Summer's Here in PA

So glad to see the temperatures are going to be in the eighties this weekend where I live!

Warm Weather Friend
I have always much preferred hot weather to any other. And I truly hate the cold weather, and hate it more and more with each aging year.

Throwing on some shorts and a short-sleeve shirt today was my dream come true. I only went out shopping and to run a few errands, but I loved being out in this weather.

Keep it coming Mama Nature...you've definitely got a warm-weather friend.

Current Knitting
I got some more done on the fingerless gloves I'm doing as a thank you gift.

Finished the first glove and started on the second one (a few ends to weave in as well you can see!).

The pattern is a free pattern from Knitty called Broad Street Mittens by Janis Cortese. I'm not doing the mitten-top part, and I'm not knitting a full thumb as it calls for in the pattern. Overall, the pattern is very detailed and very well designed. The one issue I have with the pattern is that with all the detail Janis gives with the left-hand glove, she makes the knitter figure out the right-hand glove.

It takes a bit of figuring out too...but I still think the design creates an amazingly well-fitted glove.

Readers' Comments/Questions
Sue asks, "Will you be doing the same type of thing in your new job as your old one? How long were you in the old one?"

My new job is exactly like my old job, except with a different logo on my polo shirt. I will travel to client sites and help companies implement their systems. I was at my last company for only 8 months...they acquired my company after my company of 12 years went bankrupt. Fortunately, there is lots of demand for what I do, so moving between jobs was easy.

The Downside of Knitting

Don't you just hate this? 

When you have to spend your precious knitting time untangling yarn? 

Oh Madelinetosh Pashmina.. you are so beautiful.. yet so tangly...

Leaves Sweater

Well.... here it is... my crocheted Leaves Sweater.

It is not my favorite sweater that I have made but I think that it turned out okay. I could have picked a size smaller and gotten rid of some of the boxy look. But it could be worse.

This sweater was crocheted from the book Crochet Me. The design is by Annette Petavy. What I like about this sweater design is the construction. The waist shaping and set in sleeves are very uncommon in the crochet designs of previous decades. It makes the sweater fit much more like a knitted garment. The other nice thing about this design as well as the others in the book, is that the pattern calls for a larger hook size and a small yarn weight. This produces a lighter fabric and better drape. Crochet is usually so stiff!

This sweater has been heavily modified. If you will notice there are no leaves in this Leaves Sweater. The pattern calls for leaf like thingys hanging down from the hem. I liked them in the pictures but when I started crocheting them onto my sweater I decided that it looked entirely too "Peter Pan-ish" especially with this color green.

I also added 2-3 inches in length to the body and the sleeves, and didn't sew on any seed beads as the pattern called for.

Unfortunately this pattern really gave me trouble. It was riddled with errors. Hopefully there are corrections posted. Usually I am happy to post corrections to the patterns that I knit or, in this case crochet, but this had so many that I gave up trying to keep track. Also in my opinion the pattern was poorly written. Some parts were explained in perfect detail while other areas were vague. There are no stitch counts provided for you to check your work and that bothers me. I hate to complain so much because I know how difficult it is to write a pattern, but I feel that I should give fair warning to those who are interested in this design.

I am very comfortable with crochet so I was able to work out these issues. If you are experienced with crochet this is also a doable project for you. The design I think is very cute.

The other change that I made is on the sleeves. I mimicked the bottom border pattern so that it would match the sweater. I really like the edging pattern and I would use it again on a future crochet project. Whenever I get around to that.

On The Verge

Have you ever been at a place in your life where everything seems just about to happen?

What's Around The Corner

Since this is a knitting blog, you'll note below that I'm just shy of finishing the Icelandic wool pullover.

In a few short weeks, the months of preparation will finally result in the sixth annual Men's Spring Knitting Retreat.

Easton Mountain's fundraising campaign to replace their broken hot tub is just about to reach their goal.

