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Knitters Day Out Market

September 30, 2014

I had completely forgotten about KDO. It’s held every September in the Harrisburg PA area. I had not been there for several years. Part of the reason was probably because twice I signed up for classes and twice I had to cancel. Was somebody trying to tell me something?

When I got Beth Brown-Reinsel’s monthly newsletter, I had an urge to go. It was too late to get into any classes, but the market had several dealers that I did not recognize. I told myself that I had already taken Beth’s classes, but Nancy Bush had one that I would have liked to take. Oh well. I would have to be happy with the market.

The trip would take an hour and a half from Reisterstown. A companion would be nice. I immediately thought of my friend Diana. After a few e-mails and a phone call, we were all set. She showed up about 15 minutes. I just knew that was going to happen, but I still didn’t manage to get myself ready on time. I reminded myself that we were just going to the market.

The trip up was a bit of a headache. US83 was had more tractor-trailers than anything else. You’ve got to watch them. There’s no telling when they will fall over on you. We managed to get to our exit without being flattened. And it was closed. CLOSED??!! Thank goodness for GPS. We made so many turns that I had no idea which direction I was going. The rest of the trip was uneventful. I am so glad Diane was with me.

The whole market took less than an hour. It was fun. Except for Manning’s, the dealers were all new. We both found something to buy so the trip was successful.

I had to buy sock yarn. I also got some alpaca/silk from Blue Sky. Diana found some pretty fleece. She likes to spin and weave.

Tags:alpaca/silk, Beth Brown-Reinsel, Harrisburg PA, Knitters Day Out, Nancy Bush
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The Mitered Vest

September 20, 2014

OK. Well, I’m still working on it. There were a few days I had to bash my head against the wall and do some screaming. It happens. So I changed yarn. Right in the middle of a miter. I just cut it off and started using some bumpy brown old Noro. I also changed the miter itself. Now it’s all garter and only 27 stitches at the base. I had to do that to fit it in the same space. And what do you know? I finished the miters in no time at all. Well, that ‘s the way it felt. I need to sew the shoulders and edge. I hope I left enough yarn ends to do it so I won’t have as much to weave in. I haven’t decided on the edging yet, but I’ve got three in mind.

Yeah. I know. Crappy picture.

Tags:mitered squares
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Starting a Mitered Vest

August 6, 2014

I had this beautiful cotton tape from Blue Heron. It weighed nine ounces. I knew I had enough to make a vest, probably a short-sleeved top, but I really needed the vest to wear with long-sleeved blouses. When I held it up to two of them, it looked great–a third, not so much, but some blue Crystal Palace I have does. I guess I’ll be making two vests.

I made a sample of four miters to see what I liked. My favorite is the one on the right, but it takes twice as long to produce. The garter stitch and stockinet were ‘ok’, so I went with the left one, knit three rows, purl one. I used a 5 needle and a 31 stitch base. They are 3 3/4 inches across. I may finish it with an attached I-cord.

It looks great so far.

Tags:attached I-cord, Blue Heron Yarn, cotton tape, Crystal Palace, garter stitch, miters, stockinet
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Fast Socks

August 4, 2014

I finished these last night. It’s a cotton/rayon that I bought at Blue Heron about a month ago. The yarn is a heavy sock weight or a light dk. Whichever suits you. It is supersoft with a nice sheen. They feel great on my feet. I may have to get more.

I used size 2 needles and cast on 60 stitches. I knit one round, purled three, then knit one round again. I did a 4K, 1P rib for 12 rows, then repeated the first five rounds.

I love the way it striped. It also made counting rows easy. I changed to a 3-1 rib for no reason until the total length was about six inches.

I continued the rib on the heel. I used 29 stitches, beginning and ending with the purl stitch. I put the remaining 31 stitches on a short circular. It saves me time. I knit back and forth on the 29 stitches for 2 1/4 inches. You may want to make it longer if you have a high instep. I slip the first stitch on every row to give a nice edge to pick up. For the half-moon on the bottom, I did the usual method, with the first row being 15, then 4, 5, 6, and so on. I really hate writing all that out so if you are new to socks, don’t try this sock yet.

