I have some knitting classes coming up! I am excited to teach my first classes at "Yarns at the Adobe" a quaint little yarn shop a couple of towns over.

On January 7th I will be offering my Gauge Swatch Workshop from 10am-11am.

Click here for more information about the class. Cost $15

Also I will be teaching an Entrelac class on January 7th from 11:30-1:30.

I taught this before many many times last year. It was such a fun class for me to teach. Entrelac is challenging with alot of things to keep track of but is fun and interesting to work up. And the results? Gorgeous!

Cost $30

The entrelac scarf we will be starting in class is the "Danica" pattern from knitty.com.

I used 3 skeins of Trendsetters Tonalita (which is a self striping yarn) for the pattern instead of the 2 different colored yarns that the pattern calls for. I love the way the Tonalita colors block out into each entrelac rectangle, and its so nice to not have to switch colors every 5 minutes.

Approximately 300 yards of any self striping worsted weight yarn will do.

Email me at nevernotknitting@gmail.com if you are interested in signing up for these classes or if you have any questions.

Hope to see you there!

A strange thing happened to me the other day. I looked up the word "Horrific" in the dictionary and instead of finding a definition, found this picture...

Yes. These are my lovely most favorite socks that I have ever knit, Pomatomus.

And yes, there is now a big hole in them.

It is so so sad.

I cant believe this has happened! I have never gotten a hole in any of my socks before. I treat my hand knit socks soo carefully.

I wash them with special soap... Lay them out to dry... Fold them in a special way in my sock drawer...
AND...I hardly ever wear them around the house! I always take them off as soon as my shoes come off. They are meant purely to be worn with my special shoes and then back to the drawer they go.

So how does a hole of this magnitude happened with the level of care and attention my socks receive?

You'll never guess but it was the shoes.

My favorite pair of Mary Janes have a buckle that has come loose over time and now there is a little poky part where the buckle attaches to the strap. One day after work as I was slipping my shoes off the buckle snagged on a strand of yarn and well... the rest is history.

I am just really disappointed that this happened to my favorite pair. Especially in the lovely patterned part on the top! It seems that it would be so much easier to fix and hide if the hole was in the stockinette portion.

Why did this have to happen to the pair of socks that took me a month to knit.. and that I painstakingly swatched for in 3 different yarns? Why couldn't my ugly, saggy first pair of socks been snagged? WHY?!?

I am not sure how to fix it. Does anyone have any good ideas for me?

Because one cannot own too many green sweaters, right?

I don't know why I am attracted to this color so much. I can't get enough. I already own 3 green hand knit sweaters and even have other green yarns stashed to make more. And yea, it's all in this shade too.. pea green. The uglier the better.

I purchased this Zara Plus yarn at a 75% off sale at my LYS. Its funny because as soon as I saw the range of colors going on sale, I made sure that everyone knew.. the green is MINE. The funny thing is that nobody wanted this color anyways. But it was love at first sight for me.

So I am finally getting around to using it and I decided that it will become the Sienna Cardigan from Interweave Knits Fall 2006. So far I'm enjoying it and its knitting up really quickly. You gotta love projects on size 9 needles!

Thanks to all who participated in the drawing in honor of my one year "blogiversary"!

It was great to hear from all of you and find some fantastic new blogs to read.

I entered all of your comments into a random online number generator and the winner that was selected is Clumsy Knitter. Congratulations!

Please email me your contact information so that I can send you your prize!

Thanks again everyone!

I know that these posts have been heavy on the cute kid pictures, but what can I say?

I can't resist, alright!?

So my daughter received this awesome little coat as a hand-me-down from a friend.

Its so chic.. so grown up.. I thought a little beret would be the perfect compliment to the ensemble.

I knit this hat up in Karabella Aurora 8 yarn. It is quite springy and nice to work with. It blocks out surprisingly big which was a good thing in this case because the hat ended up being a little too small even after I increased the stitch count.

The hat pattern I used is called Pompon Beret out of the book Simply Baby by Debbie Bliss.

(It appears that I have a serious thing for D.B.)

And yes.. about that pattern name. Huh?? Am I a complete idiot or should it be called Pompom Beret? That being since the original pattern calls for a large pompom on the top of the hat. Or is it a pompon? Have I been calling pompons "pompoms" this whole time? Should I be embarrassed here?

Well I didn't care for it. The pompon/m that is.

I wanted something a little bit more dressy. So I crocheted a flower out of Rowan Kid Silk Haze remnants leftover from a horse.

I really like the ethereal look of the mohair. It adds a little extra style to the plain beret. Once the flower was crocheted, I finished it off with a rhinestone vintage button sewn right in the middle.

