Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Post-Christmas post

Hope you and yours all are well during this warm holiday season! It has been so long since I posted, I almost forgot how to do it. Carson and I just got back from seeing Memoirs of a Geisha. Beautiful movie, but as usual, the book (from Audible) was much better. Now, on to knitting-------------

This is the first photo of a recipient of some of our knitting! Isn't she precious---this is Zia, one of Helen's granddaughters. She looks like she really likes her poncho and hat, and I think it is safe to predict that she will have a fondness for shoes, just like her Nana' (the accent is on the last na of Nana). It is wonderful to see the finished objects on their intended!

As many of you know, some of us took a Navajo weaving class in Mesa that started before Thanksgiving. Here is a photo of of Helen's rug in progress on the left and Shirley working at her rug on the right. Here is a photo of mine, finally, after 5 looooonngggg weeks-----------


The classes were held at the Fiber Factory in Mesa. If you've never been there, give your self a treat and go. They have not only a great selection of yarn, but all kinds of weaving looms and supplies, spinning wheels, etc. Their classes range from beginning to advanced techniques in basketry, dyeing, weaving, spinning, knitting, and crocheting. The people are really friendly. Call me if you want their address/phone # (my # is 343-4910).

When you roll your cursor over the title of this post, you pull up a link to a site called "Magknits". Before the holidays, I mentioned that this bag made out of recycled denim jeans would be a cool knit-a-long. I needed something unique for my mom, I decided to knit a prototype for a knit-a-long, and give it to her. The instructions are all straight-forward, and I am glad I did the prototype. I learned a BUNCH of stuff that will hopefully make our knit-a-long easier. You will need 3 pair of jeans, some sharp fabric scissors, and access to a sewing machine. My pitfalls will ease your passage through the project. Here's the photos--

I still have a bit of remodeling to do--put a toggle on it, move my tag on the inside, loosen up the lining and put some stiffening in the bottom. I did mine in stockinette, the pattern is written in the round and calls for garter, which is knit one row, purl the next when you are in the round. I am going to email the designer and find out why she recommended garter vs stockinette. I also decided to cast on 40 stitches and make it a handbag instead of a tote. The inside has 2 of the Levi backpockets appliqued on either side as big pockets. It did turn out cute. But warning---hard knitting. Not technique wise, just because of the bulk. I used size 11 needles. And it does shed, but it is washable. You have to sew the ends of the strips together, there is no way that you can knot them as the pattern suggests. I know that some of you are quilters, and you will have a MUCH better idea about how to "harvest" the strips after removing the waistband, pckets, and inseams.

That's about it from the Land of Knitting! Hope you are all well, and happily knitting away. Tentatively, our next Sunday will be January 8 at 1PM at Papa San, Home of the KnitWits!
Onward----------------

Thursday, November 03, 2005

October 30, 2005


Ahoj! (that's hello in Czech) Beth finished this little cap--it has a pico trim which is actually kind of an easy-but-looks-hard ?? Does that make sense? And the body of the cap is interesting too, kind of a slip stitch. It turned out cute, and I finally figured out a way to take close-up photos using the seat of the chairs as a back drop!

I did not take any other photos this Sunday. But I promise to pay more attention next Sunday---See you there!

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Knit On!

Hola! We gained a couple of new members today----Shana Quintero and Cathy Johnston--welcome! It is always nice to meet new faces--every new person adds a new dimension to our joint creativity!

By the way---here is a link to a website that can be found by running your cursor over the title for this post--it has animations of techniques that are easy to forget--like casting on. It is a big help if you are rusty at a particular technique.

There are some cute finished objects to show you--This cute hat was knitted by Beth--she not only knits but crochets as well. She did and i-cord trim on the top with a tassel on the end and it really looks cute.


This little poncho was knitted by Linda for a special little girl--MacKenzie.Not only did she do a poncho, but it has matching booties and hat!href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/515/1307/1600/IMG_0498_1.jpg">We really need to dedicate a couple of posts with the cherished recipients of these outfits--wouldn't that be cute? This little one is definitely a cherished babe.

Remember I said that DeeDee was a prolific knitter? Well, here is proof. She started this scarf, inspired by a pattern from the Little Book of Scarves today---and---she finished it today! She used "gi-normous" needles, I think a 35, and Lion Brand Thick and Quick, Tape (I can't remember the name), and a glittery small yarn--1 ball of each. It is really cute--a great Christmas idea! And here is her completed poncho that was in an earlier post.She already did at test-wear of it on the beach and it kept her nice and warm! It is a combination of multidirectional scarves and some garter panels. And all in Yuma High colors!

