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!


 

Hat KAL (Knit A Long) This Tues 8/13/13

OK ladies and gents, its time to get ready for this great group KAL that Vicki has found for us.  She has finished hers using the worsted yarn and the toddler size which she says fits perfect.   If you are on Ravelry.com you can find the pattern there for free download called Downton.    If you prefer you can go to Knitosfacto and she has a pdf download for you there.  http://knitsofacto.blogspot.com/2011/10/downton-hat.html.

If that's not enough VeryPink.com has a YouTube tutorial on it, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRIIYlKDr7w but I think Vicki will have just what you need for instructions...its just knit and pearl after all! 

The shop has chosen 3 different yarns specially priced for this project, but you can choose what you want as long as its one of the right weighted yarns for the project.

Print your pattern, come early, shop for your yarn and needles if you don't already have the correct needles on hand and Vicki will get you started in a jiffy.  I can hardly wait!  We will be sure to have a group photo with all of us in our new Downton hats!

Keep in mind this is two tones with the body of the hat one color and the brim a second color. - consider plumbs, red and grey, black and grey, tweeds.  Check with Vicki regarding yarns, needles and guage if you have questions.

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.

Its A Wrap - See Ya Next Year

 In anticipation of  January's sock class and the scary use of multiple needles I thought I would put your minds at rest. Here is what your needles will look like as you begin your first cast on.  Remember to go back to one of the older posts and get the link to your pattern for Easy Peasy Socks!   This is important for you to have when you start your sock. 

 Once you have your stitches on your
needles you can now just create a little triangle with your needles and you can see what it should look like.  Below are more images of how the work will progress to connect your first round. 

I know some of you will be wanting to experiment and go forward - GO FOR IT!!!   Play around and have fun. 

Back at the shop and our last gathering for the year, our knitting bags are full of items we are sharing - projects started and projects finished!   

 Vicki has started her Shrug - love her colors <G>, and the cool thing about these shrugs she and I are making is they are out of odds and ends of yarn stash.   So darn simple too - knit a ribbing for the arm, make a couple rows of increases and then just knit back and forth in rows of yarns and whatever stitches you want till you have the length you want.   Oh yeah, I see some of these on the table for next year coming out of your bags.

 Red, red, red  I love red and the scarf yarns come in so many great colors like this GREAT RED!  She makes it look so hard with all the concentration, but its a snap and will be done in no time.

 Did I hear someone say I thought we were goining to party - where's the chocolate!   Oh yeah, there was chocolate, and hot chocolate, cookies, fudge, I'm just saying - eating is just part of what we do!

 OK, so we actually do work on things and figure out patterns.  I guess more chocolate is needed!

 Lets see, Knit One, Purl One,,,No no, its Make One!  

 We had 20 people at the shop for our last get together.  We are all over the place, shopping, visiting, eating and just having a great time.  

We could not do this without our great shop owner Rebecca of HNT (Hearts Entwined) who keeps the shop open for us to come play - keeping the staff on, keeping the lights running and taking time from her schedule for the Odd Balls to thrive and play.  Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

 Oh, almost forgot, I finished my shrug!  I figured I would waltz in wearing it last night but the weather being 70 degrees at 5PM in the middle of winter sorta took the thrill out of the idea, so I just brought it along with me like an old friend tucked in my yarn bag. 

I have decided to put a crochet edge on it.  With all the different yarns in the rows it's given it a rather uneven effect (not that that is a bad thing!), but I think it could use a bit of finishing touches.

Remember Vicki is starting Jan with her block of the month, Her January pattern is toward the beginning of the blog posts for you to print out if you want to make it.   Till next year, keep your needles sharp!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
FS AKA: Fast Sally

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.

January's Block Of The Month Here

 Another fun Tuesday evening.  Lots of discussion regarding the block of the month due to begin in January.  Usually the Aran afghans are done in cream colors which really show off the patterns, but you can do these in any colors you wish.  I believe the size needle will be size #9 but you can check with your illustrious leader FridleWoman aka Vicki to make sure your needle and guage will yield a nice 12 inch block with your chosen yarn.  Please understand that its with the best intentions to offer these free classes and support the shop that is hosting this space and time to you by purchasing your supplies and yarn for these projects at HNT. 

 

 

\

Double check with your FridleWoman - Supplies ie: needles, cable holder and stitch markers - oh yeah a pencil and tablet help keep track of your rows!  Here is your January Pattern early!   Get ready to create the heirloom everyone will fight over to own.

Sampler Afghan Block of the Month

January 2013

Square Check Pattern

Cast on 62 stitches

________  Row 1:              (Right Side) Knit (k) all stitches

________  Row 2:             Purl (p)  all stitches

________  Row 3:  K 2 *p8, k2*; repeat from *

________  Row 4:  P2 *k8, p2* repeat from *

________  Row 5:  K2, *p2, K4, p2, k2; repeat from *

________  Row 6   P2, *k2, p4, k2, p2; repeat from *

________  Row 7:  K2, *p2, K4, p2, k2; repeat from *

________  Row 8:  P2, *k2, p4, k2, p2; repeat from *

________  Row 9:  K2, *p2, K4, p2, k2; repeat from *

________  Row 10 P2, *k2, p4, k2, p2; repeat from *

________  Row 11: K 2 *p8, k2*; repeat from *

________  Row 12 P2 *k8, p2* repeat from *

Repeat Rows 1-12 until block approximately measures 12 inches.  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.

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.