theraineysisters knitting and so much more

A few months back Sally posted a link to the Emily Ocker Cast On — it’s used for starting projects knit as a circle starting at the center.  I was swatching tonight and needed to use it — who would have guessed that I would use my own blog as a reference — woo hoo.  Way to go, Surly.

Tonight was Thursday knit night and it was great.  There was a total party-like atmosphere at Panera’s tonight for some reason. 

We got to meet Barabra Copeland — she was the recipient of the Thursdays at Four Panera Gift card for winning the sweepstakes this year at the fair.  She brought all of the items she entered in the fair.  She is an exceptional knitter.  It was great to meet her and see this in person:

It was even more beautiful in person.  We were shocked to learn that she had to re-knit the border on this shawl — hundreds of stitches involved (~1500+)!!!!  The pattern (Mediterranean Shawl from A Gathering of Lace, Edited by Meg Swanson) says to go down in needle size to do the border, but Barb said the edging was way too small even after blocking.  It was placed in a bag for a couple of years before she could face ripping it out and redoing the entire border.  It was well worth it, but we could feel her pain!

She was wearing the entrelac vest she had entered (very attractive) and brought a Jade Starmore creation that won a ribbon as well.  She is very talented. 

Fun night tonight.  My peeps keep me sane :).

I just bought me two skeins of knittin’ insurance and that makes me feel fine!  I was worried about my Kathmandu and now I am worry free!  I also bought yarn for my daughter to make another scarf — she has one for every outfit almost.  Tonight we bought electric neon green.  It is gorgeous.   She made a purple one this weekend.  When my daughter knits, all is right with the world :).

PS — I love reading all your comments about being a new knitter, etc.  Thank you for sharing!!

Thank you for all of the positive comments about the new lace top.  Its progress has slowed as expected because I had to do some other things yesterday — darn it!!  I did start the front and got through the second lace pattern, and also tried to start Anya for my “at-work-mindless” knitting, but it is still not quite right, so I have a few more adjustments to make.  The pattern has a small mistake and then there is the issue of my “customizations,” though these will be few (“I like you very much, just as you are.” — MD).

Michelle asked if I buy my yarn at my LYS or on-line.  I tend to do both, but primarily at my LYS.  Because I teach at two shops, I get a discount.  It usually makes it cheaper for me to buy there AND I like to support yarn stores — to keep them around.  Also, there is the instant gratification aspect.  That said, if the yarn I want is not available at one of the two stores with aforementioned discount, my loyalties end.  I will buy the yarn where I can find the best deal. 

I teach classes so I can afford beautiful yarn.  I won’t waste my time on crap.  It takes as much time to knit something with Red Heart acrylic as it does to knit with merino wool, but what do you have when you are done?  I have made this mistake in the past — as my friend Peggy said, “I only have so many stitches left, so I’m not going to waste them knitting on something I don’t love.”

PS — Michelle, I’m not “one of those.”  I know people who can knit like speed demons and get fair isle sweaters done in a month (you know who you are! :)).  It takes me months to finish those.  The reason I get things done is because I spend a lot of time at it. I wish I was faster because there is so much knitting to do!!