tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635377548428636162024-02-07T02:19:32.283-08:00Knitting in Wine Countrysandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-48003732882346761612014-05-21T18:09:00.001-07:002014-05-21T20:05:43.029-07:00A Different Kind of SwatchLast week I took a morning off for a trip to San Francisco to see the <a href="https://legionofhonor.famsf.org/" target="_blank">Intimate Impressionism show at the Palace of the Legion of Honor</a>. These paintings, on loan from the National Gallery of Art, are smaller works intended for domestic interiors. The exhibit includes work by all the big Impressionist names.<br />
Of all the paintings on view, the one that most struck me was this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZqQ5YxN7vksJsWxwOcKiE16CZa0S9i_Opl9XXlD9fXAg8aAKzlAs_lPLZ4MbXC7lRRb2Q52UH7-zSBIeU9i57Q9uMoKwSZ1jn9URNA5d4o1jrO0XINOdhXcqgQEr7UHp2h5EMcCHmpM2/s1600/seurat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZqQ5YxN7vksJsWxwOcKiE16CZa0S9i_Opl9XXlD9fXAg8aAKzlAs_lPLZ4MbXC7lRRb2Q52UH7-zSBIeU9i57Q9uMoKwSZ1jn9URNA5d4o1jrO0XINOdhXcqgQEr7UHp2h5EMcCHmpM2/s1600/seurat.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seascape (Gravelines) 1890 by Georges Seurat</td></tr>
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It was painted by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Seurat" target="_blank">Georges Seurat</a>, who is best known for his masterwork Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Le Grande Jatte, now in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.<br />
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Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte 1884-1886 by Georges Seurat </td></tr>
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Seurat was the pioneer of pointillism, a painting style founded on scientific study of the interaction of colors in light. Seurat did not blend his colors on the canvas. Instead, he painted tiny dots of pure color, relying on the eye's ability to blend these colors and resolve them into an image. The picture you see exists in your head, not on the canvas.<br />
When you look at these paintings on the screen, you are missing the sense of scale. Sunday Afternoon is huge - 10 feet wide by 6 feet tall. The figures in the foreground are nearly life-sized. When I stood in front of this painting in Chicago, I felt as if I could walk into it.<br />
The seascape I saw last week is tiny. The inner image is 6 1/4" tall by 9 3/4" wide. When I saw it, I turned to my friend Diane and said, "Look! He painted a swatch!"<br />
Take a closer look at the seascape. Within the ornate gold leaf frame is a flat wooden frame which the artist has covered with his signature dots. To me, this feels like what we as knitters do when we practice edge treatments on our knitted swatches.<br />
The very fact of this small painting astonishes me. It was painted just a year before Seurat's death (at the age of only 31). His masterwork was several years in his past. You wouldn't think he needed to practice with such a simple piece.<br />
Why did Seurat make this painting? Was it a study for a larger seascape that was never completed? Was he experimenting with new color combinations? Was it the painter equivalent of "procrastiknitting", fooling around to create the appearance of work while avoiding the work that actually needed doing? <i>(Come on; you know you do it, too.)</i><br />
We knit swatches for all these reasons - to practice a new technique, to experiment with a new idea on a small scale, to test color combinations, to doodle in 3D. If you only knit swatches to measure gauge, you're missing a wonderful opportunity to play.<br />
We'll never know why this tiny seascape was made. But this little painted swatch made my day.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-50097478101123844992014-05-09T12:34:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:34:53.646-07:00Yarn Adoption UpdateWell, I must admit I'm surprised.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2pCnjylBydHL-7gZ1NY6RtICbQ4MYo-hK_U-DWkvgkR0AcGH14vo4vVdICkEPcA9PUkdL4_BcObfeJ_FlsB-1c86jktz89DFw-zm6KG4zX6nrrLyyO5chyuIPJE2Lab6g1EJjm2Mqhi4/s1600/shipments.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2pCnjylBydHL-7gZ1NY6RtICbQ4MYo-hK_U-DWkvgkR0AcGH14vo4vVdICkEPcA9PUkdL4_BcObfeJ_FlsB-1c86jktz89DFw-zm6KG4zX6nrrLyyO5chyuIPJE2Lab6g1EJjm2Mqhi4/s1600/shipments.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a>Who knew there were so many people willing to send money to a complete stranger in exchange for yarn sight unseen?<br />
Over the past two days, 40 <a href="http://knittinginwinecountry.blogspot.com/2014/05/too-much-yarn.html" target="_blank">Yarn Adoption shares </a>have been claimed by 20 different people. That means I've found new homes for yarn with a retail value of well over $2000.<br />
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The few skeins that remain are being donated to a local church for their charity knitting program.<br />
To all who adopted yarn, <i><b>THANK YOU!</b></i> I hope you and your new skeins are very happy together. To those who wanted to think about it for a day or two, I'm sorry. As my brothers would happily say, "You snooze, you lose."<br />
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I had a tremendous amount of fun matching yarn to requests. It was like shopping for presents for a bunch of people I don't know. If you were an adopter, I'd love to see what you make with your yarn.<br />
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What else have I been up to? I just finished spinning a project that I assigned myself as a challenge. I took up spinning less than 3 years ago, and it gives me an enormous amount of pleasure. Last year, I was given 3 ounces of <a href="http://www.spinningstrawintogold.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=27&products_id=97" target="_blank">natural golden Muga silk top</a> as a gift. I'll admit I was a bit intimidated. But last month I decided to tackle it. I wanted to spin a fine, tight, even 3-ply yarn. Here is the result, with a penny included for scale.<br />
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It is far from perfect, but I'm proud. I think it will knit into beautiful lace.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-29626463885942447252014-05-07T11:57:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:36:26.147-07:00Too much yarn...Yes, it is possible to have too much yarn.<br />
I design knitwear and write patterns for a living. That means boxes land on my doorstep nearly every week filled with wonderful yarn. I'm always sent more than I need, which means there is always yarn left over.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYYFV9Mx4T5886yTb1ahjfCqdDQsrauH8rWC6UJckNWvQvD0m9uFnXLmzMH7xKW3_bX9SxquQSm_-CCrwNmvUWJX2A53MqBkrDOEpaXobVPsdYEUhBpmf23bEtej5OyWnAsDcN-9_6IYO/s1600/stash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYYFV9Mx4T5886yTb1ahjfCqdDQsrauH8rWC6UJckNWvQvD0m9uFnXLmzMH7xKW3_bX9SxquQSm_-CCrwNmvUWJX2A53MqBkrDOEpaXobVPsdYEUhBpmf23bEtej5OyWnAsDcN-9_6IYO/s1600/stash.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></div>
This is beautiful yarn. Almost entirely natural fibers, mostly wool and wool blends, in a variety of weights and textures. This is yarn I would be happy to use, if I ever had the time to knit something just for me. But the necessity of paying my bills means there is always a next project, which means more yarn coming in.<br />
The leftovers are piling up.<br />
I have a <i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BIG NEW PROJECT</span></i> on the horizon - a book of crochet tank tops and camisoles. I can't tell you how excited I am about this. In the past 2 weeks, I've ordered yarn to make all the projects in the book. Do you see a looming problem?<br />
Where am I going to put the yarn to make 25 new projects? Stacking boxes and bags in a corner is not acceptable to me. I feel it's necessary to honor my work by organizing my thoughts and supplies in a neat and logical way. (At least at the beginning. As the deadline looms, this may all go out the window.)<br />
