Fall is Here!!

Our Group is forging ahead into fall now, and lots of the people who were just beginners a few months ago are also forging ahead with their first scarf/shawl.   I find it so interesting to see all these yarns knitted up and what they look like compared to just in a ball on the shelf.  They really take on a new life.  The shop has offered Blossom Street for the Multnomah project and some are using this with a contrasting color and some are using a complete different yarn, as the weeks go on I will get some photos to share, but for now I have about talked Multnomah to death, but I gotta say its a fun, easy knit and I am making another one too!

The shop also has some yarn that sorta seems to be just sleeping right now, and it knits up so soft and pretty.  Its Berroco Vintage (oh I hope I have the right name!), and comes in lots of colors and soft heathers.  Its a worsted yarn coming in about $7 a skein.  Vicki has knitted up a red swatch in two different needle sizes so people can see how nice an soft and squishy it is, but I thought I would see what I could find through the internet of things that this yarn would knit up like that would give you OB's some easy holiday projects...So here you go - get inspired, check out Ravelry for some free patterns and get out of your comfort zone!


 

Spring Break ~ And Much More

 Another successful transformation from a ball of yarn to a wearable bit of couture.  One down, one to go!  Congratulations.   As the sock came down to the toe decreases the last step was to preform the surgery known as the Kitchener Stitch which locks the top and bottom stitches together to close up the toe.  Detailed images and directions are at the end of this blog.

 With much anticipation we are awaiting this little Red Number to come to completion - none of us know what this scarf pattern looks like, but you know its gonna be HOT!  Baby brushed aplaca! 

 Oh look who is happy, happy, happy!  She turned her heel!  Well, its not all that hard, but those gussets will be more exciting - promise! 

 Another of the fabulous blocks finished for the Heirloom Afghan.  I think this is Lattice pattern.  If not it sure looks like lattice!  Proud Ripley holding her students finished work!
April Block directions at the end of the blog.

 So much concentration, shopping and ball  winding.  Its not spring break in the shop.  Who heard of such a thing, us yarnaholics have never heard of it!

 Fast Sally's Passion Nette from Plymouth Yarn.   The shop has gotten in some of the wildest yarns and cotton's.  This is one of the wild ones, I can't resist a good challenge.  Its an open mesh cotton/acrylic made in Italy, from Plymouth Yarn. Its knitted up like the previous scarves we all have done.  This just makes me want to spend time on the beach.  Ripley has a hank of this in progress too.

Oh we are going to be so sorry to see you moving away, especially after we have nicknamed you SockAndreti.  Last week you cruised across the needles from the start of your sock to the heel turned, and now approaching the toe!    Remember that you can always keep in touch of our activities via the blog!






OK - April is fast approaching - time to Start Your Needles for April Block.  Go ahead and print off your pattern for your notebook, gather your wits and jump in for an exciting new block. 
Cheers:  Fast Sally

