New Knitting Group

I've decided it is time for me to form a knitting group.  I seem to need friends with similar interests, whom I can commiserate with when hours and hours of design and sample knitting must be frogged, or who would be as excited as me over a new yarn shop opening.  Someone who would inspire me about my next design, or help me work through the calculations of getting a perfect fit.  A group of those interested in knitting, or learning how, would really help me to balance my life. 

I've been meeting with a great group of ladies over the past few years, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it!  It is a small group, at all skill levels, and we have all formed a great friendship.  Bound together with knits and purls and the sharing of our life experiences.  This group has been so good for me, that I believe a new group would just be more of a "good thing".  It is my hope that some of these ladies might be interested in joining the new group too.

We'll meet for the first time on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 7:00 pm (and every first Thursday of the month thereafter).  Everyone is invited (knitter or not).  If you are interested in learning, we'll teach you.  If you are not interested in learning, come anyway, as we would love to chat with you.  Contact me at knitzillaknits@gmail.com, if you need an address and instructions on how to get to my house in West Jordan, Utah.

Last year at shearing time, we only had two alpacas in our herd, if you want to call it that.  We didn't get a lot of yarn, but mixing Licorice Whip's fleece with a little bamboo fiber produced this beautiful heathered, charcoal yarn.  It has taken me a whole year of searching, but I have finally found the perfect pattern to knit it up.

This is "Haruni".  Haruni was designed by Emily Ross and the pattern is a free download at: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/haruni.  There are also many project pages on Ravelry, where you can see all of the beautiful versions from other knitters.  I can't wait to cast on, as I think this shawl will make a beautiful addition to my Mountainman Rendezvous wardrobe.  Crazy that I have such a thing!  I should be the best-dressed crusty old mountainwoman there this year!  We always go to the Mountainman Rendezvous in Ft. Bridger, WY over the Labor Day weekend.

The latest version of "Lori Shrugged" is finished.  Pictured here with the navy maxi dress I purchased in Hawaii.  I think this will do quite nicely to cover "jiggly arm syndrome". 

The yarn is Mirasol Tupa in shade #801.  It is 50% Merino Wool and 50% Silk.  Purchased from a sweet little yarn shop in Logan, Utah:  "Knit Unique".

The raglan sleeves of this pattern give it a nice shoulder line, and the lace stitch design will make it airy enough to wear in the summer, but still provide some warmth in the cool evening air.

Knit on US8 and US9 needles, and US5 for the ruffles, this little shrug was a quick knit.  It generally only takes 5 to 10 days at 1 to 2 hours of knitting per day.  The dress has been waiting, but can now be worn through the rest of the summer.

As indicated in my last post, "Laura" was the next item to jump on my needles.  Knit from the yarn leftover from my "Carmine" sweater (knit last summer), "Laura" is flying off my needles. 

The yarn is Fyberspates Scrumptious.  This too is a combination of merino wool and silk.  Purchased in the UK, it was well worth the shipping time it took to arrive.  I LOVE THIS YARN!

A twisted rib stitch is being used for the bottomband.  It provides a nice smooth finish, with plenty of stretchiness for the hips.  The twisted rib stitch will be used for the neck and armbands as well.

 "Laura" is named for my daughter-in-law, thus she will receive the prototype.  She is really excited, and should be wearing it before my next post.  I'm planning another trip to "Knit Unique" this weekend, on my way to Idaho to visit my little granddaughters, and hope to score some yarn for a "Laura" of my own.  Watch for the publishing of the "Laura" pattern on Ravelry.  Happy Knitting . . . . . .