Hip 2B Sq, 3

There were a lot of completed pot holders in various colors. The colors combinations were really nice. Here are a few:

Cathy made these pretty potholders.

Diane made cute mini-size potholders and a crochet acorn basket.

Vickie sewed two together to make this soft but firm potholder.

Kool-aid dyed Fishermen's Yarn by Vickie. She says lemonade does not work well.

Irene's 6-panel scarf with i-cord edge.

Cynthia wove this lovely piece.

New Class List
Linda L sent us two email messages with the revised class list, phone numbers, and email addresses this week. She will be sending us another revised list soon adding a new student. If you did not receive an email message from Linda L, please check the spam folder first before contacting her at lindaleman1@mac.com.

This Week’s Assignment: Basket
Linda spent quite awhile explaining the basket pattern to us; we received it last week. Fortunately, our new student, Jesse, had already made it and brought it to class. It was easy to understand the pattern by looking at her model.


Some points to note:
Squares A and B are made separately; they are not attached. When Sq C is added, it will attach Sqs A and B. Sq C will be placed between A and B.
The diagonals for Sqs A and B should be going the same way.
The bottom of the basket (Sqs A, B, C, D) is not considered a round. Round 1 is E, F, G, H.
For size, A 4 inch sq felted will turn out to be about 2.5 inches felted, and a 5 inch sq felted will turn out to be about 3 inches felted.
If you are felting the basket, stuff it while it is drying to shape it.
The backwards crochet edge is not necessary for felting. Another name for this edging is crab stitch. Another edge you may want to use is an i-cord edge.

Next Week's Project: Incomplete Square Scarf
The handout for the incomplete square scarf was given to us in class so we can look for yarn. We will START on it next week; it is not to be completed by next week. Other options for this pattern would be to make a market bag, pillow, or wrap. Linda suggests using scrap from your yarn stash.

Future Projects: Oldies but Goodies
Pat brought a variety of past projects to show what Linda taught in past classes. Linda is thinking to revisit past projects for the spring term if we are interested. Some suggestions from the class were mosaic knitting, free form, and knitting with beads. You can also see what we have done in the past, by looking in the “archives” on the left hand column of this blog. Please give feedback to Linda.



Jesse made this pretty modular bag.

Alpaca News
This coming weekend is the National Alpaca Farm open house. For details, go to alpacasolutions.org. Linda recommends going to A-Star Alpaca farm; her husband will be having a broom making demonstration.

Tentatively two weeks from now, a couple of ladies will be making an alpaca presentation in class.

Other News
Diana and the knitted celebrity icons made it to class in one piece even though they were involved in a car accident that totaled Diana’s car. Fortunately, Diana was not injured, and the icons only suffered a little whiplash.

Linda would like to host a Christmas wreath making party. The librarian in Foresthill has a business on the side making these wreaths. Ten ladies are needed for a group. The cost is $35 per person to make a 10, 12, or 14 inches wreath using pine cones, ribbons, etc., that the librarian will furnish. Please let Linda know asap if you would like to participate.

Road Trip! Lambtown USA is on October 3 in Dixon this year. This is a big event for spinners, weavers, knitters, and fiber artists. Seventy-five vendors will be setting up their goods for sale, plus there will be food and music. There are several contests involving sheep shearing to spinning, sheep gathering by dogs, etc. Admission is only $1! It opens at 9 am and closes at 7 pm. Details are listed on the left hand column of this blog under Knitting Events. Irene plans to go for her first time as she is headed towards the Bay area that evening. She can help arrange carpool if anyone wants to go. Contact her at ibergh@sbcglobal.net.

More Photos
Nancy's beautiful Top Down Sweater. She says blocking it made a good difference in shaping.

Sarah and Cathy brought books to share in class. Both books are filled with nice projects.


Bea is selling this fun rat scarf at her church. See the tail? She will share the pattern with us next week. For more patterns, the website is morehousefarm.com.

Happy Knitting!

Hip 2B Sq, 2

What to do with a domino square if you don't want to make dominos?

Diane made a cute pouch and a case.

Teri made this classy felted key chain.

Seating Arrangement
The staff at ARD set up the table and chairs for us this week. The tables were arranged in one large square with the chairs on the outside perimeters and the center was empty. Linda received mixed reviews in class, so she would like your feedback whether you like the new seating arrangement or prefer the first one or something else. If you did not get a chance to tell Linda how you feel, email her at mocactusneedle@netscape.net. You can see a little bit of it below.


New Class List
On Wednesday, Linda L sent us all an email with the new class list, phone numbers, and email addresses. The list was passed around in class to check for any errors. One name and one phone were corrected, so a new list will be sent out again. If you are new to the class and did not receive the email, please check your spam folder.

