For the months of July and August, I am introducing a fun knitting class for kids ages 7-13.

We will meet every Wednesday from 10:30-12:00 and knit bright colorful squares that can be sewn together in different configurations to make pouches, pillows, hats, purses or potholders. It's a great way for kids to get together and learn the basics of knitting and sewing.

Kids do not need any knitting experience to join "the club" and can sign up at any time over the next 2 months.

Cost: $10 per session or $60 for all of July and August

Please email me or call me down at the shop if you have any questions or would like to sign up your child.

805-466-YARN

So... the dolls are taking a bit longer than expected. Especially because I am knitting them outfits and accessories.

Instead of making everyone wait a week or more to see the completed project, I thought Id post the cute little items as I finish them.

Here are their tiny sandals.

My daughter is so excited about these dolls.

It has been a really fun project.

Right now I am working on knitting them little undies.

Because they are modest little dollies.

Lately I've been feelin like a "neglectful knitting mommy", so I felt that it was high time that I knit something for my daughter.

I am working on some Dolls from the book "Knitted Babes" by Claire Garland. I have been wanting to make these for over a year now and am just now getting around to it. These little dolls are just so cute, I cant wait until I can show Ava.

I am making 2 dolls so that Ava and her cousin Audrey can play dollies together.

As you can see the bodies, arms and legs are finished. They just need to be seamed up, embroidered, and of course they need a few accessories.

Because... everyone needs a crazy pair of socks....

How could I ever feel upset or sad wearing these?

Yes, my rainbow socks make me so happy!

Im glad that I finally finished them. I knit these using magic loop on size 1 needles, and worked a short row heel. I must say I am quite pleased with how closely the stripes match up.

It is insanely hot outside right now, so sadly, my happy rainbow socks will have to wait until fall.

This is my "on-the-go" sock that I have been faithfully knitting on every time I have been in the car as a passenger, and during every movie I've gone to in the past 3 months or so.

I was finding great satisfaction knitting this sock, knowing that I was using this

"stolen knitting time."

Creating something during times when my hands were usually idle.

Yea, well......that ended.... This sock is now making me so mad... I...I... I dont know if I even feel like grafting its stupid toe together!

Ok, you see when I first put it on, it looks ok right???

Well check it out after 2 seconds of walking around in it....

Yea, I got this much extra room, goin on here.

How did this happen?? Well, believe it or not, I did swatch. I measured my stitches per inch, measured my foot circumference and used this little chart that someone from work gave me that told me how many stitches to cast on. Well this chart said 84. 84? Now I know that sounds like alot, and I thought so too. But, I am using this teeny tiny delicate merino wool sock yarn and size 0 needles, so I thought, "I'm sure this chart knows what it's talkin about."

Well, as you can see my sock is excessively large. It falls down my leg and I dont think it would stay on if I tried to actually use it.

I, of course, feel a little depressed that I spent all of that "stolen time" knitting a sock that is too big. It looked a tiny bit big on the needles, but you know how it goes with dpn's, Its hard to know its true size.

Im just not feeling motivated to knit the second sock, or rip it out.

So, I think I'm going to take a little time to cool off, and then I will start looking for a large calved somebody with the same foot size that likes bright colors.

I fell in love with the Pomatomus sock pattern a long time ago so I was super excited when I found out that The Scarlet Skein would be doing the Pomatomus Sock for the next Knit-A-Long! We are meeting either Tuesdays or Wednesdays through the months of June and July to work on this sock together.

Now this would be all fine and good if only I could get this stupid sock started!

This is the first time I cast on. I loved the look and feel of this Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Sock yarn but this colorway that I chose, although lovely, was just not right for this pattern.

Too busy.

Second attempt. Same yarn, different colorway.

I think that it was better than the first. The colors are more tonal, but not tonal enough. I was afraid that you would only be able to see the color striping and not the pattern stitch itself.

Arrgghhhh......

So I dug through the stash, and look at what I found! Cherry Tree Hill Supersock yarn from a purchase last summer!

I've decided that I like this the best out of the the three. I'm usually not a royal blue/purple type of gal, but I think that the color variations do not overwhelm the pattern and also the color keeps to the aquatic theme.

Don't you think it looks like fish scales?

Finally I'm happy and I can get knitting on this thing.

Lesson Learned: Look in your stash first!!!

I am sort of getting a reputation at work as

"the gauge swatch nazi"

because I am always bugging everyone about swatching.

It is just too vital of a step to skip.

