certainly can't post a picture of your progress on your knitting blog!

I've never been the best at keeping secrets so I'll say I'm making a ______ for ________, a ________ for ________, and ________s for the ________s.

There! I feel so much better now that's off my chest.

What Christmas knitting can you talk about...and what do you have to keep mum?

Blogging with Windows Live Writer

I’m trying out Windows Live Writer to blog. Since I have several blogs, I figured I’d check to see if this was easier.

First, you have to set up all the blogs you want to use by providing the website URL, user name and password. Then you can create a blog post and just click “Publish” and it does the rest. The blog you wrote stays on the screen until you close it, so if you want to post it more than one spot, there’s no cutting and pasting or rewriting involved.

Adding photos is easy, too. Here’s one of some semi-recent knitting:

I adjusted the photo using Windows Live Photo Gallery, just using the auto-correct feature, and it did make the colors stand out more.

I’m sure there are features I haven’t found yet. Anyone have any tips? I do like the ease of posting to more than one blog.

Tied Up

I've been all tied up too! But I hope to have new knitting content to post soon.