Hi. Show-n-Tell was great; the felted tea cozy are becoming darling, little homes. Terri is finished, complete with lining and a zipper; she knitted, embroidered, needle felted, and embellished with buttons. Vicki's tote has a nice vine and a variety of colorful flowers on the back. Make sure you get a look at them. I could not get my camera to work so photos will follow later as soon as I find out how to use it. Candi shared a good idea to make a gingerbread house tote for Christmas. I would like to make another one with a Japanese design, and Nora is making a cozy with a mexican design - I hope you don't mind me sharing that. Linda L. shared a beautiful book called "Embroidery for All Seasons" by Diana Lampe; she bought it at Joanne's in the ribbons section. Linda, our instructor, showed us two knit cushions we talked about last week: one was knitted and the other was felted. She also gave us instructions for it to make on our own. By the way, she mentioned to felt it in pantyhose or a knee hi stocking, and it will need to be felted 3-4 times.
This week we started the Entrelac Tote pattern. Two handouts were distributed: one for provisional cast on and the other for chained cast on. Linda talked about the different types of 100% wool yarn you can use, explained about provisional cast on, talked about the big hole you will be making on the tote for handles and making a yarn over especially the yo3 which will feel very loose and looks like it is falling down -- it will work itself out later. One suggestion she added is to tie a plastic bag on both sides of the hole so it won't close during felting; more about that when we reach that point. Next week we will learn about making the triangles in class.
Homework
Try to do the top and icord handles.
Questions & Answers
What type of cast on should we use?
Use long tail cast on to start.
How do you join a new color?
The easiest way is to make a 6 inch tail and just start knitting with the new yarn. Never tie two yarns together.
Can you mix yarn from different brands?
Yes, as long as it can be felted.
Knitting Emergency
Linda mentioned an online shop that is excellent for purchasing Cascade 220 yarn for $6.50. It is called Angelica's Yarn Store, and the owner ships out the order the same day.
Another idea: Should we put together a phone list next week? Georgia called me about setting up the triangles on the tote and I was no help, but it was nice hearing her voice and sharing what we are doing.
By the way, a few of you have noticed my pink and brown knitting tote bag. Beverly introduced it to us at our table; she has one in black and lime green. Her store, Scrapbooking, near Kmart sells it for $39.99 plus tax (Correction: The cost is $29.99; see comment 1). Diana and Linda L. have ordered one in different colors such as lavendar and sage. The tote bag has a lot of pockets and a hidden compartment; I love it.
Can't wait to see you next time. Have a good week.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
New Techniques Week 3
The evening was started off by receiving handouts: two different Kichener stitch instructions and three embroidery pages. Linda showed us on the board an easy way to remember the steps for Kichener: (Front needle) K off, P through, (Back needle) P off, K through. She also demonstrated needle felting which can be felted on anything. You would need: felting needle, foam, and wool fibers. The supplies can be bought at Rumplestilskins in Sacramento.
Homework:
Read over the Entrelac Tote pattern before class.
Bring yarn to start Entrelac unless your order did not come.
Bring 100% wool of one color only for a knit cushion if your order does not come in from Knit Picks. (Making a knit cushion was a request from many of the students in class as they found out what the beginners’ class was learning and due to the delay in the order from Knit Picks because of severe weather conditions.)
Tip
Use all 6 strands of embroidery thread so the design will show up.
Sew all four sides of the door and shutters, but just the bottom edge of the roof.
Happy knitting!
Homework:
Read over the Entrelac Tote pattern before class.
Bring yarn to start Entrelac unless your order did not come.
Bring 100% wool of one color only for a knit cushion if your order does not come in from Knit Picks. (Making a knit cushion was a request from many of the students in class as they found out what the beginners’ class was learning and due to the delay in the order from Knit Picks because of severe weather conditions.)
Tip
Use all 6 strands of embroidery thread so the design will show up.
Sew all four sides of the door and shutters, but just the bottom edge of the roof.
Happy knitting!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Saturday, February 10, 2007
New Techniques Week 2
Another enjoyable night. It was fun to see everyone’s project in different stages and colors. Thank you, Diana, for the Valentine’s candies, and welcome new students, Nora and Jan.
Linda went over felting instructions. Pat demonstrated the 3-needle bind off on the roof, and Linda L. made copies of this blog for everyone. New ideas were discussed for the tea cozy; Linda L suggested making it into a purse, and Candi thought of making a taller one into a lighthouse for an espresso cozy. It was mentioned that Raley’s has a little teapot just right for the tea cozy on sale near the pharmacy at the back of the store.
Homework
Our homework assignment is to bring sewing thread or embroidery thread to match the roof, shutters, and door, an embroidery needle, and accessories to personalize your design such as beads and needle felting items. By the way, don’t forget to buy your entrelac tote pattern for the next project.
