May Classes

I’m not doing real good on my resolution to write more on here. 

Regardless!  Here are the details on classes for May!

Beginning Crochet and Beginning Knitting – these are the classes for the person who wants to learn but has no clue what to do.  Never picked up a hook or needles?  Here you go!

Crochet 2 and Knitting 2 – these are the classes for the person who has had Beginning and is ready for a bit more, but not ready for an intermediate or advanced class.  Or, for the person who crocheted or knitted *ahem* years ago and needs a booster.

No Purl Knitting.  This one is for someone who is comfortable with knitting.  If you hate purling, you might want to check this class out.  It’s hard to explain, but it’s basically knitting backwards (not tinking!  That is something completely different). 

Texture and Color Series – Intro to Lace.  If you’ve been wanting to try lace, here is your chance.  We will do a lace scarf with the Feather and Fan/Old Shale pattern.  We’ll also go over basic rules for knitting lace and blocking.  Skills you will need are casting on, knitting and purling.

Details from a feather and fan shawl

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crochet Hats – I think this one is self-explanitory.  This is the recipe class for making a crochet hat for anysize head.  All you need to know for this is how to chain, single crochet and double crochet. 

Lace Knit Tank Top.  Last summer I designed a tank top with a simple lace pattern at an Empire waist-line.  Well, I’m finally getting around to teaching the class!  It’s a simple tank top – fits all sizes, including kids if you want to make a kid version – out of cotton, or a cotton blend.  Skills for this one, cast on, knit, purl.

Simple lace detail on a tank top

Happy Pi Day!

Today is March 14! 3.14 Π
Pi is a wonderful number. Especially if you are a knitter. Pi is the number you need to make circular shawls, half circle shawls, hats, coasters, doilies, ad infinitum (pun intended. If you get it, you are as much a nerd as I am!).
How are you going to celebrate Pi Day? Here is my list of ideas:
Bake a pie (circular pans need pi)
Knit or crochet a doily
Knit or crochet a circular shawl (technically I should say start a circular shawl because if you can start and finish one in a single day, well, that is just WRONG!)
Sew a frilly circle-skirt (that you could do in one day easy)

I might do one, or multiple of these today.  I have some lovely bamboo thread a friend gave me – it would make a beautiful doily to go on my dresser (which would require me cleaning off my dresser, but that is another story!).  I also have some wonderful fingering weight yarn another friend bought me at the KC Renaissance Festival last fall – a whopping 1140 yards worth! – that would knit up fabulously into a Π shawl, of which I have at least 5 queued on Ravelry (I’m lekessler on Ravelry if you want to check them out).  And it feels like spring which always makes be want a blackberry pie.  Or strawberry pie.  Or peach pie.  Chocolate, coconut, pecan, pumpkin – I’m not choosy about pie!  I also have some drapy blue material, perfect for a springy circle skirt (springy as the season not a description of the material.

Snow and Evenstar

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
The snow might slow business down, but it is beautiful – and I’m tired of drought! This might not break the drought but any moisture is welcome!

Since it’s snowing, and since I went through my WIPs yesterday, I’ve decided to make up with Evenstar.

It’s far too large to see the whole pattern. I’m working almost 600 stitches per round at this point (588 to be exact – if you’ve done Evenstar and this number sounds wrong, don’t tell me! I don’t think I could handle it!) and each round takes me between 30 and 1 hour. It varies based on how often I get distracted and how complicated the row is.
I’m half way through chart 3 – right at the spot that the stitch markers “dance” every-other row which slows me down a lot.

I use lifelines when I knit lace. Always. No exceptions ever. I use them because I’m a clutz (or is it klutz? Whatever). I pull needles out, unintentionally, often. I drop my knitting to answer phones. And I put things into timeout often; if I mark which row I put a lifeline in, I can find my place again easily. Lifelines make me happy.

WIPs Galore!

 

 

 

These are my WIPs (works in progress).  Some of them.  One of my goals this year is to get organized, so I decided to sort my WIPs and reevaluate if they should be WIPs or should be sent to the frog pond!

So here we go in a project-by-project evaluation!

 

 

 

This is St. Brigid by Alice Starmore in Summit Hill superwash (Kraemer).  It’s staying in the WIP pile for those days when I really need to CONCENTRATE on my knitting (yes, the caps and underlining in necessary on that word; very necessary!).

                 

 

 

 

 

This is a silk hanky from Abstract Fiber that I started last summer.  It isn’t being frogged, because frogging silk is not fun and just not worth the effort.  But I’m not sure if I’ll finish this as I started (which was as a headband).  Stay tuned for updates on this one.

 

 

 

These are socks. To be specific, they are the April Showers Mystery Sock KAL by Knitter’s Brewing Company. I am making these out of Cascade Heritage. The clues are all released and I will finish them. Sometime. I finished the second sock of the last KAL in January of this year (the KAL started in January of last year). Maybe I can beat my record!

