Major Knitter

Learn How to Knit Your Own Easter Egg Heirlooms

I'll be teaching my first class at Westport Yarns this Saturday, March 14th from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

You'll make either the chicken or the solid bunny.  Pattern for both cozies provided.  Knit flat.  Sewn together.  Beginner knitting skills +K2tog, turn, K3tog, basic embroidery.  Supplies:  worsted weight yarn, US Size 6 straight knitting needles, yarn needle, googly eyes,  small amount of yellow felt for the beak, sewing needle and yellow thread, accent yarn (black, pink, white for bunny eyes, nose, whiskers).  

*Note - for the chicken you'll also need a US Size 1 or 2 straight knitting needle and fingering weight yarn for the crown.  If you know how to crochet, you can also crochet the crown with a B or C crochet hook.

 

These are cute and simple decorations that make such a hit.  I am often asked to make and sell these decorations.  Come take the class and you can learn how to knit your own!

Hoppy Easter!

Contact Westport Yarns today to sign up for the class.  

Westport Yarns
582 Post Road East
Westport, CT 06880, US
+1 203-454-4300

 

 

 

 

 

Swatching

I know many people who never swatch.  Or they swatch and only knit one inch.  If I'm trying a new pattern or new yarn, I really like to do an accurate swatch.

Last night I discovered a new pattern and immediately knew I wanted to knit it.  

It's called Maine Squeeze by Katie Smith.  It's knit on US Size 13 needles holding two strands of bulky yarn together at the same time.  So it's extra quick and thick and it's so adorable.

Before using the actual yarn I bought for a blanket, I used the same yarn in a denim blue that was leftover from a friendship blanket a few years ago.

The swatch on the bottom was my first attempt with a US size 15. Good news!  I was spot on gauge of 9 sts = 4 inches. Bad news. I quickly noted two problems.  My wraps were too erratic.  I discovered that if I held the cable needle independently of the rest of the knitting, but close to the right hand needle, I got a more consistent wrap.  The second thing I noticed is that my stitches were a little bit loose.  I wasn't certain this is the look I wanted for this blanket.

Trying for a tighter stitch, I cast on again with a US size 13 needle.  See the top swatch. Good news. My wraps were more consistent.  The fabric I knit was more even.  Bad news. My gauge was slightly off.  10 sts = 4 inches.

I decided to go with a US size 13 needle anyway.  But as soon as I had knit about 5 inches of the actual blanket, I realized the more even fabric I was creating with the smaller needle was also creating a very dense fabric.  That was the opposite of the goal I was trying to achieve.

Ripping out and starting over didn't take too much time.  With double bulky yarn and very large size 15 needles, this knits up so quickly.  In no time at all I had the beginnings of a gift blanket.

I really like this blanket.  My only concern is that I'm not comfortable that the gauge is going to give me the overall dimensions in the pattern.  

Gauge: 9 sts = 4 inches

Blanket dimensions:  48" x 54"

Since I cast on 93 sts, I only see that this blanket will be 41 inches.  That's pre-blocking, of course.  So I hope those final dimensions are post-blocking.  Since it knits so quickly, there's a very good chance I finish this blanket today or tomorrow, so I'll let you know the final dimensions pre and post blocking.

 

 

After Christmas Knitting

Every year I keep knitting Christmas gifts and ornaments well after Christmas.  I'm still in the spirit and have the knitting mojo going strong so I usually ride this wave and keep knitting until the flame dies out.  I knit up a few of my design - Jumbo Christmas Stocking in a Jiffy - Striped.  I love them because they're quick and easy.

I knit a dark green striped Christmas stocking for my friends who just had a baby boy.  I had previously made one for their eldest son and daughter a few years ago - so this is a match for the rest of the family.

I was so inspired, I knit up a white and red striped stocking next.  Quick and easy.  Just the way I like it.

And I knit up a denim blue striped stocking as well.  Maybe Mom and Dad need their own stockings?

Here's the set (minus the pink one).  I think they'll look very nice hanging by the fireplace next Christmas.

How about you?  Do you continue knitting Christmas themed projects into the new year?

 

 

Awards Night

Thursday night was our Boy Scout Council's annual dinner.  Many awards are presented to the top performing districts in our Council and the top volunteers.  Last year I was presented with the volunteer award.  This year, upon finishing my first year as the District Chairman, my team and I got to receive the top GOLD District Journey to Excellence award on behalf of our District.

While we went up to receive the award from our Council Key Three - this award is really for all the unit leaders, district leaders, and especially the paid professionals who work so hard throughout the year to make sure we meet or exceed our goals to deliver the best possible program to the youth in our District.  

Now I have to confess something that all my friends already know, but you my readers, may not.  I knit everywhere.  You're probably thinking "Yeah - I'm a knitter.  I do that too."  But seriously, I mean I knit e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.  At our dinner table I took pictures across the table of my friends, then passed my phone and asked them to snap some photos of my side of the table.  What was I thinking.  My two friends and troublemakers...

Bill and Dennis were laughing and taking pictures.  I was chatting - no surprise - and didn't really pay attention to them.

...until later when I saw this very serious-minded picture of yours truly knitting away.  Look at how fast those needles are flying.  They're a blur!

