theraineysisters knitting and so much more

Sally has been working on some big projects, but some of mine have tended more toward instant gratification.  I knew the minute I saw Merope’s Cowl by Romi Hill that I would make it.  I love the large holes and pointy edges!   It is an extra addition to the 7 Small Shawls to Knit collection (which I highly recommend as a source of some stunning designs).  I used the yarn I bought recently: Maiden Hair.  It took far less than half the skein.

Lettie hates cowls — she claims they give her that crazy headless look!

Close up

I changed the start to 3×2 rib and then substituted a different lace pattern for the kitten paws — I have just done too many of those lately (Braided Glory x 2, Fylleryd).  I do love the holes 😉 .  I just hope it doesn’t look like a clown collar.  I think if it is worn under something and just the center shows it will be gorgeous. 

Next time I will share the project that will not end…

Linda asked a very good question about fiber: “Do you have any thoughts on fiber content?  I know wool is warmer, but some places want a fiber that can be washed easily.  I have also heard that washing is not a factor and go for the warmth factor.” 

I checked with the founders and they said that wool is preferred, washable wool is fine, and acrylic will not be turned away.  In other words, focus on the dark colors and plain styles rather than fiber.  I found some great wool in my stash so I will be starting a hat or two soon.  Thanks for the question, Linda!!

One of the best parts of Meg Swansen’s Knitting Camp is Show and Tell. Campers bring their favorite knits and share them with the group. Inspiration abounds! Many projects have been added to queue! [For the curious: I took Lyra, The Dragon Sweater, and my Sleeping Baby’s Castle Blanket].

Anyway, one of the Campers (Lucy) brought a C-U-T-E shawlette in variegated black and white — knit in Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball color 1993 Schokocreme – a sock yarn with long color changes.  I loved it and put it in the recesses of my mind, only to be brought forward when I found the very yarn at Amazing Threads.  The pattern is called Lazy Katy: originally written in German with a translation that left a few things to the imagination.

Okay.  Sounds simple enough.  Many Ravelry projects and even instructions on enlarging the shawl.  I bought the yarn last Saturday and dove in enthusiastically.  The very unusual asymmetric, intriguing shape make it a fun knit.  I wanted the lace to be white and edged in black like Lucy’s, so that meant removing the white sections of the yarn and saving them for later. 

I decided to make the large version and got all the way to the lace when I realized I did not have enough yarn.  I had to rip WAY back.  Even doing that, I did not have enough yarn for the white lace, and had to splice every nerd I could find to get it done.  I blocked it out without measuring and I think it is quite small, so I may reblock to get more length vs depth so it wraps around me better.  Lettie modelling my Lazy Katy:

Not quite sure what to think of it.  I think I like it! 

On a sad note — the knitting world lost a tremendous talent this week with the passing of Joyce Williams.  She was a staple at Meg’s Knitting Camp (and attended Camp 2.75 this year with us).  She was a force to be reckoned with, had a great wit, and was a truly awesome knitter.  Her book Latvian Dreams: Knitting from Weaving Charts is a classic for those seeking a challenge: not for the faint of heart!  Joyce will be greatly missed.  To leave a comment about Joyce, visit her CaringBridge page.

Even though summer is still upon us, it is never too early to start thinking about others and the Minnesota winter that is just around the corner (eek!). 

Hats for the Homeless is a local project whose goal is to provide the homeless in Minneapolis, MN with handknit hats.  Last year they collected and distributed 900 hats (yay!) with a target this year of 1500.  Is it doable?  Of course!  Knitters are generous, beautiful souls!  The following blog describes the program and details:

http://hats4thehomeless.blogspot.com/

Need an idea for a hat pattern?  Here are some suggested patterns. 

Keep these guidelines in mind:

 1.) Hats for men. Big, warm, “pull down over your ears” hats for men. If you are a female knitter, the hat should be a bit big on you. (The homeless men we met last year really wanted plain, dark hats. Please pay attention to this and avoid stripes, embellishments and patterns.)

2.) Hats for newborns, babies and toddlers. We have a new connection to an organization working with homeless teens and a lot of them have small children. We need to cover all the heads.

Thanks, everyone!!

My Double Heelix Socks are now fully formed socks!  Yay!  They turned out pretty cute and fit really well.  The pattern sizing is based on the measurement around your heel/instep and that is where my foot is large.  It allowed me to adjust for that. 

Sorry for the mediocre picture 🙁 .