There should be 17 stitches left. I picked up 11 stitches down each side. I worked the decreases in the usual way. I continued the pattern down the top of the sock. When I was 1 3/4 inches short, I started decreasing six stitches every other row. This makes a rounded toe which I prefer. My second toe is a tad longer than my great toe. There is nothing better than happy toes.

Tags:Blue Heron Yarn, cotton/rayon, fast socks
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V-shaped Shawl

August 2, 2014

I cannot make up my mind about this one. I like the way it lies on my shoulders without my having to hold onto it. That’s why I don’t care for triangle shawls. Well, most of them anyway. I do have one that I am very fond of. I’ve got better things to do with my hands.

There was plenty of red for the center square. I’m glad I had enough sense to switch to the grey and black when starting the sides. I didn’t have quite enough to finish the sides. I thought about taking out the last repeat, but that would mean losing many hours of work. Finishing the sides with the red was definitely the way to go. I really like the way it turned out.

I’m making another pair of socks. Knitting socks always makes me feel better–especially after I’ve made something that I just wasn’t into.

Tags:V-shaped shawl
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Progress Report

July 9, 2014

I am surprised that I have made it this far without stopping to make something else. I can get pretty bored doing the same thing over and over. I have nine rows to go. Then I start on the final third. It’s charcoal, not a good color for me. That’s why I knitted with the light gray first. Now I’ll have something to compare with it.

The edge looks good.

Tags:Craftsy class, Miss Babbs
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I’m Chilly

July 4, 2014

Why is that? It was down right hot yesterday. Rain and wind can do that. I know. Quit gripping. But I do it so well. Just ask Sweetums.

Enjoy your Independence Day. I’ve got my red, white and blue blouse on and, of course, my hand knit red, white and blue socks. And the best of all, my Mickey Mouse flag pin. But, I’m still grumpy.

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Blue Heron Warehouse Sale

July 1, 2014

Maria and I wanted to go but her granddaughter was in hospital. The child is smart and talented and has learned to knit and sew with Grandma. They spend a lot of time together. Maria thinks the world of her. So I went alone.

I woke up intending to get out the door early, but it didn’t happen. I was one hundred years old that morning. I couldn’t do anything and didn’t leave until after noon. Still, there was a good amount to look through.

I want to make summer socks in aqua or turquoise. I couldn’t decide which one to buy so I bought all three. The one on the right is nine ounces of cotton tape. I have no idea what I am going to make with it. I just liked it.

Then I drove over to Frivolous Fibers and found this. It’s alpaca, merino and glitz. Don’t ask.

Tags:alpaca, Blue Heron warehouse, cotton tape, Frivolous Fibers, knit and sew with Grandma, merino and glitz, one hundred years old, summer socks in aqua
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The Underwhelming Yarn with the Undewhelming Pattern

June 30, 2014

Originally, I was thinking about striping the three yarns. I found several that I thought would work, but I couldn’t make up my mind. There was also the problem with carrying three yarns up the side that I did not relish. I finally realized that a color-block would have to do.

Here is the middle section. I’ve just started the first wing. The finished shawl will be V-shaped. It’s a Craftsy class so I’m learning as I knit. It’s moving a lot faster than I had thought. I’m enjoying it! I think I’ll be happy with it. If not, it’ll make a great gift for someone.

Tags:color-block, Craftsy class, three yarns up the side, V-shaped
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Miss Babbs Scarf

June 23, 2014

I believe I mentioned that I did not care for the pattern that came with the kit. I liked the yarn except for the grey. It just didn’t look right with the other colors. Since I have A LOT of sock weight yarn, I’m certain I’ll find something to put with it. After all, It’s just grey.

Tags:Miss Babbs
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Up a Creek in Lower Slower Delaware