Here is where you come in. In order to clear space, both mentally and physically, for the <i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BIG NEW PROJECT</span></i>, I'd like to move some of my beloved stash on to new homes. Would you like to adopt some of my yarn and give it a good home? Are you willing to take a chance?<br />
If so,<b> here is how you can participate:</b><br />
1. Send me an e-mail at knittingworkshop@comcast.net.<br />
2. In the subject line, write <b><i>Yarn Adoption</i></b>.<br />
3. In the body of the e-mail, include your mailing address. Also include any guidelines you want to give me in choosing your yarn. Color preferences, no laceweight, only mohair, only sock yarn, whatever.<br />
4. Finally, tell me how many "shares" you would like to adopt.<br />
5. I'll dive into the stash and choose some yarn for you. For every share you request, I'll pick yarn with a retail value of at least $50.<br />
6. I'll send you a Paypal request for a $20 "adoption fee" for each share you've requested.<br />
7. When Paypal confirms that you've paid, I'll send your share(s) via USPS Priority Mail.<br />
8. You'll get your box, open it, and be thrilled with your new yarn. You'll wonder how I managed to pick something that was so perfect for you. You'll abandon whatever else you were working on and immediately start a new project with your new yarn, all the while congratulating yourself for rescuing it from the neglect it suffered while stored in a bag in my yarn closet.<br />
<b>FAQs:</b><br />
<i>Q: Can I see photos before I decide?</i><br />
A: Nope - this is a game for those with a spirit of adventure. I'm trying to avoid taking the time to photograph and catalog the stash.<br />
<i>Q: What if I ask for chartreuse and you don't have chartreuse?</i><br />
A: If I don't have anything that matches the specs in your e-mail, I'll e-mail you back to let you know.<br />
<i>Q: Is the yarn in good condition?</i><br />
A: Yep - it has been stored in plastic bags in a smoke free space. But I cannot guarantee the absence of a stray dog hair or two - those little suckers get in everywhere. Baxter says "sorry".<br />
<i>Q: What if I don't like it when it </i><i>comes?</i><br />
A: Pass it on to someone who will love it. I can't offer to take it back - that would defeat the purpose.<br />
<i>Q: How long will I have to wait?</i><br />
A: I'll pick your yarn and send you a Paypal request within a day or two of getting your Yarn Adoption e-mail. Unless the postal service messes with us, you should get your box within 5 business days of payment.<br />
<i>Q: I live in Timbuktu. Can I play?</i><br />
A: Sorry, no. The adoption fee is too low to cover international postage. US addresses only, please.<br />
Thanks for helping me set the stage for the <i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BIG NEW PROJECT</span></i>.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Edited May 9, 2014 to add:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">All of the adoptable yarn has been claimed. Thanks!</span><br />
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How about a sneak peak at what I'm working on? The first rows of the first design.....sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-67884713273761293862014-04-30T11:37:00.000-07:002014-04-30T11:37:05.665-07:00Stripes!I love stripes like a toddler loves apple juice. Something about a stripe just makes me happy. A quick run through my closet produced these shirts.<br />
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Stripes and knitting are a match made in heaven. Changing colors row by row in an orderly sequence is just enough variety to keep the knitter entertained. But stripes have gotten a bad rap. Every woman "knows" that horizontal stripes make you look wider. It is drilled into us practically from birth that vertical lines = slimming and horizontal lines = not slimming.<br />
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How can I reconcile my love of stripes with my desire not to look as wide as the side of a bus? Break up the horizontal line of the stripes with a little intarsia.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ7974lSBkCcY0MZ8VolsAbJWnD1OkExPTOZq0c8tX_ddNHNz9ZixOePE0E3HXb08S5ZlesCz7RCOrHAi8xycWEogYeB1A4cGmnK02ocKNV2SdCeGKAy6aSyPxO7Vjc0vyYctgzNA3CKz/s1600/interleaf_a_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ7974lSBkCcY0MZ8VolsAbJWnD1OkExPTOZq0c8tX_ddNHNz9ZixOePE0E3HXb08S5ZlesCz7RCOrHAi8xycWEogYeB1A4cGmnK02ocKNV2SdCeGKAy6aSyPxO7Vjc0vyYctgzNA3CKz/s1600/interleaf_a_500.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
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Take a look at <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2014/spring/magazinepage_039.php" target="_blank">Interleaf, my latest design for Twist Collective</a>.<br />
Stripes, right? Wide stripes and narrow stripes.<br />
But the overall impression is vertical colorblocking, not horizontal stripes! There is a little bit of asymmetry at play here, too. The blue stripes wrap around the left side to meet their partners on the back; the gray stripes wrap around the right side.<br />
Other flattering design features include a shaped waistline (very slimming), and a square neck to show off pretty collarbones. The armholes are close enough that you don't need to worry about bra exposure.<br />
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The intarsia technique used in this design is as simple as can be. No intricate shapes, and no more than three sections in a row. If you are new to intarsia, or need a refresher, this issue of Twist Collective also includes <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2014/spring/magazinepage_049.php" target="_blank">an article I wrote explaining everything you need to know.</a><br />
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The yarn is <a href="http://tahkistacycharles.com/t/yarn_single?products_id=185" target="_blank">Tahki Cotton Classic Lite</a> - crisp, smooth, cool, and perfect for a hot summer day.<br />
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While you're clicking around, be sure to take a look at the rest of the Spring issue. My personal favorites? <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2014/spring/magazinepage_014.php" target="_blank">Belleville</a>, a classically feminine cardy by Anne Podlesak, <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2014/spring/magazinepage_045.php" target="_blank">Sugarbeach</a>, a girly summer aran by Fiona Ellis, and <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2014/spring/magazinepage_07.php" target="_blank">Aello</a>, a gossamer lace shawl by Marnie MacLean.<br />
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sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-2333500319119578972014-02-15T10:34:00.000-08:002014-02-15T10:34:18.751-08:00Warming up for Stitches WestWe are less than a week away from<a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/WEST" target="_blank"> Stitches West!</a> I'm doing my best to wrap up lots of work before leaving for a few days surrounded by knitters and crocheters. I have several things I'd like to share with you.<br />
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First, I was proud to be invited to contribute to the <a href="http://halosofhope.org/home/" target="_blank">Halos of Hope</a> <a href="http://halosofhope.org/store/items/index/10/designer_invitational_2013/" target="_blank">Designer Invitational Hat Collection</a>. Halos of Hope is an organization founded by the remarkable Pam Haschke to collect and distribute handmade hats to cancer centers around the country. Your purchase of my pattern, or any pattern from this collection, will help fund these efforts. Click on over to their website to learn about their mission and how you can help.<br />
