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.

You’ll find the MK World Live Event Information here.

MK World Live is seeking instructors and demonstrators to fill the online classroom!

As was discussed in Episode 17 putting a plan into action can be a challenge but ohhh the results! I spent hours agonizing over every detail of this project. It wasn’t a pattern that had been laid out perfectly for a Machine Knitter. Its a hand knit pattern as I’ve mentioned before. Then of course the challenge of how I knit vs how the pattern was presented. Application of the techniques from HK to MK and the severe shortage of tools as mentioned in the podcast.

Having muddled, persevered, charted, measured and remeasured. In the end resorting to mixing my hand knitting *gasp* with machine knitting. Its ok no yarn or needles were harmed! I learned through wonderful excercises in frustration that led to amazing success. A few techniques came out of this as well so all in all it was wonderful.

Oh did I mention I finished? I am super pleased with the end product. A little forethought and planning went a long way. I added a button because … I could.

Portia knitted by Silver Reed Mid-Gauge & Hand

Portia Back

Portia Side

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In this Podcast Episode recorded in July 2009 (I am SO Sorry!) I conduct Burn Tests on newer fibers.   You get to listen and the pictures I refer to are posted here.  Some of the content on the podcast is repetive from other podcasts.  Which is why it was not posted.   However, there are several areas in the podcast in which newish info is discussed and I request YOUR help!  So please take part and have fun with our ability to do so!  To apologize and because there has been discussion of rag hems on one of the MK Lists and I thought as a more current (yet old) topic I’d add my instructions for a  weighted rag hem.  Its at the bottom of this post the pattern is exceedingly simple.  There are videos on use included in the PDF file so fair warning its a huge file.  Don’t download it unless you gotta have it.  I’ll work on that issue.

Here are the photos from the burn test. (There are additional comments about the Podcast below)

I’ll post the spreadsheet related to these burn tests as soon as I can.

 This podcast was recorded in July 2009 and I apologize for not posting it sooner.  I comment on Olwen Carne’s illness and contributions to Machine Knitting and am sorry to have heard that she has since passed.  Please do take a moment and share your positive thoughts with our machine knitting friends and families  facing the passing of loved ones, illness or other tribulations.  If you know of someone personally send them a kind note and let them know you are thinking of them.   Yes today.  Right now this very minute.

Another podcast note on the question about favorite Cast On Methods.  Yes the information provided is correct and Machine Knitting comments or questions are welcomed. These will be shared in subsequent Podcasts for Machine Knitters perhaps even answered by special guests!

I spent some time this afternoon writing up and getting Just Another Rag Hem put together.  I’ll be updating the file with some new videos and will advise when its done to my happiness.  Its rough but I think it is technique of value and interest today.  The FILE IS HUGE as it contains 2 videos.  So if you are on dial up? I have finally updated to provide a smaller file Just Another Rag Hem No Video added. Enjoy!

Again video bonus added there so if you haven’t seen it you might want to go back in time and check it out.

I’ll be recording a podcast later this week .  If you’d like to be part of the podcast and I’ve talked to you about doing it… make that easy phone call.  If you’d like to be part of the podcast but don’t know how send me a quick email  (isrbrown AT twcny DOT rr DOT com just replace the capped words with their symbols before you email)  I’ll give you the secret number and a few tips.  You can ask questions, talk about Iwannaknit whatever you want.

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OK so I had some time, lol had some time.  I took some time today to do some technique swatching for Portia.  Remember Portia?  If you don’t click on Portia and you’ll see a picture of it. 

I have  to ensure that I will be able to knit Portia on my mid gauge.  I hadn’t gotten that far.   The body says:” I mean I know “I can” come hell or high water, and I don’t care what side B says. “  I knew that it is probably not going to happen on the chunky.  WHY?  Well the needles on the chunky are 9mm apart.  The midgauge? About 2mm less. You wouldn’t think 2mm would be critical to the success or failure of a project, but they are.   Its cabled which means stretch to the next set of needles is going to be harder on the chunky than on the mid-gauge.  Side B was sure of this.  Side A convinced the body to try it.  So an attempt was made on the chunky resulting in failure.  Immediately turning to the mid-gauge even lacking a 4-prong tool the cable is very doable.  The Heart & Body now know its better on the midgauge.  YAY!  YAY! YAY! YAY!  Everyone is happy.

Technique swatch knitted on the midgauge.

Sign up here

Susan G. will be there.  I do not know her teaching plan but frankly hope to fit a class or two in to my own schedule.  Michelle Teasley, Anna McClellan and JoanMcGowan-Michael are also on the teaching team.  

