3rd Annual Carolina FiberFest

I went to the FiberFest on Sunday morning with my mother-in-law. Our men-folk were also at the NC State Fairgrounds, but they wandered about the rest of the "Got to be NC Festival" of which the FiberFest was a part. This year's Carolina FiberFest was quite a bit bigger than last year's, and just as fun. I didn't take any classes, but I did have a great time wandering through the demos and vendor booths. So much alpaca (and angoras and buffalo and cotton and wool), so little time!

Since my workshop is now nearly complete (blog post and photos coming soon), I took the precaution of going through all of my yarn before going to the FiberFest. I had to organize it anyhow, so I thought checking to see what I owned before going to buy more was essential. MM was very happy with me for at least trying to put the brakes on. I only bought one ball of lace weight yarn, Schoppel Wolle Zauberball (lace ball), in shades of blue. I couldn't resist it, but found out that the free pattern it came with really won't work with the yarn. Oh well, I'll find another.

My mother-in-law, however, found more that she couldn't resist. She bought some lovely pure Angora yarn from the Cozy Rabbit Farm that she'll use to knit a headband/ear warmers with. She travels a lot and needs something she can take along. She also found that she needs to have a lace shawl for her travels, but when she said she didn't think she's up to knitting lace, I volunteered to help her out. I'm so generous! lol She found the pattern and yard she wanted at The Unique Sheep.
The ladies there were very helpful, and helped her to find just the right colorway for her. She had to order the yarn I'll use to knit the shawl because they were out of the colorway she liked in the fiber that doesn't irritate her skin. Since she sensitive to wool, she tested a merino superwash/Tencel mix and it turns out she's fine with this fiber. Unfortunately, they were out of the colorway she liked best (Carribbean) in this fiber, so we'll have to wait a couple of weeks for it to come in.

I also finished up a sweater this weekend for my friend's daughter who turned 4 over the weekend. I will get it back and take some photos to post here. Yes, I should have remembered to take photos before wrapping.

Carolina FiberFest 2010

The second annual Carolina FiberFest was last weekend (May 21-23) and it was great! I took some time on Friday morning and went over to the NC State Fairgrounds. The whole festival was put on in conjunction with an annual AgFest, so there was a lot of bustle on the fairgrounds in general. I went on Friday to beat the crowds, and I'm glad I did. I met up with a few friends, picked out some new yarns, met some new friends and signed up to take a spinning class next month!

I've been toying with the idea of learning how to use a drop spindle for a long time, mostly to copy WK. :) just joking A few months ago, I picked up a book called "Spin to Knit" by Shannon Okey. I intended to review the book here, but never got around to it. I did actually read the book, though, and think it's very informative and helpful. I just didn't have any fiber or tools, so I didn't dive right in. There were a lot of people spinning in the vendor booths, at exhibit tables and so forth at the FiberFest, so I started thinking of buying a drop spindle. I even interrupted someone who was spinning in her booth with some questions I had from reading. She gave me a nice little demo and some advice (which I think I can remember until I get a spindle).

One of the ladies from the Twisted Threads Fiber Arts Guild was at the FiberFest, and we started chatting when I sat down at their table to knit for a while. Anyhow, she let me know she's teaching a drop spindle spinning class at my favorite LYS on June 6, so I ran over and signed up. The fee includes fiber and a drop spindle, so I decided it would be best to strengthen what I'd learned from the book with hands-on practice.

Hopefully, the next time I post, I'll have a photo or two of something I've accomplished!

Linking to Other Blogs

So, after reading someone Else's blog today at lunch (shocking!), I realized there must be an easy way to include links to interesting blogs on our blog. So, I not only was right (also shocking), I figured out how to and linked to 2 blogs in the right-hand navigation column. I think that they will be interesting to all of us, and not just me. Sorry if I'm wrong! :)

I encourage you both to also add blogs that you think we'll all like.