<a href="http://halosofhope.org/store/items/view/33/daisys_cloche/" target="_blank">My design</a> was inspired by the cloche style hats popular in the 1920's and 30's. I've always been struck by how the slightly flared brim of these hats frames the face and focuses attention on the eyes. In a soft cotton yarn, this hat will be ultra comfortable, whether or not you have hair.<br />
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I've also been designing lots of new projects for my friends at <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/index.php" target="_blank">Kollage Yarns</a>, featuring the newest addition to their line - <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/yarns.php?cid=43" target="_blank">Happiness</a>. This superwash merino wool is spun and hand-dyed in the USA, and comes in fingering, DK and worsted weights.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8F-sdftC6ozx0O-OeR7XtgdTug2Qh2ynJJcjigefF1t8SVgW5MM50kJwWkkTPzETYJ6ZCTuYEt4GW_Jilz9IAeFmhS0jxl5vhk9oS44xBjTC74mYvYRCp80bjUCtxNZ8N3qwEEv-bO7uP/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8F-sdftC6ozx0O-OeR7XtgdTug2Qh2ynJJcjigefF1t8SVgW5MM50kJwWkkTPzETYJ6ZCTuYEt4GW_Jilz9IAeFmhS0jxl5vhk9oS44xBjTC74mYvYRCp80bjUCtxNZ8N3qwEEv-bO7uP/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitts yet to be named</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Since getting this yarn last month at TNNA, I've made 3 hats, 2 cowls and shawl and a pair of long fingerless mitts. Kits for these designs will be available in the Kollage Yarns booth at TNNA (booth #824). That's also where you'll find me - I'll be working in the booth all weekend. Please stop in and say hello!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4uHaAKR5_53KcrevVOO2q9-GAAYv83jaotgikNm3SDeiIbkPqi57WRHD2FMzAUoczAEzKLQwMPb32rppbkOLtRBnLIJfRK6_PF4Qp2sUOtRkChNR0eVxhYC1NYJcgZhr01Im2VOaS1jO/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4uHaAKR5_53KcrevVOO2q9-GAAYv83jaotgikNm3SDeiIbkPqi57WRHD2FMzAUoczAEzKLQwMPb32rppbkOLtRBnLIJfRK6_PF4Qp2sUOtRkChNR0eVxhYC1NYJcgZhr01Im2VOaS1jO/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maritsa Cowl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfep2U9F_b7XaxgWWhL9nBLCRC_wpTQKoJ6H4ZIoMYCsJUhd7Y4QmHWGYcUeRk-ZeFzftAzSDJcPmw0NcnHtwSReINf3hytP5fhxQTKcHAGcuiAEN3zwcD-7m-uB2NPWOus-MSkK2qlMO/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfep2U9F_b7XaxgWWhL9nBLCRC_wpTQKoJ6H4ZIoMYCsJUhd7Y4QmHWGYcUeRk-ZeFzftAzSDJcPmw0NcnHtwSReINf3hytP5fhxQTKcHAGcuiAEN3zwcD-7m-uB2NPWOus-MSkK2qlMO/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="200" title="Arches hat" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arches Hat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tATwNbo2kd4_8VcOaARw4nY50oWEM5FaIKD6ytCLFJZntfTNE-yxxaqI99NdO-9X4cy8Fw8sMgv-c7ANAIqZtUWyWUYi9Bczm_PSpp4ZnQW_0TgYCcV36kzJMgLZqnfFPf9BiscDvOsh/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tATwNbo2kd4_8VcOaARw4nY50oWEM5FaIKD6ytCLFJZntfTNE-yxxaqI99NdO-9X4cy8Fw8sMgv-c7ANAIqZtUWyWUYi9Bczm_PSpp4ZnQW_0TgYCcV36kzJMgLZqnfFPf9BiscDvOsh/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tidepool Shawl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-15579909258969291062014-01-14T15:19:00.000-08:002014-01-14T15:19:30.970-08:00A weekend spent among my peopleToday is my re-entry day. I sort the mail, do the laundry, and avoid work as much as possible. Today is my day to recover.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG21U81nzZdO4iYcyoEwJTzh6UDUTgzZOVeu_Q3TtWERRIWQsLKA_jMLfUQDQl_Tw1aDXJLPxpEumzE-HXRlNgkQkaAemeF29JVJ9xXmo5-8N1oiH9Cybs0FDHK7pTITX5ivg8ZCUoCo7K/s1600/2014-01-11+06.55.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG21U81nzZdO4iYcyoEwJTzh6UDUTgzZOVeu_Q3TtWERRIWQsLKA_jMLfUQDQl_Tw1aDXJLPxpEumzE-HXRlNgkQkaAemeF29JVJ9xXmo5-8N1oiH9Cybs0FDHK7pTITX5ivg8ZCUoCo7K/s400/2014-01-11+06.55.41.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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What am I recovering from? The semi-annual trade show of the National Needlework Association, known as TNNA. This past weekend, the knitting, crochet and needlework industry gathered in beautiful San Diego.<br />
This was the view from my hotel room at sunrise on Saturday. Not bad, eh?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yOX3DUt3IMepR5z3uMvA3rQUmuv7M8yRKbswmD_5vPRjvwsvWPCfc6VuUYlvi5DLtlPOMg744YQOSmmYkS6ztkMqz97iSIqMPulrXVG45ss3FDOFBw9BY9c_5YPl5p_4FfYimDg4STGv/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yOX3DUt3IMepR5z3uMvA3rQUmuv7M8yRKbswmD_5vPRjvwsvWPCfc6VuUYlvi5DLtlPOMg744YQOSmmYkS6ztkMqz97iSIqMPulrXVG45ss3FDOFBw9BY9c_5YPl5p_4FfYimDg4STGv/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a>While I spent the show working in the <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/" target="_blank">Kollage Yarns</a> booth with my friends Mark and Susie Moraca, for me the show is mostly about relationship maintenance. 90% of my work is done at my desk at home. This gathering is the opportunity to re-connect with friends, clients and potential clients, and to polish the rust off my social skills.<br />
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After setting up the booth on Friday, I joined <a href="http://marniemaclean.com/" target="_blank">Marnie MacLean</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/julia-trice" target="_blank">Julia Trice</a> for the Friday night festivities. These included a cocktail reception and fashion show. There was a photo booth set up at the party. We decided to forego the available props, but this strip of pics is pinned over my desk as a reminder of a great time.<br />
We went to dinner after the Fashion Show at a fun Mexican restaurant. It was Julia's birthday, so margaritas were mandatory.<br />
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Saturday brought a full day in the booth, then dinner with the wonderful <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/amy-gunderson" target="_blank">Amy Gunderson</a>, Design Director for <a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/" target="_blank">Universal Yarn</a>. It's a good thing Amy doesn't live closer, because she and I would spend every evening together drinking and talking into the wee hours.<br />
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Sunday was another full day in the booth, then dinner with the brilliant Julia Grunau, Prime Minister of <a href="https://www.patternfish.com/" target="_blank">Patternfish.com,</a> and Travis and Sara Romaine from <a href="http://www.paradisefibers.com/" target="_blank">Paradise Fibers</a>. We went to a <a href="http://www.pomegranatesd.com/" target="_blank">Russian restaurant</a>. The only thing on the menu that was familiar to me was beef stroganoff (and I didn't think that Hamburger Helper Stroganoff was really a reasonable analog), so I was glad that Mark suggested we have the waitress order for us. The feast that followed was an incredible array of unusual flavor combinations. Russian food - who knew?<br />
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Monday began with a breakfast meeting with the brilliant Amy Herzog. I'm proud to be working with Amy to tech edit her upcoming book, so we had lots to talk about. She is also excellent company. If you haven't explored her new custom knitting pattern website, <a href="http://customfit.makewearlove.com/customfit/about/" target="_blank">Custom Fit</a>, click on over and spend some time. She is dedicated to enabling knitters to produce clothing that makes them feel beautiful. Isn't that a great mission?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BsfN_xF2TvmDu2X4AbS961xU5dKxCDrydUG7xQvaCmwchlO9ZFj5XNELwhr62e1eUj5T9FRStw0K91UeuNjzERYHh04BkuRJVcHrsenhwLgX75x5o0hFG4jMlHFUy_3rwYqXXb_txrT7/s1600/happiness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BsfN_xF2TvmDu2X4AbS961xU5dKxCDrydUG7xQvaCmwchlO9ZFj5XNELwhr62e1eUj5T9FRStw0K91UeuNjzERYHh04BkuRJVcHrsenhwLgX75x5o0hFG4jMlHFUy_3rwYqXXb_txrT7/s400/happiness.JPG" width="400" /></a>The rest of Monday was spent in the booth. What were we showing? Let me give you a sneak peak of a yarn so new, it doesn't yet have labels.<br />
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Meet Happiness...<br />
