Lace Knitting Pattern 1: Cockleshell Stitch

Cockleshell is very delicate lace, patterned on both right side and wrong side rows.

The cockleshell lace pattern I took from ravelry. Click here. I modified the pattern a little bit.

Skill: Intermediate

Knitting instructions:
Cast on: Multiple: 18 + edge stitches.
Row 1. edge st,  knit all stitches, edge st
Row 2. edge st,  knit all stitches, edge st
Row 3: edge st, *k1 , yo, k2tog , k13, k2tog, yo, k1 repeat from * to last st, edge st
Row 4. edge st, knit all (k1, p1 into yo), edge st
Row 5. edge st, knit, edge st
Row 6. edge st, knit, edge st
Row 7, edge st, *k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k11, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k1 rep * to last st, edge st
Row 8. edge st, knit all (k1, p1 into yo), edge st
Row 9. edge st, knit, edge st
Row 10. edge st, *k5, Cockleshell, k5, rep * to last st, edge st
Row 11. edge st, *k1, (yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k15tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, rep * to last st, edge st
Row 12. edge st, knit all (k1, p1 into yo), edge st
Repeat rows 1-12 until you have reached your desired length.

Knitting abbreviations
Knit stitch: K
Purl stitch: P
Yarn over: yo
Knit 2 stitches together: K2tog
Knit 15 stitches together: K15tog (Slip next 15 stitches to right-hand needle dropping extra loops, slip  these 15 sts back to left- hand needle, k15tog)

Cockleshell: Knit 15, wrapping yarn 3 times around needle for each knit stitch

Technological Advances

The rate at which technology is advancing is mind-boggling sometimes.  Don't you think?

Viewing Movies At Home

Not so long ago, Thaddeus was working at the local mom and pop video rental store.  During his time there, they morphed from a VHS format to DVD and then started including some Blueray.  And like the bigger places, they also went out of business as more on-demand movies came on the scene that were cheaper and allowed you to access them without leaving the comfort of your couch.

And of course Neflix, Apple TV, Hulu and various other streaming applications just made the concept of video rental anachronistic almost overnight.

During that transition, many households switched over to digitally formatted televisions that could easily accept WiFi streaming or various formats of video, but we opted to stick with our huge-ass tube television.  But since we had films in dozens of different digital formats, Thaddeus found this great DVD player from Oppo that would play lots of different formats.  That was about two years ago and it was expensive to get a machine that would play virtually any format of movie.

Fast forward to a month or so ago when we had to replace our Oppo Universal player, and we were shocked that we could replace everything with this little device.

Yes, this tiny little IntelliSonic device will play any format of movie (even ones with a separate sub-title file), as long as the movie is on a USB memory stick or flash card.  And it will play them on our old tube (non-flat screen) television.  And it cost less than $40.

Truly amazing how technology advances so quickly.

Here's Finn helping me write the blog...he's so helpful!

Current Knitting/Weaving

I've almost finished the Henry Der vest up to the arm hole shaping, and I've started a new pair of socks using a different colorway of Zauberball.

But I also decided to assemble the Speed-O-Weave (not to the humongous size) and string it up a bit.

There are no instructions, just simple illustrations on the box itself showing ways you can use this thing, so I'm trying a few different things as part of my next steps.  We'll see how it works out...I'm honestly not too hopeful.

Week 2: Book Review: Knitting At Home

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week's book giveaway! 

I picked out one comment at random and the winner is Carolina! Congratulations!

For this week I'll be reviewing the book Knitting At Home by Leanne Prouse, 

the designer behind the Ella Rae brand.

When I first received this book in the mail from Sixth and Spring Books, I kind of just glanced through it but quickly dismissed it as a "home decor" knitting book. And those sort of books rarely appeal to me because I hardly ever knit anything for the home.

I was very wrong. After looking at this book in more depth, I have to tell you that I absolutely love this book.

It is not just a book of home decor patterns. This book has a wide variety of patterns including garments, cushions, accessories, bags, throws, and children's wear. Yet most patterns follow the same theme... All of these knits are cozy and comfy pieces you would use around your home.

While flipping through the pages, I found that the designs evoke feelings of comfort and relaxation.

All of the wearable items seem very comfortable and practical.
These are things I could see myself actually using.

Nothing high fashion, form fitting, or fussy. 

Instead all are loose fitting, cozy, knock-around-the-house types.

This book has patterns to accentuate every corner of your home with sweet knitted items. 

