One of the cardigans in our handouts.
Wow, this is our biggest class ever – 33 students! Welcome to all newcomers to the Thursday night Knotty Knitters. It is nice to see everyone. Linda had a lot to share tonight, so I hope I get it right.
Attendance
Our attendance is very important and helps keep the fees low. Placer School for Adults (PSA) receives money from the state for the number of student present. With the state budget problems as they are, Linda hopes PSA will be able to continue in the future, so please show your support for the adult program by making a commitment to attend class.
Books & Cables
The book, Bottom Up Your Top Down, can be ordered through Auburn Needleworks (ANW), but the order must be made by noon tomorrow, 2/6. (It can also be ordered online through amazon.com.) The book is optional and, although the pictures of the cardigans look frumpy, Linda assures us that it is a great book.
It is also helpful to order either 40”or 52” long cables (Linda would choose the 52 inch). It is recommended to use Denise needles because it is so much easier to change needle heads and different cable lengths. Lisa from ANW can order the cable for you or it can be ordered online through Denise Needles. Don’t forget we get 10% discount at ANW for being enrolled in Linda’s class.
Diana bought these skeins for $5 ea at ANW in lieu of Fisherman's Wool.
Cards & Calendars
$360 was raised from the Bra note cards and calendars that were sold in the Spring session. Thank you to Louise who worked hard in making this possible. There are two more sets of note cards ($10 ea) and two more sets of calendars ($12 ea) available. Linda may write an article on the knitted bra project for Craft: magazine.
Swift & Ball Winder
A swift and ball winder is available in class every week for our use. It is kept in the storage cabinet.
Stitch n’ Ride
This event takes place on Saturday, Feb 28. We will meet in Auburn to carpool down to the Amtrak station in Sacramento to shop at Stitches West market place at the Santa Clara Convention Center. It is a great place to get new ideas and be among other passionate knitters. The train ride is so much fun too. Click on Stitch n Ride or Stitches West on the left hand column for information. Also details of our first experience are in the “Knit Trip” blog (see left hand column) under February 2008. Purchase your tickets online.
Steeks & Yarn
Steeks are extra stitches put into the knitting so it can be cut later. Steeks make it possible to cut an opening for a zipper, pocket, or edging. Traditionally it was for fair isle knitting that was done in the round. Handouts explaining steek and fair isle knitting were handed out, plus the fair isle chart for our first project. If you want to get started before the next class, you can start on this fair isle project. This is optional; you can wait to begin next week in class if you need help. There are two different fair isle projects on the handout with the checkerboard pattern. The top one is repeated six times, and the second one is repeated four times. There are errors on both charts; I hope you filled in the couple of squares missing while in class. Read the charts from right to left and use dpns; size 6 is recommended because the knitting should be tight. If you are a loose knitter, you may want to use a smaller size. One chart should be knitted with 100% wool, and the other should be knitted with acrylic so we can see the difference in how they unravel.
The Patterns
We received the class schedule and a lot of cardigan patterns, and we were able to review some other patterns for ordering. Linda strongly suggests that we start with a baby cardigan for practice. There is plenty of time in the semester to finish both a baby and an adult cardigan. Linda showed us a really cute Elizabeth Zimmerman baby cardigan using only garter stitch; most of us signed up and paid $3 for the pattern which Linda will order for us. Did you know that garter stitch uses more yarn?
Selecting Fiber
We also received a handout on “Selecting the Best Fiber for Your Garment,” and Linda shared a helpful little chart that tells you how much yarn one should buy for a sweater, cardigan, or vest. Cotton yarn is not recommended because it shows all the flaws in your knitting and starts to grow.
Phone and Email List
All newcomers, please sign the sheet to be on our class email list.
Yarn Donation
Liz from the Monday morning class is mentoring a high school student who is knitting for the homeless shelter and preemies at the hospital for her senior project. Liz is going to surprise her with yarn and hopes each person could donate one skein of yarn for this project. I will collect the yarn and keep it in the storage closet for Liz.
It was a fun night. Until next week, happy knitting!
Patterns that can be ordered.
All four skeins for $60 and the pattern by Knitorious is free.
Good idea, taping yarn to pattern in the order to knit.
Linda will bring these books to class for ideas.
Someone asked, "How many ladies does it take to measure yarn?"
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