tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17219188028895291182024-03-05T17:57:34.404-08:00it's about the knittingknitting, yarn, lifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-52570324101225209532012-09-01T08:07:00.002-07:002012-09-01T08:07:46.237-07:00Moving!I've moved to <a href="http://kidknits.blogspot.com/">kidknits.biz</a>.<br />
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See you there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-30099177457163761862012-04-17T16:14:00.010-07:002012-04-18T05:40:50.463-07:00Long Story ShortThis has been one hell of a year, but I'm going to jump to the latest:<br /><br />After making it through open heart surgery in February, I designed the Wholehearted Shawlette as testament to myself that my knitting mojo is back:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8S64vEAteK6X1VSyidx3T0RyizLV0VfDB_vwBEpvTVqIEx-5Z9GpPoUqZ9k6VWvPoEfb8DQJCcmvpxFgpLMWJ4SDMwjjHy50kwKyoXrnodszPSePTlgXoBhPRk9nGCtJyKr1JpdqK5yLD/s1600/Wholehearted+flat++3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8S64vEAteK6X1VSyidx3T0RyizLV0VfDB_vwBEpvTVqIEx-5Z9GpPoUqZ9k6VWvPoEfb8DQJCcmvpxFgpLMWJ4SDMwjjHy50kwKyoXrnodszPSePTlgXoBhPRk9nGCtJyKr1JpdqK5yLD/s320/Wholehearted+flat++3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732514389447953778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In mid-March, my daughter bought the building she's been living in for the past four years, and at 25 became a home owner and a landlady to the downstairs tenant.<br /><br />Last week, the building next door caught fire, and it spread. She’s ok, but things are in shambles.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc7EEM9wtwjSxDIPMqyC2eWHbhBUzVusdWUc7hRaMBU8Wox2WX1rsYgDNCX7bgyMak9QDeJEubrrx66eEeEzXFK64EzhA4-Ccxh0IheqvlvC0-FONOqs2_uHu6KD0nZeBVORbZQ0tJuwl/s1600/Allie%2527s+living+room+4%253A9%253A12+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc7EEM9wtwjSxDIPMqyC2eWHbhBUzVusdWUc7hRaMBU8Wox2WX1rsYgDNCX7bgyMak9QDeJEubrrx66eEeEzXFK64EzhA4-Ccxh0IheqvlvC0-FONOqs2_uHu6KD0nZeBVORbZQ0tJuwl/s320/Allie%2527s+living+room+4%253A9%253A12+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732518126280240338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />From now through the end of May, the proceeds from Wholehearted will go towards helping her re-build and be whole again.<br /><br />The response to this on Ravelry has been wonderful: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/savannahchik">Jody</a> has a pattern giveaway on her <a href="http://www.savannahchik.com/2012/04/a_few_gifts_for_you_all_on_my.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+savannahchik+%28savannahchik+knits%2C+sews%2C+cooks%29">blog;</a> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/Andigal">Andi</a> is also having a pattern giveaway on her <a href="http://mysistersknitter.typepad.com/my-blog/2012/04/sharing-the-love.html">blog</a>; and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/projectstashEL">Evelyn</a> is having a KAL on her <a href="http://www.projectstash.blogspot.com/2012/04/from-heart.html">blog.</a><br /><br />Aren't people amazing? And wonderful?<br /><br /><br />You can find the pattern on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wholehearted">Ravelry</a>, or you can buy it here: it's $5.00 either way.<br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/erika-flory-designs/95513"><img src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-56432053336631543192011-05-04T12:46:00.000-07:002012-05-16T08:04:47.134-07:00A Hat for a Cat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAxy0sJFfg76p51ztNPOT3UM8sZ3f4GfPlqwTmnkIjVE0mTIS-CkRjcp9ybY5CG0J7zXbHfEGJMoLfqI-jmIvlX_Y8Ke5m93bV8bVANM_iAubtjkBGME07rEmWLZNJTfMdpwIyBZ6Xo2H/s1600/Henry+in+hat.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAxy0sJFfg76p51ztNPOT3UM8sZ3f4GfPlqwTmnkIjVE0mTIS-CkRjcp9ybY5CG0J7zXbHfEGJMoLfqI-jmIvlX_Y8Ke5m93bV8bVANM_iAubtjkBGME07rEmWLZNJTfMdpwIyBZ6Xo2H/s200/Henry+in+hat.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602951426910338818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_XTezVRlXRJmeYUh8GK0BYTSvrp28N2OgOtD8LTO3whp9dysIsTD08fPNmWdOvSYYu5GCI9EpOlZJ0X3lKiYbRWEFkZZ9ccZ3G2fjkIccw1XIo0CprEP86XKnOGB89oIZvwuF7jBeQMw/s1600/Chuck+in+hat.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_XTezVRlXRJmeYUh8GK0BYTSvrp28N2OgOtD8LTO3whp9dysIsTD08fPNmWdOvSYYu5GCI9EpOlZJ0X3lKiYbRWEFkZZ9ccZ3G2fjkIccw1XIo0CprEP86XKnOGB89oIZvwuF7jBeQMw/s200/Chuck+in+hat.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602951372488904946" /></a><br /><br />I couldn't not make this for the boys. Fortunately, they both look good in red and are willing to share (No, Chuck, I insist it's your turn today. No, no, Henry, it's <span style="font-style:italic;">your</span> turn.)<br /><br />While they both look fetching, it was very clear very quick that they really don't like hats. But you can make one for your cat, and maybe your cat will wear it. You can get the pattern on Ravelry. It's called "A Hat for A Cat". I'm just glad I didn't decide to make them pants.