Intarsia & Lace, Week 3

Many scribble lace project are finished, and they are all light, airy, and beautiful. The yarn used are so nice; please contact the knitter for yarn information. Click on photo for larger view of details.

Laurie's lace scarf shown on Irene since it matches her shirt.

Fran's lace scarf shown on Irene too since it matches her shirt.

Vickie's scarf

Pam's scarf with flowers on the ends.
Rosemary's scarf

Bea's shawl

Teri's scarf

More pictures to follow at the end of the blog.

This Week’s Project
We received four pages of a handout on lace chart reading and patterns for lace sachet bags that Linda went over in class. For chart reading in the round, you will always read the chart from right to left on every round. For flat knitting, row 1 and all odd rows are read from right to left, and row 2 and all even rows are read from left to right. There is no universal chart reading marks that everyone in the U.S. or the world follows, so it is important to follow the chart legend on the pattern you are following.

A magnetic chart keeper to keep track of your progress is highly suggested. The chart keeper can be purchased through Knit Picks, Patternworks, or any craft store in the cross stitch section. Linda prefers the chart keeper from Knit Picks because it folds in half and snaps in place for easy storage. Other tips for reading lace charts are to enlarge the chart on a copier or use a highlighter to mark every other row.

The pattern for the “Generations Purse” is written for flat knitting. Place a stitch marker right after “knit 38 stitches” to mark when to start the chart row for the lace section. The chart for the ribbon loops is the 4-row chart below the row instructions. Change the legend of the 6th box that is defined as “slip 2 knitwise, k2, pass 2 slipped stitches over” to knit 3 together instead. The last box defined as “no stitch” means that there is less stitches in that row so just follow the instructions in the next box. If knitting in the round, place a stitch marker after k38 and at the beginning of the round, and knit instead of purl all stitches in row 2.

If you do not want to make a sachet bag, try making a sampler of the two-page lace patterns in the handout and keep it in a notebook with your comments.

Regarding the scribble lace pattern, Linda made a correction to last week's chalkboard sketch. It should read from bottom up: cast on, stockinette, reverse stockinette, stockinette, reverse stockinette, stockinette, reverse stockinette, bind off. In other words, knit chunky, purl, knit, purl. Most of us could not see the difference between the two, but it may be helpful to someone. One tip Linda gave us on scribble lace is to place the long finished end in a bag while you knit so it does not tangle or get caught in something.

Next Week
We will continue working on scribble lace and the lace sachet instead of moving on to the Shetland lace.

Future Project – Yarn Labels
Start collecting yarn labels, the more the merrier, for a future surprise project. The project will take place towards the end of the Fall session.

This Weekend, Alpaca Ranch Tour
The Alpaca Gold Association is presenting the 2008 Alpaca Ranch Tour this weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ten foothill alpaca ranches will be open to the public in three counties: Nevada, Placer, and Yuba. It is free to the public, and alpaca products can be purchased in their boutiques. Flyers were available in class with ranch addresses or you can go to www.alpacagold.org for maps and information or www.opustwoalpacas.com/tour for directions and schedule information.

Our New Toys, Swift and Ball Winder

Linda L. bought this Artic Lace book on her visit to Alaska.

Thank You’s
Linda thanked the class for the money collected to pay for the shipping cost of our new toys, the swift and the ball winder which are shown above. I think the "toys" were purchased with the Award of Merit money received at the state fair.

Vickie received a thank you card from the Mother Bear project which she read in class. Several bears were mailed to this organization to give to children with HIV in Africa. The pattern was handed out to interested class members. A picture of some of the bears can be found in the blog archives under July 18, 2008.

Diana received a letter from the state fair that received a comment on the bra exhibit at the state fair; it was cute and favorable.

Phone List
Linda L. started a new class phone and email list. A couple of new names are still to be added, and she suggests those of us who have the old email list to redo it or update it on our computer since students who are no longer in the class do not want to receive emails that do not relate to them anymore.

Natural Dye Class
Linda met an instructor who teaches nature dye classes in Greenwood. If you are interested in taking this class, Linda is taking names. The fee is $50, and the date has not been set yet. A minimum of 5 students is needed.

Stitches West 2009
The 2009 brochure is already available online at knittersuniverse.com. Mark your calendar for the Stitch n’ Ride on Feb 28. Many of your questions are answered for you under “Our Knit Trips” by clicking on “Stitches West 2008” on the left hand column. We will organize a class trip on Stitch n' Ride to Stitches West which was the best part of the whole trip in January/February.

Linda will send this informative lace book back unless someone is interested in buying it. The cost is $30. It is a good book, but Linda is not going to keep it since she is not using it for class. Let her know asap.