Short Cut to ARD
Linda mentioned a short cut to our new location. Instead of driving to Maidu on Auburn-Folsom, she went from Auburn Folsom, turned left on Sacramento, turned left to Sky Ridge, and turned right on Riverview. ARD will be on the left side. She says it saves a little more time and you do not have to drive up the hill.

Knitting Tools
A check out sheet has been put together by Louise. The blocking boards may be signed out for one week. It has been decided that the ball winder and swift will be available for us to use during class instead of checked out.

The swift/yarn winder did not fit on the table, so Vickie used the banister.

Square
Linda demonstrated the weaving square. Class photo above was taken during that time.



1st and 2d Week's Assignments: Dominos, Sq Panels, and Pot Holders
We reviewed picking up stitches for attaching a new square to an existing square. Linda drew a picture of the square showing us which loop is stitch #1, how many stitches to pick up in between, and which piece is the turn around bump. We were reminded that we need to have an odd number of stitches for squares, and we do not have to change colors on stitch #1. Color can be changed on stitch #2. Some of the students expressed that they could not tell the difference from the right and wrong sides; Linda suggests putting a color marker or yarn on one of the sides.


We then went over the pot holder patterns. The pot holders in DK cotton yarn comes out thin, so you may want to knit two and sew them together or knit with two strands of yarn, use bulky worsted weight, or use wool to felt it. If using wool for felting, use size 10.5 needles. If using two strands of yarn or bulky worsted weight, use size 13 needles.

Also if using worsted weight instead of DK weight, you may want to adjust the amount of CO stitches. Try CO 15 or 17 sts for worsted weight yarn. For felting, stick with the original amount of CO stitches but use bigger needles as mentioned above. She mentioned that sometimes the numbers are wrong in the pattern, and we noticed that some of the words are cut off on the right hand edge of our handout.

Pattern 1: Note the edging is only on two sides and the loop will be at the bottom. Correction: on right hand side, first column, under “Border-Knitted “Mouse Teeth” Picot,” delete 76. Should read “pick up and knit 75 sts.”

Pattern 2: Note the square in the center is the best one to make your gauge. For sq D, CO sts first then pick up sts on sq A. Instead of garter st loop, you may want to make an i-cord loop. If felting, remember the item will shrink to 60% of the original size, so don’t forget to make loop size accordingly.

Correction to words cut off on right hand edge, back page.
Under “Log Cabin Border, 1st side”
1st line: fin-
2d line: 37 sts
3d line: BO
4th line: and do
Under 2d side:
1st line: the
2d line: until
3d line: Knit

Pattern 3: Corrections to 1st paragraph on LEFT hand side.
3d line: then
4th line: is

Opposite side: Correction under “I, J, K, and L—3d block”
2d line: squares,
3d line: and L
Under “M, N, O, and P—4th block”
1st line: (sun
4th line: between

Pattern 4: Linda went over how to make a triangle. Correction under “Number of Sts: 29”
2d line: 15 sts.
3d line: 29 sts
5th line: round
Under NOTE: (curry) is

Opposite Page 6, Under “G—3d panel, a square”
2d line: in the
3d line: center st
Under “Top triangle, open-29 sts”
1st line: triangle ends
2d line: use to
3d line: can be

Headband: Suggested to use garter st which is more stable than stockinette. If using ww yarn, CO 19 or 21 sts. Note: the pieces are NOT attached in Round 1. They are attached in Round 2.
Words cut off on right side.
1st line: it
3d line: The
4th line: diamond
5th line: sewing
Measurements: circumference is
Yarn: sock wt.
Colors for child's size: skeins of
Colors for adult size: skeins of
2d line: gold-
Needles: rolled
2d line: needles
Construction: sqs
Gauge: 1-3/4”
2d line: 2-5/8”
3d line: to

Next page, 2d line: side,
3d line: way.
In black, 2d line: into
5th line, another
Last paragraph in black:
1st line: purl
2d line: into
4th line: slip
5th line: purling

Next Week’s Projects: We will start Baskets and continue previous projects (pot holders, headbands)
The handout for the basket was distributed in class. There are two sizes of baskets: short and tall. We did not go over the pattern since we will go over it next week. Linda gave us suggestions for yarn. She plans to use scraps of wool yarn and felt it. She also mentioned that we might want to use twine, or make a crazy quilt pattern with various colors, or use the stuff that makes fabric stiff. We will also receive more patterns next week.

Reminder: Work at your own pace.