In case you didn't see that, Bill and Dennis took a close-up, too.

Ha!  Thanks guys.  You crack me up.

So what was I knitting all night during the annual dinner?  Why a Boy Scout fleur-de-lis dishcloth of course!
 

Boxing Day Mittens

My good friend Estella has a wonderful gift for you.  It's her gorgeous Boxing Day Mittens pattern which is free until December 31, 2014 on Ravelry.  

Aren't these mittens gorgeous?  I bet you have a lot of yarn in your stash that would be perfect for these mittens.

And here's the best news of all - Estella's pattern made the top 20 hot patterns on Ravelry yesterday.  Let's help her keep it up by favoriting and downloading this special pattern.

While you're at it, check out Estella's other patterns.  I always like to support a friend and fellow designer.  It's especially easy when your friend is a prolific designer with so many beautiful patterns.

Congratulations Estella.  Thanks for the free gift.  Merry Merry!

I'm Loving It

The holiday break is so delightful.  No responsibilities.  Nothing scheduled.  It is so relaxing! 

I have been on a personal mission to clear off my Knit Nook shelves of the excess yarn.  That means I'm trying to knit my way through all this yarn.  I started in a really easy spot - the super bulky yarn that took up nearly an entire shelf.  I had about 25+ skeins of Tahki Baby yarn from 2003 purchase when I intended to knit up Nicky Epstein's Felted Rose Trellis Bag.  I never made it.  And the yarn has been sitting on my top shelf for ten years.

There's a lot of green - as one would imagine when creating a rose trellis.  I'm not really a green person, so I thought it would be good to knit up some gift infinity scarves.

This is a two-toned seed stitch infinity cowl.  It's very simple

• 2 skeins of Tahki Baby super bulky yarn - one green and one olive green
• US SIze 15 circular needles
• Cast on 97 sts.  Being careful not to twist, join in the round.
• K1, P1 around in a neverending loop.  When you run out of first yarn, simply change to the second yarn wherever you may be in the pattern.  Continue with the pattern until you are nearly out of yarn.  Bind off LOOSELY.

 

Voila!  There you have a quick and easy infinity cowl.

Sitting on the Couch Knitting

Christmas is done and BF and I are just having some wonderful evenings on the couch.  Last night we watched a few episodes from the first season of Sherlock.  I really love this show and can hardly wait for the next season to come out.

 

While we were sitting, I was knitting (of course).

I grabbed three skeins of super bulky yarn in my stash and created a very simple Moss infinity cowl

• 3 skeins Tahki Baby super bulky yarn (300 grams or 180 yards)
• US Size 15 needles
• Cast on 96 sts and knit “moss stitch” in the round for a very long cowl.  Being careful not to twist, join in the round, place stitch marker and knit in the following four-row pattern:
• Row 1 - K2, P2 - repeat to end of round. 
• Row 2 - Repeat round again. 
• Row 3 -P2, K2 - repeat to end of round 
• Row 4 - Repeat round again.
• Repeat these 4 rounds until you nearly run out of yarn.
• Bind off loosely.

I took these pictures late at night, so the lighting isn't very good.

I'm happy with this quick and easy (less than three hours to knit an infinity cowl!)  I hope you like it, too.

Wise Old Owls

OK - maybe not so old, but definitely wise!  You know I've been on an owl tear.  My friend Donna asked me for an owl hat, so of course, I came up with one.  

It's really quite simple.  I just cast on 72 sts with a US size 8 needle and knit a band for 2 inches, then switched to stockinette in the round until the hat measured nearly 8 inches from the cast on edge.  Then I grafted the ends shut using the kitchener stitch.  I added the tassels and cut them short on each corner for ear tufts.  Finally, I followed Knit-a-Zoo's Cordell the Owl (Ravelry link) instructions for the eyes and the beak - but using Lamb's Pride Bulky and US Size 8 needles.  Very, very simple.

Donna was thrilled with her new hat!

The owl hat was cute and so fun to knit, so I did what I do best... I immediately knit two more hats.

Michelle and I modeled the newest owl hats this week.  What a hoot!

Susie Rogers' Reading Mitts Pattern is Available Once Again

Hallelujah!  For all of you who asked me for Susie's pattern (and I ignored you because it wasn't mine to give) - take heart!  The pattern is available once again.  Click HERE for the free Ravelry download.

Whew!  I know how pleased you'll all be.  Go forth and make lots of mitts!

Baby Hats for Charity

I decided to start the new year off on the right foot by knitting up some newborn caps for charity.  I have so much yarn for baby projects that this seemed like a good idea.  I designed some patterns for baby caps four years ago, but haven't made any new baby caps since.  I thought now was as good as any time to revive these favorites.

The first hat is my Basic Newborn Baby Hat in 2x2 ribbing

The second is the same Basic Newborn Baby Hat - but this time in 1x1 ribbing

Third in line is the Basic Newborn Baby Hat - Rolled Brim

The fourth and final hat is the Basic Newborn Hat - Garter Stitch Brim.

 You can click on the links above for the Ravelry links and patterns, or you can find these, and all my free knitting patterns HERE.