Anacapa Knits

Weeks 35, 36, and 37: Fly Your Heart Hat, Cowl, and Mitts

2012-02-24T13:19:00.002-08:00

I can't blame you if you had begun to fear that I had lost my way on this project challenge. I return with a great gusto, three projects that I think are worth the lengthy wait. I had a big project that demanded my full attention and now I am back full force. I will be doubling up next week, too, to make up for lost ground.

I bring you a whole set of coordinating cuteness - a hat, a cowl, and fingerless mitts. All items feature a cute set of heart sitting on their sides, they remind me of little pennant flags waving on a pole. The hat is slouchy and the cowl and mitts are very luxurious. All of them could be made without the hearts if they aren't your thing.

Week of February 22 to February 29:
Project: Fly Your Heart Set
Yarn: Misti Alpaca Worsted (109 yds/50 g, 100% alpaca), 1 ball makes the Hat or the Mitts and the Cowl takes a little more than 1 ball (approx. 120 yds). 3 balls makes the whole set!

Gauge: for hat and cowl: 4sts/in with largest needle; for mitts: 5sts/in with larger needle; both in stockinette.
Needles: for hat and cowl - US7/4.5mm and US 9/5.5mm 16" circular needles; for mitts - US 6/4mm and US 7/4.5mm (you can knit them on your choice of DPNs, 1 circular for magic loop, or 2 circulars)
Chart:
Though the pattern is not available as a PDF at this time, you can click here to download just the chart.

Hat:
With smaller 16" needle, CO 72 sts. Join in the round, placing a unique beginning of the round marker and being careful not to twist.
Rnd 1-3: Knit.
Rnd 4: Purl.
Rnd 5-10: *K2, P2, repeat from * around
Rnd 11: Purl.
Rnd 12: With larger needle, *K18, pm, rep. from * around
Rnds 13- 46: Work rounds 1-34 of the chart.

Decrease Rounds:
Rnd 1: *K1, K2tog, K12, SSK, K1, rep. from * around
Rnd 2 and all even rnds: Knit.
Rnd 3: *K1, K2tog, K10, SSK, K1, rep. from * around
Rnd 5: *K1, K2tog, K8, SSK, K1, rep. from * around
Rnd 7: *K1, K2tog, K6, SSK, K1, rep. from * around
Rnd 9: *K1, K2tog, K4, SSK, K1, rep. from * around
Rnd 11: *K1, K2tog, K2, SSK, K1, rep. from * around
Rnd 13: *K1, K2tog, SSK, K1, rep. from * around
Rnd 14: *K2tog, rep from * around

Cut a tail (or use the tail that remains) and thread remaining stitches onto the tail and pull it up tight like pulling on a drawstring. Weave in the ends and enjoy!

Cowl:
With smaller 16" needle, CO 90 sts. Join in the round, placing a unique beginning of the round marker and being careful not to twist.
Rnd 1-3: Knit.
Rnd 4: Purl.
Rnd 5-10: *K2, P2, repeat from * around
Rnd 11: Purl.
Rnd 12: With larger needle, *K18, pm, rep. from * around
Rnds 13- 46: Work rounds 1-34 of the chart.
Rnd 47: Knit
Rnds 48 - 55: With smaller needle, repeat rnds 4 - 11
Rnds 56 - 58: Knit

BO and weave in ends.

Mitts
Left Mitt:
With smallest needle, CO 32.  Join in the round, placing a unique beginning of the round marker after st #1 of the beginning of the round (regardless of the needle style you choose ) and being careful not to twist.
Rnd 1-3: Knit.
Rnd 4: Purl.
Rnd 5-10: *K2, P2, repeat from * around
Rnd 11: Purl.
Rnd 12: With one size larger needle, knit.
Rnd 13 - 17: Knit
Rnd 18: K1, KFB, KFB, pm, work row 1 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end. (34)
Rnd 19: K5, sm, work row 2 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end.
Rnd 20: K1, KFB, K2, KFB, sm, work row 3 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end. (36)
Rnd 21: K7, sm, work row 4 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end.
Rnd 22:K1, KFB, K4, KFB, sm, work row 5 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end. (38)
Rnd 23: K9, sm, work row 6 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end.
Rnd 24: K1, KFB, K6, KFB, sm, work row 7 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end. (40)
Rnd 25: K11, sm, work row 8 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end.
Rnd 26: K1, KFB, K8, KFB, sm, work row 9 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end. (42)
Rnd 27: K13, sm, work row 10 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end.
Rnd 28: K1, KFB, K10, KFB, sm, work row 11 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end. (44)
Rnd 29: K15, sm, work row 12 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end.
Rnd 30: K1, KFB, K12, KFB, sm, work row 13 of chart starting at the black bar, knit to end. (46)
Rnd 31: K17, sm, work row 14 of chart starting at the black bar
Rnd 32: K2, P13, K2, sm, work row 15 of chart starting at the black bar
Rnd 33: K2, BO13, K1, sm, work row 16 of chart starting at the black bar (33)
Rnd 34: K1, K2tog, K1, sm, work row 17 of chart starting at the black bar (32)
Rnd 35 - 37: Knit
Rnd 38: With smaller needles, Purl.
Rnd 39 - 44: *K2, P2, repeat from * around
Rnd 45: Purl.
Rnd 46 - 48: Knit.
BO LOOSELY! Weave in ends and enjoy!

Right Mitt:
Rnd 1 - 17: Repeat as for left mitt.
Rnd 18: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 18, work chart up to black bar, pm, KFB, KFB, knit to the end. (34)
Rnd 19: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 19, work chart up to black bar, sm, knit to the end.
Rnd 20: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 20, work chart up to black bar, sm, KFB, K2, KFB, knit to the end. (36)
Rnd 21: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 21, work chart up to black bar, sm, knit to the end.
Rnd 22: Starting at right  stitch 1 of row 22, work chart up to black bar, sm, KFB, K4, KFB, knit to the end. (38)
Rnd 23: Starting at  right stitch 1 of row 23, work chart up to black bar, sm, knit to the end.
Rnd 24: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 24, work chart up to black bar, sm, KFB, K6, KFB, knit to the end. (40)
Rnd 25: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 25, work chart up to black bar, sm, knit to the end.
Rnd 26: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 26, work chart up to black bar, sm, KFB, K8, KFB, knit to the end. (42)
Rnd 27: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 27, work chart up to black bar, sm, knit to the end.
Rnd 28: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 28, work chart up to black bar, sm, KFB, K10, KFB, knit to the end. (44)
Rnd 29: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 29, work chart up to black bar, sm, knit to the end.
Rnd 30: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 30, work chart up to black bar, sm, KFB, K12, KFB, knit to the end. (46)
Rnd 31: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 31, work chart up to the black bar, sm, knit to the end.
Rnd 32: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 32, work chart up to black bar, sm, K2, P13, knit to the end.
Rnd 33: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 33, work chart up to black bar, sm, K2, BO13, knit to the end. (33)
Rnd 34: Starting at right stitch 1 of row 34, work chart up to black bar, sm, K1, K2tog, knit to the end.(32)
Rnd 35 - 37: Knit
Rnd 38: With smaller needles, Purl.
Rnd 39 - 44: *K2, P2, repeat from * around
Rnd 45: Purl.
Rnd 46 - 48: Knit.
BO LOOSELY! Weave in ends and enjoy!

© 2012 Anne Lecrivain-Cozzoli For Personal use only. Do not duplicate or distribute. Items made from this pattern should not be for resale, but can be used for charitable contribution or fundraising.

How To Monday: Increases!

2012-02-13T16:01:00.001-08:00

How To Monday: How to Wind a center pull yarn ball with just your thumb!

2012-02-06T11:52:00.001-08:00

52 not forgotten

2012-02-01T10:24:00.000-08:00

Hi all!
I will be doing a double entry next week...stay tuned!

Week 34 of 52: Fringe Thyself Scarf

2012-01-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

I was hurrying to finish a long overdue knitting debt of some scarves. One had been done for ages and was my inspiration for Still Waters. The second one was really hard for me to get back to finishing. I was recently reminded that these were long overdue and that helped move the knitting muses along, double time. I came up with a solution for using up the yarns that were to be mixed and for this week's project.

I dare not call this my design, because I have seen this design incarnated many times before my attempt. It is certainly my pattern, though. Such a subtle difference.

I am not easily enchanted by a novelty/fashion yarn, but this Aria has been calling to me since it arrived a few weeks ago. As I work with it, I am reminded of this really cool Missoni yarn that one of our knitters has been long laboring on a wonderful ruana for sometime (something wonderful, large, and chic on US 4 needles). (If you are reading this, dear knitter of the Missoni Ruana, how is it?)

I would like to share some of the many other patterns that also use this or a similar technique for fringing as you go.
Ribbon Triangle #1000 (this one is a sample that we have had for a long time)
Self-Fringed Scarf (Short ways)
Self Fringed Scarf (Long ways)
Voss Self Fringing Scarf (just one more pattern that makes me want the book that it comes from)
Koko Self-Fringing Shawl
Self-Fringing Bias Shawl/Scarf

Week of January 22 to 28:
Project: Fringe Thyself Scarf by Anne Lecrivain-Cozzoli
Yarn: 3 balls of Crystal Palace Aria (134yds/50g, 38%Rayon, 35% Merino, 18% Polyester, 9% Nylon)
Needles: US 8/5.0mm (I was going to use US 6/4.0mm, but one of my darling sons broke a needle while I was into the first attempt by about 1 inch.)
Size: approx. 7 inches wide by 68 inches long (width dos not include fringe)
Gauge: 4sts/in and 8 rows/in in garter stitch
Pattern:
Cast on 32 sts.
Row 1: Knit 4, place a marker(once this marker is placed, leave it in and slip it when you get to it), ktbl(knit through the back loop), knit to the end.
Row 2: Knit until one st. remains before the marker, ktbl, sm (slip marker), knit to the end
Row 3: Knit 4, sm, ktbl, knit to the end.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have about 3 yards left at the end of your yarn supply. Also, end after having worked a row 3.
Bind off until the last 4 sts (after the marker) remain. Fasten off the last stitch that was bound off. Now, the fun part: drop those last 4 sts all the way down the scarf. Do this step methodically, making sure that you have pulled out all 4 sts each row that you drop. Because you twisted the sts that border the dropped stitches, you don't have to worry about these drops coming undone or making your scarf unravel.
Notes:
1) If you want to check out your fringe as you go, then you can drop anytime. Do so at the end of a row 3. To recoup these dropped sts, cast on 4 more sts using the backwards/e-loop method onto the needle holding the sts. Then, carry on.
2) When adding a new ball, do so at the beginning of a row 3. Doing it at this point allows the ends to look as though they are a part of the fringe and you don't need to worry much about weaving them in later.

Here is the scarf that inspired this project:

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Week 33 of 52: Cabled Sheep

2012-01-17T14:02:00.000-08:00

I have been knitting happily and rapidly on class samples as this new year's first month rolls along. Shawls are pouring off my needles. So, this little cuddly lamb was just the little quick break that I needed.
This pattern is just one of many cute little sheep that I plan on making. I am tempted to make them in many colors, like the old ad for Brown Sheep Yarns showing the many colors of wool.
Here are a few ravelry links that I also want to make:
Fluffly Little Sheep (I think that Kaity may have made this sheep recently.)
Little Lamb Sock Critter
Sheep in Sheep's Clothing
Reversible Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Lamb
Little Lamb

She is hanging out with her lion buddy that comes from this pattern. He appears fierce until he starts stalking the tundra and the jingle bell that I placed in his belly begins to tinkle and jingle. I meant to place a bell in Sheep's tummy, too, but she needs a sporting chance when she is hanging out with the jungle cat.

Week of January 15 to 21:
Project: Cabled Sheep by Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: 1 ball each of Color A and Color B of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk (80%Alpaca, 20%Silk, 71 yds/50g)
Needles: US 5/3.75mm; I used a needle a little smaller than the pattern suggests for two reasons - 1) smaller, denser stitches are better when making stuffed toys, and 2)because it was handy.
Notes:
a) Rather than bind off after completing each side, I left the stitches live with the plan to do a 3 needle bind off later. This move saved me 2 steps, binding off and one seam.

b) When it came to making the limbs, head, and tail, I decided to pick up stitches and knit those pieces to the body. For the tail, I was able to use the tail from binding off to pick up and knit the whole tail.

c) The legs were a little trickier; I picked up 4 of the needed 8 and then used an e-loop cast on to cast on the last 4. I used the tails to sew it closed when done knitting. Then, I stuffed the legs with their own tails. No waste.

d) For the head, I picked up 14 sts and worked the head in Stockinette flat. Then, I picked up for the ears. The ears are the only pieces that I would knit separately next time so that you can have more control when placing them. I was stuck with where I put them, because I had already use their tails to embroider the eyes and mouth.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Weeks 31 and 32 of 52: Flower Scarf and Slippery Hat

2012-01-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

In the course of choosing my yarns, I ended up making a kind of pretty coordinating set. Both are lots of fun to make.
#31:
The Flower Scarf is a really lovely way to try out an easier way to get a basic brioche look by doing the fisherman rib. This rib uses a technique called knit one below, which , if you like, there is a whole book filled with lovely things using it, Knit One Below by Elise Duvekot.

Project: Flower Scarf by Robyn Diliberto
Yarn: 1 hank of Classic Elite Fresco (164yds/50g, 60% Wool, 30% Alpaca, 10% Angora)
Needles: US 5/3.75mm; a 32" circular needle should cover all of your needs for this project.
Notes:
a) I decided to skip any of the crochet steps (edging the scarf and the buttonhole).
b) If you don't have any fiberfill handy for stuffing the button, then you could use a cotton ball. The button will seem a bit large to fit into the center of the flower, but it is squishy and fits well.
c) I used all my ends for securing both the button an the flower, working as a great jump start for weaving in ends.
d) When you are working your flower, I recommend using magic loop for your needling. As you work the outer rounds, you will not have much room to maneuver; so, you can let out a extra lengths of cable wherever it will make things more comfortable.

#32:
I have been itching to make something fun and crisp out of the great colors of Noro Kureyon. This hat, the Slippery hat, fulfilled that itch for the time being. Kureyon is not at all soft, but it is warm and beautiful. It is the sort of yarn that you use to make a hat that will warm the head of one who will appreciate its woolly goodness.