 

 

 

 

These are also socks. Two pair actually, but they are teaching tools so I’m doing 2-at-a-time in different colors. Then I’ll do the matching socks. The second socks will probably be done for the next class.

 

 

 

This is mitt one of a pair for my niece. They will also be finished. Luckily she works in an office that is usually cold so she can wear them in the summer which is when they will probably be done.

 

 

 

No clue what this is. It’s Tokyo yarn by Feza. Otherwise, I’ve absolutely no clue. It’ll will be frogged.

 

 

 

 

This will be the Ruched T-Shirt from Interweave. Eventually.

 

 

 

My sister started this. I believe it is the start of a baby blanket. It’s now if my WIPs – she was sneaky about it!

 

 

 

I’m working on a pattern for wool soakers – this is a prototype.  The pattern will be up soon – I think!

 

 

 

This is yarn. Yarn that will be samples for the Master Handknitter program from TKGA. At least that is the plan. I’ll let you know how it goes!

 

 

 

In the fall, my niece brought an idea to me for a sweater. When I have it done, I’ll release the pattern for it also (knit in the round from the bottom up with an asymmetric neckline).

 

 

 

 Last year at the KC Renaissance Festival, we (meaning my BFFs and me) spent a lot of money at A Wolf’s in Sheeps Clothing (aka Th’red Head). This is Amy’s yarn for a shawl. I knit it; didn’t like it – frogged. I knit it again; didn’t like it – frogged. Third time will be charm, so it is sitting in time out while I ponder appropriate patterns.

 

 

 

 

No clue.  Not sure what it is supposed to be or who cast it on.  I do know that it is supposed to be a store sample for Kraemer’s Fountain Hill Lights.  Stay tuned for what happens to it!

 

 

 

 

This is Evenstar.  I went into time-out last August and has been there since.  Not because I’m mad at it or it was misbehaving.  We just needed some time apart for my mental health.  We are going to reunite soon.  And since I’m half way through chart 3, hopefully my tension hasn’t changed too much during the intervening 6 months!

 

 

 

And this is the Vernal Equinox Surprise Shawl. It’s our Spring 2013 KAL here at the shop. I was coerced into knitting it (Amberle!). Thankfully because it is beautiful and an amazingly easy lace pattern. Feel free to join us in knitting it – we have a thread on our Ravelry group for pictures and questions. I might even have a prize (hint-hint!) for a randomly chosen participant in the KAL, so you might want to stop by the group and let us know if you are joining in!

 

 

 

Plying practice! This is ongoing, and might be ongoing forever!

 

 

 

This is the luscious silk/merino roving I bought on the Central Kansas Knitters Guild trip to Shephered’s Mill in June last year. I will spin it. Sometime. I tend to spin while sitting outside in the evenings – this requires nice weather because my hands don’t like the cold. So I’ll probably have results sometime in the summer.

 

 

 

And not lastly (because I have another WIP that I don’t have a photo of yet), the crochet.  This is going to be a pineapple doily.  Now that I’ve finished the multiple crochet commissions I had this winter, I’ll have time to work on this again.

And the unpictured WIP is a cowl in marvelous yarn spun by a friend from CKKG.  I’ll post a finished photo when it’s done.

I think that adds up to 19 WIPs.  3 to be undone and new projects chosen for the yarn.  16 WIPs.  Sigh!  Must knit/crochet/spin faster!

Texture and Color Series

I thought I would tell you some more about the classes we are featuring this year.

Amongst other subjects this year, I am focusing one class per month on a technique featuring texture or color.  You’ve all seen beautiful Aran or Fair Isle sweaters  (I saw a fabulous Aran blanket a few months ago), but most of us haven’t tackled one.  A sweater might seem overwhelming but what about a swatch?  I know!  I said the evil “S” word, but swatches really are important.  And they can be great learning tools.  Whenever I get an idea for a new design, I start (after the math) but making variations in swatches.  I even found several great options for displaying swatches on Pinterest – such as framing them and using them to display and store your french hook earrings!

So, what is this deal with this series of classes?

In the afternoon on the 2nd Saturday of each month, we’ll do a class on either Texture or Color.  January, March, May, July, September, November are Texture months.  February, April, June, August, October, December are Color months.  We are going to work our way through textures, including the basic knit and purl stitches (like ribs), lace, brioche and more; and through colorwork including stranded work (Fair Isle), intarsia, mosaic, double knitting, and more.

First up will be the basic knit and purl textures.  These are texture patterns that need no more than the knowledge of the knit and purl stitch.  No cable needles.  No yarn overs.  There will be charts though – don’t moan!  Simple charts – that will prepare you for the more complicated ones later on.  Charts are our friends!

As for February – it’s an introduction to stranded colorwork with Kim Neufeld.  I’ll have more info on the class in the near future, but if you have had a class with Kim before, you know her classes are great!