Here is my green "Loopy" thing. It has grown since this photo, and will be completed be next week. I got the pattern from Knitty.com, a cool website with free patterns. The designers are people of all different kinds--just like you and I. The models are regular people too. Here is a link to the Loopy scarf--
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTloopy.html

Knitty is an e-magazine published 4 times a year. You can access all of their patterns by clicking on archives. The archive is sorted by type of garment--pullover, shawls, etc. And did I mention it is a free subscription? Definitely a cool website--=

That's about it for tonight! I finally will post on time! Hope to see you all next week--Until then---KNIT ON!

Sunday, October 16, 2005

Sunday, October 9, 2005

Hey! I am a whole week late in this posting! Hopefully, no one went to knitting last Sunday. Those of us that were there that Sunday decided to wait for 2 Sundays since several were going to be gone the next Sunday. Does that make any sense? (We skipped a Sunday, back to normal on October 22) Any how, I have some cool photos! We started knitting in our circular room as usual, but the power went off, so we opted to sit out front with the natural light from the windows. Check out the projects---

Who are the Mystery Knitters? Lets's see, I'm just not sure---maybe we will have to be on the lookout for some cute little tykes running around in these garments when it gets cooler? These are about as cute as you can get, that's for sure! ?

Beth has been working out a knitted cap--sorry, the photo turned out too fuzzy. I have not yet mastered the close-up. Here is Deb with her Tenessee Charlotte--that's loyalty to the max!. And with her is Carmen, who is a new addition to the Knit Wits and is working on a scarf out of chenille. She is doing a great job, don't you think?




It was pointed out that I dodge the camera by being behind it all the time, so here is a photo of Charlotte version 05.3. Yes, that's my 3rd Charlotte. Who knows, I may do more. Or I may start a Charlotte-support group. You know, as weird as it might sound, I kind of miss not having a Charlotte around. It has such a nice rhythm to it.

I am still in Providence, and this is something I picked up and started here. By the way--my red Spirit of the Southwest shawl is done and I have worn it on this trip. I will post a photo of it next week.
This will probably be finished so that I can wear it to the Yuma/Cibola game on Friday. And I will bring it on Sunday too. It is made with one skein of a really tlhin yarn--this is Kid Seta mohair, and a think and thin, this is Colinette Pointe 5. with a size 17 needle. It is a free pattern from Knitty.com---roll your cursor over the headline, it will take you to the Knitty page. Knitty is a free online knitting magazine. Check it out--You will like it!

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Our Knitting Circle

Sunday, October 2, 2005
OK--treat yourself to a cool webpage. Run your cursor over the title "Knitting Circle", and click on the link. Click on the double cast-on thumbnail. I just think this is the coolest page, especially if you know you are missing one part of a technique. Check it out--

Charlene started this scarf last Sunday, and bound off today! She already has a hat in the works to match. More photos this weekend of the completed duo!


This little poncho and hat were made by Linda in a ribbon yarn. You must see this set--the poncho has drops and she designed the hat to match, complete with drop stitches too. The lucky little girl who will receive it lives in a warm climate, so it will be perfect for her. Also-----this is the yarn Linda dyed with orange Flavor Aid. Her husband Danny found a mohair to go with it while they were at JoAnn's. The variation of color in the yarn and the flecks of yellow in the mohair really bring out the lights and darks in both yarns.Linda---Please bring these next weekend to show those who weren't with us last Sunday. They were both fast knits, and I really love the depth of color in the dyed yarn.

Gotta go--I have 2 shawls to block for show and tell next time. 'till next Sunday--Onward!

Monday, September 26, 2005

Ahhhhhhh, Knitting!

Sunday, 25 September 05
Have you noticed how good you feel after an afternoon of knitting? It's like your ruffled feathers have all been soothed and you feel ready to take on the new week. And especially after visiting JoAnn's. If you haven't made it yet, it's a must. Allow yourself plenty of time to feel, smell, cuddle, and listen to their yarns. Several are calling me now. If you have a 40% off coupon, Wednesday is the last day to use it. Hours are 9-9 Mon-Sat, 10-7 on Sunday. No affiliation, just a knitter who is happy they are here.

They have such a great selection of yarns that you could spend hours putting together different combinations. And what a great selection for someone who is just starting to knit. Speaking of new knitters--meet Charlene! Check out this scarf she started on Sunday out of a thick chenille. All this in just one afternoon! The chenille looks very different knitted than on the skein. It almost looks like a bobble or popcorn stitch. I heard a rumor that it is already begging to have a hat to match. Check it out next Sunday!