Project: Slippery Hat by Anne Lecrivain-Cozzoli
Yarn: 1 ball of Noro Kureyon (100% Wool, 110yds/50g)
Needles: US 5/3.75mm and US 9/5.5mm, 16" circulars, and US 9/5.5mm DPNs
Gauge:
Size: Fits a 20-22" head.
Pattern:
With smaller needle, CO 96.
Rounds 1-6: *K1, P1, repeat from * around
Round 7-12: With larger needle, *sl 1 wyif, K11, pm, repeat from * around.
Note: once the markers are placed in on Round 7, just slip them along as you come upon them.
Round 13-18: *K6, sl 1 wyif, K5, repeat from * around.
Repeat rounds 7-18 two more times.
Decrease rounds:
Round 1: *K10, K2tog, repeat from * around.
Round 2: *K9, K2tog, repeat from * around.
Round 3: *K8, K2tog, repeat from * around.
Round 4: *K7, K2tog, repeat from * around.
Round 5: *K6, K2tog, repeat from * around.
Round 6: *K5, K2tog, repeat from * around.
Round 7: *K4, K2tog, repeat from * around.
Round 8: *K3, K2tog, repeat from * around.
Round 9: *K2, K2tog, repeat from * around.
Round 10: *K1, K2tog, repeat from * around.
Round 11: *K2tog, repeat from * around.
Cut a tail (or use the tail that remains) and thread remaining stitches onto the tail and pull it up tight like pulling on a drawstring. Weave in the ends and enjoy!
© 2012 Anne Lecrivain-Cozzoli For Personal use only. Do not duplicate or distribute. Items made from this pattern should not be for resale, but can be used for charitable contribution or fundraising.

How-To Monday: Italian Tubular Cast On

2012-01-09T16:03:00.000-08:00

Hi guys, today's How to Monday is for the Italian Tubular Cast On. The written out instructions are below:

Cast On Steps:
1: LH- Over, Under
2: RH- Under, Over
3: LH- Over, Under
4: RH- Over, Under

Repeat to desired number of stitches.

Set up Rows:
Row 1: *Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in front, repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat row 1 3 more times, for a total of 4 set up rows. Begin working in Knit 1, Purl 1 ribbing for desired length. Pull out running tail at cast on edge.

Lots of Kureyon!

2012-01-04T14:59:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Just a quick post today to let you know that we got in a lot of one of my favorite yarns, Noro Kureyon from Knitting Fever, Inc! This yarn is so pretty and woolly and I just love it! In fact, one of my upcoming classes features this particular yarn, my Easy Ribbed Fingerless Mitts class on February 27th.

This one is perfect for new knitters, because it's an Intro to Double Pointed Needles! I know they can seem scary if you've never used them, but we will have lots of fun in this class, I promise! All you need is one ball of Kureyon and some size 8 DPNs and we'll be on our way!

If you love Kureyon, Noro, or any other great Knitting Fever yarn, be sure to check out their Facebook page!

52 in 52 delay

2012-01-04T14:13:00.000-08:00

Hi, all! Do not despair. I have not fallen off the project wagon. We were visiting family in Portland last week and I am still playing catch up. So, next week, you will see 2 projects!!! Here is a preview of one of them.

Week 30 of 52: 3-Hour Cowl

2011-12-28T08:57:00.001-08:00

Crazy holiday weekend, but I have a new pattern to share with you, regradless.
This cowl is the perfet thing to share during this busy time between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Week of Dec. 25 to Dec. 31:
Pattern: 3-Hour Cowl by Ijeoma Oluo
Yarn: 1 ball of Rowan Purelife Revive (137 yds/50g, 36% recycled silk, 36% recycled cotton, 28% recycled viscose)
Needles: US 10.5 16 inch circ and/or US 19 (any size circular)
Notes:
A) My most important piece of advice on executing this pattern - in leiu of row 2, work row 2 simply by knitting across the row with the US 19.
B) For row 3, basically, over the next 4 sts, without slipping anything off the needles, knit in this order: st 3, st 4, st 1, and st 2. Or, place sts 1 and 2 on a cable needle and hold to the back. Work sts 3 and 4, then work sts from the cable needle.
Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays from everyone here at Anacapa Fine Yarns!

From Terry, Karin, Lois, Anne, and Kaity!

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 24!

2011-12-24T09:51:00.000-08:00

I hope that all of your holiday preparations are ready, because, for those of us who celebrate Christmas out of the myriad of wonderful holidays to be had during December, time is up!!! If you need to run in for a last minute yarn fix, Lois will be manning the shop until 2 pm.

I thought that sharing this video that Terry first shared with me would be a good way to wrap up our Knitmas Countdown this year. I think that it might be a fun link to share with anyone to whom you might be gifting a scarf or shawl.

My favorites are:
1. The Waterfall
2. The Magic Trick
3. The Fake Knot
4. The Braid
5. Twist and Pull

Happy Holiday Needling,
Anne

Countdown to Knitmas, Day 23!

2011-12-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hi guys! It's Christmas Eve-Eve! Yay! I'm so excited for Christmas, are you?

A few days ago, Anne posted a few of her favorite Christmas songs, and it inspired me to pick out a few of my favorites to share with you all! Some of these have long been my in my Christmas Shuffle, some are new to me, but I love them all!

Bing Crosby and David Bowie- Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy
I love Bowie, and this song is so lovely, it always makes me happy!

Christmas Wish- She & Him

She & Him are Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, and I love their vocals together. A lot of their songs on this album are sung by only Zooey, which is still great, but this is my fav from this album.

Winter Wonderland- Aretha Franklin

My new favorite version of this classic!

Paul McCartney- Wonderful Christmastime
If you know me, you probably know that the Beatles are my favorite band, if you really know me, you probably know that Paul is my second favorite Beatle. :)

This last one is for my Fiance, James, his favorite:Elton John- Step into Christmas

I hope you guys enjoyed, and have a great day!<3: Kaity

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 22!

2011-12-22T02:00:00.000-08:00

I had the best of intentions of making simple ornaments each day at our house to deck the tree daily, but that only happened here and there throughout the last 3 weeks. I found 24 ideas though, scouring the internet.

This idea is my favorite - the Woolly Sheep. With the help of the most awesome pom-pom maker I have ever had the pleasure of using (Clover Pom-Pom Maker), I was able to make a whole flock of varying sizes. Using this tool, you can skip most of the details in step 1, just do the make a pom-pom part. As a side note, I think that I have tried making pom-poms in all the ways that are out there from using your hand or cardboard as a guide to the concentric circles and a tapestry needle to a pom-pom tree to these Clover gems.

Ingredients: Pom-Pom Maker, White (and black for the black sheep), felt for faces, pipe cleaner for legs, and ribbon for hanger.

I decided not to use the bell for attaching the heads. Instead, I used a 3rd piece of pipe cleaner to act as a neck and glued the head to that. I also decided to slip the pipe cleaner legs, neck, and the ribbon hanger into the appropriate halves before tying the center; then, it was all attached tightly and securely at the same time.

With the tiniest pom-pom makers, I decided that they would be just as fun a little snowballs.

Happy Holiday Needling,

Anne

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 21!

2011-12-21T14:44:00.000-08:00

So, Christmas is on Sunday, and you still need some gifts, but the mall is too scary this week! Sound familiar? You might have to just settle with giving a gift card, which is no fun, but at least it's something! Well, I have a pattern for you to spruce up those gift cards and make them a lot more fun!

Gift Card-igans!

How cute are these? I found this free pattern on Ravelry by Julie Tarsha, and was so excited about them! How much more fun is it to give a gift card wrapped in some cable-y goodness than a boring cardboard sleeve?? Plus, once your recipient retrieves their gift card, they can use their card-igan to store other stuff, like iPod, credit card, driver's licence, etc. I'm pretty sure I'll be knitting up a few of these cuties.

Happy Furious Knitting!

<3: Kaity

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 20!

2011-12-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Last year, I shared some of my holiday movie viewing. This year I want to share some holiday listening/viewing, aka some Youtube carol videos. I became a little addicted to listening to these videos as my needles click away when I stumbled onto this forum post on the Rav.
Then, on NPR, they reported about the success of this independent video by Sean Quigley. It sounds even better directly from Youtube and the video is kinda pretty. The drummer boy did the whole thing from filming to playing all he instruments that you hear.

While I was looking for the link to the above video, I found this version of the same song by the Cranberries (which I love to listen to as a band and I really love to eat as a berry).

Then, I found these that are favorites of Kevin's:

If you follow the first link and these additions, you'll have some Tuesday holiday cheer in no time!

Happy Holiday Needling,

Anne

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 19!

2011-12-19T14:16:00.001-08:00

I've got a How-to Monday for Day 19!

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 18!

2011-12-18T15:50:00.001-08:00

Here is a tip that I have heard tossed around by a few knitters in the past but have rarely seen in action: with your pattern or notes in a plastic sleeve and a dry erase marker, you can make notes, highlight, and mark off your rows as you work. Then, when you are done, you can wipe it clean so that it is ready for you to cast on for next time with a fresh slate. This is knitter Rose in progress on her Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise Jacket. This way, even her class notes, given to supplement the pattern she bought for class, are kept safe and sound.

Happy Holiday Needling,

Anne

Week 29 of 52: Appointment Hat, a 24 Stitch Hat

2011-12-18T15:47:00.000-08:00

What can you do with US 19/15mm circular needles and 33 yds of bulky yarn?

This hat. It seems that I am on a quest to see just how few stitches one really needs to cast on and still end up with a hat. Here we have 24 sts and 15 rows. Karin dubbed it the Appointment Hat the moment she saw it, imagining that she could whip one up as she waited for her turn at any given appointment.

Yarn: 1 ball of Gedifra Benevito (33 yds/50g; 50% Wool, 40% Acrylic, 10% Alpaca)

Note: If you decide that you want it longer, then you will need a second ball or a yarn with more yardage in the same weight. It is very stretchy and covers most of my ear when I pull it on.

Needles: US 19/15mm 16" Circular and matching double pointed needles OR US 19/15mm 32" or longer (for magic loop)

Gauge: 4 stitches= 3 inches

Cast on 24 sts. Join in the round as you work round 1.
Round 1 and 2: *K2, P2, repeat from * around; the first time around remember to place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
Round 3 and 4: *P2, K2, repeat from * around.

Repeat rounds 1-4 two more times. (If you are going to make it longer, then repeat 1-4 one more time after that.)

Decrease rounds:
Round 1: *K2, P2tog, repeat from * around (18 sts)
Round 2: *K2, P1, repeat from * around
Round 3: *K2tog, repeat from * around (9 sts)

Cut a tail (or use the tail that remains) and thread remaining stitches onto the tail and pull it up tight like pulling on a drawstring. Weave in the ends and enjoy!

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 16!

2011-12-16T17:49:00.000-08:00

Even if you only know me through the last few Knitmas posts, you now that I am about producing quality knitted items as fast as possible. Along with fast hats, fingerless mitts are fast and stylish gift item.

I want to share a selection of patterns that you can swiftly plug into any missing gift spots and stresslessly have them completed and wrapped with time to spare for an egg nog.

Here is a sampling of freebies:
75 Yard Malabrigo Fingerless Mitts - You could get 3 pairs out of one skein and probably 7 out of 2 skeins.
Spatterdash Wristwarmers - pretty place to use buttons.
Camp Out Fingerless Mitts - this pattern you may remember as a favorite from here.
toast - This set is a favorite of Terry's.
Straightforward Mitts - These are gorgeous, but may need the most time of this list as they use fingering weight.
Bella's Mittens - These are mittens that you could end early.
Treads, a tipless gloves pattern - These are an elegant item and I like they way she named them.
White Rabbit Wristees - These are an excuse to use some yummy lace weight mohair!

Here are some even grander patterns that are for sale (remember that you can purchase many Ravelry patterns when you are here at the store and they land in your library just like they do when you buy them at home).

Happy Holiday Needling,
Anne

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 15!

2011-12-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

Today I want to share with you some of my go-to patterns I use for gift-giving. I go back to them time and again mostly because of their ease, the fact that they work up quickly, and give you great results that people love to receive! First up are everyone's favorite: Felted Clogs.

A Pair for Me!

A Pair for my sister!

These clogs are not a super easy and mindless project, but they are very speedy to knit and deliver such crowd-pleasing results! I've made 2 or 3 pairs for myself, a pair for my sister, my dad, my fiance, and his dad, and I'm working on another pair right now, too. This pattern is for sale here at the shop, and if you only have a week or two to knit a gift, this is a great option.

Next we have Coffee Cup Cozies:

If you need a gift, like, NOW, these are so fun to knit! Grab some yarn from your stash of leftovers and GO. This pattern is a free one on ravelry, but there are many others out there. I knit this one up in an hour or so.

For you Crocheters out there, here's the One Skein Scarf:

This truly is one of my all time favorite patterns, because it is so fun, fast, and easy to crochet! These little scarves are so cute, take one skein of something nice, and make great gifts!

And last but not least, a quick scarf for you knitters:

This is a free pattern online, called the Karaoke Cable Scarf. These are quick little cable scarves, and I bet you can crank out a few before Christmas!

I hope I've helped in your quest for quick gift knits (and one crocheted!)

<3: Kaity

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 14!

2011-12-14T22:07:00.000-08:00

It is 11:30pm at night and I realize that I need to make a hat as a teacher gift. I have the perfect yarn but I do not have the right 16" circular needles or double points. But I have a 40" circular needle in just the right size. This will do the trick for both the missing shorter circular and DPNs. How you say? Magic Loop!!!

I hunted for the best video on Youtube (also with the most views) Note: she mentions Knit Picks needles; we are carrying the Knitter's Pride Needles which are nearly identical in wood.

Happy Holiday Needling,
Anne

Week 28 of 52: Clara Cowl

2011-12-14T13:52:00.001-08:00

This week, I bring you the Clara Cowl. It is a delicious little delight the uses a reversible cable. This cowl was really fun to make, but I think that it would be just as fun to get double or triple the yardage and make an equally delicious scarf. While I was modeling it on the glass girl there, I found that it could be worn as a headband, too, which makes me look forward to having one to wear on walks in the new year.

