Holiday Cowl Workshop – Free Class Offer

Quick cowls make great holiday gifts

Need to make Holiday gifts and fast?

Or are you knitting for your several members of your family? Here’s a lovely Christmas gift that is both simple but stylish and elegant, but best of all this project is FAST! Natalie Laderas will teach this Saturday class at 10:30 on November 12 and a 2nd class on December 3. This special offer class is offered at a fee of $15 which includes the pattern. If you purchase your yarn and supplies at the Naked Sheep Knit Shop (North Portland, 2142 N. Killingsworth, 503-283-2004) the class is free! Skills featured in this class are using provisional cast on & kitchner stitch.

Sign up soon as class space is limited.

Materials needed

Version 1:

• 2 skeins Paloma any color (150 yds any extra bulky or polar weight yarn)
• 1 size 15 US circular needles 16” or size 15 US straight needles

Version 2:

• 2 skeins Di’Ve Autunno any color (180 yards bulky weight yarn)
• 1 size 11 US circular needles 16” or size 15 US straight needles

All projects require:

• Waste yarn
• Large darning needle
• Cable needle (DPN in the appropriate size will work too)

I will bring crochet hooks for those who do not have them.

Pre-requisite skills

You must be able to cast on, knit and purl. You must also be able to make a crochet chain.

#knitchat 9/1: The Knitting Bucket List

Actually, the term “Bucket List” bothers me… just a little. This is perhaps because it is a reminder of our own mortality. Maybe I should think of this as more of my list of challenges I want to overcome while the rest of my life occurs. There I go candy-coating things again. On my “list” is knitting an incredibly intricate Estonian or Shetland lace shawl. On a larger scale, I’d like to knit some curtains.

Here are the #knitchat questions:

Q1) What skills (kniting, crochet or fibercraft-wise) are on your “Bucket List?” #knitchat

Q2) Any sweaters or projects on your Bucket List? Any epic dream projects? #knitchat

Q3) When you want to learn or accomplish a new skill what motivates you or keeps you going? #knitchat

 

DETAILS… DETAILS… If you want to know more about what #knitchat is and how it works

• Where: Twitter (follow the #knitchat hashtag)
• When: Thursdays on the date listed above at 6:30 PM PST/9:30 PM EST (1 hour)
• Who: Me you and other Twitter Knitters/Crocheters & Fiber-crafters
• How: Need a primer on Twitter Chat… check this out: What does this Twitter chat thing look like?
• How: to post photos – 5 ways to share photos on Twitter
• How: to shorten your links. Simply paste your link into the field in http://bit.ly/ and shorten it. Copy and paste this link into the twitter feed.

 

 

Crown Prince Shawl by Nancy Bush

 

 

#knitchat 8/18: Lace Q & A with Donna Druchunas

This next #knitchat we will have a very special guest moderating: Donna Druchunas of Artic Lace fame. Donna a knit designer and author of some pretty fascinating books about knitting and specifically lace including Arctic Lace and Successful Lace Knitting: Celebrating the Work of Dorothy Reade.  What I love about her books and explorations is she delves into the origins of patterns and techniques. In the Dorothy Reade book she took a close look at an inspiring past leader in the lace knitting community who investigated and shared what she learned about the ethnic lace.

Donna is going to hold a Question and Answer session during 8/18’s #knitchat. Come to the chat prepared with a question or two about lace and lace knitting. Donna will share her expertise with us, the #knitchat community. Are you excited to learn more about knitting lace? I am especially if Donna is teaching.

You can follow Donna on twitter as: @Druchunas

You can visit and read her riveting blog Sheep to Shawl

DETAILS… DETAILS… If you want to know more about what #knitchat is and how it works

• Where: Twitter (follow the #knitchat hashtag)
• When: Thursdays on the date listed above at 6:30 PM PST/9:30 PM EST (1 hour)
• Who: Me you and other Twitter Knitters/Crocheters & Fiber-crafters
• How: Need a primer on Twitter Chat… check this out: What does this Twitter chat thing look like?
• How: to post photos – 5 ways to share photos on Twitter
• How: to shorten your links. Simply paste your link into the field in http://bit.ly/ and shorten it. Copy and paste this link into the twitter feed.

Sock Summit – I’ll never be ready or finished!

You know it’s been over a month since I started my goal of knitting three pairs of socks for the Sock Summit. I’m barely done with just one, and actually I think I’ve decided I’m not going to be done with this one because I want to make knee-highs. Oh well, such is life.