New Blog to look at

I thought you both might be interested in this blog. "Bee Log" It's not knitting, but it is about a hobby! http://mtbees.blogspot.com/

Checking In

OK, I have been absolutely awful at keeping up with putting on new posts here. I keep getting derailed by the "sudden" need to knit baby gifts. I have several projects (and photos) to add, but I have to get everything together first. Since I last posted, I knit a lace scarf, a hat for TL, several baby gifts, and most of a cardigan for myself. I am actually working on the sleeves, so I should be done before I take a trip in June. That's my current goal.

So, I'll do my absolute best to get more posts here, including photos of "old" projects by the weekend. Probably I'll have time on Saturday while TL plays a video game with his best buddy.

Interweave Knits Spring 2008 -- Parte Deux

I think this is a great idea. Thanks WK!

You, of course, are right, I do have this issue, but I have not taken the time to actually read through very much of it. I was supposed to last evening, but it suddenly became very lovely out after days of much needed rain. So, instead of having a quiet evening on the couch, MM and I spent the evening on the deck, drinking a couple of beers and relaxing in the sudden evening sunshine. This time we were glad the weather man was wrong. I was knitting while we chatted, but forgot to get out the IK.

I reread your post this morning and clicked on all the links, etc. I really like many of the sweaters you already mentioned, but now that I've seen the Knitting Daily blog (yes, I'd never seen it before), I'm not so sure I could make the adjustments necessary to get any of them to look good on me. I guess I should try before giving up! I think it's really great to see the same sweater on the different body types, and I suppose I could try to learn something about shaping ...

The one I really like, although the color is wrong for me, is the Holly Jacket. I am not sure about it for me, but I have a colleague who would look great in it, unfortunately I haven't convinced her (yet) that she needs to learn to knit. She did like it in the magazine (she was on "vacation" with us, WK). For myself, I can't see knitting sweaters that will end up highlighting the fact that I should do a lot more exercising of my abdomen. I need to look at the lace patterns again, there are a couple that look interesting, especially the Cobweb Lace Stole.

CARDIGAN UPDATE: I have completed 3 parts of the cardigan! I got the entire back finished except for binding off on the way back from Atlanta. And I have finished off the two front parts since then. Woo Hoo!! I'll have to devote a few blog posts to what I've been working on since December ... and take photos.

Knitting Pattern-A Day-Calendar

So, I got this calendar for Christmas. I like it, even though some of the patterns are definitely not for me. I have been flagging the ones I might like, and it turns out that I have about 10 flagged so far and that's pretty good for 7 weeks worth of patterns. I found the calendar site through which a designer can submit patterns for the next calendar. It includes a TOC for this year's calendar.

The reason for mentioning the calendar, in truth, is because twofold. I decided I could rate it like WK does for books and I LOVE today's pattern.

I am trying to not read ahead, but the pattern directions seem to be clear (good since this is an edited work of patterns from many designers), the yarns are ones I can imagine using, no polyester, man-made yuck so far, and the photos are helpful. There isn't a stitch dictionary, as there is in many books, but I think they'd have to have an appendix for that. Difficult in a calendar page-a-day format. Also, there is a good mix of types of projects, hats, socks, washcloths, etc. One caveat is that several patterns, including today's take up more than one day (page), so you really don't get 365 patterns. Not a huge problem since there's no way I could knit them all in one year. Unless I decided to become a stay-at-home person, which would put a crimp in my knitting budget!

So today's pattern is called "Tortuga Hat Pattern" and was submitted by Lynn Bartsch. I searched for an image online, but couldn't find one, so you'll have to wait until I make TL one or buy the calendar. This pattern takes 3 days worth of calendar, so it might be a while. I feel I have to make it pretty soon, though, or TL will hate me for making it for him, although Lynn seems to have made one for herself as well as her kid.

JQ's First Cabled Project

So, it's been a while since I've done more on the blog than to make the occasional comment. I have very few legitimate excuses. I had a brief bout with pneumonia in late November/early December, which is why this hat took me longer than planned if you count the 2 weeks I didn't do much of anything except cough.

I did do some knitting since my last, long-ago post, but not all that much. I finished off a little sweater for Blaze, but I haven't sewed it together yet. I made the hat in this post over a month ago! I guess the holidays did happen in there which sort of distracted me from doing any craft-related tasks.