Week of December 11 to 17:
Project: The Clara Cowl by Gretchen Ronnevik
Yarn: 1 ball of Rowan Cocoon (126 yds/100g; 80% Merino, 20% Mohair)
Needles: US 13/9mm
Knitting Plan:
Night 1: Cast on and work one pattern repeat.
Night 2: same as night 1.
Night 3: let's do night 1 again.
Night 4: the work of night 1 and, then, set it down. Make a cup of tea, meditate a little, and then graft the ends together just exactly as the designer directs you to.
Notes:
a) I did my favorite provisional cast on without referring to the video that she suggests. I used the invisible provisional cast on. The only thing that I did differently from the video that I link to is make my slip knot with my waste yarn and real yarn. You will notice that I used my favorite waste yarn - some satin ribbon. Also, I left about a 1 yd tail in that slip knot because I wanted to make sure that I had reserved enough to work the Kitchener at the end.

b)To aid in my counting, I would hang a locking ring marker on a purl stitch just as I had finished working a cable row. Then, I was able to count the purl bumps above it to keep track of my rows between cable instructions.

c) Try not to fret about the gap that you might see after you cable; that will all settle in and disappear as the cabled fabric relaxes and it is an inevitable side effect of moving so many stitches out of their previous position into another spot.

d) Be brave when it comes to the grafting. The only thing that I would add to her excellent instruction is to bring the outermost "top" and "bottom" needles together to make the first pair.

e) My Kitchener/grafting needs some work, but it gets the job done!

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 13!

2011-12-13T08:27:00.000-08:00

We're over half way there! Are you still with us? Well good, because today I don't just have a BLOG post for you, I have a VLOG (video-blog) post! What to buy for the knitter or crocheter in your life! I hope you enjoy!

<3: Kaity

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 12!

2011-12-12T22:49:00.000-08:00

Cable needles! They are a tool that you need in your knitting notion bag if you don't have already OR that your friend needs in the goody bag that you are making for her (or him).

I love cabling! The ladies and I just (like minutes ago) wrapped up making and lining Brea Bags and I want to share the thrill of using these handy tools.

There are many tools for helping you cable (in case you aren't brave enough to try this technique freehand).

Pictured (from left to right): Jumbo "U" (I like to call it a Shepherd's Hook), "U", Lantern Moon Cable Needles, Cable Stitch Holders, and Double Pointed Needles.

I find that the "U" shaped holders or needles are the best style for those who knit in the Continental style. English knitters or throwers can use any style that delights them. I also included double pointed needles as they are a very versatile tool - acting as a cable needle is just one of their many talents.

Also, cables can make really beautiful gifts - like the Reversible Cable Scarf which has still 4 openings (Wednesday, December 14 @ 6-9pm). This scarf makes up really fast if you have to hurry up and fill any gift spots.

Happy Holiday Needling,

Anne

P.S. I know that 52 in 52 is late again - tomorrow - I promise. ;)

Countdown to Knitmas, Day 11!

2011-12-11T16:29:00.001-08:00

Hi guys! Today I just wanted to write a quick post to tell you about some worthy charities that could use your help during the colder months! There are so many people less fortunate than us, and it's important to remember them, this time of year especially! So here are a couple of charities that you can knit for:

Stitches from the Heart
Stitches collects knitted and crocheted baby items for hospitals all over the country. Check out their website to find out more!

Afghans for Afghans
Afghans for Afghans sends handknit and crocheted blankets, sweaters, mittens, etc to bring warmth to the beleaguered people of Afghanistan.

Warm up America
Warm up America distributes handmade items to tons of charitable organizations around the nation, including homeless shelters, battered women's shelters, children's hospitals, and other people in need. This organization is great because they accept blanket squares and join them together, so you don't have to knit a whole blanket.

There are a ton more organizations out there that could use your help, here's a link to a whole list. How easy is it to knit up a quick preemie hat or afghan square? I love knitting because there is such a large community of people that can do so much good! Thanks for reading this, and I hope I inspired you to do some charity knitting!

<3: Kaity

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 10!

2011-12-10T15:15:00.001-08:00

More on speedy gifts - the craze for beautiful ruffled scarves may or may not be news to you. We have accumulated quite a selection of stunning ribbons that are cleverly and easily worked into impressive scarves.

Pictured above(clockwise from the top): Berroco Link, Berroco Lacey, Flounce, Katia Ronda, Triana Lux, Rowan Kidsilk Creation, Katia Ondos

Pictured above(left to right): Triana, Ronda, Link, Lacey, Kidsilk Creation; (top) more Lacey, (bottom) Flounce.

Oh, you say that you have already made a dozen of these as scarves in their many textures? Well, did you try Karin's lovely Kelp Forest Shawlette? Using 2 balls of Triana, it spirals out from the center to create a ruffling, circular shawl. She has a wonderful tutorial that is useful for making that shawl, but also as a good refresher on how this interesting yarn works in general. Youtube has many other tutorials to offer on the basic scarf, as well. With the exception of Link (which you just knit normally with), they all work pretty much the same way as Triana.

Happy Holiday Needling,

Anne

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 9! Utilizing Ravelry

2011-12-09T16:23:00.001-08:00

Hi guys! Today I want to help you out with a great tool that you can use to organize your gift knitting, Ravelry.com. I know that most of you are already on Ravelry, but if there are some of you out there that aren't, what are you waiting for?!

Today I'm going to show you my favorite aspect of Ravelry, pattern searching and organizing! Follow along with the pictures, and click on them to see them larger.

So, let's say you want to find a pattern for a Christmas Ornament. Let's start under the "patterns" tab.

Click on the "pattern browser & advanced search" link to start.

Then, you can use the filters on the left side to choose what you want. For our example, I clicked on "Home" under Category, chose "Decorative" and clicked on "Hanging Ornament". There are many other filters you can choose from, like filtering it so it only shows you free patterns, or crochet patterns, etc.

Yay! We've found a pattern! Now, let's "Favorite" it so we can find it again! On the top right, click on "Add to Faves", then tag it as something. I chose "Christmas2011" as my tag, but you can write in anything you want that makes sense to you. I have a bunch of little things I want to knit for gifts in my faves that I've used that same tag for.

Now, click on "My Notebook" at the top of the page and go to your favorites.

On the left side you'll see an list of your tags (if you can't tell, I have a Lot of tags!), and you can see our "Christmas2011" tag. Give that a click.

And here you can see all of my things tagged "Christmas2011". I love using tags and favorites, because it makes it so easy to organize the things I want to make! I have tags for different people's names, or just basic tags like "hat" or "cardigan".

I hope this helps you in your quest! Have a great time searching and favorite-ing!

<3: Kaity

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 8!

2011-12-08T22:30:00.000-08:00

Fast gifts, we need fast and fabulous gifts. I am always on the look out for an equally speedy and attractive present pattern. Above, we have an ambitious knitter who is working away at making gifts for an "All Craft" Christmas. This mission has brought her back to knitting with a fire under little busy fingers as she works to generously complete her presents. She is wearing the Lacey 48 st Hat.
As for the fast gift quest, these are some that have been tremendous hits:

The 56 Stitch Hat

The Lacey 48 Stitch Hat

Wham Bam Thank You Lamb! Neckwarmer
Misti Alpaca Hand Paint Scarf

All of the ideas listed above have some important elements for success - big needles, one skein of their suggested yarn, and cute!

Happy Holiday Needling,
Anne

Countdown to Knitmas! Day 7: Christmas Gifts to Knit for Kids

2011-12-07T14:22:00.001-08:00

Today I want to talk about cute, fun, and quick gifts to knit or crochet for the kids in your life! No kid is dying for a new pair of socks or a sweater, but how about a toy?? There are so many patterns out there for knitted and crocheted toys, and I thought I'd share some of the ones I've made with you and link to some of my other favorites!

Here we have Pasha, who I knit for a good friend of mine who collects penguins. The free pattern for Pasha is from Knitty.com, and can be found here.

Sheldon is another free pattern from Knitty.com, complete with removable shell! I knit him for my fiance James, who has a things for all things scaley and reptilian.

A couple of years ago I crocheted this cute kitty from this Japanese pattern that has been updated in English. You can find the pattern for "Amineko" here.

Bubby is another one from Knitty.com that is so fun and quick to knit up, he's quite small when he's finished, so he'd make a great stocking stuffer!

The last one I have to show you is Stegs, who is so cute! Make her pink for a girl, or a more traditional dino color for a boy!

For other cute toy patterns, be sure to check out Ravelry.com, where I'm sure you can find anything your heart desires! Here's a few of my favorites.

Hopefully I've provided you with some inspiration! Have a fun day, everyone, and I'll see you on the 9th!

<3: Kaity

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 6!

2011-12-06T11:52:00.001-08:00

I have been saving this picture for months to share with you during Knitmas. It is Karin showing one of her favorite ways to knit on the move, making excellent use of the sleeves of her beautifully knit Caftan Pullover (by Norah Gaughan). This photo was taken way back near the beginning of the 52 in 52 as she is managing 3 balls of yarn as she works on the top of her own version of the Bell Tank.

Other than being a fun picture of Karin knitting, it is also relevant to our holiday yarn projects. Having a way to carry your knitting with you easily will let you do tons more in places that you may not have previously considered as viable time. I usually use one of the lovely bags pictured below that will dangle from my wrist which turn morning walks and trips to the playground into easy knitting time. These are the ways that we get things done!

Karin and I aren't the only knitting nuts who carry our yarn as we walk about; if you stopped by to visit our booth at Relay for Life this year or last, you would have seen many members of our team with little drawstring bags traveling around the track.

Happy Holiday Needling,
Anne

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 5!

2011-12-05T12:27:00.001-08:00

Today I have a How-to Monday video for you all! How to Duplicate Stitch.

Hopefully you can use this! Enjoy!

Week 27 of 52: Simple Braided Mitts

2011-12-04T22:04:00.001-08:00

Back to our regularly scheduled programming this week. I have been really looking forward to sharing this next project, the Simple Braided Mitts, with you. I started them while enjoying a slice of pumpkin pie and some pumpkin spice coffee, so, I couldn't help letting some orange shine through as we wave goodbye to autumn and hello to the winter holiday season. They feature a technique that I have long had a crush on, Latvian Braid; this braid is borders the top and bottom of the mitt cuff and is just as much fun as I imagined and far easier than I feared.
The Simple Braided Mitts are first pattern for our featured designer, Nicole Clark, and it is a fantastic entry. I am going to make a ton, whenever I crave a little Latvian braiding.

Week of December 4 to 10:
Project: Simple Braided Mitts by Nicole Clark
Yarn: Dale of Norway Falk (116yds/50g, 100% Superwash Wool), 1 ball each of 2 colors
Needles: US 3/3.25mm; be sure to check your gauge as it does matter for fit here.
Size Made: Medium to fit a 7" around palm
Knitting Plan:
Night 1: Cuff of first mitt
Night 2: Palm of first mitt
Night 3: Cuff of second mitt
Night 4: Palm of second mitt
Night 5: Thumb of both mitts
Notes:
a) Again, this pattern is very well written. I have a video link that helped me bridge the gap between my own fingers and the written word on how to execute this move. The video shows a K2,P2 ribbing, but it still helps tons to see how the yarn moves.
b) I love that a self test for whether or not you have completed both rows creating the braid correctly is that the yarn which became very twisted in the first of the two rounds is completely untwisted at the end of the second round.

c) It is always important to employ a beginning of the round marker. When I am using double points, magic loop, or two circulars, I usually place a marker after the first stitch one needle 1. A little bit of humble pie and frogging were had by me as I worked on the second mitt: I didn't have my beginning of the round marker in and I ended up doing an extra half a round of the 2nd round of Latvian Braid. I noticed after I had nearly completed the palm. Rippit, rippit. I reminded myself that it is silly to be marker proud. Always use them, Anne.

d) I used my favorite waste yarn to set my thumb stitches aside - thin satin ribbon. It saves the size of your stitches better and slips out easily when you want to remove it.

e) The thumb is a quick step. It is simply worked in Stockinette and receives no ribbing. I chose to purl for my bind off rather than knit. Be careful not to be too tight.

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 4!

2011-12-04T21:46:00.001-08:00

I have a favorite new trick. You may recall my suggesting various ways to corral your yarn back in week 4 of 52. Well, when one of our dear customers, Nancy, saw my solutions she laughed and shared a way better idea.

The items in the center and to the right are the case and spindle from writable bulk cds. She brought me tons and I hoarded plenty while sharing the good fortune with as many as I could. It is a very clever and light weight solution to keep a wild ball of yarn in line. It is surprisingly portable and the ball stays well preserved if you have a lid to go with the set up.

Still wary of how long I can go without breaking it, I am also enjoying using a pretty bowl that I found while thrift shopping, pictured to the left. It is nice to have both of them cradling my yarns that are coming together to create another monochromatic version of last week's mystery cowl/scarf.

For a posher option and a great gift for your fellow fiber person, we have a couple of really lovely yarn ball holders - pictured left to right from Lantern Moon and Chic-a. These holders are such beauties and take good care of your yarn both in and out of the project bag.

Happy Holiday Needling,

Anne

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 3!

2011-12-03T10:02:00.001-08:00

Time to deck the halls! Me and my mom have been decorating like crazy all over my house this morning, and last night I whipped up a cute addition!

Look at these cute guys! They could stand alone just as decorations, or they could be ornaments for your tree! Here's all the specs that I used so that you could crochet up one of your own!

Pattern: Snowmen Ornament (rav link)
Yarn: Various from my stash, including Berroco Comfort and Cascade 220
Hook: US Size G6

I plan on making some more, and these little dudes got me into the Amigurumi spirit! I'm working on a Santa right now!

Cute Snowmen and Decked Halls!
-Kaity <3

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 2!

2011-12-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

I am all over the Advent Calendar countdown to Christmas. We have a few things that we are doing at our house - opening windows in Star Wars Lego and Trader Joe's Chocolate calendars for the boys and making a set of ornament crafts to deck our tree each day.

The other countdown is the clock ticking by each day as you get revved to complete your planned handmade gifts. I employ a tool that I don't use enough - hyper-organization. This tool's range goes from list making to project bag organization to the tools that hold my yarn.

My first step this year was to make a list of the things I want to make in their entirety and then break each of those things into their most basic steps. This way, they are more concrete ideas and I get credit for every little bit of headway that I make (I am one that needs gold stars and pats on the head when I done good).
Then, I break it down into what has to happen each day.

The above list is only a sampling of what I need to and plan on completing this holiday season (there is a whole other set of lists for top secret gifts and sewn items).

Now for my gold star of sorts: I am participating in the Knit ALong (KAL) for the Advent-Calendar-Scarf 2011. If I am a good girl and finish my gift making at a reasonable time(and dinner making, house cleaning, child loving, etc.), then I am treating myself to a 24-32 rows of lacy bliss. The designer generously releases a clue a day over 24 days. I am making mine in Brown Sheep Legacy Lace; 2 skeins are very affordable and easily fit even into a very tight December budget. The good news is that she is in Germany so the next day's clue goes up at a reasonable time in the evening in our time zone; so, on a particularly productive evening/day, you could get a little ahead.