Shirley visited Unravel in Flagstaff last week and found this great yarn. It is going to grow into a poncho for a very deserving little girl who loves pink and purple. This yarn is really nice to the touch, and doesn't feel as though it would be too warm for our climate. It is always fun to see how the colors stack in a yarn like this. Two knitters could knit the same exact same garment and they will turn out differently. It depends on your gauge, # of stitches you cast on, and your needle size. It really is fun to knit with a yarn like this, and the one in the next photo.

This mystery model is giving a demo of the sock-grown-up-into-a-slipper that Linda made. I think that this is Lion Brand's Thick and Quick yarn. It will definitely take the chill off of a cool morning. I think this is the 2nd, maybe 3rd pair that Linda has knitted? And her dye-your-own is exquisite. I apologize for not taking a photo of it. The colors are really saturated. She said that the smell of the yarn dyeing in fruity Flavor-Aid combined with the aroma of a pot roast she was cooking was almost too good to be true. Who is that mystery model???

Shirley completed her lace moebius---here is is all ready to be kitchener-stitched together. Must see and feel to appreciate! Fran is doing a poncho---I think this is new yarn from JoAnn's? Ahhhhhhh, knitting. Sooothhhhing knitting.

This is the time of year everyone starts thinking about Christmas--some of us are further along than others! This scarf Helen is working on will undoubtedly have a hat to match and will be given to a darling granddaughter. I will publish photos of the recipients if you all will send me digital photos!

That's about it this time! I have an "uber" examen en espanol manana. I have procrastinated long enough, time to go study.
See you next Sunday at Papa San's at 1!

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Super Sunday

Hello everyone! We had another creative afternoon at Papa San. Before I download the pictures, I have to tell you about Linda's Dye Your Own experience. She dyed a couple of skeins today, with great results. One skein looks like the inside of a mango. Can't wait to see them---she said it was really easy and mess-free. Bring them Sunday Linda!

If you run you cursor over the title Super Sunday and click on it, you will be taken to the One Fine Yarn website. They have this cool animated technique section that I just found tonight. Check it out--

Here is Cheryl on the left and Shirley on the right. Cheryl is knitting a baby blanket out of a fluffy, yummy yarn. It looks like it could float in the air.
Shirley started her Firenze scarf last week. She frogged it back to the beginning and started over aqain. Knitting trivia---Frogging is a term used when you rip out a lot of stitches i.e. ("rippit, rippit similar to ribbit-the sound a frog makes"). When you tink, you take out one stitch at a time, usually using your needles to "un-knit". Tink is knit spelled backwards. The yarn Shirley is using is soooooo nice and soft, it will feel great against someone's neck.

Here is Judy with her throw. Wait until you hear her story. You know, the more you knit, the more you incorporate your life story into your project. Years later, you remember that part of your life while you were creating your project. You recall trips you took while knitting it, what was happening in the world and in your life during this time. If Judy's throw could talk, what a story it could tell! Someone passing by Judy's car saw her knitting bag. They broke her window and stole the bag. She was heartbroken when she found it missing, as you can imagine. Someone found it, with it's contents strewn down their alley, including her Denise needle set and her gear bag with accessories. The throw was off of the needles. These people found a receipt from Michael's, and went there to see if the manager would be able to trace the owner from the receipt. They did not want to assist in the hunt. The people went to YPD to see if anyone had reported the theft, to no avail. They called the paper, and the person they talked to recognized the description of the bag because Judy had just called to place an ad. What a story! Today, she put it all back on the needles and is ready to continue. There are some wonderful people out there who admired the project and knew that she would be missing it terribly. Bless them!

Here is our newest member, Beth Masse. Check out this afghan. It is absolutely gorgeous. You have to see it in person next Sunday. It looks great on the reverse side too. It is all crochet, and has cables. Beth crochets and knits. She is one of the managers at the new Joann's store in Yuma Palms. Joann's officially opens this Friday. Word is that they may have a "soft opening" a couple days early. So fellow knitwits, we need to keep up the patrol! I have made several reconnaissance trips by there the past week, but now we have some inside information! Beth says that all of their merchandise is beautiful, and they are well-stocked. They are not considered a super-store, but they have almost all the same things that a super-store carries. I know that we are all anxiously awaiting their opening. This is THE week! Welcome Beth, we are glad you came!