Cathy's grandmother made this cute sweater; there is another kitty on the back that I regret not taking a picutre of.

Vickie received the coveted bag ornament that Teri made. It is filled with goodies. The exchange was fun.

Vickie made this sachet out of the little yarn sampler from Stitches West.

Brenda made a shawl, scarf, Christmas ornaments, and socks.
Closer view of Brenda's lace socks.

Even closer

The Christmas ornaments

Karen made two sets of hat, scarf, and open finger mittens and gloves.


Close view of Karen's cable scarf

Have a great week!

Intarsia & Lace, Week 2

A lot of show n' tells. Individual pictures are at the end of this blog.

Free Give Away. Rosemary found these crochet pieces at a garage sale for anyone interested.
Linda finished the basket she was working on at the Summer Pool Party.
As always, it was an enjoyable night. Many finished their knit bag ornaments, and they are very cute. An optional ornament exchange will be held next week. If you would like to participate, bring your ornament in a bag that cannot be seen through.

This Week’s Project
Two handouts for Scribble Lace were passed around. Handout 1 shows two techniques: a lace cast on which Linda demonstrated and a yarn over bind off.

Handout 2 is the pattern for a scribble lace project whether you make a scarf, shawl, or a sampler. Linda shared several secrets or tips with us regarding this pattern.

1. Where it reads “work 3 rows in stockingnette stitch,” start with a purl row. So it should be “purl row, knit row, purl row” using lace weight. Then slide over to meet bulky yarn for “knit one row in thick yarn.”
2. Never slide the lace weight. It will always meet you if do it right.
3. Slide only the bulky weight. It will not meet you if you do it right.
4. You always knit a row (not purl) with bulky weight. Loosely carry bulky on the end every other row.
5. Count stitches every row at first, and then later just count the bulky.
6. Don’t stop in the middle of a row; make sure you finish a row since it is hard to pick up and becomes a mess. Better yet, finish one bulky row or three lace weight rows before stopping.

Linda used 28 stitches for the shawl and knitted until she ran out of yarn. For a scarf, she will use 12-14 stitches. Reminder: with the lace cast on, you will always have an odd number of stitches.

Next Week’s Project
We will start a lace sachet next week; this project is to teach us how to read a chart for lace by knitting by chart in class. Linda used fingering weight crochet cotton thread/yarn with a size 2 needle for her sachet. You may use any yarn that shows lace detail; make sure you choose a needle size that is appropriate for your yarn weight. For lace details, solid and heather yarn is suitable; some variegated yarn or tweed is okay. Novelty and textured yarn is not appropriate for lace since the details are lost in the texture.

If you are still working on the scribble lace, you do not have to start on the sachet or you do not have to complete your scribble lace project in order to start the sachet. In this class, you may go at your own pace and may elect to skip projects. Linda starts a new project fairly quickly because there are several students who finish their projects by the next class. Don’t feel like you have to keep up. Show n’ tell is also optional.

Class Computer
A computer with internet connection has been placed in the classroom. We can look up knitting websites and read the blog in class now. This week Linda suggested we look up www.theloopyewe.com. They specialize in sock yarn and their store is loaded with only sock yarn from floor to ceiling.

Not only is there a computer, a swift and ball winder will be available too. Linda L. collected money to help pay for the shipping cost.

Phone List
Every session Linda L. starts a new class phone and email list. This list has been very handy in getting messages and information to us during the week, answering questions we have, making friends, and more. Linda L. placed the old list on the table for new additions and update.


Indigo Summer Challenge
Show n’ tell for the summer challenge will be in a couple of weeks.

A knitting knoddy was used to make hanks for hand dying. Linda made this one using PVC pipes; the cost is $5 if you would like one.





More News
Pam had flyers on hand from Creative Urges, a craft supply store in Auburn. The address is 809 Lincoln Way, phone 823-8538. She also shared with us information on knitting for charity. The organization is called The Red Rose Society that offers handmade articles for local needs. Contact Pam for more information.

The missing knit bra has been found. Bra artists, please turn in your bio and bra title to Louise this week if you have not done so already.

The 2009 Stitches West brochure and registration is already online at knittersuniverse.com. Classes at Stitches West fill up fast if you are interested in taking classes. Mark your calendar for the Stitch n’ Ride if you would like to go. I haven't checked capitolcorridor.org if reservations are being taken for it yet.

Can’t wait to see you all next week. Knit on!

Karen's hats with brim.

Louise's socks and baby jacket.

Pat's project that grew and grew into a blanket.

Pam's felted baby backpack and two hats.