I have come to realize that a lot of knitters are confused about gauge, so I thought this subject would make a great workshop.

Starting in June, I will be offering a gauge swatch workshop, which will be a one hour class. The students will learn what stitch gauge is and how to properly make and measure a swatch. We will discuss the reasons for swatching, and I may even share some horror stories about what can happen if you choose not to swatch.

It may get ugly.

Students will need to bring either: yarn and pattern for a project they would like to make, or just a spare skein of yarn with the ball band still attached. Please bring several needle sizes to the class because we may need to knit a couple of swatches in different needle sizes, until we get the right measurement.

Class dates:

Saturday, June 14th 10-11am

or

Saturday, June 28th 3-4pm

cost: $15

Please call Tracy or I down at the shop if you would like to sign up, or have any questions. I will be offering this class again over the next couple of months, so be sure to check the website for current class dates and times.

As I have previously mentioned... I have been working HARD on the project samples for my design submission to Knitty.com. Let me tell you, it is not easy, and at times it is not fun. It is tedious to write patterns. I don't have much time left. The deadline is June 1st, so I really need to work diligently from now until then to get everything done. I really should be a disciplined, monogamous knitter right now.

Unfortunately, this yarn came into the shop.

It was love at first sight. I was drawn to it. I couldn't stop thinking about it.

Ohhh....the bright, fun colors.

Before I knew it, it was on my needles and half a sock was knit.

It was so fun to work on, so easy, so cheerful. And so our love affair began...

My poor "design submission" project looked so blah and boring. Besides that it was being a pain in the neck. It kept calling out to me saying things like, "Listen, you made a commitment to me, you have to get me done!" But I didn't want to listen...

When I decided to go on a vacation to a theme park last weekend, we both knew who I was going to take with me....

I felt like I had the perfect set up here. I worked this sock in a plain stockinette stitch on magic loop. I feel like you dont need a stitch pattern with such crazy colors! The magic loop was a good idea because dpns weren't falling out everywhere all the time, and it was easy and quick to put away when I got on the rides.

I also used my handy sock bag that I easy slung over my arm, and held my yarn for me while I knit away.

I had never knit in line before, but it was great. It passed the time and I got a good amount done.

Besides spending time together in line, my rainbow sock and I had a wonderful day together.

Because rainbow sock was on magic loop I was able to put him on my arm tuck in the needles, and even take him on a very scary roller coaster with me.

Did you know that they won't let you knit on roller coasters?

He was a little scared, but had a great time!

We were both hungry by then, so I took rainbow sock out for a romantic dinner.

It was a fantastic day....

......until I got heat stroke, spent some time vomiting in a planter, then went to first aid.....

ahhh.....

Aren't theme parks grand?

Today is our 6th Anniversary!

I cant believe how much time has past since our wedding day! Six years seriously just flew by!

I also can't believe that six years ago, I didn't know anything about knitting or crocheting.

What did I do with my time????

Last year for our anniversary, I made my husband a knit hat. He wore it almost everyday and with so much wearing and washing it has gotten seriously stretched out of shape. It was knit from 100% alpaca which I have found doesn't have a lot of memory. It is also insanely fuzzy now and you can no longer see the stitch definition. He still wears it though, but it looks ridiculous because he has to tuck it behind his ears to keep it on his head.

He really needed a new anniversary hat.

I made this new one for him using the Rustic Cables pattern, and some leftover Zara Plus yarn from my Tilted Duster sweater. It fits him great! And the wonderful thing about this new hat is that it can go in the laundry pile because it doesn't require special washing instructions.

The Zara yarn also really has great stitch definition.

I wanted to take a picture of my husband wearing it but he is shy about website modeling. :)

I have been thinking about the Giselle Top pattern since I purchased it at Stitches West. I could never find the perfect yarn for it until..... I discovered Seduce. It is a new yarn made by Berocco and it is just so pretty. It is an interesting blend of silk, linen, rayon, and nylon. It is kind of wiry but soft at the same time. I immediately swatched for Giselle and it was a perfect match. I washed my gauge swatch and was pleasantly surprised by how the yarn softened and how the stitches smoothed. The drape was beautiful. I knew that this yarn would work up wonderfully in a light summer top.

The great thing about this pattern is that it is knit from the top down. (NO SEAMS!)

I can try it on as I go to see if it is fitting me correctly.

I simply just slipped the stitches from the circular needle onto some waste yarn.