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-75746745533038352322011-04-23T16:07:00.001-07:002011-04-23T16:14:54.794-07:00Mental FlossWe're in the process of selling the country house we've had for 17 years. It's hard. For all this time, it's been a place to take the kids when the city summers got too hot and they could run a little freer; a place to go without the teenagers when there was too much attitude; a bolt-hole from the stresses of parents in dementia and other conditions. We all know that it's time to move on: we don't use it much at all and none of the kids seem to be interested, but it's hard. There are a lot of memories in that place, and even when we're there to clean up and clear out, there's the sense of quiet and calm and away-ness that is absent in everyday life.<br /><br />Within a couple of months of settling in, we put this picture on the kitchen wall:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqnOqwDKxv0Sts-xvoejcFD6UwoPIya9C-cXXP7MyuEMgAJNQGiTHzAFayzDXvsJvtft0sVOnx24HtSyLSShoxbOTX905dLYY8btJ-LZn7L3-jbwxMOpKKMOPILXMECDfox6iv7TB4AiN/s1600/mental+floss.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqnOqwDKxv0Sts-xvoejcFD6UwoPIya9C-cXXP7MyuEMgAJNQGiTHzAFayzDXvsJvtft0sVOnx24HtSyLSShoxbOTX905dLYY8btJ-LZn7L3-jbwxMOpKKMOPILXMECDfox6iv7TB4AiN/s320/mental+floss.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598920555442114050" /></a><br /><br />It's exactly why we went there. It's hard to let go.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-52649789362142883142011-04-20T16:18:00.000-07:002011-04-20T16:23:10.569-07:00The YarnoversAllie and her friend Jennie have just launched their Etsy shop, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/theyarnovers?ref=pr_shop_more">The Yarnovers</a>. It's filled with crocheted kitchen items: hand towels, aprons, oven mitts, coasters, pot holders, etc. They've been working very hard for the last couple of months, designing and making their inventory, creating the background set for photography, and now it has all come together.<br /><br />Good things do come out of hard times: these are two smart, educated young women who have applied for about 100 jobs between the two of them, with no responses. So they're making it happen themselves.<br /><br />Check it out. Buy some towels. Have some fun.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-1581115357226554182011-04-19T16:09:00.001-07:002011-04-19T16:13:15.624-07:00MegaBusIn March, I needed an easy, portable project to work on while riding the MegaBus to New York, one that would interest me but not be difficult to execute while we barreled down the Jersey Turnpike.<br /><br />I cast on while we were waiting in line, tried a few different shapes and stitches while we rode, and by the time we got to East Brunswick, I had settled on a four-section shawl with the outer two worked in Stockinette stitch and the inner two worked in a slip stitch. The rhythm of working it was so right that even when I dozed on and off during the ride home, I didn’t mess it up.<br /><br />The day I wore it to work, all finished and blocked, both my co-worker and a customer wanted the pattern. So here it is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcETvR0R5zjjT2CKhxrdtX7pRPaa8RiMAIh8npyn6h7VK0HOi_RTr7N07eHVO074hMqAAbUKyco6B1HqZuGUFQ6fq-1CEowfQYcDASOot_5U1ElaILHs73XmUzam-W6WDE9TILRJo8tgM/s1600/MegaBus+shawl+steps+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcETvR0R5zjjT2CKhxrdtX7pRPaa8RiMAIh8npyn6h7VK0HOi_RTr7N07eHVO074hMqAAbUKyco6B1HqZuGUFQ6fq-1CEowfQYcDASOot_5U1ElaILHs73XmUzam-W6WDE9TILRJo8tgM/s400/MegaBus+shawl+steps+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597435873763151618" /></a><br /><br />It has proven to be quite popular on Ravelry; you can get your copy of the pattern here for $3.00:<br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/erika-flory-designs/63667"><img src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" border="0"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-87792714173334869222011-04-15T06:34:00.000-07:002011-04-19T16:14:36.955-07:00Tipped and SkewedTwo triangular shawls playing on the idea of placing increases so that the end result is an asymmetrical shape with curved wingspans that hug your shoulders. Both are worked in worsted weight yarn, work up quickly, and when wet-blocked, are much lighter than you'd expect.<br /><br />Tipped was first:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNuFYR0vRRottySRHPQUcK8AFtXMl8yvBJDzSv5qSZPP__ZR2SNxqObsxxu3cI-bAkqtOiAhI1iFmj7trsxVC84Rg8vAGcr3qdAUHKpAs-vp7ny-zmqHYVni5pd-LjrQeHDDvRWfPlXk_/s1600/Tipped+flat+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNuFYR0vRRottySRHPQUcK8AFtXMl8yvBJDzSv5qSZPP__ZR2SNxqObsxxu3cI-bAkqtOiAhI1iFmj7trsxVC84Rg8vAGcr3qdAUHKpAs-vp7ny-zmqHYVni5pd-LjrQeHDDvRWfPlXk_/s400/Tipped+flat+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595806003596984994" /></a><br /><br />Stockinette stitch is alternated with a garter ridge, and the edging is ribbing that widens gradually to create an almost-but-not-quite ruffle.