Cynthia's baby blankets.

Barbara's Christmas stocking.

Irene's viking hat for a child.

Nancy shared a book titled "Tea Cozies" by Guild of Master Craftsmanship (gmcbooks.com). The patterns are beautiful and very creative.

Here are some pictures from "Tea Cozies." A fun fur fish.

Cottage Garden Tea Cozy

Spring Garden Tea Cozy

Intarsia & Lace, Week 1

Four fabulous knitters around the Award of Merit from the state fair for the knitted bras.
Fran knitted this lovely baby sweater.
Linda L's lovely musk ox lace yarn from Alaska.

Candi bought this beautiful merino yarn in Germany this summer.

Cynthia made this cute baby hat. I think she made an afghan to go with it too.
Georgia knitted this beautiful, soft scarf.
First of all, Happy Birthday September Ladies!

Welcome
Class was huge, exciting and fun. It was so nice to see everyone and meet new knitters. We introduced ourselves, told how long we’ve been knitting and what our favorite color is. Welcome newcomers Cathie, Pam, Barbara, Brenda, Nancy, Rosemary, Lynn, Karen, Laurie, Cynthia, and the knitter next to Cynthia. I'm sorry if I missed someone. Welcome back Katie and congratulations on earning your Masters in Education.

Show n’ Tell
Most of us did not bring our summer projects for show n’ tell. Bring them next week if you would like to share what you made this summer. Linda brought a lot of show n' tell items from this summer's camp. Here are a few.

Hand dyed yarn and wood chips for the dye

Linda made the basket, book, and hand dyed the material.

Linda purchased this cool necklace at the Knitty Couture in St. Louis. It is a knitting needle gauge.

Indigo Challenge
Several brought their summer challenge to show, but Linda would like us to wait until next week to share.

Syllabus
A one-page syllabus was distributed for the class. We will work on lace the first half of the semester and then intarsia the second half. Schedule is subject to change depending on how we are doing on the projects.

I Need Help
If you need help with a project, please write your name on the chalkboard so Linda can meet with you after class discussion.

Today’s Surprise Project
Our surprise project is really cute; it is a knitting bag ornament. The instruction was copied on the back of the syllabus and toothpicks were given to us to add as knitting needles. Linda says to be creative. The pattern is written for straight needles, but it can be changed to knit in the round by casting on 36 stitches (Bea suggests casting on 35 or 37 stitches so the seed stitch pattern is easier). To garter stitch in the round, one row must be knit and the next row purl; otherwise, it will come out as stockinette stitches. To end, use a 3-needle bind off and turn the bag inside out. Bea suggested we trade the ornaments with each other by bringing it in a bag to draw in class. Two beads for the end of the knitting needles are needed to be glued on. Several shops for beads were mentioned in class such as Altamont, Gypsy Wind, Ben Franklin, Beverly’s, $1.25 store, Dollar Tree, and Michael’s. Instead of using polyester fiber to fill the bottom of the bag, use a large butterfly yarn; this way the fiber will not show and it will look like the contents of a real bag.

Next Week’s Project
Scribble lace is next week’s project. You will need a circular needle (average length is 24”) with a size 15 or 17 needles, 1 skein of lace weight or a little heavier yarn, and 1 skein of bulky weight yarn. Linda used a solid lace yarn and a multi color chunky yarn. Quilting thread can be used if you have it, but it does not work well. I think someone mentioned that Ben Franklin’s has lace weight yarn for sale at $8/skein.

Other News
Filati’s is for sale! The owner is retiring.

Louise had a great idea this summer. She invited family members on a beach retreat just for sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc. They had a wonderful time, and she made several felted bags.

Linda would like to send the knitted bras to St. Louis for a display. She would like two bras represented for each month. I think seven more bras are needed so if you are interested in making one, let Linda know. The months that have two bras already are February, March, June, August, and November.

For those of you who are new to the class and/or blogging, if you have any questions regarding the first class, you may contact me by email (ibergh@sbcglobal.net) or leave a message under comments on this blog.

Knit on!

For Fall Classes

New news: An extra intermediate class has been added on Mondays from 9-11 a.m.

Class starts next week. Here is the supplies list for
Knitting Beyond the Basics & Easy Intermediate Knitting

• About 25 yards – cream, tan, heather brown or gold yarn
• Size 8 – double point needles
• Small amounts of left-over yarns. Bring a good variety of colors and textures, even a yard of yarn will work so don’t buy anything for this!
• Yarn needle
• Optional – Knit Aid by Vickie Howell (book available at The Tin Thimble)

You will be making a surprise project for the first session and going over the materials for the rest of the semester.