Do you think it will be un-cool for me to fall down and let Susan G know that I worship her?  I mean it in a totally knitting and non-religious manner.  I mean I think on sight I may faint or at the least squeal.  Very unproffessional, I need professional help on this.   I felt this way with Lorna & Teena   last year and upon meeting  found people just as human and nutsy as I am.   Glad to call both friends.

I am teaching 3 classes this year.  Basics, Artful Knitting & Sage Gauge.  I am most excited about Sage Gauge.  I am a student of gauge myself.  A great deal is changing about our fibers, their content, and of course, dye.

Basics this class is one of my regular offerings at Iwannaknit.  If you wanna knit on a knitting machine this is THE class to take.  I can take you from setting up so it works, actual knitting and  casting off.  In this class you will learn more about  actual knitting on ANY type of machine than in any other hands on course.  Jargon, tips, tricks, tools, reading patterns… everything.  Everything YOU need to know to get on the right track with YOUR machine.  We have 2 small projects that are intended to be completed during this class.

Sage Gauge is something of a compilation.  Its not all about my opinion, its about fiber, knitting and treatment .  I have my own secrets.  Since I can’t seem to get them to prove out … I decided to study gauge in depth.  Its totally about fiber, knitting your swatch but in the end… its about how you treat the swatch.  Some math comes into this picture but its sooo easy! We are going to put our heads on this issue and students are going to come away with knowledge and confidence ready to take on their next mystery design projects!

Artful Knitting In this classroom adventure students are going to learn so much about putting color into their work.  OK OK … so I am not a color whiz.  I depend on artists  or photographs to create my Artful knitting.  Artist or not, you will come out of this class familiar with the joys of Intarsia and Fair Isle Work.    From a manual standpoint you will be able to create pictures and colorful work with your machine.  This is critical for successful activities using automatic features in machines that can handle these artistic effects.  YOU CAN knit a work of art no matter your machine.  I will show you the many ways of getting there.  Manual and computer based  techniques and programs will be demonstrated.

Other than enthusiasm I think the neatest thing I have to offer as an instructor is my willingness to take on challenges that others might not.  I teach basics for metal and plastic beds.  I love that hand knitters are interested and exploring machine knitting.  I don’t think you have to have the latest upgrades to make it work.

I welcome all of my students to email me and stay in contact. Success rocks my world.  Failure or blocks make me feel useful when I come up with resolutions.  I don’t have all the answers but I sure try to find em!

I’ve figured out why I love Intarsia… to me it is like cross stitch I used to love cross stitch.

OH and as a P.S. Darn good thing MK World got rescheduled our entire Cable system went down in my area for hours!!

If you don’t know about MK World Live you can go there.

OK so.. Dye Day Results.

 I gave myself an A+ For Yarn Diet adherence on this one.   I am not sure what this hank was supposed to be eventually.  It was intended to be dyed quite some time ago.  But, it was ready to go and I needed dye ready pre-owned yarn.

For this event we were using Jacquard and Pro Chem Dyes under Carrie Barraco’s careful tutelage.  I feel like I could do this on my own but I hope whenever I do dye work that I am able to have friends to join me.  It makes it that much more fun.

For this hank of yarn I asked my dye mates for help.  I wanted something not purple so of course I had to pick Grape Juice I wanted some brown, so I selected chestnut, I wanted a little brightness so Key Lime was the choice.  Someone else had been using Salmon before I started at that workstation and I decideed that would look great.  Carrie got me started and I followed.
Now this is a sock blank.  I kinda went crazy.  They had syringes.  I am thinking I’ll invest in squirt guns for future dye day fun.   (just a thought!)

The same colors are in this sock blank as above with added turquoise, and fuschia.  Wait a second… where did the yellow come from?  I don’t remember putting yellow in there.  LOL well it was an adventure and these will be fun socks!  I’ll do a before and after blog entry when I knit them up so we can see how this insanity ends up.

So that was fun.  While we waited for our newly dyed yarns to set and rinse.  We sat around and talked, knitting, spinning, fiber in general, projects and all kinds of wonderful things fiber.

I kinda failed with my yarn diet because the sock blank was a purchase (thank you Julie). Once the topic turned to spinning and I had active spinsters nearby I decided to look at the roving that Carrie had available.  So I broke down and bought two. Here is a picture of one.   I was told that this would spin up wonderfully since I am a beginner.  I have another braid of Corrieadale that is pinks and browns.  I am looking forward to playing with those.

