3 bags ready to FELT !!

Cascade 220 and Crystal Palace Squiggle

modified SPRING FLING BAG

***

"COMFORTABLE FELTED SWING BAG" by: KNITTYCHICK.com

free pattern available at knittychick.com website

in KARAOKE (4 1/2 skeins color dye lot #0508 item # 297)

********

LAMB'S PRIDE BULKY (color M-26 Medieval Red) & BERROCO ZAP COLORS (#3456)

SPRING FLING BAG from the book "PURSENALITES" by Eva Wiechmann

Stay tuned and check back later for completed FELTED PHOTOS of these bags !!

Ready to KNIT SOCKS !!

Up until now, I've always avoided the temptation to try to knit socks. Such small needles, and all those double pointed needles! But, my knitting friends reassure me, "you can learn to knit on 2 circulars", "you can learn the magic loop", "it's small and you can take it with you everywhere you go", "they make great gifts".

So, now I've decided to give knitting socks a try. I am intrigued by the sock yarns such as

REGIA

OPAL

KNIT PICKS DANCING

MAGIC STRIPES

TREKKING

and

FORTISSIMA SOCKA

that are engineered to stripe or form intricate patterns as you go. I've learned the names of each section of construction (like "gusset" and "heel") and I am familiar with short rows and

the kitchener stitch.





I, naturally, turned to the internet for online groups and sock knitting classes to guide the way.

Already I'm overwhelmed and I haven't even started a pair of socks yet !!

I have joined the

FIRST TIME SOCKNITTERS KAL with links to

SOCKS 101 and the

CYBERSOCKS & SOCKNITTERS.COM Homepage.

I'm sure there will be TONS of free patterns and help at:

KNITTING PATTERN CENTRAL

and endless links at:


SOCKMANIAC.COM

I have requested the book, "KNIT SOCKS", pictured above, from my local library.

Seeing lots of links to a free pattern I can't wait to try:


JAYWALKER SOCKS by MAG KNITS Sept. 2005

I also have the LUCIOUS yarn and SOCKS THAT ROCK pattern that I purchased at

Stitches Midwest from

BLUE MOON FIBER ARTS

The book by QUEEN KAHUNA CREATIONS even has a CRAZY TOES & HEELS YAHOO GROUP for sock knitters following her technique.

I found some sock knitting tips to help overcome "sock anxiety"at SOCK TIPS

and FREE online knitting video sock instructions at

KNITTING AT KNOON

And this is only the beginning......

now back to the knitting!!

New buttons for my BLOGS

Thanks to a fellow knitting blogger, I have learned how to make BUTTONS for my BLOGS.

Using the Free and Fun simple program "PAINT"....

Here is the new button for my blog combining my logo and my favorite yarn: NORO KUREYON

AND

A button for the

HYPHEN BOY MODULAR FELTED BAG KAL

PLEASE copy my buttons and LINK to your site !!

Greetings from Stitches Midwest

GREETINGS FROM STITCHES MIDWEST ---- CHICAGO

AUGUST 11 - 14, 2006

Day 1 ---- Safe flight and no security problems on the way from Cleveland to Chicago.
SAD moment when I realized that I left my LANTERN MOON Bamboo knitting BASKET with my HYPHEN BOY Modular Bag pattern and PROJECT somewhere at O'HARE AIRPORT. Never to be found again.

I guess that was a result of getting to the airport 3 hours early and only getting 3 hours of sleep.

Plus, my luggage went around the carousel for 20 minutes before I realized it was mine.....

ON TO THE CONVENTION

Class on Day 1 ---- MAKE A RUANA with Colleen Davis

We had time in class to create 1 Tessera module with surrounding "grout". Lovely item.
I learned about the basic shape and the definition of a RUANA.

In the marketplace, I met the talented graphic designer, Natalie Sorenson, who does all the stitches and xrx designs. She was taking digital postcard pictures (as seen above) for attendees to email to friends and family.

DAY 2 --- Noon fashion show highlighing LACE items from the (soon to be released) book, Victorian Lace by Jane Sowerby. Each one was more amazing than the next plus Jane was on hand all weekend to meet and greet fellow LACE knitters.

Class on Day 2 ----- BEADED SCARF with Judy Pascale Click on link to find a photo of the scarf.

TOO complicated for me. The lovely LACE pattern was complicated enough, not to mention putting the beads on in a certain direction. This pattern I will need to practice at home, first attempting the lace alone, then adding the beads.

