theraineysisters knitting and so much more

November 22, 2006

From Susan — The Red Hat

Filed under: Back Story,Current Projects,Updates — lv2knit @ 2:24 pm

Since I have nothing of current interest to share, I thought I would share something of less than current interest.  This is a hat and scarf I designed earlier in the year.  I submitted it to a well-known knitting magazine and it was [reluctantly — or so they say] rejected.  I still love the design and wearing the tam:

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The above sample was knitted in Debbie Bliss Alpaca and Silk DK, which I absolutely love.  It is SO-O-O-O-O soft!!!!!

Sally was one of my test knitters and made the following out of hand-dyed merino (she will need to add info on the yarn). Note from Sally: I used Kersti, which is the DK weight yarn made by the Koigu ladies who bring you all of that lovely KPPM yarn. This yarn has a bit of a “cable twist” to it.

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And the flip side:

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If people are interested, I can sell the pattern, but it will take a bit for me to set up a sales process.  It is a fun little project and gift.

As for me, I am going to make Hamantaschen to take to Grandpa’s tomorrow.  It is a good excuse to eat more of those scrumptious goodies. 

Here is wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful for the support I have received from all of you with my knitting endeavors and dilemmas over the past few months.  THANK YOU!!! 🙂

November 20, 2006

From Susan — Teen Knit Night

Filed under: Back Story — lv2knit @ 12:53 pm

My Teen Knit Night was a total success.  We ate popcorn, knitted on scarves and watched increasingly “scary” movies (John Tucker Must Die –> Practical Magic –> Silent Hill).  It was a ton of fun.   

Michelle would like an update on knitting on planes.  Have any of you travelled by plane real recently?  The last time I flew, they were absolute stinkers about knitting. 

November 19, 2006

From Sally — Feather and Fan Shawl Update

Filed under: Feather and Fan Shawl — Sally @ 6:29 pm

I’m home nursing a cold, watching the Vikings lose, missing a knitting get-together so I don’t infect others, and working on my mindless project of choice: the Feather and Fan Shawl. It’s such a nice easy lace project. One row of patterning that doesn’t even require a chart followed by three rows of straight stockinette. Since each row has 800+ stitches, we are talking mindless zen knitting at its best. This project is even fairly portable, so I’ve been carrying it around when I go to appointments or know I have to wait somewhere.

It is, however, a slow project. I probably have around 50 or so rows left and I’m not sure when I’ll finish it. I am enjoying working on it. Here is what it looked like a little while ago.

And here it is today. I changed it over to a longer needle and took a photograph while it was on both needles and therefore not so scrunched up.

The color is a bit more true in the top photograph. It still is hard to get an idea of the size. The needle I was on was 40″ and the one I’m transferring it to is 60″ if that helps.

November 18, 2006

From Susan — An Update on the Sweater Request

Filed under: Current Projects,Updates — lv2knit @ 5:20 pm

RECAP: My daughter’s friend asked me (through Laura) to knit her a sweater from the recent Vogue Knitting.  I did tell Laura today that I would not be making her a sweater.  She seemed okay with that answer. 

Instead, we are having a knit night at our house this evening.  Movies, snacking and knitting.  Laura and I shopped for yarn for both of the friends that are coming over and will help them with their scarves.  That seemed like a fun compromise.

As far as MY knitting goes, it isn’t.  I have not been getting much done lately.  Too much going on and not enough energy to go around.  Tonight I won’t get too much done because Laura’s friends are a bit needy and I do want to help them. 

IF I make any progress on anything, I’ll post more and some pictures.  I’m just in a lull at the moment.  Ever have those days??

November 15, 2006

From Susan — Where are we??

Filed under: Current Projects,Updates — lv2knit @ 10:34 pm

Where are we??  Why have we fallen off the face of the knitting earth?  Just busy, that’s all.  PLUS, Sally and I are doing a mini knitalong that we do not want to share until we figure out if it works.  So, we have both been knitting a bit on it but do not have anything we want to divulge until success (or defeat?) is declared.  It is an unusal project that will either be remarkably cool or be a total flop.  The jury is still out.  We will spill all the beans once the jury is in.

Knitting News

Julia Roberts To Star in Knitting Film 

Julia Roberts will star in the big screen family drama “The Friday Night Knitting Club.” The star has been an avid knitter for years and regularly indulges in her hobby during down time on film sets. Roberts will also produce the project through her Red Om production company.  

