tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34363045025796187812024-02-18T23:26:51.852-08:00Knitting AmyMy knitting life - my designs, projects, and thoughts on knitting.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-72549111910396488092015-01-28T17:48:00.002-08:002015-02-10T17:12:32.984-08:00What's on the needles now that I have time for ME?<a href="http://amykenagyknits.blogspot.com/2015/01/where-do-we-go-from-here.html" target="_blank">So with a change in what has been taking up my knitting time, due to my recent termination at my LYS</a>, I'm enjoying my new found knitting time! As much as I loved working with the deliciously dyed yarns, the fantastic designers and the amazing people I am LOVING the chance to knit for ME and my FAMILY!! WOOT!<br />
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This week, I started and finished several projects. The first was knit in the midst of our family being hit with the flu. I found out that my dad had been stealing and wearing my mom's hat, that I knit with her last year out of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/three-irish-girls-springvale-bulky" target="_blank">Three Irish Girls Springvale Bulky</a>. I adore this yarn. It's nice and fluffy, a nice solid bulky that lends well to a squishy finished object. . .and the way it takes dye can't be beat. They carry a lovely assortment of this yarn at <a href="http://www.smittenyarns.com/springvale-bulky" target="_blank">Smitten Yarns</a> or you can always order it directly in any of the available colorways directly from the <a href="http://threeirishgirls.com/collections/colorways" target="_blank">Three Irish Girls website</a>.<br />
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This is a bad cell phone photo of my husband modeling the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/hat-for-dad-so-he-quits-stealing-moms" target="_blank">simple hat I knit for dad so that he would stop stealing mom's</a>. It's soft and squishy and he loves it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmghaIr-rtPjiEFaaUUYSjEchmQmMbLam8jZP29xZnYX3TacpvsEavTS5mxwsuG1IPGh8oncnKjisn8ZJ5wkR6UTqC6iaa5HCvBkLELw_LHcjcUz-4HM_ejoxA6QRniqekkqYRTTyPpVU/s1600/IMG_20150124_092653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmghaIr-rtPjiEFaaUUYSjEchmQmMbLam8jZP29xZnYX3TacpvsEavTS5mxwsuG1IPGh8oncnKjisn8ZJ5wkR6UTqC6iaa5HCvBkLELw_LHcjcUz-4HM_ejoxA6QRniqekkqYRTTyPpVU/s1600/IMG_20150124_092653.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also had the chance to finish up<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/flax-2" target="_blank"> Zach's Flax sweater</a>. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flax" target="_blank">The Flax pattern</a> is free and designed by tincanknits. I love the simple garter detail that runs the length of the sleeves. A REALLY fast knit. I couldn't however, get my child to stand still so there is a bit of weird puckering going on. It really is a flattering knit and fits him well.<br />
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I am also working on my 14th pair of socks. I think it would be great to wear handknit socks every day for two weeks without having to wash them, so I started the lovely <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/static-zing" target="_blank">Static Zing Socks by Megan Williams</a> (justrunknit) out of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/lollipop-yarn-tradition" target="_blank">Lollipop Yarns Tradition</a> sock yarn in the Life is Beautiful self-striping colorway. I'm further now, but this is the most recent photo I have.<br />
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Megan did such a great job with this pattern and I love how it works up with self-striping yarns. This will be a future go-to sock pattern, for sure.<br />
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My next plan is to finish off what I am calling <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/prairie-fire" target="_blank">"On Fire in the Shire"</a>. It's the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/prairie-fire-2" target="_blank">Prairie Fire pattern</a>, also by tincanknits. I'm knitting it out <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/madelinetosh-tosh-dk" target="_blank">Madelinetosh tosh DK</a> in the Shire colorway. I started this a few months ago when one of my friends was one of the first casualties of my LYS's firings. He had said he loved this colorway so much, so when I decided to knit a sweater, it just had to be in this. Unfortunately, this colorway does not capture well in photographs. It's much more green than blue but hopefully I can finish up the sleeves in the next few days and take a real photo of it that represents the colorway better.<br />
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I am also working with Mel right now to tech edit and test knit a few patterns for her. I'm excited about that. Taryn (fiberhaven) and I plan to set up some spinning and knitting classes once we secure a space, so if you are local, keep your eyes peeled! So life is moving forward and I am enjoying every minute.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-52811296170263302662015-01-18T13:31:00.000-08:002015-01-20T14:09:54.603-08:00Where do we go from here? Have you ever had a business that makes you love them as much as you love the products they sell? Have you ever walked into a place and it felt like home?<br />
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When it comes to knitting, that's how my LYS (local yarn store) felt to me. I was lucky enough to call my LYS, also a large online retailer, my HOME. I went there to purchase my first all natural fiber yarn. This store was behind an adult bookstore (yes, seriously!) and yet it was worth the weird looks to make the trips there. I remember the first time I smelled the sheepiness and dug through their sale bins. When they moved to their new location. . .oh the beauty! A stunning building and an excellent staff made my "dropping in" last much longer than intended every time. An experience for the senses. . .the colors, the friendly banter with the staff, the professional handling of the products and the experienced and knowledgeable answers to questions made them my go to place for all things fiber. I became addicted and the staff was a big part of that experience. I took spinning classes from them and met a talented and experienced spinner and enthusiastic teacher in Taryn. So I took up spinning too. I was offered the chance to teach knitting for them and met the most amazing and wonderful students and customers. When they decided to offer a yarn club, I was approached and eagerly jumped at the chance to work with people. . .to be on the front line on Ravelry and work with people to solve pattern issues each month. In exchange for my time I got a small pay check and I had the chance to work with great yarn, great designers, and great people and I have been doing that for nearly two years now! And oh how fun it has been. I would have told anyone who would listen how great my LYS is and how lucky I am to have them in town. </div>
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But as is, unfortunately, the case with many family businesses, emotions can get in the way. I don't know the exact details, but what I do know is that in September the management/ownership that I had grown to love and respect, and that, it appeared, was successful, was replaced suddenly. I met with the new management right away and relayed my feelings that my loyalty was to the store that had been so lovely. I reminded her that at the end of the day, my hope was for the continuing success that I had come to know in my LYS. I continued to teach classes but after the current classes were done, she did not approach me to teach any more and gave the classes over to be taught by other teachers. I started hearing from yarn club customers who were disappointed with their customer service. I saw in-store customers wait too long for service and walk out the door. I put out the fires as I could on Ravelry when things weren't done in a timely fashion, or when things were promised and not followed through on. I watched more of the much loved staff be fired or pressured into quitting by the hostile work environment. And still, I chalked it up to learning curves and inexperience. I continued to do my job and work through it all and go above and beyond my normal job description by making contact with the store to follow up on things promised to yarn club customers. One by one, my in-store contacts were let go. . .and finally, the last remaining contact was the person who had been given the job of teaching my classes and, I found out, been offered my yarn club manager position in those early days when I was striving to defend the new management despite it all. Uuugh. </div>
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Last night, I logged on to finish adding points for the month for the club members to find out that I had been blocked on Ravelry by the new management. No attempt was made to contact me to let me know that I was being terminated. It was just. . .well, done. And people aren't happy. I get her reasoning. I get that my loyalty was with the store, not with the new management, and for her, that wasn't good enough. Alot of people come in and clean house. It was just the natural course of things. And it's hard to watch my beloved store be criticized and walked away from when I know its potential in the right hands. </div>
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So as I've been approached many many times by many many people today asking me what's going on, I had to wrestle with the way to handle it. I decided to share my story in a factual way. Only speaking to my experiences. I think, as consumers, we have the right to know who we are supporting and where we are spending our money. I know that calling out a yarn store can be a touchy subject because it's their livelihood and I think we need to be sensitive to that. But what about the livelihood of those left to face the results of this? It makes my heart sick. </div>
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So I ask you today to examine your stance on where you buy your yarn (or any other products). What have YOU experienced? Is it enough that they have good selection or should employees and staff and their treatment be worth something too? Is customer service worth something or is availability of what you want all that matters? I encourage you today to voice your concerns and be heard. Talk with your money. Do your research and know your store, in good times and in bad. Respect those who work for your business, be understanding and considerate of small businesses and the hard work that goes in to them, but also be willing to decide for yourself who deserves your cash. I know that what happened here is not an isolated incident so I just remind you to be aware. And I know, too, that information may or may not be forth coming as people are often afraid to share their experiences. I have heard that they many stores have ways of deleting negative feedback on their site. Meaning that you aren't getting the real rating for this site, only what they want you to see. Keep it factual and professional but let them know when things aren't going well. And if they delete your critical feedback, post it again. Be willing to walk if you are not heard or if your expectations are not met. There are other small businesses out there that want your business and that deserve it. I know, for me, I will be shopping at The Loopy Ewe (see the link on the sidebar).</div>
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At the end of all of this, I'm not bitter. I hope that those who choose to support this store are given the customer service they deserve. I hope that Spokane is not left like a yarn store orphan - that either my LYS realizes that they need to start treating their customers and staff like they need them or that a new store pops up to take its place. I hope that changes can be made to better the bad experiences that so many have had. And I hope that wherever you go, crafting continues to be something you enjoy! Much love to all of my prior students and customers and to the past and present staff and management at my LYS that I will miss so much. If you ever need any one-on-one help, you can always contact me on Ravelry or via email. I'd love to set up a meeting to knit. And a reminder to be gentle with those who have no control over the situation. We can only expect goodness if we show goodness to them. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-67909928801451931822014-11-17T21:17:00.001-08:002014-11-17T21:26:50.079-08:00Meet a designer - Kara McKinleyHave you ever been inspired just because someone is so passionate about the things she creates? Have you ever wanted to get to know the person behind the pattern? Well, I have been inspired to knit more hats by my brief interaction with a fellow designer who is also participating in the Gift-a-long. I'd like to introduce you to Kara McKinley (Ravelry ID: KaraMcKinley). Below is an interview to help you find out a bit about Kara and her designs and inspirations. I think you will enjoy getting to know about her. And if you are interested in seeing her designs, you can find them <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kara-mckinley" target="_blank">here</a>. Don't forget! <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/bundles/3338" target="_blank">Many of her patterns are on sale 25% </a>until the end of the day on November 21st with the coupon code <b>giftalong2014</b>! (and P.S.- all photos are hers. . .and so that means she owns the copyright. I have her permission to share them here.)<br />
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<b style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">What fiber arts do you do?</b><br />
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<i>Just knitting. Learning how to sew is on my to-do list and I can crochet at a very basic level, but I'm only proficient at knitting. </i></div>
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<i>Just knitting. </i></div>
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<i>I grew up in Howard County, Maryland, and live in Baltimore City now. I love living and working in the City and I'm incredibly lucky to have awesome local yarn shops and local yarn dyers to work with.</i></div>
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<i>Oh, this is hard. Baltimore is such an awesome city. I live in north-central Baltimore and am within walking distance of museums and theatres, awesome local shops and restaurants, and pretty much everything and anything else I could want. I think my favorite part of where I am, is the Wyman Park Dell. It's a gorgeous little park two blocks from my house and is a great place to take the dog or a picnic, or just spend an afternoon knitting outside. I like to think of the Dell as my 16-acre backyard in the city.</i></div>
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<i>This may be a couple of quirks, but they tie together as: I love knitting books. I collect books about knitting, especially old books/guides and books about the history of knitting. I have several Better Homes and Gardens and Good Housekeeping books dating from the 1940's and 1950's as well as a number of books about the history of fiber arts. Also, I cannot get on board with e-versions of knitting books and magazines, I have to have my paper editions! </i><br />
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<i>I have been designing in a real way (meaning creating patterns that someone else can use) for four years now, but I've been designing for myself pretty much since I started knitting in 2003. </i><br />
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<i>I love my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sherwood-cowl" target="_blank">Sherwood Hat and Cowl </a>set. I may have to knit a second sample because I've been wearing the original I made non-stop since it's gotten chilly the last couple of weeks! The pattern looks like it might be a challenging knit, but it's a surprisingly simple stitch repeat and I think the result is really lovely (it's funny to be talking about my favorite design, mostly because I don't usually tell people how pretty I think my own knitting is!) </i></div>
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<i>I've been knitting since 2003. I was in college and going through a lot of change at the time - transferring to a new school with a new major in a new city. I decided I needed a hobby and had seen other people knitting. So I checked out Debbie Stoller's Stitch N'Bitch from my local library, bought some yarn and needles, and have been knitting ever since.</i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b>What is your favorite thing to knit?</b></span><br />
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<i>I truly believe there can be no such things as too many hats. I think hats are the most fun thing to knit and have limitless possibilities. I wear hats while walking my dog (Molly the Labradoodle) from October through April so I have a ton of hats in my personal collection. Plus, hat knitting is easily transportable (there is always either a hat or sock in my bag), so whenever I have a few minutes free I can pull out my current hat and knit a few rounds.</i><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b>Things that inspire you in your designs:</b></span><br />
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<i>Baltimore city is a great source of inspiration. My undergraduate degree is in History and I love learning about my almost 300 year-old city. I'm inspired by people, neighborhoods, architecture, events, the list goes on and on. The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/light-street-hat" target="_blank">Light Street Hat</a> was inspired by the Art Deco Architecture in downtown Baltimore. The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sherwood-hat" target="_blank">Sherwood Hat and Cowl</a> was inspired by the spirit and beauty of Sherwood Gardens. I have a bulletin board at my desk and a pinterest board full of ideas and inspiration based on people, neighborhoods, and architecture.</i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><b>Favorite free-time hobby (other than knitting - if one exists :) ) :</b></span><br />
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<i>I read a lot and I'll read almost everything I can get my hands on. There's a free book exchange near my house, <a href="http://www.bookthing.org/" target="_blank">The Book Thing</a>, and I could very easily spend hours there digging through the incredible selection of books. Of course, I read while knitting so my hobbies tend to be intertwined.</i></div>