I'm finalizing administrative tasks to switch the legal way in which I'm working with my current client (it won't change much, except that it will be better from a tax perspective for me).

Well, I guess it's not that much, but it seems like things are about to pop, like when popcorn is just about to start popping.

Current Knitting

As noted above, I am just about to finish the latest sweater project.

Just a few more rounds of ribbing on the sleeve, a few ends to weave in (very few...I think it might be three) and a little blocking, and this project will be just another sweater in our armoire.  I started this project towards the end of January, so it's taken about 3 months to knit it (with other projects interspersed).

Readers' Comments/Questions

Thank you all for your inspiring comments on the generic blog entry.  I expected folks to respond in a clever way, but your responses far surpassed my expectations.  It's nice having brilliant readers.

Week 6: Book Review: Knitting Over the Edge

Hello! I'm back with another book review! 

Congratulations to Juliana, last weeks giveaway winner!

This week I'll be reviewing Knitting Over the Edge by Nicky Epstein. This book has been around for awhile, but is a great one! I'm happy to share it with you!

Knitting over the edge is the second in Nicky's edging book collection. The first book was titled Knitting On the Edge and the third in the collection is Knitting Beyond the Edge. I love and own all three! 

Nicky Epstein is probably the most inventive knitwear designer I can think of and I feel that these edging books just cannot be beat. The first 2 books contain 350 different knitted edges.. EACH! 700 total in the first 2 books. Who can even think up 700 edgings? Amazing, right?

All 3 of these books are excellent reference publications that every knitter should have in their library.

I refer to them all of the time. They provide me with constant inspiration.

Here is what you can expect to find in this particular book, Knitting Over the Edge.

This book contains edging designs broken up into 5 different categories.. Unique Ribs, Cords, Appliques, Colors and Nouveau.

Below are some pictures to give you an idea.

There are also some garment patterns included that utilize some of the edgings featured in the book.

It's jam packed with information. There is something for everyone inside.

If you would like to enter to win this brand new copy of Knitting Over the Edge, please leave a comment under this blog post. In your comment please include your contact information and please remember only one comment per person please.

I'll announce the winner next week with another book review, so be sure to check back!

For Your Little Girl...

Ever since I was young I wanted to someday have a daughter of my own. While I was pregnant I was of course desperately hoping my child would be healthy but also secretly hoping whatever was in there was female.

Well I got one of those things. A sweet baby girl. With loads of health problems.

Now my baby is three years old (and doing fine healthwise) and I have to say having a girl is so much fun. Especially knitting for one!

That's why I cant help but turn out little girl designs. She inspires me all of the time to create new feminine little things. Over the past week or so I have been feverishly knitting this new design.

"The Spring Garden Tee"

To me this design concept and color reminds me of "all things little girl."

Flowers, cupcakes, tea parties, etc.

It's finally done and I've sent it off to the Tech Editor. It will be available for purchase shortly.

Just like all of my other recent designs, it will be sized from 3 months-size 6.

This is a fun little project. It takes hardly any yarn, (the size 2 took less than 2 balls of Rowan Calmer) and it is knit in one piece from the top down.

I love the fluttery lacy cap sleeves. They are so reminiscent of springtime flowers.

I cant wait to try it on my daughter.

Expectations About Hate

There are some days where I'm amazed at how far we've come...African American President of the U.S., same sex marriage equality in many states and hope for a woman for president in 2016.

But On Other Days...

...I couldn't be more discouraged by the kind of hate I hear.  That idiot Cliven Bundy out in Nevada is a very high-profile example of some of the racial hatred that's been less evident until Fox News made him their little Tea Party star.  But racial hatred never went away...it just wasn't so spotlighted in the news.

And homophobia hasn't gone away either.  Just take a look at what our Christian Right countrymen exported to Uganda when they realized fighting marriage equality was a losing battle here in the States.

It seems as if recent Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action are either willfully ignorant, or just ignorant...as are the decisions made about voter discrimination.