Saturday night STUDENT BANQUET -

I chose a random empty seat at a table and ended up sitting next to the One and Only

LILY CHIN

What a delight !! She was very nice and very funny, crocheting away at lightning speed. She told the story of her visit on the Dave Letterman show and MORE!! She was wearing an amzing KIMONO that she obviously made.

Our M.C., Rick Mondragon, editor of Knitter's Magazine, delighted everyone with laughter, impromtu jokes and gags.

The fashions that students modeled were inspiring. Some people worked all year since the last Stitches event to complete their garment.

I didn't win any door prizes, but everyone went home with a free gift that was donated by the vendors. I received a skein of LORNA's LACE hand dyed SWIRL CHUNKY, 83% merino - 17% silk and the YARINA HAT PATTERN to go with.

The STITCHES MARKET was great. EVERY book under the sun, tons of samples knitted from the books we know and love, great fun meeting the authors and designers of my favorites.....especially the "TWO OLD BAGS"

2 terrific and down to earth women who met while knitting at their daughter's gymnastics classes - the brains and creativity behind my favorite "THE LUCY BAG". How nice to see ALL their bags displayed and the NEW ONES !!! I purchased the new one called

THE CLAMSHELL BAG

I fell in love with the hand dyed yarn from INTERLACEMENTS by JUDY DITMORE

and I purchased her kit to make this beaded scarf.

At the booth next door I received a free demo on how to get started from the pattern designer herself, DEANNA'S VINTAGE STYLES.

This is a pattern where the beads are pre-strung and the drape and colors are just divine.

BOOKS I PURCHASED AT THE MARKET:

"FENG SHAUN" - an adorable little book based on the wisdom of calm of Feng Shui.

and the irresistable

"THE KNITTER'S HANDBOOK" by xrx

I was introduced to the DEBBIE NEW's world of

"UNEXPECTED KNITTING"

"She enjoys the non-traditional possibilities of knitting and has masterminded innovative freeform techniques, such as 'virtual knitting' and 'swirl knitting', to achieve striking effects in her work." Mind-boggling, and truly an artistic engineer at her craft. Click on the link "Unexpected Knitting" and look on the Philosopher's Wool home page for "featured artists - Debbie New".

FREE PATTERN from Blue Moon Fiber Arts

FLIP FLOP SOCKS

I selected a very popular yarn and SOCKS THAT ROCK pattern also from

BLUE MOON FIBER ARTS = ROCK'N' SOCKS

The yarn is so lovely that it inspired me to try to make my first pair of socks. Of course, I can always us it for a scarf !! --- hand dyed, 1 skein has 360 yards, 100% merino lightweight my colorway: CRACKED CANYON

I visited THE KNIT DOCTOR, the talented Karen Frisa, who was busy at table solving knitter's problems and answering questions all weekend.

I purchased a Noro pattern called MY FIRST VEST and Noro Kureyon for $5.00/ skein.

HOMESTEAD HEIRLOOMS = HANDMADE LEATHER PURSE HANDLES

Two women with their own business introduced their handmade leather purse handles to the knitter's market and I selected 2 for future bags. Now that knitted bags are so popular, these women are sure to keep busy !!

beautifully crafted, smooth wooden dowels, soft leather, braided, buttons to stitch on handles, many colors and designs from which to choose ------ check out their website.

FOXY KNITS = KOIGU

showcased their exclusive collection of KOIGU (at $12 skein) and original designs by Ellen Warren. WOW you can do alot with this amazing yarn.

CLASS on Day 3 ---- ILLUSION KNITTING WITH JUDY DITMORE

from Interlacements.

We learned to read and design graphs for illusion knitting and discovered how purling or knitting the design stitches creates the illusion. We started with a triangle, viewed samples of other ideas, and learned what types of yarn go best together to make the illusion stand out. Here is a sample of my initial piece

It was also enjoyable to meet the people from these favorite online sites:

WEBS
YARN EXPRESS - check out their suede handles and handbag bottoms

CABIN FEVER
HABU

newcomer KNIT THREE TOGETHER

and cute cartoons for t-shirts, mugs, etc. from PEARL'S KNIT WITS

and last but not least

KNITTING FOR CHARITY Handouts and information available from:

THREADS OF COMPASSION

AFGANS FOR AFGANS

CAPS TO THE CAPITAL

Make your plans to go to the next

STITCHES !! East, West, or Midwest events

World famous designers, all the latest trends in knitting and fashion, market and vendors,

door prizes, freebies, classes of all types and at all levels, make new friends !!!

One Skein Secret Pals Revealed !!