The film is based on Kate Jacobs’ upcoming novel and centers on a single mother who juggles the demands of running a Manhattan, New York knitting store with raising her spirited teen daughter. Her regular customers gather once a week to work on their latest projects and chat, but when a tragedy occurs, the customers realize they’ve created more than just a knitting club. 

 

November 13, 2006

From Susan — A Quick Update

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 1:13 am

As I said, I finished the lace mitts for my daughter.  She is a person of VERY few words, so she “thanked me” by putting them on immediately while she did homework on the computer.  I guess she likes them! 

November 12, 2006

From Susan — True Confessions

Filed under: Back Story,Current Projects,Updates — lv2knit @ 7:23 pm

Well, I did not think anyone would be interested but, here is the skinny on the el cheapo yarn in my scarf:  No Bo (No Boundaries) yarn, 59% Nylon, 41% Acrylic, $2 per skein (not $1.99, but $2 — it may have been on clearance), 50 gm, 95 meters.  The color shown is #353.  Not a natural fibre within 10 miles!!!

I also finished my daughter’s fingerless gloves with the mini-fingers.  Thank goodness!  I was about ready to cut off one or two of her digits just to get the thing done.  Some projects lose their appeal real fast and this was one of them. 

Next I hope to finish up Anya.  I have been plugging away on it and will post a picture soon showing what I went through to get a nice looking SSK on the raglan.  Then I’m stopping at my OCD meeting ;). 

From Susan — Am I a Reformed Yarn Snob?

Filed under: Back Story — lv2knit @ 9:51 am

Reformed?  No.  But do I know a good deal when I see one?  Yes.  I am a bonified yarn snob and proud of it.  I don’t buy yarn at Micheal’s or Joanne’s.  I love silk, alpaca, cashmere, and pure wool — merino and otherwise.  However, I was at a well known discount retailer (rhymes with ball fart) and ran across this yarn in several colors at a ridiculous price.  My eldest daughter has been knitting scarves AND is preparing for a December jewelry craft show.  She mentioned she would like to try to sell a few scarves at the show.  I did not want to invest in the amount of money I spend for yarn on her scarves in case they did not sell.  So I bought the cheap yarn in several colors to try out. 

I decided to see how well it worked before we got too excited.  I knitted up this lovely neutral.  It is the softest yarn I have ever felt.  Ever.  It goes perfectly with my “work uniform” (aka, a beige jumper), and I love it.  I held it double and used size 15 needles so it would be a super fast knit.  Every three ridges I did a double wrap.

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I love the very small bits of copper and gold.   So, I have gone to the dark side — at least for one day!!

November 10, 2006

From Susan– What pattern???

Filed under: Current Projects — lv2knit @ 5:56 pm

Sheila asked about the pattern for the little lace mitts. Sally and I both made our glovelets from the same pattern: Wine and Roses Mitts from the new Winter 2007 Interweave Knits. 

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The pattern calls for Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 2-ply (100% cashmere; 400 yd [366 m]/55 g): #039 slate, 1 skein.  This yarn is VERY THIN!!!!!  Much thinner looking than it appears in the photo.  I added fingers only because my daughter insisted.  I much prefer them without — but she will be the wearer and so I deferred to her taste. 

November 8, 2006

From Susan and Sally — More Lace Glovelets

Filed under: Current Projects — surly @ 12:22 pm

We both love this little project from Interweave so Susan is making them for oldest daughter and Sally is making a pair for herself. 

Susan’s first glovelet:

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Laura wanted fingers.  What a pain!  Anyway, the yarn is a combination of Misti Alpaca Laceweight and Kidsilk Haze, knit on Size 1 needles, gauge 9 sts/inch.  They are very small glovelets and would not fit Susan. 

Sally:

Still despondent over the loss of the red cashmere glovelets, while nevertheless fervently believing in the knitworthiness of their recipient, Sally embarked on a new glovelet project. She used pale green Kidsilk Haze held together with a handpainted yarn from Schaefer. It’s called Andrea, and it is 100% silk.

And here is the first glovelet. It’s not been blocked, which is why the bottom of the cuff isn’t “flat.” That and the fact that Sally was apparently too lazy to smoothe it out before taking the photograph. You can’t get good help these days.

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