Is there any better way to showcase your love for knitting than to surround yourself with it?

I also especially enjoyed the section for little ones.

I love these knitted dolls..

And I found the children's blanket patterns to be quite charming.

This book contains so many cute blanket patterns. I haven't made an afghan in forever, but this book makes me want to.

Altogether, Knitting At Home offers 60 designs. 60! That is a whole lot for one knitting book!

I was very impressed by the beautiful layout and style and I would love to knit many of the patterns included.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

I think this is a great book for many different knitting levels. Many of the patterns could be easily knit as a first knitting project, but there are some challenging projects included for more experienced knitters as well.

There is a lot of variety.

The only thing that didn't offer much variety were the yarn choices offered. All of the patterns are knit from one yarn, Ella Rae Classic. It is understandable. Leanne Prouse is after all the creator of the Ella Rae yarn brand. And it is actually kind of impressive really.. It shows exactly how versatile this yarn really is. 

If your local shop doesn't carry Ella Rae Classic, it seems to be as easy enough yarn to substitute. Its a worsted weight wool, so you have many options available.

Although I very badly would like to keep this book for my own personal knitting library, I am going to be very nice and give it away to one of you!

To enter to win this brand new copy of Knitting At Home provided by Sixth and Spring Books, please leave a comment under this blog post. Don't forget to include your contact information!

I will be announcing the winner next week with another book review!

Does Anyone Really Like Drinking Water?

Every once in a while, after exercising or being out on a hot day, a sip or two of water seems satisfying, but other than those times, I have to FORCE myself to drink the recommended amount of water each day.

Recommended Water Intake
The amount of water you should drink each day varies based on a lot of factors, such as how big you are, how active you are, the climate where you live, etc. But for all intents and purposes, most sources agree you should drink about 64 ounces of fluid each day...EACH DAY!

I'm lucky if I can gag down 8 ounces a day.

I do try and get my water in ways I find less distasteful. I will drink seltzer water or fresh brewed iced tea, but even supplementing my water intake with those methods, I'm shocked I'm not completely dehydrated based on the medical recommendations.

Current Crocheting
I am past the halfway point, and each row is getting faster and faster. I mentioned in the video how the color changes make it easier to progress through a project, but I mispoke...I said it made me want to get to the next stitch, but I meant get to the next color section.

Now I'm moving right along, and should have the blanket finished this weekend. I've gotten a lot of mixed reviews of people liking this blanket better and others disappointed that I ripped out a much nicer blanket.

Oh well, as long as the recipient likes it, that's all I care about.

Flower Ball Tree Made Up Of Simple Knitted Flowers

Knitting can be a wonderful way to pass time or relieve stress. Here is flower tree ball that is sure to spice up you knitting. Each flower takes only a few minutes to knit and they are then tied together in groups to make the finished decoration. 

To make this flower ball tree follow the instructions:

MAKE FLOWER
Cast on 5 sts.
Row 1: Kfb, k4.
Row 2: P4, pfb, p1
Row 3: K7.
Row 4: P7.
Row 5: K1, k2tog, k4.
Row 6:  P3, p2tog, p1.
Repeat row 1 –>  row 6 twice
Rows 19 & 21: Kfb, k to end
Rows 20 & 22: P to last 2 sts, pfb, p1
Rows 23 & 25:  K9
Rows 24 &26: P9
Rows 27 & 29: K1, k2tog, k to end
Rows 28 & 30: P to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. (5 sts)
Repeat row 19 -> row 30 once. Fasten off.
Finishing

With reverse St st to outside, roll up loosely from the cast-on end. Lightly stitch the straight edges together to form a flat base, and then push up center. Gather and stitch outside edge at base. You can adjust the flowers and shape the ball in your hands if it is a bit uneven. For a full flower ball you will need 12 flowers. .

MAKE LEAF
Cast on 3 sts
Row 1: Kfb. k1, kfb
Row 2: K5
Row 3: Kfb, k3, kfb
Row 4: K7
Row 5: Kfb, k5, kfb
Row 6 -> row 14: K9
Row 15: K1, k2tog. k3, k2tog. k1
Row 16: K7
Row 17: k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1
Row 18: K5
Row 19: K2tog, k1, k2tog
Row 20: K3
Row 21: K3tog
Bind off.

ABBREVIATIONS
k: knit
p: purl   
k2tog: knit 2 together
p2tog : purl 2 together    
pfb: purl into front and back of st
kfb:  knit into front and back of st    
St st= stockinette stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)

Clapotis

I've finished knitting the Clapotis.