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<b style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">Favorite type of yarn (fiber and/or brand) :</b><br />
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<i>I love working with fingering weight wools. One of my absolute favorites to work with is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/neighborhood-fiber-co-rustic-fingering" target="_blank">Neighborhood Fiber Co.'s Rustic Fingering</a>, which not only has amazing colors, but has an amazing feel and knits up like a dream.</i></div>
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<b style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">Favorite place to buy yarn (LYS or online). Why do you love it? </b><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">Hands down </span><a href="http://www.lovelyarns.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;" target="_blank">Lovelyarns</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">. Sue Caldwell, the proprietress, has created a fiber haven that is warm, welcoming, and has an amazing selection. Lovelyarns supports a lot of local and regional dyers and spinners so it's awesome to be able to not only support a local business, but also support a business that is in turn support local artists and other small businesses. </span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-34860576533736863422014-11-10T19:28:00.000-08:002014-11-10T19:43:29.548-08:00Indie Designer Gift-a-Long! (and gifts for you, too!)<span style="font-family: inherit;">YAY!!!!! Yeah. I'm excited about it! It's time for the second annual Indie Designer Gift-a-long on Ravelry. Have no idea what that is? Well I am here to fill you in. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPOmL1_kxCQjP8mZQvVLfk_PDsLuLA3Hl_ZN77acutWsYMfDTQGJz1lHoLNc6qtYcDKnpCDivNZt7uQvitIPLgym3c7TVee3Il0X_8x2QZESdMFBPm1KIru57YvnkzmGWbZKU2FDT5Is/s1600/Gift+A+Long+2014+Photo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPOmL1_kxCQjP8mZQvVLfk_PDsLuLA3Hl_ZN77acutWsYMfDTQGJz1lHoLNc6qtYcDKnpCDivNZt7uQvitIPLgym3c7TVee3Il0X_8x2QZESdMFBPm1KIru57YvnkzmGWbZKU2FDT5Is/s1600/Gift+A+Long+2014+Photo+3.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the past few weeks, 293 independent designers from 21 countries around the world have been doing the hard work of getting ready for a sale of their patterns. Each designer will have between 4 and 20 patterns on sale, 25% off with the code: <b>giftalong2014</b> . They will be on sale from 8pm (EST) November 13th through 11:59pm (EST) November 21st. There are HUNDREDS of designers participating with almost 4,000 patterns on sale during the promotion! WHOA!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HR4ms3qfAWfDM8JETxTY1ypLw7Dur_6foeyb5zhzZGOQXytMoE2Yi_XFCpIccCyL0DWpbKaFjwoy1C8o8xJThBw_aVnuObBG5JwS20NjcZ4wg_hlJrNLHuSNBWbzKndYtC0eNnKdiWE/s1600/All+of+my+Ducks+in+a+row+edit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HR4ms3qfAWfDM8JETxTY1ypLw7Dur_6foeyb5zhzZGOQXytMoE2Yi_XFCpIccCyL0DWpbKaFjwoy1C8o8xJThBw_aVnuObBG5JwS20NjcZ4wg_hlJrNLHuSNBWbzKndYtC0eNnKdiWE/s1600/All+of+my+Ducks+in+a+row+edit+2.jpg" height="200" width="187" /></a></div>
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So obviously, you get the benefit of 25% off and we get the benefit of the sale, but there is more!! If you go to this link: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long">http://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long</a> there are over 1,860 electronic prizes and many more physical prizes to give away to you just by participating in the threads or the various events that they do over the course of the next several weeks!! This can include playing the find the designer games or knitting a project from any of the paid for patterns of the participating designers (this includes even patterns that were not on sale during the promo period). The end of the Gift-a-Long is December 31st, 2014. . .for all of you procrastinating knitters and crocheters who don't QUITE get it done in time for Christmas. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LZrsbDsbQz6rJZIKX9xaMNR4Q0SIhPmmH-04RWhM1DjQf2Sd3rggrQqr5RGl0klMSHPJYoJg487qOc8b738Rkljg8CtjgODJyp8ELNwajUMc1yv7nfvQQz5XNQlN5TAW8mKLvvRGjYc/s1600/Bubble+Scrubber+edit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LZrsbDsbQz6rJZIKX9xaMNR4Q0SIhPmmH-04RWhM1DjQf2Sd3rggrQqr5RGl0klMSHPJYoJg487qOc8b738Rkljg8CtjgODJyp8ELNwajUMc1yv7nfvQQz5XNQlN5TAW8mKLvvRGjYc/s1600/Bubble+Scrubber+edit+1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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The goal of the Gift-a-Long is to get you ready for the holidays. It's the discount and hopefully the inspiration you'll need to get you knitting or crocheting for those special people in your life (including yourself!!) . Many of the items are small and quick so they are perfect for gifting. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoHjv74XVm5kVh36QDIhx-i_v90gT4KDPDAfa-_ylnIVRCb9ULP20etHUGRk6QYQEnz6JBeyn0sr3TiHBk9n4-RUdc5Hu_tgo66S3mg7gVBqNnyYV49Dfz900RSHWOJhABhL-Y4jtXQc/s1600/girly-girl+Mary+Jane+booties+edit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoHjv74XVm5kVh36QDIhx-i_v90gT4KDPDAfa-_ylnIVRCb9ULP20etHUGRk6QYQEnz6JBeyn0sr3TiHBk9n4-RUdc5Hu_tgo66S3mg7gVBqNnyYV49Dfz900RSHWOJhABhL-Y4jtXQc/s1600/girly-girl+Mary+Jane+booties+edit+1.jpg" height="162" width="200" /></a></div>
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For those of you on social media, you may start to see the #giftalong2014 tag popping up on Twitter and Instagram as we have the chance to promote other designers in our feeds. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7HEh5sjfvIHRUS5o2nszdnsEWoUT30ud6TCog3rxYpUt79IAT4b83GJfV0UMcsEeQ2wiPyz916Khr2kzW0lJANrAvnoMIXAlfRtTOfFNtLoKJNMg2f70ZFlX39DuPQOI_FJWskSmwjI/s1600/winter+trellis+square+edit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7HEh5sjfvIHRUS5o2nszdnsEWoUT30ud6TCog3rxYpUt79IAT4b83GJfV0UMcsEeQ2wiPyz916Khr2kzW0lJANrAvnoMIXAlfRtTOfFNtLoKJNMg2f70ZFlX39DuPQOI_FJWskSmwjI/s1600/winter+trellis+square+edit+1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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So who do you have to knit for? Need a quick pattern like a hat or mitts or slippers or booties? OR want something a bit more involved like socks? Or maybe something to go with those hand made soaps (like the ones I get from <a href="http://thesimplesoap.com/">TheSimpleSoap.com</a>) for gifts for teachers? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRqtIUUppmx0zAiYuAgTBo2qe2ZMKvoGEg2LR3m-JbjZN_nRCD8hm_SvXNJhgTrOqcCbRAs7vWvMWXUbZdKR6WeGSVx31JB_r2XHIGSyiVWayKak4syrqhu9VYCxFX9V1yytMhI0dLk4/s1600/Wraps+and+Ridges+Beanie+and+Mitts+edit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRqtIUUppmx0zAiYuAgTBo2qe2ZMKvoGEg2LR3m-JbjZN_nRCD8hm_SvXNJhgTrOqcCbRAs7vWvMWXUbZdKR6WeGSVx31JB_r2XHIGSyiVWayKak4syrqhu9VYCxFX9V1yytMhI0dLk4/s1600/Wraps+and+Ridges+Beanie+and+Mitts+edit+1.jpg" height="144" width="200" /></a></div>
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Whomever you are knitting for this season (or even if you have no plans to knit for anyone but you have a queue that will last beyond life expectancy that contains a pattern or 7) you might just find something in this gift-a-long worth joining for. And if you want to see my designs specifically, go here: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/amy-kenagy">http://www.ravelry.com/designers/amy-kenagy</a> Hope to see you there!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbY6WLJ-njOuixGeoaZ_BRPfHGZHMVnZ0mGWG6xd_yMzSEhhjHVEKm_3-0WLrs0rFImUOmEN_LBZjZIXlWRrT5lheiHNJ7mi_Sxh6p510WJ06_7iwVv0PH0camYpILA3GHktn0SG2IcY/s1600/Bubbly+Ballet+Square+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbY6WLJ-njOuixGeoaZ_BRPfHGZHMVnZ0mGWG6xd_yMzSEhhjHVEKm_3-0WLrs0rFImUOmEN_LBZjZIXlWRrT5lheiHNJ7mi_Sxh6p510WJ06_7iwVv0PH0camYpILA3GHktn0SG2IcY/s1600/Bubbly+Ballet+Square+2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-87825274215874963132014-02-04T16:08:00.003-08:002014-02-04T16:22:03.160-08:00Overwhelmed by WIP's?Are you overwhelmed by WIPs (works in progress)? Yeah. Me too. I have never been a monogamous knitter. And I most certainly am a product knitter (meaning that I like the finished item more than the process itself) . . .Don't get me wrong. I LOVE to knit. I do it a lot. I might even say I do it all the time! But I have so many things that I'm in the middle of right now that I don't know what to do next! You too? Or maybe it's just me. So how do I prioritize? Well, first I take a look at everything I have on the needles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXi-mApkDkF4-XDmd_UFvxVNvmhNVZ_eCkMd6eGK5_5dKQEDk6mCbBUJmz0QW6gPaloocJ_B-qvn84Jbv8MapxFhELOGYeBCJbBkfpJ7zc3eJj2qODiyFFxIg_a_6n4t34zW24n3vSJ8/s1600/2014-02-04+15.16.25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXi-mApkDkF4-XDmd_UFvxVNvmhNVZ_eCkMd6eGK5_5dKQEDk6mCbBUJmz0QW6gPaloocJ_B-qvn84Jbv8MapxFhELOGYeBCJbBkfpJ7zc3eJj2qODiyFFxIg_a_6n4t34zW24n3vSJ8/s1600/2014-02-04+15.16.25.png" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes. That is a list of the 8 projects that are currently on the needles in various stages of doneness. What you also aren't seeing are the two designs, which are out to test knitters and tech editors. After I take a few deep breaths, I start to do some work on figuring out what comes next.<br />
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Then I prioritize.<br />
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1. I pick the projects with the closest deadlines. Am I knitting it for something or someone and it has to be done soon? Those come first.<br />
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In the case of these projects, that means these:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRzUGaF0UePz3lAGhV5x3rNo3DTpkDJVqOY-iy-OhtOwLWxq5lYhzc-aM9xax7L8F6-WbF57WvGEVmrvo6OHb85KWp9gZYtCxmTfKXHZBnb9qhJ5wZh6DNR__QTARTWX1z4-8hvmkU5E/s1600/Project+Foliage+Scylla+Socks+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRzUGaF0UePz3lAGhV5x3rNo3DTpkDJVqOY-iy-OhtOwLWxq5lYhzc-aM9xax7L8F6-WbF57WvGEVmrvo6OHb85KWp9gZYtCxmTfKXHZBnb9qhJ5wZh6DNR__QTARTWX1z4-8hvmkU5E/s1600/Project+Foliage+Scylla+Socks+2.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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These are the socks for my current sock knitting class. I have to be at the same place that I expect my students to be, so I have to get to the place where I am ready to start the heel by this weekend. In case you want to know, these are the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scylla" target="_blank">Scylla Socks by Fiona Lucas</a> knit in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/leading-men-fiber-arts-show-stopper" target="_blank">Leading Men Fiber Arts Show Stopper</a> yarn in their Foliage colorway. The yarn and pattern area lovely. These are getting a lot of attention. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEd9NprEutFTkkyIBd8YdPi5kma-9kTEoifgWvA5SpyDWvCNTGKSto1IYVc19bBbt9HoAZBRLe8JelkM2quWbjhbqRpOrfmn7bHUGOScGqiYMdbAb8UtfnPVfHss3dRAjnl29Ualt314/s1600/Project+Monster+Cowl+Sample+Knit+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEd9NprEutFTkkyIBd8YdPi5kma-9kTEoifgWvA5SpyDWvCNTGKSto1IYVc19bBbt9HoAZBRLe8JelkM2quWbjhbqRpOrfmn7bHUGOScGqiYMdbAb8UtfnPVfHss3dRAjnl29Ualt314/s1600/Project+Monster+Cowl+Sample+Knit+1.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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And also this. This is a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/monster-cowl" target="_blank">Monster Cowl</a>. I am going to be teaching a class on this awesome chevron pattern in March so I have to get this off the needles so I can take it in to Paradise. I won't get to keep this cowl, as it is a store sample, but I do get paid to knit it. In case you are wondering, this is knit in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/madelinetosh-tosh-vintage" target="_blank">Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage</a> in Coquette, Dirty Panther, and Leaf.<br />
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Because both of my designs are yet to be published and will be going out with clubs in April, I can't show you those, but those are also both deadline knits that I have been working on (and writing down and editing and swatching and getting to tech editors and test knitting and sending to test knitters Phewwww!!!!)<br />
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2. Then I pick the projects that I am doing for a knitalong. Usually with a KAL there are soft deadlines and I like the accountability and the communal push to set goals and complete them. I am working on this, though I am woefully behind the KAL goals at this point.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiangsXMdEqx7jFkWIcaviYnKvyV13QSUMj3qjr_uP2sb_a7E1Vkp-D9Jwg-WYt57qMDAKiB-n3eYBsrcjSKYDV0o2SZuGJYDLusYE69kkkojVBI592ipFtq1eJ5uN9CkNkC25TQVeNuUM/s1600/Project+Halelea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiangsXMdEqx7jFkWIcaviYnKvyV13QSUMj3qjr_uP2sb_a7E1Vkp-D9Jwg-WYt57qMDAKiB-n3eYBsrcjSKYDV0o2SZuGJYDLusYE69kkkojVBI592ipFtq1eJ5uN9CkNkC25TQVeNuUM/s1600/Project+Halelea.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/halelea" target="_blank">Halele'a by Mel Ski</a> knit out of Must Stash Yarn and Fiber Helluva Skein in the Pauo'le colorway. This photo does not show how far I am. I have my entire fronts and backs done and seamed (yes, those who know how I feel about seaming. I did actually seam it!). I am working on the texture portion on the bottom and have only a little left to go. Then I have to do ribbing around the neckline and the bottom. . .AND then I have to do both sleeves. To meet the KAL goals I should be on my sleeves this week. As you can see, I am not! HA! but I do love this sweater and after I finish all of the things above, this is next.</div>
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3. I also love to have a small thoughtless project to carry around in my purse and work on when I have a second. . .at the doctor's office, in the car waiting to pick someone up, hanging out with friends, etc. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdc3t6MuZr8co9mzBc5fhMWhxvVqZ2xmqMtv2QpzMNazD8fAvILpN9_kgPAf6TlUJwQR1WbVs0DUplo9EVmJD-U_qxqsrE6PzU7wrZXyCVwT2eoD4fOEl2GH2DyApCD2byc2W_ytrHWto/s1600/Project+Tims+lightweight+Runners+hair+I+mean+hat+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdc3t6MuZr8co9mzBc5fhMWhxvVqZ2xmqMtv2QpzMNazD8fAvILpN9_kgPAf6TlUJwQR1WbVs0DUplo9EVmJD-U_qxqsrE6PzU7wrZXyCVwT2eoD4fOEl2GH2DyApCD2byc2W_ytrHWto/s1600/Project+Tims+lightweight+Runners+hair+I+mean+hat+1.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is going to be for Tim. Those of you who know him know that he doesn't have much hair on top so he is constantly wearing the hats I knit for him. And yes, I do actually mean constantly. He rarely takes them off. He really wanted a sock weight hat. I had this yarn from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/lornas-laces-solemate" target="_blank">Lorna's Laces - their Solemate</a> - in Blue Skies Over Colorado. The cool part about this yarn is that it has a Outlast in it, which is supposed to regulate body heat. So he may even use it for running . . .The pattern, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/runners-watchcap" target="_blank">Runner's Watchcap by Ivete Tecedor</a>, is super simple but a nice size and perfect for this yarn. And it makes great purse knitting!<br />
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4. Then are those projects that have to get done before someone outgrows it. Yes. Like this one. If I don't hurry, he will be too big before it's finished.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfGappjFY-15n1hix7X_SOUqNyBOFXhtNSsa2dee7FuDEoyLRauAHCXv2rnw3-LLl0Xd4-rGJsYzZirEJliko7DTumevGiuolhMR8TTsdsSOGy7NUlQsxCkq1LTeYfmPlIqPeBEPhHxw/s1600/Project+Not+so+little+stitches+for+Eli+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfGappjFY-15n1hix7X_SOUqNyBOFXhtNSsa2dee7FuDEoyLRauAHCXv2rnw3-LLl0Xd4-rGJsYzZirEJliko7DTumevGiuolhMR8TTsdsSOGy7NUlQsxCkq1LTeYfmPlIqPeBEPhHxw/s1600/Project+Not+so+little+stitches+for+Eli+2.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-stitches-hoodie" target="_blank">Little Stitches Hoodie</a> out of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/three-irish-girls-springvale-dk" target="_blank">Three Irish Girls Springvale DK</a> in Picnic Blanket and Solar Flare. (PS - Three Irish Girls has opened up their website directly for ordering once again, so if you love these colors, they can be yours. <a href="http://www.3irishgirls.com/">www.3irishgirls.com</a> ) I love everything about this (I am biased, I know). But the yarn is lovely and I want him to wear it! I need to work on it!!!! </div>
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5. Then there are the projects that are oh so close that are actually really quick knits and need to just be done. The body is done, the ends woven in the shoulders seamed. I even have most of a sleeve done! And it's knit on size US10.5 needles!! This is perfect for couch knitting but not so perfect for taking with me since it takes a whole bag to cart it around.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGGHfUJAzrHBv97qBTatUe_OP7B9P2aD8EeFUSAw3dchZmR-PrFT_yD-fmqmGPGbr7BJYqmqiImyYP-uUu-4P0lJTr2qBnpWL8D5iDcoRvMkkFnzrjMiMMHdw5-nbfnBt-NEkby8jXFU/s1600/Project+Wish+you+were+here+long+sands.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGGHfUJAzrHBv97qBTatUe_OP7B9P2aD8EeFUSAw3dchZmR-PrFT_yD-fmqmGPGbr7BJYqmqiImyYP-uUu-4P0lJTr2qBnpWL8D5iDcoRvMkkFnzrjMiMMHdw5-nbfnBt-NEkby8jXFU/s1600/Project+Wish+you+were+here+long+sands.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/long-sands-cardigan"> Long Sands Cardigan by Amy Christoffers</a> that I have been working on since this summer when it was gifted to me by a friend. It would be perfect for this cold weather we are having. . .I really should work on it. I am knitting it out of the lusciously squishy <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/malabrigo-yarn-chunky">Malabrigo Chunky</a> in the Pearl Colorway. </div>
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6. And lastly are those projects which are just sitting. Barely started. Not even worth taking photos of. Those might be the ones that end up on my hibernating tab on Ravelry. I have two currently and while I adore them and really want to finish them, I don't see my self doing so anytime soon. </div>
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This is just a method. Prioritizing so I can accomplish what needs to get done in a timely manner. . .so I can work on what I want to get done. It doesn't always work. Sometimes the I-want-to projects trump the I-need-to projects. But at the end of the day, knitting is supposed to be enjoyable. When it quits being so, it's time to find something else to do. So what about you? How do you prioritize? Or do you? What comes first for you? Any rhyme or reason? </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-38798600351921873022014-01-17T14:09:00.002-08:002014-01-17T14:30:31.582-08:00Technical editing for knitting patterns? What is that?!So since I posted last time I've had several people ask me about the specifics of technical editing. What is it? Why is important? Who uses it? So I thought I'd do a post about it. Needless to say, not any photos this time.<br />