We need some major shift in thinking in this country, and I can only hope that this mid-term election in November (and PLEASE don't forget the primaries before that) will be a signal to conservatives that we reject hate in all it's forms, and even if we hold conservative social or fiscal views, hate won't be tolerated.

That's QueerJoe's dream for today.

Current Crochet

Got distracted again.  I had some skeins of Koigu KPPPM in my stash SCREAMING for attention.  So I decided to start on another Interlocking Wave Scarf using just two different colorways of Koigu.

I recently gave away one of these scarfs in LOTS of different Koigu colorways and the recipient LOVED the scarf.  I'm also amazed at how quickly this scarf crochets up.

Readers' Comments/Questions

Maureen wrote:  "I'd love a close-up picture of the blanket!"

Here you go:

Knit-Purl Combinations: Pattern 4 - Labyrinth Knitting Stitch

The knitting pattern looks like labyrinth on both the front and the back. It is a 17 row repeat, so it's good for large and long knits, like blankets, afghan. 

Knitting instructions:
Cast on: multiple of 18 sts.
Row 1: Knit all sts
Row 2: Purl all sts
Row 3: Knit 3, * purl 3, knit 15; repeat from *, ending last repeat with knit 12.
Row 4: Purl 12, * knit 3, purl 15; repeat from *, ending last repeat with purl 3.
Row 5: Repeat row 3.
Row 6: Repeat row 4.
Row 7: * Knit 3, purl 15; repeat from * to end.
Row 8: * Knit 15, purl 3; repeat from * to end.
Row 9: Repeat row 7.
Row 10: Repeat row 7.
Row 11: Repeat row 8.
Row 12: Repeat row 7.
Row 13: Repeat row 4.
Row 14: Repeat row 3.
Row 15: Repeat row 4.
Row 16: Purl 6, * knit 3, purl 15; repeat from *, ending last repeat with purl 9.
Row 17: Knit 9, * purl 3, knit 15; repeat from *, ending last repeat with knit 6
Row 18: Repeat row 16.
Row 19: Repeat row 16.
Row 20: Repeat row 17.
Row 21: Repeat row 16.
Row 22: Repeat row 4.
Row 23: Repeat row 3.
Row 24: Repeat row 4.
Repeat rows 7-24 until you have reached your desired length.
Please let me know if you cannot understand anything. Happy knitting!

View more: Knit - Purl Patterns

Computer-less

Going from one extreme, of being totally connected at all times through my laptop, wireless access and my BlackBerry, to having to fight Thaddeus to get access to my e-mail, has got me jittery.

Is It A Sign of Addiction...
...when I twitch and grab at my pocket, trying to see the latest e-mail or Facebook entry that has come through, only to realize that I'm BlackBerry-less for at least 2 weeks?

No need to answer this question...I think I know the answer.

My new job starts on May 10th, but today was my last day at my old company. Since I relied entirely on my work laptop and BlackBerry, I'm feeling a bit disconnected and disconcerted now that I've had to turn both in, and won't get them from my new company for almost two weeks.

Just don't get too irritated if I'm slower to respond to a critical e-mail than I used to be.

Current Knitting
I am finally finished with all the color-blocks on the Zaire pullover...both front and back.

Now I just need to do the shoulders and sleeves and collar, but I have to admit, the instructions for the shoulder have be a bit perplexed. They just don't seem correct, but I will re-check once I get back to this project.

I did start on a little thank-you gift for one of the staff of the retreat center where we have the Men's Knitting Retreat. He has been extremely helpful, and I thought he might like a nice pair of fingerless gloves, so I started on them today.

I'll post a picture of them when they at least have finger holes.

Belated Kiwi Gifts
My adorable friend James sent a lovely package all the way from New Zealand. I'm sure he sent it prior to my birthday, but it just arrived last week...it's a long way from the other side of the planet.

He knows how appreciative I am that I actually got one of the give-away bags for his New Zealand Mens' Knitting Retreat. The project bag is perfect, and the amazing amount of stuff he filled it with is incredible.