<br /><br />Tipped is available for $5.00; you can get your copy here:<br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/erika-flory-designs/62096"><img src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" border="0"/></a><br /><br />I had so much fun designing Tipped that I wanted to take the idea and push it a bit more. That's where Skewed came in:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1jSR7sNhgHIYq7B0vT_IYQd7Ev-vFdy1F1o4-fKnK3bDd1_2NrnVGZJooeyGcXaROcuLBbdixrY6oSEo-CqKM5syBEQ7MTTxR2cH9SDQrsZ_50T5eZMUcxA0iLWEgySDCP2g-FA40uB1/s1600/Skewed+flat.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1jSR7sNhgHIYq7B0vT_IYQd7Ev-vFdy1F1o4-fKnK3bDd1_2NrnVGZJooeyGcXaROcuLBbdixrY6oSEo-CqKM5syBEQ7MTTxR2cH9SDQrsZ_50T5eZMUcxA0iLWEgySDCP2g-FA40uB1/s400/Skewed+flat.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595806207710045762" /></a><br />Skewed is Tipped Shaw’s bolder cousin: the colors are brighter, the center spine is more than off-center, the garter ridges don’t quite line up, and instead of ribbing, a vertical welt finishes off the bottom edge. The welt edging is worked with short rows to accommodate the curve of the bottom edge.<br /><br />Through April 30, Skewed is available at the introductory price of $3.00.<br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/erika-flory-designs/63423"><img src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" border="0"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-75937567124045667002011-04-11T16:33:00.000-07:002011-04-11T16:41:43.277-07:00ChangelingA design from a couple of years ago that is, I think, clever as well as practical and pretty: the Changeling Travel Changing pad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9jNoyxSAxtr2oYfhyphenhyphen5hTgI1aPfX6bs3usRvpbViPueNAWP3Nuhar0KHQ_jFmV8LfEHSeD8bK7XHBWKxZDyOpZl50_MBunh6V1qRdFAfwZMNI3MTokUGGBN1mjFEJlHXNRv0sBYC-y9lU/s1600/DSC00021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9jNoyxSAxtr2oYfhyphenhyphen5hTgI1aPfX6bs3usRvpbViPueNAWP3Nuhar0KHQ_jFmV8LfEHSeD8bK7XHBWKxZDyOpZl50_MBunh6V1qRdFAfwZMNI3MTokUGGBN1mjFEJlHXNRv0sBYC-y9lU/s200/DSC00021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594474081218349794" /></a><br /><br />Worked in Stockinette Stitch stripes, the center panel has garter stitch edging, and the side flaps are picked up along the sides. It fastens with a button, and is designed to fit around a pack of wipes or a couple of diapers so everything you need is right at hand. And if you knit it in cotton or a cotton blend, you can pop it in the washer as needed.<br /><br />This is a great project for a baby shower, as easy to knit as a blanket but more out of the ordinary.<br /><br />Folded up, Changeling measures approximately 11” x 7” x 2”, and opened up, it measures 26” x28”.<br /><br />You can buy the pattern at <a href="http://www.kidknits.biz/catalog/item/876020/6838451.htm">kidknits.biz</a> in either printed or pdf form.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-19822039433946747182011-03-13T15:53:00.001-07:002011-05-10T10:38:27.440-07:00FlounceMy newest design---<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahDVkJ1Gzwxs0M-cT2pNr6JqGWMsCjnIFNHifzWonlU_ptNx0VzZR5U1mQlkSWFgOc3POE3ESAK7XEFaSiGBJvqQWjBET-efx528FTM82AoTSX_6_tBxpVm01VyAbCcD5l3rEb9JyeRBC/s1600/Flounce.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahDVkJ1Gzwxs0M-cT2pNr6JqGWMsCjnIFNHifzWonlU_ptNx0VzZR5U1mQlkSWFgOc3POE3ESAK7XEFaSiGBJvqQWjBET-efx528FTM82AoTSX_6_tBxpVm01VyAbCcD5l3rEb9JyeRBC/s320/Flounce.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583703731200888578" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I used <a href="http://blueskyalpacas.com/yarns/skinny-cotton/">Skinny Cotton</a> from Blue Sky Alpacas which was a pleasure to work with. It's a 100% organic cotton that is soft, smooth, doesn't split, and has absolutely wonderful stitch definition. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMEFqwAVRVaceGzIPlbgGqh3ZvzDVOWoaq726uk4w-0a-jsFEgHd73tOUostSjDEjAMvlHQFGjNkR_ZsCDRGzg1luDO2Mtudgkx1yiuJ9k4aoCLQCCHn5q1JjRv9KoFXm59aF47Z0C2RA/s1600/ruffle+detail.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMEFqwAVRVaceGzIPlbgGqh3ZvzDVOWoaq726uk4w-0a-jsFEgHd73tOUostSjDEjAMvlHQFGjNkR_ZsCDRGzg1luDO2Mtudgkx1yiuJ9k4aoCLQCCHn5q1JjRv9KoFXm59aF47Z0C2RA/s200/ruffle+detail.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583703028798847010" /></a><br /><br />The dress is worked flat from the bottom up, beginning with the ruffle in the contrast color, and the shaping decreases are worked in the body rather than at the seams so there is the illusion of princess seams.<br /><br />I think a little girl will really enjoy the flip and flounce of the ruffle.<br /><br />Flounce Baby and Toddler Sundress pattern is available now to download on Ravelry for $5.00.