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<b>So what is technical editing (for knitting)?</b> Technical editing is going through a pattern with the designer to make sure that things like sizing, stitch patterns, stitch counts, and pattern specific things (like links to external websites for specific techniques) are accurately reflecting the designer's wishes for the pattern. Technical editing is NOT telling a designer how it SHOULD have been done, but simply offering suggestions based on knitting and pattern standards and letting it be implemented how they see fit. In the end, the designer should make the final call on changes made.<br />
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<b>How does that work? What do YOU actually do? </b>I get to do the fun part. I receive the pattern from the designer and read through it. I make sure numbers work. I check sizing to make sure that the stitch counts work out to appropriate measurements for what the designer has in mind for each size. I also make sure that the stitch pattern works out over those stitch counts. I make sure that things are written clearly (and this doesn't mean changing the designers "voice", as part of what differentiates designers is often the verbal presentation of their patterns). I offer suggestions for clarity and sometimes preferences of my own, but try to be clear about those being preferences and not something that changes the workability of the pattern if left as is. SOMETIMES, I test knit the pattern as I work through it. Sometimes I use LOTS of pages of graph paper to draw out the pattern stitches. And then, when I'm confident, I send it back to the designer to review and implement. This process is done SEVERAL times. As things change, other rows and rounds and numbers are changed in the process, so it's a constantly evolving piece that needs to be checked over again each time a new revision is made. And I get to do math! Did I mention that? I get to make sure that at the suggested gauge, that the stitch counts given yield the sizing that the designer has given with whatever ease is being factored in to determine who will fit into each size. . .how it should be listed. . .how much yarn you might need (which is usually done by finding # of stitches and amount of yarn needed for each stitch for each size)<br />
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<b>Who uses technical editors? </b>Knitting designers use several ways to verify their patterns. Some are more reliable than others. For instance, some knitters only knit a pattern themselves to figure out if it will work. Some designers really are THAT good. But few are. The way you write things makes sense to you or you wouldn't write it, but that sometimes doesn't translate well to others. Not all designers are good relayers of information, and often, self-tested and self-written patterns often lack clarity and accuracy. Not all. Please don't think that there aren't some really great patterns out there written just this way. But many are not. Other designers use test knitters. This means writing a pattern and then giving it to people to read the pattern and test it. This can be REALLY useful. BUT. . .and yes, this is a big BUT. . .your test knitters must be people who are not afraid to tell you when you messed something up or it isn't clear. They must also be willing to knit the pattern EXACTLY as you wrote it, even if they can think of a better way to do it. They must be available to relay information to you as they go. And above all, they must be confident in their pattern reading skills. And lastly, to verify patterns, designers use technical editors - someone who can go through the pattern, with or without test knitting it, and mathematically and practically assess the accuracy of the pattern without changing the voice and the wishes of the designer when it comes to the outcome of the design. The designer works with the tech editor to make sure that the resulting knit object coming off the needles reflects the words that are written on the page.<br />
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<b>Which of these options is most important? </b>A good pattern often uses all three of the things above. When a designer knits a design several times, writes and rewrites, sends it out to a technical editor and then forwards it to a good group of test knitters who understand their job you will end up with a pattern that is as well-done as possible. It doesn't mean that a great pattern can't get by with one or two of these things, but each of these checks makes sure that the pattern has undergone assessment on several different levels. . .creative, mathematical, and practical. . .and hopefully is written in a way that can clearly portray the design to make it accessible to an every day knitter. Especially for designers who write several patterns, one bad pattern can spoil future sales of other designs, so it's important for a designer to invest (time, energy, etc.) into a design in order to gain a fan base. It is also important for knitters. While I don't believe it's the job of a designer to create something that is perfect for everyone, I do think that it is important for designers to inspire knitters to want to keep on creating. A bad pattern can cause a person so much frustration that they put it down and never come back to knitting. I would hope that a bad pattern isn't the cause, but I fear that it can be. The short and sweet is that all three of the options are important, but a technical editor and/or really great test knitters are, more often than not, essential to a good pattern.<br />
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<b>Why doesn't every designer do it? </b>The main reason for not hiring a technical editor, I'm guessing, is that it can cost money. Free patterns are LESS likely to have had a technical editor once over (though the lovely Mel (MSkiKnits) used me to technical edit her free patterns and Knitty.com provides awesome free patterns). Also, it means letting go of your written design(and maybe your ego) on some level. Some designers don't like being corrected. I've worked with someone on a professional level who has every confidence in her designs (a great thing to have for a designer) but she had an unwillingness to accept constructive criticism, which leads to designs that are not ready for publishing. And some designers are not ready to be told that their writing might need a bit of work. Most designers are more than willing to do this because their design is worth it to them, but it is definitely one reason that some don't do much to verify patterns. Other designers don't use technical editors because they have a great group of test knitters, and as a result, the test knitters do a lot of the technical editing for you. If you can surround yourself with test knitters who are worth their weight, you can use test knitters to do much of what technical editing does. Megan Williams (justrunknit on Rav) has allowed me to test knit things for her, and even put up with me finding what I perceived as an error. . .instead, it was me misreading the pattern. . .but instead of her saying, "Dude, learn to read. . .", her response reflected a great designer, "If it confused you, it will most likely confuse someone else. Let me see if I can reword that for clarity." The best thing, I think, that any person can do is to surround themselves with people they trust to help them become the best that they can be. This applies to designers, too.<br />
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<b>The most important thing to remember: </b>While tech edited (or test knit) patterns tend to be better, the aren't always. And even the really great ones are rarely perfect. There might be a typo. Or a spelling error. They may have a line that was miscopied and therefore not correct. They could have math errors. Or stitch count issues. Somewhere between version 1 and version 56 something may have been left off and both (or multiple) sets of eyes, having looked at that pattern for hours, somehow managed to miss it in the final edit. It happens. But the first sign of a good designer is one who is willing to look at an issue run into by knitters to attempt to make it correct or more clear (This does not mean rewriting the pattern to fit a knitters preferences. You can do that on your own.). But I must also then mention that the first sign of a good knitter is to recognize the fact that the knitter is just as likely to make a mistake and it isn't always the fault of the designer. For both sides, it is important to extend grace when necessary . . .and if you can't, then to walk away. There are lots of patterns/designers/knitters out there and not every design is meant for every knitter. Best to use your time on something that won't turn you away from knitting forever but will inspire you to keep creating.<br />
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Hopefully that gives you a clearer picture of what goes into a pattern. . .the days, weeks and months. . .of making it as good as can be. . .and hopefully gives you a greater appreciation for the effort and even financial expense that many great designers have had to put in before the pattern was ready for the public. Maybe, you will recognize the value of a well-done pattern, will find it a bit easier to swallow the cost of a paid design, and will appreciate well-written free patterns as the creative gifts they really are. Or maybe, you will get so caught up in knitting that lovely design that none of this matters to you anyway. I hope that's the case.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-87928765673497650732014-01-03T16:40:00.003-08:002014-01-03T17:11:13.410-08:00Busy knitting, designing, teaching and tech editing - Ushering in 2014Yup. It's 2014. I know. I'm shocked too. And a bit embarrassed that I haven't posted in well over 5 months. I'm terrible, I know. I've been BUSY. Like where-did-the-time-go-and-wow-look-at-that-to-do-list-and-I-can't-believe-what-I've-accomplished busy.<br />
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There have been several objects that I've test knit. One of the people I've done a fair bit of test knitting for is Megan Williams (justrunknit on Ravelry) of <a href="http://www.stockinettezombies.com/" target="_blank">Stockinette Zombies</a> fame. Megan just started <a href="http://justrunknit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">her own blog</a>, by the way, and it's worth checking out if you want more details on her knitting and fitness life. I teased her via text today about her hopefully being better than I am about keeping up on the blog. She promised that she would be really good at it for at least a month. HA!<br />
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One of the beautiful designs that I test for her was the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sugar-high-cowl" target="_blank">Sugar High Cowl</a>. I LOVE it.<br />
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Mel (Ravelry: mskiknits) has also allowed me to become her technical editor. It's been a lot of fun to work with her behind the scenes to triple check her designs to make sure that her beautiful creativity is spelled out on paper in a way that will translate to the people who knit them. I am knitting <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/halelea" target="_blank">Halele'a</a> . It's so fun, after getting to know the pattern inside and out with the tech editing, to actually delve into it with yarn and needles. I will post photos to my Ravelry page when it is complete. Mel has recently published <a href="http://www.singlehandedknits.com/patterns/free-patterns/" target="_blank">two free fingerless mittens</a> patterns on her blog. I haven't had the chance to knit them yet, but they are both beautiful (and hopefully error free :) ) The photos below are used with Mel's permission.<br />
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Hawaiian Snowflakes </div>
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With Gratitude</div>
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I have also been working on projects for the Paradise Fibers yarn club. There have been a wide variety of projects. Some I have loved more than others, but it has been a lot of fun to work through the single skein projects and kits to learn more about different types of yarns.<br />
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This in addition to ending the year with teaching almost every weekend for the last few months of the year. It has been a lot of fun.<br />
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So what's coming down the chute? I have lots of classes coming up. A <a href="http://www.paradisefibers.com/learn-to-knit-headband-class-with-amy.html" target="_blank">beginning knitter class</a> in January. A <a href="http://www.paradisefibers.com/sheep-to-shawl-series-knit-it.html" target="_blank">shawl class</a> in conjunction with a Sheep to Shawl series that Paradise Fibers has been hosting. <a href="http://www.paradisefibers.com/learn-to-knit-toe-up-socks-with-amy-1.html" target="_blank">A sock class</a> in February. And another couple of classes in March through the Corbin Art Center (<a href="https://online.activecommunities.com/spokaneparks/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp" target="_blank">Ruffle Scarf and Coffee Cozy</a>). I would love to attend <a href="http://madronafiberarts.com/" target="_blank">Madrona Fiber Arts</a> in Seattle/ Tacoma in February. And I've been to told to expect loads of tech editing for Mel. I also have a few designs to finish writing up and submit to Three Irish Girls. And heading up the blog for my LYS (will keep you posted on that).<br />
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Maybe I should promise to do MY blog every two weeks. What do you think?<br />
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What are your goals and plans for 2014?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-44778893276906029632013-08-15T15:40:00.001-07:002014-11-10T19:33:19.133-08:00What's in a pattern?If you have ever had the chance to chat with me about knitting, or patterns specifically, or you've taken a class from me, you know that there are things that I value. Clarity and sizing are big things, as is getting more than what you pay for. Whether or not I go back for more of a designer's patterns hinges big time on those things. I want a pattern that makes sense and fits well, but I also want it to TEACH me something. It doesn't have to be a big thing, it could be as simple as a new way to do something I already know how to do. . .OR I want it to give me options to personalize it and make it mine.<br />
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So when I sat down to design a hat pattern, I wanted it to include simple techniques for things like making stripes without having to weave in ends. . .<br />
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I wanted it to have teachable moments, different ways to do something that you might already know how to do. So I added in cabling without a cable needle and linked to a video that I recorded myself while wearing my camera around my neck (don't laugh) :) .</div>
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I wanted the hat to have varying style options. . .so I added in a way to make it a long and pointy stocking cap or a fitted beanie. (Can you believe how tiny my baby is here? This is in 2011!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRfgV9EmRugXl3dWsyFkUM6vcxV4ST2BEWazh5tbxG_vdhYMIdoeofU2-VEUTzldVRm4kLZFJ5h-mOEVaOklcb_zTGgPY7qyLIvouG22qV2xJh2DoYM3HS1J9MEyIyTGZYgbEFLmNHWA/s1600/Project+Hootin'+Owlie+pair+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRfgV9EmRugXl3dWsyFkUM6vcxV4ST2BEWazh5tbxG_vdhYMIdoeofU2-VEUTzldVRm4kLZFJ5h-mOEVaOklcb_zTGgPY7qyLIvouG22qV2xJh2DoYM3HS1J9MEyIyTGZYgbEFLmNHWA/s320/Project+Hootin'+Owlie+pair+3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaePvojFyRmgRionW0UySN4SqAYg82_BGr3gUMTbYQ-PHmoIvV3RSkTcHLf5P_sReboQkew7MfEwOjrb7VKC-aJFMLVLKu_C5V1gTLrnxhvbFGOWm8E9LEywqqk_CKH9U0Y45dLjGDbf0/s1600/Project+Hootin+Owlie+Sample+Knit+Gobstopper+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaePvojFyRmgRionW0UySN4SqAYg82_BGr3gUMTbYQ-PHmoIvV3RSkTcHLf5P_sReboQkew7MfEwOjrb7VKC-aJFMLVLKu_C5V1gTLrnxhvbFGOWm8E9LEywqqk_CKH9U0Y45dLjGDbf0/s320/Project+Hootin+Owlie+Sample+Knit+Gobstopper+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45ubW8Kh1X91-V3XsQiXKNugom9nsekUcYE_G6MF9nOCzq0nzBW1P5mjzzrbCJ6Rpa2Nou5nmvBazwB8TDJbzpg9A7NXGSfhDgpeQcshvZsqy7XrexI0FrbGn_r8NDEbB7Q8xLvvw0W4/s1600/Project+Hootin+Owlie+Sample+Knit+Here's+lookin+at+you+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45ubW8Kh1X91-V3XsQiXKNugom9nsekUcYE_G6MF9nOCzq0nzBW1P5mjzzrbCJ6Rpa2Nou5nmvBazwB8TDJbzpg9A7NXGSfhDgpeQcshvZsqy7XrexI0FrbGn_r8NDEbB7Q8xLvvw0W4/s320/Project+Hootin+Owlie+Sample+Knit+Here's+lookin+at+you+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And I wanted people to be able to use yarn on hand, so I wrote basically two separate patterns, one for bulky weight and one for worsted weight, so you can work the pattern that most closely matches your gauge. AND with sizes preemie/newborn to adult mens to choose from, this pattern can be completely customized to become YOUR work of art. . .and hopefully make you glad that you spent the money. </div>
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You can read specifics on the pattern here on Ravelry: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hootin-owlie-hat" target="_blank">Hootin' Owlie Hat by Amy Kenagy</a></div>
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or to purchase the download directly, you can go to the <a href="http://www.threeirishgirls.com/product.php?productid=1228&cat=1&page=1" target="_blank">Three Irish Girls page for the Hootin' Owlie</a></div>
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This is a photograph taken by the talented Sharon (Copyrighted by Three Irish Girls) </div>
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<a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KnittingAmyK/178567162/owlie3web-1_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KnittingAmyK/178567162/owlie3web-1_medium.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another thing that makes a pattern "worth the money" for me, is having someone else figure out the math. Well, admittedly I love the math, but when I buy a pattern, I want it to be figured out for me. . . So I've worked hard to do that for this pattern.<br />
