Bragging on my Bestie

 Some of you have met my Bestie from Georgia, Barbara. She recently made the Pretty Basic Shawl by Janina Kallio . It's a beautiful shawl pattern and I love what Barbara did with it.

 She used one of my favorite hand dyed yarns, in fact it's the yarn that I use for my picture here on the blog.

Please feel free to leave a comment for Barbara!

New Knitting Techniques and Getting Comfortable with the Old Ones

Now that we have finished all our holiday knitting, and we have a little time before we jump into another big projects it's time to maybe think about learning some new knitting techniques or maybe learning a new, faster way to get the results you are looking for in your knitting. I know that some people avoid patterns because they are afraid of the technique because it looks too complicated or it just makes them nervous. That makes me sad. We should always be tackling something that makes us a little nervous. Where would we all be right now if we hadn't done thing that gave us "butterflies"?

I am working with my students on taking on a more challenging project every time they finish one. And I am so proud of them. Within a few months, they are knitting in the round, doing advanced cables and taking on their first sweaters. What an awesome group. SOOOOO, I am asking you, as a fellow knitter, as a friend, what is your next challenge? What are you wanting to learn but find yourself putting it off. Short rows? Cables? Finishing? Well I teach, but I can't get to you I'm going to suggest following the link below and just checking out what Craftsy has to offer. I have taken several of their classes, just to see the instructor, the class material, and what is covered. It's impressive. Plus once you bought the class, its yours forever, you can watch the videos over and over AND ask questions. They also have free classes. Now knitting isn't their only subject. I'm taking all kinds of things, but when it comes to learning techniques, being able to stop the video, and see close ups, at your own pace, this just might be what you are looking for. I know when short rows came out, some loved them and some were totally freaked out, but, now that technique is main stream and you see it all the time.

Ok, so here is the link, just click on it and check it out. Craftsy  (Don't forget to let me know what you think)

Sweater Weather, Are You Ready?

We are in sweater weather where I live and if it's not sweater weather for you, maybe you just might want to knit a beautiful sweater. This class on Craftsy will help you. You Choose your own sweater and Eunny Jang instructs you a long the way. Here is the class overview. Join inspiring instructor Eunny Jang and use her included top-down sweater pattern as a base for creating a perfectly personalized sweater. Cast on and choose any of three different neck styles: a casual lowered neck, classic crew neck or a high neck you can turn into a cozy turtleneck or modern funnel neck. Learn to add a wedge yoke, banded yoke or sideways yoke, and Eunny will guide you through customizing it with lace, colorwork or cables. Then, find out how to create the sweater body in a cropped, A-line tunic or shaped pullover style, before knitting short, bracelet or full-length sleeves. Bring your sweater together with a variety of beautiful edge finishes, and showcase your style every time you wear it.

It sounds fun! Click on the link below.
Choose Your Own Sweater Adventure with Eunny Jang

Dorset Batt,

When I began this Dorset journey I had no idea where it would lead. Dorset was a new fiber for me to learn about. I have to say that I really like it. As I have posted before I went back to a colorway that I used a long time ago, but this time I used Jacquard dyes and was very please with how everything turned out. In fact it took the dye amazingly well.

 

So then it was time to knit. Since I have read and been told that Dorset is great for socks, of course that was the direction I went. I just wanted to find out what everyone was talking about. So on size US 1.5 circulars the test started.

 

The knitting experience was different. The Dorset makes a very solid fabric, because it grabs and clings to the stitches beside it. That makes a warm sock. To make gauge I did have to adjust the tension in how I let the yarn run through my fingers. After that, it was smooth sailing. The stitches are defined, close together and exactly what I was hoping for. Now I don't know if I would wear these in the Summer, but anytime it was chilly or cold, a Dorset fiber sock would be the way to go.

 

I had planned on just knitting one sample sock, but after finishing the first one, and enjoying the sock and it's fit, the second sock is on the needles as we speak. :-)

 

So I'm encouraging you to try some Dorset, I have several 4 oz bundles in the Etsy shop waiting for you to enjoy.

 

The Perfect Home for my Hand Dyed/Handspun

 

 

Many of you know that I have a real attachment to this year. I thought for days whether I would list it on Etsy shop or not. Well I did, and after a couple of weeks I am so happy to say that it found a good home. :-) I know for a fact that this yarn will be knitted into something beautiful, and will be well taken cared for. One of the things that makes this purchase so special is that it was purchased as a gift.

Now I have to dye some more roving for me!

Once I shipped the yarn and heard that it had been a huge success, it hit me that I wonder if other hand dyers and spinners out there get feed back about their work. I know I try to let the people that I order special yarns and roving from know how much I appreciate it and sometimes send a photo of a finished yarn or knitted project. Do any of you do that? Ravelry Groups give us a great opportunity to share our appreciation and photos. Next time you finish that special project, drop an email to the designer or dyer or spinner and let them know how you feel about the project. I am sure they will love it. Sometimes a kind word will make someone's day. :-)