theraineysisters knitting and so much more

My knitting has been curtailed of late due to several factors.  The most obvious is that I had surgery on my right middle finger a couple of weeks ago that has limited my mobility.  As a right-handed “thrower,” my throwing is a bit off!

The other factor is the disruption of remodeling!

When we walked into the kitchen of our [now] home 21 years ago, we burst into laughter — it was the ugliest kitchen we had ever seen!  Photos do not do it justice.  In fact, if I was as photogenic, I would be a high-fashion model even at my present age.  😉  As ugly as it was, held off until now to remodel.

This is how it looked this morning – this does not show every other room, all of which are equally in chaos.  On Tuesday the cabinet installation will begin.  The countertop takes weeks to fabricate, and I have no idea when the flooring arrives!  Not to mention the lights, tile work, etc.  I had hoped to host Thanksgiving in our new kitchen, but may need to wait for Christmas!!

My husband is doing a lot of the work, so when I sit, knit, and watch TV I feel very guilty.  Because of this, yesterday I went downstairs to do all of the above to minimize the guilt!! 🙂

But, it will all be over soon enough.  I’ll post an “after” picture when it’s done!

This is an excerpt from our Ravelry Group Tip of the Week…

September 22 Tip of the Month 2  — Building Better Brioche

The Rainey Sisters launched our new pattern about a week ago.  Part of the process was to divvy up the pockets – who would write up which pocket.  Susan was assigned “brioche” because she had more experience knitting brioche.  The following tip derives from her experience writing up the brioche pocket for Pickpocket:

From Susan:
Most everyone who writes directions for brioche follows the same method outlined by the great Nancy Marchant.  She is the reigning queen of brioche, and rightfully so.  However, in the course of my swatching, I did discover a flaw in the standard method for knitting 2-color flat brioche:

You can see the issue in the following pictures.  I checked out the directions written by several well-known brioche designers and found that they all did it the same way – shown as standard below:

In standard 2-color flat brioche, you leave the working yarn of the contrast color (CC) where it falls when you drop it to slip the edge st(s), then turn to work the next row with the main color (MC).  This is to the RS of the work.  It will then be in the proper position when needed again – after the MC portion of the row is completed.

The problem is, the brioche column is incomplete, resulting in a narrower column with distorted, half-formed sts.

By moving the yarn to the WS of the work when the CC portion of the row is done (before slipping the edge st-s), the CC purl column is completed.  It becomes a fully formed brioche purl column.

The MC row is worked, and then you slide the sts back to work the CC row.  At this point, the CC yarn needs to be moved into proper position (to the right side).  If you are on the RS and need to work a brioche purl, bring the yarn forward; if you are on the WS and need to work a brioche knit, move the yarn to the back.

If you are not a brioche knitter, this won’t make any sense!!  But, if you take up brioche knitting, try swatching both ways and see what you think!  Another tool for the toolbox…

PS from Susan — I sure enjoyed my 15 minutes of fame in the Kristy Glass spotlight!!  Thank you for watching and commenting.  It really means a lot! 🙂

Yes, I am on Youtube!  Remember when I said I had been interviewed by Kristy Glass?  The video is now playing on her YouTube Channel.  It is horrifying to watch yourself for that length of time…

PS to DivaDar: I agree!  Kristy was so sweet and really seemed interested in what I had to say.  She was a really good interviewer!

PS2 to Deborah: I did knit the gold and blue bird sweater in the round and steeked it.  You do the neck or armhole shaping on either side of the steek.

We are so proud to be able to launch our newest collaboration: Pickpocket!  This has been in the works for months…we hoped for a September 1st release, but decided instead to ruin Sally’s anniversary weekend! 🙂

Pickpocket has a choice of six fun pockets (plus three additional choices using the reverse sides), a flattering boxy shape, unique i-cord knot at the neckline, and a split hem. Fun to make and fun to wear!!

Here is Sally’s Pickpocket being modelled by her lovely daughter, Nora:

And here is Susan’s Pickpocket:

The idea behind the name is that you pick your pocket – from 6 options (3 more when the reverse sides of some of them are included):

The other cute touch is the i-cord knot at the neckline:

We chose the boxy shape because it is flattering to almost everyone.  There are 7 sizes included.  The prototypes were knit in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter.  Susan is knitting another one for her daughter in Berocco Vintage which looks great so far!

A little added feature — Susan fixed a basic problem with Brioche Knitting — check out the Brioche Pocket…more on this little gem later.

Hope you like it!!

I had very minor surgery on my right middle finger and ended up with a HUGE bandage!!  I cannot knit and it is very difficult to type!  I hope to have a simple splint on Monday.  The initial numbing agent is wearing off…!!

PS — I had a mucous cyst on the first joint of my middle finger – caused by arthritis.  The only way to remove these is surgery.  The cyst fills up with synovial fluid and is extremely painful, so you have to get rid of it!!

Hey, I know you need something exciting to do!  Join me for a weekend of knitting, relaxation, eating, and more knitting!

The retreat is October 12-14 at the Norwegian Wood Retreat Center in Princeton, MN.  Details here: registration information.

Friday night I will do a repeat presentation of Herbert Niebling – The Lace Genius.

On Saturday we will explore finishing techniques that can elevate the look of your garments.

Sunday is all about beads!  We will make a Mini-Snowfall Beaded Hat Ornament.  A kit with beads and yarn to make all three hats is included in the registration fee:

Overnight accommodations are available, or people can come to any of the events separately!  It would be amazing if some of you were there!!