Pumpkin Fun

WINNER, WINNER, chicken dinner . . .

I couldn't decide, so we have "2" winners of this Give-Away.  A hank of soft, 100% Alpaca Yarn in Worsted.  The winners are:  Shara & Wilson 628. 

This yarn comes from the fleece of Spud and Melvin. 

Each will receive their yarn at the Knitting Class on Oct. 24, where I will wind their hanks into a center-feeding balls.  It will spoil them both, for knitting with acrylic yarn.  Amazing enough, the feel of the yarn makes a big difference in the enjoyment of the "knit".  Thanks for participating in my little contest!

Last Saturday, the company I work for, hosted a Fall party at Historic Wheeler Farm.  It was great fun, with a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, wagon rides, farm animals & a dutchoven dinner.

It was the perfect opportunity for my "lil pumpkins" to wear their pumpkin hats.  It was cold, but that didn't stop us from having loads of fun!  My sister knit this little version.

We loaded up lots of pumpkins for carving, and let Nola lead us through the corn maze.  She was really funny when we came to a dead end, saying:  "Oops we're stuck again!"

The leaves are quickly changing here in the Salt Lake Valley, and they offered a great backdrop for lots of family photos.  We have started working on designs for Christmas Baby Hats.  I'll have some to share in my next post.

I had completely forgotten my youngest daughter knew how to knit.  She has been working hard on her education for the past 4 years, and has had very little time for any extra activities. 

She is currently in a holding pattern, as she applies for Physical Therapy School.  Working as a Physical Therapy Aid, she knit this cabled scarf for one of the Physical Therapists she works for.

It only took a little refresher and some instruction on turning cables, and she was off and running.  The entire scarf was knit in just a few days.  She did a beautiful job, and I'm sure the receiver of this gift will really appreciate it.

The scarf is nice and long, and will wrap many times, to provide lots of warmth this winter.  Happy Birthday Melody!  Alex has many skills.

The Beginning Knitting Class II will be held next week, so let me know if you are interested in attending, and our next "Knit Night" will be held on Thursday, November 4 at 7:00 pm.  Everyone is welcome.  Happy Knitting . . . . .

"Witch Knit"

Last night was my knitting group "Witch Knit".  We had a great turn-out, and look at all of the good sports who dusted off their witch hats for the event.  We had some yummy treats, made by Tiffany and Judy, and even voted on our favorite witch costumes.  Jill, Tiffany & Carolyn were the winners, and took home some little Halloween Lanterns for their efforts.  We had a "cackling good time", and spent the evening helping and inspiring each other with our knitting projects.

Even my darling little grand-daughter came, wearing her mother's green shoes.  Quite a "witchy" fashion statement, don't you think?  I think some great friendships are going to be formed at our "Knit Nights", even though knitting seems to attract people of all ages, and from all backgrounds.  It is always fun to have someone to talk to and knit with.  We'll be meeting again on November 1.  Remember . . . everyone is welcome, even non-knitters!!

Last week I spent the weekend at my daughters house.  She is making these darling little pumpkin hats for children.  Made from a pattern of my design:  "Lil Pumpkin Hat", which you can find through this link at Ravelry.com.  The pattern is a free download, and a really easy knit.

We spent the weekend knitting these little hats, as she is selling them in a few hair salons.  The hats are $15 each and come in several sizes, from newborn to size 8.  Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing one, or you can make your request on her blog:  The Coats Closet.

I almost forgot to share this great prize, which I won at our recent "Girl's Trip" to Palm Springs.  My sister recently went on a business trip to Toronto, Canada.  While there, she scored these great, hand-knit mittens, made for the 2012 Olympics in England.  I won them playing a game, and I'm so excited that I did.  They remind me of the "Roots" clothing that were produced for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games held here in my hometown (Salt Lake City).  I believe "Roots" is a Canadian Company, thus the resemblance.

Reminder:  I will be GIVING AWAY, this 250 yard hank of 100% Alpaca worsted weight yarn on October 15, 2012.  All you have to do, is comment on this post, telling me what you think you would knit from the yarn.  It is easy to WIN, just enter your comment today.

This yarn comes from our very own alpaca (SPUD).  It is soft and creamy, and is just waiting to jump on your needles.