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While this is linen stitch with a few twists and turns for added fun, getting the pattern to line up as you increase and decrease took some math. So I figured it out and wrote it down. (But not before making Eli model it for me). (AND PS this is inside out. I didn't end up writing the pattern to be reversible, but you could, definitely.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvqokhQUzhyphenhyphenrsdqOwq7Q9NEPUceVZTBnjVXMqzbQJ4KEzgY2ZJz6-zmrG4l4NnOIb7edwyi6itLf13FP08MJ70CW8ml2pd5DKjmaPaeuL-0HpB9GRDDHRj_FARst36Tk3Fq3mZVGkYfM/s1600/project+reversible+linen+stitch+sweater+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvqokhQUzhyphenhyphenrsdqOwq7Q9NEPUceVZTBnjVXMqzbQJ4KEzgY2ZJz6-zmrG4l4NnOIb7edwyi6itLf13FP08MJ70CW8ml2pd5DKjmaPaeuL-0HpB9GRDDHRj_FARst36Tk3Fq3mZVGkYfM/s320/project+reversible+linen+stitch+sweater+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also like patterns that use highly variegated yarn but break it up by using texture or stitch patterns.<br />
(This photo is Copyrighted to Three Irish Girls)<br />
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<a href="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KnittingAmyK/178680179/littlestichesweb-1-1-01_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/KnittingAmyK/178680179/littlestichesweb-1-1-01_medium.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Remember how I said I like to do something a bit different? Well in this pattern, rather than doing a typical intarsia twist to switch to the hood/collar edging without causing holes, this has a interesting approach so you don't have to do that.<br />
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And you want to personalize it? Yeah. You can do that too. Simply remove the hood and go for the collar option instead!<br />
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You can see projects and read the details of the pattern on Ravelry here: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-stitches-hoodie" target="_blank">Little Stitches Hoodie by Amy Kenagy</a><br />
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Or go to the <a href="http://www.threeirishgirls.com/product.php?productid=1232&cat=1&page=1" target="_blank">Three Irish Girls page for the Little Stitches Hoodie</a> to purchase it directly.<br />
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There are so many amazing designers out there. I love that I've been allowed to take my ideas and put them out there to share with the knitting community. I hope, whatever you knit, that you are able to find patterns you love that allow you to be an artist and create something that makes you happy. That's what it's all about, right?!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-76442461669648190532013-06-10T20:10:00.001-07:002013-06-10T20:43:33.376-07:00Knitting. . .for fun AND more!How lucky am I?!?!?! I get to knit and I get to spend time everyday with my craft AND my boys. Like this one. Isn't he cute?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOix5Q5p0IChJ7eUxUGcypCrTn2RShgjOKbO7-XpYgq6Kd2fk9WCrFPTc_9YN41rr6bhtHU8ADM_B-ATrwP4vsn97mBNhSKWYWTaaD208vo5a9FidqDaQRZqT-MBFR8rQaTLRe9YFIkw/s1600/DSCF2004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOix5Q5p0IChJ7eUxUGcypCrTn2RShgjOKbO7-XpYgq6Kd2fk9WCrFPTc_9YN41rr6bhtHU8ADM_B-ATrwP4vsn97mBNhSKWYWTaaD208vo5a9FidqDaQRZqT-MBFR8rQaTLRe9YFIkw/s320/DSCF2004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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But lately, I've had the chance to test knit several patterns by friends, sample knit for a small independent dyer to show off her yarns, put together a pattern layout for a new design being published by a friend and knit up class samples either in class or for classes at my LYS. And most recently I was given the job of helping and answering questions for those who have signed up for the new yarn club offering at my LYS.<br />
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So here's the recent (-ish) rundown.<br />
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First I had the pleasure of test knitting the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drizzle-5" target="_blank">Drizzle</a> hat and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-old-man--the-sea" target="_blank">The Old Man and the Sea</a> cardigan by Mel Ski from the <a href="http://www.singlehandedknits.com/" target="_blank">Single Handed Knits podcast</a> (Rav ID: MSkiKnits). The process is part of what I love. . .and my relational side adores working one on one with designers. Mel makes the process so enjoyable and fun. Both of these patterns are must-haves. They are wearable, well-written, and work for so many sizes.<br />
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Drizzle is made to not mash your hair, but would work well on a rainy day. It can be knit as a normal, slouch, or super-slouchy hat. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/drizzle" target="_blank">This is the slouchy version</a> out of Three Irish Girls McClellan in the Highgrove colorway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOC1FUeDvLbTZcUTGh4R81jvNirBeaVlR0FC2cMcMVSjnVM5sbHhNqPiEiaTmxyd5jVzgCfSL-gEnmZH5ko6LKkXdn9ZRI39tuaBjWK5nvG46fyhOlvb8ZjcrGa-ivNnckgnAXYWxIJE/s1600/Project+Drizzle+in+Highgrove+%235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOC1FUeDvLbTZcUTGh4R81jvNirBeaVlR0FC2cMcMVSjnVM5sbHhNqPiEiaTmxyd5jVzgCfSL-gEnmZH5ko6LKkXdn9ZRI39tuaBjWK5nvG46fyhOlvb8ZjcrGa-ivNnckgnAXYWxIJE/s320/Project+Drizzle+in+Highgrove+%235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/the-old-man--the-sea" target="_blank">The Old Man and the Sea</a> should really be knit while you read the Hemingway novel. So many of the details tie in to the story, but that's just the icing on the cake. This cardigan is a simple and quick knit, but has so many lovely details that keep it interesting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVs5av0RRLTH5gi_Owr4YPf993Y1H1jxCLw8uduRE7qnJFUW-NsjeWL0NO8j1BQdGMacUEUbIHcm90qWIIUV5wN84lmND1AkkIWyf9Z9Vm2f39AEqy9IoUqsTGmoKyLmfiX1SsSQpF-GY/s1600/2013-05-02+16.59.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVs5av0RRLTH5gi_Owr4YPf993Y1H1jxCLw8uduRE7qnJFUW-NsjeWL0NO8j1BQdGMacUEUbIHcm90qWIIUV5wN84lmND1AkkIWyf9Z9Vm2f39AEqy9IoUqsTGmoKyLmfiX1SsSQpF-GY/s320/2013-05-02+16.59.17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4ROARN2KxlYcJt6RXaUTPCCrVz94rnUtpuM0PjxbQC74mo64sCp8mce8Vfcqb8j0xdaoFnMRdw6TP2mqwTCp0TI6Yvy5nbux_OryQHwuqTx6Raug-d9HFuzu2AhObLLUoH0GL4CpTzQ/s1600/Project+The+Old+Man+and+the+Sea+%25233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4ROARN2KxlYcJt6RXaUTPCCrVz94rnUtpuM0PjxbQC74mo64sCp8mce8Vfcqb8j0xdaoFnMRdw6TP2mqwTCp0TI6Yvy5nbux_OryQHwuqTx6Raug-d9HFuzu2AhObLLUoH0GL4CpTzQ/s320/Project+The+Old+Man+and+the+Sea+%25233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My favorite part of working with Mel and her patterns is the way she ties them in to her life. The details and the way they work in to the pattern and tie them in to her ideas is so creative. You really need to check them out. :)<br />
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I also got to do double test knit duty for another friend. The amazing Megan Williams from the <a href="http://www.stockinettezombies.com/" target="_blank">Stockinette Zombies Podcast </a>(Rav ID: JustRunKnit). One is her sock pattern that will be released with the next journey on the Traveller Yarn Club from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/yarnvszombies" target="_blank">Yarn Vs. Zombies</a>. (there is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/153337698/last-minute-zombie-getaway-1-month-club?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">one one-month spots left</a> as of this moment if you want to get in on that!!)<br />
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I can't tell you the name or the inspiration of these just yet, but will be able to come June 15th, so <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/super-secret-test-knit" target="_blank">check my Rav project page if you're interested</a> . . . But here are my lovely socks! These are knit out of Three Irish Girls Adorn in the Bridget colorway. This pattern was my cup of tea. And I loved the process.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfwwfNWKBf2Q3w2Bv_v22g8IA1UMPSikKWKI7WWJ4heSU0qroHe0OTFlNtK3kecnmG2e7XOCj7hHlzJipvwf_AWTQg9kcIX1VO2sZotOs4Y-IMaGXAB6Ke3sb41LctH-JEh9iaHwMYJc/s1600/Project+Well+Zen+Socks+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfwwfNWKBf2Q3w2Bv_v22g8IA1UMPSikKWKI7WWJ4heSU0qroHe0OTFlNtK3kecnmG2e7XOCj7hHlzJipvwf_AWTQg9kcIX1VO2sZotOs4Y-IMaGXAB6Ke3sb41LctH-JEh9iaHwMYJc/s320/Project+Well+Zen+Socks+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu1fTWw-mmjXHe5pRRmcuYkmdMLRS4hAKK2_nNlVSPjXtyl1GZLUgVjCFNMxIo78hyejcTO_o-NxFHG6ly8dq4xFjFoJNdxDpBetE5aabY2is9PEhbVWogNs-njRz816OCwac1-_lVfU/s1600/Project+Well+Zen+Socks+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu1fTWw-mmjXHe5pRRmcuYkmdMLRS4hAKK2_nNlVSPjXtyl1GZLUgVjCFNMxIo78hyejcTO_o-NxFHG6ly8dq4xFjFoJNdxDpBetE5aabY2is9PEhbVWogNs-njRz816OCwac1-_lVfU/s320/Project+Well+Zen+Socks+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can either make these match or you can make them mirror image socks. Either way, they are deliciously squishy and beautifully textured. These will be exclusive to the club for a year, (I think!) but they are worth adding to your queue to remember later (or jumping on the last one month club spot while you can!!!)<br />
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The first project I test knit for her (out of order, I know) is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/weather-the-weather-hat" target="_blank">this lovely beauty</a>. This is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/weather-the-weather-hat" target="_blank">Weather the Weather Hat</a>. The patterning is AMAZING. . .and not only that, but it is FREE!!!! TOTALLY worth the process and the yarn to make you or someone you love (or both) one of these guys. Beautiful. The yarn is Three Irish Girls Glenhaven Worsted in the Beijing colorway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UfUg-wtmENFM2-KHdSe2a_n7GDKidFXaRVAOWcXdz3HleBg24uuP8p8WiCT1djJmQDA0mT5ZMIWghIvyrz176S8BG0AAV4RfVh-pWLNxpuLIx-ZlegXs11DtPD5XFZXF8ORY6qSyCSc/s1600/Project+Weather+the+Weather+Test+Knit+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UfUg-wtmENFM2-KHdSe2a_n7GDKidFXaRVAOWcXdz3HleBg24uuP8p8WiCT1djJmQDA0mT5ZMIWghIvyrz176S8BG0AAV4RfVh-pWLNxpuLIx-ZlegXs11DtPD5XFZXF8ORY6qSyCSc/s320/Project+Weather+the+Weather+Test+Knit+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBgW0FgB9nN0qpm1dWyeqGd_W0cMbzX6iQAGtd70wlsQJUZLXYXO7b2nTD20LcW9TEH9uW_XqNveJfVE8xLiJCL0Nd6EALNDjd-5YNu4utZMzSb2Da9HlcNRDhLGUbmDhF15QNQ_jpn0/s1600/Project+Weather+the+Weather+Test+Knit+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBgW0FgB9nN0qpm1dWyeqGd_W0cMbzX6iQAGtd70wlsQJUZLXYXO7b2nTD20LcW9TEH9uW_XqNveJfVE8xLiJCL0Nd6EALNDjd-5YNu4utZMzSb2Da9HlcNRDhLGUbmDhF15QNQ_jpn0/s320/Project+Weather+the+Weather+Test+Knit+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love Megan's use of geometric shapes and math in her patterns, but even if that's not your thing, these well written patterns will not disappoint or overwhelm. And I know first hand that she is patient and explains herself well if there is a question.<br />
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I also did double duty for yet another designer/podcaster - Laura Linneman (Rav ID: lala) from <a href="http://www.theknitgirllls.com/wordpress/" target="_blank">The KnitGirllls Podcast</a>. Laura is a teacher at heart and does a great job explaining her patterns. I must be on a hat kick, since I knit this one. It's called the Walking in Memphis hat. It has not been released yet, but again, keep an eye <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/walking-in-memphis-test-knit" target="_blank">on my project page</a> and I will link to the pattern there once it is released. This is knit out of Cakewalk Yarns Play in the Chalkboard colorway.<br />
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The other pattern I test knit for Laura is this adorable toe-up afterthought heel pattern for toddler socks called the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ttfn-toddler-socks" target="_blank">TTFN Toddler Socks</a>. It is the pattern she uses to teach her class on the subject. It is a free pattern, and easily adjustable to make taller socks. It would also be a great pattern for a sock knitting beginner, so check them out! <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/ttfn-toddler-socks" target="_blank">I LOVE these</a>, and so does my 3 year old!!! These are knit out of Knitpicks Felici Sport in the Too Cool colorway.<br />
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Like I said above, I've also been knitting store samples. This first one is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/incarnation-hat" target="_blank">Incarnation Hat by Toby Roxane Barna</a>. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/incarnation-hat" target="_blank">I knit mine</a> out of the lovely <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/unwindyarncompany" target="_blank">Unwind Yarn Company</a> Touring DK in a new to her colorway, Wisp. I wish I could keep it!!! But instead, I get to send it off to the wonderful Dana for her to use in her shop to show how awesome her yarn is (and it really is!). This yarn is fantastic and you should make yourself a sweater out of it, or at least a hat, if you get the chance (and there are <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/130894817/preorder-sweater-quantity-of-touring-dk?ref=shop_home_feat" target="_blank">sweater quantities in her shop</a> for pre-order!)<br />
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I also had the chance to knit <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/sweet-robin-wrist-ees" target="_blank">these cute little mitts</a> for my local shop, <a href="https://www.paradisefibers.com/" target="_blank">Paradise Fibers</a>. I will be teaching a class on colorwork sometime soon, so these little guys were my class/shop sample. I love how they turned out. They are the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sweet-robin-wrist-ees" target="_blank">Sweet Robin Wrist-ees by Tiny Owl Knits</a>. These are knit out of several colors of Brown Sheep Nature Spun Fingering.<br />
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And lastly, I had the chance to help Lisa Dykstra (Rav ID: yenforyarn) do the layout of her pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-skein-slant" target="_blank">One Skein Slant</a>. Lisa is amazing and inspiring and strong. She is battling cancer (again) and yet somehow manages to produce amazing things like this. And her photography and beautifully written pattern made this project a cinch. These photos are hers, and used with permission. Aren't they beautiful? This is definitely on my short list of things to knit next. It is a stunning pattern for both solid and variegated yarns. The cool part about working with Lisa is that it really gave me a chance to solidify in my own mind what I like in a pattern and what attracts me when I am looking for a pattern. Her beautiful daughter drew your eyes in but the cowl, what you came for, is stand alone beautiful enough to make you want to knit it NOW!!<br />
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And now for the most recent addition to my ever growing list of enjoyable jobs - being the go-to person on Ravelry for those participating in the new <a href="http://www.paradisefibers.com/mountain-colors-yarn-club.html" target="_blank">Paradise Fibers Yarn Club.</a> This club is awesome. It's $24.95 a month (plus shipping - unless you let them know you want to pick it up in store) It includes a yarn and a pattern. And for a limited time, the first month is only $1 to let you try it out! There are monthly perks (like a $5 credit if you complete the small project every month and 10% off your yarn purchases for the next 12 months). It is a great way to check out different yarns, participate in a KAL (Knit along) with other people around the country and to build your stash of knits for you or for gifts. I have the first month of yarn in hand and am working through the pattern. It truly is fun and lovely. And there is still time to jump in if you're interested!<br />
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So that is just a small fraction of what I've been working on the past few months. It has definitely kept me busy!! Some of these "jobs" meant that I got paid to knit them. Others simply rewarded me with the ability to see a pattern before anyone else. And all of them gave me the chance to work with some of the most amazing friends and designers. I know these people/designers/yarns first hand and I have no problem recommending them . . .so do take a moment to check them out! It's amazing when something I love to do benefits me as much as this has. I got to know them and their process of creativity. It inspired me and encouraged me in my own creativity. I am blessed to have these designers/yarn dyers in my knitting life and I am so thankful for their willingness to benefit the knitting community by contributing their talents/creativity/patterns/artistry to enhance the craft.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-26458967112821870942013-02-25T17:10:00.002-08:002013-02-25T19:36:56.979-08:00Teaching AND Learning. . .I have had THE BEST TIME teaching classes this past month. Ask my knitting girls and you would find out that ruffle yarn is NOT my favorite. . .but you know what? I've even had fun teaching THAT class and I will be teaching another one on Saturday. I love teaching people how to knit. I love watching them figure out what works for them. And I love being able to share my love of the fiber arts with them. It's tons of fun. I'm really enjoying the opportunity to use my teaching degree AND my love of knitting . . .all packed in to a class on the weekend.<br />
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The coolest part, too, is LEARNING while I knit. Whether it's a new way to present an idea, or a way to do something that makes sense to someone else. If you are a knitter yourself, I'm CERTAIN, that you've been told at times that you were doing something wrong. But here's where I tell you to give yourself permission to figure out what works for YOU. Figuring out your knitting preferences goes a long way in helping you pick projects that you will not only love knitting, but that you will use once they are complete. I know for me, I'm not happy with knots in my knitting. I also want the back side to look as nice as the front side. And I know that I have never seen a sweater that's seamed that looks as nice and finished as a sweater that is unseamed and knit instead in one piece. I prefer shorter tips on circular needles, and when paying for tools, while I don't buy the cheapest, I also cannot justify spending $40 on a pair of needles when there are other things out there I love just as much. I know that when knitting, blocking takes care of a ton of issues that arise when I knit, but I ALSO know that my stitches are really even. I have no qualms ever about gifting something that has not been blocked, and even my knitting friends with trained eyes can't usually tell.<br />
