Tonight, I’m grooving cause it’s been a great day.  The doctor called and no I don’t have a broken wrist.  I have no idea why it took so long to read the x-rays but this is good news.  On the other hand the insurance company is still refusing to approve the nsaid prescribed for me on the 21st.  boo hiss…  I’m top sales in my department for the week with about 80% of the total for the department, and I know that I have at least another seven orders that will sell in the morning.

On the knitting front, I have cast on the back of the kimono, apparently successfully at this point and I just need to let DAK do it’s thing to knit the back.  I’m still concerned that I don’t have enough yarn for the neck band, but will call Barb at Weavers Loft if I need more.    Or maybe I’ll make it narrower.  We’ll see.  The NZ sweater keeps plugging along.  I need to double check that I made the increases needed in the last row.

My sister gave me this for Christmas.  Isn’t it cool.  She says that it is Russian needle punch and she made it.  It’s about 12 inches across and maybe 3 inches high.  She had it matted and framed.  I need to find an appropriate space for it in the studio or maybe my bedroom.  Now that I think about it there is no artwork up there.

I hope that you’ve had an enjoyable day too.

Comments on the blog.

Cast on again, change the sound settings so they aren’t so annoying.  So far so good.

Yes, there are maybe two more knitting days before Christmas.  Yes I have 3 patterns to finish.  The second mitten of a pair needs about an hours worth of hand work to finish.  Robin’s sweater is about to the neck shaping on the front.  All of the pieces are MK, just waiting for garter stitch yoke and assembly so garter stitch hems can be applied.  Kimono has the fronts knit and one of the sleeves started.  That leaves the back, neckband and other sleeve to go.   All kimono assembly is pretty much on the machine, leaving ends as the handwork.  The first two have to be done by noon on Sunday.  The probably sometime next week.

This doable.  I swear I’m not delusional.  Really.  And I’m not hyped on chocolate or caffeine yet either.

And that nasty headache I’ve had since 11.  I think the knitting is making it go away.

How are your holiday plans going?

Comments on the blog.

Some assembly required

Yes, it’s very purple.  The color is Aubergine from Knitting Notions.  This is Catherine’s Classic Merino Superwash Sport.  It makes a really nice fabric on the mid-gauge at tensions 2 – 7.  I choose tension 4 for this one.  It gave me 26 stitches to 4 inches which is dead on the recommended gauge on the ball band.  Catherine’s colors are more intense and tonal on her superwash bases.  And in this case it has the added bonus in that my sister can’t accidentally felt it.   Actually Robin takes very good care of her handknits, but she had an oops last year with a striped wool scarf.  So I get to tweak her on it.

Ready to move the computer back into the studio to work on the kimono again, two sleeves the back and the neck band to complete in tuck stitch.  DAK proves it’s worth for stuff like this.

Comments on the blog.

Thought I would simply do the same thing for the back this evening.  Nice thought.  I evidently didn’t pay attention when I wound the ball early in the evening and wound some snarls/knots into the ball.  Didn’t catch them when they went through the carriage and managed to knit about 25 rows and incorporate about 4 knots.  Tink tink tink on the needles.  Twice, because I didn’t catch that I had taken out a bit of shaping too.

Ready to start shaping from the waist to the  bust again.  And then short row the front and it’s off the needles.  I have tomorrow off and I’m planning on knitting the sleeves and getting them out of the way.   Right now my plan is to MK all the pieces, assemble what I can and leave myself nothing but hand work to go.

Nice plan, lets see how it goes.

Comments on the blog.

How are you doing with your deadline plans?

Comments on the blog.

Spent some downtime at the stylist this evening flipping through a new knitting mag.   Not hard enough to review, it but rather like window shopping with the pictures.

Hope your knitting is progressing well.

Comments on the blog.

MKer’s we’re everywhere.  Sometimes you just have to ask.

What’s on your needles?

Comments on the blog.

Hope your day had a higher dose of fiber fun.

Comments on the blog.

A friend has suggested that while her husband is out of town we should be able to hang out without worries. (Note I don’t worry about what her husband thinks.)  I pointed out that would probably be waiting around for the gas company to finish their work in the house on Saturday.  So there may be a knitting day at my house.