Link to the blogged pattern page

Link to Ravelry Pattern page

Link to the Ravelry KAL group

Happy Holiday Needling,
Anne

Week 26 of 52: Anne's Mystery, Clue 5

2011-12-02T09:05:00.000-08:00

Did you guess how we are going to finish this off? Might remind you of how we began in clue one, only in reverse. BUT, then, it is a little different. How could I let a week go by without a picot bind off?

Round 1: With A, knit.

Round 2: With A, purl.

Round 3: With B, knit.

Round 4: With A, knit.

With B, work a picot bind off as follows: Cable CO 2 sts, BO 7, *place single loop from right hand needle onto the left hand needle, Cable CO 2, BO 7, repeat from * until end of round.

Weave in ends and gently block; I hit it with a little bit of steam, but be careful as the silk content could lead to stretching (a little stretch was welcome to squeeze out a bit more length). Blocking will not take away the rolling edge which I intentionally chose to include to use it in a decorative exploit.

Variation: You could CO 130 on a 24 inch circular and follow the same instructions to make a cowl.

When you go to share your project on Ravelry, you can find it by both the names Anne's Mystery or Perpendicular.

3 cheers! Thank you for following along. Tune in tomorrow for a PDF of the entire pattern. Also, remember to pop into the store tomorrow, Sat., Dec. 3 for our Holiday Party.

If you like the corrugated ribbing, then you might want to take a look at these patterns (some are free, or for pay, or from books and this set is a tiny selection of this technique's application):
Two by One by Mandy Powers
Nepali Hat by Tina Whitmore
Unisex Leftover Sock Yarn Neckwarmer by Dorisann Allenson

Binah Bokharan Kippah / Kufi / Pillbox Hat by Leslie TikkunTree

Brand New Corrugated Pillbox Hat by Ellen Rogers

Corrugated Stripe Socks by Courtney Kelly

Corrugated Tea Cosy by Cossette Cornelius Bates

Countdown to Knitmas: Day 1!

2011-12-01T10:41:00.001-08:00

Yep, it's that time of year again! If you've been following our blog for a while, you'll probably remember last December Anne and I posted everyday something Holiday related, tips and tricks, a free pattern or two, or Holiday gift ideas! Well, here we go again!

Today is day one! Time to stuff your advent calendars (or open up the cardboard flap and retrieve your Santa-shaped chocolate piece)! I'm going to start us off by telling you about an upcoming class! On Wednesday, December 7th, Miss Anne is teaching us how to knit super cute Christmas Ornaments to decorate our trees or to give away as little gifties!

The class will be on December 7th from 6-9pm for $30 (supplies not included). Here's Anne's description of the class for a little more info:

Ring in the holiday season with these lovely decorative balls. A style for all levels of knitters – stockinette, stripes, simple lace, and a lacy leaf motif – this festive project is a fun way to bring the art of knitting to your decorating. With a few quick stitches and some starch, plus a trick with a party balloon, we will have these lovely trinkets hanging next to your glittering twinkle lights by the time you return home. You will be welcome to experiment with working in the round on double pointed needles (dpns), one long circular for magic loop, or two circular needles at once, whichever technique sounds best to you.

If you're interested in signing up, please give us a call! The number is (805)654-9500. Have a great day everyone!!

-Kaity <3

Week 26 of 52: Anne's Mystery, Clue 4

2011-12-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

Clue 4 is going to feel a little familiar, as we are doing the same moves as in Clue 2.

Setup Round: *With A K1, with B K1, repeat from * around.

Corrugated Ribbing: Repeat the following round 7 times - *with A K1, with B P1, repeat from * around.

Looking pretty good...bet you can't wait for the final clue tomorrow so that you can get this baby of the needles and around your neck instead.

Week 26 of 52: Anne's Mystery, Clue 3

2011-11-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

Today is a very easy day for our mystery project.

Round 1: With A, knit.
Round 2: With A, purl.
Round 3: With B, knit.
Round 4: With A, knit.
Repeat rounds 3 and 4 once more.
Next Round: With A, purl.

You have just passed the half way mark and have 2 more clues to go! I think that it looks pretty great at this point, but I am a little bias.

Week 26 of 52: Anne's Mystery, Clue 2

2011-11-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

All caught up?

Today is when I think the really good part comes along. I love stranding (you may know it better as fair isle). One of the elements of stranding that I find truly delicious is corrugated ribbing. You knit 1 with A and purl 1 with B. It is so pretty.

As you strand, you float the yarn behind your work when you pick it up to work again. Make sure that your floats have a little Mona Lisa smile. Also, this technique makes it very handy to know how to both work in a Continental(picking) and English(throwing) knitting style. Each hand gets a color.

If you are a little intimidated by this technique, then you might want to join us on Wednesday evening for the Fake Isle, Intro to Stranding class (6-9 pm). We are making these hats -

Setup Round: *With A K1, with B K1, repeat from * around.

Corrugated Ribbing: Repeat the following round 7 times - *with A K1, with B P1, repeat from * around.

This ribbing has a great look on both sides, the distinctive vertical stripe on the right side and an almost woven look on the wrong side.

Gauge is not terribly important in this project but if you would like a guideline idea, my gauge is 5sts/in in the stranded section.
Now, hang out and knit on something else until tomorrow. :)

Week 26 of 52: Anne's Mystery, Clue 1

2011-11-28T07:05:00.001-08:00

Are you ready for the fun to begin?

Do you have your needles in hand? US 8/5mm 32 inch OR 40 inch circular? How about your yarn? Two ball of Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend, one multi and one solid? No? Make your shopping list and hit the store tomorrow. Yes? Then, let's begin.

I like to use a long tail cast on in situations like this one, where I am going to be using both colors immediately. I begin by making a slip knot with both strands:

I want my solid color to line up with the edge and my multi to make the loops on the needle, so I will have the solid go over my thumb and the multi over my pointer finger.

Now, cast on 250 sts. When casting on so many stitches, I suggest placing markers at intervals - every 10, 20, 50, etc sts, place a marker as you go. Makes counting the first time and checking that count so much less maddening.

Don't like long tail cast? Then, do your favorite CO in your multi (from here on out referred to as B).

Join in the round by simply bringing your needles together and begin working round 1. Be very careful not to twist and remember to place a unique beginning of the round marker.

Let the knitting commence:

Round 1: with A(the solid), knit.

Round 2: with B(the multi), knit

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 two times more. Then, work round 1 one more time.

Next round: With A, purl.

See you tomorrow!

Week 26 of 52: Anne's Mystery

2011-11-27T18:54:00.001-08:00

Ok, my dears, I have made it HALF WAY!!!!!
To celebrate, I want to change things up a bit this week. I present a mystery pattern to you to celebrate this 26th mile marker. The play will be that I give you a tidbit of the pattern each day for 5 days. Today, I am going to begin with the yarn that you will need. Then, Monday through Friday, I will reveal the 5 parts of the pattern. Then, on Saturday, Dec. 3, you can pop in to see the pic of the finished item - best to pop into the store as it is our Holiday Party and Potluck(OOOOoooo, it is one of my top 10 favorite days of the year). Are you game?

I can also tell you that it is an Infinity Cowl/Scarf, meaning that it is an extra long cowl that can be worn as a scarf or looped around to be a cowl.

Week of November 27 to December 4:
Yarn: 2 hanks of Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend, 1 of each color (150yds/50g; 80% merino wool, 20%silk)
Needles: US 8/5mm 32 inch OR 40 inch circular
Knitting Plan: Follow my bread crumbs....

P.S. On Week 25

2011-11-23T08:12:00.001-08:00

Here are some more pics of the actual cowl. I worked 10 row repeats on the US 7/4.5mm and 9 row repeats on the US 8/5mm. It was 13 inches long when I bound off rather than 14 inches as the pattern suggests, but there was enough yarn to do another inch or more.

First, we have pretty Kaity modeling it:

Then, the torso modeling. Look at how those projects are piling up:

And then, just the cowl so that you can see how it is slightly tapered by the needle change:

Week 25 of 52: The New New Shale Cowl

2011-11-22T08:50:00.001-08:00

Who's having a busy week getting ready for the coming holiday? Um, all of us. This cowl, the New New Shale Cowl, is a reward piece that you can settle into on Thursday evening when all the dishes are clean and thanks has been given. It is a very streamlined version of the classic stitch pattern that goes by a few aliases - Old Shale or Feather and Fan; the designer, Leila Raabe, has worked it down to is simplest translation and still achieves the lovely waves and lace that this stitch pattern is famed for. Better add running into the store to your hurrying so that you can pick up a ball of Panda Silk and get this baby cast on before you put the pies in the oven. Leila is one of the lovely minds adding beautiful patterns to our knitting world through the Brooklyn Tweed Brand.
Week of November 20 to 26:
Project: The New New Shale Cowl by Leila Raabe
Yarn: 1 ball of Crystal Palace Panda Silk, (204 yds/50 g, 52% Bamboo, 43% Superwash Merino Wool, 5% Combed Silk)
Needles: I boosted my needle sizes up one as I like a drapey cowl - US 7/4.5mm and US 8/5mm 16" circular. Pattern calls for US 6/4mm and US 7/4.5mm. Can be worked entirely on one size if you so choose.
Knitting Plan: Ok, its Tuesday. If you are highly motivated, then you can wear this cowl to your Turkey Feast. For that - Cast on NOW. Work the first 6 inches today and the remaining length tomorrow - you have a half day on Wednesday, right?
If you are going to save it for a more leisurely pace after the feast, then -
Night 1 - Cast on and work 3 inches; I was getting about a 1/2 inch out of each repeat so this will be about 6 repeats.
Night 2 - 3 more inches; work one more row to switch over to the lager needles if you are following her advice on shaping.
Night 3 - 3 more inches
Night 4 - Finish off your ball of yarn and BO loosely (as you always should).
Notes:
a) I am going to remind you here about following her advice to move your beginning marker over one stitch at the start of a new repeat of four rows. It is clearly noted on the pattern. With fact of the marker shift, I will actually advise you that having repeat markers is optional; it is a 10 st repeat so it isn't too bad for keeping track of without markers. However, markers equal sanity and having them in, beyond your beginning of the round marker, will only mean that you are mindful of shifting them as you work round 1 each time.
b) I decided that it would be a lovely twist to follow her suggestion for a tapered cowl. I changed to my larger size needle at approximately 6 inches, or, for me, after 10 repeats of the 4 row patterns, as I worked across row 1 of a new repeat. You might find it easier to change on a row 4 which is only knitting around.

c) My forever favorite thing about this lace stitch pattern is the most bang for the least amount of complication. There is only one real action row (row 1) and it is a simple one at that.

d) For blocking, I used my favorite flash bang method of hitting it with a splash of steam and stretching it out on my ironing board to quickly cool into position.

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.
P.P.S. Please check back this evening to see the actual cowl being modeled...(planning on taking that pic at the store this evening)...

Week 24 of 52: Reverse Rice Stitch Cowl

2011-11-13T15:39:00.001-08:00

Some things that I have made really fall in the fun indulgence category, things that you only make for your own fun and joy; other things are a natural for speedy gift making. The Reverse Rice Stitch Cowl, which I am now going to lovingly refer to as RRSC, is a great mix of both categories. You can swiftly work one up to give to someone lucky and, then, still have some time on the side to leisurely make one for your own neck.
This cowl features a bind off that seems to run rampant through my pattern choices, the picot bind off. This week is the second time running and it is sure to pop up many more times. When you sit down to do this bind off, don't be in a hurry. Sit down and savor the little bulb of fuzz you you are rhythmically creating. It's going to take a bit of time, but it is such a joy when you make your way around. Here, and in most applications, it really helps to make your finished garment something extra special.
Week of November 13 to 19:
Project: Reverse Rice Stitch Cowl by Angela Baldi
Yarn: 2 balls of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk (80% alpaca, 20% silk, 71yds/50g)
Needles: US8/5mm 16 inch circular; the pattern calls for a US7/4.5mm, but, as the designer points out, gauge is not critical.
Knitting Plan: How bout 2 inches a night for 4 nights and saving the bind off for the 5th night?
Notes:
a) With two balls of this yarn, I had exactly enough to make the 8 inches that the pattern calls for and the picot bind of at the end.
b) This reverse rice stitch is a pretty fun stitch pattern to work. It is much like broken rib, alternating between a knit row and a K1, P1 row; the difference here is that you will be working the purls through the back loop, ptbl. I was not sure why at first, but this variation seems to make a texture that is more well defined.

c) This yarn is a good candidate for spit splicing(links to a "How-to-Monday" video), a good way to cut down on tails to weave in at the end.

d) When you are doing the picot bind off, you will use the cable cast (also links to a "How-to-Monday" video) on to execute adding the stitches that become the picots (or nubbles). Below is a action shot of how things look after casting on plus 2 and before binding off 4 sts.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Week 23 of 52: Holden Shawlette

2011-11-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

Shawls have been a running favorite project choice for me over the last couple of years, most especially a top down triangle. This shawlette, Holden, is brilliant and has worked its way into my heart. If you have made a shawl in this style, then you know that it starts out with short, quick rows; as you near the end of your project, the last few rows seem endless - not here - the lace rows that make the lovely edging get smaller and smaller (suddenly big again, too). The outer edge of this shawl is so fast and fun.
I am very bewitched by this yarn. It just quietly sits there looking like any other pretty yarn, but when you start knitting with it, the the beauty of the color way and the squishiness of the merino shine through. It is an autumnal treat for the fingers and eyes (as that pumpkin muffin was a treat for my tummy).
Week of November 6 to 12:
Project: Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes
Needles: US 6/4mm
Yarn: Regia Extra Twist Merino Color, 2 balls (230 yds/50 g, 75% Merino, 25%Nylon)
Knitting Plan:
Night 1 - Cast on and begin the Stockinette section
Night 2 - Finish the Stockinette section
Night 3 - Have fun beginning the lace.
Night 4 - More lace fun.
Night 5 - Last bit of lace and the picot bind off.
Notes:
a) This pattern is a dream in many respects, including the fact that it is both written and charted.
b) Remember to use markers to keep track of your middle stitch and of the lace repeats.
c) I usually choose to use immersion blocking on a shawl since the soaking and the weight of the water really open up the fibers.

d) I often just lay a piece out flat to dry without pinning it; this time I inserted blocking wires into 3 picots that looked at about the center of each scallop.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Knitter's Pride Crochet Hooks and Knitting Needle Sets

2011-11-02T15:07:00.000-07:00

There's a new brand of knitting needles and crochet hooks on the market! Knitter's Pride! This company produces high quality colorful, lightweight wooden needles and hooks in fun colors, as well as soft grip aluminum crochet hooks. We recently got a big shipment from them, here's what we have!