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So why am I telling you all of this? Because knitting is about me. Well, MY knitting is about ME. If you've ever asked me my opinion on something, you KNOW I will give it to you fifteen different ways. But in the end, YOU are the one that has to be happy with it. And as long as your stitches come off of the needles the right way and you end up with a project you love, you are doing what you should be!<br />
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So here are my tips (okay, my opinions).<br />
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1) When choosing needles, pick the ones that work for you. Straight needles, double pointed needles, wooden needles, circular needles, metal, pointy, blunt. There are so many choices out there. I, personally, see absolutely no reason to spend $40 on a single pair of needles. For me. I have really even stitches and my Hiya Hiya Sharps interchangeable needles give me perfect stitches and cost a mere fraction of that price. When it comes to money and how much you spend on your tools, as long as you can justify it for YOU and you end up with the tool that does a good job for YOU, then YEAH! Don't let anyone tell you that it is or is not a good choice without hearing their reasons why and then deciding if those reasons mesh with your knowledge of your preferences. Here are why I love my Hiya Hiyas: They have pointy tips, a flexible cable, a smooth join (that also swivels), and they are metal, so my stitches can just fly off of them. But maybe you don't like pointy needles. Or you don't like metal needles. Find ones that work for YOU. I know you can't really see the needle points, but these are one of my fixed sets of Hiya Hiyas (I purchased these from The Loopy Ewe and they JUST stocked more today! Link is over there ---->). The cables are perfect for magic loop and look at the join up there in the upper left. Smooth as can be. (and since we all love to know where the yarn came from, this yarn is the Oh Happy Day colorways from Lollipop Yarns) <br />
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2) When choosing yarn, don't let price decide what you buy. Instead, do your homework. I don't mean go into debt to buy really expensive yarn every time. . .but also, it's okay to buy less yarn that costs more than stocking up on really cheap acrylic. I'm not telling you here that acrylic is the devil (even though I don't really like knitting with it myself). But when it comes to yarn, you often get what you pay for. Find a dyer you like on Etsy. Go to your local yarn store and touch and feel what they have available. Check out Ravelry and see what other people have to say about the yarn you are looking at. Don't be afraid to do your homework. If you don't have a good yarn store close to you, check out a place online like The Loopy Ewe (link over there on the right) or Paradise Fibers (who IS my local yarn store!!). While I know that Joann's and Michael's and Hobby Lobby might have yarn, this is NOT what I'm referring to when I say "good yarn store". Ask around. Talk to friends who knit. Read through reviews on Ravelry and search the comments to see what people are saying and what they are making. And know your project well enough to know how much abuse it will take each time it is worn. If I'm knitting socks, I know that I like nylon in there. It helps the wool hold up with wear. I buy a ton of sock yarn from Three Irish Girls. Her Adorn Sock base (wool/nylon blend) is amazing AND she will dye it to order with any of her available colors.<br />
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When I'm knitting a sweater or an object whose purpose is to keep the cold away, I want something warm and squishy. I love Madelinetosh Vintage Yarn. LOVE it. I just finished a hat out of it and I had to get the same yarn to make a sweater.<br />
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And I knit the sweater below out of Malabrigo Rios. This is an AWESOME machine washable wool, as well.<br />
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3) Know your knitting. What does that mean, you might ask? Are you a loose knitter? A tight knitter? Do your stitches look the same in the round as they do flat? How about your purl stitches? Are your stitches all about the same size, or does it take some blocking to make them match? I tend to be pretty much right in the middle with my gauge. None of the objects in this post have been blocked, and to be honest, I rarely block before wear unless there is something that really needs help. You are seeing my knitting AS IS. My stitches are pretty even, and my knit stitches match my purl stitches pretty well. But even designers have to pick the gauge that they get when they test knit an object, and sometimes that gauge is quite different than I would get if I used those same yarn and needles. . .and you know what? That's okay. Right now, I'm working on a sweater for a mystery Knit Along (KAL) and the pattern called for size 8 needles. I'm knitting it on size 6 needles to get gauge. And I like the fabric and the sweater is turning out lovely on that size for me. By the way, it's the Hoaloha Sweater, which will be available to the general public mid-March. It's still a work in progress, but it's awesome! (and yes, those are my beloved Hiya Hiya Sharp needles). I will have to block this sweater because the neckline wants to roll. <br />
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And no, the color is not that color, REALLY. It's just a bad indoor picture. Sorry. <br />
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4) Choose colors you love. Together with yarn you love, colors you love make the finished project that much more enjoyable. . .but they also make the PROCESS that much better too. I chased my winter blues away recently with this project. It's the Whippoorwill that I got to knit with a few friends. While I tend to be drawn to teals and turquoises and grey and brown, this was the perfect color combo for this pattern and I love it. Color has as much to do with the finished outcome as the type of yarn, I think, so choose carefully!<br />
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So go and figure out your tools, your yarn, your knitting and your colors. Get those things figured out and I bet you'll be happier with the process AND your finished objects. But like I said in the beginning, don't let ME tell you how to do it. Figure out what works for YOU! And figure that out by asking and looking and learning. <br />
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As a reminder, you can see all of these projects and their details on Ravelry.com under my username: KnittingAmyK . <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-7865454078508796792013-02-04T14:35:00.001-08:002013-02-04T14:41:37.530-08:00A Knit-tle Bit of EverythingWow! Life happened. And must have gotten away from me with as long as it's been since I updated last. What has the past several months given me? These awesome photographs are from the dear Hannah Stevens, a local friend and former student, who is passionate about her life, her impact, her photography. She took these photos so I could include them in my published patterns (more on that later) and I am unusually happy with how they turned out. If you're like me, you know that photographs of yourself are none too flattering and you usually find yourself behind the camera rather than in front of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZSVBlihKOAq5IysHf3h1B2oeJsz82sITVwoYwnHJVrPNaqsGaSfRl2ri6dRiF6nLCE7gdk3G4J7Z9gwE7gGSKZVptNarswMoLjVSmXOLjAT0STdEZJgE_hIUR4mKtrn6PAX1AokYUs0/s1600/Knitting+Picture%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZSVBlihKOAq5IysHf3h1B2oeJsz82sITVwoYwnHJVrPNaqsGaSfRl2ri6dRiF6nLCE7gdk3G4J7Z9gwE7gGSKZVptNarswMoLjVSmXOLjAT0STdEZJgE_hIUR4mKtrn6PAX1AokYUs0/s320/Knitting+Picture%231.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Like I mentioned, my patterns are in the final stages prior to being published. Again, since they are not released yet, I can't post photos of those projects just yet, but I had the chance to work with a tech editor to make things clear and concise. It was fun to be on that side of a pattern! I really enjoyed the process, though stressful at times, of writing out instructions and then watching them take shape in a way that would allow others a clear understanding of my ideas. I had to whip out three projects in about three weeks and work on the pattern itself, but overall I'm happy with it. In my last communication with the publisher, they are working on the final pattern layouts for all of the patterns from other designers that will be released with mine, so I'm hopeful that they will be available soon. As a teaser, I got to use some great yarn for my projects from <a href="http://threeirishgirls.com/" target="_blank">Three Irish Girls</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrx_cOWHm-ghRb49PPmIxaujjPBRptZOq2N4hoU3648HwjuhJg-OheS_OO-uoHhyphenhyphenOOjq0MM8T1zJ6Ypu0ELDPofbPeVcPKp-zXvuViPuQ8au-dCJAuqL0TISCZhKYQRjhJBzzXBf85Po/s1600/Yarn+TIG+Elenya+Alpaca+Merino+Fireside+Chat+%231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrx_cOWHm-ghRb49PPmIxaujjPBRptZOq2N4hoU3648HwjuhJg-OheS_OO-uoHhyphenhyphenOOjq0MM8T1zJ6Ypu0ELDPofbPeVcPKp-zXvuViPuQ8au-dCJAuqL0TISCZhKYQRjhJBzzXBf85Po/s320/Yarn+TIG+Elenya+Alpaca+Merino+Fireside+Chat+%231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One project was done out of those two colors. That is Elenya Alpaca from Three Irish Girls in Fireside Chat and Guinness. <br />
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One project was done out of those two above. Those are Orange You Glad and Everlasting Gobstopper on Springvale Bulky. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaZfl5b0YgdcS5hl3ATao2lJFqooRwZF_QBYyfaE0a8by7iagyHIZ7bWcNWoYMg2qfGBco4WHOYrv5ME5vMnjDxnr-8MW-8t5Kh_6v3_R5Kpt3EQYQ_Xi48vsuiC5Zftk9_rmBA7uRrs/s1600/Yarn+TIG+Springvale+Bulky+Here%27s+Looking+At+You.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaZfl5b0YgdcS5hl3ATao2lJFqooRwZF_QBYyfaE0a8by7iagyHIZ7bWcNWoYMg2qfGBco4WHOYrv5ME5vMnjDxnr-8MW-8t5Kh_6v3_R5Kpt3EQYQ_Xi48vsuiC5Zftk9_rmBA7uRrs/s320/Yarn+TIG+Springvale+Bulky+Here%27s+Looking+At+You.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And finally one was done out of this. Here's Looking at You Kid on Springvale Bulky. I actually got to do an adult version and a baby version of that last one, since a friend commissioned me to knit a hat for her little girl and that's the yarn she chose.<br />
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Three Irish Girls is also sponsoring Knitters For Newtown. Not only did they raise over $10,000 for the families who were directly affected by the tragedy, they are also collecting 8x8 blanket squares to make blankets for each family. The goal is to have the squares in hand by the end of March and the blankets delivered by Mothers Day. It's amazing what the knitting community can do! If you would like to pitch in and knit or crochet a square, please check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KnittersForNewtown?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">facebook page </a>, join the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/knitters-for-newtown" target="_blank">Ravelry Group</a>, or send them an email (Threeirishgirls AT gmail DOT com) for more details.<br />
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I have also taught several classes at my local yarn store, Paradise Fibers. In September, I taught some old friends and some new friends how to knit socks. Over four classes they each were taught the skills and given tips to end up with something like this:<br />
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It was really great to be back in the classroom again and sharing my knitting passion with others. In fact, that was the first of many classes. I taught a one day techniques class - how to fix mistakes, which cast-on or bind off to choose, picking up stitches, catching dropped stitches, etc. I taught a ruffled scarf class at Paradise, but through the Corbin Art Center. I taught a beginning hat class this past weekend and used the Be Loving hat pattern to teach knitting in the round. Here it is knit out of Madelinetosh Vintage in the Cove Colorway. <br />
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And I now have three more ruffled scarf classes, a beginning knitter class and another sock class <a href="http://www.paradisefibers.com/books-videos/classes.html" target="_blank">coming up in the next couple of months</a>. <br />
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That has been so fun to meet new people and pass on my love of something to them. It reminded me of why I went into education to begin with and I hope that people leave with a sense of confidence about their art and skills that they can apply to other projects down the road.<br />
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Some of my favorite projects the past few months have been my Owl Sweater (by Kate Davies) done out of Cascade Eco wool.<br />
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I also love my Color Affection, done out of Yarn Love Elizabeth Bennett, in Granny Smith, Orchid and Twilight. THAT is a ton of knitting and no purling, but the result is beautiful.<br />
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So it's been a full few months. Like I mentioned above, it's amazing what the knitting community can do. And it been fun to track my own accomplishments, but I would be missing out on some of the most important things in my knitting life if I didn't mention the amazing people who are a part of my knitting community on Saturday night. I get to go on Saturdays and lay aside my teacher role and just be with them. (I often end up helping people, but there's no expectation that that's what I'm there for. They recognize that they can ask, but that Saturdays are my time to enjoy, too). These ladies are great. They are funny, fun, full of laughter. . .and most importantly REAL. We share our lives - joys, triumphs, fears, frustrations. They (we) know that we'll get real feedback from each other, and while that isn't always easy to hear, it's more often than not the thing we needed to hear. And not always about knitting, either. Being a part of a group with REAL people reminds me often of how UNreal some people are. It's so refreshing to be a part of a group where love and respect and caring are at the heart of the matter and fully entwined with Truth in the response. While many people think of a group as a way to have THEIR needs met and THEIR agendas pushed forward, this group is so the opposite of that. I've heard complaints too often of members of groups feeling used and abused by others there. I am so glad and so thankful that the weekly members of this group are not like that. I wish I could pick you up and bring you here so you'd have a chance to spend a moment with my girls. We aren't perfect but we love each other anyway. IF you are reading this and you are one of them, THANK YOU! Thanks for accepting me and my imperfections. For encouraging my strengths and challenging my weaknesses. For loving me enough to tell me the truth and trusting me enough to know that's what I want from you. And thanks for the support you provide each week. You guys are the best!! <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-7384419436357217052012-07-24T11:43:00.001-07:002012-07-24T13:41:50.795-07:00Summer Knitting and Spinning. . .a bit crazy!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsWC674-sHr1hShiLXKQJ1lXrOJptZuOceopCypGddNBMbUMFEjb5geII2vGFiuLABnCFsWwRTCqKoxOoYWe9q-U_lMPyBBxiC3QxhOvx1UvdlFW6q_nIdyq1qP4D5rkgQDYfZ3OBNsE/s1600/Project+My,+um,+ball+sack+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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Last time I wrote was almost TWO months ago! TWO! At that point, my
oldest wasn't even out of school for the summer and I was only planning a
few knitting projects. Well, here we are several weeks later. . .or a
few more than several. I've accomplished quite a few things, actually,
even in the midst of a few days spent at the lake and a whirlwind trip
to Seattle with my little family.</div>
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So, first things first. I finished my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/folded" target="_blank">Camp Loopy Project #1</a>. If you can remember that long ago, it was the Folded Sweater by Veera Välimäki.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmt-BMi0Pjac7LLvlKHQvl_1L0silIs_v89uEYvx2ODS2PNMbhTUFkfzQBxoRbW6Uzy6v2I6AvKNgbzYoq2jWWg2ginj7x3xUSRDbRuwEIQ1uL4CcY2C8oMzF2afeJso4aMNTsUdzhko/s1600/Project+Camp+Loopy+Challenge+1+Folded+3+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmt-BMi0Pjac7LLvlKHQvl_1L0silIs_v89uEYvx2ODS2PNMbhTUFkfzQBxoRbW6Uzy6v2I6AvKNgbzYoq2jWWg2ginj7x3xUSRDbRuwEIQ1uL4CcY2C8oMzF2afeJso4aMNTsUdzhko/s320/Project+Camp+Loopy+Challenge+1+Folded+3+edit.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMNvdq7L3BcH53IznWIVv7kSXBZXLtXfOi7W9LXRbg4o7mK4W5gEH45KpdWPYk_mNbzJVsHEU93ycjwe5Vf_YCoEJCIUpPk67TTf80APZqtEjx1Fn4r3rSGWieAhX-MlBOoNgn2V6LmY/s1600/Project+Camp+Loopy+Challenge+1+Folded+8+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMNvdq7L3BcH53IznWIVv7kSXBZXLtXfOi7W9LXRbg4o7mK4W5gEH45KpdWPYk_mNbzJVsHEU93ycjwe5Vf_YCoEJCIUpPk67TTf80APZqtEjx1Fn4r3rSGWieAhX-MlBOoNgn2V6LmY/s320/Project+Camp+Loopy+Challenge+1+Folded+8+edit.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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To say that I LOVE this sweater would be an understatement. The fit is lovely. The yarn is lightweight and wears well. Here it is climbing into the 80's today and I am wearing it with shorts. It is a great sweater for warm weather. I made several modifications to the original pattern, but I would not hesitate to make this again. It only needed to use 400 yards in order to qualify for Camp Loopy, but I used 775 yards! So I'm a bit of an over acheiver, I guess. Remind me next year, though, not to do more than required. When you see my next project, you'll understand why.</div>