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This is a superwash merino that Kollage Yarns just introduced at this show. It is spun and hand dyed by a small, family-owned mill here in the United States. Now hand-dyed merino is not unusual, but having this yarn spun in America is. I really appreciate Mark and Susie's commitment to creating American jobs.<br />
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Happiness will be available in worsted, DK and fingering weights in a delicious palette of 30 semi-solid colors. Kollage will have it for sale at Stitches West (only 6 weeks away!), and it will be shipping to local yarn shops soon.<br />
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I've cast-on for a Fair Isle hat, and will be working on new designs for all three weights. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.<br />
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sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-22338360699600362352014-01-10T06:21:00.001-08:002014-01-10T06:21:49.159-08:00The virtues of early flightsI'm at the airport, waiting to board my 7:00 am flight to San Diego for the gathering of the clan known as the National Needlework Association trade show.<br />
SFO is a 90 minute drive from my house, so early morning flights mean getting up in the middle of the night and crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in the pre-dawn hours. Most people would choose to fly later in the day. That is exactly why I often choose this sort of itinerary.<br />
At 6 am, the airport is calm. The lines are short, and the staff haven't yet had time to remember that they detest the flying public. I can easily find a quiet corner to sit with my coffee and my knitting, without feeling oppressed by the crowd and the noise.<br />
Also, TSA pre-check rocks. I don't know how I got on their "low threat" list, but I'm grateful. No more undressing, no need to empty my bag before screening. It feels like a return to pre-September 11 travel. What a pleasure to begin a trip with minimal stress.<br />
I'm so happy to be traveling to spend time with friends I see far too infrequently. Watch this space for a report on the trade show early next week.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-24627700235960984752013-12-31T14:43:00.002-08:002013-12-31T14:43:49.374-08:00Setting the Stage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcTOdJfwUE7-TjVmzHmvkjL1yg2oe9hwHYbvxqN5Z0Ni9mRuMeLUeYQzJi5FinUWtSiaEPgaWC_T3fJYVJy1LlO2xL_ee06OUQZafzY1GGQxSu1iDMfgwy8tF99rN7N1frQE72vH4jzjT/s1600/happy_new_year_2014_266943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcTOdJfwUE7-TjVmzHmvkjL1yg2oe9hwHYbvxqN5Z0Ni9mRuMeLUeYQzJi5FinUWtSiaEPgaWC_T3fJYVJy1LlO2xL_ee06OUQZafzY1GGQxSu1iDMfgwy8tF99rN7N1frQE72vH4jzjT/s400/happy_new_year_2014_266943.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the new year begins, I've decided it's time to revive this long neglected blog. After a hiatus of 8 months, I'm feeling like it's time to engage with the world via this medium once again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you someone who makes resolutions? I'm not, but I do believe in beginning the year as you intend to continue. Hence, this blog post. Here's what else I've done in preparation for New Year's Day:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">My desk is tidy. I have plenty of work to do, but no work that is overdue.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">My bookkeeping is current. My bills are paid. I have cash in my wallet and money in the bank.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">My house is clean. (At least, as clean as it gets. After all, I'm still me, and housekeeping is an area where my standards are remarkably low). All the laundry is done, and there are fresh linens on the beds.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">My kitchen is stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein and whole grains (plus a slice of cheesecake for a year end splurge).</span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's hoping 2014 is a year of peace and prosperity for us all. May your days be filled with grace, kindness and creativity.</span></div>
sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-15645866190857688832013-04-17T11:00:00.000-07:002013-04-17T11:00:39.224-07:00Say Hello to Spoleto<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2ZtxSdNZh9eeR-SDQByIrnCBCoNlednSJzh8VjSo_y17xgOpL46_rUJWtMN6_jtXxhkZEb4ie5u9Kml4VqAJgrXSB-fe8gY2FCzmqn9Vav4qc1DmvJUFglNmP5PD8Hzc6biivvUMp5LB/s1600/spoleto_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2ZtxSdNZh9eeR-SDQByIrnCBCoNlednSJzh8VjSo_y17xgOpL46_rUJWtMN6_jtXxhkZEb4ie5u9Kml4VqAJgrXSB-fe8gY2FCzmqn9Vav4qc1DmvJUFglNmP5PD8Hzc6biivvUMp5LB/s400/spoleto_front.jpg" width="338" /></a>The <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2013/spring/magazinepage_01.php" target="_blank">Spring/Summer issue of Twist Collectiv</a>e is up, and I'm delighted to be included. In addition to<a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2013/spring/magazinepage_036.php" target="_blank"> my article about tips and tricks for knitting lace,</a> the issue includes <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2013/spring/magazinepage_044.php" target="_blank">my new shawl design, Spoleto.</a><br />
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This piece was inspired by my love of outdoor theater in the summertime. I am fortunate to live in an area where summer Shakespeare festivals abound, and few things make me happier than taking a simple picnic and a good bottle of wine to a local park to spend the evening watching a play. <a href="http://spoletousa.org/" target="_blank">The Spoleto Festival in Charleston</a> is renowned for the quality of their music and theater productions. I've never been, but I'd love to go, and I just love the feel of the word Spoleto in my mouth.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi881jpjKCvc51DDisH46gdqzR4CpPIHpfJ1-8i4-EKj1euvJIDix9gq3mv4bBtF_iSrJF3xq01Luo3RsL5rBOCSp81gUhtY-31KGsDYoRy50PUogxxcE5ksehxwwOsehwXQTkmMz7-S_/s1600/spoleto_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi881jpjKCvc51DDisH46gdqzR4CpPIHpfJ1-8i4-EKj1euvJIDix9gq3mv4bBtF_iSrJF3xq01Luo3RsL5rBOCSp81gUhtY-31KGsDYoRy50PUogxxcE5ksehxwwOsehwXQTkmMz7-S_/s200/spoleto_back.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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I wanted this shawl to be a piece that you could drape artfully around your neck as a scarf while the day's warmth lingered in the air, then wrap around your shoulders as the evening cool settled in. Linear panels of moss stitch and simple lace make it easy to fold the shawl into accordion pleats. There is more solid moss stitch in the center of the shawl, where you want the warmth on your back and shoulders, and more lace toward the ends for a delicate finish. Seed beads are sprinkled throughout for just a touch of sparkle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog4dUofd-wqZgRIM_1HyMu1EGT7a2Ow9ANUQAwM8mBt5rOHKL52AOW7_4qg-RRNFvL0g1zxHIuUrxfrH1pphlj8hgaCyMVnhQjUojISA2iPpnQee6s1wxW_LyF1lEJVdJ91-YTmYfmj67/s1600/spoleto_end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog4dUofd-wqZgRIM_1HyMu1EGT7a2Ow9ANUQAwM8mBt5rOHKL52AOW7_4qg-RRNFvL0g1zxHIuUrxfrH1pphlj8hgaCyMVnhQjUojISA2iPpnQee6s1wxW_LyF1lEJVdJ91-YTmYfmj67/s200/spoleto_end.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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The yarn is<a href="http://www.spinnery.com/shop/products.php?cat=36&pg=2" target="_blank"> Simply Fine</a> from the wonderful people at <a href="http://www.spinnery.com/" target="_blank">Green Mountain Spinnery</a>, in an absolutely juicy hand-dyed color called Melonball. This fingering weight blend of wool and mohair gives just the right balance of warmth and drape. I chose size 6 transparent gold seed beads with an iridescent finish. I prefer that beads provide a subtle accent, not be the focal point of a piece. They don't show up very well in photos, but are just glorious in person. No pre-stringing of beads is required - the beads are added to the appropriate stitches with a small crochet hook.<br />