The recipient seems to really like it, which is very good. This is the first time I've done anything with the cable class I took in the fall. It was a lot of fun and very rewarding, and I learned how to un-knit cables, too. I probably did not get all the incorrectly crossed ones out, so if you see any in the photo, it's too late! The hat is in use and as far as I know, my colleague hasn’t found any boo-boos.

Pattern: Shedir by Jenna Wilson, available for free from Knitty.com
Yarn: Rowan Calmer in Garnet (#492)
Needles: US size 3 (dpn and 16" circular)
Began: November 5, 2007
Finished: December 10, 2007

Blaze, the Orange Teddy Bear

Pattern: Baby Bobbi Bear
Yarn: Frog Tree Alpaca - Sportweight #20 and #45
Needles: US size 9, dpn
Began: August 11, 2007
Finished: October 5, 2007

Here he is in all his orange-y glory! Guess who picked out the yarn!?! I was on vacation and had heard about this great yarn shop in Charleston called "Knit." So, I decided that was going to be on my list of places to visit. I had TL and MM with me, of course, so when I saw the cute little pattern, I asked TL if he'd like a new teddy, and then asked him to pick out one of the three colors on the pattern photo. He went straight to the dark orange with forest green eyes. As I tried to protest, MM said, "It's going to be his bear, let him get what he wants." The rest is history. I have decided (and started to knit 10 minutes after Blaze had his face) to knit him a little sweater, in hopes it will tone down the brightness.

Sherbet Socks, finally an update

I have never gotten around to taking and/or posting a photo of the socks I finished in July. I can't believe it's October! Ah well, better late than never, right?

Pattern: Mrs. Hunter's Socks from "Steppin' Out" by Rowan
Yarn: Plymouth Sockotta Fair Isle Effect, #6670
Needles: US size 2 (2.75 mm)
Began: June 18, 2007;
Finished: July 30, 2007 (While on vacation)

Sweater on Hold

WK asked me about the sweater I'm not knitting (due to the tardiness of the yarn), so I'm going to give what details I can. It is from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2007, but for some reason the Vogue Knitting site is down, so I can't even try to link to the errata. Well, I'll put in the link, and perhaps someday it will work, how's that? Anyhow, I was/am planning on using RYC Cashsoft Aran, by Rowan, which is not what the pattern calls for, but I'm fine with that. I ordered the yarn in June, on the same day (or at least in the same week) I finished TL's sweater. I planned on knitting it all up in August, and have it ready to wear by now. Arrgghh.


So, I decided to use the Cashsoft Aran, which is a blend of Wool, Cashmere, and Microfiber. It is lovely and soft. I'm going to make the sweater in black, and leave it in my office for two reasons: 1) it is sometimes freezing inside, 2) I don't always remember to dress like a grown-up on days that I have to have meetings with "upstairs people." this will do nicely in both situations.

Checking In

Hey there! I just wanted to let you all know that I have not forgotten my recent promise to copy WK and get back into blogging my knitting. I did knit this summer, but have not taken the time to prove it to anyone. I got bogged down in being too hot (long string of 100+ days here in Aug.) followed by back-to-school for TL.

TL has started to get back into the swing of school, I think. I hope. This will mean extra time in my evening for fun, which as recently been given up to nagging him to get his school work and piano practicing finished before bed time. Yuck!! He and I (MM having worked all weekend, again), toiled away at a 3-D map project ALL weekend. Thankfully, it is finished, he did a great deal of the work himself (I had to deny him the pleasures of the Exacto Knife), and is extremely pleased with himself. I am exhausted, but we since it's due on Friday, we decided it would be best to have it finished off on the weekend.

So, that's my current string of excuses for not taking photos of my own stash and projects. In my defense, I am Still Waiting for the yarn I ordered for a cardigan project that I had slated to finish over the summer. It "really should be in soon." I hope I get it before Christmas shopping season ...

