Wow- today was just AMAZING! I went to my first ever knitting retreat in Blacksburg- Purl Jam.  Thanks Gina for making an amazing day.

I had decided to take classes with Annie Modesitt since her episode of Knitty Gritty about the combo corset-T is what really made me realize that you shouldn’t be afraid of a pattern… it’s what took me from a scarf to “real” knitting.  First off, the seat I took at breakfast happened to be next to her- oh darn!  Then, I took the class on the cocoon shrug, and I wasn’t sure of the pattern or if I would like it until I started playing with it.  The pattern is wonderfully intuitive and just makes *sense* without having to really think about what you’re doing.  The way she taught it made it easy to understand the patern as well as how to use a swatch to do more than measure your gauge.  I also met some great people in that class and just had lots of fun!

On lunch, I sat with a different group and quite enjoyed that as well…  then it was off to the combination knitting class, which is the one I really wanted to take.  Now that I have developed as a knitter, I would like to be able to knit without the strain and annoyance of moving the yarn around so much.  It took some getting used to, but it really is an easier and more natural way to knit.  I kept trying to watch Annie as she knit- I wanted to see just how she held her yarn and got the stitches right- it just looked so smooth and simple.  I asked after class if she could slow it down and show me, and to my surprise, I got to sit and talk for a while and she showed me how she does charts as well… wow! I have learned so much today, it’s going to take a little while for it all to sink in, but it was worth every penny and every moment of slight frustration as I learned something that wasn’t as natural to me, but I hope will become so.

Thanks to all I met and I had a wonderful day!

Life has been pretty busy the past few months, so posting has been the last thing on my mind.  Just since January things have been completely hectic.  Currently things have calmed down a bit, so it’s better. I’m working days for the first time in years, which took a bit of getting used to… but I like it.  I’m done at 4:30 and days are usually a bit slower at work. I’m trying to find time to knit for myself- I’m constantly making things for others lately, so I’ve started in on two projects for myself- Giselle from Stitch Diva by Marnie MacLean and the summer’s radiance shawl I designed and hope to get up for sale soon.  I do kinda need a sample before I can try that though - and I’m doing the LARGE version… not sure how big it will be, but it’s gonna be pretty big.  Anyway - for now, I’m waiting around to go to the Virginia Tech vs. Yankees exhibition game with not much to do until noon.  I’m going to go stick my nose in a book and knit for a while

Just in case you are having trouble getting to the Purl Jam signup form from Mosaic’s website, here it is: Signup For Purl Jam

For those of you working on my shawl design… how is it going?  any progress pictures?  I’m just very curious to see what it’s looking like in reality versus what is in my head Any thoughts?  do you like it so far?   just wondering how it’s going!

At some point in the next few days I’ll try to put up some pictures  of what I have been working on lately… I just finished a gorgeous crocheted baby blanket that will be going to its new home soon… I’ve got a cashmere Icarus OTN as well as Iris Screier’s chevron ruana… it’s coming out quite well.  I’m debating what to start next, and I’m thinking Evelyn Clark’s Labyrinth shawl….  or Sharon Winsauer’s Flight of the Honeybees or Filigree.

So many choices!

Wow… I haven’t checked the stats on my site in a while.  25 hits a day?? On my little knitting blog?? Over 700 in the past month? wow…  what else can I say?  Thanks for reading, and for believing in my ideas!  I know compared to some sites, that’s not much, but to me that’s a huge deal!

On another note, I’m working on figuring out how to get the Summer’s Radiance charts bigger… I know those who are test knitting may be going blind… I’m going to try to re-organize them tonight or tomorrow to make them more readable.

I’m trying to resist starting on Evelyn Clark’s latest shawl– Labyrinth– even though I did give in  and get the pattern.  However, right now, I’ve got projects that HAVE to get finished.  I need to finish the sleeves on mom’s sweater, make two sets of baby stuff (blanket/hat/booties/bunny), a celtic shawl (pattern may be released later) and the Chevron Ruana from Lacy Little Knits.  Argh!  I’m enjoying them all, I just want more hours in the day!

Anyway- thanks again to all who actually look at this site!

Ok- finally got my big shawl design done. I don’t know quite how big it’s going to be, but probably bigger than the Hidcote Garden Shawl… which is big. It has more rows- so probably bigger. I’ve designed two versions- one for laceweight that will probably take 1500-1600 yards of laceweight yarn, such as Zephyr. The large size is worked from the top down in two symmetrical halves.

The other version is half the pattern, and would be worked from the bottom up as a single triangle. It could even be worked in fingering weight yarn, I would guess around 700-900 yards (again- just a guess).  Here is a shot of the smaller version drawn out– I haven’t even gotten very far testing it yet, but I’m working on it…  click for a full size view.

Both patterns have a written and a charted format, so whichever would be easier, you can do.  If you have already told me you are willing to knit this, let me know if you want to test the small or large version (just leave a comment letting me know which!)

Anyone willing to give it a shot is welcome!

I’ve got a lacework pattern I need tested… anyone interested in a mystery shawl type knit along?

I’ve got yarn up for sale if you want any of it… $8.95 gets you a full priority mail box or after you decide what you want (if you do) I can get a shipping rate from the post office….  pictures and all are here

If you’re a member of Knitting Help’s forum, we’re doing a new year’s knit along. We’re going to knit the night away and make a dishcloth… I designed two versions– one is a basic chart and one is more detailed. They are both 40 stitches square…
Basic Pattern
Detailed Pattern
Enjoy and let me know if you have any trouble!!

That is a HUGE cone of handspun yarn I was ****GIVEN**** tonight… wow… Katie- you’re just amazing.  It’s 12 WPI which I’m guessing is about 1000 yards per pound at about 4.5 pounds. Do the math– over FOUR THOUSAND yards of worsted weight yarn… Rogue sweater anyone?

Here it is with a dvd on top for scale…