Afghan Block of the Month  April  2013

Lattice Stitch

Cast on 61 stitches

________  Row 1:                Right Side:  K4, P5, (K7, P5) 4 times, K4

________  Row 2:   P4, K5, (P7, K5) 4 times, P4

________  Row 3:   K3, P3, K1, P3, (K5, P3, K1, P3) 4 times , K3

________  Row 4:   P3, K3, P1, K3, (P5, K3, P1, K3) 4 times, P3

________  Row 5:   K2, P3, (K3, P3) 9 times, K2

________  Row 6    P2, K3 (P3, K3) 9 times, P2

________  Row 7:   K1 (P3, K5, P3, K1) 5 times

________  Row 8:   P1, (K3, P5, K3, P1) 5 times

________  Row 9:   P3, K7, (P5, K7) 4 times P3

________  Row 10   K3, P7, (K5, P7) 4 times, K3

________  Row 11:  P2, K9, (P3, K9) 4 times P2

________  Row 12   K2, P9, (K3, P9) 4 times K2

________  Row 13:                P3, K7 (P5, K7) 4 times P3

________  Row 14: K3, P7, (K5, P7) 4 times, K3

________  Row 15:  K1 (P3, K5, P3, K1) 5 times

________  Row 16:  P1, (K3, P5, K3, P1) 5 times

________  Row 17:  K2, P3, (K3, P3) 9 times, K2

________  Row 18   P2, K3 (P3, K3) 9 times, P2

________  Row 19:  K3, P3, K1, P3, (K5, P3, K1, P3) 4 times , K3

________  Row 20:  P3, K3, P1, K3, (P5, K3, P1, K3) 4 times, P3

________  Row 21:  K4, P5, (K7, P5) 4 times, K4

________  Row 22   P4, K5, (P7, K5) 4 times, P4

________  Row 23:  K5, P3, (K9, P3) 4 times, K5

________  Row 24   P5, K3 (P9, K3) 4 times, P5.

Repeat rows 1-24 until square measures approximately 12 inches form cast on edge, ending  by working on right side row.  Bind off all stitches leaving last loop on needle. 

Edging:  Drop loop from needle, insert crochet hook in loop. Do not turn; work 3 single crochet in each corner and 48 single crochet evenly spaced across each side.  Join with slip stitch to first single crochet.  Finish off. 

 KITCHENER STITCH TUTORIAL

STEP BY STEP
Hold the two pieces of knitting parallel to one another with the wrong sides facing. Thread the working yarn with a yarn needle. Note: If the working yarn is not hanging near the needle tips you can use a separate length of coordinating yarn.
*Insert the yarn needle knitwise into the first stitch on the front knitting needle.
Draw through the stitch and slip the stitch off of the front needle.
Insert the yarn needle purlwise into the next stitch on the front knitting needle. Draw through the stitch. Leave the stitch on the needle.
Insert the yarn needle purlwise into the first stitch on the back knitting needle.
Draw through the stitch and slip the stitch off of the back needle.
Insert the yarn needle knitwise into the next stitch on the back knitting needle. Draw through the stitch. Leave the stitch on the needle.
Repeat these steps beginning at the * until all of your stitches have been grafted together. Even out the sewing and weave in the ends.
Garter stitch grafting is performed in a similar fashion. You will begin in the same manner as stockinette by inserting the sewing needle knitwise into the first stich, slipping it off of the front needle and then inserting the sewing needle purlwise into the next stitch (shown in photos 1-4). You will then repeat these steps exactly on the back needle. Continue to repeat these steps, alternating between the front and back knitting needle until all stitches are joined. Even out the sewing and weave in the ends.

Down to Business - March BOM

OK knitters, here is your image of the March Heirloom block and the pattern will be at the bottom of this little chat.

I have a link that you might enjoy so check it out and keep growing those brain cells as you add more techniques to your yarn basket.
Knitting Tips - this link was not working earlier please try here. http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips

Remember to also check out Ravelry and join.  Tons of free patterns, people log on and share the same projects, its a nice opportunity to see one pattern in so many different color ways.  Raverly

Sampler Afghan Block of the Month

March  2013

Six Stitch Cable

Cast on 78 stitches

________  Row 1:  P1, (K2, P6, K2, P1) across rest of stitches

________  Row 2:               (Right side) K1, (P2, K6, P2, K1) across

________  Row 3:   P1, (K2, P6, K2, P1) across rest of stitches

________  Row 4:   K1, (P2, K6, P2, K1) across

________  Row 5:   P1, (K2, P6, K2, P1) across rest of stitches

________  Row 6    K1 * P2, slip 3 sts onto cable needle and hold in back of work,

                            K3, K3 from cable needle, P2, K1; repeat from * across.

________  Row 7:   (P1, (K2, P6, K2, P1) across rest of stitches

________  Row 8:   K1, (P2, K6, P2, K1) across rest of stitches

________  Row 9:   P1, (K2, P6, K2, P1) across rest of stitches

________  Row 10   K1, (P2, K6, P2, K1) across

________  Row 11:  P1, (K2, P6, K2, P1) across rest of stitches

________  Row 12   K1 * P2, slip 3 sts onto cable needle and hold in back of work,

                            K3, K3 from cable needle, P2, K1; repeat from * across.

Repeat rows 1-12 until square measures approximately 12 inches from cast on edge, ending with a wrong side row.  Bind off all stitches leaving last loop on needle. 

