Tulip Time

It's Tulip season in Skagit Valley.



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Whidbey Island Fiber Quest

Whidbey Island Fiber Fest

Tools for Yarn

There was a time when I thought that working with yarn or thread basically required minimal tools, such as needles or hooks, and a pair of scissors.  Recently I became aware of a whole slew of tools or implements on which the yarn addict can spend all one's hard-earned cash, while expanding one's vocabulary to include quaint and archaic names of tools, such as "nostepinne" and "niddy-noddy."



Nostepinne



Being a word junkie, when I come across a terms that are unfamiliar, I simply MUST find out what the word means (and how to pronounce it).  Obviously, the internet is an invaluable source of information, right at the tip of my fingers.  I soon learned that a Nostepinne (pictured above) is an implement on which one can wind a ball of yarn, with the option to have the working end pull out from the center.  I watched how-to videos and read blogs, until it became clear that having one could prove to be very useful, so I embarked upon the adventure of locating one. 

Always one to support our local economy, I visited the local ye-olde-yarn-shoppe in our town.  Not only did they not have any, but the person running the shop that day had NO IDEA what a Nostepinne was!  I had the same experience two other places.  At a fourth place, the woman running the shop that day KNEW what a Nostepinne was, and told me she had just gotten one - from a friend who made it for her!  She suggested I might be able to find one in Seattle, two hours away.  Given the price of gas these days, I decided to return home and let my fingers do the walking-on-my-keyboard.

I found dozens of them, but didn't like the prices.  And let's face facts - who wants to pay $20-$30 for a tool so simple that a child could, theoretically, make one.  Okay, maybe the child would have to have access to a lathe....

Many thanks to my dad (the master woodworker) for letting me watch while he worked his magic with wood.  Thanks, also, to God who gave me a keen mind and the ability to improvise.  I used some ingenuity and some items I picked up at the local hardware store and came up with a reasonable approximation. 

I can't wait til the urethane dries so I can start using it.

Ravelry: Miscellaneous discussion topic - Sock HELP

Ravelry: Miscellaneous discussion topic - Sock HELP: "I have tried the 8 method but I didn’t like the looseness of it. I found the following method a few years ago somewhere and use it: Cast on 24 stitches Knit1 bring yarn forward as if to purl Slip1. Repeat this for the whole first row. Divide the finished row onto two DPN’s as follows: Knits on one needle Slips on the other. This creates a woven seam/pocket by pulling every other stitch away from each other. (Increase at the beginning and end of both needles as you knit across them. Knit the next row) Repeat It is at this point you can divide the stitches onto two more needles so the work is on 4 total. Continue increasing every other row until you reach about 40 stitches or the garment fits across and over your toes."

Irish Cottage Knitting with Yarn Harlot Stephanie Pearl-McPh

Fiber Fool » How to Use a Nostepinne

Fiber Fool » How to Use a Nostepinne

Toe Up Womens Sock

http://media.wendyknits.net/knit/DetailedToeUp.pdf


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The art of knitting: masterpieces reimagined | Life and style | guardian.co.uk

The art of knitting: masterpieces reimagined Life and style guardian.co.uk

The art of knitting: masterpieces reimagined

Each year amateur knitting group The Materialistics take on a wildly extreme project, involving hundreds of knitters in their South Tyneside community.

Last year it was a Victorian house kitted out for Christmas, before that a coat for a boat. But this year might just be their most impressive: The Grand Tour exhibition contains knitted versions of some of the most famous paintings in the world.

Having just shown the collection at the Stitch and Craft show in London, the group are now working on where to take it next. Perri Lewis picks the highlights

Short Row Heel Demo - Lifestyle Toe Up Socks, No wraps!

Welcome to Knit Rowan :: Your First Stop for the Latest News, Events and Product Launches from Rowan

Welcome to Knit Rowan :: Your First Stop for the Latest News, Events and Product Launches from Rowan These are some really pretty yarns. Nice patterns, too.

Honing My Craft

I used to knit & crochet this and that, and did an ok job of most projects. However, I always looked at some projects as being "way out of my league." Like socks. And anything that required an accurate gauge, or fitting, or would take longer than a week to finish. Over the years, I limited myself with doubts of adequacy and lack of instruction.

Having recently returned to the world of fiber arts, and having also discovered a veritable smorgasbord of helpful (and not-so-helpful) "show-and-tell" clips on You Tube, I have discovered that I have more talent than I thought. Or more determination. Whichever,

Crochet Guild of America

Crochet Guild of America

CGOA MASTER OF ADVANCED CROCHET STITCHES AND TECHNIQUES

ABOUT THE MASTERS PROGRAM

The CGOA Masters Committee, led by Jean Leinhauser, created the CGOA Masters Program offering called the CGOA Master of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques. Intermediate or better crocheters are invited to enroll to stretch their knowledge and show mastery of advanced techniques and stitches.
The Masters program is not a program for beginners, but is open to both members and non-members of CGOA. Best of all, it is easy to enroll. Go to https://www.e-offinger.net/cgoadata/scriptcontent/IndexJoin.cfm. Direct all other correspondence to CGOA, 1100-H Brandywine Blvd., Zanesville OH 43701-7303 or CGOA@Offinger.com.
Once you sign up, what can you expect? You will receive via e-mail or mail a program workbook that will guide you through crocheting 48 swatches and you will answer a few questions. All swatches are to be made in your choice of worsted weight yarn (Group 4), sport weight yarn (Group 3) or Size 10 crochet thread. You will create a portfolio of your work by tagging each swatch with your name and swatch number, and placing them and your question answers in plastic sleeves in 3-ring binders. You will then ship your portfolio to a specified reviewer.  These reviewers are CGOA members who are experts trained in reviewing the program.
You may submit questions if you need help along the way.  Your portfolio will be returned with a written review of your work, and with an attractive certificate upon successful completion.
The program is divided into seven parts. All are to be completed and submitted at one time. Here is a quick look at what is covered.

