The Fun Of It All

 We are getting down on Downton Abby hats!  These are just wonderful and thank you so much Ms Vicki for all your hard work and hours of knitting guages.  I think it paid off because there is no doubt we all love this hat!  I love how it fits, can you tell by my big smile, I am about to steal it from you!

 Jennifer also seems very tickled with your hat!  BUT will she be knitting one for herself - the burning question, what colors will she use.

 Rebecca offered us a great deal on this fantastic Thaki yarn in tweeds.  The hat only takes 2 50 gm balls (one color for each ball) and you can see that some of the color combinations are going to be truly handsome.  We are knitting size Toddler using this larger yarn and bigger needles.

 I started this tam last week and got it finished - just had to show it off.  I LOVE it, its so electric and amazing.  It really went quick which was a surprise to me.   Mini Mochi yarn, one ball in black and one ball in Neptune.

 This is the rim side - pattern is on ravelry and my handle is timelessdog if you want to check out my stash and projects.

 Peggy is sampling the tam, I love how the pattern shows up on the edge.

 Wasie - Happy, happy, happy!

Just so you know, I am still working on socks!

OK this must be my blue period because last month I finished a blue summer cardi and now I have a pair of 56 row socks done in the Pagewood farms yarn at the shop - it changed colors on me!!!!!Not happy.  Nothing on this skein said it was graduating and now they look like they came from two different skeins!   Oh the joys of knitting.  Anyway just finished these up 2 weeks ago...fit like a dream. size one needles.

The shop has self patterning sock yarn by Berroco and this is really pretty for socks and also if you want to work on a hat like a little slouchy.  I have not blocked these yet, they are just as is.







Mini Mochi yarn again, been sitting on this yarn for a few months and finally got Silk Roads Journey pattern knitted - it has a little ruffly thing going on for the cuff. 
I will never wear winter socks that are not hand knit again! 

Making Up For Lost Time

 Lots to share with everyone.  Your leader has been busy coming up with the sweetest projects to keep you all learning and adding to your idea books.  

From Purl Bee  http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2009/8/21/whits-knits-log-cabin-washcloths.html   is the pattern and information that was passed out for these little wash cloths using a log cabin pattern.   Vicki and HNT came up with the great Pima Cotton Cleo to use for this.  Each person

 got one ball, knitted a square and then passed their color on to the next person!  How clever is that!  Top is just garter stitch with a little sweet edging and then using some of the patterns from the Heritage Afghan blocks she got a bit more creative and came up with a really vintage amazing wash cloth.  Now peoples, while we all think of these for our sinks and dishes, you have not lived till you try these for face cloths!  Really, these are amazing.

 EMR Peggy (we have two Peggy's!) is working on a larger project here but also she is working on her log cabin blocks.  It was just less than a year ago she was a beginner and now she is helping others!  Way to go!

 Rebecca has gotten in some interesting things for the shop - I bet you have never seen knitting needles this size before!!!!!  These are circular, I want to say they are size 32, gulp, and they are geared up to go with  particular yarns and patterns for fall knitting.  Next week this should be finished and I can't wait to see the color changes happening here.   Also new into the shop are some square needles - tips round of course, but the body is square and geared to give relief to hand fatigue from knitting to much - to much knitting - ????

 OK - Show and Tell, did I happen to mention Wasie and her bag of deliciousness!   Last week she brought some shawls to drool over and I asked if she would indulge us once again and bring them so I could get some photos to share.  So many reasons to see these things, not only for their beauty of workmanship but the different yarns and how they play out when knitted.  Its so intimidating to buy yarn that just calls to you and then have no clue what to use it for that will work well for what you choose.

 These two pair of socks the top one and this striped one are one skein of yarn that is called self striping.  There is self striping yarn and self patterning yarn, so be aware read your labels  when you buy yarn because they are also beautiful in other projects besides socks!

 Pretty pretty pretty, nice tonal yarn.

 This is an interesting pair of socks, and if some of you have knitted last falls reading mitts called Susies Reading Mitts, you might remember they had a little turned under edge.  These socks have the same thing which gives them this odd look as they lay flat but when worn they are amazing.   Every pattern and person who writes a pattern can offer up some of the most interesting little variations you can use anytime.

 Love these little guys. 

 More lovely patterns using the hand painted yarns.

 Most these patterns can be found on Ravelry and if you want to check out Wasie's section her handle is Wasieknitstoo  

Some of the patterns are free, some are a pittance and come as a download.  Ravelry offers you the opportunity to check out a pattern and see all the projects everyone else is doing or finished and get ideas for yarns and color work.  Its more like having a tool than posting your work, but those who post are the ones offering all the great info that is so important to learning.

 Ahhh, lovely cable socks!

 On to the Shawls.  If you like these I suggest you hop on over to ravelry and see Wasiknitstoo as her knitting info is there, needle sizes, yarns used, now much used, how long it took to complete etc. 

 Love the texture in this shawl. 

 This is worth mentioning on this shawl. The body that is striped is actually two skeins of variegated yarn that is alternated very 2 rows which gives it that lush softness and blending look.   I am pretty sure that is right.   More info to tuck away for the future!

 WOWzer, I love this skein of yarn - its a German label and self striping - one skein!  pattern on Ravelry.

 Again here are two skeins of yarn used for this shawl, one is for the body which is a graduating color and the edge is a contrasting color.

 One of Wasie's favorites as she says the way it fits and drapes makes it just that much more wonderful, if it can get any better!

 Edging from Andrea's Shawl (the name of a pattern on Ravelry), If you wanted to see if you could knit this shawl, you might consider trying a swatch of just the edge pattern, because by the time you get to the body its easy cursing - knit from the lace edge and then stitches  picked up for the body.

I know it was a lot to take in after such a dry spell, but that's how I roll.   Maybe next week I will post a couple pair of my socks I finished and a tam I am trying my hand at.

As I understand it, your leader Ripley aka Vicki has a hat pattern for you next week!   Hold onto your seats, I might be able to send out a pattern so you will come prepared to jump in - Downton Abby  Knit Hat!   Knit and Purl stitches!!!

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