Here are the Dreamz Crochet hooks! They are made of beautifully colored and polished lightweight wood, so they slide the stitches easily and look pretty!

We also got the Aluminum soft grip crochet hooks, with and ergonomic handle for comfortable crocheting.

Then, for knitting, we have the Dreamz Interchangeable Starter Set. This set comes with 24" and 32" cords, and needle tips sizes 6, 9, and 10 US.

Hopefully soon we will be getting the full interchangeable sets (as they were on back order, along with a lot of the Dreamz circular needles and DPNs), but this little set has some very useful sizes if you want to give this new brand a try.

And lastly, the Dreamz Single Pointed Needle set. This set has 10" single pointed needles in sizes 2.5-11US. These are really nice, I'm tempted to pick up one of these for myself!

So, come in soon and check these new fun things out, and keep an eye out for when we get in the rest of our shipment, that hopefully will include the Deluxe Interchangeable sets, the fixed circular needles, and Double Pointed needles.

Week 21 and 22 of 52: respectively, Aviatrix Hat and Straightforward Cowl

2011-11-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Don't let the lateness of these blog entries fool you. They are both perfect projects to squeeze into a very busy week. They were both finished in a flash (and at the store for viewing). It was getting a moment to update you here that was the truely challenging part...

Everything is orange this week as we get closer and closer to one of my top three favorite holidays. The designer, Justine Turner, predicts that this fun hat will become your go to baby hat; she seems to be right because I want to make them for everyone! She has written this pattern in 3 yarn weights and 7 sizes. I think this hat will keep my little girl warm this October and the next October as well. It fits her well know and I could see it having a bit of room to grow on.

Week of October 23 to 29:
Project: Aviatrix Hat by Justine Turner
Yarn: Sirdar Baby Bamboo, 1 ball (104 yds/50g, 20%Wool, 80% Bamboo
Needles: US 5/3.75mm and US 3/3.25mm; these needle sizes were what I needed to get the stated gauge; be sure to check what you need!
Size: Made the 6 month size with the DK weight instructions
Knitting Plan: This hat is a very speedy knit. You could even knit it twice in one aft./evening, like i found myself doing when I re-knit it to the correct gauge.
Notes:
a) This pattern is a great place to learn short rows.
b) Check your gauge; I had to knit this hat twice as I assumed that I knew what size sts I would get with the given yarn and needles. Always swatch; see what happens when you get over confident.
c) The flower is an extra. I improvised this one but there are many free flower patterns, both knitted and crocheted on Ravelry. The link will take you to a sampling; you could search for more.
d) Just for kicks, I slipped the first stitch of each row on the chin strap.

For the Current Week:

I am so in love with this cowl from its rich, almost red, pumpkin hue to its absolutely gorgeous and clever i-cord edge. The edge is done while you are knitting by slipping the last two stitches at the end of every row. Though the author points out how swiftly you can make this cowl rather than investing forever in a scarf, I found this simple trick so enchanting that I could have gone in for a long scarf. I am going to be seeking out garter stitch items to add this edging to.

Week of October 30 to November 5:
Project: The Straightforward Cowl by Bethany Hendrickson
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed Aran, 2 balls (really more like 1.5)(98 yds/50g, 85% Wool, 15% Angora)
Needles: US 8/5mm; very happy that I was able to use my very favorite super short scarf needles.
Size: Knitted to the 22 inches that the pattern calls for which is a little snug; the snug fit does promise a very warm neck and isn't uncomfortable. When I make another, I may go to 24 inches.
Knitting Plan: How 'bout a ball each night?
Notes:
a) Forgive me, but it is such an easy, well written pattern that I have no notes to give. Just do as she says and enjoy!
b) Saving my leftovers to go into a hat from Terry's Off the Grid Pattern, a class on Tue, December 6, 6pm – 9pm.
c) OK, one more thing, as she advises, do be careful as you sew the seam on the cowl. I actually lined the edges so that the overlapped a I wanted them to and just did a simple running stitch.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

How-to Mondays- How to Join yarns with the Spit Splice and Russian Join

2011-10-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

Locally Made Alpaca Yarn, and new things from Rowan

2011-10-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! We have some cool new things in at the shop that I'd like to share with you! First up is something that I'm really excited about!

From Anacapa Knits

You are looking at some beautiful 100% Alpaca goodness that we have from Near Sawrey Farm Alpacas in Somis, CA. Their little alpaca friends get their coats sheared every winter, and then their fleeces are mill spun into light, medium, and bulky weight yarns, which we have here at the shop for you to buy!

From Anacapa Knits

It's really soft, really good stuff, I think I need to take a skein home with me to make a hat for my dad for a Christmas present!

Next up, something new from Rowan: Kidsilk Creation

From Anacapa Knits

This stuff is really cool. If you are familiar with "Flounce" or "Triana", It's a similar idea, where you knit into the yarn itself to make a fun scarf:

From Anacapa Knits

And last: Kidsilk Haze Stripe!

From Anacapa Knits

The same base yarn as Kidsilk Haze, but now in stripes! Rowan has a free pattern on their website for a scarf knit in this yarn, check it out.

Week 20 of 52: Jack Be Little Pumpkin[s]

2011-10-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

It may seem that I am late once again, but I am not. I am changing the posting date to Sundays; with the school year rolling and the holiday season pending, it is going to work a lot better for me to show you the new project on Sunday and to run its yarn sale from Sunday to Saturday.

On with the show - this week, I made 5 little pumpkins. I wanted something very quick to ensure that I could catch up this week and this little pattern really fills the bill. When I had 1 adorable little pumpkin whipped up on Wednesday night, I had so much yarn and time left that I set my sights on making 5 little pumpkins, just like the song I learned before Halloween when I was in kindergarten.

Five Little Pumpkins

Five little pumpkins
Sitting on a gate.
The first one said,
"Oh, my it's getting late!"
The second one said,
"There are witches in the air!"
The third one said,
"Well, I don't care!"
The fourth one said,
"Let's run and run and run!"
The fifth one said,
"I'm ready for some fun!"
Ooooo went the wind
And out went the lights
And the five little pumpkins
Rolled out of sight.

Week of October 16 to 22:

Pattern: Jack Be Little Pumpkin by Elizabeth Murphy: This designer has a great Etsy store filled with many fiber treasures; check it out!

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Clasico (138 yds/100g, 100% wool)

Needles: US 5/3.75mm; This needle is one size bigger than the pattern calls for. I used a 32" circular and worked in the round by way of magic loop.

Knitting Plan: Make one a night!

Notes:

a) Remember that there are many ways to knit in the round - DPNs, magic loop, or two circulars. You have the freedom to choose what works best for you. I have a very scientific way of choosing which technique I will use: whatever needles are free and clear to be used right then and there.

b) This pattern is well written and easy to follow exactly as presented. I only made one adjustment. After reaching my 3 inches, I did one more decrease row as follows: *k1, sk2p, k1, p1, repeat from * until the end (24sts). I then threaded them on the tail and pulled the drawstring tight.

c) The tails are very handy here. She asks you to leave a 12 inch tail when you have cast on. This tail is used to close up the bottom. I used this tail to create the pinch between the top an bottom. Then I was able to conserve the top tail to be used for the knitting the stem icord. If either of these tails seem to have been cut too short to complete these tasks, then you can spit splice a little bit more on the end.

d) When I picked up the 4 stitches around the top for the stem, I used a crochet hook to get in there for finding the spots. Usually I try to only do this with my needle tip, but this was an ideal place to bring in the help of a hook.

e) The reason that we are using such little needles becomes apparent when we stuff them. This dense, solid fabric will help keep the stuffing from showing through when it is stuffed good and plump. This step reminds me of wanting to try out the recipe "Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good."

f) I love a project where you can simply bury the ends after a little bit of weaving in.

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here is color card. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

New Stuff and SALE YARN!

2011-10-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! It seems that we are getting new stuff all the time, so today I thought I would catch you up on some of our new exciting yarns!

From Anacapa Knits

We recently got in Spud and Chloe yarns, which are made with luxurious fibers expertly blended for fantastic results, in a hip modern color palette. Above you see "Sweater", a 55% wool 45% organic cotton blend that is machine washable, in a useful worsted weight. I'm thinking that this would be great for gifts, because of the nice colors, the softness of the yarn to the touch, and bonus: It's machine washable!

From Anacapa Knits

We also have Spud and Chloe "Fine", a fingering weight blend of 80% Superwash Wool and 20% Silk. This yarn is a fantastic sock yarn, and it has wonderful stitch definition, which makes it great for detailed stitch patterns as well as colorwork.

From Anacapa Knits

We also just got in "Mendocino" from Crystal Palace, a self striping worsted weight wool and nylon blend, it would be great for baby items because it is soft and machine washable, and I think would also make awesome socks!

From Anacapa Knits

We've gotten in new colors of one of my favorite Manos yarns, "Maxima".

From Anacapa Knits

And new colors of Manos Wool Clasica Space Dyed (that;s quite a name!)

And, last but not least, we received four colors of a great Berroco Yarn, "Pure Merino"

From Anacapa Knits

We got a good deal on this yarn that we are passing on to you, because I hear it's being discontinued. Normally this yarn is $8 a ball, but we have it on sale for $4 a ball! This is a great deal that I know I can't pass up, so come check it out before it's all gone! I really like this yarn for accessories like hats and scarves, but we have enough in stock that you could make a whole sweater!

Anacapa Fine Yarns Web Shop- Ready for Action!

2011-10-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hi guys! We've recently gotten our Web Shop up and running, and ready for business! On it you can check out all of our kits made with exclusive Anacapa Fine Yarns patterns, and purchase them, too! If you are reading this from far away and can't make it into out shop, check it out! Or, if you live locally and are too lazy to come to the shop, you can buy online :)

To see all the fun things, please visit anacapafineyarnsshop.webs.com, or visit our website and click on the "Shop" tab at the top.

Week 19 of 52: Saroyan Scarf

2011-10-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

So, I am again late. I guess that is going to happen from time to time (hopefully, not for a long time from here on). Guess that simply means that you will have to hurry in to take advantage of this shortened sale.
I love this beauty - the yarn and the pattern all together. I was already a big, big fan of Liz Abinante's designs, having made a Traveling Woman last summer. I found both these patterns equal parts of engaging, smart simplicity, approachable to many levels of skill, and loveliness. This Misti Alpaca Pima Silk Hand Paint is a perfect one skein indulgence for Saroyan (named for character in a favorite show, Bones).
Week of October 7 to 13:
Pattern: Saroyan by Liz Abinante
Yarn: Misti Alpaca Pima Silk Hand Paint (327 yds/100g, 83% Pima Cotton, 27% Silk)
Needles: US 10/6mm (a straight because I like making scarves on straight needles)
Knitting Plan:
Night 1: Work 6 increase sections (they are only 14 rows each).
Night 2: Work 5 straight sections.
Night 3: same as night 2.

Night 4: work 6 decrease sections.
Notes:
a) Gauge is only important in something that doesn't have to fit specific body part if you want to make sure that you yardage will go the difference. If you don't want to check your gauge, she has included a handy drawing for how much yarn gets used in each section. I got gauge using the needles called for in the pattern and checked the weight of yarn along the way to ensure that this hank would make it. Did so without any worry and achieved an airy, drapey fabric.

b)When you are following a pattern that has a quite a list of rows, you may find that a post it note is your very best friend. I was really excited to get a sample of these Avery sticky notes that are see through like the highlighter tape is. It was pretty cool for doing its job and I could be lazy about scooting it down as I could see the next row.

c) In the increase section and the decrease section, rows 3 and 11 in each section are worked without doing a respective increase or decrease. So, I highlighted them as a blaring reminder that they are different.

d) On row 14, you decrease very quickly by doing a p2tog(purl 2 together, to finish shaping the leaf tip) and then bind off the next 3 sts. So, work the p2tog and then knit 1 - this pair makes the first of the 3 bind offs. This may be too obvious to state but I felt that it was worth examining.

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here is color card. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

How To: Kitchener Stitch

2011-10-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

Week 18 of 52: Lacey 48 St. Hat

2011-09-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I am back in the swing of things and on top of this weekly project! As I love making hats, I wanted to tweak my 56 St Hat one more time. I present the Lacey 48 St. Hat. It is very fast to whip up and can be done in just about one sitting. My friend popped by just in time to serve graciously as my model.

To makeup for Week 17 coming along so late, Berroco Sundae will remain on sale this week along with Nashua Creative Focus Bulky.

Week of September 30 to October 6:
Project: Lacey 48 St. Hat by Anne Lecrivain-Cozzoli
Yarn: 1 hank of Nashua Creative Focus Bulky (54 yds/100g, 75% wool, 25% Alpaca)
Needles: US 15/10mm 16" circular
Knitting Plan:
This is, again, pretty much a one sitting knit. I started around 3 this afternoon while children played. My friend and I knitted together while toddlers chased, preteens did their thing, and baby Bella cooed and watched. That peaceful setup lasted for nearly an hour and a half in which I was most of the way through the body of the hat. Then, I paused to make dinner, returning to complete a couple of body rows and finish out the decreases. Now that it is time to send everyone to bed (around 8), I already have ends woven in and photos taken. If you want to savor it, you could spread it over two evenings like last week's hat.
Notes:
a) Remember that markers are your friends. They will help you keep track of where you are.
b) If you use a long tail cast on, be very careful not to waste much in the tail. This hat used up nearly every inch of this ball of yarn. I did leave a very long tail and I found my self needing to cut it off (after weaving a bit in) and attach it to the working end to finish out the last 6 sts of rnd 8 and the remaining round 9.
c)Working with DPNs is not so bad, but you can avoid them by dividing your sts evenly onto two circular needles.
d) I didn't use it here, but someone recently shared that you could sew a button on the top of your hat instead of a pompom. Though I have a warm place in my heart for pompoms, I think that a big wonderful button would certainly be the cherry on top of this quick, cute hat.

