The Knaughty Knitter

And then there were MORE RUFFLES

Flora is back in stock now, five new colors today.  I saw the first sample of Lacey yesterday (thank you Joy) and it was fabulous too.  Everyone is still out of the other ruffle yarn - Universal Yarn, Katia, and Red Heart even.

Yeah! Ruffles are back

There's new yarn and some of it ruffles.  There's Lacey from Berroco, and an couple of new ones from Katia.  Bossa Nova and Gemini.  Bossa Nova is a mesh ruffle yarn kind of like Flora that was here before (and is on it's way back).  Gemini is similar but made of cotton and smaller width.  It could actually be knit as regular yarn and as a ruffle.

It's a new Noro - Karuta -40% silk, 30% cotton, 30 Wool.  Soft and all those Noro colors we all love.  I would be great for the Fun Hat Class coming up on Tuesday.  This is a class for making hats on the go, any yarn, any needles, no pattern, just an easy rule or two.  I use stash to do them but new yarn works too.

And there are some really fun new buttons in....
Some of these are old - there bakelite buttons from the 30s, others from the 1950s.  Not reproductions, but actually made in the 30s or 50s.  The ladies buttons are Limoge china. There are hand poured glass ones, metal ones from the southwest - made on the reservation - and more coming.  There are some that look like yarn balls, beautiful stone ones, abalone.....I had a lot of fun yesterday choosing buttons. 

Things

I've been feeling horrid for about 10 days now  and just figured out this morning that it was a meat substitute product I had been eating.  Quorn products are not safe to eat for some folks - and though there should be, there is not adequate warning on the label.  Okay, I still have allergies working on me but this stuff is awful (tastes pretty good, just not safe to eat).  If you are eating it and wondering why you are nauseated and more - this could be why.  Seriously, yesterday I just wanted to die, it hurt a lot.   Just want to put the warning out there.

I have ordered more ruffly yarn - This time some Flora from Rozetti and Berroco's Lacey.  It should be here by next week.

The next Knitting 101 class starts March 1st.....Socks class starts on Feb 6th.  This time we'll be doing a cuff down sock with the whole heel flap thing. 

Okay, I had more but I am still a little fuzzy and recovering from that Quorn stuff.

Look what's new!

This alpaca yarn from Heart of the South Alpacas.  This yarn is like one that they donated for door prizes at the Fiber in the Boro and before they were picked up I used to go get them and just sit and feel them.  This was some of my favorite yarn of the festival and now it is here!  Alpaca fiber from here v. South American feels much different, somehow more substantial and solid than the South American.  When you come in next feel them both to compare - you'll be surprised.  These were grown here in Tennessee and mill spun.  They vary in weight and price, and are really wonderful.  No dyed ones though.  Just a bunch of colors of undyed fibers.....I got some spinning fiber too by the way.

I have added a hat class to the end of January's schedule.  It is a class where you can use any yarn, any needle, and make your own hat.  There are just some simple rules to remember and you don't need a pattern anymore! 

And I got an opportunity today to order some basic tapestry looms.  Is anyone interested in a tapestry weaving class?  Let me know and I will get them.

By request I have added another afghan square of the month class - Thursday, Jan 26th from 4-5pm.  The Tuesday and Friday classes are full - if anyone wants to move out of the Tuesday class to Thursday that'd be okay too. 

A Little Murfreesboro Knitting History

Back in the 60s there was a knit shop here in the 'Boro. Ms Black taught many Murfreesboro knitters how to knit.  As of 2012 she is still alive and knitting!  I won’t tell her age though, but just say wow!  I am honored that she gave these patterns to me to share with all of you.  I still occasionally get folks in the shop who she taught to knit and I bet there are lots of folks in town who got these booties when they were just a baby.  I have made a note or two in parentheses and italics to modernize the language a bit. but otherwise here is the original.

 Ms. Wordna Black’s Baby Bootie and Hat pattern. 

Pattern: 

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: Knit (1 ridge)

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: Purl

Row 6: Knit

Row 7: Purl (1 ridge)

Row 8: Knit

 

Cast on 30 stitches on #2 or #3 needles. (I would guess this is sport/fingering weight yarn) Start with row 2 of pattern and work in pattern for 5 ridges.  Purl back. 

Now knit *2stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches together*.  Repeat between * across row. Purl back.

Next row, K 9 stitches and leave on the needle.   Now knit the next 12 stitches, turn and start row 1 of the pattern and work 3 ridges of these 12 stitches, leaving 9 stitches on each side of the needle.  When 3 ridges have been finished on the center 12 stitches, purl back and break yarn.

Tie on yarn at the end of the first 9 stitches which you left on the needle. Now knit up  7 stitches along the other side and knit the remaining 14 stitches that were on the needle. Knit across the 12 st. on the needle and knit up 7 stitches down the 3 ridges. Knit the remaining 9 stitches. (44 st).

Starting with row 1 of the pattern, work  3 ridges. On the next row, work 22 stitches, slip a ring or marker on the needle (pm) and work remaining 22 stitches. Now work 2 ridges more, at the same time decreasing 1 stitch at each end of the needle, and on each side of the ring every other row.  When you have completed the 2 ridges, purl 1 row, slip stitches off the needle and weave together. (or slip half off onto another needle and kitchener them together).

 

Ridged Baby Cap

 

Pattern is the same as above.  Uses #2 or #3 needles

 

Cast on 84 st and K2, P2, for ¾ inches.  Work in pattern for 15 ridges.  Bind off 27 stitches on each side and work on the middle 30 stitches for 14 ridges.  Break yarn and tie in yarn at front of cap and work 26 stitches along the side, work across the 30 stitches on the back and knit up 26 stitches along the side (82 st).  Do next row as follows: *Purl 2, yo, p2tog,* Repeat between * across row.  This row forms the holes to run a ribbon through.  Start ribbing on next row of K2, p2 and repeat ribbing for ½ inch.  Bind off as you knit and as you purl (Bind off in pattern)  To finish cap, sew up sides.

 

She also gave me her raglan cardigan pattern and I will put that up when I get a chance.

Cute little crochet kitty

This is grey kitty - she kind of looks like my cat Lullabelle but in a better mood.  Lullabelle is cranky.  I think this one would make an awesome Valentine's present for some little person.  She's crocheted and I added a fuzzy red  heart (Lullabelle really is a softy under all that cranky exterior.

and here she is taking a nap

The pattern is on Ravelry of course.  The yarn in Jarbogarn Soft Cotton

Oh and here is the first pair of mittens, I am already part way into pair #2

These are the Salish mittens from Folk Mittens out of Cascade Pastaza.

 

 

 

NEW YEAR, NEW YARN!!!

Finally the Manos del Uruguay arrived.  I have had the hardest time deciding which one to knit up for a sample.  As I opened the boxes each yarn was better than the last one....

Oh and since it is mitten month here....Here are Kim's that she started in Mitten class

I've had this strange "Have to organize" thing going on for a couple of weeks now.  The bathroom and kitchen at home are way better and so I've been at it here too. When you come in you'll see I've rearranged a bit....poor Doyle has been moving furniture all week...But it also means the clearance fairy has been at work and the clearance shelves are STUFFED!

 

It's start your mittens day! Who's making what mittens?
I am doing two from Folk Mittens - Salish mittens and Gotland Island mittens.....