<br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/erika-flory-designs/60548"><img src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" border="0"/></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-12952619722049525202011-03-10T07:01:00.000-08:002011-03-10T07:08:55.814-08:00Best Thing Since....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp-bN0vILz-N4Fabopz5RGpoVrPfhObHA3Gw5vqVx_HHGE0rM-wSb7sz4hc0_W0M5qHa51Z82Yz3X9hSaDI3BLTXwA4IcJp8Op3v84dxAdf03LDxj1F15F0RBNlQoDfSjeO0LnrY1G7_p/s1600/highlighter+tape.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp-bN0vILz-N4Fabopz5RGpoVrPfhObHA3Gw5vqVx_HHGE0rM-wSb7sz4hc0_W0M5qHa51Z82Yz3X9hSaDI3BLTXwA4IcJp8Op3v84dxAdf03LDxj1F15F0RBNlQoDfSjeO0LnrY1G7_p/s200/highlighter+tape.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582466748368317394" /></a><br /><br />..maybe sliced bread. <br /><br />I was working on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ginkgo-shoulderette-shawl">Ginkgo Shawl</a> and was having a hard time following the chart---my problem, not the designer's problem. I tried enlarging the chart and my eye still wandered and I couldn't keep track of where I was. And then I remembered that we carry the highlighting tape at <a href="http://www.loopyarn.com/index.asp">work</a>, and I picked up a roll.<br /><br />Immediate relief! I highlighted each row as I worked it, peeled off the tape and used it on the next row. What had been a long, hard slog became a quick knit.<br /><br />I can't wait to make my next charted shawl so I can use this again.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-50471730237507533132011-03-07T04:12:00.000-08:002011-03-07T15:54:30.475-08:00Breakfast of Champions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqn6z7nJa6N14pIitiEgry5m2OyUgeR5a7_E9zCeTWzUQ0Nkm21m-mff5GMw0WQE_VgYZx_xviG4KjXuDx4ITTniN730sJs3XhywzWmTC7PjmQFoELwM9EI6jvkFmI5Br_esXpEGw9t2J/s1600/hawk+2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqn6z7nJa6N14pIitiEgry5m2OyUgeR5a7_E9zCeTWzUQ0Nkm21m-mff5GMw0WQE_VgYZx_xviG4KjXuDx4ITTniN730sJs3XhywzWmTC7PjmQFoELwM9EI6jvkFmI5Br_esXpEGw9t2J/s200/hawk+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581310381371774162" /></a><br /><br />Up early this morning and noticed that Chuck was in the back room downstairs, thoroughly engrossed in the morning show of the Nature Channel: a hawk on the back wall having its breakfast pigeon. <br /><br />It was very calm, sitting tall and bending down now and again to have a bite. A squirrel approached, sat and looked at it for a moment, and then decided that going up the walnut tree and over to the opposite wall was the way to go.<br /><br />I know there are hawks in downtown Philly, building their nests on high buildings, but I've never seen one so close.<br /><br />PS: Found out from Cliff:"Red-tailed hawk. Eats mice, rats, squirrels, and cats. Not Henry." Always knew there was a reason to keep the cats inside.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-78052546057747981182011-03-06T06:31:00.001-08:002011-03-07T04:12:50.336-08:00Proud Mom Moment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKg-XMcOulSEJQE_JjrDJmsKjKLKR6-MAkGZVDvc9tNFHcnabITWYIMU_x9As8yBJde9EnHxsP2P_T2Ut51SeQJfR5hFHGZXjZNhPm0SOrgR3V8hhqi1JyxjMGkfLl39Aj8ojv6G5UxVG/s1600/images-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKg-XMcOulSEJQE_JjrDJmsKjKLKR6-MAkGZVDvc9tNFHcnabITWYIMU_x9As8yBJde9EnHxsP2P_T2Ut51SeQJfR5hFHGZXjZNhPm0SOrgR3V8hhqi1JyxjMGkfLl39Aj8ojv6G5UxVG/s200/images-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581309858427745986" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday, we came home from running errands and found a large envelope on our doorstep from Temple U, addressed to Allie, Do Not Fold marked on it. <br /><br />Her diploma was inside. <br /><br />BA in Spanish, Cum Laude. <br /><br />We are so proud of her, for finishing college, for taking lemons and making lemonade, amd for taking crushing disappointments and forging ahead.<br /><br />For someone who should have waltzed into any college she wanted (according to her high school teachers and college counselor and according to her grades, her test scores, her talent, her interests, and all common reason), this has been a long, hard journey with various set-backs. I know that the hurt of being rejected twice by colleges she should have been accepted to once will be there for a long time, but the resourcefulness that she has gained will serve her better and longer than a degree from any of those schools.<br /><br />She makes us very happy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-45065663282329889142011-02-27T06:15:00.001-08:002011-02-27T06:23:14.529-08:00On My Knitting Plate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaaap2CRiHzB98VRhIA-vTwutZMzPD4qY70SsCTCf2NANjRaWe2nAXGfHj5pwyIUDjmClQmdYehxMJQuCmslVVR-mXZlJ2mxfnISTS_0LXegK_NrI3O_eCMT55_fZ_tp5hnmmlKPVnMUw/s1600/knitting+plate.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaaap2CRiHzB98VRhIA-vTwutZMzPD4qY70SsCTCf2NANjRaWe2nAXGfHj5pwyIUDjmClQmdYehxMJQuCmslVVR-mXZlJ2mxfnISTS_0LXegK_NrI3O_eCMT55_fZ_tp5hnmmlKPVnMUw/s200/knitting+plate.