Where's the mojo.

There's not too much knitting going on in these parts...my mojo is gone. I've been looking for it, but it seems to be hiding.
I ordered an Amy Butler sewing book today...not sure why, haven't really done too much sewing lately other than repairs. My machine sucks too...so Lise we need to have a sew along. I need to get some of those Amy Butler fabrics first:)
I'm too lazy to take photos...so here is a little funny my sister sent me.



Oh if I had a nickle for everytime this actually happens in my house;)

Ginormous Cabled Cowl

Ginormous...for sure.
So many things come to mind...eating ginormous amounts of food...feeling ginormous....the fact that I am in my yoga pants (not for yoga...but because I am sure that nothing else will fit!)
The ginormous amount of lego that has been built over the past week...well over 5000 pieces.
The ginormous amount of knitting and spinning that I have done in 2009 and plan to do in 2010.
How ginormously thankful I am for my knitting friends who have kept me company knitting, hooked me on spinning, employed me - giving me purpose again, and included me on their knitterly (and non-knitterly) outings.
You bunch of enablers;)

Incase you don't have anything ginormous in your life...here is a pattern I've been meaning to post about!

Ginormous Cabled Cowl



You can seriously knit this in one night, and what a fantastic gift it makes.



It uses big fat (ginormous) US#11/8mm needles and some ginormous yarn.
I knit the sample up using one ball (207 yrds/189.3m) of Lang Mille Colori Big, colour #5188.



The colours are gorgeous and it knits up beautifully. It's even 50% acrylic - incase you gift it out to a non knitter...it shouldn't felt on them.
If you are a beginner knitter, this is a great project to try your hand at cables and working in the round.

The pattern is $4.00 US and can be downloaded here on ravelry and if you are not a member you should be able to purchase here buy now
As always, contact me if you are having problems, I am here to help!

Happy Knitting...and Happy New Year!

BPS

It seems Christmas has come and gone...without a single word from the blog. Well, this should come as no surprise by now, I have been some what of a
blog-post-slacker. (BPS)
I wish I could say that this upcoming year I will try to improve this, but let's be seriously...it's not gonna happen. I try and try, but with knitting, spinning, teaching, the kids, a little work, the house...it is way down on the priority list. Apologies.
There has been quite a bit of knitting lately and I will try to cover it over the next few posts...
First up is a little dabbling in Double Knitting. I love that double knitting is reversible...perfect for a scarf. For some reason I refer to this technique as an "old lady" one. Not sure why...I picture little old ladies sitting around double knitting hats...a little crazy, but that is just what I picture:)
Brought to my attention by one of the knitting friends, I decided to cast on for the Double Knit Rainbow Scarf.



Now, if you are new to the technique, you may want to start with another project (like one in the round...one of those old lady hats) before you tackle this. Trust me on this.
With noro in mind I origionally cast on with Kureyon. Nope. Not working. I played with the chart and cast on again. No. (notice I was listening to the inner knitter people...listening!!) The next attempt was with Noro DK lite...this went on for a while. There was a lot of ripping and some chart revising...but I finally made it work. Be sure to choose two different colourways or start the second ball a couple colours apart from the first. You don't want two stands of the same colour to ever cross...trust me on this one to.



Started: October 24, 2009
Finished: November 8, 2009
Pattern: Double Knit Rainbow Scarf by Eline Sanders. Here on Ravelry.
Yarn: Noro DK lite balls. (can be done with 5 if you are willing to rip noro apart...that's another story...Noro and I don't always get along.)It is 7" wide and 84" long
Adjustments:My gauge is 15 sts and 20 rows in double knit on US#8/5.0mm needles. I rewrote the chart and knit it as written. I knit seven repeats of the chart. For your knitting pleasure...



The scarf currently resides as Shall We Knit...and the double knit classes are filling up. If you haven't learned this technique yet, it will blow your mind...trust me on this one...trust me:)
I'll work on the BPS...I'll try.

Seems I've got some explaining to do!

So....whatcha been doin'?
Mouse over the photo for more details....



Ok, ok, that's is not all I've been doing. Plus it is still not done! A little more paint, a dishwasher, stove, microwave, light valance and a backsplash are all still needed...but you get the idea.
I've also been working a little helping out a friend and volunteering at the school...and entertaining...and preparing for and teaching knitting classes...there has been very little time for blogging.
But, there has been time for a little knitting....and SPINNING!!!!
Yes, my DH got me a little anniversary gift back in November...



I've also been knitting a few Christmas gifts...details to follow.
I will warn you the Christmas knitting list is not as the years before. It is much smaller, and to the point!

Rhinebeck Goodies.

I know the photo is horrible...but it's so funny to me...Lise getting in her fiber!


Ok, it's not really fiber she's eating. We were all eating this maple syrup cotton candy. When you entered the food building this waft of sweet smelling goodness pulled you immediately over to the source! We had to have it. But it does look like she is about to take a bite of some nice roving:)

Ok. You've read the stories of our Rhinebeck adventures...now here are the purchases!


750 yrds of worsted weight yarn from Briar Rose was my first purchase. I have no projects in mind for any of the purchases...simply beautiful things that caught my eye.