Sunday, September 11, 2005


Hello out there in Knit Wit land! We had a fun time again today. Fran and Deb are showing you their newest projects. Fran is starting a poncho in a cool bubbly-yarn and Deb is venturing into the land of felting with a design all her own. More photos of these projects will show up in All Things Knitterly's subsequent posts, so check back often!





Linda and DeeDee are working on their projects--remember DeeDee's poncho using multidirectional strips? She is doing a solid strip here that will be incorporated into the poncho. Linda is knitting little mouse slippers. The foot is made from Homespun that has a brown and black marled appearance. Just like a mouse. This week, I got up close and personal to some mice at my mom's. I caught four mice on 3 traps. Linda's yarn is the perfect color, trust me. Can't wait to see them next weekend. I will take an upclose photo, I know they are going to be really cute.






Here are the two Shirleys--Shirley on the right is new to our group today. That's what makes this so fun, always new people with new ideas! Keeps all our creative juices flowing. Shirley on the left is showing her Seaman's Scarf with the ribbed neck. That's Seaman's with 2 A's, not the 5 letter kind. Shirley on the right started this diagonal scarf out of Firenze yarn, and it is verrrrryyyyyyyyyyyy soft. The lucky recipient of this will have a nice cozy scarf this winter! Welcome Shirley!


Who is the masked woman hiding behind her Charlotte??? Helen, of course! She is doing the croXXXX finish work on the bottom of her masterpiece. Maybe it will be ready to wear next weekend? More photos of this labor of love as it gets finished---

FYI----the latest on the Kool-Aid dye your own: anyone interested is invited to come to my house next Saturday, September 17 at 1 PM for a demonstration on dyeing your own yarn. My address is 1525 S. 33rd Drive, the first street west of Reagan School off of 16th Street. My house is about 7 or 8 houses down on the right, with bright blue awnings and a mailbox on a stack of rocks. Even if you don't have your yarn, feel free to come by and watch. My phone is 343-4910. It is truly easy and NOT messy!

See you next time at Papa San's at 1PM! Happy knitting to you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

4 September 05


We had a great session last Sunday at Papa San. In this photo, Fran is showing her latest creation. You have to see this scarf, it is so unusual! I think Fran has a great sense of color.


Shirley is starting the "trust-me-it-really-is-easy-Charlotte". Really, it is. Honest. Truly Easy, right Shirley? Only 2 (count 'em-2!) pattern rows. You do have pXXX on the backside. But, that's the price for it being easy.






And here is DeeDee, the most intuitive and prolific knitter I know. She is full of great ideas and actually finishes them, unlike myself. This is a poncho that she is making out of multidirectional strips. Great for those cold(er) football games. The texture is great. Come see it next Sunday!








Here is Deb with Marilyn, the newest member of the Knit Wits! Marilyn is not new to knitting, but has a renewed interest. In this photo Deb is showing her some new techniques. We are glad to have you with us, Marilyn!







We are going to do a group gathering in the very near future on Kool-Aid dyeing. If you are interested, check out the website that is linked to the date on this blog. It shows you which flavor makes which color. You can order the yarn from
knitpicks.com It is called color-your-own and comes with great yardage and price in 3 weights--worsted, fingering, and lace. Even if you don't have yarn and want to watch, it is a great, easy, and non-messy project. Honest. Trust me.

Stay tuned for more Kool-Aid info! KEEP ON KNITTING!

Sunday, August 21, 2005

August 21, 2005

We are all back and knitting away! We are all working on different projects and planning what we want to do next. A couple of us are finishing up our Charlottes and will be glad when they are done! We are thinking about our next group project, looks like several people are interested in Kool-Aid dyeing, so that may be the direction we take. So much creativity, so little time. Day jobs have a way of cutting into our knitting time. If anyone wants to check out the Kool-Aid website that we were talking about, click on the dateline on this post and it will lead you to the Knitty site with dyeing info. It has all kinds of great information, including the colors that each flavor makes.

DeeDee and Linda are prolific knitters--here are there loopy scarves, as well as DeeDee's multi-color bag that she designed hersef. Linda has a pair ofsocks on the table too.




Fran is having a great deal of fun with her loopy scarf. Yes!!!It is fun!!! Even when you rip it out and start again!!!






Deb and Sarah are one of our mother-daughter teams. Sarah is showing her cool fingerless gloves. She is leaving next week to go back to college in northern Arizona, where her hands will be nice and toasty. They are both wearing the feather and fan shawl/scarf that Deb made out of a kid/mohair blend. Maybe when Sarah goes back to college she can email photos of what she is working on and I can post it here. Good luck with classes Sarah!