Meanwhile, I will make efforts tonight to at least closely read the recent spate of blog postings and to make responses. If TL has his homework done when I pick him up ... finger crossed.

Big Bird and Ravenclaw

Your Score: Big Bird

You scored 81% Organization, 70% abstract, and 57% extroverted!

You are very organized, more abstract, and both introverted and extroverted.

Here is why are you Big Bird.

You are both very organized. You almost always know where your belongings are and you prefer things neat. You may even enjoy cleaning and find it therapeutic. Big Bird is never sloppy and always under control... pretty good for a 6 year old bird living without a family.

You both are abstract thinkers. Big Bird is a dreamer who always wonders what the world is like. You definitely are not afraid to take chances in life. You only live once. You may notice others around you playing it safe, but you are more concerned with not compromising your desires, and getting everything you can out of life. This is a very romantic approach to life, but hopefully you are also grounded enough to get by.

You are both somewhat extroverted. Like Big Bird, you probably like to have some time to yourself, but you do appreciate spending time with your friends, and you aren't scared of social situations. Big Bird is always very comfortable around others, but he often prefers the quiet low-key presence that Snuffleupagus provides.

And for the Hogwart's House Sorting Quiz:

Sherbet Socks

Pattern: Mrs. Hunter's Socks from "Steppin' Out" by Rowan
Yarn: Plymouth Sockotta Fair Isle Effect, #6670
Needles: US size 2 (2.75 mm)
Began: June 18, 2007;
Finished: July 30, 2007 (While on vacation)

I bought this yarn at a really nice knitting store in Atlanta, Ga. in February. The store's name is Why Not Knit and it's on 314 Buckhead Ave. When I found the pattern in the leaflet by Rowan, I decided to try knitting a lacy sock with patterned yarn. So far I like it, and it the colors remind me of sherbet! Yum.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Baby Girl Hat

Last weekend, I finished off another baby hat for (yet) another friend who's baby recently made her debut. I believe that I don't know anyone else who is currently expecting a baby, so this may be the last baby project post from me for a while.

I got the pattern at my LYS in a little kit, but the instructions don't say who designed it or anything, so I can't give her/him due credit for this easy, stylish little hat. The directions do give sizes up to Adult, so let me know if you want one!

Here is the girly version of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Baby Hat.

Pattern: Fuzzy Wuzzy Baby Hat
Yarn: Tweedy Cotton Classic 100% mercerized cotton #477
Plus some coordinating eyelash yarn that wasn't marked
Needles: US size 6, 16" circular
Began: June 16, 2007
Finished: June 17, 2007

First Raglan, Final Update

Pattern: My First Raglan, Lisa Knits #SW-024
Yarn: Filtes King Australian Merino (product of Italy) 100% Merino Virgin Wool
It's supposed to be shrink resistant according to the label. Color #1021
Needles: US size 5 for ribbing, US 6 for the rest.
Began: May 3, 2007 at around 8 pm
Finished: June 12, 2007

Well, it took 6 weeks to knit the sweater, but it is now finished! I had a great time taking the knitting class, and I learned a lot. I think that there are some areas of the sweater that could be better, but that's normal. I was very, very nervous about knitting the v-neck at the same time as knitting the raglan shaping for the sleeves, but it turned out well. My sweater teacher did say that the v-neck seemed shallow, but we couldn't figure out why, since I did it exactly according to the instructions.

The other part that had me worried was picking up the stitches around the neckline to finish it. This is one area that I think could have turned out better, but I think it means I need to practice. I did bind off too tightly the first time. It fit over TL's head, but just barely, so I un-bound off and redid it with a larger needle size (7 instead of 6). I think it was too tight because my tension got tighter due to my fear of this part. Now the neckline is nice and stretchy and fits over TL's head just fine. I think it is about 1 1/2 to 2 sized too big for TL right now, which is just what I wanted it to be, since it is in the 90s right now and he's unlikely to want to wear it very soon. He likes the sweater (he said so) but was reluctant to even try it on in the heat. The part where we have air conditioning in the house, so it's not hot in here, notwithstanding.