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578373047379140562" /></a><br />My knitting plate is full. If it were a cup, it would runneth over.<br /><br />Right now, I'm working on a lace weight cardigan store sample for <a href="http://www.loopyarn.com">Loop</a>; a prototype and pattern for a kidknits baby/toddler dress using <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/yarn_detail.php?yarns_ID=18">Skinny Cotton</a>; a prototype and pattern for a kidknits shawl/scarf; and in the mail yesterday, a box of <a href="http://www.yarn.com/webs-knitting-crochet-yarns-valley-yarns/webs-knitting-yarns-valley-yarns-berkshire-bulky/">Berkshire Bulky</a> arrived from WEBS for me to do a sample and pattern for a wrap. And I just finished two proposals as well as a blanket for <a href="http://amyliedmanreport.blogspot.com/">Amy</a>, who has finally made it to rehab.<br /><br />I think that's all.<br /><br />What's on your needles?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-61290553826724536872011-02-25T10:33:00.000-08:002011-02-25T10:39:10.232-08:00Semi-Famous again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGiLe_GQY86ozRfC70tbD3jF3h0QK_mbM7ZmHspqcn4oLju_lSAhj1SB0JN2oxLATn9eCM3dYqpwwwZNa_vRpfG8fygOHibIkM9U664g-fo9pT_PhxCRXgBh2MYt-9A2DEdOFFGpUwsbp/s1600/sunset+stole+4+copy+2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 142px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGiLe_GQY86ozRfC70tbD3jF3h0QK_mbM7ZmHspqcn4oLju_lSAhj1SB0JN2oxLATn9eCM3dYqpwwwZNa_vRpfG8fygOHibIkM9U664g-fo9pT_PhxCRXgBh2MYt-9A2DEdOFFGpUwsbp/s200/sunset+stole+4+copy+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577698557820724114" /></a><br /><br />Today, I'm the featured designer being interviewed <a href="http://knittingrobin.blogspot.com/">here.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-39237595742402147002011-01-31T06:37:00.000-08:002011-01-31T06:43:29.707-08:00Semi-FamousA couple of weeks ago, a TV crew from our local ABC affiliate came to <a href="http://www.loopyarn.com">Loop</a> to interview Craig and do a piece on making your own stylish, chunky knits. <br /><br />Kathy and I continued on in the background, helping customers, winding yarn, etc., while the crew did their thing, including close-ups of us knitting (yes, Mr. deMille, we were ready).<br /><br />It aired on January 22, and <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=7912099">here I am!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-12851826570396572872011-01-26T05:50:00.000-08:002011-01-26T05:54:55.007-08:00Communication...with myself and with others.<br /><br />I spent yesterday morning working on the lace edging of a shawl for Susie. I spent yesterday afternoon ripping out the lace edging of a shawl for Susie. And then putting stitch markers at each of the 19 repeats and starting over. You'd think I'd know by now that I really, truly need to use stitch markers when working many repeats of a lace pattern.<br /><br />You'd also think I'd know by now that clear communication is very important when talking with the person who's about to cut your hair. Assuming that she understood what you want without repeating yourself and clarifying leads to (drum roll) a bad haircut.<br /><br />I can fix the lace much quicker than my hair will grow.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-6256202675804162872011-01-25T04:58:00.000-08:002011-01-25T05:11:27.168-08:00Processing.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYprv8maolzOXPqwdraiD9Msb8_wn9JU2ieifzeyHoKRJpFewiMXiprMQ50IET6gNeQ7gOl_fKvxFjWwOVoFCKHbQJQxFaEHVN7zGgSOovxTBavSTfMupAnS3Zmg25WLPV0vGfc1pZK9sa/s1600/yarn1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYprv8maolzOXPqwdraiD9Msb8_wn9JU2ieifzeyHoKRJpFewiMXiprMQ50IET6gNeQ7gOl_fKvxFjWwOVoFCKHbQJQxFaEHVN7zGgSOovxTBavSTfMupAnS3Zmg25WLPV0vGfc1pZK9sa/s200/yarn1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566108050007483650" /></a><br /><br />I got word last week that Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Company has been bought by Spinrite who is moving the whole production to Canada. This is upsetting to me on many levels: a family-owned, American business will no longer exist; 80 people are losing their jobs, among them my friend Flo Carlisle who has supported me so greatly and graciously as a designer; and on a personal level (petty when compared to losing a job), what will I do for my cotton yarn now?<br /><br />I've been using their Peaches & Cream for <span style="font-style:italic;">years</span>: when I was doing production work for my craft shows, then in my kits on my website, and also for a pretty good run of designing, including building all the designs in my book around it. It's a great product, great colors, soft, knits well, holds up well----what else can I say? Last night, I put in a pretty big order so that I'll be able to keep on offering my kits. When the yarn runs out, who knows what I'll do then.