When we get together it seems like time just whizzes by and before you know it, it is 4:30. It really boosts your creativity to see how others interpret a pattern with their own colors and yarns. We feed off of each other's creativity. Can't wait for next time!

Sunday, July 31, 2005

We Meet Again!



We reconvened today at Papa San's. Everyone has Charlottes in various stages: Done, close to being done, need a couple more repeats, etc.
In this picture, Sarah is modeling her hat, knitted out of Simply Stripes by Lion Brand. She is starting a scarf to match. Sarah has been knitting for a couple of years, and is well-known for her love of hats. Her mom taught her to knit. She is in the 8th grade. Way to go Sarah!


DeeDee and Helen are busy at work. Helen has blocked her wine-colored Charlotte, and is getting ready to do the Icelandic Bind-off before the final trim. DeeDee has taught herself fairisle. She is working on a pattern that she designed herself. It will be a tote bag. Waaaay too cool!

Shirley's Charlotte is coming along--she took time off from it for her daughter's wedding this summer. Deb escaped before I remembered that I brought my camera. She has a beautiful feather and fan scarf out of kid mohair that begs to be touched. Linda is starting a sock out of self-striping yarn. I will publish photos next week. We will be at Papa San next Sunday at 1PM. 'Till then, Happy Knitting!

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Kool-Aid Easy Charlotte

Whew! Just got back from San Diego. A "suicide" trip over and back to have the last of the body systems checked. So far, the skeletal, sensory (visual), respiratory, integumentary, reproductive, and endocrine are all "A-OK". Ready for some serious
knit-klanning.

Here is the absolute "koolest" thing I discovered this summer. The photos show the before and after of my Black
Cherry Easy Charlotte.


I dyed this fingering weight merino with Black Cherry Koolaid, and just a touch of Grape. The yarn is from Knit-Picks, is about $3.50 a skein. Including shipping and 12 packs of KoolAid, this comes in just under $20.00. Contrary to what you may think, this is NOT MESSY. The fiber soaks up all of the pigment. You know you are done when the Kool-Aid water is clear. You could dye your project after knitting if you wanted.

This is a Lily Chin pattern, and as she states, it is the EASIEST lace pattern you will ever work. REALLY! TRUST ME! OK, I know you aren't finished with the tempestuous Charlotte yet, but don't be prejudiced against this Easy Charlotte. Here's the good news--NO graph, NO stitch markers, and only 2 pattern rows. And boo-boos are even easier to fix. The back is purled. I know how we all feel about purling, but the knit side is ultra-fast so it makes up for the purling. Besides, you don't have to pay attention to your knitting on the purl row, so you can look around and see who is watching you knit in public. Or, you can see how fast you are driving. (just kidding-) This is TRULY a great virgin lace project. You can use any size yarn and the needle size appropriate for the yarn. Hard to believe, but this is a "no-brainer" project. Remember the great shawls that Fran made for her mom and aunt? This pattern is just as easy.


time for KNITTING!

Ready for KNITTING!



Here are a couple of summer projects----
This is a way-cool scarf made out of 1 ball of Eros Extreme, Eros, and Galaxy. You only cast on about 12 stitches, 3 on each side are kept in garter, the center 6 in stockinette. You only bind off the center ones, then gradually unravel the sides. You tie off each loop. Waaaaaaaaaay cool. Cost is around $30 for the yarn, unless you don't have these "GI-NORMOUS" size 19 needles. I will bring it to our first group.

I

Friday, July 15, 2005

Charlotte Basics


The first photo shows my Alpha Charlotte before blocking. This photo shows it after blocking, during an inspection by Tang. Since I have seen many questions regarding the Charlotte instructions on Knit U, I am going to describe a couple of worksheets that my fellow knitters use. Oneis a spreadsheet. It shows the number of each right side row, along with the total # of stitches for that row. It also shows how many stitches should be in the "growing" sections, and how many lace repeats on that row. You can also write in which of the 4 pattern rows (i.e. A, B, C, D) that particular row should be. The other page contains the written instructions. All you really need is the spreadsheet and the four row, 8 stitch repeat. That really is all you need to look at. Trust me! If you think these may be of help, by all means email me and I will be happy to forward them to you.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Charlotte's Web Shawl


This blog will be featuring, among other things, a group of knitters who are navigating through the creation of Charlotte's Web Shawl. It !will feature different shawls, and our ups and downs during the knitting process. We all started our shawls the second week of April. At the beginning of June, we all went on sabbatical from our Charlottes, and will reconvene at the end of July. Tune in frequently for photos and written updates!