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here is color card. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Week 17 of 52: The 56 [48] Stitch Hat

2011-09-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

So, I am a few days behind (now way behind, actually). It took every minute available to get Vogue Knitting booth ready and I cast on this hat on our way to our first full day in the market place. This week's pattern is based on my 56 Stitch Hat. I had it most of the way done in the hour that it took to drive to Century City, but I could tell that I was being punished for not swatching - it was huge. So, the initial cast on became a very large swatch - 2.25 sts/in. - and the pattern was altered to the 48 Stitch Hat (even faster). Stay tune for a surprise this Friday to makeup for the lateness of this pattern.
Week of September 23 to 29:
Project: The 56 Stitch Hat by Anne Lecrivain-Cozzoli
Yarn: Berroco Sundae (62 yds/100g, 50% Wool, 50% Acrylic)
Needles: for 48 st version - US 15/10mm
Knitting Plan: Cast on and complete in one sitting (just about)
OR
Night 1: Cast on and work the height of the body of the hat
Night 2: Work decrease rounds.
Notes:
a) So, with my gauge change, I changed the pattern to only need 48 sts. This number is still divisible by 8 so you can follow the decreases as written.
b) Check your GAUGE! ;)

Add caption

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Vogue Knitting Live- THIS WEEKEND!

2011-09-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I hope you all have marked your calendars for Vogue Knitting Live this weekend! We all have been running around like crazy people here at the shop trying to get everything ready, and we are really excited!

If you are going to be there, come see us in the market place! We will be there at Booth #4 selling kits of patterns that were designed by us here at the shop, 19 different designs total! Also, knitting Superstar Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic fame will be at our booth on Saturday from 12:30-1:30pm signing copies of her new book- Custom Knits 2!

We would love to see some familiar faces in our booth, so please come by and say Hi!

<3: Kaity

Week 16 of 52: Small Lace Bag

2011-09-16T13:16:00.000-07:00

This project, Tsuki's Small Lace Bag, is the fastest project of the week so far. As this little green treasure poured off my needles, I was imagining making them to hold precious little presents this holiday season.I was also thinking of making a team of them to hold all the silly things that litter the interior of my purse. I really enjoyed working in Berroco's Bonsai, savoring the rich density of the stockinette stitches on the back side of the bag and enjoying the sheen of the yarn showed off in this leaf motif. If you enjoy this easy lace motif, which is kindly shared in both chart and written formats, then you should also make the lovely fingerless gloves also by this designer.
Week of September 16 to September 29:
Project: Small Lace Bag by Tsuki
Yarn: 1 hank of Berroco Bonsai (77 yds/50g)
Needles: US 7/4.5mm
Knitting Plan:
This little sweety is such a speedy knit.
Night 1- CO and work 2 repeats of the lace pattern.
Night 2 - Work 3rd repeat of lace pattern, top border, and BO.
Notes:
a) This pattern gives you options to knit it in the round or to knit it flat. I chose to knit it in the round.
b) For the knitting in the round option, it calls for a provisional cast on. I decided to do a regular cast on and picked up around the perimeter as for this project.

c) There is plenty of yarn to make an i-cord drawstring, maybe with little leaves at the ends. I used ribbon in the interest of speed.

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here is color card. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Week 15 of 52: Bainbridge Scarf

2011-09-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

This little crisp cowl is the perfect thing to whip up as we wait out the steam afternoons of September, waiting for the weather to break into brisk, crisp mornings. This Debbie Bliss Andes is a delicious treat for the fingers, creating lovely halo as the alpaca blooms. It is a very fast knit which is good because I have a lot to do to get ready for our booth at Vogue Knitting Live.

Week of September 9 to September 15:
Project: Bainbridge Scarf by MintyFresh
Yarn: 1 hank of Debbie Bliss Andes (110 yds/50g, 65% Alpaca, 35% Silk); I used up almost every inch of yarn.

Needles: US 6/4mm; I went up a needle size since my yarn is little fluffier; this choice only made my cowl a little bigger than the pattern sample.

Knitting Plan:
You will be hard pressed to make this quick little project take more than oneor two sittings, but here is a plan for 3 evenings.
Night 1 - CO and work 2 inches.
Night 2 - Work remaining 2 inches and BO.
Night 3 - Work ties and weave in ends.

Notes:
a) So, I was in a big hurry when I picked up this yarn and needed to leave without winding it. Though I have a swift and ball winder at home, I lack a good place to set it up. In a pinch, I stretch the hankover two chairs and wind a ball by hand.

b) I used a long tail cast on to cast on the desired 144 sts. To estimate how long that tail should be, I wrap the yarn around my needle some multiple of the needed sts. (I did 24 wraps). Then, I fold that length of yarn over as many times as needed (6 times). It worked out perfectly.

c) I used a sewn BO.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Vogue Knitting Subsribers Special Deal

2011-09-08T10:50:00.001-07:00

Hey guys, Terry shared with me an email she received as a member of the Vogue Knitting E-Newsletter, that offered her a promo code to use when registering for Vogue Knitting Live in Los Angeles. The promo code will get you 50% off Marketplace tickets between now and September 13, 2011.

I'm not sure, but I bet you subscribe for their e-newsletter, they will send you an email with that promo code! It's worth a shot, especially if you were planning on visiting us at Vogue Knitting Live!!

Week 14 of 52: Storm Cloud Shawlette

2011-09-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

I am working this pattern for the second time, so I must have a warm spot for its results in my little needling heart. The first time that I made it, I needed a fast birthday present for my mom and I whipped it up in a very long evening of very fast and focused knitting. This time around was a little more fun since I didn't have to rush it.
This week all the mohairs are 10% off when you purchase them to work this project (excluding Filatura Di Crosa Gold Line Superior).

Week of September 3 through September 9:

Project: Storm Cloud Shawlette by Hanna Breetz

Yarn: Blue: Debbie Bliss Angel, 1 ball of 219yds/25g; and Green: Rowan Kid Silk Haze, 1 ball of 229 yds/25g

Needles: US 8/5mm

Knitting Plan:

Night 1 - Cast on and work through Row 20.

Night 2 - Work through Row 38.

Night 3 - If you feel ambitious, work through Row 72. If you want to take things a bit slower, work to somewhere around Row 56 or 60 and save the rest for the following evening.

Night 4 - In case you stopped early the night before, finish through row 72 and work the ruffle.

Notes:

a) I knitted my tail in as I worked rows 1 and 2.

b) Stitch counts following the increase rows -

Row 2: 7

Row 4: 13

Row 10: 25

Row 20: 49

Row 38: 97

Row 72: 193

c) After each non-increase even row, having dropped the yarn overs as I worked that row, I would give the whole piece of fabric a bit of a tug since the mohair is a sticky yarn by nature.

d) Somewhere between rows 38 and 72, I remembered a trick that I wanted to try with this project. When working the elongated garter, adding the yarn overs and then dropping them doubles the height of the odd numbered rows. I realized that I could work those odd rows by simply knitting (no YOs) them with a needle twice as large, a US15/10.omm. Even rows get worked with the US 8/5mm still. To set this up, the larger needle is held in your left hand at the start of odd rows and the smaller needle is in the left hand on even rows (perfect setup for interchangeables).

e) To apply the trick of the two needle sizes to my next one (the green), I began by working as the pattern reads through row 10. I then set up with the US 15 and US 8 tips to respectively work the odd and even rows. I returned to the pattern st for the paired rows of 19/20, 37/38, 71/72, which ensured that increasing happened as it should.

f) I worked the bind off with the larger needle. I had lots of grand ideas for binding off but ended up with a basic BO. On the blue, I only did 10 ruffle rows, mainly because I was getting bored. This decision worked out for the best because it turned out that I only had enough yarn to do exactly that.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

How-to Mondays- How to Weave in ends as you go!

2011-08-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

Enjoy!

Week 13 of 52: Wavy [Malabrigo] Scarf

2011-08-26T04:45:00.000-07:00

My school age child has returned to school and I am craving the oncoming fall. Two things fulfill this craving, scarves and pumpkin flavored things.I have always been a fan of a scarf that is cast on long ways. I have been known to state that I can easily see doing a finite number of very long rows rather than a seemingly infinite number of shorter rows. This scarf was completed in 24 rows and lived up to every bit of fun that the classic feather and fan pattern offers!
Week of August 26 through September 2

Project: Wavy Orange Scarf by Rebecca L. Daniels

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted, 1 hank of 210yds/100g

Needles: US 11/8.0mm; the pattern calls for US13/9.0mm, but I knit on the loose side.

Knitting Plan:

Night 1 - CO and work 2 repeats of the pattern st.

Night 2 - Work 2 repeats of the pattern st.

Night 3 - Work 2 repeats of the pattern st and BO.

Notes:

a) As my yarn has a little less yardage than the pattern called for, I was planning to cast on 180 sts rather than 216. I then changed the plan and decided to cast on the 216 sts called for in the pattern and do less pattern repeats. I think that I will have more control over the yardage with this new plan.

b) I placed my markers as I cast on. Markers are sanity helpers and make for a successful count the first time.
c) In an effort to know how many rows I can get out of my 210yds/100g, I will measure the ball at the beginning of a row repeat, 82g and, then again at the end of the fourth row, 68g. I can then figure out how much I can get out of the remaining weight. With each repeat taking 14g, I can easily complete 4 more repeats and the bind off row for a total of 6 pattern repeats instead of the 8 that the pattern calls for. This scarf is still going to be plenty wide.
d)Be sure to bind off very loosely so that the wavy edge has a chance to bloom and roll along. You could bring in a larger needle just to be on the safe side.e)I resorted to my very favorite and most lazy way of blocking, steam. Be sure that you do not let your iron touch the knitting as it will smash and distort your stitches rather than open them up; simply hover above each section as you hit the steam button. I do a section that fits on the board, hit it with steam, stretch and shape, let it cool, and move to the next section.If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here are color cards: multis and solids. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

More Madelinetosh!

2011-08-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with Madelinetosh. They make the most gorgeous yarns in the most heavenly colors, and excellent patterns to back it up! Today I got to open up a big box from them, and when I cut it open, it felt like Christmas Morning! I wanted every color I pulled out, but I limited myself to just one!

We got their new Chunky weight:

From Anacapa Knits

and their Sport weight:

From Anacapa Knits

I bought one skein of Chunky in "Dutchess", a really dark blackish purple for a class sample (Stay Tuned for our schedule, it should be here soon)! Come check them out, you won't be dissapointed!

-Kaity :)

How-to Mondays- How to Knit in the Round

2011-08-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

Today we're gonna learn about knitting in the round using Double Pointed Needles, 2 Circular Needles, and the Magic Loop Method.

I Hope you enjoy!

Week 12 of 52: Clara Parkes' One Skein Shawl

2011-08-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

To begin, I would like to actually call this a One hundred Gram shawl rather than a One Skein Shawl, as I am using two hanks of Manos del Uraguay Silk Blend. This shawl is a great recipe for a delicious indulgence in a fun yarn, either for color or content or both. I think that I might be making one up whenever we get new colors of Manos; I always daydream about the luxury of a whole cuddly sweater in this yarn, and now I have a go to project to lightly indulge that cuddling daydream.

Week of August 19 through 25

Project: One Skein Shawl by Clara Parkes
Yarn: Manos del Uraguay Silk Blend, 2 hanks of 150yds/50g
Needles: US 15/10.0mm
Knitting Plan:
Let's make this project a three night tour.
Night 1 - CO and watch your shawl grow so very swiftly. Work on it until you are sleepy.
Night 2 - Continue as established, getting through the rest of the first ball and then at least a few rows of the second ball. As your shawl is still growing very fast, be sure to put yourself to bed at a decent hour.
Night 3 - Finish the second ball, work the last 6 rows in the simple lace, and BO.

Notes:

a)With its 5 sts, the first row of this shawl establishes 5 sections: an edge st., a body section, the center st., a body section, and an edge st. Place markers on either side of the center st at the very least; you may also want to place markers after each edge st. Though this pattern is a very straight forward process, markers will help you remember where to increase as you barrel swiftly through a knit row. (Never be marker proud.)

b)This project is a great one for interchangeable needles, as you can start on a shorter cable and then lengthen it as your shawl grows.

c) This thought has little to do with the execution of this shawl: I love seeing all the beautiful colors of the yarn formed into sts that are all lined up and squished up on the needle.

d) This yarn is a perfect candidate for a spit splice, helping you to diminish the number of ends that you have to weave in at the end.
e)As I had more yardage than the shawl worked in the pattern, I was able to increase to 75 body sts each side (153 sts total).
f)The bind off described in the pattern, the Flexible bind off, is a really nice BO. I wanted to jazz it up so I followed a yarn over bind off that I memorized from helping many people finish off their Peace Shawls. It mimics the simple lace that we established in the border. (At least, I think that I remember it to be as follows.) This bind off is the only part of this project that you need to work in a quiet place. For this shawl, work as follows: K1, YO, BO K1 over the YO, *K2tog, BO, YO, BO, repeat from * until one st before the center st., **K1, BO, YO, BO, repeat from ** 2 more times, ***SSK, BO, YO, BO, repeat from*** until last st., K1 and BO last st. Cut a tail and pass it through the last loop.

g)On blocking, I just steam blocked the lace edges, meaning that I laid it across my ironing board and gave it shot of steam from my iron. (Don't let the iron touch your work, just let it hover above.)

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here is a link to a color card to ease your color choosing process and here is another. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.
P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Something new to do with Triana...

2011-08-18T23:18:00.000-07:00

Many of us have been having a lot of fun making scarves with the new Flounce and Triana yarns by Katia. I especially like the meshiness (new word) of Triana, and thought that a scarf didn't really show it off. I turned it on its side, and started working it into a spiral. It was so fun, I couldn't stop. I created the Kelp Forest Shawlette- This circular shawl spirals out like a nautilus, and creates a really lovely ruffled edge; while showing off the lacy netting of the yarn - It's an easy freebie; I hope that you like it.

Kelp Forest Shawlette
download now

Materials:
2 balls Triana by Katia (33yds/100g), US11 (8mm) needles, sewing needle and matching thread.

Begin Pattern:

Prep row: Spread out the end of the tape. The tape will have one end that is thin, and one end that is a bit wider. Hold it so that the “thin” end is to the right.
Insert the tip of your right needle in each hole in the mesh of the tape from right to left (4 sts picked up). Then, spread the wider section open, and insert right tip into one of the smaller holes (5 sts on right needle).
Turn work so that this needle is now in your left hand, inserting other needle into all sts knit wise. Pick up the next hole on the thin side with your fingers, loop it onto the needle, and pull it through all the sts. Turn, and place needle back into right hand.