I just love it. It was a nice simple project with just enough interest to not cause me to go brain dead. I can see now why this has been such a popular pattern. I especially enjoyed using this fabulous yarn. It is maybe the nicest yarn that I have ever worked with. It is insanely soft and the color saturation is outstanding.

Some Clapotis beauty shots for you..

Right side of the fabric.

Wrong side of the fabric.

I love the dropped stitches!

It adds so much drape and texture. It produces an airy lighter fabric that makes it that perfect wrap for spring and fall when it is a bit chilly out but not freezing. At least in the area that I live anyways.

The other great thing about Clapotis is that it can be worn in many different ways. It can be worn as a chunky scarf around your neck...

Or it can be a shawl-like wrap around your shoulders.

It even looks great with the wrong-side showing!

I ended up using 3.5 skeins of Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb and size 9 needles for this project. As I had previously mentioned, this yarn is decadent. I have however seen the Clapotis made up in other beautiful not quite as err.. expensive yarns. Noro Silk Garden looks great in the project. Really any yarn that self-stripes or is variegated is really shown off by this pattern.

But as for me... I am planning on enjoying my super decadent Clapotis.

Clapotis Class

If you would like your very own Clapotis to wrap yourself in, come sign up for the Clapotis Class. It is a one time two hour class. I will help you pick out your yarn, do a gauge swatch, and learn the stitch pattern. It's a pretty simple project, perfect for a new knitter.

April Class Dates:

Saturday, April 12 at 1:00 - 3:00 pm or Wednesday, April 23 at 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Cost is $25

I will be offering this class again over the next couple of months so be sure to check The Scarlet Skein's website for future dates and times. If you have any questions about the class or to sign up, please give me a call at the shop.

805-466-YARN.

Big Dreams

When Knitterguy Ted first came up with the idea of a men's knitting retreat, the vision was simple...bring guys together in a beautiful place where they could knit, crochet, spin, teach, etc.

Expanding Dreams
Never in our most vivid imagination did Ted or I think that this little dream would be anything exceptional, and yet, the way that these retreats have taken off has been nothing short of amazing.

As we prepare for the fourth Men's Spring Knitting Retreat in upstate New York, the men's retreats have expanded and taken off into other areas of the World including San Francisco, Michigan, Seattle, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

The latest new venue for one of these incredible retreats is the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

And I am more than thrilled to be able to take part in this newest retreat.

Frank and Brady have organized this latest retreat, slated for July of this year in Sunshine Mountain Lodge in Allenspark, CO (South of Estes Park for any of you familiar with the area.)

I can't imagine a nicer place to be with a bunch of great guys glorying in all things fiber.

I've never been to the Rocky Mountains before and I am stoked about going there for this event.

For registration information or to register for the event, Brady is taking e-mails at mrmkr2011@gmail.com. Brady will send out a PayPal invoice to secure your spot. There is a limited number of spaces (32 max!) and they've already filled about half the spots.

Current Crocheting/Knitting
As many of you witnessed via video, I did end up ripping out the crochet baby blanket, and started it anew (almost anew...a little bit of a-old was left after ripping out most of it).

Two things that I'm happy about with the latest effort...I MUCH prefer the aesthetic of this blanket better than the first attempt...at least for a baby. Second, I had made a minor, hard-to-detect error in the blanket that is now gone!

I haven't done any more work on the other baby blanket, but I will (I have two babies to make blankets for).

Readers' Comments/Questions,
Beverly from NJ writes, "Loved the video! Have you lost weight since Rhinebeck? You look great!"

Actually, I have lost a few pounds, but not many. I think I just hit one of those weights where it shows in my face a bit. Thanks for noticing!

Stashhaus writes, "Thanks for the video. Can we now have the chicken and mashed potatoes recipes? Looks de-lish!"

lol...it was quite good. I'd give you the "recipe" for both, but honestly I think frying chicken requires a certain gene or something...Thaddeus can make ANYTHING that requires frying and make it taste great. I know that for the chicken, he uses Kosher chicken or brined chicken, always thighs with bone-in. He just heats up a big skillet with a half an inch of oil in it (medium heat which heats it up pretty hot, but not smoking), puts some regular flour and some flavoring (Goya Adobo or McCormack's chicken seasoning) in a zip-loc bag, and pats the chicken with a paper towel and shakes the chicken in the flour/seasoning. He fries the flour-coated chicken (skin-side up) at a pretty high temperature for the first few minutes and then turns it down to medium-low and let's it cook for about 15 minutes, turns it and cooks it for about another 10 minutes.

