Day 4 in which you find me knitting up some of my stash

It's Day #4 and am still happily blogging away...
Hat #4 is actually my very first ever knitted gift for an extended family
member...(i.e. not one of my sons). I can happily post pics and
write about it and it will still be a surprise...as most of my
family a. does not acknowledge my knitting as anything useful, simply
something to keep me busy. b. do not blog or know what a blog even is
and c. would never even guess there was such a thing as a knitting blog
or just why someone would want to do something like that....

so other than my son, Tim in Ohio (who does read my blog so would not post any projects for him here....and if you are reading there is nothing in the works right now)
send photos or suggestions if you want anything (Tim only...otherwise will
get mile long wish list from Rae and other friends). lol....

Ahem...so anyway... this is my first attempt at giving a knitting gift at Christmas time.
My father in law is an avid snowmobiler...and I saw the perfect hat on
Ravelry.....The Helmet Liner
this pattern is by Bonnie Long and was recently also published in the
September 2008 issue of Family Circle magazine....
This same pattern is an official pattern acceptable for the troops overseas.
If interested, be sure and check the yarn requirements first.

It was an easy knit and should be very warm for under a snowmobile helmet.
He often goes to northern Vermont and NH and I believe Canada too...so this
should be a welcome gift for those cold rides ahead.



I actually used some all wool yarn (washable, as he does his own wash) and we
don't need him felting or shrinking it....the color was navy and I purchased 3 skeins of Reynold's Dover Washable Wool at the JCA annual warehouse sale in Townsend, Massachusetts. Dover is an aran weight yarn with 87 yards in each skein and is now a discontinued yarn.
I actually purchased this bag with 3 skeins in it for an
unbelievable $4. a bag for the three skeins.
The hat actually only needed 2 skeins... I put a contrast
burgundy yarn (from stash) around the border to break up all
the navy and add a small splash of "mannish" color. I know it was
most likely Encore, so should make it completely washable.

Pattern can be found at following 2 websites:
http://www.geocities.com/helmetliner/
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/helmet-liner (Ravelry)
This hat has been made 214 times so far (at least posted on Ravelry as such) as of today's date...amazing! It was an easy hat to knit and a well-written pattern.

Regarding JCA/Reynold's...for those living in New England and many of you know
of this already....JCA opens its Warehouse each fall (September) for one time only a year to the public for 2 days Friday and Saturday and also by special invite only on Thursday to a select few....

This annual event (which has been compared to on Ravelry as "akin to the Filene's Basement Wedding Gown maddness" and this comment;
"When I went last year at door-opening time, it was a madhouse! Lines to pay were so long."

There is a huge selection of Brands you know:
Reynolds, Jo Sharp, Artful Yarns, Final Closeout of Adrienne Vittandini
Hand Knitting Yarns, Needlework Kits and Yarns
Finished goods:
hand stitched needlework, hand knit sweaters, Xmas stockings, pillows
as well as...
Miscellaneous: Frames, Mat Boards, Material, Lace, Cording, Beads,
Miniatures & More…………..
Prices are 50%-80% off retail. There are some silk, cashmere,
and merino yarns, too.

Major bargains can be had. You do have to dog paddle hard your way thru the constant swarm of yarn shoppers, but I always find the hunt worth my time and effort. Most people go for the large prepacked bags of 10 skeins of yarn,
which cannot be broken up...but then that's what knitting buddies are for....
Here are some pics of some of the lovelies and best bargains I came away with...there was actually more (purchased) but it gives you
an idea of the kinds of bargains to be had.









As you can see. the cartoon yarn was $10. bag of 10 skeins each in a bag.
and the Dover yarn was also marked $4. for the 3 skeins, and the two bags
full of Saucy yarn great for gift bibs, washcloths, and such were
$4. and $2. a bag ~
Unbelievable!

I also scored some lovely Lopi singles in the bargain
section for a really good
deal....this was my second year, and for me it's a not to
miss event. and with photos and comments you get the picture....
only wish I had bought some of the bags of Jo Sharp Silkroad Ultra
at $40. bag of ten skeins....sigh....but then I was on a Rhinebeck
budget at the time....