I've been using this crocheted flower pattern for centuries. It's my own adaptation of another flower pattern I found in a crochet book years.. I mean centuries.. ago.

So.. now you can make it too.

Crocheted Rose

Ch 4. Connect with slip st to first ch to form a ring.

Ch 1 (sc in ring, ch 6) 5 times. Join with slip st to first sc.

Ch 1 (1sc, 10 tr, 1sc) in each ch-6 space around. Join with slip st to first sc.

Ch 1, working in front of petals, sc around first sc on round 1, ch 4. (sc around next sc on round 1, ch 4) around. Join with slip st to first sc.

(1sc, 6 dc, 1sc) in each ch-4 space around. Join with slip st to first sc.

Ch 1 (sc around sc in front of petals ch 2) around. Join with slip st to first sc.

(1sc, 3 dc, 1sc) in each ch-2 space around.

Join with slip st to first sc.

Finish off. Pull tails of yarn to the back of the flower and use the tails to secure the flower to the knitted item. (With some flowers that Ive attached to hats, I have simply just tied the starting tail and ending tail together in a bow so that the recipient can easily remove the flower to change the look or for washing reasons.)

You can use any weight of yarn and any size hook. It will just produce different sizes and effects. For the mohair flower I used a D crochet hook to make the flower small. You can dress up the flower with a sparkly bead or button such as I have done here, or keep it casual with a nice plain button or knitted bobble.

As you can see.. She loves it! Shes been telling everyone that

"Mommy knitted me a hat with a beautiful flower and diamond."

Well.. I've had a rough week.

A lot of things have happened and not happened in my life recently which has been a little stressful. I've decided to make a change in my job and just teach classes for awhile, so I am currently not working at the yarn shop.

I am going to miss seeing everyone so much but I think that this will be a good move for me. I plan on devoting a lot more time to design work and that makes me feel excited. So I'm gonna go with that for now.

So if any of you reading live locally and don't see me around the shop, don't worry. I'm still here.. and still knitting.

Speaking of knitting...

I finished a cute stripey beret for my little one out of the book Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino 3. I used up scraps, got to knit something using more than one color, and knit it from start to finish in only a couple of days. After the Sweater Beast, I needed this project in my life.

I unfortunately look ridiculous sporting a hat. I usually hate all hat styles on myself. I think sometimes that I want to be a "hat person" but feel so stupid wearing one that I can't seem to keep it on top of my head. So I am compensating for my unfufilled hat desires by knitting them for my daughter.

What is it about little kids? They can wear anything, and it looks so cute!

I mostly really enjoyed making this project. It was fun and kept my interest changing colors so frequently. However the color changing made this project quite unportable and it was often tangly and annoying having all of those different balls of yarn attached.

When I started this I thought for sure that I was going to make at least 2 since I have so much of this yarn to use up. But then I wondered if I should bother spending all of that time making the same thing over again. After finishing the first beret, I was over that idea.

I decided to still make her another hat instead. But this one is a "dress" beret. Its all finished and ready for me to photograph.

So there will be more toddler-wearing-hat shots coming your way!

I just started this fun little beret for my daughter.

Its so colorful and cheery I don't want to put it down!

This all started a few months ago when I compulsively purchased the book Baby Cashmerino 3 by Debbie Bliss. I stupidly bought the book just for this pattern. All of the sweater patterns in the book go up to only size 18 months or so. (Too small for my daughter.) Sooo basically this book had absolutely no use for me except for this "must-knit" hat..

That's what I thought anyways.. until I sat down and actually started it. I pulled out my generous stash of Baby Cashmerino yarn, mixed and matched colors, pulled out my book, started reviewing the pattern, and then... then.... I realized something.

Not only had a purchased a book for only one usable pattern, but the largest size given for this said "usable pattern" was only 6-9 months.

Well. Yea. My daughter is almost three. Yea.. she's only in about the 25th percentile for height and 10th percentile for weight, but her head size for some reason is in the 95th percentile range.

So you can see why I was a little disappointed about the beret. I knew that a traditional 6-9 month size was never going to fit my darling daughter's ginormous head.

But then there was the fact that hadn't been considered yet. It was a Debbie Bliss pattern, and my experience with her patterns has proven that they are often over sized, extremely over sized... Click here if you don't believe me.

So dont worry, this story has a happy ending. I went up only one needle size and the hat looks as though it is going to fit perfectly.

Debbie Bliss Strikes Again!

Yay! It's Done! It's finally Done!!!

