Cardigans & Steeks, 8

Fran finished her BSJ! The buttons are perfect for it.

Free books! Vickie cleaned out her space and brought knit magazines and catalogs for us.

We went over a handout on flat to round knitting and Linda explained how to start the Adult Surprise Jacket. Here are some pointers:

The “K” or key number for your ASJ is a result of measuring the width of a favorite sweater and multiplying it by your gauge, then dividing it by 3. To get how many stitches to CO, multiply the key number by 9. For example, a sweater measures 21” across. Multiply it by your gauge such as 4.5 which is (21 x 4.5) = 94.5. Divide it by 3 (94.5 divided by 3) = 31.5; this becomes the key number (K). For CO amount, multiply K by 9 (9 x 31.5) = 283.5.

You will need to do a gauge swatch to get K.

Use a provisional cast on using scrap yarn where the cuffs should be and do a regular cast on in the middle using the cardigan yarn. This way, you can pick up stitches where the scrap yarn is to make the sleeves. The cast on cuff area is the only time using scrap yarn, the rest of the cardigan is knitted with regular yarn.

Stitch markers are placed on both ends by calculating, for example from above 2 x K (2 x 31.5 = 63), so mark stitches at 63rd st on both sides.

Row 1 is the wrong side. Decreasing is done on the even sides starting with Row 2.

Slip first stitch knitwise on all rows except the first row.

If you need to add more fullness, double increase on either side of the seam line; this is the least obvious area.

Future Class Update
Linda found out that instructors will be limited to 4 classes next year. She has 7 now, so she will have to drop 3. She does not know how much the fee will be and says it might be cheaper to find another location and separate from PSA. Linda went around the room and asked individuals how much we think the fee will be next year.

Wilta looked into a location at a church that charges only $10/hr. She wrote, “I checked with the Parkside Church of the Nazarene on Richardson Drive, off Dry Creek, and they indicated we could use one of their rooms (they have many sizes). The refundable deposit is $100 (this would be refunded at the end of the term requested unless there are building damages). Otherwise, it looks like the cost is $10/hour. If there is excessive trash, there will be a $75 fee if an extra pickup is required (don't see us requiring this).” If we do rent here, Bea proposed that we use a portion of the bra money we raised for the deposit and Diana volunteered to scan copies and email us to print out ourselves. Park also checked into the senior center; they charge $25/hr and up.

Both Wilta and Andrea mentioned that they wrote letters to Judy McCoy, the principal of the adult school and Bart O’Brien, the Superintendent at the district office. Here are the addresses Andrea wrote on the board:
Judy McCoy, Placer School for Adults, 390 Finley Street, Auburn, CA 95603 and Bart O’Brien, District Superintendent, Placer Union High School, P.O. Box 5048, Auburn, CA 95604. In the email message from Wilta this week, she also mentions two other superintendents: Dave Horsey and Doug Marquand.

Results of the Vote
The top 3 categories received the most votes on how to spend the $400 raised from the bras: classroom material support, seed money for posters, and donation for breast cancer. Linda also came up with another item to buy for the classroom, a knitting yarn meter. The yarn meter measures how much yarn is in a ball of leftover yarn.

Yarn for Sale
Linda’s sister is selling yarn for $2/skein. Make check out to “Let Nola Do It.”

Easter Challenge
The deadline is April 16.

Icons
The deadline is May 7.

Linda L. will be sending a revised email list out to us. Happy knitting.

Beautiful lime green socks by Lynn, who is also the feature quilter at the quilt show on April 4 & 5 at the Gold Country Fairgrounds.

Karen M. took Linda's gourd class and made this cute bowl.

Cardigans & Steeks, 7

Karen added collars to the BSJs. The pattern was available in class.


Lynn made this BSJ for a 2 year old using size 9 needles.

Several sweaters were finished this week inspiring the rest of us to knit on. Karen brought a copy of the collar pattern for the Baby Surprise Jacket that was made available to us. Linda shared with us some startling news about the future existence of adult classes.

Corrections to Top Down Sweater
There were a lot of corrections to the Top Down Sweater that Linda found online so we received a handout for it. It is a good idea to check for corrections for your pattern.

Icons
Linda showed us her stuffed doll frame and explained where the stuffing was placed and where it was sewn. She also gave us ideas on shortcuts. For example, if knitting a Superman doll, instead of knitting flesh color legs then making boots and tights to wear over it, go ahead and knit the boots and tights instead of the legs. Several handouts were given to the ladies participating in the icon challenge: a pattern from the knitted icon book (flat knitting), Linda’s version of the pattern knitted in the round, and a picture of a Shakespeare doll done beautifully in detail. There are corrections on Linda’s pattern: CO 32 instead of 16; Row 45 (24 sts) instead of 12 sts. We decided to keep working on this challenge in spite of the extension being pulled (see news below for details). The deadline is May 7 although the Art Walk is not until the second Thursday in June.


