Whew! That's A Lot of Knitting

We are making significant progress in our Botanica Medallion class. Everyone's medallion is done and the outer band knitting has begun.

Here's mine:



I'm close to finishing the outer band which currently measures 42 inches! The yarn is one of my all time favorite cottons - King Tut. The drape and sheen of this yarn is just beautiful and the pattern by Shiri Mor is very clever. I'm can't wait to wear it!

I'm also working on the Origata Pillow for the steeking class in August. The pattern calls for cotton, but I'm using another of my favorite yarns, Dolly, because the range of colors is amazing and my new couch is brown and gold!

This is the front:


And here is the back:

See that little section up the middle? Those are steeking stitches and right smack up the middle is where we're going to cut the back open!

If you've ever thought about making a a fair isle sweater, this class is perfect. It's a small project using little yarn and you'll learn all of the techniques you'll need to make a fair isle cardigan! You'll learn how do a provisional cast on, how to knit fair isle, how to carry your floats, how to read a chart, and last, but not least, how to steek and finish your cut edge!

In other knitting news...

I had an opportunity to see one of my students' completed Aran afghans in it's natural habitat and so I've asked all who have finished it to send me a picture showing me where it lives! What a difference it makes seeing these works of art in someone's house rather than on my knitting table!

Here is Patrice's completed afghan. Doesn't it look beautiful?


Speaking of afghans...we've all chosen our colors for the Great North American Afghan which we'll start at the end of this month. I can't believe how much I'm looking forward to starting a new one! I've really missed making a square a month.

Finito

The Summer Vest is finished:


And so is the Wrapped in Tradition Lace:


I'm working diligently on the Botanica Medallion. I'm about 3/4 done!

And last, but not least I'm working on the Origata Pillow for a really fun class in August.

I've finally chosen my colors for my Great North American Afghan and will be starting very soon. I've really missed making a square every month, I'm shocked to say.

Great Fun with Ysolda

Here's a recap in pictures of our evening with Ysolda!

Meet Ysolda Teague!

Scottish Designer Ysolda Teague will be at the Shop on Tuesday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m.

She will display a trunk show of her fabulous designs and will be signing copies of her new book, Whimsical Little Knits which will be on sale at the event.

It will be a fun evening and of course, refreshments will be served! See you on Tuesday!

And the Winners are...

In the Garment category, Kristen K. won the most votes for her lovely empire waist tunic!

The pattern is from the Filatura di Crosa Spring/Summer 2008 book and is made from Cascade's fabulous Heritage sock yarn. Congratulations Kristen, your tunic is beautiful!

The winner in the Accessory category is Eileen R. Eileen made this beautiful Fair Isle Christmas stocking and it is an absolute stunner.

The pattern is Kate Gilbert's Fireside Stocking pattern from Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2007 issue. Eileen used 6 colors of Cascade 220. Bravo, Eileen!

And the winner of the Voter's raffle was Joanne H.

Many thanks to all of the Competition participants and to all of our very supportive voters. It was lots of fun and as always I am awed by the talented people I know.

We'll do it again next year!

Gearing Up!

As I mentioned last week, I've got many balls in the air, but I'm knitting like a fiend and making real progress!

I'm down to a mere 144 stitches on my lovely lace poncho so it will move quickly now. I'm moments away from seaming my Summer Vest; and, I'm ready to kick butt on the outer band of my Botanica Medallion Cardi!

So where does it all lead? To the Great North American Afghan, of course.

I couldn't wait to finish the Great American Aran Afghan, but I actually miss having a little monthly project.

The squares on this Afghan are 12" x 12" as were the Aran Afghan squares and it is a fun respite to have something small, different and interesting to knit when my other projects grow tedious.

I will be holding classes and we will do one square a month on the last Thursday of each month beginning in July. This class is just about full already so if you are interested in joining us, please call the Shop to register as soon as possible.


This afghan is an intermediate project and uses 7 different colors! You will learn intarsia, fair isle, and slip stitch color techniques. You'll also learn how to read charts, how to do duplicate stitch as well as several embroidery stitches. Finally, you'll learn how to finish and edge your afghan.

We had a ball creating the Great American Aran Afghan and if you want to take your knitting to the next level, be sure to sign up for this great class. This is a pay as you go class for a $20 montly fee plus the cost of yarn. The first class will be held Thursday, July 30 at 6:30 p.m.

As for colors, I've found that choosing colors as a group results in a much more pleasing pallette. Others usually suggest color combinations that we wouldn't ordinarily put together on our own. With that in mind, we'll be holding a "Pick your Colors" day on Saturday, June 27 at 2:00 p.m. Come to the Shop to pick your colors and take 20% off your afghan yarn purchase rather than the usual 10% off class yarn.

We'll start this project with the easiest squares and move up to the more difficult squares. Our first square, by Deborah Newton, will be this lovely cabled number.


Call to register or stop by the Shop!

Too Many Balls in the Air!

The skeins are flying. I'm working on three projects at once for upcoming and in-progress classes and I love each and every one to death. I've been knitting and knitting and knitting; and, I'm making great headway on all three.

I'm making this darling little vest. The back is done and both fronts are 1/2 way done and as well know, a vest doesn't have sleeves! Whoo Hoo. Here's what it will look like:


My Wrapped in Tradition Lace Poncho is working up very nicely:


And, I think I love this little number the best. It's the Botanica Medallion Cardigan featured on the front of the Spring/Summer Vogue Knitting Magazine. I'm having a class on this in June. Check out all of the details here.