He also sent along a hank of his own hand-dyed sock yarn (sorry, no picture), but it's in my favorite colors of deep, saturated blues and greens and reds...just gorgeous.

Readers' Comments/Questions
Regarding my Microsoft love-post, Marilyn writes, "SharePoint is one of MS's finest products. Have you ever used it?"

I don't think I have, although I have used a number of content management softwares at various clients, and it seems like one of those programs that corporations re-name when they roll it out, so I may have used it under a different name, but I can't be sure.

Stitch By Stitch

While I am anxiously awaiting the shipment of Botanical Knits books to arrive from the printery, I have been busy working away on a new design project. This time a hooded sweater-coat out of the very warm 

Felted Tweed Aran yarn by Rowan.

This colorway is called Pebble and it is beautiful in its simplicity.

I love the halo of the alpaca content and the little flecks of blue. 

This particular project is taking awhile, but I am plugging away at it stitch by stitch.

I am especially excited about these textured sections featuring a cabled stitch pattern of my own design.

Coastal Kids Is Coming Soon!

Our new Coastal Kids patterns will be released soon!

This is a collection of four individual pint-sized versions of the original garment designs from our book, 

Coastal Knits: Little Oak, Mini Water's Edge, Wee Wildflower and Tiny Rocky Coast.

Each design is available in children's sizes ranging from 6 months thru size 14.

These patterns will be available individually as pdf downloads or in print through your local yarn shop.

Check back here on May 1 for the first pattern release.. Little Oak!

Hannah and I are so excited about these little knits! 

We think that they turned out so cute and hope that you enjoy knitting them too!

Chickens Are Coming!

Has everyone seen this adorable Knit Chickens pattern by Susan B. Anderson?

The first time I saw it pop up on Ravelry, I fell in love.

I knew that some funky brightly colored chickens needed to have a place in my daughters knitted toy collection.

So recently I started the first chicken. This will be the "Mama chicken".

(I have a whole family planned here.)

Here is a "strange-in progress-What the heck IS that thing-picture" for you.

I worked on it some more last night. I realized that the poor little chickens head was cockeyed

and off center from its chicken body so I had to rip out and redo.

Such a pain. But now it looks correct.

I was so intently knitting this chicken last night that when I looked up at the clock it was 2 AM!

Its crazy what chicken knitting will do to a person!

SQUIRREL!!!

I just can't help myself.  I see something on Pinterest or Facebook or someone's blog, and I just have to swatch.

The Russians Are Stealing Everything

Often, when I see a stitch pattern on Pinterest, the link that it brings me to is in Russian...and it looks as if the instructions and even the photo is scanned directly from a book.

I guess stealing knitting stitch patterns doesn't compare with stealing parts of the Ukraine, but I still don't recommend it.

Especially when it's not that difficult to re-create it yourself.

And here's the stitch pattern:

Current Knitting

I decided to re-make my demonstration heels for the workshop I'll be doing at the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat this year.

From top to bottom we have a simple short-row heel, a Dutch heel and a toe-up version of the Dutch heel.  My favorite is the bottom one as it has all the advantages of the Dutch heel (which I think conforms to the heel very well, but the gusset seam is less visible.

Finn felt it necessary to give his opinion as well.

He prefers the Dutch heel...but cats can be so contrary, can't they?

Readers' Comments/Questions

Maureen writes, "But what if it explodes??? - isn't it dangerous to have a tank of gas in your kitchen?"

Not really.  The tanks are inspected every 5 years for safety and it's definitely as safe as having a fire extinguisher in your kitchen (which you should).

Christina writes, "Finn, is dad having you sleep on a machine made blanket? You have him knit you a super soft blanket and then post the picture."

First of all, that blanket was woven by an 85 year old man in Edmonton Canada on a beautiful old loom.  Second of all he does have two hand-knit blankets (by me) that he lays on all the time (one in the second bedroom and one in the TV room).