Work-At-Home Mom

My "office"

Yep. That's me. I am a work-at-home Mom of two little ones. I just had to snap a picture of my 

"knitting chair" today because I felt it well represents my life at this time.

Between the day to day children/cleaning/family/work juggling act I feel that I am working constantly, but accomplishing little. I joke with my friends that I am now knitting at a rate of one row per day.

I have had to become an expert at the fine art of multitasking. 

Right now I am typing this blog post one handed with a baby in my arms.

It's a crazy life for sure.. But I'm glad to have these little people around me during the day.

Although our days can be hectic and somewhat exhausting, I know that deep down I wouldn't want it any other way.

Because.. someday they will be all grown up.. and I know that I will miss playing barbies while feeding a baby and typing an email and making dinner..

..right?

Rank Your Crafts

Here's my list of fiber crafts:

• Hand knitting
• Crochet
• Spinning
• Weaving
• Quilting
• Fiber preparation - washing, carding, etc.
• Machine knitting
• Tatting
• Dyeing
• Rug hooking

Applying the 80/20 Rule

The top three on that list take up about 80% of my crafting time and all the remaining combined make up about 20% of my time.

Take a short ranking survey.

Current Flea Market Finds

I found the following little (maybe not so little) item at the local flea market and thought it might be fun to play with.

Thanks to Finn helping set up the loom, you get a sense about how big this thing can be.  Not sure how much use I'll get out of this, but it cost a pittance.

The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 80 : "No Like It"

Episode 80

Shownotes:

Stitches West

Becoming Art

Botanical Knits 2

Gramps Sweater Pattern

My Gramps Sweater

Snow-Capped Yarns Olde Salt Collection

Friends and Fiber Retreat

Knit The Alphabet

Knit the Alphabet Blog Hop Schedule

My Letters!

Claire Garland

Claire on Ravelry

Claire's Letter Pinterest Board

Knitted Babes

Dream Toys

Wearthou Etsy Shop

Knit Me Somethin' Necklace

Join the Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group!

Join the Botanical Knits Ravelry Group!

Follow ME on Twitter!

Like us on Facebook!

Enter to win a copy of Knit The Alphabet provided by publisher Stitch Craft Create along with this beautiful "Knit Me Somethin" necklace provided by Shirley Campbell by leaving a comment under this post by April 15th. In your comment please tell me how you would like to use the knitted letters from the book. Please also include your contact information. Only one comment per person please!

The winner will be announced here and contacted on April 16th. 

I will be back at the microphone for the beginning of season 9 in July. Thank you for listening!

Drawing now closed! Thank you to everyone who participated! :)

The winner is Karine7 on Ravelry. Congratulations! :)

Products That Should Be Global

Having traveled outside the U.S. a few times, I've come upon certain foods that I think are amazing, but weren't available when I came back to the states.

My Short List

I think we ought to come up with a full list of food items that we should require all countries to make available (or at least my country).

Kraft Extra Creamy Peanut Butter - I've discussed this before, available in Canada, but not the U.S.
Swiss Coffee - If I were Swiss and visited the U.S., I would be sorely disappointed with the coffee here.
Liberté Yogurt - Until recently, I could only find this in Canada
Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise (also goes under Best brand) - Not sure how global this is, but it needs to be
Non-Pasteurized Cheeses - I ate amazing cheeses in France that don't compare with ANYTHING here
Mee Goreng - stir-fry noodle dish (or at least the ingredients for it...especially Kecap Manis
Italian prosciuttos - Not just from Parma...they have AMAZING cured meats that I need

Recently, I was extremely happy to see that Liberté Méditerranée yogurt had made it to my grocery store in Albany.

I highly recommend the full-fat version...it is worth EVERY globule of fat in it.  But people tell me the low/no-fat version is good too.

What would you add to the global list of mandated food products?

Current Knitting

Only got a few more inches of the first sleeve done, and couldn't really get a good self-photo on my iPhone.

Oh well...it's getting there.

Chevron Bobble Stitch

Chevron Bobble Stitch is a relatively easy bobble stitch, involving knitting a series of v shapes that create a chevron effect across the knit fabric. It will look especially good on a bag.

