Thursday, April 26, 2007

Yarn crawl halfway around the world



Ahhhhhhhhhhhh what we will do for yarn! Here we are in Florence (the one in Italy) with Beatrice Galli in front of her yarn store. I googled "yarn shops in Florence Italy" and up popped Beatrice's store. It was Monday before we left, and I emailed her for the hours for her shop, thinking I wouldn't get an answer before I left for Phoenix on Wednesday. I had an email from her on Tuesday. We looked her up, she has a wonderful view of the Ponte de Vecchio, a notable bridge lined with goldsmith shops. Naturally, we looked her up and dropped some serious coin. If you ever go to Florence, she is easy to find, and quite sweet! ! There were several completed objects on this trip, and one new knitter who cast on and finished a scarf (her first) during this trip. It even drew a nice comment from Beatrice, which is the ultimate compliment!
Here are my miserable Inside-Out socks in the Monsoon colorway from my Rockin' Sock Club. I have to really get busy on them, since my 2nd kit arrived today.
developed some problems with it om the trip, so I put it in time-out. I finallly finished the first and started the second yesterday. I have to get cranking on the second one so that I can dive into the new kit. I cannot knit on these socks in public for an obvious reason when you see the sock in person. Come to knitting on Sunday and I will show you why. Even so, they are very comfortable.

And here is the new yarn! I will bring it Sunday. It is a new blend of merino and silk from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Their sock yarn is proving to be absolutely yummy-delicious.



I can't believe that I haven't posted since February. Bring your knitting on Sunday, if you have any FO's (finished objects, as opposed to unfinished objects), bring them for photo acknowledgement. See you then!

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Why we do what we do

Here is why we do what we do. This is Bertha (on the right) and her sisters and niece, all wearing their prayer shawls that Bertha knitted for them this past year.





Here are three of her nieces wearing scarchos that she knitted in 06. She is a prolific knitter, and has at least 3 other shawls, socks, and felted bags. My challenge to all of us is to keep track of everything we knit this year. I think you will be amazed at how many things you make.





Meet Sophie, wearing her her newly finished pink hat! At 10, she is the youngest person that I have ever taught to knit. She and some of her friends like to knit at school recess. It is one of many special things that she does with her grandmother. Way to go Sophie!






Ady is a TA in my office. She is working on a scarf, but check out the scarf she is wearing. I gave my TA's who knit balls of yarn for Christmas, she has knitted hers into this great scarf. Way to go Ady!


Speaking of newly finished objects, here is Louisa running her waterfall--

This was the first project she undertook. She learned quickly and it became a boring knit. She has done several shawls, scarves, even a pair of Ugg booties. Way to go Louisa!






Here at last is my Urban Bubble Scarf! From the nice, pre-felting stockinette stitch, then with all the balls placed with rubber bands, drying on top of my crocs, and lastly, the finished product. It took 400 yards of a fine mohair 90% nylon 10% and about a zillion little wooden balls. It starts with 3 stitches, increases to 35, decrease back to 3 and bind off. Then, you put the balls the purl side, wrap a rubber band around the ball, throw into the lingerie bag and felt away. I will bring it for show and tell on Sunday. It is the most curious thing I have ever knitted. I will explain on Sunday-hope to see you there!

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Knitting on Sunday!

Come to Papa San on Sunday--and check out my ruffly-thing!