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Thanks to Jane Heller for the wonderful photographs, and to Kate Gilbert for the beautiful styling. I love that the model looks so natural and happy - like she has just come in from the outdoors.<br />
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sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-54066228241052169462013-02-25T10:48:00.000-08:002013-02-25T10:48:27.149-08:00Re-entryI'm suffering a bit from a Stitches West hangover.<br />
First, let me tell you that this is not one of those blog posts that is rich in visuals. When I'm busy, I completely forget that I have multiple cameras tucked into my bag. Taking pictures simply doesn't occur to me. So instead of showing you photos of all the knitting superstars I met, or all the gorgeous booths, or the yarn out the wazoo, I'll just tell you this....<br />
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1. I love spending a weekend among my tribe. I got to talk with some of my favorite people in the world.<br />
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2. The knitting business is filled with the smartest, funniest, most creative and generous women I know.<br />
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3. I didn't teach this weekend. I spent the weekend working with my friends from Kollage Yarns in their booth in the market. As a result, I had the opportunity to talk about my designs with lots of knitters.<br />
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4. Things that make my heart go pitter-patter:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Seeing someone wearing a piece that I designed. They saw a picture or sample, liked it, bought yarn, and spent their valuable time making something that started out as a idea in my head. Then they actually liked the finished product enough to wear it in public. Amazing.</li>
<li>Hearing that people look forward to reading the technical articles I write for Twist Collective. Perhaps that should be amended to be: Hearing that anyone other than my mother actually reads what I write.</li>
<li>Having students tell me that they are using the information and skills learned in a class they took with me.</li>
<li>Having a designer seek me out, introduce herself and tell me that she has learned a lot from my editing of her pattern.</li>
</ul>
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5. Four days of standing on concrete makes me ache from the knees down.<br />
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6. Contrary to popular belief, the perfect booth snack is not Girl Scout cookies (not that there is anything wrong with Girl Scout cookies). The perfect booth snack is Cuties, a trade name for seedless Mandarin oranges. Easy to peel, not messy, smells wonderful, and a marvelous hit of sweet and juicy when your energy starts to fade in the afternoon. Want to make a friend? Hand them a Cutie. Next year I'm bringing 2 bags instead of 1.<br />
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7. I didn't shop. Really, I didn't. We were so busy in the booth that there were aisles of the market I never even saw. And seriously, did I need to buy anything? No.<br />
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8. Despite not shopping, I managed to come home with 2 braids of hand dyed BFL from Shady K Fibers which will make the acquaintance of my spinning wheel this week.<br />
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If you get the opportunity to attend Stitches, or a similar event, I hope you jump on it, and I hope you love it as much as I do.<br />
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Enough. Laundry awaits.<br />
<br />sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-8413936824533555862013-02-18T15:26:00.000-08:002013-02-18T15:30:14.868-08:00It's Stitches West Week!Can you feel the excitement building for <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/West" target="_blank">Stitches West</a>? It begins on Thursday, February 21 and runs through Sunday the 24th.<br />
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I'll be working with my friends from <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/" target="_blank">Kollage Yarns</a> in their booth, #513-515. We'll be showing my new designs for Spring, some of which will also be in the Fashion Show on Friday night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bU-2GTBOhPGaMGqNu3wRyrw2_Zfp4zO7sspXdAgBCmH3ZXG4zqjb0aBtb3Sb7QDLzSYH3VJvTtAS8M_rNohooatsLlvV7RZj3I-77wpUTvKfRx8KX6kKr5nUSJh7Xb8RLPSB2jZBErhy/s1600/canopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bU-2GTBOhPGaMGqNu3wRyrw2_Zfp4zO7sspXdAgBCmH3ZXG4zqjb0aBtb3Sb7QDLzSYH3VJvTtAS8M_rNohooatsLlvV7RZj3I-77wpUTvKfRx8KX6kKr5nUSJh7Xb8RLPSB2jZBErhy/s1600/canopy.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8SSPFt7hX87LIqauGt5AgsWG3ZozRdUaAdguQaLkmH1LFYLWrltHnUcCA6YWL5q_MwrHTEwOeSqgniCL41OBEzhhwlTFOUmNXcXeJxfnNdtbw2sQRxcblvtqf1d-MJIKKXFx25_It51S/s1600/fox+trot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8SSPFt7hX87LIqauGt5AgsWG3ZozRdUaAdguQaLkmH1LFYLWrltHnUcCA6YWL5q_MwrHTEwOeSqgniCL41OBEzhhwlTFOUmNXcXeJxfnNdtbw2sQRxcblvtqf1d-MJIKKXFx25_It51S/s1600/fox+trot.jpg" /></a><br />
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I'll also be representing <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/winter/magazinepage_01.php" target="_blank">Twist Collective</a> at the show. Come find me in the Kollage booth wearing something made from a Twist Collective pattern, and I'll give you a little present. I'll even tweet a photo of you. Keep your eye out for the ShowUsYourTwist hashtag!<br />
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Many new knitting shows have started up in the past several years, but Stitches West remains the biggest and the best. The most classes, the best line-up of teachers, and a market hall that will give you the vapors all await us in Santa Clara.<br />
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Will I see you there?<br />
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PS - I'm still recovering from the finale of Season 3 of Downton Abbey. When Matthew was driving down that narrow road, I was hiding my eyes moaning "no, no, no". Ripped my heart out.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-27450666903860656672013-01-31T10:52:00.000-08:002013-01-31T10:52:17.447-08:00Dragging my feet into the 21st centuryI've never been accused of being an early adopter. I don't own a food processor, since my knife works perfectly well. I drive a 20 year old Toyota with a manual transmission. When I had a shop, I had a cash register, not a point of sales system.<br />
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So it should come as no surprise that I am accustomed to using an overhead projector when I teach. I like the immediacy of being able to write on my transparencies to illustrate a point. Besides, I don't own a laptop.<br />
I'm headed to Kansas City this weekend to teach at <a href="http://www.thestudiokc.com/events.html" target="_blank">The Studio Knitting & Needlepoint Annual Retreat</a>. When the retreat organizer asked the facility representative about an overhead projector, she was met with peals of laughter. It seems I'm being forced into an upgrade.<br />
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Fortunately, I was given an iPad for Christmas. (Thank you, Susie). And contrary to popular belief, it seems the iPad can actually be used for more than Twitter and Words With Friends. A Google search for "best presentation apps for iPad" pointed me at <a href="http://www.slideshark.com/r?r=94927A" target="_blank">SlideShark</a>.<br />
