The Knaughty Knitter

More Weaving

 
This is one of the projects that we'll be doing in the Advanced Weaving class.  This is a pretty cool weaving pattern and different from the usual plain weave you get on the Knitter's Loom.  Here's a closer look at the weave...

 
You can't quite tell from the pictures but the addition of some cotton crochet thread in the warp and weft gives it a bit of shine that makes the pattern stand out. 
So if you already know basic weaving on a rigid heddle loom and want more, sign up for the class, you'll be suprised what else that little loom can do.

Linen Stitch Cowl

 

I've been seeing a lot of Linen Stitch scarves lately and they are lovely so I thought Ishould do something with it.  I used three colors of my hand dyed merino worsted weight yarn off the shelf.  And I alternated the right side occasionally so there are subtle stripes in the pattern.  I cast on 170 stitches, knit in linen stitch, alternating colors each row.  Place a marker on the right side if you don't want to be confused about where you are in the pattern at the end of the row.  And don't stop at the end of a row.  It is possible to figure out where you are in the pattern but you don't want to have to and that is easier if you just have to look at the previous couple of stitches.  If you wanted fringe you could cut the yarn at the end of each row (and avoid the tangles that come when you don't) but I like the more tailored look of this.  And the linen stitch is....Row 1:  K1, slip 1 with yarn in front.  Row 2:  purl 1, slip 1 with yarn in back.  Make sure that you are knitting or purling in the stitches that were slipped in the last row. Add buttons if you like - I sew the thing together and just slip it over my head, or use it as a short scarf with a pin.  This one can be worn like this

or like this too

Just thought Monday needed something

It is dreary and cool, so I thought some yarn porn would brighten up the day

 
I spun this last week.  It is going back home to my stash after today, but it is bright and cheery and soft (Merino).  It is autowrapped with a hot pink thread and then plied again with a turquoise thread to balance out the twist. Yesterday I spun more bright and cheery - a really overwhelming chartreuse plied with a bit calmer handyed blue faced leicester...It is drying on the Niddy Noddy...

After Saturday I am back spinning more.  At the Adventures in Ag day I had been working on a  fleece I bought last year from the Caulfields (local sheep people). It was a lovely romney wool, long crimpy staple, and after combing with the Viking combs it is a dream to spin.  Very labor intensive process, working from the raw fleece, but I will eventually have a great sweater (a gansey I think, not dyed, because the wool has so much color variation in it.  I am spinning it thin so I think a three ply yarn will be the end result.

This is the lastblog coupon for a bit.....All Crystal Palace yarns are 40% off through Friday.  Schaefer yarns are 30% off through Friday too. 

Adventures in Agriculture Day

is tomorrow at the Lane Agri-park - where the farmer's market is on Fridays and Tuesdays.  Doyle and I will be there combing wool, making roving, spinning and weaving and talking about it too. There will be lots of folks there exhibiting and doing activities.   This'll be fun.  Come see us.  Karen will be at the store.  It is from 9-1. 

I finished my afghan of the MANY squares.  I will have pictures next week.  It is really nice, was fun but a huge project.  This is the one in Barbara Walker's Learn to Knit Afghan book.  I did cut back some from the pattern, I don't really need a king size blanket.  The book is not in stock right now but I'll have more soon.

Monday

I have had a really busy weekend, well last week was a killer too.  Whew!  I was dyeing yarn last Wednesday and then again on Sunday.  Dyeing with plants and such.  Doyle said there were a few hickory trees back behind our house in the woods, so I gathered some hickory nut shells.  There were walnuts too but no nuts on the ground.  I used marigolds I had frozen from last year's garden, some Alkanet and Kamala and Osage Orange sawdust. I have some madder too, but forgot that at home - it was not quite dry but is a lovely orange. So here is a picture...

 I am hoping to do Cochineal on Wednesday, depending on how much time I can find....but who knows.....

The sale this week is  Tuesday and Thursday.  Mountain Colors yarns will be 30% off.  There's a nice selection of sock yarns and weaver's wool (worsted) as well as some lace weight.

Here's a scarf I did this week, playing with the techniques I'll be teaching in the advanced rigid heddle weaving class in November....(there's a beginning class before that if you are wanting to get into this)

It's done in Cascade Sierra and a bit of Berroco Origami and is very fun to do.  It'll be at the store so folks who are interested in the class can see it.  I am starting a waffle weave dish towel tomorrow and we'll be doing that in class too. 

And I have a few photos to share.  Here is Teri's monster from class

Aren't these colors wonderful?

And Lisa has been learning to spin and then actually using her handspun to knit with (unlike many of us who have huge stashes of handspun and hardly use them cause they're too precious I guess)

The top one is her handspun along with a grey mohair ....the other is Noro Chirimen and orange mohair.   They are both so rich and colorful, I love 'em
 

Almost forgot to do this. The coupon for this week is 15% off all spinning fiber except art batts - not those. but all the other stuff, handyed, alpaca, merino etc is 15% off when you mention this blog entry.  This is good through Saturday.

Open Sundays!

Just a reminder.  We are now open Sundays until April.  Karen will be here most of those days and just so you know she's an awesome knitter and so great for helping with projects. 

With help from Lisa, I've decided on this year's charity project.  We'll be collecting hats, neck warmers, scarves, mittens, handwarmers, lapghans, what ever you feel up to making  (washable yarn preferred) for the VA hospital.  Just bring them by anytime between now and December 15th and we'll get them over there.  I actually may be taking a load over after the holidays too but more about that later....

I hope every one had a good Labor Day

I know I did.  I got into a sewing mood and there are two new "Old Bag"  knitting bags that will be at the store on Thursday (I forgot to bring them today).  "Old Bag"  bags are purses and knitting bags that I make from old quilts that are no longer useable as quilts.  I rescue them and turn them into other things. The bags are hand embellished with buttons from my mother's collection and embroidery.  They take many hours to complete and each one is unique, never to be repeated. 

The blog coupon is for Asland Trends yarn.  There's 25% off any Asland Trends yarn.  They make wonderful yarn.  There are chunky thick & thin wools, sock yarn, Alpaca and wool in natural colors, a really yummy angora/wool blend and another tightly plied merino wool that is great for cables and anything where you want your stitches to stand out, and even some pretty and unique fashion yarns.  This special lasts until Friday. 

Blog Coupon...

The Blog Coupon this week is for books.  All the books are 20% off Friday and Saturday.  Just mention it when you come up to the cash register and get your discount.

Yesterday I was at the Frist and saw the wonderful collection of couture from the 40's & 50's.  Some of it was wonderful (and okay some was hideous).  But we also saw the Chihuly and the colors and shapes were very inspiring...I'm seeing a couple of shawls so I need to go draw them up.  I am absolutely not starting anything new until I finish at least one UFO.