I’ve made my 11 so far and will be heading back for more after I post.

How’s you holiday knitting going?

Comments on the blog.

Bob checked in and said she had some complications the past two weeks but they are hoping she can come home this week. If he’s not at the hospital, he’s working.

While the thunder growled, the lightning lit up the night and the rain came down, I cast on for the stocking.  I got through the ribbing and the first 35 rows of the intarsia pattern.  I currently in the middle of the section that is intarsia and garter stitch, so it’s kinda slow at the moment.   But I’m more than a third through the intarsia and hope to finish this part tomorrow.

I got an instant message from one of my cousins tonight asking to be re-taught how to knit.  This is kinda funny, because little Emily is her daughter.  It’ll be interesting to see which one it sticks to first.  Emily really wants to make a hot pink and lime green blankie for her babies.

So I’ve more than made my 11 for the day.  How about you?

Prayers and mojo are more than welcome for Heather and comments on the blog.

I also spent time working on the mitten working on the main patterning for the hand of my mitten.  It would be further along but I forgot to increase for the thumb gusset and had to rip out about 5 rows of color patterning.    I was knitting at my sister’s and I think my niece was reassured that she isn’t the only one who has to visit the frog pond on occasion.  While I was there my niece got a quick lesson on how to do the next 14 rows of patterning for her slipper before she can start the heel.  K3tog is making her a bit frustrated, but she does seem to be getting it and she is learning to read the stitches.

How has your 11 gone?

Comments on the blog.

While two of the staff at this shop have known me for years, the new one and several of the customers kept asking about my sweater (Nagano).  When one of them asked if I had made it, the sales woman just started laughing.  She told them that if they had known who I was they would have never asked the question.  “Lori can make anything.”

I stopped at a different LYS to see if the new Rowan Lace book had arrived.  I ran into a couple of friends, one of which immediately showed me the new top she had MK in Rowan Comfort  Cocoon on her bulky.   Again the sweater drew comments although this time M. informed the LYSO that I had made it on my midgauge with the help of my computer.

After chatting for a while and trying to convince another friend that she really should try MK,  I headed off to Joann’s for the real purpose of the fiber trip, returning the ballwinder and swapping out my too long zipper for one of a better length.  The ballwinder went smoothly, I had a receipt.  The zipper not so much.  It seems that Joanns assumes that if you don’t have a receipt then you must have used a 50% off coupon.  I bitched, no other word for it.  They don’t issue that many 50% coupons and  who would use one on a zipper.  I basically told them to give it back I would cut it to the right length rather than let them rip me off for a new zipper at full price.  They rang the new one at 50% off too.  I had planned on buying a magazine but stuff it, I had had it and left.

I did make headway on the secret project and hope to finish this weekend.

How’s your weekend going?  Heather appears to be having a good one with two surprise and very welcome visitors.

I have had a couple of days of real knitting… swatches swatched waiting for them to sit then wash then dry… what to do? what to do ?!

swatches

I have a heck of a stash so Tuesday while I waited for my swatches I knit up a few pairs of booties and a couple hats. Kept thinking if I could have all the machines running I’d get through my stash faster.

Hats n Booties

What are all the swatches about? Well, I have a bunch of grand victims and I intend to make sure they each get a hoodie at Christmas. This year I am starting early. It’s October and I need to do 10 of them in a variety of sizes. I’ve decided to go youngest to oldest as the younger ones haven’t had a hoodie from Gramma yet. I started with Lana. She is getting a Pink and White Hoodie with picot edging. Here is a picture of her Hoodie this will be the only one I show because … my kids might see it and might share with the victims.

Lana is too young to worry about her first hoodie from gramma. She’s got diapies and burps to worry about busy busy…

There is another grandchild coming I did say that my kids will keep me in Grand Victims. So I’ll wrap up all the Hoodie knitting with a hooded cardi for the newborn.

I approached my machines yesterday wanting to knit up a quick yoga mat or kitchen rug because of a conversation seen on Ravelry that referred to rag rugs on the machine. I LOVE RAG RUGS!!! Unfortunately my machines were possessed. I’ll worry about exorcism today. Instead I started on a SECOND project. A pattern that my good friend Laurie in Washington suggested to me. It’s OSCAR!!! I think this is great and we should all wear one when we are in a mood.

