Intarsia & Lace, Week 8

We watched the second part of the intarsia video from last week. It demonstrated the half twist and the importance of diagonal slants. Linda went over page 37 regarding how to finish the tails. It is important to work them in a diagonal slant instead of a vertical or horizontal slant and to make a U turn. The tails do not go under the yarn loops, but seem to go through the yarn; see figures on that page. The last portion of the enlarged chart was given to us to finish the sampler. It was pointed out that the author incorporated other techniques in this sampler such as the duplicate stitch and fair isle. The dots on the hearts were not done in intarsia but with duplicate stitches (page 43), and the checkerboard portion is done in fair isle. Added 11/1/08: Mistakes are intentionally placed in the sampler instructions so we can learn to recognize and fix errors.

Tip
Twist only on right side because when you come back, you will be able to pick up the twist. The left side has no twist.
It is a good idea to break yarn instead of cutting it with a pair of scissors because the frayed end keeps from coming out.

Quiz
Old yarn to the _________________; new yarn ___________________ the old yarn and to the ________________. Answers at the end.

New Patterns Next Week
Enough of us are ready to move on, so Linda will bring all of the intarsia patterns for our enjoyment next week. All of the patterns use worsted weight yarn and size 8 needles. Some of the patterns include a flower pillow or tote, a posy purse, The Hudson, and a cat silhouette.

Thank You
Linda thanked the class for the surprise birthday party last week. The class stressed that it is well deserved, and we are very impressed in getting a handwritten note from her and so promptly. What a role model.

Book
For anyone interested, Linda is lending a book to read called “Beyond Stitch & Bitch” by Afi-Odelia Scruggs.

Winners
Congratulations Summer Challenge winners! Drum roll please…

1st place, Candi


2d place, Noelle


3d place, Vickie


Answers to Quiz
left, under, right. The key word is under; if it is not under the old yarn it will not lock.







Be happy, knit!

Intarsia & Lace, Week 7

Show n' Tell






We were excited to go over Intarsia this evening. We watched a video that demonstrated how to make a half-twist to join yarn together, and Linda covered pages 15-16 and 45-46 in the Intarsia Sampler. When working the sampler, follow pages 45-46 that notes the pattern or color changes. The sampler chart on page 50 was enlarged and given to us as a handout. Linda brought colored pencils for us to shade in the chart to help see the pattern better. Two other handouts were distributed: Making the Butterfly and Intarsia Pattern Graphs from the video. Most of the class took time whining yarn on the bobbins and starting the sampler. Linda suggested we break up the sampler into four separate pieces so it is not one long, tangled sampler. The sections suggested are the following:

Section 1: Rows 1 - 44
Section 2: Rows 42 - 77
Section 3: Rows 74 - 113
Section 4: Rows 112 - 150

Here are some tips:
In order for the sampler to lie flat, knit the 1st four rows (garter stitch) then switch to stockinette stitch for the next four rows. Also you may want to add a couple of stitches on each side for a garter border.
The odd rows are the right side (knit), and the even rows are the wrong side (purl).
When adding a color, knit the old color stitch with the new color.
Then move the older color plus the tail to the left side.
The new yarn comes from underneath the old color and tail to knit.
In other words, old to the left, new to the right.
On the purl side, the old color is moved to the left and the new color is brought from underneath the old color. The tail is not touched.
When first starting a new color, you may use it off the skein. Then when it is not needed anymore, you can cut it and whine it on a bobbin or make a butterfly. Or, you can whine all your bobbins or make butterflies before starting.

Some new terms are lock, half twist, and vertical line. I’m sorry I did not get the full meaning of these words to explain it here. I think it will become clearer as we practice and hear it mentioned in class. And, I also noticed that there are some good note takers.

We also spent the latter part of the evening with a birthday party for Linda with a delicious chocolate fudge cake made by Cathy and some tea. Many knitters brought lovely, thoughtful gifts from the heart that inspires me to think more creatively.



The projects for the summer challenge are awesome. The beauty and details of everyone’s work are amazing. I love the way I am inspired and stretched to think beyond the box. We voted for the top 3 which will be announced next week. The photos are at the end.

The Placer School for Adult administration approved two extension dates. These classes are free of charge to us, and the majority of the class expressed their interest in attending.

Schedule for the End of the Year
December 4, Yarn Label Project (bring about 20ish of any shape or size)
December 11, Extension 1 and Craft Supply Exchange
December 18, Extension 2 and Party and Vendor Sale

Have an enjoyable knitting experience.

Intarsia & Lace, Week 6

Cathy's lovely sachet bag and scribble scarf

Linda L's beautiful scribble scarf

Laurie's darling knit bag ornaments

Laurie modeling Diana's cute felted hat for the Community Festival. More pictures of Diana's items are below.
It’s hard to believe that we’re already at the half way point. Linda had a couple of questions for us concerning the schedule and, even though half the class was missing, we went ahead and kind of took a vote on a few things. For example, we decided to move on to the Intarsia sampler next week, extend the class to two more sessions (one in December and one in January), have a Craft Supply and Book Exchange on December 4, and reveal our summer challenge next week. Linda was concerned that many of you could not vote and does not want anyone to feel overwhelmed with the schedule. In this class, it’s okay to go at our own pace.

Thanks to Laurie, we were given a handout on the Candle Flame Shawl and Scarf from Knit Picks. Linda has the copies.

Next Week: Intarsia Sampler
The books and bobbins have come in for the sampler. You will need size 8 needles and 4 different colors of yarn from your stash for next week. The yarn should be worsted weight wool, wool blend, or acrylic… since it is soft and forgiving. Do not use cotton or silk because the distortions show up easily. 50 yards per color is more than adequate, so it is not necessary to go out and buy yarn for this. Eventually, you’ll need a yarn needle to do a duplicate stitch on top. Linda showed us the sampler she made and stated that it is harder and messier than the projects she has in mind for us. So she hopes we will hang in there.



Summer Challenge
For sure, we will reveal our summer Indigo project next week. Don’t forget to bring it. Diana showed us her darling project since she will be selling it at the Auburn Community Festival this weekend. A picture of it will be up next week with the other reveals.

Craft Supply and Book Exchange
Linda L. was cleaning out a room and thought it would be nice to have a Craft Supply and Craft Book Exchange. On December 4, bring any craft supplies or items you have made that you would like to swap, sell, or give away. This date is tentative, in assumption that an extension will be approved for December 11 which would be our Christmas party. The craft exchange on 12/4 will be different from the handcraft items some students bring in to sell on the last day of class. So, sell garage sale items on 12/4 and community festival items on 12/11.

Happenings this Weekend
Fashion Yard Sale by Secondhand Chic, The Mobile Resale Boutique. Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5615 Brace Rd in Loomis. For more information go to their website, www.secondhandchic.org.

Auburn Community Festival. This Saturday only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park on Racetrack Dr. off Auburn Folsom Rd. Free admission, live music, vendors, food, cash prizes, scarecrow contest, and much more. Diana, Katie, Vickie, and Diane will be selling their awesome craft items. Below are pictures of Diana’s handiwork that your friends and family may want to purchase.












Have a great week.