Episode 27 Knitting is my Passion!

To view a Longaberger January Sale flyer visit www.longaberger.com/flyer.  To save on shipping contact me by email or phone.  With an order of $150 you may choose an additional item at 1/ price!

A contest winner is announced for the 3 patterns donated by Stephen West of Westknits!  Thank you to Stephen West!

Thank you to all the Pipeliners who contributed comments on the previous topics of whether ponchos are in fashion and shawl wearing for men.

Designs mentioned in this segment:

• Hypoteneuse by Anne Hanson is a shawl appropriate for both men and women.
• Textured Shawl Recipe by Orlane
• A Very Harlot Poncho by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Nature Notes

The best viewing for American Bald Eagles is the winter months in the upper Midwest, along bodies of water.  Choose a cold winter day when there is ice on the water.  Places where the ice is broken are spots where eagles tend to gather for food.  Dams, harbors, under bridges, or barge trails are possibilities.  The best times of day are around 10 AM and 3 PM although you can find them anytime during daylight hours.

The American Bald Eagle

• Takes 5 years to attain full mature plumage.
• Mates for life.
• Can see a target from up to a mile away.
• Flies up to 30 mph

In the 1960's there were only 400 pairs of nesting Bald Eagles in the U.S.
After the ban of the pesticide DDT in 1973, Bald Eagles (and other wildlife) began making a comeback.
2007--Removed from Endangered Species List and are now a Protected Species.

Needle Notes

I finished my Citron which I began in October.  It was published in Knitty Winter 2009 and was designed by Hilary Smith Callis.  I added beads on the bottom ruffle.  See my project notes for details.  I then used a crocheted bead border from Lorna Miser's book Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting.  Tedious but definitely worth it.  It took several days to finish the bind off because I could only accomplish it while sitting at a table.

This is the crochet bead bind off video for the shawl.

After talking about my Citron I tell a story about a friend's reaction to the shawl.  She told me in no uncertain terms, "You need to get a life!"  Thank you to my friend, Mary, who came to my rescue with, "She HAS a life and it is knitting!"  We all should have a passion in life outside of our family and work.  Fortunately,  I have more than one.

Time is our most precious commodity.  As knitters we make the most of little bits of it.

In the Blethering Room

From our discussion of "No Purl Patterns" the following were added to the list by Pipeliners.

• Lacy Baktus with eyelets, a variation of Baktus (free pattern)
• Hitchhiker by Martina Behm
• Galisteo Jacket by Carol Lapin
• Carol's Clever Little Shawl by Carol Sanders (historic pattern and free)
• Wildflower Lace Scarf by Evelyn A. Clark
• Oscilloscope Shawl by Kate Gagnon Osborn.   Knitscene (print publication) Fall 2010

Book Notes

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting

Celebrating the Gift of Knitting with 24 Beautiful Patterns

by Lorna Miser

2009   $24.95

Lorna's web site is Lorna Miser Designs.  The book is available here or on the usual channels.
Highly recommended especially for those who like to read knitting books.  Each pattern has a story with it which makes it very personal.  The author has put a lot of herself into the book. There is a wide range of patterns, several that I have tagged to knit.  The patterns are rated for difficulty level.  Patterns include Grandmother's Lace Shawl (with Helen's Loopy Bind-Off that I used on my Citron), Sweet Baby Sweater, Lace Vest, Heart Pillow, Socks, Slippers, Lap Throw, Homemade Knitting Needles, Square a Day Blanket, Child's Poncho, and more. The instructions are clear and constructions methods make sense.  I am very glad this book is in my knitting library.

Leave a comment below to enter a drawing for an autographed copy of the book, donated by the author, Lorna Miser.  Winner will be announced on January 21, 2011.

Norwegian Sweater KAL

I am still figuring out my plan for a man's sweater.  If you want to see designs I am looking at, see my Ravelry queue and search with the tag Norwegiankal.  I will probably use one of these designs as a springboard but will use Elizabeth Zimmermann's guidelines for the sweater.  Feel free to choose any Norwegian design if you want to jump in on the wintery fun!  A hat, mittens, child's sweater, or vest, are possibilities for smaller projects.

Recommended reading:

• Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmermann
• Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Schoolhouse Press

Speaking of EZ, I think we are due for an EZ letter soon.  Don't you agree?