Future Projects
Pat suggested that we revisit past projects in the future. Some suggestions from the class were mosaic knitting, free form, and knitting with beads. If you would like to see what we have done in the past, check the “archives” on the left hand column of this blog. It goes back to 2006. Let Linda know if you have any suggestions.

Lion Brand Yarn
Linda received her Fall Lion Brand catalog and noticed that they now carry five colors of fisherman yarn instead of two. The colors are natural, oatmeal, nature’s brown, oak tweed, and maple tweed. This yarn is 100% wool and can be used for felting. Vickie bought all five colors when she was in Ohio this summer. It was noted that Ben Franklin’s carry all five colors too.

Discount at BF
Speaking of Ben Franklin’s, a student in one of Linda’s classes was buying supplies there this past week. The cashier saw that she had a class supplies list and gave her a 15% discount for being enrolled in the class. So, take your class enrollment/receipt with you when you shop there. A receipt can be printed out from your "account" page if you enrolled with ARD online.

Other News
Noelle was in class this week. She thanked everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and generous gifts. Things are falling into place, and they have talked to a contractor and the insurance company. She says, “We are good.”

Louise mentioned that there is new vinyl material that is like chalkboard. You can write messages and erase it. She found the fabric at Mill Street Fabrics in Grass Valley.

Diana reported this week that we won $5 for first place at the Gold Country Fair for our knitted icon display. Karen, from a previous knitting class, printed our knitted icon photos on one sheet and made a lovely memorable collage to display.


Georgia finished this beautiful red sweater.

Sue made this sweater for a child to wear at Disneyland.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of Nancy's lovely blue/lavendar Top Down sweater and Cynthia's yard sale find: knitting magazines. Knit on!

Hip 2B Sq, 1

We were all excited to see each other, show what we made during the summer, and get on with new projects.

Welcome
Welcome new Knotty Knitters: Lynne, Nancy, Bunny, Mary Ellen, Janine, and Sandy. Most have taken one of Linda’s knitting classes before.
Welcome back: Louise, Georgia, Teri, Bea, Pat, Cynthia, Cathy, Diana, Kathy, Laurie, Wilta, Nora, Rosemary, Mary Jane, Diane, Vickie, Candi, Linda L, Irene, and Noelle (we missed you). I hope I didn't forget anyone. Noelle lost her home in the fire recently and will start attending class when she can. Diana will keep us informed on how we can help.

A lot of beautiful and cute projects were brought for Show n Tell. Unfortunately, there was little time and no room on the table for photos, so here are a few captured on the spot and unedited. (All photos can be enlarged by clicking on it.)

Teri's News Boy Hat

Bea's Sweater and Alligator Scarf. She had a blast at craft camp in Missouri where Linda taught classes.


A couple of Pat's DWR scarves (dr waiting room). She brought many beautiful ones.


Vickie's pine needle baskets. She took Linda's class over the summer and went wild.

Candi's News Boy Hat

Thank You
Linda expressed her appreciation to the following Knotty Knitters for their assistance to the group:
Linda L for heading communication through email messages and updating a list of names, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Irene for writing a blog with class notes and photos.
Louise, Bea, Wilta, and Laurie for looking into a new location for us to meet.
Louise for being our Treasurer.
Also, Diana for entering and taking our projects to the Artwalk and fairs.

Knitting Tools
Blocking boards, ball winder, swift, and yarn measurer are available for us to use and will be in Linda's care. These tools can be used in class or checked out for one week only by signing a sheet. The honor system will be applied, and it is recommended not to check these out if you plan on being absent the following week when they should be returned. We will more than likely hunt you down (hee, hee).

I Need Help
The new location and classroom are really nice; however, we sure miss a chalkboard. Linda brought a mini whiteboard that is on the front table for us to write our names down for her help.

Samples of Class Projects

Here are a few: Scarf, Spectator Bag, and Unfinished Shrug

Linda showed us samples and photos of the projects for this session: dominos, potholders, headband, basket, scarf, cap, purse, hats, slippers, bags, shrug, vest, and sweaters. A syllabus and basic instructions for squares were handed out. The projects chosen will teach us new concepts and techniques. Although it is not required for us to make all of the projects or to stay on schedule, there will be some projects required to make for learning new concepts that will prepare us for the more difficult projects. We are allowed to work at our own pace so don’t feel overwhelmed.

Linda is using these books for class ideas: Knit to be Square and Domino Knitting. Purchase is optional. Class patterns will be given to us at the appropriate time. The $5 material fee has been waived until further notice.