Read about my one skein scarf made for Liz in New Hampshire - pictured above and described in her blog here:

Fido Knits: Knitted gift (for ME!)

and I received from my pal, in Hawaii

this wonderful bag she calls, "GRAPE BOBBLE POUCH"

Also included in my gift from Hawaii were 2 boxes of Specialty Chocolate, chopsticks, Japanese design booklet, handwritten poetry, words of wisdom and inspiration, Aloha girl tissues, a unique collection of postcards from the Mission House Museum in Honolulu, and more !!!

Hyphen Boy Modular Felted Backpack KAL

HYPHEN BOY MODULAR FELTED BAG KAL

I will be making the small version with 5 skeins of Noro Kureyon (color #165)

1 single skeins of Cascade 220 Black, and 1 single skein Cascade 220 Turquoise

I will be using the Noro as my CC,

one color of Cascade 220 as MC in odd # tiers,

and one other color of Cascade 220 as MC in even # tiers.

It's a very fun pattern !!

It looks like it will be a beautiful bag !!

8-15-06 P.S. On a sad note, I lost my knitting basket and the beginnings of this project (on my Denise interchangeables) and yarn at O'HARE Airport on the way to Stitches Midwest. So, as soon as I get my replacement needles I will begin again !!!

STAY TUNED and check back ............

Cute KNITTING graphics from CAFE PRESS

I want to share with you this site where MORE THAN 1700 DESIGNS Related to KNITTING can be found:

Click on CAFEPRESS.COM LOGO above to take you directly to the site and

check out all the cool logos.

Expressions such as:

"FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS KNIT DRUNK"

"IF I KNIT FAST ENOUGH DOES IT COUNT AS AEROBICS?"

"WARNING: I BREAK FOR YARN SHOPS"

Graphics are avaiable for purchase on all sorts of items such as T-shirts, caps, mugs, bumper stickers, magnets, tote bags, ETC.

ENJOY !!!

AUGUST Knit for Charity - BLANKET STRIPS for Huron Rd. Hospital

CALLING ALL KNITTERS!!

My knitting guild

NORTHCOAST KNITTING GUILD

is having a SERVICE PROJECT and I invite anyone to help if you have time and are interested. Or feel free to use the baby blanket pattern for your own personal use.

We are making baby blankets for Huron Road Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

Our members are making strips as follows:

(join 4 strips to complete one blanket)

FREE PATTERN FOR BABY BLANKET STRIPS and BABY BLANKET

MATERIAL NEEDED: Worsted Weight acrylic yarn in two colors, A and B

Size 7, 8, or 9 US needles, straight and circular

FINISHED SIZE: 8" wide X 32" long

ABBREVIATIONS: K1tbl - knit 1 stitch through the back loop

Sl wyif - Slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front

NOTES: Edge stitch included in the instructions below creates a chain selvage which is important for joining strips after completion.

When changing colors, pick up the new color from underneath the old color. You do not need to cut, just carry the yarn up the side.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cast on the number of stitches needed to equal 8" width of the strip.

(My strip pictured above required 33 stitches to cast on)

ROW 1: With color A, K1 tbl, k to last stitch, sl wyif.

ROW 2: Same as row 1.

ROW 3: With color B, k1 tbl, k to last stitch, sl wyif.

ROW 4: With color B, k1 tbl, purl to the last stitch, sl 1 wyif.

Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until piece measures 32" long ending with row 2.

Bind off with color A.

Weave in ends.

JOINING STRIPS:

Use the same color yarn to join strips. Join 4 strips to complete the blanket.

Option 1: 3 needle bind off.

With a long circular needle, pick up and knit 1 stitch in each chain along the long edge of the first strip. With another long circular needle, pick up and knit the same number of stitches along the long edge of the second strip. Place strips with the wrong sides together.

1. * With a third needle, knit together the first stitch on the first needle and the first stitch on the second needle. Knit these stitches together. Repeat from * once more.

2. With the left needle, pass the first stitch on the right needle over the second stitch and off the needle.

3. Knit together the next 2 stitches.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all stitches have been bound off. Pull yarn through last loop and weave in end.

Option 2: Join long edges using single crochet.

For those of you who would like to participate and make strips, please

Email me

and I will send you the address to where you can send the strips. Other members of the guild have volunteered to do the joining together.

We will have the blankets on display at KNITTER'S FANTASY in April, 2007 and will be delivering the blankets to the hospital after the event.

THANK YOU!!

P.S. If you would like to be a correspondence member of our knitting guild, you are welcome to join for a $5.00 annual membership fee to receive our terrrific newsletter - with free patterns, book reviews, specials and more - by mail or online.