Make your resolution this year to learn something new about knitting with texture and color!

January 2013 Classes

Time does fly when you are frantically finishing Holiday gifts. If someone can find November and December for me, I’d appreciate it.

But in the meantime, January’s class schedule is out.

January 5 – Beginning Crochet 10 am to noon

January 12 – Beginning Knitting 10 am to noon; Texture Stitches (knitting) 1 pm to 3 pm

January 19 – Crochet II 10 am to noon; Crochet Hats 1 pm to 3 pm

January 26 – Knitting II 10 am to noon; Toe-up Socks (part 1) 1 pm to 3 pm (part 2 is on February 23

I’ve changed classes up a little this year – the times are pretty much the same, but the theory behind the classes has changed.  The focus is going to be skill building through technique. 

Rather than one beginning class, there will be “Beginning” and “II.”  Beginning will be the formerly titled “What is/are this/these hook/needles and how do I use it/them?”  This is the class for the absolute beginner.  II is the class for the person who knows how to chain or knit XX years ago but can’t remember how to get started, or for the person who took beginning last month but wants a bit more tutelage before going on to make a sweater/mittens/lace (whatever is next up on your goals for 2013).

Then there is the “Texture and Color” series.  Every month we will have one knitting class that looks at a specific aspect of using texture or color in your knitting.  January is texture stitches using only the knit and purl stitches.  Other classes coming up include Stranded Colorwork (AKA Fair Isle), Double Knitting, Mosaic, Intarsia, Cables, Brioche, Lace, and probably a few others (comment if you have a class request).

So, make a resolution to learn a new yarn crafting skill, let us know what it is, and take a class!

Don’t forget, Oh Yarn It is on Facebook, Twitter, Ravelry (as Oh Yarn It), and Pinterest (OhYarnItShop).  Follow, Tweet, Share!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

I’ve lost another month

Help! I’ve lost October! And November! That means I only have 23 days to finish my Christmas knitting. I feel faint!

You can make sure you get the yarn-y things you want this year by adding Oh Yarn It to your Christmas list. Gift registry and certificates are available. And classes next year are going to be fabulous!

Yarn choices

I bought yarn at the Renaissance Festival.

I know that no one is actually surprised by this. The yarn is Th’Red Head Designs. I’ve been purchasing yarn from her at the Faire for many years. I have no idea what I’ll do with these skeins yet, but I do know who gets each skein. (No. They aren’t both for me)

I also received yarn for the store today. I just live seeing UPS at my door! One box was a reorder of Cascade Eco+. The other was of new yarn, from a new company! I didn’t get much to start with because, we’ll, it’s new. I like to sample first. I will be ordering more!

This is “Florafil” by Made in America Yarn (love the name!). It’s bulky cotton made in Philadelphia! To really appreciate this yarn, you need to come feel it. It’s light and fluffy and soft. And really pretty. Really pretty. I want to make many things put of it. Many.

The problem is, I’ve got 14 projects on needles, 6 yarns burning a hole in my stash drawer – did I mention that my sister brought me Quince & Co yarn back from Maine for me? – and I have no spare time! And let’s not talk about the queue issues I’m having on Ravelry right now. I’ll just say that I only queue things I want to cast on with in the next year. Favorites are for the “I want to make that, someday” projects. The queue is out of control.

The Electric Sheep podcast had an episode a few months back called “Knit All the Things”. Wonder if Hoxton cares if I swipe her title?

Pondering yarn

I’ve been pondering yarn lately. Ok, technically I always ponder yarn, but this is pondering in a slightly different way.

I went to the KC Renaissance Festival yesterday. I love Ren Faires, the whole bizarreness of them. I saw people dressed as faeries and as Stormtroopers. I saw an ensign from the Enterprise, a mermaid, and wizards. I even saw a dog with Tinkerbell wings. I ended up with hands tinged slightly red from holding my evidently-not-color-fast red gown out of the mud (I participate fully – as one friend says “it’s Halloween for adults”).*

So what does this have to do with yarn? There are also reenactments and demonstrations including spinners, weavers, and knitters. I watched Marci from Th’Red Head Designs spin for a while and spent a lot of time fondling her yarns and finished items. And yes, I brought some of her yarn home (I have a stash acquisition problem – that is part of the reason I opened a shop). I watched a woman hand knitting socks and another weave a rug. I took a project with me (of course) but I didn’t work on it as much as normal at the Faire.

But I came home with many ideas inspired by the people and fibers I saw and felt (fibers, I tried not to feel the people). And I started thinking about how fibers talk to us, tell us what they are supposed to be and how sometimes it takes a while (a long while) for the fiber to talk to us. I heard a lot of yarn talking yesterday!

More on this subject tomorrow.

*in case you are curious, I was in 14th century merchant garb yesterday. I’ll see if one of my friends got a photo