• Part One:  Different methods of working into starting chains, including foundation single crochet (sometimes called chainless foundation), and different methods of starting pieces worked in the round, including the Magic Ring method.  Neither the foundation single crochet nor the Magic Ring is new, but both have recently become popular and are being used in many new patterns.  Also included are instructions for working a flat circle, which is often used in patterns for crocheting hats and handbags.
• Part Two:  This covers your understanding of gauge and its importance, and explains the Golden Loop method of adjusting row gauge, which is a challenge for many crocheters.
• Part Three: Instructions are given for working special stitches such as extended stitches and linked stitches.
• Part Four: This covers textured stitches, including working in back or front loops only, post stitches, front and back popcorns, clusters, puff stitches, cables, shells, fans, bullion or roll stitches and picots.
• Part Five: Here you will work swatches of 10 advanced decorative stitch patterns, using many of the techniques already covered.  Instructions are given for each, but there are no photos so this will challenge your ability to carefully read and follow written patterns.
• Part Six: Here you will work a variety of motifs, including a square, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, a dimensional flower and others.
• Part 7: This covers final touches, such as edgings (including reverse single crochet or crab stitch) and braids.

Are you ready to begin? Place your order, today!

Masters Program | TKGA

Masters Program TKGA

A Brief History
The Master Hand Knitting Program was announced in the Fall 1987 issue of Cast On as a way for members of The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA) to have their knitting evaluated using specific criteria and guidelines. It was designed as an educational process, not a competition or contest. (While it is an educational program, it is not for new knitters. If you want help learning to knit, please consider enrolling in the Learn to Knit or the Basics, Basics, Basics correspondence courses offered by TKGA.) Although the program has evolved over the years, at its core it hasn’t changed much. Knitters work through three levels, each building on techniques demonstrated in the previous level. Each level is completed independently, and evaluated by the Master Hand Knitting Committee, before the knitter goes to the next level.

This program requires you to research the technique as you work the swatches and projects. This program emphasizes independent and involved learning on the part of the knitter. You may not have some of these skills when you begin the program, but through research and practice you can acquire them. It is not enough to demonstrate that you can perform a technique. To pass a level, you must go beyond basic ability to perform techniques to a mastery of those techniques.

Experienced knitters may require less practice to master a technique while less experienced knitters may need to rework a swatch many times. Both can become Master Knitters. By the time you finish the program you should have a complete mastery of knitting techniques. You will have a knowledge of knitting-related topics such as care of knitwear, the history of knitting, and knitting traditions. You will have experience in design and writing your own patterns and instructions. But more importantly you will have the confidence in your own abilities. Where this confidence takes you is up to you.

While the Master Knitter certificate is not a professional certificate, it does enhance any knitting resume. It verifies, among other things that you:

     • Knit very well
     • Understand knitting techniques
     • Can properly prepare designs for submission
     • Can write reasonably well about knitting

Because of your proven knitting expertise, you may find yourself using the Master Knitting title to teach and knit for local shops, guilds and more; write articles or submit patterns for publication; or even work with yarn companies on original designs.

The standards of the program are very high. The swatches and written work are evaluated with very specific criteria. The instructions for each swatch and report state the criteria by which members of the Master Hand Knitting committee evaluate the work.

Measuring Up?

My dad is a woodworking genius. He used to joke, "I cut it twice and it's still too short!" and, "Measure once, cut twice." I think it was his humorous way to help me remember that measuring carefully was a way to avoid having to re-work or re-make something. I should have paid more attention.

Two days ago I finished my grandson's first short-row heel sock and was SO PLEASED with how it turned out...until this morning when I tried it on his foot. It was too small.

In an effort to be optimistic about having to rip out all that work, I have decided that it was an opportunity to practice picking up stitches. Ahem.

Here we go again!




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Grandson's 2nd Pair of Socks

He liked the first pair so much that I had a hard time getting him to take them off so we could launder them.  And, since there was PLENTY of that wonderful lime green baby alpaca yarn left from the last pair, I'm knitting him a second pair.  I am using the same "toe-up" pattern, except that I'm changing the heel from a gusseted one to a short-row.  What does that mean?  Well, after some trial and error, I have one sock that's the right foot length, and the heel is mitered instead of knit with a gusset.  And what does THAT mean?  I guess I need to post some photos.

This is a mitered, or "short row" sock.  Note the heel stitches are neatly angled from the heel toward the instep.  Very tidy.

This is a knit sock with a gusseted heel - note the different directions that the stitches go:  up-and-down at the back of the heel with a triangular section near the instep.  It's not as nice-looking (IMO).

The short row heel wasn't more difficult, once I figured out just how to read the directions.  Many thanks to Kaity Knits...A LOT! for posting the directions, and for not deleting her blog when she stopped using it. 

Places Influence Creativity

I just returned to the Pacific Northwest from a quick trip to California. I learned something. There is a reasonable explanation for my decade-long hiatus from fiber arts. There are no really good yarn shops or resources there.

It makes me doubly happy to be home again.


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Spring Break

I took the kids to California for
Spring Break.