Oops nearly forgot the blog of the day....
http://knittingasfastasican.com/

I'm Knitting as Fast as I Can by Susan Pierce Lawrence. Susan used to live in the Boston area but now lives in Utah.
I think I probably first discovered her thru her free hat pattern I admired on
Ravelry the Amber hat

This has been knit by 26 people on Ravelry already and is in my queue to knit one
of these days...
I was also impressed with her Nantucket Basket knitting pattern as well as to
follow what she is currently working on. She is probably most known for her patterns such as the "Branching Out Scarf Pattern" and the "Lombard Street Socks" and "Forest Canopy Shawl" which have knit a longs of their own. As well as their own private groups...aka Forest Canopy Shawl KAL group on Ravelry with over 100 members strong. I especially love to follow great knitting designer blogs just to see what they are knitting now and what may be in the works for the future.

A Pitable Attempt at Intarsia

Day 3 of hats finds the "Baby Car Hat" from the book,
Creature Comforts: Cozy Knits for Wee Ones by Amy Bahrt.



This was one of my ealier hats where I attempted to do
intarsia, but by stranding such as in fair isle...
I had no idea about floats (tiny individual wrapped
sections of colored yarn) and as I wildly carried
my colors across each other...I pulled along to
keep it nice and straight on the row....so of course
when finished...I had a fairly squashed up car...
kind of like they had crashed into each other
driving around the hat...with an unusually large amount
of agressive blocking...it looked moderately passable.
Since this time, I have signed up for classes in intarsia
and color work when I found them available and
was amazed that a. it was nothing like the way I had
attempted it and b. it really wasn't so difficult when
someone showed you how to do it the right way.




Look closely and you can still see some fairly pulled stitches...aka car wreck/squished car syndrome. I believe this hat went to charity.
I do however love the tires...you cannot go wrong with cute little black buttons!

*Today's blog review would have to be the Panopticon by Franklin Habbit

http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/

known primarily for his wildly popular Delores the sheep satire.
Of course, Delores is in the thick of politics...even though a sheep (see cartoon).
Why I chose his blog, a. I love sheep, b. love humerous blogs, c. he (Franklin) and Delores
are concentrating heavily on election right now
(and of course today is big day!)

DID YOU VOTE???????????????????????

oh and finally d. Some of my knitting friends
who happen to read my blog have not heard
of Franklin.



I recently got to meet Franklin in person....my knitting guild
in Boston sponsored him and he came to speak about his new project
1000 knitters project http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/2008/01/1000-knitters-at-purl-diva.html

He did an incredible slide show presenting how he went about
selecting knitters and the various interviews he had. He had many,
many famous and infamous knitters
such as Meg Swanson and the Yarn Harlot to name just two of the 1000.
It was such a fun night (Thank You Guido and the Common Cod Fiber Knitting
Guild) and Franklin himself is both very humble and personable behind
the podium (and away from his blog)...what a treat to meet him!









Photos are of Franklin taking his token camera shot (aka the
Yarn Harlot does this
at each of her public group speaking engagements).
Franklin with Jess of Ravelry.
Franklin showing slides of famous knitters from his 1000 knitter project
Franklin with the actual knitted scarf mostly rolled back up at this point.
It was GNORMOUS and fascinating. Knitters were able to put their
own stamp on their portion of the knitted piece. ....and they did!

What's all the "hype about hats?"

Day 2 of blogging and finally the answer to the pressing question,
yes what is all the hype about hats? and just why do I choose to
knit/share/review hats on my blog...Here is my personal top 10 list
in no particular order:

1. Hats only take one skein of yarn...generally...that makes them
faster, and unlike with sweaters, I do not have to go out and
buy yet another skein because I am short on yarn (yet once again).
2. Hats are the only item I actually ever sold in my Etsy Store
(*however worth noting, hats are the only category of knitting
I've actually posted there).
3. Hats are the one request people ask me to knit for them.
4. Hats are the single knitting category I've definitely made
the most of, so I can speak of them in greater detail....
(i.e. I know them well).
5. Hats are my go to charity donations.
6. Hats challenge me as I was formerly challenged with socks,
i.e. cables, bobbles, lace, fair isle...hats have it all....
7. Should be no. 1 probably....I actually look good in hats...
many people think they don't but I am a hat wearer, so can
personalize however I want.
8. Hats generally economical to make as they do only take one
skein of yarn.
9. Hats, especially made of wool (lined with more wool) are
very very warm and I live in VERY VERY COLD NEW ENGLAND!
10. and the top ten reason for choosing hats for my month
long subject is WITH HATS THERE IS NO SECOND HAT SYNDROME.....