Basically you will knit a st, and bind off a st. - over and over in a spiral until all loops have been used up. Here's how -

Spread the wider side of the tape open with your left hand, insert tip of right needle approximately ½ in. (1.5 cm) from the st. on the needle (this doesn't have to be exact). Pick up the next loop from the thin side, and make a knit st. Bind off previous st. keep spreading out the tape as you need for each hole. Repeat until all loops on first ball are knitted, and one st. remains on right needle.
Spread out the end of the tape on the next ball. Pick up the first hole on the thin side and continue to knit it through the wider end, continuing approximately ½ in. (1.5 cm) from last st knitted.
Use sewing needle and matching thread to sew loops and last st to spiral, approximately ½ in. (1.5 cm) from final st. Voila! Fini!

Week 11 of 52: Ilene Bag

2011-08-12T03:37:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! We are 20% through to the goal.

As the summer merrily rolls along, there are so many opportunities for a reusable shopping bag - the many farmer's markets from here to Santa Barbara throughout the week, the fair that wraps up this weekend, your regular grocery trip, etc. I had a lot of fun making this bag, but it is unlikely to be fated to replacing a plastic bag and is more likely to be put into service as a project bag. Boy, can it stretch (to fit lots of produce or a sweater's parts).

I chose this bag pattern out of the many similar styles because I decided that its construction is very smart and easily executed. If you already find yourself among the 1177 Ravelers who have made this one, then there are a couple of others that have different approaches to the bag bottom that are interesting and challenging - the Let's Go Shopping Bag and the Pi Bottom Market Bag. With my leftovers and a third ball, I am thinking about making these produce bags to go along - Reusable Produce Bag or Sexy Reusable Vegetable Lingerie.

P.S. That is a bag of flour and a watermelon in the picture above.

Week of Aug. 12 through 18

Project: Ilene Bag by Hannah Ingalls

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy

Needles: US 6/4mm and US4/3.5mm; I used 16" circulars but you could also probably get away with 24".

Knitting Plan: This bag is really a swift knit.

Night 1 - Make the base and pick up sts around the perimeter.

Night 2 - Work 26 rounds in lace pattern.

Night 3 - Work 24 rounds in lace pattern.

Night 4 - Work through ribbing and handle.

Notes:

a) I chose to work 28 rows for the base so as to make sure that it was easy to find 28 spots for the 28 sts that are picked up along the short sides.
b) As I picked up sts., I placed a marker as I began each side to help keep count with a unique marker to mark the beginning of the round. I left them in as I worked around just for kicks. Never be marker proud, they are the key to sanity.

c) One ball of Hempathy got me through to the 40th row of lace. Try to add your ball on the knit row of the repeat as it will be much easier to control in a row that you are not making yarn overs.
d) This designer wrote a great straight forward pattern; among the straight forward directions, she points out that many online tutorials already exist for the 3 needle bind off. I would like to direct you to my favorite.

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here is a link to a color card to ease your color choosing process. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Week 10 of 52: LLP Fingerless Mitts

2011-08-05T11:04:00.000-07:00

You may have heard that my family (Kevin, Bella, and I) adventured to Comic Con in San Diego two weeks ago. Last July, I was watching the news stories about the 2010 event wishing that I could go and we set the goal of attending this year's. It was worth ever bit of trouble and we can't wait to go next year. I had brought these mitts, the LLP mitts, along to work on in line, but found that I needed to work on my simpler project as there were many shiny things and people to distract me. The best part of the whole weekend was all of the knitters and crocheters that I met in line and was able to friend immediately on Ravelry. Next year, I want to plan a knitting meet up while we are down there (so, if you are going too, join this group).

Can you guess what LLP stands for? Reach into your Star Trek knowledge. Kevin's first guess was wrong but awesome - "Lady's Love Picard." Please respond with your answers in the comment section.

Week of Aug. 5 through Aug. 11

Project: LLP Fingerless Mitts by Audrey Paquin

Yarn: Regia Silk 4-ply; 1 ball each of two colors; If you reverse the colors, then you should have enough to make two pairs

Needles: US 00/mm and US o/mm; the pattern calls for US 2/mm, but I needed to go way down to get her gauge of 12sts/in.

Knitting Plan: So, you may already be saying no way to this project on account of its tiny needles, but, please don't let stop you. Allow me to put the number of sts. into perspective: you cast on 80 sts, the equivalent of many worsted weight hats. Therefore, each mitt is about the work of a hat. You could make two hats in a week, right?

Night 1 - Work cuff and first 15 rows of the mitt body.

Night 2 - Finish the mitt body.

Night 3 - Work final 12 rows of ribbing and the thumb.

Repeat nights 1 - 3 for mitt 2.

Notes:

a) This pattern is another that can serve as its own swatch as long as you are ok with ripping out if the first needle combo doesn't work. I began with a US 1 for the ribbing and a US 2 for the body. With my tendency to be loose, this swatch mitt was big enough to fit at least 1.5 hands. So, I bought the smallest needles I have ever owned and success was eminent. When you finish the ribbing, she instructs that you work 1 row knitting; I used this row to switch to the larger needles (haha, calling US 0 larger).

b) As you float your colors behind your work, remember not to pull them too tight or drag them too loosely - keep them draped like a Mona Lisa Smile.

c) As you work through the Enterprise Chart, there will be spots with more than five of the same color in a row. This distance causes too long of float. You should catch the color that you are not working in by inserting your needle as to knit, draping the unused color over the X from right to left, and then working the next st normally.

d) Follow her instructions in "Step 4" for the afterthought thumb exactly as she writes them. Below I have some pics of the process. The only change I made was doing the thumbs two rounds later than her placement and not for any very good reason.

e) When you open that thumb later, be careful but confident with your surgery. The sts will not disappear on you but you still need to be swift about wrangling them. The top half is always the tricky bit, often seeming to be a st short. For this situation, I practice "fake it till you make it."

f) I worked 6 rounds of ribbing for my thumb.

g) For binding off both the top of the mitt and the top of the thumb, I used the last rows of ribbing on each to set up this stretchy BO:

"Super Stretchy

Uses: Perfect for edges needing lots of stretch like necklines, cuffs of toe up socks, bands of top down hats

-For 1X1 ribbing, on the row before the bind off row: K1, M1 (make one with an E-loop and not by lifting the in between thread), pull the M1 tight, P1. Repeat around.

-Bind off row (go up a needle size or two to really ensure stretch): K1, sl the M1, pass the K1 over the slipped M1, P1, pass the slipped M1 over the P1, K1 pass the P1 over the K1, etc.

-For 2X2 ribbing, on the row before the bind off row: K2, M1, P2, M1. Repeat around.

-Bind off as above, remember to slip the M1 rather than knitting it. The M1 is never worked so it doesn’t change your st count, it just adds yarn in to add elasticity.

Notes: Can be used for other ribbing combos; just remember to make one via an E-loop between the knits and purls." (This segment is an excerpt from my CO/BO class, coming again this fall.)

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here is a link to a color card to ease your color choosing process. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

madelinetosh!!!

2011-08-03T14:05:00.001-07:00

We've been waiting and waiting, and it's here! We got a huge box from madelinetosh yesterday (and I got to open it! It felt like Christmas!) stuffed to the top with gorgeous colors. It was such a joy to keep pulling different colorways out of the box, and saying "Oooh! I want this one!!"

From Anacapa Knits

We recieved more Merino Light, one of my favorites! It's 420 yards of lovely single ply Merino wool fingering weight goodness! I knit this shawl out of one skein of Merino Light in "Chamomile":

Here's a couple of my favorite colors that we just received:

From Anacapa Knits

Besides shawls, Merino Light makes great accessories! Check out the Staghorn Mitts.

We also got more Pashmina, madelinetosh's wool, silk, and cashmere sport weight yarn:

From Anacapa Knits

And last but not least is one we've never had: Prairie!

From Anacapa Knits

Prairie is over 800 yards(!) of laceweight, plenty for a beautiful giant shawl! Come swing by our shop before this stuff is all gone, trust me, it goes fast!!

3 Easy Cast-Ons!

2011-08-01T18:24:00.000-07:00

Today we're going to learn about casting-on! I hope you enjoy, and check out an upcoming Cast Ons and Bind Offs class taught by Anne, you won't be disappointed!

Week 9 of 52: sev[en] circles cowl/necklace

2011-07-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

This week's project was a big hit last summer, but I never got around to making my own. Terry exposed us all to sev[en] circles and it is a great quick project. It is form and function all in one as it is a beautiful piece of jewelry as well as a device of warmth.

Week of July 29 thru August 4:
Project: sev[en] circles by Kirsten Johnstone
Yarn: Plymouth Yarns Vizions (see options for yardage below)
Needles: US 7/4.5mm
Knitting Plan:
Let's make this easy: you are going to follow one of two plans - a circle a day or devour it all in one night. With lots and lots of distractions slowing me down, each circle was taking me about 40 mins. So, it could be done in an evening if you start early enough.
Notes:
a) MAJOR MODS: I got to five circles using 1 BALL and only working 5 ROUNDS per circle.
If you bought 2 BALLS, then you could do all 7 circles at 5 ROUNDS each. If you bought 3 BALLS, then you should be able to work the first circle option as written.
b) Join in the round simple by bringing your needles together and start knitting the first round.

c) As you complete your first circle, knit 10. Then, knit 2 more to begin bind off sequence.
d) There is no need to keep counting as you bind off. You just need to stop when 10 sts remain before the marker. That will look like one st on your right hand needle and 9 sts unworked on your left hand needle.
e) When casting on, place a marker every 10 sts to keep count. Never be marker proud. I like anything that saves steps and this saves counting over and over again. Remove these markers as you knit the first round of each circle.
f) Backwards loop (or e-loop) Cast On VS. Cable Cast On.
Backwards loop Cast On is the technique suggested by the pattern. It is very easy to execute as you twist your yarn to look like a cursive E and then place that loop on your needle. The downfall is that it can look sloppy and can be hard to work into on the next row.

Cable Cast On is a little trickier but well worth the trouble. You turn your work to the purl side to begin and insert your needle in between the sts to draw up a new loop. I cast on the first circle with this CO (as per Terry's suggestion); then, I did the backward loop on the second circle. I chose to continue with the Cable CO on the rest as it was speedier to work into them.

g) I chose to weave my ends in along the CO and BO edges nearest the center spine. If you choose an option that uses more than one ball, then, I would recommend adding the new balls closest to the spine as possible. This choice should help to make woven in ends the least conspicuous.

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here is a link to a color card to ease your color choosing process. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Week 8 of 52: Isobel Scarf

2011-07-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

I had a different project in mind for this week. It was to be the return of the big challenge project; I chose a very cute Knitty pattern, Rondeur by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark. Sadly, even with my intense dedication to finishing, it is not a 7 day project. Despite its well written instructions, my little buzzing fingers couldn't get it to roll off the needles quickly enough.

In the eleventh hour, Ravelry.com led me to a great substitute project, Isobel by Jacquelynn Vance-Kuss. This pattern is a good fit to continue using the same yarn that I had for my top, Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool. I cast on Tuesday evening and had my last end woven in by Thursday morning, remember that I was pressed to make up for lost time this week.

Week of July 22 to 28:

Project: Isobel by Jacquelyn Vance-Kuss

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed; 2 hanks (192 yds/50g)

Needles: US 8/5.0 mm; this needle size is not the suggested size from the pattern, but it is the size that gave me the desired look.

Knitting Plan:

I worked 30 repeats of rows 1-12. So, let's divide that work over a few nights.

Night 1: Setup rows and 7 repeats of main pattern

Night 2: 8 repeats of main pattern

Night 3: 8 repeats of main pattern

Night 4: 7 repeats of main pattern and remaining 4 rows.

Notes:

a) I don't usually use up yarn on fringe, but some times a project is really a right fit for that detail. To ensure that I can confidently knit until my yarn runs out, I usually cut the fringe first. On this project, I cut it before adding in the second ball. I like to use a DVD case as my standard fringe guide, as there is a short or along choice. I cut 40 pieces, wrapped along the long side, planning on putting 2 strands into each of the 10 and 10 eyelets on either end of the scarf.

b)This lace repeat is very addictive. To keep a speedy flow, I use locking ring markers to count my rows. I keep track of two sets at a time, placing the marker into the side of the sixth eyelet made in each set. I only need two markers; when I have finished the third set, I leap frog the lower marker up to the top to mark the newly completed set.

c) This stitch pattern calls for an SKP(slip one st., knit one, and pass slipped st over knit one). I find this decrease lacking elegance and prefer an SSK which you can learn about in Kaity's recent How-To. My true favorite is the single step SSK which is worked as follows: Insert your needle into the first st. knitwise and the second st. through the back loop. Knit these sts. as for a knit 2 together.

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here is a link to a color card to ease your color choosing process. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.) Also, I want to mention that we have refined the 10%off sale to apply when you are buying the yarn for the featured project.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

How-to Mondays- Single Crochet for Knitters

2011-07-18T17:07:00.000-07:00

Enjoy! If you have any questions or comments, please comment below!!

Week 7 of 52: Bucket Hat

2011-07-15T00:28:00.000-07:00

I am calling this the June Bride Bucket hat for two reasons: 1) I married these two great patterns together late last month and 2) I was a June bride (so according to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, I am always a bride).

I made two, one in pink with a secret orange hem lining and one in turquoise with a secret denim blue lining. I began with the pink and the Shazzas Bucket Hat by Sharon of Shazzas Knits. It is a very cute pattern but the brim didn't have the body that I had imagined it would. So, I went on a hunt and borrowed the brim of A Better Bucket by Amy Swenson.

So, I have to run my family to Santa Barbara this morning to wrap up my husband's summer job. If you view this post on the morning of Friday, then here is the quick tip on making this project:
1) two hanks of Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton or Mirasol Hap'i; one of your main color(A) and one of your secret hem color (B).
2) work A Better Bucket in color B until you one row before purl turning row. Switch to A and work one knit row and then the purl turning row. Complete the brim by following A Better Bucket.
3) tune back in to find out how I married the body of Shazzas to this brim.

More Flounce!!!

2011-07-13T14:04:00.001-07:00

We got a lot of a new fancy yarn a couple of weeks ago, maybe you were one of the lucky ones to get a ball!