Well, I do still have to block it, pick up stitches for the collar, seam it all together, and put a zipper in...

But still... Its DONE!!

Up next: Brightly colored, stripy berets for my daughter...
and... maybe more projects too!

I might just cast on 2 or 12 tonight to celebrate!

Wow, Everyone. A whole year has passed since I started this blog! I look back at some of those early blog posts and just cringe... ahhh the pictures are so... so.. ugh....

Yes, over this year I have learned so much about knitting, blogging, taking pictures....and now for the best part... I've met all of you! We'll a lot of you.... those of you who comment anyway...

It has been so much fun for me to share my finished projects and knitting nightmares with you. I love to receive all of your kind, funny and encouraging comments.

So basically what I'm trying to say is "Thanks for reading!"

In honor of my 'blogiversary" Id like to announce a drawing for my readers...

Leave a comment under this post telling me some of your favorite blogs that you like to read. I'll randomly choose a winner and send you some yarn and the new Winter issue of Interweave Knits when it comes available.

You have until December 15th to enter.

Thanks again to all of you! All of you have really made my blogging experience so rewarding!

Shownotes:

Lush and Lacy Cardigan

The Dad Sweater

Twist Collective

Dietrich

Ice Fantasia Shawl

Ariosa Cowl

Rebecca

Vivian

Kingscot

Broderie

Vaila

Sylvie

Winter Wonderland Coat

Stephanie on Ravelry

The Scarlet Skein

NeverNotKnitting Podcast Listeners Group

Subscribe with

iTunes

or

RSS

I can't believe it.

Im still working on this danged thing and to quote my friend Audrey...

"I dont want to talk about it."

:)

I mentioned previously in another post that I had knitted another heart for my daughter using the Heart Pin pattern while Hannah Fettig was signing books at the shop.

This one didn't turn out quite as well as the first due to some "Oh... no.... I'm sitting right next to a knitwear designer.... right now... knitting her pattern... oh no.. shes looking at it.. Ahhh!!!"

type feelings.

But it's still cute!

I'm just in love with these little hearts! They are so quick and easy to make up! I've seen several versions made up by different customers at the shop and one customer in particular had a really good idea. She sewed the heart onto one of her daughters hairbands and it was soo cute! So now I want to do that too!

I knit this one up on US size 2 needles with some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino left over from last season's Legwarmies.

I was going to give this heart pin to my Mom as a present.. but look at how cute it looks worn with her matching legwarmers! ... sorry Mom...

I was so happy when I pulled these legwarmies out of the drawer! They still fit!

On the pattern I guessed that they would fit ages 3 months-3 years. And it looks as though I was right! It seems that those little chubby baby legs slim down throughout the years and just get longer and leaner.

Must... make.... more....

Shownotes:

Hannah at The Scarlet Skein

Heart Pin

Evangeline

The Dad Sweater

Stitches West 2008

Dream in Color Classy

Regia Silk

Nancy on Ravelry

The NeverNotKnitting Podcast Listeners Group

Episode 8 drawing winners are: Bean, Ikkinlala, and Lisa! Yay!

Subscribe with

iTunes

or

RSS

Last week I made these Evangeline Mitts using the elbow length variation. I made them as a shop sample to advertise my upcoming cabling class at The Scarlet Skein.

I don't know if in "real life" I'd be sporting them with a short sleeved top. (What would be the point? If you are cold why not wear long sleeves, right?) But for pictures I had to wear a top that would show them off.

I liked working the pattern. It was repetitive and the cable was fun to knit and see take shape.

I used Dream in Color Classy for this project and it took less than half of a skein! I think that I could make a pair and a half out of my leftovers.

Truthfully, I am not really a variegated yarn person. I rarely go for variegated because I don't care for the wild splashes of color that can result. I do really like Dream in Color yarns though because though they are variegated, the colors are evenly distributed creating a pretty mottled effect which adds a lot of depth and interest. I love love love the way that this yarn shows off cable work. To me it makes the cables look more 3 dimensional.

I have been so good lately. I used stash yarn for this project. I bought a sweaters worth of this color "Cloud Jungle" up at Stitches West this year, and I have since decided that I don't love the color enough to tolerate a whole sweater made up from it. So I was happy to find a project to use some of it this yarn up.


I talk a lot more about this yarn in my upcoming podcast episode which will be up shortly!

Last weekend was so much fun! Hannah Fettig the author of Closely Knit came to The Scarlet Skein for a book event!

It was so fun to be able to meet her in person!