Speaking of which...the hat of the day was a special request
from my son in Ohio...he sent me a photo of this hat...no pattern
for hat of course, but would like one in same style and same colors....
so matched it up best as I could from photo with yarns...and came up
with a pattern...however when needed to measure hat, realized the head (his)
was located in Ohio, so luckily his dad has similar sized head and this
worked out fine....overall, son is happy with special request hat and
as far as I know hat is still happy and well and residing with my son
in Ohio, another really cold place in the winter time.



Also thought I'd start a Blog of the Day post...will peek at different
blogs and pass on a site to check out if you are inclined.
Today's featured blog is a funny new knitter friend of mine...even though
she has not knit for very long...she keeps challenging herself with socks and
all kinds of projects I never attempted in the beginning and is doing an
awesome job. Rae lives on the opposite side of the country from me in Washington
which fascinates me, as it is a place I've never been to, but sounds so lovely.
....she is a member of NaBloPoMo, which is 30 blog posts in 30 days...
so cheer her on in her quest! Hooray Rae. She can be found at:

http://rknwa.blogspot.com/

She's Back.....with a hat challenge

Hi everyone...finally back...a really funny knitting friend of mine, Rae
is doing a special blog project for the month of November called NaBloPoMo
which is National Blog Posting Month where you have to blog every day for
a month.
As everyone that knows me well, I love a challenge and will try most of them
that come along.
found out about this one too late...but if it gets me blogging again,
I will do it for 29 days or into December...
seems like the other bloggers are looking for topics or a theme to last a month...
and it did not take me long to come up with mine....
HATS....staytuned to my reasons tomorrow for picking hats.
I also plan to recap Rhinebeck 2008....lots of news from that one...
also photos and update on my new best friend... MY LENDRUM DT
and other exciting recaps....
have loads of knitting FINISHED stuff to share.

DAY 1, actually Nov. 2 (but who's keeping track...
am blogging finally again right)

Hat #1 is the Rolled-Brim Hat by Vanessa Montileone
I love new knitting books...and often will take them out of the library...
then drool over photos, perhaps knit a project and return them...
and often turn around and buy the must haves for my own collection....
one of these that I prerequested was:
Vogue Knitting on the Go: Cables: Mittens, Hats & Scarves



Although there were several projects in the book I liked...
I was drawn to the cables and bobbles of the hat...
an interesting challenge. This was a really fun and a great
hat to knit...the intricate cable with bobbles hat band is done first
and then stitches are picked up around top of band and knitted
in the round to the crown of the hat...
Lately it seems like a lot of our local yarn stores are going out of
business very sadly...
and this hat has actually turned out to be knitted from
the result of two of my favorite stores final discount yarns....I used Naturally
Nazareth yarn by Kraemer (one of my favorites, as it felts beautifully) for the base
from Wright's in Sturbridge, MA...a lovely store, sadly missed...and the top part was Cascade 220 wool from Fabric Place in Framingham, MA...soon to be gone and another great loss for the community...this trend seems to be occuring everywhere.
Anyway, came out awesome...love this hat, and plan to keep this one for myself...it's all wool so will be great for COLD New England weather.





tomorrow is Day #2 blogging...with Hat Story #2

CGOA & TKGA Conference

CGOA & TKGA Conferences,
Plus CGOA Chain Link Special Annual Events
July 25-27, 2008 (Fri., Sat., Sun)
PDD event is Wed. July 23
Education begins Thur. July 24
Radisson Hotel Manchester at
The Center of New Hampshire
Manchester, NH

Okay just back from 3 full days of classes in Manchester, NH
I joined the Crochet Guild of America...as I hope to get my
master license for Crochet, as I don't have a prayer of getting
this in knitting. Crochet for me is easy and I can do pretty
much anything from pineapple doilies (can't spell it though), to
hairpin lace to 3-D stuff...Knitting is loads of fun, and a
tremendous challenge to me....yes I can knit and purl too...but
the scope of how far it goes is beyond me...
also by joining either guild, you get first dibs on signing up
for classes and discounts with your membership. (some of my
classes were completely sold out.)