It is truly FALL here in Utah.  We are harvesting the last of the tomatoes, green beans, eggplant and spaghetti squash.  We are churning up the dirt and spreading out the newly created compost.  Our house is all decorated for Halloween and my closets will be switched out this coming weekend.  Another summer bites the dust, and so does another year for me.  It is my birthday this month, so I grow another year older, and another year out from cancer.  It is good to be alive!  I'm looking forward to many enjoyable years to come.  Happy Knitting . . . . . .

A Week in the "Frog Pond"

Things have improved this week.  Not so many knitting disasters.  However, I did spend the weekend in the "Frog Pond".

You probably remember this disaster from my last post.  It was my version of "Cabled Embrace", which ended up not fitting (not to mention the crooked buttons).

Here it is again, in the frogging (ripping out) stage.  Even the most experienced knitters spend time frogging.  I was told early on in my knitting endeavors, that ripping out, was an important knitting skill.  You may feel upset at the time wasted on the project, but recognizing the need to start anew, and taking the steps to move forward is what can truly make you an expert!  Remember, it is not "time wasted", it is time learning how to make your knits fit perfectly.  I have certainly spent plenty of time learning this important lesson.

Now, completely frogged and the yarn re-rolled, the project is back on the needles for a new start, and a new size.

30 minutes later, it is well on its way to being the perfect fitting vest, that I will wear for years to come.  The previous version would have quickly found its way into the donate pile, as I would never have worn it.

Speaking of the donate pile . . . DON'T donate any of your handknit sweaters.  They can always be frogged, and the yarn knit into another sweater that you will just LOVE.  This can also be done with sweaters found and purchased second-hand at thrift shops.  This is the perfect way to get that cashmere or angora yarn that you have been wishing to knit with.  Yarn is much too expensive to cast off to those more creative minded than yourself.

My "Laura Leaves Tank" is finally finished.  I ran out of yarn 2 times. 

Although it was frustrating to have to keep calling Knit Unique in Logan, UT, they were wonderful to quickly ship me more!  You can read more about this project on Ravelry.

I'm still just "in love" with this leafy stitch.  I'm planning to make another for my daughter in dark, rich purple.  However, this time I'll use Fyberspates-Scrumptious again.  I didn't like this heavier weight yarn, as much, although it is really pretty, it is a little thicker than I prefer.

This is the original, and it has a finer feel.

Isn't "Chocolate Chip" growing up?  He is 18 months old now, and was sheared for the first time this past Spring.  His fleece is "Grade 1", and produced the softest, chocolate colored yarn.

Here it is.  So soft and beautiful.  I can't wait to get it on my knitting needles.  If you are interested, it is available in a 250 yard worsted weight, hank for $17.00.

This is Butterscotch Pudding.  He too has "Grade 1" fleece, in a soft biege color.  It is available too, in a 250 yard worsted weight hank for $17.00.

This is Melvin.  He is the self-proclaimed "King" of our herd.

 . . . and Spud.  Their fleece was combined to create the following "Grade 3" cream colored yarn.

This hank is my NEXT GIVE-AWAY.  To win, all you have to do, is comment on this post.  Tell me what you would like to knit out of it.  It is 250 yards of worsted weight, 100% alpaca yarn. A commenter will be chosen as the "WINNER" on October 15.  However, if you are not the winner, this yarn is available for $15.00 per hank.

This is Waffles.  His fleece produced a "Grade #2" caramel colored yarn.

It is available for $15.00 per hank.

This is Apple Jack.  He is our little trouble-maker.  Quite a rowdy litle alpaca, who can muscle his way into eating all of the treats.

His fleece produced a "Grade 4" yarn, and like the others, it is available for $13.00 per hank.

This is the rest of our herd.  The Mommas and our new little crea.  Cocoa and Licorice's fleece were combined and made into rug yarn.  We are planning a few rugs for Christmas gifts for our friends.  If you look closely, you can see Oreo Cookie in the middle there.  He was born in May.  Hasn't he grown, almost as big as his Mom.  He won't be sheered until next year.  Cocoa is expecting to deliver in November.  Our herd continues to grow!  Happy Knitting . . .

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

First, the good:

The Beginning Knitting Class I, was a great success.  Everyone arrived excited to learn how to knit.

Some already new the basics of the knit and purl stitches, but were excited to learn the long-tail cast-on.

Slippery needles and slick yarn can make learning a challenge, but everyone was determined, and some beautiful knitters were born.

It was fun to learn more about each other, along with the knits and purls.