I've spent the past two days re-creating my visuals in PowerPoint (who knew I had this already on my computer? not me) and uploading them to SlideShark, from which I've downloaded them to my iPad. It has been a steep learning curve, but I'm ridiculously proud of myself. I should be able to project from the iPad using the LCD projector which seems to have replaced the overhead projector while I wasn't paying attention. Wish me luck.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEOidA2uNS1Vvhyphenhyphenf_3CC1f4WaxXZTzKsbkT1fT_5BC836GBJQYFn8NeQnDuoGP2R3bA4_rrB7Yn4dSXlZ79h2vWmTlL9MgWBKXbkJGkzkEx6GaT9F8DeJkL3BPCskDXwCY3gDV8G43qpO/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEOidA2uNS1Vvhyphenhyphenf_3CC1f4WaxXZTzKsbkT1fT_5BC836GBJQYFn8NeQnDuoGP2R3bA4_rrB7Yn4dSXlZ79h2vWmTlL9MgWBKXbkJGkzkEx6GaT9F8DeJkL3BPCskDXwCY3gDV8G43qpO/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
What have I been knitting?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQ6v_OEgefRl3oBNwnMJeE8zWGKgLOXKH1Hq-yYUemShJAtp8eAZyn7Ly5VzK_P5PE5xz70PeSOWQ0sYAG8VJ_eqlpNz2P_CRvkbWZvILDgNm1i5Pl7WrWlLJOFyt0noL2AhyphenhyphenlL46lIUS/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQ6v_OEgefRl3oBNwnMJeE8zWGKgLOXKH1Hq-yYUemShJAtp8eAZyn7Ly5VzK_P5PE5xz70PeSOWQ0sYAG8VJ_eqlpNz2P_CRvkbWZvILDgNm1i5Pl7WrWlLJOFyt0noL2AhyphenhyphenlL46lIUS/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a>Entrelac samples. I've been asked to teach Basic Entrelac Techniques at <a href="http://www.fashionknit.net/wordpress/" target="_blank">FashionKnit in Walnut Creek</a> in March. I haven't taught entrelac since I had the shop, so I've been making samples and developing an outline. Call FashionKnit to sign up - I'd love to see you in class.<br />
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And I started a new pair of socks last night, since I'll need travel knitting this weekend. Sitting in my chair watching <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/" target="_blank">PBS, I realized I was looking at David Attenborough </a>while knitting with yarn in a color called.....David Attenborough. I know. It's Skinny Bugga from the late lamented Sanguine Gryphon. Merino, cashmere and nylon.<br />
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<a href="http://cephalopodyarns.com/products/skinny-bugga" target="_blank">If you want some Skinny Bugga of your own, you can get it from Cephalopod Yarns</a><br />
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Have a great weekend.<br />
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Go Niners!</h2>
I'll miss the game because I'll be in transit, but my thoughts will be with them.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-74834142891825945612012-12-31T13:48:00.001-08:002012-12-31T20:01:03.256-08:00A Lesson in ColorI have a skirt design in the <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/K109" target="_blank">latest issue of Knitter's Magazine</a> called <b><i>Trompe l'oeil.</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFY5YkjRh_jV_yjVMpvU5cDkQP1ABEuMt2_caurAKdILbz9KBnNdUgzxwfqaM3V1GOBzR5GgKiaeBCkbtkz9_5LLqRji0XqRd-5_zQGKRWNUs4fyA0Q6il0XVViWGJC8CiwTn5mBF8dEX/s1600/K109+Trompe+L'oeil.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFY5YkjRh_jV_yjVMpvU5cDkQP1ABEuMt2_caurAKdILbz9KBnNdUgzxwfqaM3V1GOBzR5GgKiaeBCkbtkz9_5LLqRji0XqRd-5_zQGKRWNUs4fyA0Q6il0XVViWGJC8CiwTn5mBF8dEX/s640/K109+Trompe+L'oeil.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Creating this piece was a bit of a journey. I began with a motif from <a href="http://maryjanemucklestone.com/" target="_blank">Mary Jane Mucklestone's </a>excellent book<a href="http://www.amazon.com/200-Fair-Isle-Motifs-Directory/dp/1596684372" target="_blank"> 200 Fair Isle Motifs</a>. I drew the chart, then mirrored, flipped and edited it until I had a design that pleased me.<br />
When I made the initial swatch, it occurred to me that the motif looked like a bit of stockinette stitch with the stitches expanded. Can you see it? Try squinting.<br />
The original swatch was done with one self-striping yarn and one solid color.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBj9T-tRaNf7e3NvBWV_iNCxawpcxRHzKK1laU4Vhyphenhyphen2sdfbEwkfJzqYD4LIqS-xL8yKXq1KSR1au5umIciIxCtMETLYUdmACSe4x_qgkoXYMMuSu_jWiZS8G6HYScTMpQHFCqzMPCI7AK/s1600/trompe+loeil+swatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBj9T-tRaNf7e3NvBWV_iNCxawpcxRHzKK1laU4Vhyphenhyphen2sdfbEwkfJzqYD4LIqS-xL8yKXq1KSR1au5umIciIxCtMETLYUdmACSe4x_qgkoXYMMuSu_jWiZS8G6HYScTMpQHFCqzMPCI7AK/s400/trompe+loeil+swatch.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Knitter's acceptance of the submission happened to coincide with the semi-annual gathering of the clan for the trade show known as <a href="http://www.tnna.org/?page=Summer" target="_blank">TNNA</a>. I met with Rick Mondragon and Elaine Rowley from the magazine in the booth of Universal Yarns to select the yarn to be used for the project.<br />
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We quickly decided against using a self-striping yarn. The initial swatch was worked at a 16" circumference. When that yarn was worked in the round at a size appropriate for adult hips, the stripes would become very narrow, losing the effect we liked in the swatch.<br />
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We chose <a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/quality_color.php?quality=44" target="_blank">100% wool Deluxe Worsted</a> because it has a wonderful range of colors and because we knew it would be a good choice for the steeked zipper opening I had in mind. Rick and Elaine wanted this piece to fit into a harvest-themed color story in the magazine, so we settled on Roasted Almond for the main color. A range of 6 or 7 blues and greens would be worked in stripes for the background. The result was this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDW0Ue_0kaWh8Lujghd84fV36NRZDLU9l5tYKSfPgue6hyphenhyphen2cqSZ0pp4i3J3ISpDbolh85gOFuCPhw3jkb1iu63K7PQ5XpgHX7ankAa-8Ra1KqGRcXebSxnfpbzj25xyXIe_HPRU8Yt3xhh/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDW0Ue_0kaWh8Lujghd84fV36NRZDLU9l5tYKSfPgue6hyphenhyphen2cqSZ0pp4i3J3ISpDbolh85gOFuCPhw3jkb1iu63K7PQ5XpgHX7ankAa-8Ra1KqGRcXebSxnfpbzj25xyXIe_HPRU8Yt3xhh/s400/001.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
Awful, right? How in the world did the three of us think these colors would work? After all, it's not like we're new at this. Between the three of us, there are over 100 years of experience knitting and choosing yarn for a variety of projects. Yet it was not until I saw them together in the swatch that I knew there was not enough value contrast between the greens and the almond, and the almond was just too middling - neither dark enough nor light enough to carry the piece.<br />
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So I collected my wits and my yarn and worked up some alternatives. The first aimed at retaining the almond as the main color.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHfoRtncSU50fWusxMZRbaVzVVm8zvdrHgN_jiYBj0FzTMDc9ggtSzNtRXB087HtkIt1LJ-NDJrllNne6Xjef4O_OCWJNkbGV464SDSNGQvnfuCcm3tu3Mc-Y_4b6y-wGMgzL4AtcRXb8/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHfoRtncSU50fWusxMZRbaVzVVm8zvdrHgN_jiYBj0FzTMDc9ggtSzNtRXB087HtkIt1LJ-NDJrllNne6Xjef4O_OCWJNkbGV464SDSNGQvnfuCcm3tu3Mc-Y_4b6y-wGMgzL4AtcRXb8/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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The second changed the main color to a deep purple that the good folks from Universal had tossed in my box "just in case you want some options".<br />
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As you now know, that "just in case" skein was the hero that saved the day.<br />
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The moral of this story: If you are going to make a multi-colored piece, don't commit to the colors until you've worked up a swatch. No matter how many times you go through the process of choosing colors, you never really know if they will play nicely together until the swatch is done.<br />