Took loads of photos...wish I had brought my camera to all of my classes.
Took a class with Edie Eckman on Intarsia Without Fear...no photos...
she is a sensational teacher and would not hesitate to take another
class from her...I do feel that I am ready to take on any Intarsia project
now, and actually would like one, just to practice my new skills.
next class was knitting with copper wire with Nancy Wiseman, and all I can
say is WOW....I finished my necklace all beaded...and need to get some
photos for a future posting...then I did a freeform all day workshop
and also a Creative Knittng Class with the famous Valentina Devine.
will try and post some additional info. on my next posting....
but wanted to get in some sites and sounds from the show on this one.











this was a back view of a lovely embroidered sweater...most of
my photos are backviews, as personally I hate my photo taken,
and that's why you never see
photos of me on my blog...so I always ask people if they mind
if I take a photo
of the back of their outfit. Sounds odd, but they never turn
me down that way.



a lovely beaded shawl. Click on photo or zoom in for a close up
and hopefully you can see the beads



Precious Pals a Charity project at the Market Place




There were lots of free classes at the Market Place....




a view down one row of the Market Place



needlefelting in the Market Place; sunflowers and making pumpkins.







OH and HABU from NYC was there in the marketplace...so oh yes,
I had to buy the
pineapple that had been made into yarn....

Have you tried knitting on size 50 needles, they are also megalong besides
being so wide.



Of course since there was going to be a Ravelry meetup there had to be
a Casey & Jess sighting...but no Bob...where was Bob?
Does he have a Bob sitter?







Now there's a great bag...just gotta get me one of those....




Lots of pins on the Ravelry table...I finally got mine!



Margaret Hubert, my oh so very wonderful teacher, is modeling her own jacket
of scrumbles...this was my favorite of all the ones she had brought...
she kind of had her eyes closed, so I hope she does not mind this photo...
but her jacket is absolutely stunning, or at least in my opinion.
I ran around the Market Place buying lucious yarn in purple hues,
just to try this one out myself at some future date.



Another sneak peak from the yummy scrumbles class...of course our focus was
on purses...could not help turning around in my seat to take a quick photo of
girl behind me & her classwork project...she was very new to this and could not even crochet...she had
a friend do her crochet homework, but look at this arrangement.



Off to SPINNING CLASSES on a Lendrum...went from sock obsession to my
new Ravelympics KAL



I am on the shawlrelay team...Knitter's start your needles
but not until August 8 with the opening ceremonies...What will be on the
needles...no secret....my first shawl....the beloved...clapotis
made from Dream in Color Smooshy...have dreamed about it, and obsessed about
this yarn after reading about all the love it generates on Ravelry, and it was
at the market place at the convention...of course in purple hues. close up below as taken from Knitty site where this great pattern originated.



But this spinning thing...could have an effect on my current knitting/crochet
works. I've heard spinning is rather addictive, and there are only so many
crafting hours in a given day....
but then...sleep is so overrated!

WWKIP Belated Update

I hope most people got out to knit in public back on
JUNE 14. There were 13 locations in my state alone of
Massachusetts...It's an annual event and so much fun.
I brought 2 girlfriends with me and we chose a spot
closer to our house in Bellingham, Mass....
we were a small gathering, but
I knew no one there and met some really lovely people
and made some great new knitting friends...
The weather was perfect and we were located on a town
green complete with bandstand with nearby (across the
street) coffee shop and bathroom.
http://www.wwkipday.com/






The whole event was put on by a wonderful "LLL" from Ravelry
"Lovely, lively, lady" who brought a tent all decorated with knitting
items to help attract potential knitters over to our spot.

Thanks Mimi for all your organization of a great event...we'll be
back next year!

52 Pair Plunge Sock Update...
knitting fast and furious...finished Campfire Socks by Cider Moon. Absolutely
loved this pattern...