Knitting instructions:
Make Bobble: MB
     [K1, P1, K1, P1, K1] in the same stitch, turn
     P5, turn
     K5tog (K5, pass 4th, 3 rd, 2nd and 1st st separately over the last st knitted)
Knit stitch: K
Purl stitch: P
Knit through the back loop: K1b
Knit 5 stitches together: K5tog

Cast on multiple of 12 stitches + 2 (edge stitches).

Pattern instructions:

Rows 1 -3-5-7-9: K1, *k1, p1, rep* to last st, k1
Row2: K1 *k1b, p1, rep* to last st, k1
Row 4: K1, *k1b, MB, (k1b, p1) 5times, rep* to last st, k1
Row 6: K1, *k1b, p1, k1b, MB, (k1b, p1) 3 times, k1b, MB, rep * to last st, k1
Row 8: K1, *(k1b, p1) tiwce, k1b, MB, k1b, p1, k1b, MB, k1b, p1, rep* to lat st, k1
Row 10: K1, *(k1b, p1) 3 times, k1b, MB, (k1b, p1) twice, rep * to last st, k1
Repeat rows 1-10 until you have reached your desired length.

Insanity...

...has been defined as doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result.

Enough! You Lost Twice Now...Big Time
Why is it that when the Republican whiney-babies lose the majority of seats in congress and the White house, they think getting whinier will help?

Why is it that when the name-calling bullies try to force their will on the American public, and lose big time, they think that getting nastier and more obstinate will help.

Time to stop pandering to the lead-paint-eating rabid teabaggers, with whom Republicans have painted themselves into a corner. Now it's scary for Republicans to have any sense at all...look at how hard McCain is fighting to keep his senate seat against the rabidly insane JD Hayworth (the man likens homosexuality to bestiality and thinks McCain is a wimp for being against torture). The Republicans have ramped up the hate speech to such a fevered pitch, that only the most insane crazies seem to get any play in primary elections throughout the country on the Republican side.

You'd think they'd realize it's time to try something different, no?

Current Knitting
I've made some additional progress on my version of the Zaire pullover, although not that much, even though I've been on vacation all this week.

A piece of cut glass in a box of old junk at the flea market sliced a huge gash in Thaddeus' finger this past Wednesday requiring him to get 9 stitches at the emergency room (he had fortunately just had his Tetanus shot the prior week). Unfortunately, I didn't have my knitting with me for this 2.5 hour ordeal, or I might have made a bit more progress.

As of now, I've completed 1.5 rows of squares out of the 4 required to get to the top of the body.

Readers' Comments/Questions
Regarding Monica's cool note cards, Tom writes, "What a great idea for a line of cards! Just wondering if that is Nico sitting on the back of your chair. Perhaps she could no a line of Nico cards?"

Actually, I think that was Gage in the picture, and I'm not quite sure that there are enough Nico fans on the planet to support Monica's notecard business, but I sure would buy a pack or two!

Speaking of Monica, she writes, "I love the earthy colors you've chosen for the Zaire - that green just says, wrap-me-around-you! Very fine gauge, isn't it?"

Yes...it's done all in garter stitch using jumper-weight (fingering) yarn on US3 (3.25 mm) needles. It's quite a bit of knitting!

First Ever QueerJoe Video Blog

Today, I've prepared a completely off-the-cuff video blog. While it's a bit more work than writing one, I thought QueerJoe followers who have never met me in person could get a better sense about who I am.



Blog Links

Lara's Podcsast - http://www.journalgazette.net/section/BLOGS26

Tosh Sock Yarn - http://madelinetosh.com/yarns-tosh-sock.html

Asherton Scarf Pattern on Ravelry - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/asherton-reversible-scarf

Photo of Lunch -

Wedding and Something Old

This past weekend was spent with family in Texas, celebrating the wedding of my first niece to get married.  I also found something old (I'm sure I could have come up with something new, borrowed and blue, but I'm not going to).

Stacy and Mike
Honestly, as a gay man who can't legally get married in the state where I live (which wouldn't be recognized federally anyway), I am not usually a big fan of weddings.  I also usually find them to be a complete waste of money.

My niece Stacy's wedding to her now-husband Mike was a delightful change from all that.

Her mom organized an exceptionally beautiful, non-formal wedding that allowed everyone to enjoy themselves.

Here's Stacy looking fabulous.

And here's the happy couple.

Current Knitting
Well, hardly any...I know...pathetic.

But I did find this cool old vintage pair of sock forms at our local flea market.

I like that they're adjustable for foot length.

They're made by a company called Lee & Rowan.  I can't wait to display my next pair of hand-knit socks on these!