We laughed and struggled together.  Some were natural-born knitters, and others will just need a little more practice.  We tackled the long-tail cast-on; the knit stitch; the purl stitch; ribbing, seed stitch and garter stitch; along with the bind-off. 

In the Beginning Knitting Class II, we will learn buttonholes, blocking, gauge & swatching, left and right decreases, and increases  This class will be held on October 24, and anyone is welcome to join in.  Our next "Knit Night" will be held on October 4.  It is a "Witch Knit", so put on your best witch garb and join us for a good "cackle".

And now for the bad:

I've finished my "Cabled Embrace".  You may remember the one Joan knit from my last post.  I loved her's so much, that I had to quickly cast-on for my own.  It was a disaster.

Along with the continuous struggle I have with my weight, I also never believe the tape measure.  I always think I am larger than I actually am.  As you can see, my "Cabled Embrace" was knit in too large a size.  The waste is too long, the neckline dips too low, and the back has a huge gap.

It was definitely not the fault of the designer.  Marie Lee of Black Dog Fiber Studio was the designer, and she did a beautiful job in writing this pattern.  It was knit sideways, thus there was no gauge, and very little stretch around the body.  I should have thought about this.  I do know better.  Marie added  wonderful body shaping in the form of short rows, which gives it the perfect fit, if knit in the right side.

The Ugly:  To top it off, I even sewed the buttons on crooked.  This vest is off to the "frog pond".  I will be spending the next few evenings frogging (ripping) this vest back to the start, and beginning again.  This time I'll opt for my actual size.  My continual fear of a few extra pounds will not make a difference.  I keep telling myself!  Perhaps I should do some of the frogging, while on the treadmill. 

For the second time, I've run out of yarn for my "Laura's Leaves Tank".  I have only a 3 foot section of underarm to bind off, but will need a whole new hank to finish it off.  I've ordered another hank, and should have it finished for my next post.  urrrrgh!  Some projects can be such a challenge.  I hope your knitting is going a little smoother than mine.  Happy Knitting.

"KNIT NIGHT"

Last night was the second meeting of my new knitting group.  We had a great time, catching up on each other's lives, and the things our children are all doing.  Some of my grandkids crashed the party, and it was fun to see them.

Kathy and LouJean were working on a beautiful quilt, to be pieced from piles and piles of old silk ties.  I'm sure some of the ties came from their sons' service on LDS missions to Chile', Russia, California, etc., so I am sure the finished product will have some sentimental value, as well as being beautiful.  I wish them every success in the quilt's completion, and hope to have pictures of their progress to post.

Joan baked some yummy brownies for us all to enjoy, as well as sharing this completed knitting project.  This shapely knitted vest came from "Cabled Embrace", a pattern designed and published by Maria Lee of the Black Dog Fiber Studio.  Joan purchased the pattern as a kit from Knit Picks, and it was knit up in Knit Picks "Wool of the Andes - Bulky" (Masala).

"Cabled Embrace" calls for size US 10.5 needles, so it knit up quickly.  It was knit in two pieces (sideways), and was seamed up the back.  It is a great pattern, and Joan did a fabulous job knitting and seaming it together.  I've got yarn ordered to make me one too.  I hope mine turns out as nice as Joan's.

We are planning a "Witch Knit" for October, where everyone will come dressed as a Witch, and we'll have a little contest on the best costume.  Perhaps some will employ their best "witch cackle" for the evening, as we seem to do a lot of laughing!

I've started a test knit of my latest pattern:  "Emery".  I've found some glaring errors in my pattern, and I'm most apologetic to those who are already test knitting it.  I'm knitting it up in my latest obsession:  Fyberspates Scrumptious (cornflower).  I can't seem to curb my desire to continuously be knitting with this fabulous yarn.

The lacework pattern comes from my "Joan" sweater, although "Emery" will be a lace and rib tank.  I'm knitting this sample for my daughter Alex.  I hope to have the pattern ready for publishing in October, so watch for it on Ravelry.com.

I've purchased more yarn for my "Laura Leaves Tank", and it is back on track.  I should have it finished in the next week or so, depending on my ability to focus, and not start additional knitting projects.  I seem to really have a problem with this, and often the needles I need are lurking in another "in progress" project.  I guess I love the starting, and always get side-tracked in the finishing.  This chair has become my favorite place to escape in the evenings for a little relaxation, knitting and watching the zucchinni grow.  I hope you have a great escape spot for knitting too.

Happy Knitting . . .