Edging:  Drop loop from needle, insert crochet hook in loop. Do not turn; work 3 single crochet in each corner and 48 single crochet evenly spaced across each side.  Join with slip stitch to first single crochet.  Finish off.

Get Ready for Christmas

 Lady's start your needles for the beginning of the Easy Peasy Sock class in January.  Here is a link for the pattern, just go and click on the down load and print it out...Not only fun to read but a nice introduction to your lovely finished socks to come. EasyPeasySocks  Let me also say something about these little darlings - the best yarns for these should have some wool in them so they get nice and soft, when washed. You need to choose a good worsted weight, the shop has lots to choose from, and you need wood needles (not metal!)...when you finish your first pair you can then drool over all the many sock yarns and try something with a finer yarn and smaller needle.  No Fear...The world is your Skein!

Each time I visit the shop there is newly decorated displays - a cradle of yarn,  Please bring this to my house for Christmas!  Please!!!

 One of the really odd skeins of yarn that has popped up is this dread lock type roving single ply - its soft and luscious and makes the most amazing scarf!

Also in January Vicki will start the Block of the Month!  Afghan style, and if you check down on one of the earlier posts you will find the directions and information to get started...   As is true with all fiber addicts, we must have more than one project going at all times.  Maybe 3 or 4!

  A bit of Decoration and baskets under the tree to entice..new colors of yarn, new types of yarn...

 Oh horray a sock admirer!   I know I can read her expression - I could never do this!  Well, I never thought I could either but the little ball of yarn I used here is self patterning and knits up like fair isle!   Its a wool yarn knit on 1.5  DP needles.

 These scarves have been the rave!  Another accomplished Odd Ball, Kim is enjoying her beautiful scarf in black's and whites...Its really dressy and beautiful!  These yarn balls come in so many colors, we are all fascinated with them.

 This group has had more fun with the joking around - we need wine to fix our tension when we knit - so its become a monthly thing - great snacks, sweets and our little box of wine - notice the fancy dixie cups- Oh yeah, we rock!

 Ho Ho Ho Laughing all the way!  More of these really amazing dread lock scarfs!

 Our long tables are filled with people starting out, beginning projects and contemplating what to do next.  Don't you love candid shots!

Oh Jill, what a fun scarf!  It almost has a life of its own...Love your wood needles, they are SO much better than the metal ones that slide out of your work.

So till next Tuesday - as a reminder this will be our last get together till after xmas - you will have 2 weeks to get ready for January and then let the fun begin.

Odd Balls Knitting Group of Durant

With a year under its belt the knitting group who meets at Durants HNT Quilt shop on Main Street each Tuesday evening has coined a name for itself.  The Odd Balls.   Of course everyone knows your skein and each Tuesday we gather to enjoy new and old projects, thrill over the new yarns in the shop and contemplate new patterns.

Many of the beginners are now intermediate knitters/crochet buffs, but new people come in all the time to start their journey.  Since we are there very Tuesday evening, its easy to keep the interest in your project going and get help from the pros.    Interests range from afghans, to dogs, socks, cowls, sweaters, shrugs, hats, and much more.   In January OddBall Vicki will be launching a block of the month for the knitters getting them more comfortable with new stitches and the end result will be a lovely heirloom afghan of 12 blocks to be stitched together.  Course some may decide to do a stadium size lap comforter but the adventure will be sure to please all who begin it.  

OddBalls offers free knitting lessons at the HNT Quilt shop as long as you buy your supplies there - not to much to ask really, especially if you want the shop to keep getting in those lush yarns we drool over. 

Many of us who have knitted awhile are familiar with some cool places that yarnies  and odd balls gather, like Ravelry.  A link is provided here so you can find many free patterns and inspiration.  I am there under Timelessdog if you try to find my projects there.  

I can see Vicki is up to her eyebrows in newbies and lessons, but others are wanting to work out some of the things I have knitted so I will try and coach you in Jan with some Easy Peasy Socks!  Yep, I have a pattern you will LOVE, Vicki and I both have done it and the bigger needles and yarn will yield a lovely pair of functional socks.  And maybe in Feb some fingerless gloves.  

Keep posted, sign up for the blog and don't forget to mark Tues Evening on your calendar!
Sally  AKA:  Fast Sally as Vicki has coined me.