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In case you are wondering, all the ends hanging off the sides of the small swatches are a by-product of my swatching technique. I wanted to work the pattern in the the round on a circular needle for speed, but did not want to make a large swatch. So I cast on enough sts for 2 pattern repeats, and worked a RS row. Then I slid the stitches to the other end of the needle, pulled the yarn across the back, and knit another RS row. I continued this way, knitting only RS rows and carrying the yarn across the back. When I had two repeats complete, I bound off, then cut the long strands across the back so I could block the swatches flat.<br />
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I know lots of people are spending their holiday leisure time knitting. How can I tell? One of my duties at Twist Collective is to respond to questions that come to the errata mailbox. The past week has seen a flurry! Fortunately, there was only one actual error - the rest just needed clarification or advice.<br />
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A very Happy New Year to one and all! May the blessings you received in 2012 be multiplied, and may the trials be forgotten.<br />
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<br />sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-11403382395177400812012-11-15T10:50:00.000-08:002012-11-15T10:50:54.927-08:00Sometimes Simple Isn't EasyThe <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/winter/magazinepage_01.php" target="_blank">new issue of Twist Collective</a> was released yesterday, and I have a new design to share.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/winter/magazinepage_053.php" target="_blank">Meet Porto..</a></span>.<br />
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This pullover came about because I was curious about the possibility of shaping a sweater with cables. As you may know, the twisting action of cables draws the knitting in, making the fabric narrower. Instead of the usual increases and decreases to shape the waist, could I achieve the same shaping with a cable motif? I charted and swatched to figure out just how much cable was needed to produce the shaping I wanted. Then I knit the sweater.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5wvSWtdzRdHFGxbG9bC09oN-bGnE4ZBHb-bbxQuyrwSgaQMOIx9Q57YtHobIRpVRiGiidfz8_DpRffJv1YpgeMoNouG3YWFIslHAGWohg-Y-XRxMhFlmcctMZdgHDON-M8uQmHV2npQk/s1600/porto_c_105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5wvSWtdzRdHFGxbG9bC09oN-bGnE4ZBHb-bbxQuyrwSgaQMOIx9Q57YtHobIRpVRiGiidfz8_DpRffJv1YpgeMoNouG3YWFIslHAGWohg-Y-XRxMhFlmcctMZdgHDON-M8uQmHV2npQk/s200/porto_c_105.jpg" width="200" /></a>And it wasn't right.<br />
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The scale was off. The cable medallion produced the waist shaping I wanted, but it was too small to make the visual impact needed.<br />
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I had three choices:<br />
1. Take a trip down the river Denial and leave it as it was.<br />
2. Remove the sleeves, take out the shoulder seams, and unravel the body of the sweater to the beginning of the cable, then re-knit.<br />
3. Cut off the sweater at the bustline, unravel and re-knit the lower body of the sweater with revised cables panels, then graft the sections back together.<br />
Monty, I'll take door number 3, though number 1 is very tempting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxhmvr1J5Gm-l8sfZkhyIg8xkMLtDgqREUF03-1SZy-vpIIiNMtIB5fxOxOVOOrvu1giuC9az4rjd2149dsGegnpJ3xQO0rcgncOCgQAXZweworeqZsBgYPrx_7xA5vw25iUJK3SpV9Bu/s1600/porto_b_105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxhmvr1J5Gm-l8sfZkhyIg8xkMLtDgqREUF03-1SZy-vpIIiNMtIB5fxOxOVOOrvu1giuC9az4rjd2149dsGegnpJ3xQO0rcgncOCgQAXZweworeqZsBgYPrx_7xA5vw25iUJK3SpV9Bu/s200/porto_b_105.jpg" width="200" /></a>I don't have photos of the surgery in process (it's just too much like taking photos of a crash at the side of the road). As you can see, the operation was successful. The re-scaled cables are so much better than the original. After blocking, even I can't find the line where the pieces were grafted together.<br />
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The sweater has a deep V-neck with cabled decreases for just a touch of sexy detail.<br />
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For the yarn, I wanted to use something a bit luxurious. Something soft and warm, with good stitch definition to show off the cables, but without bulk. <a href="http://www.lornaslaces.net/yarns.html#nogo" target="_blank">Lorna's Laces Honor</a> was perfect. It is 70% baby alpaca and 30% silk. The yarn is drapey, but not droopy. It caresses your skin in the most wonderful way. And the nearly solid color adds depth and richness.<br />
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At some of the wineries in Napa Valley, tastings of port are offered with small squares of dark chocolate - truly a match made in heaven. In my fantasy life, I'd wear this casually elegant sweater in front of a crackling fire, bathed in candlelight, curled up on the couch with a charming man, sipping port and letting squares of chocolate melt on my tongue.<br />
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<a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/component/content/article/104-winter-2012-patterns/1321-porto-by-sandi-rosner" target="_blank">Click on over here</a> to buy the pattern and begin making your own fantasy.<br />
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Also in this issue, I have an <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/winter/magazinepage_059.php" target="_blank">article on knitting myths</a> and why you might choose to ignore them. I had a lovely e-mail in my box this morning from the one and only <a href="http://catbordhi.com/" target="_blank">Cat Bordhi</a>, thanking me for the article. Made my day.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-28159799224636965572012-08-20T10:38:00.000-07:002012-08-20T19:55:00.820-07:00Sources of InspirationIn case you haven't seen it yet, the <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/fall/magazinepage_01.php" target="_blank">Fall 2012 issue of Twist Collective</a> is online. I'm pleased to have been included with a design for a hat and mitten set called <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/fall/magazinepage_023.php" target="_blank">Sultana</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSRR8ogIqEyw4puV38LpG19yr-95A1Oq0ccdZum_D7AyKduY7RW9ra_oSMz4NzskfhZhItOpsszTHEUNKYQ2jGkNybqs8H4erzT0Cx-liwUa_amEt-9mYJSEcaL08kDMzTaEbHPzILZMR/s1600/sultana2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSRR8ogIqEyw4puV38LpG19yr-95A1Oq0ccdZum_D7AyKduY7RW9ra_oSMz4NzskfhZhItOpsszTHEUNKYQ2jGkNybqs8H4erzT0Cx-liwUa_amEt-9mYJSEcaL08kDMzTaEbHPzILZMR/s640/sultana2.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
I wanted to share a bit with you about the inspiration for this design.<br />
Last December, my friend Carson and I saw an <a href="http://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/exhibitions/art-anatolian-kilim-highlights-mccoy-jones-collection" target="_blank">exhibition of Anatolian kelims at the deYoung Museum</a> in San Francisco. These tribal weaving were amazing, packed with complex geometric and figurative motifs in a riot of colors.<br />
