I have two large plastic bins, one for worsted weight and heavier and one for sport weight and lighter. These bins mostly contain remnants of previous projects. Within the bins, each type of yarn is kept in a zip lock bag. More recent purchases are kept in zippered bags out of these bins in the same closet.
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.
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)
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.
Listen or download here. Or use the Flash player at right. Click on the lower left corner and the menu will appear. You can access all episodes through the flash player.
A music stand comes in handy for skeining recycled yarn. Loosen the bolt and use it as a swift.
Ravelry Tip
Use Forums to keep track of activity in groups on Ravelry. You can rearrange you groups in the forum so the most active ones are at the top of the page.
Patterns in the Show
Ms Clarke by Brenda Patipa I frogged this project because "Silk is a Slippery Slope". Shifted gear and am using the Lisa Souza 100% Bombay Silk "Sylvie" for a Citron by Hillary Smith Callis.
Meeting Cheryl at Stitches Midwest renewed by interest in Citron. She added beads to the lower border.
Cabled Raglan Baby Sweater by Rebecca Daniels
Free Pattern. Notes on my Ravelry page here. Great pattern and I made a few modifications so the arms and body of the sweater do not flare.
I came up with my own little hat pattern to use up all the yarn. It looks like a little ski hat. I call it Toe Head. Pattern on side bar soon.
Do I looks as if I walked out of Cranford? I forgot my buckets as I came back from the well. Wool is Harmony Fingering Weight in Scottish Heather from The Woolen Rabbit.