This Week’s Assignment: Color Dominos and Square Panels 1-6
Work on dominos and squares. If you do not want to make a set, make at least one domino and one panel of squares to learn the technique. Linda demonstrated the knitted cast on and made one square explaining the pattern as she went. Some of the techniques are similar to the Baby Surprise Jacket or the felted modular purse. She also went over the differences between the six squares.

Next Week’s Projects: We will START Pot Holders and/or a Headband
The second set of handouts is for the four potholder patterns that we will start next week.
Pattern 1: we will learn a picot edging.
Pattern 2: we will learn a basic square plus two colors and a log cabin edging. Also a panel & a block. Linda went over the difference between a panel and a block and showed us examples.
Pattern 3: we will learn to change direction of a diagonal line.
Pattern 4: we will learn to knit triangles. This pattern is the most difficult.

It is recommended to use cotton yarn for pot holders such as Sugar n Cream or any scrap cotton yarn, but not required (any ww will do). It was mentioned that Beverly’s and Ben Franklin’s have a good selection of Sugar n Cream yarn. Use sz 6 needles for ww yarn. Linda suggested using different size needles as an experiment such as sz 5 or for felting with 100% wool, use sz 10 or 10.5. Dn stands for dpn (Correction: dn stands for darning needle).

For the headband, we will learn the use of squares and triangles. Any scrap acrylic yarn can be used to knit all other projects, even Red Heart. Oh my! If felting, use 100% wool and larger needles.

Big News
Cathy is one of the food judges at the Gold Country Fair. She couldn’t resist and took a sneak peek of our knitted icons display. She found them in a case and attached to it is a blue ribbon. Congratulations! The fair runs through this weekend in Auburn. I will post pictures of the fair display in next week's blog.

Other News
Bunny informed us that Fibers in GV is moving. Their new location will be off Empire exit on South Auburn St. Several items will be on sale for 20% off. If going, call them first to find out if they have already moved or you can probably find out on their website which is listed on the lefthand column of this blog.

Tin Thimble is also moving to Loomis on Horseshoe Bar Rd by the High Hand Nursery.

Diane brought coupons for the Dressing Up Diva Consignment Sale that her daughter operates. It runs Sep 10 (6-8 pm), Sep 11 & 12 (10 am - 6 pm) and Sep 13 (10 am - 4 pm) at 215 Kenroy Ln, St 2, Roseville, off Riverside near Cirby. Candi buys a lot of nice clothes there, and she bought a beautiful name brand dress to wear at her daughter's upcoming wedding; it was a steal.

Happy Birthday to all September knitters! Hope I didn't forget anything else. Happy Knitting!

Linda's Show n' Tell, Natural Dyed Yarn

Class Starts on Thursday, 9/10

It's already September, and the knitting class will start soon. Linda L sent us an email reminding us to register. Signing up with ARD is an easy process, and I like that we can see how many people have registered so far. The supplies list was also emailed to us. Here it is:

Knitting Beyond the Basics – Hip to Be Square, Materials List
Assorted colors of scrap worsted weight wool yarn.
Size 10 or 10.5 circular needles in any length.
Stitch markers that can be attached to the stitch.
Yarn needle.
Other materials will be discussed in the first class. (Bring $5 for materials.)

The Thursday night class will be held at the Canyon View Community Center, 471 Maidu Dr, Auburn. Here are directions to the Canyon View site that are posted on the ARD website.

From Sacramento:
Take Hwy. 80 East to Maple Street exit and follow it up to Auburn-Folsom Rd (the courthouse will be on your right). Maple Street changes into Auburn-Folsom Rd as you pass through the intersection. Continue on Auburn-Folsom Rd until you get to Maidu Dr. Turn left on Maidu Dr and follow Maidu until it dead ends. Turn left. The building will be on the right.

From Reno:
Take Hwy. 80 West to Hwy. 49 exit. At the light turn right onto Hwy. 49 (south) take that to Lincoln Way and turn right. Follow to Auburn-Folsom Rd. Follow to Maidu Dr. Turn left to Maidu Dr. and follow Maidu until it dead-ends. Turn left. The building is on the right.

From Grass Valley:
Take Hwy. 49 (south) to Auburn. Turn right onto Lincoln way where Hwy. 49 ends. At the first signal turn left onto Auburn-Folsom Rd. Follow Auburn-Folsom Rd to Maidu Dr and make a left turn at the signal. Follow Maidu until it dead-ends, then turn left. Building is on the right.

There is also a Monday morning class to be held at the Regional Park on 3770 Richardson Dr, Auburn.

Gold Country Fair
Our knitted icons will be displayed at the Gold Country Fair that starts the same day as the Thursday night class, 9/10. The fair will run until Sunday.

Looking forward to seeing you again for more fun. Until then, happy knitting.