Here is a picture of a pair and 3/4 sock that I made from Shepherd’s Wool (love this product) That I finished February 25th. I always have fun with socks because after I knit the whole sock I examine it closely. 3 times out of 5 I’ll find a mistake and rip the sock back out. Not to mention those events when I want stripes to match but I digress… here is a great pair of socks and 3/4 of a third (it had a boo boo) to show what can be done with 1 hank of Shepherd’s Wool on the Mid Gauge Knitting Machine. MAO’s Warm Up Sox pattern was used. I bought the wool at Knitting Today.

The other project is The Susitna. Except I only did 1/2 the project and was working on the Mid-Gauge with Worsted Weight Cotton Fleece from Brown Sheep. I’ll write it up and post with the original Author’s permission if given. I just knitted it today.

Half Susitna on the Mid-Gauge

OK 1 Skeiners!!! This project is brought to you by 3 flights of stairs. I love the Susitna bag. I’ve made it before and perhaps even blogged about it. I wanted another grocery bag and this is the pattern I thought of… HOWEVER… I wanted to knit on the midgauge and I had this one skein of Cotton Fleece. I had to make it work.

I knitted the bottom of the bag as normal. Then for the bag body I knitted about 30 rows (roughly) using all needles. Then switched to EON (letting the stitches drop early) and knitted another 40 or so (Total 76 rows as opposed to 150 rows) I switched because my Mid Gauge didn’t love the full bed cotton worsted. It was hard to knit. Switched and went like buttah. Knew I was running out of yarn so after 76 rows I went ahead and switched to all needles again (rough going but worth it) for a total of 4 rows then cast off as suggested and knit the handle. I LOVE the Shoulder Strap on this bag. It does not dig in and really shoulders the load. I cut the strap width down to 30 stitches 15 mb 15 rb.

Knit until I was about a yard from the end of my skein. Moved the rb stitches to mb and knit one row manually elongating the stitches. Cast off with the latch tool. Then worked the stitches into the otherside of the bag. Eventually I’ll write this up as a pattern on its own crediting the Susitna bag for all its worth (which is a diamond). If the author allows me to do so.

My finished project ends up being a wonderful bag I can use to carry fruits and veggies at the Farmer’s market without killing anything. Pictured it has several pounds of yarn packed into it.

ANOTHER THING… since I am behind in podcasting I have to say this right here right now. My copy of More Hand Manipulated Stitches arrived today. Susan Guagliumi has written what is sure to become a hit amongst machine knitters. Full color photos through out tech, samples and patterns. Charts in color (OMG can you say god sent?) Patterns well written out. I have not read every word but took time to peruse. Thank you Susan Guagliumi. For another well written and valuable machine knitting reference. And to all those who collaborated and assisted and made it happen. AbsoFRICKENlutely fantastic. I’ll comment again when I actually knit a pattern from the book. Its gorgeous and wonderful to look at for now.

The book is available from many dealers, Amazon & from Susan’s website directly. Get it now.

There is a bad news good news situation.  Sadly, Helen Griffiths  who had originally been scheduled to demonstrate has had to cancel.  The good news is that Heather Thompson has been invited to bring her Basics for Machine Knitters to the event!  Wait… thats me!  

I’ll be joining talented machine knitting demonstrators: Kathryn Doubrley, Mike Becker,  and Jan Richards.  For the machine curious or beginner,  right on up to the most experienced machine knitters we’ll be offering a series of 1 hour sessions that will inspire and motivate.  The classes are up and you can review all the offerings at Fingerlakes Knits.  Hope to see you there!

To the point…

Patons Classic Wool in Chestnut Brown &  the varie is Rosewood knit on the Silver Reed Midgauge w/ Ribber.  The tie is fulled a little bit so that I can cut it to shorten.  I haven’t decided how long or short to leave them yet so … they are what they are.  Quick to knit and fits perfectly.