<br /><br />But meanwhile, I'm saddened by this turn of economic events. And I'm also sad that Allie and I didn't get to do our road trip last summer to visit Old Fort and meet Flo in person and visit their famous outlet store. My loss, truly.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-6268590231439454982010-11-17T15:55:00.000-08:002010-11-17T16:01:30.661-08:00TimeTime marches forward, even when we fall back to standard time.<br /><br />Next week is Thanksgiving, already, again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVOi43WbkH8A4OoJgb2LWd09n90mrjHghUF4hU3ngTBoATwH83Iv7BrhIzWht3qxYW4rSfuim_I51UtBjBrQr3zC4UnZSFm1uLmXRfvPEnOF6CDDYh7MSeO6sOl-7UX8ppw4BayrciFLY/s1600/turkey1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVOi43WbkH8A4OoJgb2LWd09n90mrjHghUF4hU3ngTBoATwH83Iv7BrhIzWht3qxYW4rSfuim_I51UtBjBrQr3zC4UnZSFm1uLmXRfvPEnOF6CDDYh7MSeO6sOl-7UX8ppw4BayrciFLY/s320/turkey1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540672132047801170" /></a><br /><br />Last month was Stitches:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoezDxHeEnDTKqJreMta2jOYOu0OAJlrhysjFa9Q7LCee3HCOlF5mYnSALu9C3ZJouYGxZ1K_9XJQsoeksIoqzd0-GG3cPn2gJyjWdPwlCp0u-m0HSNiv_2KKOfALfKwHo91dpY4Pky8E/s1600/GG+Colleen+Mara+Erika-Stitches+2010+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoezDxHeEnDTKqJreMta2jOYOu0OAJlrhysjFa9Q7LCee3HCOlF5mYnSALu9C3ZJouYGxZ1K_9XJQsoeksIoqzd0-GG3cPn2gJyjWdPwlCp0u-m0HSNiv_2KKOfALfKwHo91dpY4Pky8E/s320/GG+Colleen+Mara+Erika-Stitches+2010+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540672509705033474" /></a><br /><br />And next week it will be Jane's fifth yarhzeit, making Thanksgiving bittersweet every year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRdumuP3-LufxjE4o0aM9CfdrbHCexeZMHKsdgm6ETbUEit141eDxP_UzBkVP3m32ozRqHf12R-T-gEznHFbnEdyP4T7uwmaIsqbk2z8zQ8MQTtJ3Y-SarCJAlL1qWCKJku8d6rmdCvMw/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRdumuP3-LufxjE4o0aM9CfdrbHCexeZMHKsdgm6ETbUEit141eDxP_UzBkVP3m32ozRqHf12R-T-gEznHFbnEdyP4T7uwmaIsqbk2z8zQ8MQTtJ3Y-SarCJAlL1qWCKJku8d6rmdCvMw/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540672988107271090" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-17405362320229818932010-09-24T07:40:00.000-07:002010-09-25T15:08:06.541-07:00Coming Soon!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDvW8Fa3UXL1B5n1Qho_yUkD9gVZU_JciqtQwlBY-QS0Y0qJ7yRjhoouGLwGHtnBKZ8WKCZ-nVSBFs76bFTFgRQofE4FpigNi9DLctoYKXUpDm7PBalxpLNJ3-eFiAuVFFoxng69BZESX/s1600/calendar+cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDvW8Fa3UXL1B5n1Qho_yUkD9gVZU_JciqtQwlBY-QS0Y0qJ7yRjhoouGLwGHtnBKZ8WKCZ-nVSBFs76bFTFgRQofE4FpigNi9DLctoYKXUpDm7PBalxpLNJ3-eFiAuVFFoxng69BZESX/s320/calendar+cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520490378592292770" /></a><br /><br />Flo Carlisle at <a href="http://peaches-creme.com/">Pisgah Yarn </a> has been working on this project for over a year: a calendar that features exclusive designs using the Pisgah family of products with every penny (yes, every penny) going to support charities.<br /><br />This has been a major undertaking of contacting designers, co-ordinating photo shoots, printing, fund raising, talking to printers, etc., etc. <br /><br />She has done a mammoth job, and the calendar will be available this coming week. This will be a limited edition, so get yours while you can!<br /><br />May is my month: a mother/daughter set. I can't wait to get my hands on it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-41475089258104537932010-09-10T05:25:00.000-07:002010-09-12T16:13:43.923-07:00PoolingVarigated, hand-dyed yarns are beautiful, but they can be tricky to work with: I've found that often the yarn looks one way in the skein, another way when wound in to a ball, and then yet another way when worked up. It's always a surprise, and sometimes not necessarily a good one.<br /><br />There are different ways of breaking up pooling when you don't want that effect: alternating rows either by working with two different skeins or by working from both ends of the skein; working stripes using a contrasting color; or by working stripes using a contrasting color that is done in garter ridges. The last option has become my favorite: the texture and color of that garter ridge breaks up the pooling and adds visual and tactile interest.<br /><br />I used this combination in my original swatch for the Garter Ridge Hoodie which is in Petite Purls <a href="http://petitepurls.com/basics/b_garterhood.html">Back to Basics</a> section:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOX3w39Tgqtj3rl009cYm30t3Yxq6F-VIJlRFE1bzUbFptsvcB504gQUF2uSzrLaYNmhyphenhyphenE864-QDKsEtqT4-QrE89KNSY7rQmRIgcAOU47Vvekj7TO6YHHmpIA-U90N0k44w2bzcPQQ7O/s1600/garter+ridge+swatch+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOX3w39Tgqtj3rl009cYm30t3Yxq6F-VIJlRFE1bzUbFptsvcB504gQUF2uSzrLaYNmhyphenhyphenE864-QDKsEtqT4-QrE89KNSY7rQmRIgcAOU47Vvekj7TO6YHHmpIA-U90N0k44w2bzcPQQ7O/s200/garter+ridge+swatch+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516168793861767954" /></a><br /><br />When I started