Double Heelix Socks

Pattern: A  — for creativity; but challenging!!
Yarn (Malabrigo Sock in Solis and Lettuce): A
Fit: A\
Ravelry Project Page

Overall grade has to be an A!!

Rumpie must be living in Canada under the pseudonym, Hand Maiden.  I have solid evidence that silk, kid mohair and nylon have been spun into pure gold:

This yarn is gorgeous beyond belief, and I had to have it — hock the kids, get a fourth mortgage, do whatever it takes, Baby!  You are mine, all mine!!   I bought it from StephenBe’s Yarn Garage Booth at The Knit and Crochet Show at the Hyatt in Minneapolis.  I did not sign up for classes but shopped and took in the fashion show.

The yarn is called Maiden Hair, 67% silk, 23% kid mohair, 10% nylon, 300 m/100 g, color pumpkin (?).  Is that the color name?  I am also curious about how the crimp will knit up.  I am thinking about making Merope’s Cowl with it, though the yardage is far greater than what is needed.  Since I am not quite sure how it will knit up, it just might not work.

We also bought some deck furniture — finally!  It is so nice to be able to actually use the lovely deck that my husband finished last fall.  Note laptop and knitting as part of the accessorizing!

Tomorrow I start the Braided Glory Class at Amazing Threads — really excited about it.  I love futzing around with technique. 

My Left Foot update: I am walking without a boot!  Not great at it, but walking nonetheless.  Progress is being made…:)

PS:  Eek.  Made. Big. Mistake. Husband. Saw. Price. Of. Yarn. $42.50.

PS2: I laughed when Suzan asked if Bonnie’s husband was a skiier: mine is — cross country.  The equipment is tres cher and of course he gets only the best, so we allow each other our little extravagances!  My favorite hubby quote, “Keep buying yarn ’til we run out of money!”  Okay, dear!! 😉

I finally saw the turkey babies!  John saw them once when they were absolutely teeny and said they have really grown.  It was hard to get good pictures because they (rightly so) blend into the underbrush.  I was surprised that they all seemed so tame.  They allowed me to open our back door and walk onto the deck without bolting.  The four jakes were strutting about like it was mating season — proud as peacocks to show off their family.  We have had hours of free entertainment from these little guys! 

One of the Moms in Protective Stance

The Black and Red Bullet
Not every project is an A+, but I am posting this for my own self!  I decided to knit a simple hat as a “thank you” for my young, cute nice surgeon.  I made a Turn a Square by Jarod Flood last Christmas for Matt, my brother-in-law.  I hounded Sally for all of the specs so I could knit the same thing for the doctor.  So, I am posting the details here for my own future reference!

This is a crazy picture, but I do not have a model.  Stash yarn, free pattern, one evening of knitting — nice, small project. 

Turn a Square by Jarod Flood
Yarn: Cascade 220 in black and dark red
Needles: US 5 for the ribbing, US 7 for the hat
Cast on: 104 sts, 2×2 rib for 1 inch, switch to larger needle
Work 5 rows black, 2 red, (3 black, 2 red), repeat between ( ) 2 more times; knit until 5 inches, start shaping.

There!  I will not need to bug Sally next time!

Our heat index in Minnesota was 119 degrees yesterday!!  Ugh!!

Camp was terrific — Kim is a great knitting partner and travel partner. We had so much fun. Everyone was welcoming to us as Camp Newbies and we got quite inspired. There are some damn fine knitters out there! I also met some loyal readers and loved hanging out with them!!

Meg [Swansen] was still recovering from an unfortunate run in with Lyme’s Disease. She needed a lot of rest and could not participate as much as she would have liked. It was a disappointment to everyone, but we all understood and wish her a speedy recovery.

Not the best picture, but the best people!!

The Day in Action

Break Time!!

Each day was a melange of mini-tutorials, Camper Show-and-Tell, contests and raffles.  Serious knitting time with serious, fun-loving knitters.  And lots of shopping and noshing opportunities, too!

My shopping:

The yarn is Cheryl Oberle’s special blend called Dancing Colors. One for me, and one for Sally — Sally’s is red-violet and mine reddish-black. Cheryl has a new vest pattern that I want to start ASAP. It should be a quick knit and will soon be revealed ;). The bag is a complete copycat of Kim’s cute camera bag: The ACME Bowling Case from National Camera Exchange…had.to.get.one.now.

Back on the hamster wheel tomorow…