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The next project might not be exactly "G-rated" but the story is funny enough to recount here. You see, knitters are funny sometimes. Many times, the humor is something only we would get, but this story. . .THIS is funny. If you haven't ever seen my swift and yarn ball winding contraption, you might not understand that sometimes yarn comes in large loops, and not wound into a useable state. This protects the yarn in allowing it to be in a relaxed state while being stored. But it also means that when you are ready to knit with it, you must wind it into a ball, or, in most cases, a "cake"of yarn. As you knit from it, you pull the yarn out of the middle and it collapses on itself. This can cause tangles and what others call "yarn barf" or as Shannon from my knitting group so proclaimed "A yarn baby". . .So to combat this, I knit this pattern. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSIaoSezqzQHBjvPlJmN1rIe3shIC15nIbuHqiU7WqzxtT8LKzGN1aVRzfJQQZ10SLVm-Zgpz_EzABxoERZl2WEa6ODqQjzK1PanNZdsfc4hr_lwtYMEFmE_1COmoPeuTtjwMpiAgy2Q/s1600/Handspun+WoolGatherings+Sparkle+Merino+Nylon+Blue+Green+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbpszJji0dNGcOr-kFF9o8k7vONwkfWsgHywick087MpAp1xpD5PLXgukVnC5K0ZYYkdI4WCoHo9pdAKRXmiXt_auIkiGO1IKKKx9qB_Exa87MKvHpC7eoBejNWgXyFC1Pf5JGpQ18S4/s1600/Project+My,+um,+ball+sack+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbpszJji0dNGcOr-kFF9o8k7vONwkfWsgHywick087MpAp1xpD5PLXgukVnC5K0ZYYkdI4WCoHo9pdAKRXmiXt_auIkiGO1IKKKx9qB_Exa87MKvHpC7eoBejNWgXyFC1Pf5JGpQ18S4/s320/Project+My,+um,+ball+sack+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsWC674-sHr1hShiLXKQJ1lXrOJptZuOceopCypGddNBMbUMFEjb5geII2vGFiuLABnCFsWwRTCqKoxOoYWe9q-U_lMPyBBxiC3QxhOvx1UvdlFW6q_nIdyq1qP4D5rkgQDYfZ3OBNsE/s1600/Project+My%252C+um%252C+ball+sack+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsWC674-sHr1hShiLXKQJ1lXrOJptZuOceopCypGddNBMbUMFEjb5geII2vGFiuLABnCFsWwRTCqKoxOoYWe9q-U_lMPyBBxiC3QxhOvx1UvdlFW6q_nIdyq1qP4D5rkgQDYfZ3OBNsE/s320/Project+My%252C+um%252C+ball+sack+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It puts pressure on the ball as you knit from it so that the yarn stays a little less messy. So I was knitting in public. I know, scandalous, right? And a woman, seeing my knitting with the beautiful yarn asked me what kind of yarn it was. I said that it was a wool/nylon sock yarn dyed by Three Irish Girls. I continued to knit as she pondered the object for awhile before asking me what it was. Without much thought (come on. . .I hang out with knitters most of the time whom, when I told them, would get it immediately) I told her - "Oh, it's a ball sack." <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/ball-sack" target="_blank">Really. That's what it is called.</a> Without looking up, and again, not thinking about it, I just kept on knitting. She was silent for a second before asking, "Wouldn't wool make that a little itchy?" Before I could process that question, she asked, "Are you going to make him a matching sock?" Oh boy. I REALLY need to think before I talk knitting to a non-knitting audience, I think. HA!<br />
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I started and finished this next project in about 8 days. It's pretty huge, but the drape of this is GORGEOUS. It's one of the patterns recently released by The Sexy Knitter. It's the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/westport-shawl-2" target="_blank">Westport Shawl knit in the Three Irish Girls colorway Father Time</a> on a luxurious blend of Merino/Cashmere/Nylon. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkuLh5srzJHzkbYoxSMwACQZ6dZJqE2UCRZ06X7Fl-1cRKOQFRRoYRrtVpqoVzK3uVLq3ygh4gXAC7-iIeLwQPg65TJBh_zYE7XLSq9pZV7hcEWZEELNsuqOhiOlsXN2vR60DWiUGL9I/s1600/Project+Camp+Loopy+Challenge+%232+Anadara+Blanket+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxIBDamFY3EZ5jXHRmOj-GmjXCLb5SdhB8dvaN6RGHoHTbI1xTTYs6NHlOHJi-br7oOOY2-IbDer1NBIaJwm-1H_GhfqAvxSkNHvCUg6DqXPMi3XC2wvY4Fbu3ljrjsrZ6rOIKt11YBo/s1600/Project+Westport+Shawl+in+Father+Time+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxIBDamFY3EZ5jXHRmOj-GmjXCLb5SdhB8dvaN6RGHoHTbI1xTTYs6NHlOHJi-br7oOOY2-IbDer1NBIaJwm-1H_GhfqAvxSkNHvCUg6DqXPMi3XC2wvY4Fbu3ljrjsrZ6rOIKt11YBo/s320/Project+Westport+Shawl+in+Father+Time+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, most of the time, it is not a great idea to knit lace with a highly variegated yarn, like this one. And it was probably true in this case, too, but I loved the way that upper portion striped with this yarn, so I would probably do it again. I got a chance to see one of my dearest friends from high school who was visiting from Massachusetts and I gave her this shawl to take home with her. <br />
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This is a finished picture of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/ttl-mystery-shawl-2012" target="_blank">Through The Loops Mystery KAL</a>. It still does not have an official name, but it is a really pretty pattern and I do love how it turned out.I ended up having to borrow some yarn from Sarah to finish the edging, which originally I was bummed about, but I do love the contrast for the edging and would probably do it again, given the choice. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ap9D_5Ul34NK8F1JPeJb6Ycspw4pSV9kk2EmILwlzR6Jd2UEvXxOe3hYHKbnX9jXEaARz6gcNCaGMN6urzRrbZg1AeK4-UXOqWjVO8DdJFXvd_PieBI-mX3HS0qC-D14QlmtcoOiIok/s1600/Project+TTL+Mystery+Shawl+2012+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ap9D_5Ul34NK8F1JPeJb6Ycspw4pSV9kk2EmILwlzR6Jd2UEvXxOe3hYHKbnX9jXEaARz6gcNCaGMN6urzRrbZg1AeK4-UXOqWjVO8DdJFXvd_PieBI-mX3HS0qC-D14QlmtcoOiIok/s320/Project+TTL+Mystery+Shawl+2012+9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Since we're talking about Mystery Knit A Longs (KAL), I should probably mention that I joined another one. This one by Stephen West. I am using my You Are My Sunshine to knit it. It's gorgeous so far. I can't post pictures of my progress yet, as it is still the middle of the KAL, but it's fun. I love it so far. . .but I'm pretty behind on progress. <br />
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I used the handspun yarn that I spun for the Knitabulls/FroggyMonkey joint Spin Along to knit this for the joint KAL this month. I have a TON leftover to make matching hat and even mitts, but this is my official entry and it will probably be the only one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCjerkwsB8B5kiH-r-xh2AMvYxTEzd4_P_gCFTnsf-QdeIm5tluwAuB_sAkYeWdtVdwI5FqrU_6V_eeb7YI-5KDlwEf781QGRIX1X5BQv_tEv9dqmawztPtCIHnkLuuDU8N8D5hsgsWg/s1600/Handspun+Gnome+Acres+Polwarth+Silk+FroggyMonkey+Franklin+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCjerkwsB8B5kiH-r-xh2AMvYxTEzd4_P_gCFTnsf-QdeIm5tluwAuB_sAkYeWdtVdwI5FqrU_6V_eeb7YI-5KDlwEf781QGRIX1X5BQv_tEv9dqmawztPtCIHnkLuuDU8N8D5hsgsWg/s320/Handspun+Gnome+Acres+Polwarth+Silk+FroggyMonkey+Franklin+1.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCtjGdwXctRG_w8Ja-qUGPr2YHixDFahhfifT__lMEb-aq9A8kQuqc1pk3cQzAN_-1Keb0gHb6JRcYEYqCvHCUnPkEanLYUydHpVyMl2fl5s9Yuk8dncxZ13rRgdriOpcvoJb1DLb_I8/s1600/Project+Joint+KAL+Twist+and+Flounce.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCtjGdwXctRG_w8Ja-qUGPr2YHixDFahhfifT__lMEb-aq9A8kQuqc1pk3cQzAN_-1Keb0gHb6JRcYEYqCvHCUnPkEanLYUydHpVyMl2fl5s9Yuk8dncxZ13rRgdriOpcvoJb1DLb_I8/s320/Project+Joint+KAL+Twist+and+Flounce.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It's the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/twist-and-flounce-2" target="_blank">Twist and Flounce</a> that I also knit earlier this year for Jodi. I love how it worked up in the handspun. While normally these are not colors I would choose, the fact that I will have a whole set and the fact that it is my handspun make it beautiful. <br />
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Another small (REALLY small) project that I finished was this. I think I need to <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/key-cozy" target="_blank">make one for all of my keys</a>, don't you? It was fast and easy and definitely makes it easier to grab the correct key. . .Super fun!<br />
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So you are probably wondering why I did all of these small projects in recent days . . .or at least since finishing my last camp project. That would be because I was <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/anadara-2" target="_blank">working on this. Yes. This.</a> All 1,114 yards of it. It's my second Camp Loopy Project.<br />
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The blanket version of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/anadara" target="_blank">Anadara shawl</a> that I knit in January. It is LOVELY. And almost 4 feet across. It used blue, which, while a variation of the blue in our flag, worked for the 800 yard and contains a color from the flag requirement for the second project. Yeah. It only needed to be 800 yards and I ended up using 1,114. Remember that reminder next year to not be an over-achiever? Yeah. This. PLEASE remind me. It is complete and now I'm biding my time until the third project, which must be at least 500 yards and contain two colors. I will be knitting the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/different-lines" target="_blank">Different Lines Shawl by Veera Välimäki</a> and I will be using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Baltic and Ginger (pictured below). I love it!! And it is a much more manageable project. No overachieving here. Just completing. Hopefully. <br />
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In the middle of the summer every year is the Tour de Fleece. Yes. It coincides with the Tour de France and like the Tour de France, contains a wheel. You set goals and peddle away and spin. This was my completed TdF fiber . . . The first is from All Spun Up. It is the Mystery Fish colorways- Goldfish Wearing a Tutu and Koi Pond - plied together. It is Polwarth fiber. . .and SO soft and squishy. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/KnittingAmyK/stash/polwarth-combed-top-4" target="_blank">You can see details here</a>. <br />
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The last little bit is still not off the bobbin. I have 8 oz. of this lovely merino blend that also contains nylon sparkle. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/KnittingAmyK/stash/woolgatherings-sparkle-merino-nylon" target="_blank">It's from WoolGatherings</a>. I want to spin it really thin and it is taking forever! But it is beautiful and I can't wait to continue spinning it.<br />
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And finally, the last big news of the summer is that I will be <a href="http://www.paradisefibers.com/classes/learn-to-knit-toe-up-socks-with-amy-9-8-9-15-9-22-9-29.html" target="_blank">teaching a class at Paradise Fibers</a>. I am going to teach toe-up socks from the Scylla Sock pattern that I used to knit <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/scylla" target="_blank">these for my Mother in Law for Christmas. </a><br />
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It will be a four Saturday class in September. If any of you that live far away want to come take it, you should :) And I'm hoping that at least a couple of local friends will sign up for it, as well. The cool part is that I get to spend four weekends combining my love for knitting AND my experience as a teacher to pass on some of my skills to other knitters. I get to teach how to cast on for toe up socks using Judy's Magic Cast on, how to knit slipped stitches and half linen stitch to break up pooling in variegated yarns, how to size for socks for toe-up as well as measuring yarn so you can use every last inch, gusset and short rows for shaping, slipped stitch heel for sturdiness in the heel, and Jeni's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off. . .all things that can and will be used again in other toe-up patterns. And I will also be presenting two methods of small circumference circular knitting- Magic Loop and/or two circular knitting. I'm really excited about the opportunity and hope it leads to other classes in the future. IF you have any classes that you would like to see, let me know, and I'll throw a pitch at the lovely people at Paradise and see if they would consider adding it to the schedule. So in preparation for the class I am knitting a sock out of Collinette Jitterbug. I am through the heel turn now, but plan to plug away at it over the next couple of days to use it as a class sample.<br />
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Thanks for sitting through a REALLY long blog on what I've done lately in my knitting life. I hope that I will find the time to blog a little more often. . .but I am enjoying my summer of knitting and spinning projects. I've been able to have several meet-ups with friends at the park too, where the boys can run and I can knit. I hope you have found time this summer to do what you enjoy too!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-56913959424450701192012-06-07T22:05:00.004-07:002012-06-07T22:28:27.437-07:00Summer is supposed to be about slowing down, right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QDcpshnKO8ymKag-xuKBbyHk5CP1KS-zTcB-JrStMgJIQQcieCKUwDwg3qn-uPVW5tnG6kR5izdrr62jQsNlm5CRLZ3tJWIr5VslvUJml5CMa6E6JpzFqXW5DOD9Yxadramyb_CF_hQ/s1600/DSCF2001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QDcpshnKO8ymKag-xuKBbyHk5CP1KS-zTcB-JrStMgJIQQcieCKUwDwg3qn-uPVW5tnG6kR5izdrr62jQsNlm5CRLZ3tJWIr5VslvUJml5CMa6E6JpzFqXW5DOD9Yxadramyb_CF_hQ/s320/DSCF2001.JPG" width="320" /></a>When I was teaching school, I thought of summer as my time to sleep in. .
.sure, I might have things to get done that I couldn't do during the
school year to catch up on, but it was a change from the early rising
and the working late and the correcting papers and planning concerts and
lesson plans. But now I'm not a teacher. I'm a mom and a knitter.
Summer doesn't mean slowing down. Summer means more projects! Summer means more time with kids because there is no more preschool. Here's my 4 year old showing his muscles
on the last day. . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbGmIcEXBwKStmgsrSY7TTXmVaX8gsc2mPwPtbQpGIZ-1SdMISYymKf18SvzeGl464afPqWVpjiXPwGpuT1ckn-BLu4ITaliX_XIayvQJHlflmDXw3RcjXe_aXrWMkAxINkVsPaABfV4/s1600/Project+Silk+and+Merino+Cardi+for+Me+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbGmIcEXBwKStmgsrSY7TTXmVaX8gsc2mPwPtbQpGIZ-1SdMISYymKf18SvzeGl464afPqWVpjiXPwGpuT1ckn-BLu4ITaliX_XIayvQJHlflmDXw3RcjXe_aXrWMkAxINkVsPaABfV4/s320/Project+Silk+and+Merino+Cardi+for+Me+1.JPG" width="320" /></a>So in anticipation of all of the things I knew would be filling up my time this summer, I cast on and finished <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/mayim" target="_blank">this sweater</a>. It turned out well, with a few minor modifications, including switching the buttons a little to the side after this picture was taken because it grew so much with blocking. It's the Mayim pattern knit out of Knit Picks Gloss DK in the Aegean colorway. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJ2B_CGDAXOdxFtj8EPp43p9BXHnv-EcdBmIE8jIFXDxc54tKf1OQHBiPCsPqvhWIjm3x8q0B1RqUxdsFc0Ash-HoPSYJBnd_N7sgJYqhrdAYFYw1dH_7ZieQaJXPZ6Ek9gm7tJRWK7A/s1600/Project+Grandmother%27s+Favorite+for+Wedding+Gift+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJ2B_CGDAXOdxFtj8EPp43p9BXHnv-EcdBmIE8jIFXDxc54tKf1OQHBiPCsPqvhWIjm3x8q0B1RqUxdsFc0Ash-HoPSYJBnd_N7sgJYqhrdAYFYw1dH_7ZieQaJXPZ6Ek9gm7tJRWK7A/s320/Project+Grandmother%27s+Favorite+for+Wedding+Gift+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Another things about summers is a lot weddings. We have been to fewer and fewer over the last couple of years, and have attended more baby showers than weddings, but we look forward to watching two friends get married this summer. I attended their wedding shower last weekend. I don't think you can ever have enough cotton dish cloths, so <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/grandmothers-favorite-6" target="_blank">these five</a> were included in the gift for them to use as they begin their new life together. I love how simple and quick they are. And how totally practical.These were made from Sugar and Cream cotton.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k4KwVAAT6zNFQrgO8a9lvRus86z7imuxsR-AE7obgn3A4I6Ceil4E0lbG0-t_pmg2m9pVypnmG0sLYKtptIISkGkAQ1hjaluZksFEttrkW25dYxzxdbQrk0Wxy1MsFfZ0mBtfJDJj2g/s1600/Project+Grandmothers+Favorite+Teacher+Gift+4+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2k4KwVAAT6zNFQrgO8a9lvRus86z7imuxsR-AE7obgn3A4I6Ceil4E0lbG0-t_pmg2m9pVypnmG0sLYKtptIISkGkAQ1hjaluZksFEttrkW25dYxzxdbQrk0Wxy1MsFfZ0mBtfJDJj2g/s320/Project+Grandmothers+Favorite+Teacher+Gift+4+edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Remember how I said it was the end of preschool? Well Z's teacher not only oversees and teaches 22 preschool students, she also has 44 high school students in the same classroom as the preschool students (22 at a time). I always felt tired after my school year ended. I can't imagine what she feels like. So I combined the easy dishcloth pattern and some luxury linen/cotton yarn with a bar of locally made soap. I call it a "poor mom's spa package" . . . hopefully she'll get a few moments this summer to relax and enjoy and get all ready to do it again next year!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAw8JET_ihFKsGcE5qqD0hX3vEQdQ0kzozKwckWW2U49pkvkMIWHcnw33tjVCfcY7p3fuPCFKCjtnmeZ1AuDSE77nH98cmURarH0civVkfA3KDTQXDMycMRduMBu4-MmeN1N1b9R6y3M/s1600/camp+loopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAw8JET_ihFKsGcE5qqD0hX3vEQdQ0kzozKwckWW2U49pkvkMIWHcnw33tjVCfcY7p3fuPCFKCjtnmeZ1AuDSE77nH98cmURarH0civVkfA3KDTQXDMycMRduMBu4-MmeN1N1b9R6y3M/s320/camp+loopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7MjiIp-cBbo57xZAFTa_ebJGiD04WBUr1Bp-d0GXYIaNWbTsd-ngIT726HIZKH_-taEq2N7u0FsuQgWX5rUk__-dGyw6GRKPrtv6ckjiArL5AtjghG2j5u2aEmqgASWQxSasFCKNk2s/s1600/Project+Camp+Loopy+Challenge+1+Folded+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7MjiIp-cBbo57xZAFTa_ebJGiD04WBUr1Bp-d0GXYIaNWbTsd-ngIT726HIZKH_-taEq2N7u0FsuQgWX5rUk__-dGyw6GRKPrtv6ckjiArL5AtjghG2j5u2aEmqgASWQxSasFCKNk2s/s320/Project+Camp+Loopy+Challenge+1+Folded+2.JPG" width="320" /></a>Then there is Camp Loopy. I did camp last year. It consists of three projects, the first of which started at the end of May and must be finished by the end of June. Each project must fit within the guidelines stated in order to receive credit for yarn purchased and to receive the special luxury yarn at the end. For this first project, as a tie-in to the Olympics, we had to choose a pattern that was at least 400 yards and that was written by a designer that lives in a country other than our own. I did one better! I also picked a yarn that is dyed in Australia! I am using Skein Top Draw Sock, which is a sock (fingering) weight Merino/Nylon blend. It's beautiful. I<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/folded" target="_blank">'m knitting Folded by Veera Välimäki</a> from Finland. I made some major modifications to the pattern construction to prevent running out of yarn before it was long enough, but I love it so far and the fit is stunning. We find out next week what the second project will be. . .so I'm hoping to finish project one well before that so I can get to dreaming about the next camp adventure. Here it is before I've finished the bottom. In this photo I have about 8 inches left to go, but I'm to about 6 now.<br />