my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/10-in-2010-shawlette">10 in 2010 Shawlette</a>, I found the pooling just terrible, and, falling back on the garter ridge idea, ended up with a shawl that I love:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilSLKyfjb2YRKhQ4iSVi2kD96TUOmZlM5iooc6B9gzfiTQTyrrmstvkoCo0lZ4wjPoYlPTRii3iHKgTLUdRmDtvrvatvar-3CYq_4BqSF-fdgiqDeT9hrwMDrad5DEH2TPD4_0uVNacMb/s1600/10+in+2010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilSLKyfjb2YRKhQ4iSVi2kD96TUOmZlM5iooc6B9gzfiTQTyrrmstvkoCo0lZ4wjPoYlPTRii3iHKgTLUdRmDtvrvatvar-3CYq_4BqSF-fdgiqDeT9hrwMDrad5DEH2TPD4_0uVNacMb/s200/10+in+2010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516169082880096834" /></a><br /><br />A very gratifying result that I'll be using again. And again, most likely.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-44894390490191540852010-09-07T05:52:00.001-07:002010-09-07T05:54:03.456-07:00MmmmmmmRebecca's been making donuts:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbTxu_BXo1CyHnHUTgVosRHyWbnGRhkcH86ce8cLzs3Oxkjv7XEJXIE3eoUodCI0r_3T_xZbubKho9vVndUexhKD-FQ3H1DdkSgaQK2XkLU9XBYxrdsdB9bFTpH9pOnzmNdrIIwKfllhO/s1600/donuts.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 97px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbTxu_BXo1CyHnHUTgVosRHyWbnGRhkcH86ce8cLzs3Oxkjv7XEJXIE3eoUodCI0r_3T_xZbubKho9vVndUexhKD-FQ3H1DdkSgaQK2XkLU9XBYxrdsdB9bFTpH9pOnzmNdrIIwKfllhO/s200/donuts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514153680962171602" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday, she brought over plain donuts (which were divine unto themselves) along with chocolate ganache and vanilla glaze so we could dip as desired.<br /><br />Oh so very good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-83074623211434886812010-09-06T07:48:00.000-07:002010-09-06T07:54:04.657-07:00Fall SweaterI recently completed this great little sweater, <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/pattern_detail.php?patterns_ID=87">Eyelet Cardigan</a> from Blue Sky Alpacas:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAlxA2LnJIlpyupa3rsTlYpGC45NJincgJoMxBxocSF4eQ8RjgZbwMe1uogtm-UL4GLz7XoCL7qD0TkiKvN6JzCz6fr3GEs5bLkX-fDcPe3CAY_yn_hKyRb3l5UPop6xPt1QPR4JIPkqD/s1600/eyelet+cardi+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAlxA2LnJIlpyupa3rsTlYpGC45NJincgJoMxBxocSF4eQ8RjgZbwMe1uogtm-UL4GLz7XoCL7qD0TkiKvN6JzCz6fr3GEs5bLkX-fDcPe3CAY_yn_hKyRb3l5UPop6xPt1QPR4JIPkqD/s200/eyelet+cardi+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513813065392618658" /></a><br /><br />The yarn was from my stash, and is <a href="http://peaches-creme.com/quickshop930.htm">Peaches & Creme Worsted</a> in one of my favorite colors in this line, Butterscotch. <br /><br />The temperature needs to drop a few more degrees before this will be comfortable, but I do anticipate several fall days of wearing this.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-65368351248338032622010-09-05T05:54:00.000-07:002010-09-05T06:13:38.925-07:00kidnicsOr how did knitting patterns for babies become rolling papers?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrow8xYPtmvRKQUgcOELcyNC2UESLRBjuqIm4IxGfkXVLIoRM6m-aBm3KKnWqwEjBIsUpahRBSJ3AHI6B0ttoyikUCj5Cr9sf_G3-BlGVCGJwFLNfSO5gOCLwQ5Cw6z4W2VLo-eDM-Uta/s1600/baby+in+duet+back.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrow8xYPtmvRKQUgcOELcyNC2UESLRBjuqIm4IxGfkXVLIoRM6m-aBm3KKnWqwEjBIsUpahRBSJ3AHI6B0ttoyikUCj5Cr9sf_G3-BlGVCGJwFLNfSO5gOCLwQ5Cw6z4W2VLo-eDM-Uta/s200/baby+in+duet+back.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513415624904915666" /></a><br /> VS<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFGH5LuRFli1EESbSnOQPPCqqhIjhrOAxT7AMqqNo6_Nr1JoE70RNAoJHijJC_YlMMr_Nbzz96P_RFBGAfo6eyMJ8Sg25SK6E6Rf3TYlFdFHxiz47m3NG1QzGhnX_SCUb5nk4R7fWfadR/s1600/mint-bambu-flavored-paper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFGH5LuRFli1EESbSnOQPPCqqhIjhrOAxT7AMqqNo6_Nr1JoE70RNAoJHijJC_YlMMr_Nbzz96P_RFBGAfo6eyMJ8Sg25SK6E6Rf3TYlFdFHxiz47m3NG1QzGhnX_SCUb5nk4R7fWfadR/s200/mint-bambu-flavored-paper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513415934431554290" /></a><br /><br />Am I missing something here?<br /><br />I got a notice in the mail yesterday from the City of Philadelphia Department of Revenue (Life-Liberty-and You)informing me that their records indicate that my business may be selling tobacco and/or tobacco-related products. If so, I need to be paying taxes on said items or risk a fine of $5,000 plus interest and penalties. I was given a form to fill out, sign and return stating that I don't sell tobacco and/or tobacco-related products. Which I did. Promptly. <br /><br />I can only hope that this notice is going out to all businesses in the city, and that this isn't the result of someone carefully selecting those who should be paying this tax.