Had leftover yarn so made a little boy's hat. Used a
brand new cast on for this hat...The Stretchy cast on done with a crochet hook
and knitting needle, perfect for kid's projects that require lasting stretching.
see Utube for how to do this by Scarletzebra.com....she explains it perfectly!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAaOQb03wec&feature=related
Had leftover yarn still, so made a pompom using all the colors that were in
the socks for the pompom for hat. Another great charity project.



and of course had more yarn left...so started a rug on the style of
braided rugs, but using soft cording I bought at a local upholstery department
and a crochet hook. Since the sock yarn is lighter weight...I crocheted it
double stranded. Plan to keep adding to my rug as I finish up sock pairs...
and so far I am using up each skein to the very end with no leftover thanks to
all these cool side projects that use just the scraps.



The coiled rug pattern can be found in Knit Simple Magazine Spring/Summer 2008 issue.
The cute baby hat is from http://www.knitfoundry.com
The Pom Pom how to is from http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/tips/pompom.htm

A Tribute To Brenda Dayne

Anyone familiar with knitting podcasts has probably heard of "Cast On"
a very popular podcast with fellow knitters. Well at the end of every
podcast, Brenda always closes off her podcast by saying, "And remember,
If you are cold...put on a sweater, that's what they are for."
She is always so supportive and encouraging to knitters to try and knit a sweater...and though I have tried and tried in the past to make a sweater...
I always got stuck somewhere...mostly at the seaming point,
or I ran out of yarn, or the sizing was wrong...but this time I persevered
and with a lot of help from my knitting guild friends I was able to seam,
do a button band, and collar, and amazingly the finished product
really fit me just right and I love it....so thanks to all of my friends
who helped me particularly with the button band, and especially
to Brenda for your monthly words of wisdom and encouragement...
and if I can do it then I think anyone can successfully knit
themselves a sweater too! I live in New England, a sometimes very cold
place, where I will put on my new sweater, that I made because that's what
it's for...Thank you Brenda.







Also some improved photos (or at least not scrunched into my scanner!) of the blueberry picking time socks I just created for the 52 Pair Plunge II KAL
on Ravelry right now... and my very first toe-ups...hurrah!

Blueberry Picking Time Socks

Hi, it's been such a long time since my last blogging...
and so many things to share...between me working almost
every day, and the weather being mostly overcast or rainy
(so no photos)...it's hard to share all my new knitting...
I have to admit I love, love, love the 52 Pair Plunge challenge...
it is a little nutty knitting so many socks...
but the way I approached it, has made ALL the difference!
I am trying hard to make new patterns, and have a huge list of
techniques I hope to accomplish before I reach either my 52nd
pair or the time I finally call it quits and raise my little white
flag (knitted of course).
My knitting want list for socks is to knit first ever toe-ups,
socks on circulars, two at a time socks,
cable socks, lace socks, round toes, other toes, assorted
heels, my own original sock pattern, and as many cast-on's and off's
I can come up with.
And so far....I am thrilled....the very best part is I now just pick
a skein of yarn from my STASH, and go to Ravelry and see which socks are
possible...and once the sock is finished...the new rule is to use up
every last scrap of that yarn before going to the next sock...
So another great feature of this challenge is that I have turned it
into an AWESOME STASH BUSTER as well....
photos as soon as rain stops of things to do with leftover sock yarn...
But for starters...I have started the Babette Blanket, a Crochet project,
and also a braided rug (GREAT for sock yarn), another crochet project...as
well as baby socks and baby hats. (all to charity of course)
Today's sock...since it's blue scrap yarn, which is blueberry colored, and it's
now July and Blueberry picking time here in Massachusetts...I did as my first
ever toe-up sock...yee haw! this is my second attempt and it WORKED!
when I got to the leg of sock, I thought I can knit whatever I want...so I did
a bobble blueberry motif with leaves and named it the Blueberry picking time socks.
I did a lace cast off, as they were my first toe-ups and really did not have
a clue as to how people go about casting off for these.
No good photos unfortunately...my usual squish the finished product
into my scanner and hope for the best.
If tomorrow is sunny...will photo sock and other 4 pairs and my finished
sweater tribute to Brenda Dayne.