In an early post about this sweater, I said I wasn't sure if I'd ever knit another one. I guess it's still debatable, but I did buy the yarn to knit myself a cardigan, so here's hoping that I knit at least two!

First Raglan Update

My goodness but it's been a while since I've had time to add updates to the blog! I have been learning a lot in class and have made great progress on the sweater I'm knitting. I have the whole back done, as well as both sleeves. I am just about to start the decreases for the v-neck and the sleeve inset area. Here's a photo I took just a few minutes ago, after I'd set the pieces out to be blocked, but before the wet towel came out of the washer...

Pattern: My First Raglan, Lisa Knits #SW-024
Yarn: Filtes King Australian Merino (product of Italy) 100% Merino Virgin Wool
It's supposed to be shrink resistant according to the label. Color #1021
Needles: US size 5 for ribbing, US 6 for the rest.
Began: May 3, 2007 at around 8 pm
Finished: TBD

The mat that I've pinned the sweater parts to has been covered in clear shelf liner so that the ink from the cardboard mat will not run all over my wet knits. I like using this mat because it has the grid, which is marked in 1-inch increments, so it's easy to make the pieces measure what they should. I put it on a bed, so the pins go right through and hold everything in place.

It doesn't really seem like it's been over a month since I started this project, but then again, a lot of stuff have happened. Including that my friend had her baby (2 weeks early) and I rushed off finishing BBBB#3, and gave it to her, once again forgetting to take a photo of the finished blanket. Oh well, I'm pretty sure she'll let me take one sometime.

Hot Dog

Everyone should take care of their eyes, especially if one plans on hanging ones head out the car window with a lolling tongue.

A little bird told me the other day that this hot dog needs a bun-shaped sweater. Way too funny at the time!

Sock news

Well, TL wore his Breathe, Relax socks for all three days of his End-of-Grade (EOG) testing. They held up well, even with being washed 3 days in a row. I'll have to closely examine the toes because he wore them with sandals yesterday. Apparently the socks are "hot and sweaty" on the playground in sneakers. I won't be surprised to find holes in the toes, the playground is mostly hard-packed dirt and he goes full tilt during recess.

He did say that he felt very good about the tests and that the socks did help him remember not to get stressed. Mission Accomplished!

I know Sari thinks I should make a bunch and sell them, but I don't think I have the energy right now. Plus, it would mean really doing the same thing twice, and I doubt I have it in me. Maybe in a different set of yarns would be OK to do.

Help with Circular Knitting on DPNs

Well, Sari, I had some time this afternoon (which I took off to clean the house, but I got bored) and so I looked for some free online videos to help you out with the knitting on double pointed needles (dpns).

I am including links to 3 sites I think you'll find helpful.
Knitting Help.com has several how-to videos on their site, but in Advance techniques, there is a section called "Small Diameter Circular Knitting" which includes help on knitting on dpns. I think the video looks pretty good, but it's the only one I looked at on the site.

Knitter's Review offers Knitting Tips: Getting Started with DPNs in Four Easy Steps which is not a video, but a step by step description of what to do. It is pretty clear, and I think it could be helpful.

Another step-by-step description of how to use dpns is on Stitch Diva Studio's Knit Tutorial - Double Pointed Needles. This tutorial includes photos.

One thing I learned from scanning several sites for easier-to-follow instructions is that some knitter recommend rotating the stitches around so that the same column of stitches is not always at the beginning of a needle. This is supposed to make your knitting have a more even gauge, decreasing the possibility of "laddering" between needles. I've never done that, but I don't think you can tell from looking at any of the socks I've made where the needle changes are. I can't tell on WK's either; Do you rotate your knitting, WK?

I think that the simple answer to what you're doing is that you're forgetting to use the newly emptied needle as the working needle, and are continuing to use the original needle after knitting the stitches on the original needle. Does that make sense? I know I had to read several descriptions of how to do this style of knitting, as well as look at that free online helpful videos. To find these things to pass along to you, I Googled this: "double pointed needle video" and this "double pointed needle help." As is usual with Google, some things just weren't helpful.