Fat Knitting Superhero, disguised as Mild Mannered Yarn Shop Employee.

Archive for November, 2011

We interrupt this message to bring you…

…the following awesome afghan!

I know I was supposed to talk about socks today, but then Kay dropped by the store today to show me her finished afghan.  It’s from the Six-Month-Become-a-Better-Knitter class (aka SiMonBeBeK).  Isn’t it beautiful!  Kay (with support and help in class) designed and knit each square based on the techniques taught in class.  I think my favorite is the intarsia square – the daisy in the corner.

Since each knitter in the class designs her own squares, they’re all very different and it’s so exciting for me to see the finished pieces.  It’s even better when I see them all sewn together!

I love how the "K" looks in this view!

As seen from the top!

Category:

afghan, cables, class, eyelet, Fair Isle, illusion, knitting, lace, mosaic, SiMonBeBeK, Stranded colorwork, student work

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Got Sox?

Handknit socks have a mystique all their own.  Most knitters feel very confident that they can knit a scarf or a hat, even a sweater (even if they haven’t made one yet, they’re sure they can).  But socks?  Socks seem like a mystery.  So, over the next few posts, I hope to de-mystify the sock-knitting process.

Meanwhile, here’s some inspiration – my sock drawer!  If I can do it, so can you!

click to biggify

Category:

Fair Isle, sock, Stranded colorwork, Uncategorized

Mosaic

I have a delicious new sock pattern in the works.  It involves mosaic knitting, one of the most interesting forms of colorwork.  It’s deceptively easy.  Only one strand of yarn is used per row and the patterning is done by slipping stitches.  I used to be a colorwork snob and assumed that mosaic knitting was just a wimpy way of doing stranded colorwork, but I was wrong.  There are things you can do with mosaic knitting that are impossible with stranded colorwork and the resulting fabric can be just as exciting!

If you want to learn more about mosaic knitting, I highly recommend Barbara Walker’s book on the subject.  Do a few swatches!  You’ll definitely want to do more!

Category:

Barbara Walker, mosaic, sock

Beginning Knitters ROCK!

I have to say that of all the classes I teach, Beginning Knitting is my absolute favorite.  The look on people’s faces when they first knit a whole row is just priceless!  Watching them go from completely awkward yarn handling to knitting with their eyes shut (yes, I do make them do that!) is such joy!  They’re learning to trust themselves, to trust their fingers, to believe that they can make something magical.  It’s awesome.

So, I have a question?  How long have you been knitting (if you knit) or how long have you wanted to learn (if you don’t yet) and what was your favorite ah-ha moment in knitting?

Category:

Uncategorized

Not really a fail…

Okay, so I don’t have a post for Nov. 2, but really it counts anyway, because it still feels like Nov. 2 to me. Hopefully, I’ll do better tomorrow!

Category:

Uncategorized

NaBloPoMo. Can I do it?

Well, I don’t know, but I’m gonna try! So, since there are still a few minutes left in Nov. 1, I’m gonna count this! A short post, but a post nonetheless!

Category:

Uncategorized

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