Those of us that have experienced the joys of static electricity know that it will stop your holiday speed machine knitting dead in its tracks!  Its knowing how to deal with it that will get you through these dry times.  There are many quick and easy ways to resolve static electricity build up and get your carriage moving.  First lets look at why static electricity is going to impact your ability to knit.

Is your knitting schedule full of yarn and gifting plans at the last minute?  Did your household heat get turned on in the last month?  If so … you know that your household air is dry.  When you mix dry air, fiber, and metal parts that touch each other repeatedly you will have issues with static build up.  This will cause your carriage to “lock up” or be difficult to move it will also make your yarn stick to itself in ways you might not expect.

SO… how does this happen?  Well if my linking skills have worked properly the words STATIC ELECTRICITY are leading you to the wiki which discusses Static Electricity. Ultimately an electric charge can build up on the surfaces of your machine bed as a result of contact (friction) based charge. Your carriage and needles are rubbing against the yarn and the effect on the machine bed is the same as that of your hair when you rub a balloon against it. Instead of its hair standing on end the charge causes the carriage to make a grinding sound and become hard to move.

Now we fix it. First and foremost, if your machine and yarn are becoming electrically charged the air in your home is probably quite dry. This can cause problems with sinuses as well. Something that will help you, your machine and your family is to add humidity to your home. This can be as easy as boiling some water on the stove, or keeping a pot of water on or near the fireplace. This will release moisture into your household air in the form of steam. You can also purchase a humidifier or air ionizer for use in key areas of your home.

Once static is a problem you’ll need to take some quick and easy action then knit on with joy. The first line of static defense is keeping your machine clean and lubricated. A clean machine offers less loose fluffy fiber for exchanging electrical charge between fresh yarn, bed and carriage. Lubrication acts as an anti static agent.  In the same realm is the use of a dryer sheet. A dryer sheet run gently down the bed of a machine removes static just that fast.  Its not a permanent solution however.  Over time the anti static agent will wear off. So you need to re-apply. I personally am not fond of this resolution. I don’t enjoy handling dryer sheets so a permanent solution needed to be found. 

Consider that many metal bed knitting machines have electronic components near the bed or within the carriage. Static discharge on or near these components can damage them beyond repair.  Are you scared silly now?  There are several permanent ways to resolve static electricity from building up and being a problem.  There are Anti Static devices that can be connected to your machine bed which re route the potentially damaging static and release the charge harmlessly away from sensitive parts.  These attach to your machine bed and are grounded away from sensitive parts.

Yarn itself can be treated to ease static build up. Placed in the freezer for a few hours will add enough moisture to allow you to knit happily until the yarn has been in the dry air for awhile. It can then be returned to the freezer. Many people use Lori Lynn Yarn Spray with great success. This is applied to yarn placedd in a bag.  This has to be re-applied as you knit down to uncoated fibers.  Wax is another anti static agent.  Many machines have wax holders built in.  The wax coating is very light and washes out without special handling. Refills for the wax holder are available from any dealer. Consider these wax refills even if you don’t have an actual wax holder. Yarn can be threaded through the hole and have the same effect. Tea-light candles with wicks removed can also be substituted. The wax refills for knitting machines are smaller and lighter weight you can purchase them no matter what machine you presently own. Wax also smooths fibers when working with extra fluffy yarns making them easier to knit with.

So what did I do?   I had an urgent need so a handy copper scrubbie is in use, and has been to the point that I forgot that static could be a problem.   A new user’s issue reminded me about static problems and knitting machines.  

 I know there are other methods and ways to correct and avoid Static Electricity.  Add your comments about your resolutions!  You can email photos of your anti static resolutions if you’d like to share them here.  You never know who you’ll be helping!

First off, I haven’t moved  far.  A total of about 5 hours from CNY to Leominster, MA.  However much is going into storage and remaining there until we have a permanent home again.  Our big old house with my ginormous Knit Zone going up on the market.  So we are moving into a smallish apartment. Luckily its just me and the Hubby. Can’t imagine having to do this with kids. Obviously my Knitting Machines would be lower on the totem pole.  But its time to pick the machines that will be in use for the next few months.  I know I am not alone in all this and hopefully my thoughts will help others!  Writing about it certainly helps me.