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I am also knitting a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/ttl-mystery-shawl-2012" target="_blank">Mystery Shawl by Kirsten Kapur</a> from Through the Loops Design. I promise to post pictures when it is complete, but since it's a mystery that I don't want to spoil for anyone, I'll leave them off for now. She releases a small piece of the pattern WITHOUT pictures every week and you have to knit it to see what it will look like. It's a fun way to do a project and knit patterns in small chunks. I'm enjoying it! <br />
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In the end though, I think it's important to stop in the middle of all the crazy and take time for family, friends and memories. I get to start enjoying daily trips to the park and the library with my boys. I have all summer to enjoy with the wonderful women who attend our local knitting group every Saturday evening. I have friends coming in to town to catch up with. And I have online friends that share a special place in my heart. This week, one of those online friends that I've also been lucky enough to meet in real life lost her grandpa. He was a special man, and in hearing her stories about him, you knew he was worth honoring and remembering. One of the things he did was break his cookies in half. He would then eat his half and place the other back in the container. Then he'd take another out and eat half and place it back. He always left the other half for someone else. In his honor, we did a cookie party this week for him. My youngest helped me. E and I made cookies and cut them in half. We ended up eating our own and then we shared the other halves with each other. It was sweet for many reasons. So while I think you have to sometimes look for reasons to slow down, I think those reasons are always worth finding.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-9012916672745615292012-04-28T20:00:00.000-07:002012-04-28T22:22:29.381-07:00Making Beauty Out of Pain<br />
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I received my Three Irish Girls "You Are My Sunshine" this week and I am in love. So in love, in fact, that I started AND finished a pair of socks and have been wearing them the past couple of days. As I finished up a few other projects this week, I realized that there was a theme. I realized how yarn and beauty and pain inspire some pretty amazing things. <br />
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I love being able to turn this, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/KnittingAmyK/stash/adorn-sock-14" target="_blank">a yarn inspired by pain</a>....<br />
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Into this... <br />
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My <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/harvest-dew" target="_blank">Harvest Dew Socks</a>. (Which IS a free Ravelry Pattern, by the way).</div>
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I love that what began as an idea to help support those suffering from the grief that comes with losing a child, became yarn with a meaning. I love that the yarn became a project that I can wear and remember and smile. </div>
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I love that this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/KnittingAmyK/stash/tosh-vintage-2" target="_blank">Madelinetosh Vintage yarn in the Terrarium</a> colorway: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoGRNuAsGABUjg38TC1EfJgBBYN2MxNQBBS2TyC-8bPrHVxU03I5T2nIcLJOL3Ej33wYPHiQztSrovNGIBJgcTT3Pdsx5W7VntBwRlnpbrzzNpUApoaoV5dm7XUej4WV0Rl3LXnxuC5E/s1600/Yarn+Madelinetosh+Vintage+Terrarium.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoGRNuAsGABUjg38TC1EfJgBBYN2MxNQBBS2TyC-8bPrHVxU03I5T2nIcLJOL3Ej33wYPHiQztSrovNGIBJgcTT3Pdsx5W7VntBwRlnpbrzzNpUApoaoV5dm7XUej4WV0Rl3LXnxuC5E/s320/Yarn+Madelinetosh+Vintage+Terrarium.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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became these: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK45hDQNbBEaWZOrxv4xcUx4QPqp8BW5uVnbS3k1x8KxHAsjUVIK3fg6dQwCluQ8MR1AFLzcVx9nc3EWu_XoMISbWybrUbdiLGYsfm2ATUwIuinX3-rv0LfEQBTiJRMk_iB5w-DMom2Nc/s1600/DSCF2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK45hDQNbBEaWZOrxv4xcUx4QPqp8BW5uVnbS3k1x8KxHAsjUVIK3fg6dQwCluQ8MR1AFLzcVx9nc3EWu_XoMISbWybrUbdiLGYsfm2ATUwIuinX3-rv0LfEQBTiJRMk_iB5w-DMom2Nc/s320/DSCF2018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/special-gloves-for-a-friend" target="_blank">A pair of gloves, knit with love</a> for the friend of a friend who had to have her finger amputated. I love that the idea to make something special for someone who had suffered a physical loss could become a gift that was inspired AND inspirING. As I knit each stitch I thought and prayed for the young girl who would be wearing these gloves. </div>
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And finally, this. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyrCSOCcnmqFC4UHSLEau9a1nIm4TXy11pq2Idy0rJTDqTSK3DGkSBHvaFXpMfRi2YcW-o7jyp6ogHHkkx3tsmsqSb-nDsDIk8NbA8QhxVpcCHIe9xEOoKWNGFUPdUBTuVmzCL8no1gQ/s1600/DSCF2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyrCSOCcnmqFC4UHSLEau9a1nIm4TXy11pq2Idy0rJTDqTSK3DGkSBHvaFXpMfRi2YcW-o7jyp6ogHHkkx3tsmsqSb-nDsDIk8NbA8QhxVpcCHIe9xEOoKWNGFUPdUBTuVmzCL8no1gQ/s320/DSCF2007.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK45hDQNbBEaWZOrxv4xcUx4QPqp8BW5uVnbS3k1x8KxHAsjUVIK3fg6dQwCluQ8MR1AFLzcVx9nc3EWu_XoMISbWybrUbdiLGYsfm2ATUwIuinX3-rv0LfEQBTiJRMk_iB5w-DMom2Nc/s1600/DSCF2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
This is a gift that has been the labor of love of many many people. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/barn-raising-quilt" target="_blank">There are 30 squares in this blanket</a>, made from the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/barn-raising-quilt" target="_blank">Barn Raising Quilt</a> pattern. Each square was knit by people with varying degrees of knitting skill out of different yarns, but an equal amount of love for our friend, Jodi, who delivered and lost not one, but two babies this past year. Nina, feeling her own losses as she cried with Jodi over hers, felt that a quilt needed to be made so that Jodi could wrap herself in it and know that she is loved, so I found a pattern, dug out my own scraps, asked for people in our own group to dig out theirs and asked for some on Ravelry (and had two people who have never met Jodi pass along some yarn to add to the blanket.) And we started to knit. As I knit 8 of the squares, I thought about my own losses. I thought about the pain, the healing, the joy, the hope. . .and I prayed for Jodi through each of those things. Sarah knit 7 of them, and as she has suffered her own losses, I know that she put a lot of thought into her squares. We got together to weave in ends (our LEAST favorite job!) and when it was finished and as I looked at the pile of ends I realized how true it was that we were given the chance to weave beauty out of pain. Kirsten made 4 squares and took the task of sewing them all together. She took each of our contributions and made it into something cohesive and beautiful. Many other people contributed in big ways. Kelsie made 2 squares and used her crocheting expertise to finish the edging. Jamie and Linda, both new knitters, confronted the task head on and made not only one square, but two. . . Kristen, Molly, Shannon, Serena, and Anna each contributed a square, and we couldn't have finished without each of their fun, bright and beautiful pieces. <br />
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So remember how I said we made beauty out of pain? I think these are the perfect examples of how that can work. By a small business making a yarn and contributing in big ways to help those experiencing losses. By a friend dreaming up an idea and figuring out how to get it done. By a group of people, drawn together by knitting, taking their time and their skills to create love for a friend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPk8ENh7LqBy2oFOU8yc4ClSBT2AcmGUUc2Z2E8R9m9ughvL3dKh5WVYgmUWn27uLTxfpr-qK5u8Jf-TbzTcBh89HMBqx9CXQYEUJ9xE_-6PZcyBe88OPBMfvtywRN8L9jn8FDYQNgI0s/s1600/DSCF2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPk8ENh7LqBy2oFOU8yc4ClSBT2AcmGUUc2Z2E8R9m9ughvL3dKh5WVYgmUWn27uLTxfpr-qK5u8Jf-TbzTcBh89HMBqx9CXQYEUJ9xE_-6PZcyBe88OPBMfvtywRN8L9jn8FDYQNgI0s/s320/DSCF2010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-30007693039463657782012-04-04T16:39:00.001-07:002012-04-04T16:39:16.851-07:00Shawls. . .not just for your grandma anymore.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQs6Xpv1MXvORk5k541ADJkdJ-fV8NRtcZ794TkdeYC_1lUhyvU6sQlXRzGfJ4XNdAcPhlR9-HlWkWBKEhbPBL6Z06pvTkpV6XkQ4CbaFdda521_uj2Dc-vZUI5qkxvK20rk48bmlJbY/s1600/Project+198yds+of+ASU+Heaven+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQs6Xpv1MXvORk5k541ADJkdJ-fV8NRtcZ794TkdeYC_1lUhyvU6sQlXRzGfJ4XNdAcPhlR9-HlWkWBKEhbPBL6Z06pvTkpV6XkQ4CbaFdda521_uj2Dc-vZUI5qkxvK20rk48bmlJbY/s320/Project+198yds+of+ASU+Heaven+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Well, maybe your super hip grandma. I mean LOOK at these! And the best part, they don't even HAVE to be worn like a shawl. I wear them around my neck sort of bunched up, like a scarf or a cowl. Or like <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/198-yds-of-heaven" target="_blank">this first one</a>, a beautiful lace shawl, which is triangular in shape. It's too small to wrap much around the neck so I hold it on with that lovely silver shawl pin. And yes, that is my handspun yarn from fiber I purchased from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Allspunup" target="_blank">All Spun Up</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZVuv8AwSVkz1GtcLrPvC94DYzB5G0ZOFRpm7JN4FnJwzNd6v79sZEBCJ5YRuYQT60APyyaX9NV92KBysaKSAHgzWYtKIkBJLOn7hcRRHXtnZYLroJhBatQUZU9-8xrTFYzseas5HJLs/s1600/DSCF2078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZVuv8AwSVkz1GtcLrPvC94DYzB5G0ZOFRpm7JN4FnJwzNd6v79sZEBCJ5YRuYQT60APyyaX9NV92KBysaKSAHgzWYtKIkBJLOn7hcRRHXtnZYLroJhBatQUZU9-8xrTFYzseas5HJLs/s320/DSCF2078.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/saroyan" target="_blank">This one </a>is a long shawl. It has a great construction in that you knit until half of your yarn is gone and then you start getting smaller. It's long, so the shape of it lends itself well to draping around the neck like a scarf. The bits of leafy ribbon and the beads make this an interesting yarn to knit with. . .and while not my favorite yarn, I'm glad I tried it. The pattern, on the other hand, I will definitely need to try again. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyYPgdeVaTTPDhUqtpr1mWd-yTQqaeI4MCbmDgSjMY6l1pb1kQZSKbsho7mmzAGVPkFi536tI7NR6KrHH8pIYkXAKZKyg9qUMKQsRl2MkMT9ZAqlgoGdHp424Qma_F5TnZ_f0N400dc0/s1600/Project+Glimpse+of+Clara+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyYPgdeVaTTPDhUqtpr1mWd-yTQqaeI4MCbmDgSjMY6l1pb1kQZSKbsho7mmzAGVPkFi536tI7NR6KrHH8pIYkXAKZKyg9qUMKQsRl2MkMT9ZAqlgoGdHp424Qma_F5TnZ_f0N400dc0/s320/Project+Glimpse+of+Clara+8.JPG" width="320" /></a>Then <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/clara" target="_blank">there is this one</a>. . .it's a triangular shawl, also, but larger so that I can wear it around my neck. It's knit out of sock yarn, so it's light weight. It has a very simple center section, so the hard part is the bottom edging. This was knit from the <a href="http://www.threeirishgirls.com/" target="_blank">Three Irish Girls</a> Adorn Sock, dyed in the Glimpse colorway, which was the first colorway she dyed to benefit SHARE and support for those suffering pregnancy loss.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fDJVKE4Sihz6YLdgFVQJUXcR0iS3IJ4ZbO6vbJJo4wEMoWW8nNe2P4g-kjGU4C3moKES6K6Lj9oPAlTIYS8Q2K4KX-oKND_UgieSuPvEEu75n6UPd2-OPG966PCA3mrjm8ziotvj_tE/s1600/DSCF2065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fDJVKE4Sihz6YLdgFVQJUXcR0iS3IJ4ZbO6vbJJo4wEMoWW8nNe2P4g-kjGU4C3moKES6K6Lj9oPAlTIYS8Q2K4KX-oKND_UgieSuPvEEu75n6UPd2-OPG966PCA3mrjm8ziotvj_tE/s320/DSCF2065.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/diantha" target="_blank">This one</a> was knit for a mystery KAL. I actually blogged about it a couple of months ago. This one has beautiful turquoise brushed glass beads and lace and a whole bunch of nupps (pronounced noop, like soup). The <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfyarns/yarn_display.cfm?ID=5420214" target="_blank">yarn from Knitpicks</a> also has silvery shimmer to it. Gorgeous and such a fun pattern!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVdX844q8nDy0hOuxl15HGjB6EU6ig1cbloMfCmgj-0fqH2AhwuTlBDPFrkpTBOE_HHt0fz3_p6cIsKXw7jp6LkQW7xVmfy3WVBNBPphwkfWZ5dE91i2S25XtQXiswrX5EnOBgmAgXLA/s1600/Project+Anadara+Round+Trip++5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVdX844q8nDy0hOuxl15HGjB6EU6ig1cbloMfCmgj-0fqH2AhwuTlBDPFrkpTBOE_HHt0fz3_p6cIsKXw7jp6LkQW7xVmfy3WVBNBPphwkfWZ5dE91i2S25XtQXiswrX5EnOBgmAgXLA/s320/Project+Anadara+Round+Trip++5.JPG" width="320" /></a>I've also blogged about <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/anadara" target="_blank">this one</a>. I think the colors in this one make it one of my all time favorite shawls. This is out of another <a href="http://www.threeirishgirls.com/" target="_blank">Three Irish Girls</a> yarn with a little taste of luxurious cashmere in it. This shawl is a semi-circle, so normally this one is worn with the biggest part in the front and then the points wrapped around the back and crossed to the front. <br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMI_O2qNE9MSd4M-430R_HTNIi4fdVDMGm71idaSdBasAd0TDKe6gx0Gxp5Xa7DWcUxs7KJqGZ_-Q66P_38k29_rB3Utia-OCfBRQ27d5a1-jF6j96QkaExTlKrowcVSmoho6RjuoSt4/s1600/Project+Field+Day+Lazy+Girl+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMI_O2qNE9MSd4M-430R_HTNIi4fdVDMGm71idaSdBasAd0TDKe6gx0Gxp5Xa7DWcUxs7KJqGZ_-Q66P_38k29_rB3Utia-OCfBRQ27d5a1-jF6j96QkaExTlKrowcVSmoho6RjuoSt4/s320/Project+Field+Day+Lazy+Girl+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/lazy-girl-shawl" target="_blank">another one of my favorites</a>. I used Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light which I purchased from The Loopy Ewe (see the button in the upper right of the page). I knit this one for Camp Loopy, which IS coming up again in June, so watch <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/sheri/" target="_blank">Sheri's blog</a> for more info. This is another long scarf/shawl, knit in one piece and perfect for being worn around the neck a couple of times. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTmqCf8460ZB4cAXHMLEdHManpOge9P3QrC9mHS-wAfnfu2WV28n-lqUu0VUXud4IkrjtgK24Z4804rlpycBoq6dIcAc-DePj1vwZ4dNxSffYYNEYqCnGxBGiuMX08u7qKDLCFV8sMlo/s1600/Project+Loopy+Samovar+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTmqCf8460ZB4cAXHMLEdHManpOge9P3QrC9mHS-wAfnfu2WV28n-lqUu0VUXud4IkrjtgK24Z4804rlpycBoq6dIcAc-DePj1vwZ4dNxSffYYNEYqCnGxBGiuMX08u7qKDLCFV8sMlo/s320/Project+Loopy+Samovar+9.JPG" width="320" /></a>This is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/samovar" target="_blank">a fun shawl</a>. It's a square when completed and knit from the center out. The neat part about this shawl is the way it changes the patterning of the variegated yarn as it gets bigger. This one is usually folded diagonally into a triangle and then worn around my neck. . .but it can double as a small shoulder wrap, too, when I'm just home on the couch. . .so dual purpose! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0n0OCIO2y6DnnH9rE5Ga43I8gTKkB9kgiDSQnIki9I-Wa8eI4MFdrJeb9KhHqu7kw-R0slmtPOsTKocvcKfi_QLBxoC45WP5eQjwCHatzFQStx9j5aS1BQrR68gcjWh_FSYQMi4Nu3jI/s1600/project+faraway+alligator+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0n0OCIO2y6DnnH9rE5Ga43I8gTKkB9kgiDSQnIki9I-Wa8eI4MFdrJeb9KhHqu7kw-R0slmtPOsTKocvcKfi_QLBxoC45WP5eQjwCHatzFQStx9j5aS1BQrR68gcjWh_FSYQMi4Nu3jI/s320/project+faraway+alligator+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And finally <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/faraway-so-close" target="_blank">the first shawl I ever knit</a>. This one was designed by Carina Spencer after a friend suffered a pregnancy loss. Every October, the proceeds from this pattern go to a charity that supports those suffering from pregnancy loss. I have made three of these. One for me, one for my mom, and one for a friend. It's big. REALLY big. Probably the closest to an actual shawl that I have ever come. It's done with warm yarn and serves as a hug around the shoulders. Probably the shawl I'm least likely to wear out due to its sheer size, I love the symbolism.<br />
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So there you go. A look at shawls. I should probably mention that I'm working on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/earth--sky" target="_blank">not one</a> but <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/gyllis" target="_blank">two right now. . .</a> Ha! I might be an addict. . .but I love the versatility of shawls. . .I love how easy the come together. I love the wearability. . .might not be the way your grandma wore them, but I promise. . .they aren't just for your grandma anymore! There are lots of patterns on Ravelry, and there are some great books out there, too! Just take a look! (There IS an Amazon link in the upper right too :) )Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-52971532000698988102012-03-09T00:56:00.000-08:002012-03-09T14:21:45.651-08:00Knitting Crazy!I'm a knit-a-holic. I know it. I think knitting. I dream knitting. When Tim drives and I ride, even if it's only a five minute trip, I pull knitting out of my purse and work on it. Look at the Knit-meter over on the right hand side up there. As of today, I've knit 2.62 MILES in 2012. Yeah. That's a lot, especially considering that we're only a few days into March. I've showed you several projects in the past couple of posts that I've finished - like <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/noro-striped-scarf" target="_blank">this one</a> that had been on the needles only two months less than Eli has been alive (which could be why he INSISTS that it is his and wears it when we go out)<br />