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-82237589215390757112010-06-10T16:12:00.000-07:002010-06-10T16:33:22.944-07:00Ghosts of Knitting Past<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgjayEmbON39Srn_7ZY9IVPqnTsSvhu_VT3sl8tS2TyeSt9Uxnu9UNvBLdbRsvU67v1z2SPpNVXcrbp_HIjPHP_mwz0NNySAvoipnn5SuYL7dNlgdEKkkJKugIGtOUR1aKYAeJ1gefGfA/s1600/smartly-ribbed-001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgjayEmbON39Srn_7ZY9IVPqnTsSvhu_VT3sl8tS2TyeSt9Uxnu9UNvBLdbRsvU67v1z2SPpNVXcrbp_HIjPHP_mwz0NNySAvoipnn5SuYL7dNlgdEKkkJKugIGtOUR1aKYAeJ1gefGfA/s320/smartly-ribbed-001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481291001487375634" /></a><br /><br />This is a rant.<br /><br />In the last week, I've been brought face to face with other people's old knitting. And it's not pretty.<br /><br />Last week, a woman came in to the shop and pulled out patterns from the 1960's. Ok. Vintage knitting is Cool. Vintage knitting is In. But hanging on to old patterns because they're the only ones you knit is not cool, and actually is kind of stupid.<br /><br />I was being asked to figure out what yarn she needed and how much. The pattern called for x number of balls of a now-defunct yarn that once upon a time came in 2 oz balls. That tells us nothing. However, as I explained to her, the needle size and gauge will help us, along with an in-house cheat-sheet that estimates (key word here: estimates) how much yardage you'll need for a sweater. Size 10 needles/3 stitches to the inch: hmmmm, sounds like bulky yarn to me. (But, the customer says, the photograph of the sweater doesn't <span style="font-style:italic;">look</span> bulky.) Since I can't climb inside your head, dear customer, and see what you're seeing, all I can do is repeat the needle size and gauge and point out that the same (exact same!) needle size and gauge are here, on this yarn label.<br /><br />She has to think about it.<br /><br />The next pattern is from a kit that was packaged in the '60's; there is absolutely no mention of what kind of yarn was used. The directions give three different sizes that are based on changing the needle size----it could be fingering (baby) weight yarn, or dk (sport) yarn.<br /><br />Long story short, she ends up buying worsted weight for the bulky weight pattern (because the photo didn't look bulky), and some fingering for the baby sweater. <br /><br />I guarantee that she'll be back, and she'll be complaining because things didn't turn out "right".<br /><br />This is what I'm talking about when I say that knitters need to take responsibility for their knitting: just do it. Try it. Do a gague swatch. Think about what you're doing. But please, don't shift all of the risk and responsibility on to someone you don't know who can't see inside your brain. Come on.<br /><br />The other incident was being stopped by a neighbor who knows that I knit. She has a project that she's been working on for about four years,and she wants me to look at the directions and tell her what she's doing wrong.<br /><br />Again, can I really climb inside your brain and figure this out? I don't think so.<br /><br />So, the bottom line here is: if you want to knit from vintage patterns, do the math yourself---don't spring it on someone who doesn't really know what it is you want and is also trying to help four other people who are actually on the ball. Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying new patterns. It's ok. They're not that expensive (and there are a lot free ones crammed in the tubes, if you want to take the time to <br />look).<br /><br />And if you've been working on a project for four or more years, maybe it's time to frog it or just put it in the trash and start fresh. If you can't remember what you were doing when you put this weird piece of crap down, why do you think that my brain is somehow more magic than yours and I'll know what you were thinking and doing four years ago?<br /><br />Ok. Rant done.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1721918802889529118.post-79357397510825903652010-05-07T04:37:00.001-07:002010-05-07T04:42:14.654-07:00I WonIt took me a couple of attempts and a <span style="font-style:italic;">lot</span> of knitting math, but I have achieved what I wanted: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDkRS0-fPQQ-KcG7Vf6oEYtyCiQ-zVh4ybWTdgz0THUk_znMrJar3Mo5bp-nnkRSGFa1GeyzuYoBj-HHPVtgwxqzXna-0qGMjakmZa6m8-yW2UQKA0GWjAjN44aVZ3umfrsHp-HjEN-uz/s1600/alcott+shawl+back.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDkRS0-fPQQ-KcG7Vf6oEYtyCiQ-zVh4ybWTdgz0THUk_znMrJar3Mo5bp-nnkRSGFa1GeyzuYoBj-HHPVtgwxqzXna-0qGMjakmZa6m8-yW2UQKA0GWjAjN44aVZ3umfrsHp-HjEN-uz/s320/alcott+shawl+back.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468491193723123730" /></a><br /><br />Say hello to the Alcott Shawl. <br /><br />It's worked from the edging up to the neck which means that all the heavy knitting and thinking happens in the cast on and first 20-some rows. Then it's knitting and decreasing until the neck.<br /><br />The pattern is available for sale and download in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alcott-shawl">my Ravelry store.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0