Flounce is this fun new yarn that knits up into the most beautiful ruffled scarf. The yarn itself is a mesh ribbon that you knit through in a different kind of way! For a free pattern for this yarn and a video explaining how to knit with it, click here.

Well we quickly sold out of all the colors that we had, and we have a lot more on order! If you want a ball reserved for you, we can do that, Check out the colors and give us a call. This scarf was knit out of just 1 ball of Flounce on size 13 needles, with only 5 stitches per row! This might be the fastest scarf you'll ever knit!

How-to Mondays- Decreases!

2011-07-10T16:33:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! Sorry for the lack of How-to Mondays in the last couple of weeks, I had jury duty and then I went to a Family Reunion over 4th of July, but I'm back and today we're going to learn about decreases, specifically SSKs vs. K2togs. These are the two most common decreases in knitting, and we're going to learn the difference between the two and a couple different ways to execute them. I hope you like it and learn something new!

This was a requested video! If you have something that you'd like me to film for and upcoming How-To Monday, leave a comment below! Thanks!

Saturday Morning Daydreams

2011-07-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

So, I am mesmerized with this delicious citrus color set of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light. Doesn't it scream summer day? A summer fruit salad of melons, orange? A squeeze of lemon or lime in your icy glass of water?

Week 6 of 52: The Kelly Bag

2011-07-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Knitting and fiber arts are at the center of my universe (you know, in the part that isn't occupied by home and family). So much centered and focused that sometimes I miss the cultural or fashion references that a knitted item might be making. This great felted bag imitates the classic Hermes style (since the 1930s) that Grace Kelly made her own in 1956. I think that it stands on its own without making that trip in the fashion way back machine.

This pattern is the ideal project to make the change from throwing to continental/picking. It has all the main features that I recommend - equal practice between knits and purls and felted(to hide any changes in gauge). According to a couple of sources, the Hermes bag can take 25 hours of labor by a skilled craftsman. I think that this project by my own (continental) hand was way faster.

This week is doubly as good as previous weeks as both Cascade 220 and Lamb's Pride Worsted are on sale for 10% off.

Week of July 8 thru 14:
Project: The Kelly Bag by Jennifer Casa
Yarn: Pattern calls for Cascade 220, 2 hanks in main color and 1 hank in accent color. My samples are as follows: green - Lamb's Pride + Cascade; periwinkle - Lamb's Pride for both. So, you can translate that to also working with 2 +1 skein of Lamb's Pride.
Needles: US 9/5.5mm and US 13/9.0mm(US 11/8.0mm on periwinkle; she said that gauge didn't matter and she was pretty much right)
Knitting Plan:
Night 1 - Cast on and work hem; work body to the handle opening
Night 2 - Finish body
Night 3 - Work contrast/handle rows.
Night 4 - Sew up side seams and throw it in the washing machine for felting.
Night 5 (or when it is dry) - (Optional) Line it with a great fabric.
Notes:
a) I am really in love with these patterns that begin with a folded hem. In this pattern, she has you sew it up at the end but I chose to do it in the next right side row.

b)When you bind off for the handle opening, counting can get frustrating. A simple note on that is that you will know you are done binding off the center 12 you will know you are done when you have one loop on your right hand needle and 18 more on the left needle.

c)When you cast on back over that opening, I like to use the simple tool of a backward loop (or e-loop) cast on. You twist your yarn in toward the needle so that it looks like a cursive "e" and that the yarn will get trapped when you place the loop on your right hand needle.

d) When I went to the bigger needle, I slipped the first stitch on those rows to make my preferred method of seaming even easier. That method is a crochet slip st.

e) Washing Machine time: I place my bags into their own lingerie bags (saves cleaning fuzz off your drum and next few loads). Then, with a Shout Color Catcher (for loose dye), I ran them through my washer's shortest cycle twice. You will learn what is the best amount of time for your machine, but begin with the shortest cycle once. Some recommend not to let your felting go through the spin cycle because it can pull and distort your work. Knowing this warning, I still let it run through the whole deal.

f)Lining this bag is totally optional. I like to take advantage of any chance I get to add more fun color or texture to a project. When you have felted a project, it will turn out a little different every time. This said, use each bag as its own template.

If you are viewing this post far from drivingdistance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here is are links to the Cascade 220 color card and to the Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride color card to ease your color choosing process. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.)

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

New from Skacel

2011-07-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

We recently received from Skacel (You know Skacel, the people who make Addi Turbos!) a beautiful new pattern and yarn to match. The pattern is called the Giovannina Stole, and it was designed by Franklin Habit, you can read all about the design process and his inspiration here on his blog.

The yarn is equally lovely. Filisilk is a 70% Superfine Merino 30% Silk laceweight yarn, with over 600 yards to a skein! Come check it out today for this pattern or any other lovely little lacey something.

Week 5 of 52: Camp Out Fingerless Mitts

2011-07-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

We have made it into July, our second month of this project push. I have been pretty pleased with how each project is turning out and that I am steadily checking off very fun projects that my needles have been itching to make. How 'bout you? Having fun yet?

When I listed this project as WIP (work in progress),

I named it "Wishful Campfire" because I wish that we could go camping more often. As for the campfire, we can fake that in the back yard with our fire pit and s'mores makings. However, upon learning that our own McGrath campground is slated for closure in September, I have a new urgency to grab our tent and at least attempt an overnighter.

Week of July 1 thru 7:

Project: Camp Out Fingerless Mitts by tante ehm

Yarn: Classic Elite Liberty Wool, 122 yd/50 g, 100% washable wool

Needles: US 7/4.5mm and US 9/5.5mm

Size Made: to fit a 7.5 inch palm (around, just below the base of my fingers)
Knitting Plan:
I double dog dare you not to stay up late and finish knitting the pair on the first night that you cast on. They are fast, addicting knits and very hard to put down once you begin. Here is a plan if you are one of those people who know how to savor a good thing.
Night 1 - First garter st band, pick up and begin body of mitt
Night 2 - Finish first mitt. Begin the process again with knitting of the second garter st band.
Night 3 - Finish second mitt

Notes:
a) The pattern begins with a crochet provisional cast on. A provisional CO is meant to give you live sts at both ends of your work. For this pattern, it allows you to join this starting strip of garter st into a continuous tube to form most of the palm portion. You begin with a crocheted chain and pick up the desired # of st in the back of the chain. Later, it should pull open like opening a bag of pet food. I have always had trouble making that happen. I found that placing a locking ring marker in the last chain to preserve that final loop for the great opening.

b) The pattern has you graft (or work kitchener) the two ends of the garter st band together. I decided to use a 3 needle bind off instead. It is fast and it saved me some ends to weave in. The last loop left at the end of bind off counts as your first pick up st.

c)SWATCHING! Making a swatch (practice piece) is the key to success when you want something to fit. Sometimes you get lucky - you can cast on and treat the beginning of the actual project as the swatch. Here is the story of my gauge journey: cast on with US 7 and got the desired 4.5 sts/in for garter stitch; then, I started working the body of the mitt in Stockinette St.; it took three needle changes (and froggings) to arrive at US 9 for the mitt body.

d) Even with achieving the correct gauge/needle combination, the mitt as the pattern is written only measures about 6.5 inches around. I made the following changes to fit a larger palm.

Work 64 rows instead of 54 for the garter stitch band. Pick up 34 sts instead of 29 sts. Followed the same length as pattern when working the body, but stopped at 9 inches and worked last 3 rows as purl round, knit round, and purl round.

e) You may begin to loose the faith that this little ball of yarn will make a full set. To reassure you, weigh your ball of yarn before cutting the cord on the first mitt. The remains of my yarn ball weighed 28 g before I bound off. Since it was a 50g ball when I began, I could confidently proceed.

f) Beware. This pattern is a very satisfying knit and this yarn is crazy fun (to see how it will turn out). You should simply lean into its addictive nature and choose at least two or three differnet balls when you come in to buy your yarn.

If you are viewing this post far from driving distance from our store, then please remember that we will happily take phone orders. Here is a link to a color card to ease your color choosing process. Call us @ (805) 654-9500. (There will be a postage charge for shipping.)
P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

Week 4 of 52: Windansea, a sunhat

2011-06-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Are you still with me?

When the sun peaks through our intermittent June Gloom, you will be wishing for this hat. It is a creation from Kristi Porter, the author of Knitting in the Sun and More Knitting in the Sun. This hat pattern was sampled from the first book both by Amazon and by Berroco. It is another pattern that I have wanted since I set eyes on it. Finally, I am getting to it, thanks to this series. It is one of many excellent patterns in a book filled with clothes and accessories that are perfect for our beautiful climate here in Ventura.

Thanks to my lovely models, Laura (top) and Terry (bottom). You can see how effortlessly you can bring this classic sunhat into your wardrobe. I am glad to add this topper to my arsenal of sun protection (which my already sun burnt shoulders wish that I had employed a couple of days ago).

Week of June 24 to June 30

Project: Windansea by Kristi Porter

Yarn: Berroco Seduce, 2 hanks

Needles: US 6/4mm (16 in circular and dpns)

Size Made: L(22-24 inch head); I usually make my hats with at least 2 ins. smaller than my 22 inch head but I don't like sunhats to be pinchy.

Knitting Plan:

Night 1 - Cast on and work most of brim

Night 2 - Finish brim and start body

Night 3 - Finish body rows

Night 4 - Work crown rows, insert wire/elastic, and block.

Notes:
a) Seduce is an amazing yarn. It is also a slippery yarn, so DO NOT pull it from the center. OUTSIDE ONLY! I also like to have it sit still while I knit from it. So, I accidentally found a great reuse for cardboard drink holders - they make great grippers for a yarn cake of just this size. Since I didn't have one until after I started the first ball, I employed a coffee mug for the same purpose (it is not my first choice since it is heavy when you stick your project into your bag).

b) I did a fair amount of reading other knitter's experiences with this hat. The happiest were those who invested in millinery wire for the edge as the pattern calls for. I even made plans to get it from this supplier recommended by this local hat artist. However, I still went for the craft wire since I found it in a matching color. I am okay with the fact that the brim is a bit wavy.

c) Though I purchased clear beading elastic to insert where the pattern directs, I skipped it because I felt that the hat fit just right without it. (Also, I was having trouble making a knot.)

d) When you weave in your ends, you really have to embrace the flag, meaning that you need to leave at least .25 inch tail when you trim your end after weaving in thoroughly. It is another hazard of its being a slippery yarn and will help your ends stay where you put them.

e)I found a bowl that is 22 inches around and used it as a blocking form. I sprayed it with Heavy Spray Starch (99 cents store purchase).

With your extra bit of yarn from your second ball, you can try this other project - a piece of jewelry. The shine of Seduce really lends itself to this simple piece of pretty. It is a clever use for i-cord and she shows you how to execute two different ways to style the same item. I am always happy to find a smart two for one.

P.P.S. Just in the nick of time, we have in copies of the afore mentioned books. I am a bit partial to her most recent publication as I have a pattern in the cardigans section.

How-to Mondays- How to Pick up a Dropped Stitch

2011-06-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

Everyone suffers from this one; Dropped Stitches! Don't you hate it when you're chugging along in your knitting and something slips off the needle and falls away into Never-NeverLand? Well don't fear, just watch this video and you can learn how to save those little dropped stitches with nothing but a crochet hook.

Thanks for watching! Have any ideas of things you'd like to learn on an upcoming How-To Monday? Leave me a comment below and maybe you'll see your idea soon!

Week 3 of 52: Clapotis

2011-06-17T05:30:00.000-07:00

Here is where it gets spicy. I want to throw in a big project once a month that I buckle down and work up in the given 7 days. As always, there will be a plan of attack so that you may also be a knitting machine. I am calling this a challenge project.

My first Challenge Project is the now classic Clapotis (pronounced klap-oh-tee). Published in Knitty, Fall 2004, Ravelry shows 17843 projects listed from this pattern. I have cast on for it at least 3 times before, giving up before I had finished the first section of increase rows. Now that I have successfully conquered this pattern, I think that I had an unrealistic idea of how quickly it should be done and I would grow weary when it wasn't done the same day I cast on. (Yes, I desire instant gratification.) Settling in with a plan and a more sane set of expectations, I was able to finish this scarf in exactly a week's time.

Week of June 17 thru June 24

Project: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert

Yarn: Araucania Chaiten, 2 hanks

Needles: US 8/5mm

Time Plan: This time I am giving you the actual blow by blow of how my week went. You will see that there was only 5 days of actual fruitful knitting.

Day 1 - Setup and increase sections

Day 2 - Went too far on increases and carefully ripped back to 95 sts.

Day 3 - 3 repeats of straight rows

Day 4 - Went on a 6 mi walk which was way overdoing it. No knitting was done and the family was lucky that I had set dinner up in the slow cooker before I embarked on my epic walk.

Day 5 - 4 repeats of straight rows; Enjoyed showing my beginning knitting class what dropping sts.on purpose looked like.

Day 6 - 2 repeats of straight rows

Day 7 - Remaining 5 repeats of straight and decrease sections. Victory!

Later that month - near miss with blocking wires

Notes:

a) I only worked 12 repeats of Section 2 (the increases) rather than the 13 total that the patterns calls for. This alteration means that I stopped at 95 sts.

b) I was able to work 14 repeats of Section 3 (the straight rows) rather than the 13 total that the pattern calls for. This alteration means that you will have at least enough yarn to complete this section as directed.

c) On blocking, I was conflicted. Some textures created by knitting shouldn't be blocked away. I read up on Ravelry and Knitter's Review, but reading other knitter's opinion, as always wide and varied, didn't help. So, I went to the source. The designer, Kate Gilbert, says no to blocking and that she considers the purl side to be the public/right side. I say go with your gut. I wanted mine to be like the original which was not blocked. Choice made (seconds before immersing it in a bowl of water, phew).

d) This yarn behaves perfectly for purposes of this pattern: it drops nicely when it is time without getting stuck on itself, the strand has a great texture that compliments the texture of the garment, and the silk content drapes beautifully without drooping.

P.S. If this idea really lights you up, then you can also join a ravelry group here.

How-to Mondays!

2011-06-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

Hi guys! Today I want to share a quick how-to video with you all! This week it's all about how to Cable without a cable needle. For small and simple cables, I always cable without a cable needle. I just don't feel like it's worth it to have to use (and find!) a cable needle for cabling projects where you are doing basic cables, such as crossing 2 or 3 knits over another 2 or 3 knits.

Check out the video below, and let me know what you think! Have you cabled without a cable needle before? Give it a try and comment below what you think about it!