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or <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/mittens-for-me-mystery-kal" target="_blank">these</a> - the pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mittens-for-me-mystery-kal" target="_blank">Mittens For Me</a> by Laura Linneman, which has a really cool Latvian Braid Technique that was new to me. . .<br />
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There are still a few on the needles that need some love and a couple more that I just couldn't wait to cast on. . .Like <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingAmyK/norie" target="_blank">this hat</a>, the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norie" target="_blank">Norie</a> by Gudrun Johnston. . .which the boys couldn't wait to try on until I got the camera out. . .then a ball had to do the modeling. . .of course! It's done using <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/madelinetosh-tosh-vintage" target="_blank">Madelinetosh Vintage</a> in the Cove colorway. . .and if you haven't tried this yarn, yet, you should. It's squishy and the colorways are just stunning.<br />
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I'm also working on a few projects that are secret for right now. . ."SECRET? AS IN YOU WON'T TELL ME?" Well, no. Not exactly. I mean, I can tell you - sort of. But I can't show you. Among other things, I have TWO designs that will be published by <a href="http://www.threeirishgirls.com/" target="_blank">Three Irish Girls</a> early this summer. I will show them to you in all of their glory after they have been knit and modeled and professionally photographed. But until then, you just have to trust me when I say that they are fun. :) It's pretty crazy to me that I've only been knitting for about 3 and a half years and I'm having patterns published and knitting 2.62 miles in 2.29 months. As I signed my contracts for Three Irish Girls and read the well-written and easy to understand but much necessary 5 pages of legal jargon that accompanied what will hopefully be one of many trips into the publishing and designing world, it all kind of hit me - that I kind of, no, I THOROUGHLY am Knitting Crazy! But if you asked Tim, he could have told you that AGES ago.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-89899661379340324462012-02-28T20:00:00.000-08:002014-11-10T19:36:38.439-08:00You Are My SunshineSharon at the Three Irish Girls has done it again. . .She has made this amazing colorway, available through March 15th, dyed to order on 9 amazing yarn bases. And what it represents. . .also amazing. She is donating 20% of the sale price to SHARE, which is a non-profit that helps parents who have lost children and are grieving. Near and dear to my heart after losing my son Samuel in 2006 and having a miscarriage in 2009 I can't thank her enough for being willing to do this for us again. By us, I mean the wonderful women in the Healing After Pregnancy Loss group on Ravelry. We approached her last year and she came up with "Glimpse". You can read more about it <a href="http://www.yarnista.com/blog/2011/2/16/i-dont-know-why.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
We asked her again this year and she came up with <a href="http://www.yarnista.com/blog/2012/2/28/i-dont-know-why.html" target="_blank">"You Are My Sunshine." </a><br />
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You can <a href="http://www.threeirishgirls.com/product.php?productid=1030" target="_blank">order some</a> for your own stash, to knit for someone you know who has had a loss, simply to support SHARE and what they stand for, or even send the yarn to someone who needs some yarny comfort. Losses happen. They stink. They aren't the way things were supposed to be. But I love that this colorway also represents hope. . .and a little bit of sunshine. And that it recognizes that our babies, if they lived for moments or days or months. . .that they were and are a little bit of sunshine and we are thankful for them all the same.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-81191963372742704852012-02-27T19:59:00.002-08:002012-02-28T15:43:58.306-08:00Knitting Podcasts?!?! What's the big deal?So what's the big deal with knitting podcasts? If you're not a knitter, then the answer is, they aren't a big deal. . .but if you are into the fiber arts at all, if they aren't a big deal, they probably should be. There are many many knitting and fiber arts podcasts. I was taught about podcasts by Jodi and Kirsten from my local knitting group. They insisted that I would love them if I gave it a try. Of course, like any sensible person who feels like their life might already be taken up by a hobby, I had to drag my feet a little bit, or at least pretend to :). . .but not for long. On the right hand side of the blog you will now see an extensive list of video podcasts. These are the ones I watch. There are more. . .some I've watched and don't follow religiously. . .others that I have yet to discover, but these are the ones that I look forward to every week. There are lists of them on iTunes. . .and some that are audio podcasts and not video podcasts. But I like the ones best where I can SEE the pretties, not just hear about them. And it's probably a good thing I've set that as a limit for myself. Do you see that list? Do you see how long it is? I don't even want to see how long it would get if I added audio podcasts in there too! Now here comes the warning -<br />
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WARNING: Podcasts are seriously enabling when it comes to yarn and fiber. You might just find yourself falling for things like this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bohoknitterchic" target="_blank">Boho Knitter Chic</a> Masham Fiber dyed in the Hot Thai colorway.<br />
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Or this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH9QdbNSOdSVpOl4I5u2bF2IF8x6KQw29ZcnHEXXs47tVSfGO1Pr7qnx-WIy8NB9Zm3z8MuAitevNJT0cJQynLOinTdMifChneVMO0n5fQQeHukVxtDVgcLADf00QKnX_KzskolalU2U/s1600/Fiber+Three+Waters+Farms+Polwarth+Silk+in+Radicchio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH9QdbNSOdSVpOl4I5u2bF2IF8x6KQw29ZcnHEXXs47tVSfGO1Pr7qnx-WIy8NB9Zm3z8MuAitevNJT0cJQynLOinTdMifChneVMO0n5fQQeHukVxtDVgcLADf00QKnX_KzskolalU2U/s320/Fiber+Three+Waters+Farms+Polwarth+Silk+in+Radicchio.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/threewatersfarm" target="_blank">Three Waters Farm</a> Polwarth/Silk Roving in Radicchio<br />
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Or maybe some of this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/WiddershinWoolworks" target="_blank">Widdershin Woolworks</a> Shetland Fiber dyed in the Avalon colorway<br />
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Or some of the following yarns from <a href="http://www.threeewestwistedinfiber.com/" target="_blank">Three Ewes Twisted in Fiber</a>: <br />
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Scooby Doo dyed on Ewephoric Sock yarn<br />
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When Pigs Fly dyed on Ram Worsted. . .<br />
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Yup. Watching podcasts needs to come with a warning, but also a clear message - If you're into knitting and fiber, you will learn a lot this way. . .about books, needles, yarns, fibers, projects, and lots about the fiber world and going-ons. . .and if you try them, you might just like them :)<br />
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PS - And you win things like this pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/patty-the-pillow-pony" target="_blank">Patty the Pillow Pony</a> which I won from the Knitabulls podcast! (see the link over there ----->)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-47995999147824426932012-02-23T16:59:00.000-08:002012-02-23T16:59:04.023-08:00Finish it or Frog it FebruarySo I started watching podcasts last month at the insistence of a couple of friends from my local knitting group. One of the podcasters, <a href="http://bloomingknitter.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Knitting Blooms</a>, is doing a Finish it or Frog it February. . .so in addition to the few things I had already planned to knit this month, I have also gone back to some old projects that have been on the needles for far too long. So far this month, I have finished a wide variety of projects. . .some of which I have already mentioned.<br />
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For starters, I turned this: <br />
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Into this: <br />
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Yeah. I frogged them. I didn't love the yarn and quite honestly, it had been so long since I had worked on them that I couldn't remember what pattern I had used or what edits I had made and they weren't going to fit. . .so off the needles they came :)<br />
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Then I finished <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/AmyKenagy/susie-rogers-reading-mitts-2" target="_blank">these</a> for the Silk Challenge for the Loopy Ewe. If you haven't visited the Loopy Ewe, they have great yarn at great prices. . .and you can link through the link on the upper right hand corner up there. . . <br />
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And I finished my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/AmyKenagy/january-mystery-kal" target="_blank">Susanna IC Mystery Shawl</a>. It didn't block out as nicely as if it had been in lace weight, but I like the final product.<br />
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I also finished my West End Scarf. I call it <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/AmyKenagy/west-end-scarf" target="_blank">West End of Octopus' Garden</a> because it is done (primarily) in a lovely coloway dyed by Three Irish Girls called Octopus' Garden. This took awhile. But it is done! And I love it :) It had been on the needles for far too long and it's great to have it finished and around my neck. <br />
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I did a couple of easy knits. These are Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloths done in a linen and cotton blend yarn from Knitpicks. Nice and sturdy and soft. <br />
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And finally, just today, I finished my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/AmyKenagy/saroyan" target="_blank">Autumn Saroyan</a>. It had also been on the needles for FAR TOO LONG. But it's done and getting blocked and I am happy to say that it feels nice to clear off the list. :) <br />
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It has been a very productive month and there are still several days left!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-8552449318965595072012-02-12T02:45:00.000-08:002012-02-12T02:52:12.631-08:00Too many KAL's or what?!?Well. . .I'm addicted. To KAL's.(KAL = Knit ALong) Sometimes I just like saying I'll do them even if I don't. But most of the time, I finish them.Sometimes I finish because there are prizes, but mostly I just like the encouragement from the other people involved to keep going. . .I did this for a recent KAL: (The Anadara by Allison Janocha)<br />
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And I'm almost done with this one: (The Susanna IC January Mystery KAL)<br />
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And I didn't even know much about it, but now I have started knitting for the Mittens for me Mystery KAL by Laura Linneman, which isn't far enough yet for a picture. . .but I'm using yarn with silk in it. . .that's always good, right?<br />
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I'm also working, slowly, on a cool bag (The Fulfillment Bag by Trisha Paetsch) that is also not all that far completed yet. . .but it has two color knitting (fair isle) and looks really really cool so far :)<br />
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Yeah. Lots of KAL's. Too many? Nah. There is no such thing :) <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0Spokane, WA46.558860303117193 -117.773437521.098747803117192 -158.203125 72.0189728031172 -77.34375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-1125275280875249272012-02-10T14:04:00.001-08:002012-02-10T14:04:48.399-08:00Some Funny YouTube Videos for Knitters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/48Tx32hwJ28?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
This could be me :)<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/q4_XNKOuODU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q4_XNKOuODU&fs=1&source=uds" />
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<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q4_XNKOuODU&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
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And this one is hysterical. . .:) :) <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-56974187610923808702012-02-09T16:20:00.000-08:002012-02-09T16:20:49.662-08:00Exciting news!I am getting two patterns publish early this summer by <a href="http://threeirishgirls.com/" target="_blank">Three Irish Girls</a>, so be on the watch for those. I won a $25 gift certificate to <a href="http://theloopyewe.com/" target="_blank">The Loopy Ewe</a> because of the last summer camp loopy drawing, which was not done until a couple of days ago . . .AND I ended up winning $300 for taking 3rd place for my sweater! Thanks to everyone who voted. . .<br />
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Lately, I've been working on shawls. . .check out my projects on Ravelry. My user name is AmyKenagy.<br />
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Here are a couple of teaser photos. This is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/anadara" target="_blank">Anadara shawl by Allison Janocha</a>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9jGwvv6QYJJyx8ZEP6cJlkKBJNRx2wqKpZPcWw5pUWcqksyTVb3sBT0hULJ0ffCIfqJw3j-e18RcHZjh9pTduIebReADQ1fmljxGCTv60wGe3gLXAeWnGeoNcok5UKzsV_sLnOi71K8/s1600/Project+Anadara+Round+Trip++7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9jGwvv6QYJJyx8ZEP6cJlkKBJNRx2wqKpZPcWw5pUWcqksyTVb3sBT0hULJ0ffCIfqJw3j-e18RcHZjh9pTduIebReADQ1fmljxGCTv60wGe3gLXAeWnGeoNcok5UKzsV_sLnOi71K8/s320/Project+Anadara+Round+Trip++7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-21040286879490849462011-11-12T09:50:00.000-08:002011-11-12T09:50:06.084-08:00My cozy warm sweater! Help me win!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGsZb6cJVKg-BVU6gqAdzt6uS8pNmcQfLhERm6YkE_COSSTKPUWkW_-qYFBalemk9asCQ22YIxwNf3wdjoU9zCnamrOAOYFEaZMb6Q6hPihVvL3tnn7HoDyM642JfAnD6jrgh1znn4Fo/s1600/DSCF1764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGsZb6cJVKg-BVU6gqAdzt6uS8pNmcQfLhERm6YkE_COSSTKPUWkW_-qYFBalemk9asCQ22YIxwNf3wdjoU9zCnamrOAOYFEaZMb6Q6hPihVvL3tnn7HoDyM642JfAnD6jrgh1znn4Fo/s320/DSCF1764.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I've entered this sweater in a contest and hope to get a few more votes before November 15th. You can check it out <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/AmyKenagy/iced">here</a>! If you feel led to vote, you can click on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/paradise-fibers-group/1849141/1-25#1" target="_blank">this link</a> and click the little box in front of my entry. It's the third entry down. . .Thanks for voting! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-38281490237251934972011-11-12T08:48:00.000-08:002011-11-12T08:48:42.140-08:00Not exactly knitting but lots of funThese were SO much fun to make!! We used glitter glue and buttons and scrapbook paper and made one for each of the grandmas. :) Washable paint made me a little less nervous about the handprints :) Definitely a fun craft!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFxuVuG4ND6JNK0eyQhYP9pbb_cI9QDWscsN6Knm3RzETuK-xCKVDtEVpeS9BMjE0mohLWrjKMFsfJtQeXzTg4K_O7EP2yaoOw_fmRakV3J60zhki8tgt2qvwk8hljhOgf176tIZBqLE/s1600/DSCF1914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFxuVuG4ND6JNK0eyQhYP9pbb_cI9QDWscsN6Knm3RzETuK-xCKVDtEVpeS9BMjE0mohLWrjKMFsfJtQeXzTg4K_O7EP2yaoOw_fmRakV3J60zhki8tgt2qvwk8hljhOgf176tIZBqLE/s320/DSCF1914.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3436304502579618781.post-64814503739969999252010-09-21T15:28:00.000-07:002013-03-11T13:50:58.081-07:00I-cord tasseled hat<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>I-cord tasseled hat</u></b></span></div>
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By Amy Kenagy</div>
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This hat is easily adjusted for bigger or smaller heads. Just contact me for math help! The given size fits my larger headed 4 month old with an 18 inch head circumference. This yields a very stretchy hat fabric, perfect for growing heads!<br />
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Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in two colors. 55 yards of main color and 25 yards of contrasting color.<br />
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Needles: <b>Size 10</b> circular needles (I did magic loop, so either a long cable for magic loop or short cable for circumference knitting and dpn's for closing up the top)<br />
<b>Size 4</b> dpns or circular needles for completing the i-cord<br />
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Gauge: 16 stitches and 25 rows = 4 inches using size 10 needles in stockinette<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>DUE TO PEOPLE STEALING AND COPYING THIS PATTERN A<span style="font-size: large;">ND CLAIMING IT AS THEIR <span style="font-size: large;">OWN, <span style="font-size: large;">THE <span style="font-size: large;">PATT<span style="font-size: large;">ERN</span></span></span></span></span> HAS BEEN MOVED EXCLUSIVELY TO RAVELRY.COM. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/i-cord-tasseled-hat" target="_blank">http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/i-cord-tasseled-hat</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I am sorry to have to do this, but unfortunately, people are dishonest and while I can't <span style="font-size: large;">prevent people from stealing it from <span style="font-size: large;">Ravelry and doing the same thing, there is a<span style="font-size: large;">t least a way to track who is using and <span style="font-size: large;">downloading the file. </span></span></span></span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just <span style="font-size: large;">because this pattern is available for FREE does not give so<span style="font-size: large;">meone the right to republish it elsewhere<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span>Thanks for understanding and please <span style="font-size: large;">come to Ravelry (<span style="font-size: large;">it's FREE!) and check it out! Thanks so much!</span></span></span></span></span></span> </b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08629396582228875536noreply@blogger.com1