Beginner Socks

I finished the sock samples I was knitting for my upcoming sock classes.

Fortunately my fabulous sister-in-law, Malaree has the same size feet as me and helped me out with sock modeling. You will find her blog here.

As I had previously mentioned, I used Artyarns Supermerino for these socks which is a lovely hand-painted worsted weight yarn. I used size 6 needles and knit each sock using a different sock knitting method while still sticking to the Knitting Pure and Simple Beginner Socks pattern. I've discovered that I love the magic loop method! My stitches were so much smoother and the knitting went a lot faster.


I am excited about my new socks because I think they will be the perfect "wear around the house" socks, and will keep my feet really warm when the weather gets cooler. I imagine that they would wear well with clogs too.

This pattern is great for those who want to quickly knock out a pair of socks for a gift. A pair just takes a few evenings worth of knitting to complete. This is also a fabulous pattern for someone who has never knit socks before. It is simple and so easy to follow.

I did make a few pattern modifications. Instead of doing a 1x1 ribbing at the top, I opted for the more attractive and stretchy 2x2 rib. The math worked out just fine. Also the pattern calls for a 7 inch leg. I was so worried about conserving yarn that I knit mine 5 inches and then ended up with lots of yarn left over....

Don't you just hate that?

Generic Blog Entry

One or two sentence introduction to today's blog topic, trying to add some level or intrigue or controversy to a topic that is probably stale and boring.  Possibly followed by a vibrant graphic if that would help add visual interest.

In-Depth Analysis Section

This is the section where the introduced topic is discussed at length.  Either the topic is supported with a hearty endorsement of the blogger's viewpoint, or is discussed with a twist or interesting perspective that might surprise long-time readers.

Witty and succinct are the hallmarks of this section of a blog entry, although often never meet those standards.

Also, include some hypertext link to a friend's business, or a link to something on Amazon that might generate referral income to pay for blog-related fees.

End with something strong that summarizes the topic and makes for a jarring segue to knitting.

Current Knitting

Brief description of the progress on the most recent knitting or spinning project, followed by visual proof of stated progress, despite how little has been done.

A modicum of humble gushing about how much I like or hate the current project.

Readers' Comments/Questions

Quote any questions or comments from readers that might spark controversy or interest, using the following format:

Mary-Helen asks, "I've often wondered how seriously you were taking that countdown to retirement. Would you want to retire in eight days (if it were possible)?"

Without a doubt, I'd stop working tomorrow if I could, as long as I could do so without reducing my life style.

Lace Knitting Pattern 22: Braided Stitch

The Braided stitch pattern is knitted in a multiple of 11 stitches plus 1. 

Update 9/17/2014. Add a purl stitch between each braid. Thanks RoseHiver for your idea.

Row 1: Purl 1, * knit 6, knit 2 together, knit 2, yarn over, purl 1; repeat from * to end.
Rows 2 - 4 - 6 - 8 - 10 -  12 - 14: Knit 1, * purl 10, knit 1; repeat from * to end.
Row 3: Purl 1, * knit 5, knit 2 together, knit 2, yarn over, knit 1, purl 1; repeat from * to end.
Row 5: Purl 1, * knit 4, knit 2 together, knit 2, yarn over, knit 2, purl 1; repeat from * to end.
Row 7: Purl 1, * yarn over, knit 2, slip 2 together as if to knit 2 together - knit 1 - pass 2 slipped stitchees over, knit 2, yarn over, knit 3, purl 1; repeat from * to end.
Row 9: Purl 1, * knit 1, yarn over, knit 2, slip slip knit, knit 5, purl 1; repeat from * to end.
Row 11: Purl 1, * knit 2, yarn over, knit 2, slip slip knit, knit 4, purl 1; repeat from * to end.
Row 13: Purl 1, * knit 3, yarn over, knit 2, knit 3 together, knit 2, yarn over, purl 1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat rows 3 to 14.