I am taking and setting up for immediate knitting:
1) Silver Reed Mid-Gauge Electronic w/ all its bells and whistles.

These items are being packed and kept in my Mini Knit Zone for not quite so immediate needs:
1) Singer 360 with Ribber but the ribber will be stored nearby.
1) Bond USM (Super Sized) Boxed for easy storage.
1) Storage Container of project yarn and works in progress
1) Bag of scraps and miscellaneous skeins for Charity and Xmas Knitting.

All of this will need to be contained in a small 4×6 (or less) area of our apartment.   Probably quite close to our designated office space.

I have several WIPs & Projects that I MUST knit.  1) Tutti Frutti – MAO Pattern that I had set aside due but want to finish badly. (Singer 360)  Happy to report that this machine is up and I started working on Tutti Frutti on November 19th!  I had to stop for the weekend and had some problems with yarn.  Its Monday 11/23 and I haven’t touched it today.

2) Portia – A Berocco Sweater Coat with lovely cables and ribbing.  (Mid-Gauge w/ Ribber)  This is the one that I’d really like some better tools for working with.

3) SOCKS – I have so much sock yarn! (Singer 360) and sock yarn doesn’t take up much room.  I also happen to have 2 single socks for my husband that were knit on the Mid-Gauge so I need to knit the mates because he really really enjoys wearing the Mid-Gauge Socks I’ve made.

3) Spending more time with DAK on the Silver Reed Mid-Gauge so I can utilize the full power of the  machines and this program.

Wait wait why am I taking the Bond?  For the extended Bed & an emergency Bulky bed.  I have in the back of my list of things to knit several wedding afghans.   Additionally, I am of a mind to addict others.  You never know who you will meet at the yarn shop right? 

 I thought I’d spend some time working on the Blog site.  Adding and updating  Machine Knit Blogs & Feeds.  If anyone has a Blog they think I am missing let me know?  While I recorded the Podcast I was working on these updates and found myself mired in a bit of a quandry over one of the sites I was going to add.  I guess this is the fun of recording “live” as it happens work on the Blog pages.

I did not re-record the videos on Rag Hem use yet.   I had a couple of ideas that will demonstrate even more clearly the ease of use of a rag hem on any machine.  I’ll get to those by the end of next week!

As promised the poll.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

I’ve been thinking about this and will solicit input from others on these book reviews as we go along.  Like I’ve been saying my opinion isn’t really that important.  Its the eye of the beholder.  So once we know what book its going to be I’ll be soliciting calls on the book and YOUR opinions too!

^Right Click & Save Target as for the podcast!

WOW.. thats pretty much all I have to say…  but I say a WHOLE bunch more in the podcast that is being published along with this entry! 

Here are some links, I discuss the event in depth in the podcast.  There are things I forget to mention though.  I just want to say a public THANK YOU to each of the Demonstrators and Vendors!  You’ll find their links permanently to the right in short order.  You should visit the links as you read this though.  Add them to your favorites.  There is new info at each site as to seminars and new products.  VERY WELL DONE!  WOW!

Please support these folks in their future efforts!

Silver Needle’s Fingerlakes Machine Knitting Seminar  Next year’s event is April 23rd & 24th 2010!  MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Carolyn Barnett - FABULOUS INSPIRATION!!!

Ileen Levy - AWESOME IDEAS & SHOPPING! 

Mary Anne Oger - AMAZING!  has anyone seen the magazine site recently?  Thats kind of fun! I just went there to make sure I got the link right. 

Charlene Shafer - ROCKING MY DESIGN A KNIT WORLD!                                  Charlene brought our attention to a new Tamm yarn … called Bebe… which is offered in many solid and variegated colors.  Check it out!

BT YARNS – FOR YARN SHOPPING!!!  In addition to their sales check out the neat new clip for attaching patterns to our yarn masts!

All the attendees!  All of you.  There are no words for the fabulous attitudes and camaraderie that I hope we all experienced.  Without you these events cannot be a success.  This was a great event and I appreciate having met and enjoyed your company.

My pictures have not come out well so if you care to share pictures please comment!