Sport Alpaca from Times Remembered in SlateHill NY.


I picked up 3 skeins of this handspun Shetland wool from Fiber Connection.


Alpaca Wool Blend roving from Flaggy Meadow Fiber Works for spinning. Yeah that's right...spinning yarn!!
I also got a huge bump of cormo wool roving from Blackberry Hill Farm. That's for my practicing!


These I love. This fabulous artist Conni Togel had beautiful canvases of sheep, "in all their quirkiness, silliness and cuteness". I had to get a few prints for that craftroom that I will have one day...

We searched high and low for a yarn guide...and finally we hit the jackpot at Susans fiber shop! We just about cleaned her out. I needed to try it for double knitting. I was having a problem with my left hand purling. My gauge was so different than my right hand's knitting. It worked! You can see a little video of me working with it here. No, I am not really showing you how to double knit...I just wanted to show how efficient a yarn guide can be. It's my first video, go easy on me!
That's it! I can't wait till next year...I am marking my calendar!

Rhinebeck

We did it...we went to Rhinebeck!!
What a trip it was. The drive was great, lively conversation...you could feel the excitement for our little yarn getaway, beautiful colours (they are ahead of us a little in the changes of fall) and some shopping. As excited as I was to be able to try on shoes (yes, 10.5/11 is a rare size here in canada) I couldn't find what I was looking for. Next year, I'll be stopping at a Ninewest Outlet:)

Karen has gracious blogged quite a bit about our trip. Head over to see some great photos and read of our adventures.
We stayed in Kingston NY which was right across the bridge from Rhinebeck, about a 10 minute drive...if that. Lise was the coordinator and did a fantastic job...a target pretty much in our parking lot! We were able to walk over so that I could load up on Super Mario pjs...what a hit at home and some yellow dial for dad!


Karen, seen getting ready for some wool shopping!

The sheep and wool festival was fantastic. The idea is very similar to what we do here with the Downtown Knitters Frolic in toronto and the Knitter Fair in Kitchener...without the livestock...and all those food vendors....and of course Rhinebeck is on a much larger scale.
There were so many "farms" who had the most wonderful fiber for sale...what a treat.
The vendors were set up in huge tents and buildings...which was nice to sort of be outdoors walking through it all. It was a little nippy, nothing handknits wouldn't solve:)
The food was so yummy. Lucky for me my fair partners had read all about the best places to hit. Unfortunately the chicken pot pie line was just tooooo long to wait in and we hadn't even seen the artichokes. Day two, we were a little more successful in that regards!



I think the trick is to get the artichokes and pot pie all in before noon!
Lucky for us the snow never came and the rain was just a little sprinkle.
We did end up attending both days, which really wasn't necessary. I could have done it in one day...but it is nice to go back and walk through to have a second look. There was much less of a crowd on Sunday. Mind you if you like it, buy it, because it won't be there the second day...lesson learned.

So, what did I buy...

Redhook

I will try to do this pattern justice in this post...there are so many things about it I love.
Mostly, though, I love how much I want to wear this sweater...



Started: I don't know really...in September.
Finished: September 29, 2009
Pattern: Redhook by Jared Flood. Found in Made in Brooklyn.
Yarn: Classic Elite Moorland, a gorgeous blend of mohair, alpaca and merino. 8 balls of colour 2574
Adjustments: None. I was not sure about the sizing. I would normally knit a med, but that would have no ease. The pattern is made for positive ease...and you know how I feel about that...but it wouldn't have big bulky sleeves and I could wear this open with a fitted shirt underneath so I don't feel like I am wearing a big, bulky and unflattering sweatshirt. So I opted for the large which would give me about 4" of positive ease. The medium would also work for me, for a different look.

So, Redhook, how do I love thee...let me count the ways.

1. You are knit in one piece up to the armholes...little seaming for those who shutter at the thought (and if you do, have no fear...guess who is teaching a course next weekend on finishing!)...although it does make for a whole lot of st st...bitter sweet.
2. You have clever short row shaping instead of regular side seam increases. Hidden little Cat Bordhi wraps...so beautiful executed.



3. You have the most perfect short row shoulders...a technique I had yet to apply to my sweaters. Now I can put a notch in the belt of another brilliant technique to use.
4. You have the most perfectly invisible shoulder seam. No seam at all...due to live stitches and grafting. Your wonderful designer knew that any seam here would take away from the perfect little short ribbed sleeves. Clever.



5. Your sleeve stitches are picked up and worked down with those lovely short rows. Brilliant.



6. You have a beautiful button band and shawl collar...short rows again. Those stretchy little button holes are every so perfect.



7. You are adorned with the most perfect of vintage buttons. Black with a little interest in the profile...gorgeous.



8. Lastly, and most importantly, you look fabulous. Your drape is so lovely...the envy of most sweaters. Your styling is just perfect for hiding that big turkey dinner...not a muffin top in site.

I know you secretly enjoyed the love handling at last nights guild meeting.
I "heart" you Redhook.

If you are lucky enough to head to Rhinebeck this year...my Redhook is coming with me:)