Felting Instructions
Put the item into a zippered pillow case.
Throw blue jeans, tennis shoes, or tennis balls into the washing machine too.
Wash hot, rinse cold to shock it.
Spin just a little to get water out.
Take out and reshape it.
Wash two more times.
Then stuff it to shape it to dry.
Q&A
Does stitch matter when felting?
Garter shows more ridges and is thicker than stockinette stitch.
How long should the i-cord be?
Make it 3” instead of 2”.
When is the i-cord attached?
Make the i-cord separately, and then join it to the house before felting the house.
Which method is better to join pieces together?
Use kichener stitch to join this project.
Is one skein of yarn enough for the house?
You will have just enough with one skein.
See you next time.
Linda went over felting instructions. Pat demonstrated the 3-needle bind off on the roof, and Linda L. made copies of this blog for everyone. New ideas were discussed for the tea cozy; Linda L suggested making it into a purse, and Candi thought of making a taller one into a lighthouse for an espresso cozy. It was mentioned that Raley’s has a little teapot just right for the tea cozy on sale near the pharmacy at the back of the store.
Homework
Our homework assignment is to bring sewing thread or embroidery thread to match the roof, shutters, and door, an embroidery needle, and accessories to personalize your design such as beads and needle felting items. By the way, don’t forget to buy your entrelac tote pattern for the next project.
Felting Instructions
Put the item into a zippered pillow case.
Throw blue jeans, tennis shoes, or tennis balls into the washing machine too.
Wash hot, rinse cold to shock it.
Spin just a little to get water out.
Take out and reshape it.
Wash two more times.
Then stuff it to shape it to dry.
Q&A
Does stitch matter when felting?
Garter shows more ridges and is thicker than stockinette stitch.
How long should the i-cord be?
Make it 3” instead of 2”.
When is the i-cord attached?
Make the i-cord separately, and then join it to the house before felting the house.
Which method is better to join pieces together?
Use kichener stitch to join this project.
Is one skein of yarn enough for the house?
You will have just enough with one skein.
See you next time.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
New Techniques Week 1
Hi. Class was a wonderful turnout Thursday evening; it’s great renewing friendships and making new ones. This evening we started the Cottage Tea Cozy; two handouts were distributed for this project. But before I get into this project, here is a reminder for Project 2, the entrelac tote.
Reminder
On the fourth week of class, we will start Project #2, the felted entrelac tote. Our assignment is to order the pattern from http://www.knitpicks.com/ or by calling 1-800-574-1323 before that week. The pattern number is 50406 on page 42 of the Knit Picks catalog. (I tried to order the pattern on Monday, but it is not available. They will email me when it is available; we still have some time.)
You will also need to have 10.5 circular needles, 24 inches and a set of 10.5 double point needles. You can use yarn scraps from home for this project.
Project 1: Tea Cozy
Should I begin with the roof or the house? If you have little experience knitting with circular needles, then start with the house because it is easier. Experienced circular needle knitters may want to start with the roof first because it is harder.
Can I use regular embroidery thread for embellishing the project? Yes. Linda is taking orders for Perle Cotton embroidery thread that her sister sells for 50 cents each/30 yd; however, you may use ones you already have.
What is M1? This stands for make 1 (a stitch for increasing); it is picking up stitches between stitches. A handout was distributed for M1.
How far should I knit to by next week? It is up to you; work at your own pace and don’t feel bad if you are behind.
Some abbreviations used in this pattern:
MC = main color
M = marker
CC = ? color for roof
See you next week.
Reminder
On the fourth week of class, we will start Project #2, the felted entrelac tote. Our assignment is to order the pattern from http://www.knitpicks.com/ or by calling 1-800-574-1323 before that week. The pattern number is 50406 on page 42 of the Knit Picks catalog. (I tried to order the pattern on Monday, but it is not available. They will email me when it is available; we still have some time.)
You will also need to have 10.5 circular needles, 24 inches and a set of 10.5 double point needles. You can use yarn scraps from home for this project.
Project 1: Tea Cozy
Should I begin with the roof or the house? If you have little experience knitting with circular needles, then start with the house because it is easier. Experienced circular needle knitters may want to start with the roof first because it is harder.
Can I use regular embroidery thread for embellishing the project? Yes. Linda is taking orders for Perle Cotton embroidery thread that her sister sells for 50 cents each/30 yd; however, you may use ones you already have.
What is M1? This stands for make 1 (a stitch for increasing); it is picking up stitches between stitches. A handout was distributed for M1.
How far should I knit to by next week? It is up to you; work at your own pace and don’t feel bad if you are behind.
Some abbreviations used in this pattern:
MC = main color
M = marker
CC = ? color for roof
See you next week.
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