Everyone sat around, chatted and made her Heart Pin pattern. Of course I had to take that opportunity to make another one. I mean.. how often to you get to knit a pattern with the designer? I made the heart out of some Debbie Bliss leftovers that I think will look really cute pinned to one of Ava's dresses. Ill have to post a picture of that soon...

Afterwards she came over and Hannah, Malaree, and I had some nice knitting time together.

Yea... Im still working on the "Dad Sweater".....

Ok, so I was forced just absolutely forced..to take a small break from "The Dad Sweater" to do some quick knitting for the shop. Yea... Its been tough not working on that huge ribbed sweater because it's so exciting and stuff, but its a sacrifice that I will have to make.

I'll manage somehow.. I guess... :)

My first order of business was to quickly knit up this cute little heart which is the "Heart Pin" pattern from the book Closely Knit. This weekend Hannah Fettig is coming to the shop for a book signing and the owner of the shop is providing materials for everyone who comes to sit down and make this cute little heart.... Which by the way, Hannah offers the pattern for as a free download off of her blog.

I made a sample to find out exactly how much yarn it takes to make and also because its just so dang cute...

I have quite a few ideas for this little heart. How cute would it be pinned to my daughters denim jacket, or overalls? Or wouldn't it be so sweet attached to a handmade card for someone? I also thought of threading it on a ribbon and hanging it up somewhere... or I could make several and make a little crib mobile for a baby shower gift. Who knew a little knitted heart could have so many possibilities?

My daughter likes it as is.

She was really enjoying playing with it. I had to wrestle it away from her in order to take it to work with me and things got ugly and all tantrumy after that.

I think I ended up promising to knit up many more hearts to make up for it... I better get knitting.

Shownotes:

"The Dad Sweater" pattern

Striped Baby Berets

Evangeline Fingerless Gloves

Ruffled Jacket

Leaves Sweater

Forecast

New Tweed

Sienna Cardigan

Zara Plus

Rambling Rose

Domesticat's Version

RYC Cashsoft DK

Mademoiselle Jacket

RYC Natural Silk Aran

Classic Knits

Mary's Garden Socks

Audknits.com

Puttermeister On Ravelry

Puttermeister's Blog

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

Episode 7 Drawing Winners:

1st place: Denise/CT wins Amelie sock pattern

2nd place: Ikkinlala wins Vogue Magazine

3rd place Tied: BethanyG wins Knitters Magazine

3rd place Tied: Prof. Askey wins Amelie sock pattern

Thanks Everyone! Congratulations!

Subscribe with

iTunes

or

RSS

Ahh.. The Endless Ribbing...

I have been faithfully working on just my Dad's sweater now for over a week. I did waver once when I started a hat for my daughter but have since ripped that out and its probably for the best. I need to finish this sweater!!! Its getting colder and colder outside and there is my Dad all "handknit-sweater-less" and I feel a twinge of guilt every time I see him!

The pocket is a nice detail, eh?

Did I mention? This sweater is taking forever!!!!!

I finished them!!!

I started these stockings in July and just now got them finished!!!

The pattern is called Evening Stockings For a Young Lady out of the book Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush.

I just love them! I think that they turned out so cute! They will be extra warm to wear under pants in the cold weather, but stylish enough to wear with a skirt.

Like most knitters on Ravelry, I made some modifications to this pattern. I was surprised by how short the socks were in the original pattern. They weren't knee-high at all! I had to add 8 extra pattern repeats to get them the right length. Also the heel flap was really really long for some reason, so I shortened the heel by 10 rows. I also worked a standard toe. I am really happy with how they turned out. The modifications that I made worked perfectly for the shape of my foot.

I worked these stockings up with US size 1 needles, and it took a little over 2 skeins of Panda Silk to complete the pair. I was surprised by how far just one skein went! One skein made almost one entire sock, I just had to finish up the end of the toe with another skein.

I also love the way that these stockings look with shoes!!!

Wow that was a lot of pictures! I just couldn't decide which ones to put up, so I used them all!!!

Thankyou to my Sister In Law, Malaree for helping me take them today!

Shownotes:

Fiber Trends Sock Blockers

Panda Silk

Legwarmies

Baby Cashmerino Baby Beret

Baby Shrug

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran

My New Repurposed Baby "Shrug"

Crystal Palace Straight Knitting Needles

Addi Turbo

Addi Natura

Knit Picks Knitting Needles

Redsknits on Ravelry

The $17,692 Sweater

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

If you'd like to enter the drawing for Episode 7 please leave a comment guessing how many projects worth of yarn I have in my yarn stash. You have until October 25th to enter! Please remember to specify which magazine you would like to receive if you win the drawing!

Subscribe with

iTunes

or

RSS