Here I share a picture of my first bit of yarn.  Its WAY over spun very uneven and frankly looks like crap.  I am going to knit myself a little bracelet or an anklet from it. 

Most of my friends know that DH is not enjoying the effects of the economic downturn.  Although we knew that last December.  Unfortunately for us.. it got bad for EVERYONE.  So the yarn diet must be very strict going forward.  I’ve or We’ve been VERY bad lately about yarn purchases (he is such a fabulous enabler) what with Portia coming soon.  Oh and then there is the Afghan for a certain young lady. 

Can you identify this?  Yeah, I had to go buy the yarn for this one too.  Sheesh.  I am bad.  But its going to be gorgeous and I am having a good time knitting it.  I love projects like this.  Very directed BUT… I get to pretend I am artistic and make a few subtle changes to the design as I go along.

Someday, I’ll get a podcast up.  In the meantime you get to deal with my ramblings and picture saturated blog entries.

I don’t know if she’ll like the beads I picked out to decorate it but.. I’ll remake one more suited to her tastes. But here is the the one I made for now.

Orifice Hook for my Friend's Spinning Wheel

Mission Accomplished!

We headed out after this and because I had a mission we stopped at The Knitting Connection a LYS that Bob has never visited. He enjoyed the yarns while I compared socks with the other knitters, and discussed the Noro knots to some degree. We also remembered that I have some Koigu KPPPM which isn’t carried locally btw, purchased at the Quarter Stitch in NOLA. I could in honor of Mardi Gras knit that into something today. My mission (and I did still have one) however was not completed. There were ideas and options tossed around. I found out that Northwind Yarns & Weaving had re-opened in Oswego.

I was torn, I knew the CNY Machine Knitters were meeting in a land near a casino… not terribly far away. Should I continue on my mission? I looked at BT and considered spending the day and smiled knowing that any day spent with BT is a good day. We continued our mission. I hope to hear good things about the CNYMK meeting that I missed. It will be the first one I’ve missed … ever!?

We made a very slight detour and stopped at another LYS so I could show him around Sheep Thrills. He liked this store a lot. (YAY!) He was looking at the pattern books and we found one that I loved the cover picture and ALL of the patterns (how rare is that) it also happens that all of the patterns are easily MK converted. So we went looking for the yarn that goes with the pattern. Now my goal was simply to get a look at the yarn and make a substitution, we found it fresh from the UPS guy and not even checked into stock yet. Oh my fresh yarn … it doesn’t have a scent but it has a feel. The pefect color… purple with red slivers and more mixed in. Oh my yes. Gasp. He’s looking at it and basing its price on his experience. He knows a lot more than the average MK Widower. He was headed towards the $200 mark with his pricing fantasy. I looked at Beth and meekly asked the price of the yarn… what? YAY! I get to actually knit a pattern with the actual yarn called for?! How unique! I am very excited about this process. Because instead of trying to match the gauge with another yarn, I know I can get the gauge required with very little tomfoolery. Oh and did I mention this is an HK Pattern? Yes. I’ll be machine knitting it though. So there will be tomfoolery but the Portia Pattern is extremely MKable. I left with the yarn for the project, Berroco’s Peruvia.

My Peruvia in Purpura

OH my mission. Once we finished at Sheep Thrills we drove to Oswego in the hopes of completing the mission. An ulterior motive was to enjoy each others undivided attention and company. Our goal was Northwind Yarns & Weaving. When we found the establishment (located at River Commons on 1st Street in Oswego) it was closed but I know when it is open now and will stop back. I may complete my mission tonight anyway.
It was a fun day. I wanted to share. Do you want to know what my mission was? I cannot tell because its a secret mission. Did I not mention that part?

Here is Garment # 1 for 2009.  It is a hat.  The only cool thing about this hat is that I came up with the knitting plan using my brain.  Some of you are wiping the sweat from your brow and saying WOW thats fabulous… not so much its a hat. 

GAM KAL 1-2009 Hat in the round on a head

Gam KAL 1-2009 Hat in the Round

Garment # 2  for 2009 is a UFO still.  My first attempt did not work out as well as I had hoped it would.  This is completely my own fault.  Its a shrug and it will fit someone.  Just not me, and that was the intent so this effort receives an F.  I made a mathematical error in recomputing the pattern.  I usually knit a pattern exactly how I am told the first time I knit it.  However, I would like to share the fabric that will be the Shruggity Shrug that I will get knitted as soon as I can sit down at the darn machine again.

Fabric for the Shruggity