I really like it so far. I think that I chose the right size too. Phew!

I always seem to choose the wrong size!!!

Seduce produces this slightly inconsistent fabric that reminds me of raw silk. I can't wait until I get this pattern submission knitting out of the way so that I can get back to this project!

It has just been one of those mornings.

It all started last night when I was lying in bed staring at the ceiling until 3:30 am. My mind was racing and I just could not sleep. I was thinking about (what else) knitting. You see, for those who don't know me personally, my obsessive personality sometimes gets the best of me.

To compound matters, for some unknown reason my two year old decides to wake up at 6:00 AM. I tried to doze off after that but someone was being really really loud and repeatedly yelling, "Mama Geg up!!" I rolled out of bed, feeling quite sorry for myself for only getting a pitiful 2.5 hours of sleep.

I decided to start my day by checking my ravelry account and email and of course it was TODAY of all days that I get my second rejection letter from Knitty. I had turned in the Rustic Cables pattern in February and it took them all this time to get back to me. Unfortunately I had done it again, I had gotten my hopes up and found myself feeling very disappointed.

I then stumbled into the bathroom to take a shower and for some reason decided this was the day I was going to step on the scale. Well come to find out, I also weigh alot more than I thought I did. Great.

After my shower as I was leaving the bathroom, to top it all off, I whacked my head against the door jam. Don't ask me why that happened. My preoccupied, exhausted, pudgy self apparently could no longer walk straight.

So, here I was sleep deprived, disappointed, fat, with a splitting headache.

What did I do about it?

I went shopping... now I feel alot better.

So, about Knitty, I am sad that my two patterns that I have submitted have been declined. But, it also motivates me more than ever to keep going. I will not give up!!! I am currently working on a pattern for their Fall issue. I have to say, I am quite pleased. It has been a big undertaking, but will be well worth the effort. As with the previous submissions, I will not be able to share it with you until after it has been either published or denied.

As soon as I get some pictures in order I will be sharing a new project I started recently that it working up quite nicely. So please stay tuned.

Rustic Cables
by Alana Dakos

When my Dad and Brother needed hats to wear on a camping trip, I came up with this fast, fun to knit hat pattern. The staggered cables twist in opposite direction keeping you on your “knitting toes” while the tweedy yarn provides the masculinity I was looking for in this hat. The finished result is a close fitting, warm hat with a brim that can be folded up or left down depending on the wearer’s preference.

SIZE:
One (Adult Large) 22-24 inch circumference, approx 9 inches in length.

MATERIALS:
(Brown Hat) : Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran [85% Merino Wool, 10% Silk, 5% Cashmere; 104 yd/95m per 50g skein]; color #136; #2 skeins
(Gray Hat) : Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran [85% Merino Wool, 10% Silk, 5% Cashmere; 104 yd/95m per 50g skein]; color #155; #2 skeins
#1 set US #8/5mm double-point needles
#1 16-inch US #8/5mm circular needle

Cable Needle

Stitch Markers

Tapestry Needle

GAUGE:
16 sts/24 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch


PATTERN NOTES:
4x4 rib (Worked over a multiple of 8 sts)
Round 1: [K4, p4] to end.
Every round is the same.

PATTERN:
Cast on 96 sts. Place marker to mark the beginning of a round and join being careful not to twist your stitches. Work 14 rounds in 4x4 rib.

Cable Pattern:
Round 1: (k4, p4, sl 2 sts to cable needle purlwise and hold in front of work. K2, k2 from cable needle, p4) repeat to marker.
Rounds 2-5: work in 4x4 rib
Round 6: (sl 2 sts to cable needle purlwise and hold in back of work. K2, k2 from cable needle, p4,k4, p4) repeat to marker.
Rounds 7-10: work in 4x4 rib

Rounds 11-36 Repeat Cable pattern 2 more times and then rounds 1-6 one more time. Hat should measure approx 7.5 inches from cast on edge.

Begin decreasing rounds. Switch to double pointed needles when your hat no longer fits comfortably around the circular needle.

Decreasing Rounds:
Round 37: (k4, p1, p2tog, p1) repeat around
Round 38: (k4, p2tog, p1) repeat around
Round 39: (k1, k2tog, k1, p2) repeat around
Round 40: (k2tog, k1, p2) repeat around
Round 41: (k2, p2tog) repeat around
Round 42: (k2tog, p1) repeat around
Round 43 (k2tog) repeat around

FINISHING:
Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle and pull through the remaining stitches sliding them off of the double pointed needles as you go. Cinch up tightly and weave in ends. Block as desired.