Easter Challenge
For anyone interested in participating, Linda handed out a felted Easter egg pattern for our Easter challenge. The deadline is April 16, after Easter. This pattern calls for dpns twice the size suggested for the yarn; Linda used size 10 needles (she suggests 10 or 10 ½ but it depends on the weight of the yarn). Correction to Row 19: (K2 tog, K4 instead of K2, K2tog). Reminder: 100% animal fiber must be used for felting. In addition, Linda brought a book of Ukrainian egg designs for ideas.


Extension Cancelled
The extension has been cancelled. Linda sadly announced that this may be the last knitting class since Placer School for Adults is cutting many classes not pertaining to basic education. Some classes have already been cut for this Spring especially ones with low enrollment. If there are knitting classes in the future, the classes will be shorter and more expensive. We decided not to have classes on April 9 and 23 which will give us time to work on our cardigans. This class will end on May 7.

Because classes like this one is important to the community, Julie encouraged all of us to write a letter to Judy McCoy, the principal of the adult school with a copy sent to Bart O’Brien, the Superintendent at the district office, stating from your heart the reason we need to keep these classes ongoing.

The sweaters below will encourage you to finish your cardigans.

A lovely sweater by Judith. You have to see both front and back.


Bea made this pretty purple sweater.

Pat bought this handy tool at Fibers. One end is a crochet hook and the other end is a knitting needle. It is good for cleansing or fixing stitches.

Cardigans & Steeks, 6

Cynthia knitted these beautiful socks using size 1 needles.

While we are struggling with the pattern, Cynthia finished two baby surprise jackets with zippers. She made one bigger to fit a child.


Linda was back and wearing her beautifully finished checkered cardigan. She shared with us a book she bought at Stitches West, Skein for Skein, which includes a cardigan with a colorful design on the back. She also brought the yarn she won on the train that is made from cotton and milk for us to feel how soft it is. She also thanked everyone for the get well card.

Baby Surprise Jacket
Many questions were answered for us regarding the pattern for this baby jacket. Karen wrote out the pattern row by row and copies were given to anyone who wanted one (which was practically the whole class). If you would like to make a child size jacket, Linda suggests using the adult size pattern instead of the baby pattern.

Regarding other cardigan patterns, Nancy and Mary Jane realized that their pattern was not working out. Linda went online and found corrections to that pattern. It might be a good idea to check to see if there are corrections to the pattern you are working on.

Buttons and Buttonholes
We read half of the first page of this handout in class. The main points are the following:
Pick out the buttons for your project before making the buttonholes so they will fit.
Test the buttonhole by buttoning and unbuttoning the button several times to see if the hole holds up. If it stretches out, you may want to use a different buttonhole pattern.
Shank buttons are better for knitted garments than flat buttons.
For the baby surprise jacket, put buttonholes on both sides; this way, the buttons and buttonholes will line up. The buttons are sewn on top of the buttonholes on one side.

Knitted Icon Project
Next week Linda will supply a list of colors and a revised pattern for knitting in the round. She has decided that we will use Cascade 220 for the body. Yarn was found for caucasian skin tone; it is Cascade 220 beige. We can either make a group purchase through a company in Oregon Linda contacted or buy our own locally.

Big Announcement
Placer School for Adults gave out pink slips this week. One of Linda’s classes that she taught for many years (not knitting ones) was cancelled for the next few years. She is encouraging everyone to please help with attendance from now until the end of June especially for adults over 55. Your attendance will count if you stop in to make an appearance and let Linda know you stopped by. An extension was approved for the month of June with no cost to us and, to help determine the future of all classes, attendance numbers will be looked at carefully this year.

Happy Knitting.

Diana went to a meeting for machine knitters and learned how to use her knitting machine. She brought it to class and showed us how it works. She can now make 21 felted pieces for a wallet in a day.

Some of Diana's Pictures from Stitches West

Cardigans & Steeks, 5

Julie made this pretty pink scarf using the yarn Laurie brought to class.

Diane shared this nice crochet book with us.

Cute little hat for Louise's new grandbaby.

Linda was out sick tonight with a very high fever. Julie led the class smoothly, and we helped each other on the interpretation of the patterns.

Stitches West
Everyone who went to Stitches West came home very tired, but had a good report. Items they bought were brought to class for show n’ tell.

Extension
An extension was approved for the month of June with no cost to the students. To help determine the future of all classes, attendance numbers will be looked at carefully this year, so no playing hooky please.

From Andrea G
For inspiration on the Art Walk project, Andrea suggested looking at www.sassyfeet.com. The shoes and purses are embellished with poetry and all kinds of things that may give us ideas for our own knitted icon.

Stay healthy and knit away.

Stitch n' Ride



We had winners! Linda and Noelle won prizes on the train.

Linda bought this gorgeous angora goat yarn.

Recipients of the Chemo Cap

Pat eyed this lovely painted yarn.

This handmade basket belongs to Georgia.

Judith bought this cute pin.