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Saturday, August 10, 2013

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.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

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!!!


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Knits For LIfe ~ Yarn Bombing

Yarn Bombing
I can't resist!  You just have to visit the above link.

Chain & Padlock YarnbombNow I know you are wondering how this
came across the Odd Balls, but its from Vicki and a fun link she sent about
yarn storage at Knits For Life - not only are the storage ideas cute and clever but
Hey!  We all need more room for MORE yarn, fabric and all things textile.  Then
while you have time check out more fun things on that site, this is how I ran across
Yarn Bombing - booties for the mailbox - really!

We Are Upping Our Games

 Sox craze!   Berroco Sox sock weight yarn at the shop comes in self patterning colorways.  I got my pair knit up in a week!  This is a superwash wool and nylon blend, should wear good and wash up great.  They knit up so fast due to the constant way the color changes, you have to keep going to see what's next!

This yarn also would be amazing in a little slouchy hat!
 Vicki has her sock that she is almost finished with next to mine and we are just amazed at the colors and patterns.  
 Berroco Florete was used for these little ankle socks that Jessica finished up for her mom - Hey I missed the other sock, honest there is a pair!   Talk about soft and delicious, but they are so delicious can you hide them in a shoe or will they become the favorite tv socks!
 Candice came to our group wearing this very cool little summer cardi.  Its so similar to what others are knitting and so we were checking out the sleeve length and the trim.  Tis Adorable!   Not sure the yarn used but it has a flat ribbon effect. 

Next week we will see what progress has been made on her Summer Waves Cardi in a cool peachy salmon cotton.

OK - this is looking a bit like an anemone from the ocean.  Jessica has decided to knit with crochet cotton and add beads to her little knitted bag.  Now this is over and beyond upping your game!

You just never know what Odd thing you will find at our OddBall knitting group.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Squares Galore

 We had almost a full house on Tues. evening and Peggy has 3 blocks to go to finish the size afghan she wants for a July birthday gift.

 More and more finished squares of different types yarn and patterns are showing up.  This is made with one of the alpaca yarns.
 Candice swears this is an easy pattern but it looks quite difficult.  Love how the white shows off the pattern so well. 
 Sara brought in some cool novelty yarn - none of us are sure what application it would work for but I bet some cool trim or tassels would be interesting on a pillow perhaps.
Jennifer has been knitting from her new book -The Complete Photo Guide to Knitting by Margaret Hubert    This is her scarf she is knitting from one of the sample patterns in the book.  Turns out there were two other people who purchased this book and the thing that is so great is that it has life size patterns to see, great instruction and patterns and ideas.  Its a nice big book and both Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's has this.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Knitting Sew Much More

 Finally I have a new little update.   Summer is here, school is out, folks on vacation and trying to beat the heat and cram in knitting time too.  Its a full schedule! 

I finally got my first #18 Vogue vest done.  It has WOW factor something fierce.  Blue Heron Cotton Rayon Seed yarn in a blue green was used to knit this in a big lacy pattern with size 15 needles!  What fun.  It looked like a dishrag until it was blocked.  Adorable Millie who works in the shop was our human model and it looks fantastic on her.

Jessica is knitting some amazing ankle socks with Berroco Floret color 7609.  Its a cotton acrylic yarn made in Italy and its soft as can be.  Size #1 Needles - you go girl!

My photo of Peggy's Afghan Block is not doing her work justice.  That block is drop dead gorgious.....
Till next time.




Saturday, June 8, 2013

The Dishcloth Patten from Candice

I was sure I had photos of these great dish cloths, but a couple weeks ago Candice brought in a few for us to admire and Peggy and I got one each.   I love this dish cloth, its my go to one now and  finding myself fearful of wearing it out I thought I should get busy and make a few for myself.  These are done with cotton yarn I believe Peaches N Cream is what Candice uses.   Her tip last week was if you have some really junky stiff scratchy yarn you are about to frog that works up for great shower cleaning cloths!  Cool idea!

Dish Cloth Pattern

One ball of Peaches N Cream
Size 7 straight needles

Row 1:  Cast on 4
Row 2:  K2, yo, K2
Row 3: K2, yo, k to end
Row 4 Repeat row 3 until 35 stitches on needle (or 40 if you want it bigger)

#5:  Next row, k1, K2tog, yo, K2tog, K to end

#6 Repeat row 5 until 5 stitches are left

#7 Bind off 4 stitches.
Now this is a really cool diagonal pattern you will be able to memorize pretty darn easy and looks like this:



You can also practice knit straight across if you want, remember all those patterns for your heirloom afghan!  You can even do just a garter stitch, but what lovely ideas for creative enjoyment for the kitchen chores!
Cheers!