Thankyou to my Dad and Brother for modeling their new hats for me.

When I was on vacation last weekend I picked up this beautiful vintage brooch at an amazing boutique.

I think it works perfectly to hold together my Swallowtail shawl.

One of the things that has always bothered me about triangular shawls is the fact that they often can slip off of your shoulders. I hate clothing that has to constantly be adjusted.

Problem Solved.

Well.... here it is... my crocheted Leaves Sweater.

It is not my favorite sweater that I have made but I think that it turned out okay. I could have picked a size smaller and gotten rid of some of the boxy look. But it could be worse.

This sweater was crocheted from the book Crochet Me. The design is by Annette Petavy. What I like about this sweater design is the construction. The waist shaping and set in sleeves are very uncommon in the crochet designs of previous decades. It makes the sweater fit much more like a knitted garment. The other nice thing about this design as well as the others in the book, is that the pattern calls for a larger hook size and a small yarn weight. This produces a lighter fabric and better drape. Crochet is usually so stiff!

This sweater has been heavily modified. If you will notice there are no leaves in this Leaves Sweater. The pattern calls for leaf like thingys hanging down from the hem. I liked them in the pictures but when I started crocheting them onto my sweater I decided that it looked entirely too "Peter Pan-ish" especially with this color green.

I also added 2-3 inches in length to the body and the sleeves, and didn't sew on any seed beads as the pattern called for.

Unfortunately this pattern really gave me trouble. It was riddled with errors. Hopefully there are corrections posted. Usually I am happy to post corrections to the patterns that I knit or, in this case crochet, but this had so many that I gave up trying to keep track. Also in my opinion the pattern was poorly written. Some parts were explained in perfect detail while other areas were vague. There are no stitch counts provided for you to check your work and that bothers me. I hate to complain so much because I know how difficult it is to write a pattern, but I feel that I should give fair warning to those who are interested in this design.

I am very comfortable with crochet so I was able to work out these issues. If you are experienced with crochet this is also a doable project for you. The design I think is very cute.

The other change that I made is on the sleeves. I mimicked the bottom border pattern so that it would match the sweater. I really like the edging pattern and I would use it again on a future crochet project. Whenever I get around to that.

I finished the sock samples I was knitting for my upcoming sock classes.

Fortunately my fabulous sister-in-law, Malaree has the same size feet as me and helped me out with sock modeling. You will find her blog here.

As I had previously mentioned, I used Artyarns Supermerino for these socks which is a lovely hand-painted worsted weight yarn. I used size 6 needles and knit each sock using a different sock knitting method while still sticking to the Knitting Pure and Simple Beginner Socks pattern. I've discovered that I love the magic loop method! My stitches were so much smoother and the knitting went a lot faster.


I am excited about my new socks because I think they will be the perfect "wear around the house" socks, and will keep my feet really warm when the weather gets cooler. I imagine that they would wear well with clogs too.

This pattern is great for those who want to quickly knock out a pair of socks for a gift. A pair just takes a few evenings worth of knitting to complete. This is also a fabulous pattern for someone who has never knit socks before. It is simple and so easy to follow.

I did make a few pattern modifications. Instead of doing a 1x1 ribbing at the top, I opted for the more attractive and stretchy 2x2 rib. The math worked out just fine. Also the pattern calls for a 7 inch leg. I was so worried about conserving yarn that I knit mine 5 inches and then ended up with lots of yarn left over....

Don't you just hate that?

The Cascading Fuchsias Market Bag is finally completely finished, and ready to be given away...

But that didn't stop me from pretending it was mine for a day.

The bag turned out very well, and I'm sure that the recipient will be pleased with it. It was a pretty fast project, and I would consider knitting it again. I used Cascade 220 for this project and size 11 needles for the bag body.

The flowers were fun to make and really set off the bag in my opinion.

Can you see the little sewn on seed beads?

As for the bag's interior, I hired a seamstress to line it according to the instructions on Nora Bellows website. She added two zippered pockets in contrasting colors as well as a snap closure. I think that the pockets and snap make it a more useable piece.

After the bag was lined, I sewed on the vines and flowers with a matching sewing thread.
I love how the vine wraps around the bag handle.

Thankyou to my lovely friend Audrey for her wonderful photography!

....I'm crocheting....

Ava can't believe it either so she leans in for a closer look.