I am almost finished with the Nautillina shawl I started and I’ll have it ready and blocked I think by Friday. But this isn’t for me, it’s for someone else.

Also, I needed to knit something fast so I’ve been thoroughly entranced by gigantic needles. Yes, this is the same woman who once swore off knitting with anything larger than US 10 needles because knitting with anything bigger than that was like doing the “Chicken Dance.” But I had the perfect opportunity to use those size US 19’s that were gathering dust behind my laptop. So I finished a shawlette with some Artfibers Baccarat (a lovely iridescent ribbon yarn that reminds me of Japanese Beetles) which has been languishing in my stash, but I have so much of it left that I think I’m going to undo the bind off and continue knitting until I have a full shawl.  Arrrrgh. I’ll never be done. I need to lie down on the floor and remain calm.

These are the socks that never end...

 

Nautillina Shawl

 

This yarn reminds me of Japanese Beetles

7/7 #knitchat – Colorwork in Knitting

A Fair Isle tam is a good introduction project to this skill. You can find the
pattern for this one at Knitty.comRequest Feedback

For many of us new to knitting in more than one color, the idea of switching colors in a stitch pattern other than by striping or using a self striping yarn seems a bit daunting. My 2nd and continuing Fair Isle project isn’t really Fair Isle because I’m using a self striping yarn as one of the color yarns. Therefore I don’t need to worry about changes. I  my next project I’ll probably take the leap and use more than two strands.  My earliest FI project was a bust because I hadn’t mastered tension or holding the different strands w/o tightening too much. Color work includes using the technique of intarsia which is defined as a method of knitting with a number of colors, in which a separate length or ball of yarn is used for each area of color (as opposed to different yarns being carried at the back of the work). (Wikipedia).

This week’s #knitchat is on color work. Come and share your experience with color work in knitting or bring your questions for the #knitchatters 😉 As always share picture of projects if you have them during the chat.

#knitchat questions:

Q1) Any color work projects or patterns out there that you’re oggling right now? (Fair Isle, Intarsia or others)

Q2) Have you ever used any color work techniques in knitting? What was your experience like? If not what’s keeping you from trying?

Q3) Do you have any questions about color work techniques?

 

DETAILS… DETAILS… If you want to know more about what #knitchat is and how it works

• Where: Twitter (follow the #knitchat hashtag)
• When: Thursdays on the date listed above at 6:30 PM PST/9:30 PM EST (1 hour)
• Who: Me you and other Twitter Knitters/Crocheters & Fiber-crafters
• How: Need a primer on Twitter Chat… check this out: What does this Twitter chat thing look like?
• How: to post photos – 5 ways to share photos on Twitter
• How: to shorten your links. Simply paste your link into the field in http://bit.ly/ and shorten it. Copy and paste this link into the twitter feed.

Fair Isle Resources:

How to on Fair Isle or Stranded Knitting (Vogue Knitting)

#knitchat 4-21 on Knitted Toys

Check out these cute and other wonderful knitted toy creations at Mochimochi Land

I love knitting toys, and I hate knitting toys. As you know, I just finished working on some “Sackboy” dolls recently. Knitted toys are cleverly shaped, charming and cuddly, but it seems to me that there’s an inordinate amount of shaping involved in the construction of them. Each time I make a knitted toy I balk at the instructions, but once they toy is finished I almost always am pleased with the outcome.  This #knitchat is all about creating knitted toys. What toys have you made or attempted to make? Do you have favorites you want to share? We may not be Gepetto or we may run a close second, but that’s the wonderful thing about being a fiber-crafter: “We can always make our own!” And about those Mochimochi Land bunnies in the photo above. I’ll bet you’d be able to crank out a few just in time for the Easter basket. Think of them as no-calorie peeps, but just don’t eat them. That’s a different kind of fiber 😉

4/21/2011 #knitchat questions

Q1) Share some knitted toys or patterns you’ve made? Share some toys that you’d like to try. Links if you have them.

Q2) If you made a toy, was the pattern you chose easy/hard? What were some challenges you faced if any? What techniques would you like to master

Q3) Any additional tips or coping skills you have to share?

DETAILS… DETAILS… If you want to know more about what #knitchat is and how it works

• Where: Twitter (follow the #knitchat hashtag)
• When: Thursdays on the date listed above at 6:30 PM PST/9:30 PM EST (1 hour)
• Who: Me you and other Twitter Knitters/Crocheters & Fiber-crafters
• How: Need a primer on Twitter Chat… check this out: What does this Twitter chat thing look like?
• How: to post photos – 5 ways to share photos on Twitter
• How: to shorten your links. Simply paste your link into the field in http://bit.ly/ and shorten it. Copy and paste this link into the twitter feed.