The Never Not Knitting Podcast : Episode 61 : Coming Clean

Episode 61

Click here to download the mp3 file for episode 61

Shownotes:

Coastal Knits

New Baby Boy!

Baby Hat

Baby Owl 

Stitches West 2012

Winter Trails Hat Pattern

The Fibre Company Organik

My Grandmother's Knitting

Larissa Brown

Knitalong

Join the Never Not Knitting Ravelry Group!

Follow me on Twitter!

Enter to win a copy of  the book, My Grandmother's Knitting, by leaving a comment under this blogpost by May 15, 2012. Please do not forget to include your contact information.
If it isn't included then I will have to draw another winner! Only one comment per person please.
The book winner will be announced on my next podcast episode.

Please send me a personal knitting story to share on a future episode! 

Send your 5 min+ story recordings to nevernotknitting@gmail.com and receive a
knitting related thank you gift from me!
Details in the episode...

Thank you for listening!

Fresh Made Seltzer

I love drinking seltzer...just plain bubbly water.  Since Thaddeus drinks it too, I've suggested for a while that we get one of those home seltzer makers:

Soda On-Demand

How many of you have gotten one of these Soda Stream, CO2 infusers?

Overall, it's cheaper to make your own seltzer and it saves on plastic...right?

I couldn't understand why Thaddeus wouldn't want one of these.

Until I realized he wanted to do it in a more industrial (and cost-savings way).

Yes, with a 5 pound tank of CO2, a regulator, a hose and some special caps that fit soda bottles, we are now making GALLONS of our own Seltzer water.  The initial outlay of $164 allowed us to buy all the equipment necessary and fill the tank with CO2.  This set-up will last for at least 6 months and then we just need to pay about $10 to refill the tank with CO2.

I imagine we'll cover the cost of this equipment in less than 2 years of savings on buying seltzer.  Plus, we'll add a lot less plastic to the World.

Current Crochet

Making slow, but steady progress on the crochet basket weave blanket/afghan.

I'm also re-making the heel samples for my workshop, but that shouldn't take too much of my knitting time.

Finn

Just didn't want to go too long without a photo of the most wonderful cat.

Here he is watching us eat lunch today.  I'm loving this guy more and more.

THE Toaster

Toward the end of my grandmother's life, she was living half the year with each of her two daughters.  While staying at my mom's house, she got so tired of the crappy toaster we had grown up with, she insisted that her toaster from the early 1950's be shipped to my mom's house.  When my grandmother died, the toaster remained at my mom's house.

The Best Toast You Can Imagine
Not only did this toaster go up and down by itself, and allow for thicknesses as much as a bagel, but it also made the most perfectly even toast you can imagine.

Truly an example of how they don't make 'em like this anymore.

For years, I told Thaddeus what a great toaster this was, and that I wanted my mom's toaster.  We looked for them at flea markets for years, hoping to find one like my grandmother's (to no avail).

For my latest birthday, Thaddeus finally decided to break down and get me one on eBay, but before he ordered it, lo and behold, the toaster appeared at our local flea market...in mint condition except for a less-than-clean cord (the woven cloth type).

So for $5 and a $2 replacement cord (also found at the local flea market), we now have what is in my mind the best toaster money can buy.

The make is a Sunbeam T20B (my grandmothers is a T20A, but there is no difference).

If you ever see one of these, do yourself a favor and pick it up...it's truly worth it.

Current Knitting/Spinning
I've done a bit more work on the Zara linen stitch pullover.

I've also done a bit more work on the hexapuff blanket.

This is just a photo of the hexapuff I made using the scraps of the Optim Merino yarn I recently finished spinning.  With this being the first time I dyed yarn by myself, I wanted to see how it knitted up.

And here are some photos of the finished yarn (both dyed and some left undyed).

It turns out I spun a total of over 2 lbs of yarn.  It's incredibly soft and fluffy, and as you can kind of see from the photo with the undyed yarn, it's got a nice silky luster to it.