The truth of the matter is... I next to never crochet. I of course teach my crochet classes but besides that, there is no crochet happening in our home. The last crochet project I did was over a year ago now. The interesting thing about this is that I learned how to crochet even before I learned how to knit and for a long time that's all I did. Even AFTER I learned to knit. Surprising? I'm not sure why I turned into more of a knitter than crocheter...but it probably has to do with the fact that I have produced more crocheted acrylic atrocities than any 90 year old Grandma could dream up.

But this project will be different.....I hope.

Yes, I finally drug out my half finished Leaves Sweater that has not been touched since November of last year. If the thought of a crocheted sweater gives you scratchy acrylic nightmares, you are not alone, and don't worry this isn't that type of sweater. I am knitting it in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, which by the way is so soft!

It has been fun doing a bit of crochet again, but truthfully I am feeling nervous (queasy) about the end product. (I, of course, did carefully explain to the Leaves Sweater that I have no problem disposing of sweaters that make me look fat, quoting the Klaralund sweater as an example.) It is just too soon to tell whether this project will be a cute sweater or make me look like a dated, crochet-clad super freak. We will just have to wait and see....

I do think that the crocheted edging is pretty though...

I am introducing new sock classes for the month of May.

All 3 socks are knit using the basic Beginner Socks pattern by Knitting Pure and Simple,

just knit using 3 different methods.

All socks are knit with worsted weight yarn, making them fast to get through and easier to learn new techniques on.

The first sock is knit using double pointed needles. This is a great way to start out if you have never knit socks before. Since this pattern calls for DPN's, I will just help you through the pattern, exactly as shown. This will give you a great opportunity to learn how socks are constructed.

Double Pointed Needles Sock Class: $25 Saturday, May 3rd, 11-1

This second sock is knit using 2 24'' circular needles. This is a nice technique because many find it easier to knit than double pointed needles. You can also slip the stitches to the wire (as shown above) and try them on as you go. In the class you will learn how to knit with the two needles as well as how to convert sock patterns from double pointed to 2 circular knitting. If this technique suits you than you can move on to the 2 socks on 2 circulars class that I have available.

2 Circular Needles Sock Class: $25 Saturday, May 17th, 11-1

2 Socks on 2 Circulars Class: $35 Saturday, May 24th, 1-4

This third sock is knit using one 32" circular needle or "The Magic Loop" method. This is my new favorite way to knit socks! Once you learn how it is done, you will find it very refreshing to only have one needle to worry about! I also found that my stitches were more even using this technique opposed to the other socks. I recommend this class for those who have already tried one of the other sock knitting techniques, and feel comfortable with sock construction. In the class you will learn how to convert sock patterns from double pointed, or 2 circulars, to the magic loop.

Magic Loop Sock Class: $25 Saturday, May 24th, 11-1

All of these socks are knit with Artyarns Supermerino Worsted available at The Scarlet Skein. Any worsted weight yarn will work for these socks but I chose Artyarns because it is machine washable. It is also handpainted and pretty!

I charge $25 for a one session, 2 hour class. I recommend that you come in before the class so that we spend a few minutes together and get you started on the sock. That way you can knit the easy part of the sock (the leg) while you are at home, then spend your class time learning the heel which is the trickiest part. If you feel however that you need more class time to understand the sock knitting process you can come sit in on a future sock class or make an appt with me.

For two, 2 hour class sessions the fee is $40.

Please call The Scarlet Skein to reserve your class space.

466-YARN

Hope to see you there!

For current class times and more information visit the website.

I've just finished knitting the Misty Chunky Ribs and Ruffles Scarf. This is one of the two projects that I am gifting this month. This is going to a women that I haven't yet met, so I was conservative with the style and color choice. A linen color goes with everything right?

It's a really cute pattern. It is interesting because the "ribs" are just made by slipping stitches. There is not one purl stitch in this entire scarf!

I love how the ruffle adds interest and a touch of femininity.

I used 2 complete skeins of Misti Alpaca Chunky, and size 13 needles. If you have never used Misti Alpaca before, I would highly recommend it. It is so soft and luxurious.

I did make some modifications to this pattern... I wanted a more substantial scarf so I doubled the width. I cast on 120 instead of 60. When I was done with the ruffle, I increased one stitch in the first pattern row so that the rib pattern would work up correctly. On the first row of the ending ruffle decrease one stitch to make the two ruffles match.

I hope she likes it!

I came across this crazy knitting video on YouTube. Check it out by clicking here.