Problem Projects? #knitchat discussion

The Sackboy's fingers almost had me pulling my hair out

Lately I’ve had pretty good luck with projects I’ve tried to knit, but I’ve been thinking that I need to get out of my comfort zone by picking up more challenging knitting projects. Though I fully realize that I can never solve all of my knitting problems on my own. I need help.  Last week I had one of these “Help me” moments when I was trying to knit the fingers on my Sackboy doll. I resorted to looking for forum threads on Ravelry on the pattern, and low and behold, I discovered that others were having similar problems knitting the fingers. I was quickly able to find a solution in the forum posts on this thread. Thank goodness for social networks and knitters that populate them!

Also, I’m fortunate enough to have a very friendly knit shop in my neighborhood with a community of very experienced knitters who are often willing to help me problem solve. This #knitchat we’re going to talk about problem projects and the avenues for getting help.  In this chat feel free to chime in with your advice or even words of support. Sometimes challenging projects can be quite frustrating.  I’m only going to post two questions for tonight because I’m thinking that we will not run out of things to say when it comes to our problem projects. Can’t wait to see you there!

 

Knitchat Questions for 4/14/11

Q1) How do you normally get help for problem knitting projects? Where would you like to seek help?

Q2) Do you have a problem project right now? Have you had one in the past? Tell us all about it.

 

DETAILS… DETAILS… If you want to know more about what #knitchat is

• Where: Twitter (follow the #knitchat hashtag)
• When: Thursdays on the date listed above at 6:30 PM PST/9:30 PM EST (1 hour)
• Who: Me you and other Twitter Knitters/Crocheters & Fiber-crafters
• How: Need a primer on Twitter Chat… check this out: What does this Twitter chat thing look like?
• How: to post photos – 5 ways to share photos on Twitter
• How: to shorten your links. Simply paste your link into the field in http://bit.ly/ and shorten it. Copy and paste this link into the twitter feed.

#knitchat 3/22/11 – The Healing Power of Knitting & Crochet

I started knitting again about 10 years ago to satisfy and urge to make things with my hands, I now realize that it’s brought me a wealth of other things than the ability to make my own clothing or feel accomplished at learning new skills in the craft. I believe that my knitting has a calming affect on me. This knitchat we’re going to be exploring the idea that knitting can be therapeutic.

I’m including crochet in the mix because I find it as equally gratifying to complete a crochet project. There’s something simple and wonderful about afghan squares. Also, switching between knitting and crochet has given my wrists and hands a rest. There’s less of a danger that I will experience repetitive stress. Though it’s arguable that having different crafts and multiple projects probably addresses some attention deficit that I may suffer.

 

#knitchat questions:

Q1) In what ways do you find knitting or crochet therapeutic? Explain or share examples.

Q2) Are there any types of projects or stitches that you like knitting for comfort or when you are distressed? Do share them.

Q3) What other things do you find calming or enriching about your fiber-craft?

 

DETAILS… DETAILS…

• Where: Twitter (follow the #knitchat hashtag)
• When: Thursdays on the date listed above at 6:30 PM PST/9:30 PM EST (1 hour)
• Who: Me you and other Twitter Knitters/Crocheters & Fiber-crafters
• How: Need a primer on Twitter Chat… check this out: What does this Twitter chat thing look like?
• How: to post photos – 5 ways to share photos on Twitter
• How: to shorten your links. Simply paste your link into the field in http://bit.ly/ and shorten it. Copy and paste this link into the twitter feed.

 

Episode 22 – Art for Fiber’s Sake

Somehow this episode became all about art inspired knitting or the other way around.

I talked about my current sweater projects and knitting a new skirt for myself. I also share about my first attempt at freeform crochet.

We’re available on both iTunes and Podcast Alley. Just check for “Cloudy with a chance of Fiber.”

Episode 22

My first attempt at freeform crochet

CWCF Episode 21 – Selfish Knitting Month Recap

Episode 21 of the podcast is up.

I reflect on the two sweaters of the moment. Melbourne and my Drops Yoke. I also reflect a bit on knitting in the movie theater.

Melbourne sweater progress

Drops Yoke Sweater right after I attached the arms