Intarsia & Lace, Week 11

Charts
We learned how to make our own chart this week. Linda showed us the steps involved in making the chart and explained the difference between knitting graph paper vs. regular graph paper. It is very important to use knitting graph paper because the boxes are in the shape of rectangles like stockinette stitches. If regular graph paper is used, the boxes are square and the project will be shorter than it should be. Bea explained that when she made her BOO project a year ago, it was much shorter than she anticipated because she used the wrong graph paper. It is hard to find knitters graph paper, so Bea made multiple copies for the class. There is a knitters graph paper chart in the back of Vickie Howell’s book, Knit Aid which is the reason Linda put it on our class supply list.

For making the chart, here are the following steps:
1) Enlarge picture and enhance with Sharpie pen by outlining it.
2) Trace on to tracing paper.
3) Photo copy it.
4) Put it behind the graph paper with tape.
5) Using a light box or window, take a pencil and draw all lines. There is a light box we can use in class. Detailed lines of embellishments are not drawn in.
6) Square off by keeping the boxes that are 50% shaded and erasing any less than that.


The steps are hard to see in the photo, and the bottom two should be switched (wrong order).

Tips
Karen figured out a way to keep yarn from tangling. Because of this tangle free method, she now enjoys intarsia. Have her show you; I’m glad I did.
She also shared that she uses a restickable glue stick on a long strip of paper to help line up the chart; it is easily moved from row to row. She even brought extra strips for us.

We watched more sections of the intarsia video by Luci Neatby. This time we learned how to weave in the tails in the correct direction and how to rescue different types of mistakes made without cleansing the whole thing. It is a timesaver and worth watching.

Next Class
Finally, we will use our collected yarn labels. The project is so cute; the labels are used to decoupage gift boxes. Here is a list of items you will need to bring: yarn labels, cardboard gift boxes or other forms such as picture frames (Beverly’s or Ben Franklin), scissors, sponge brush, cookie sheet with wax paper to dry on, and a small jar to take home glue if you are not done.


Charitable Knitting
A copy of directions for a helmet liner was made for anyone interested. The helmet liners are for the marines in Afghanistan or Iran that will be collected in class and shipped in one package in January. The liners need to be gauged carefully to fit inside the helmet and knit with Cascade 220 wool or equivalent so it will not melt under fire. The colors worn are tan, brown, black or charcoal; the marines strongly favor tan. When you bring the finished liner, please donate $1 for shipping.

Note Cards and Calendar
You may still sign up to order the bra note cards and calendars. Louise will have the order for us at the next class, Dec 4. Linda showed us a darling picture of a bra made for July of two fish with bullions; it is whimsical, colorful, and fun. It is not part of the note card set, but it may make it to the St Louis show along with the ones Linda is shipping off this week.

Also Linda L’s house will be featured on Good Day Sacramento on Channel 31 the morning of Dec 4. Her daughter nominated her for an interior decorating makeover for being stuck in the 70s. There will be before and after shots of her living and dining rooms.

Yard Sale
If you have craft items you would like to sell, exchange, or give away, bring it on Dec 11. Place your name on the items you want to sale, and please take home any item not sold, traded, or taken. The dates were incorrect in last week’s blog.

Christmas Party
At the next class, there will be a sign up list for the Christmas Party potluck. The categories are Cheese/Meat/Eggs, Fruit/Vegetables, and Baking Goods.

For the White Elephant gift exchange, the item should be knitting related valued at $10 or less. It could be something you make or buy.

Schedule, Three more classes to go.
Nov 27, No Class, Thanksgiving Day
Dec 4, Class, Yarn Label Project
Dec 11, Class, Yard Sale
Dec 18, Class, Christmas Party and Cottage Industry Sale

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Intarsia & Lace, Week 10

Students are getting ready for the holidays by knitting presents, and books were brought in to share with the class.








Charts, Measure, Lock
A dice pattern was given to us tonight so you can drape a pair to go over your rearview mirror. A diagram was drawn on the blackboard to show us how it should be assembled.

Linda demonstrated how to measure how much yarn is needed to do a small fill in intarsia by CO 10 stitches, and then knit 10 in another color. Cut the ends off the yarn we just knitted, undo it, measure the yarn we just unraveled with a ruler, count how many stitches we will need to fill in the pattern, do a mathematical formula, and add 12 inches of yarn to that for extra take up. It’s not as bad as it sounds here.

She also showed us how to knit the tail into your knitting so you will not have to finish ends when you are all done by knitting the tail in every other stitch. So, every other stitch take tail up, knit a stitch, take tail down, knit a stitch…

Tips
Don’t forget to lock the yarn so there are no holes in your project.
Before knitting, precount the stitches in the row and place the numbers at the bottom of the chart along with the color it corresponds with. Linda showed us on the blackboard.

The intarsia video by Lucy Neatby explains the reason we should not strand yarn and that stranding yarn is not intarsia. Several examples of the wrong way we might knit a diamond were demonstrated and how it will come apart in the long run. For a good piece of intarsia work, do it right – no stranding please.


Next Week
Linda will show us how to design our own chart. Also, the big label project reveal is next week! She will actually show us what we will be making and letting us know what other items we will need to bring to class for the label project which will be after the Thanksgiving break, Dec. 4.

Note Cards and Calendar
Orders and payment for the bra note cards and calendars were taken in class. Calendars are $12 each, and the note cards (6 in each set) are $10 each. If you would like the whole set of note cards, order 2 sets. A bonus card of all bras plus envelopes will be included in a set of note cards. A minimum of 25 sets is needed for Louise to put in an order. She is ordering 50 of each set this weekend, so it is important to get your order and money in right away.

Garage Sale
A huge garage sale is taking place in Colfax this Friday, Nov 14. Contact Karen for info.
Diane’s daughter is having a clothes sale this Thursday through Saturday in Loomis.

Candy Classes
Cathy is teaching cooking classes with Adult Ed. A candy making class will be held on Nov. 18. Learn to make peanut butter cups, almond joys, peppermint patties, chocolate suckers, and much more. On Dec. 2 and 9, she will be teaching how to make gingerbread houses. Classes will be held at Chana High School. Enroll soon.

Schedule (Dates were incorrect; corrected on 11/21)
Nov 20, class
Nov 27, no class
Dec 4, yarn label project
Dec 11, garage sale
Dec 18, Christmas party and vendor sale

Just received my Stitch n' Ride newsletter from Capitol Corridor. Vickie, Teri, Linda L., and I are in it. Wow!

Intarsia & Lace, Week 9

Linda went over the five intarsia charts that were given to us tonight and showed us the color version from her books. She also reviewed when and where to lock yarn when knitting in intarsia. In two weeks, she will teach us how to design our own intarsia charts.

Tips
Never wait to strand more than 3 stitches without locking. Linda locks every other strand. Strand loosely.
Do not strand yarn on the back of the hearts; that will cause them to pucker.
When finishing tails, weave them diagonally instead of horizontal or vertical. You will probably need to weave into other colors. Use common sense.

Craft Fair
The Methodist Church in Meadow Vista is having their Placer Hills Christmas Craft Fair this Saturday, Nov. 8. All proceeds will go to help people living in the Appalachian Mountains. Contact Georgia with questions.

Candy Classes
Cathy is teaching cooking classes with Adult Ed. A candy making class will be held on Nov. 18. Learn to make peanut butter cups, almond joys, peppermint patties, chocolate suckers, and much more. On Dec. 2 and 9, learn to make gingerbread houses. Enrollment is still being accepted; classes will be held at Chana High School.

The challenge winners won skeins of Fun Fur and/or Incredible by Lion Brand.

Enjoy your knitting time!