The oldest example in the collection was just a fragment of a 15th century kelim in only two colors - natural and a faded tomato red (madder, maybe? Name That Dye is not a game at which I excel). I loved the interplay of positive and negative space, and the way the interlocking spear shapes were edged with little bubbles. The bold graphic seemed surprisingly modern for a textile more than 600 years old. Carson and I agreed that it begged to be reinterpreted in knitting. I pulled out my camera and sneaked a picture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHDOAOi8huv9j0Cv6Bp6jiqO2UnPS8XiUHnOsctKz114bADwZkwNg9Em2j_u1bqcpXTlIlO5A70sNa6lmDJUe7uXoq-2LiCySDe07is3MHfCiW_GjisuYaeZcsOox4I2fIAmdpryOju31/s1600/kelim+fragment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHDOAOi8huv9j0Cv6Bp6jiqO2UnPS8XiUHnOsctKz114bADwZkwNg9Em2j_u1bqcpXTlIlO5A70sNa6lmDJUe7uXoq-2LiCySDe07is3MHfCiW_GjisuYaeZcsOox4I2fIAmdpryOju31/s320/kelim+fragment.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Even though the photo is of such poor quality, it was a fairly simple matter to import it into Illustrator and trace the motifs. Overlay a grid, and it starts to look suspiciously like a knitting chart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPRKgy3yzKCyB-FaI2UK4Y07g_ec6AArBLeOdhJZscz492ipUB1QwsTZALzsVWyH3iCJf3tXO1QJZax3XSELKyierjVc3valos-5E1gGQuXZRrkUwQ23G7St4gHS2H8KzEiFLfeuR4txm/s1600/220kelim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPRKgy3yzKCyB-FaI2UK4Y07g_ec6AArBLeOdhJZscz492ipUB1QwsTZALzsVWyH3iCJf3tXO1QJZax3XSELKyierjVc3valos-5E1gGQuXZRrkUwQ23G7St4gHS2H8KzEiFLfeuR4txm/s320/220kelim.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Here is my original swatch, made with some Cascade 220 I had on hand. Yes, I do tend to make hats as swatches for color patterns. Such patterns are easiest for me when knit in the round, and hats make good class samples, or can be donated to organizations like <a href="http://www.halosofhope.org/" target="_blank">Halos of Hope</a> if not needed. I love the contrast in these Gryffindor colors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LtjydF2XYFQgzKBR_L_ziDVHhakRylziwyiqZCixj8mrZq_XUMFy3Qe0cGXBkP7c9qjTbmPr9mWm4WfhXZhgmQUtyOHv8LX1LvCuIupBjp-rNYEYNi99WtSl7JmgVSydHZEkmZFl7jNX/s1600/sultana4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LtjydF2XYFQgzKBR_L_ziDVHhakRylziwyiqZCixj8mrZq_XUMFy3Qe0cGXBkP7c9qjTbmPr9mWm4WfhXZhgmQUtyOHv8LX1LvCuIupBjp-rNYEYNi99WtSl7JmgVSydHZEkmZFl7jNX/s320/sultana4.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9Il7jskcPc-CCl2pRLIptCdZ6-tEJdzJ71cVbk02tLW7Be5Z0mH4zTSJx9bw7m7oZesUKdSPmOasz5zK4KMJtAEJ-qUkdeHd75P4qauvx0wAE4VX1AE9pkDBeGUY7FRPhPslwKTXInkv/s1600/sultana3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9Il7jskcPc-CCl2pRLIptCdZ6-tEJdzJ71cVbk02tLW7Be5Z0mH4zTSJx9bw7m7oZesUKdSPmOasz5zK4KMJtAEJ-qUkdeHd75P4qauvx0wAE4VX1AE9pkDBeGUY7FRPhPslwKTXInkv/s320/sultana3.jpg" width="213" /></a>For the magazine, we chose a thinner yarn, <a href="http://romneyridgefarm.com/products-page/handdyed-yarns/sport-weight-yarn/" target="_blank">Romney Ridge Farms Sport Weight</a>. This is a great yarn for colorwork. Grown in Maine, it is a nice "sticky" wool that knits easily and blocks into a beautifully cohesive fabric. The hand dyed colors have subtle variations that give the pattern extra depth and interest.<br />
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While you are looking at the magazine, don't miss <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/fall/magazinepage_059.php" target="_blank">my article about shaping in pattern</a>. Many knitters struggle with maintaining lace and cable patterns while shaping armholes and necklines. The article takes you step by step through the process.<br />
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Old textiles are a great source of inspiration, particularly for colorwork. The landscape that surrounds us can also serve as the spark for great ideas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTULrLkvyAO4yMpnt3KeabfgHsmGgB5BPixvaOwn8z0_4CT43l05EEQtefsl35H8jcIujXpgyTnKSxCptcf3aBKpj5-ntDQCq-lKrxiHrrvHp5v8cyzyUX5dAgaF3T1M9SgSG_J7SLN4VD/s1600/vineyards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTULrLkvyAO4yMpnt3KeabfgHsmGgB5BPixvaOwn8z0_4CT43l05EEQtefsl35H8jcIujXpgyTnKSxCptcf3aBKpj5-ntDQCq-lKrxiHrrvHp5v8cyzyUX5dAgaF3T1M9SgSG_J7SLN4VD/s400/vineyards.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These vines are full of grapes about 6 weeks from harvest. They've already shifted from green to purple, and are getting sweeter with every sunny day.</td></tr>
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This is the view outside <a href="http://www.rochewinery.com/" target="_blank">Roche Winery</a>, where I spent the past 2 weekends pouring wine for their annual futures release BBQ event. My former husband works for Roche in sales. When they need an extra person for special events, they invite me to come play. Buying <a href="http://www.rochewinery.com/our-wines-olive-oil/futures-program" target="_blank">wine future</a>s is like making an investment in the winery. You get a substantial discount by purchasing the wine before it's bottled, sometimes while it's still on the vine. Roche rewards these "investors" by throwing a great party when the wine is ready to be delivered. Leg of Lamb is cooked over a fire fueled by broken up old wine barrels. A great band plays classic rock and roll for dancing. And the full lineup of wine is available for tasting. I worked all 4 days in the tasting room, pouring and chatting.<br />
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I'm really grateful for the opportunity to do occasional work like this. Most of my weekends are indistinguishable from a weekday - I spend the day at my desk writing or editing patterns, and the evening knitting. It's a pretty sedentary, not to mention solitary, life. It's good for me to spend a couple of days on my feet interacting with people and working with a team.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-42734193958151381022012-08-09T13:19:00.000-07:002012-08-11T07:35:59.874-07:00A new design, some baseball, and a video I think you'll loveI know it's been a while since I last wrote. I've been busy, and paying work has to take precedence. But I want to tell you about a new design just released by Kollage Yarns.<br />
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<b><i>The new design:</i></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfjiLLKE9rfqomdXoM_eOWgnMA_93LF5OFYec1xo615izz4NGhIj727R5emoQhGrfMtgVWfv7UM7YNA6a3mbng9oPi_I5c6ub6u_wEWusBqe9TQkY21_5OqkVRP45U1RXs2jtLnhrx6u9/s1600/Oakville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfjiLLKE9rfqomdXoM_eOWgnMA_93LF5OFYec1xo615izz4NGhIj727R5emoQhGrfMtgVWfv7UM7YNA6a3mbng9oPi_I5c6ub6u_wEWusBqe9TQkY21_5OqkVRP45U1RXs2jtLnhrx6u9/s400/Oakville.jpg" width="261" /></a> This is Oakville.<br />
It was inspired by an Elie Tahari sweater I saw at Macy's several years ago. That sweater was a long sleeve pullover. The circular yoke was worked with a much thicker yarn than the rest of the sweater - maybe the same yarn doubled or tripled. I liked the structure it gave the sweater, and the idea stuck in my head.<br />
Oakville is worked in <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/yarns-49971.php">Kollage Yarns Riveting</a>, with the Worsted weight yarn used for the yoke and the Sport weight in a marled color used for the body. It starts at the neck. The yoke is shaped into a crescent with increases. Stitches are bound off over the arms, then the body is worked downward in the round. The yoke closes with three buttons on the left shoulder.<br />
I love the breezy elegance of this look. With white capris and sandals, it is perfect for cocktails by the pool or brunch at a seaside cafe.<br />
The knitting is easy and fast. You could still make this in time to wear on the warm days of early autumn.<br />
You can o<a href="http://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/part_number=3738/539.0">rder a paper pattern directly from Kollage Yarns</a>, or <a href="http://www.patternfish.com/patterns/12050">download a pdf from Patternfish.</a><br />
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<i><b>In other knitting news:</b></i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIDNVaLZsQGyeb1zYAqjAuz9NJWz86z82LxqvdZjmDFrj6C1g6f7f4a_M7BWWssveUYXDnvPuwLJerwg-Q6WaIqGBZIgvOZsNAPGwGUqaNq_FTWjleLvUZPLFNQv6K93ZZAkHG7QFP6EK/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIDNVaLZsQGyeb1zYAqjAuz9NJWz86z82LxqvdZjmDFrj6C1g6f7f4a_M7BWWssveUYXDnvPuwLJerwg-Q6WaIqGBZIgvOZsNAPGwGUqaNq_FTWjleLvUZPLFNQv6K93ZZAkHG7QFP6EK/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a>Here is a sneak peak at a project fresh off the needles. It is destined for publication later this year, so I'll give you more details then. All I'll say now is that I love developing colorwork patterns nearly as much as I've grown to love knitting them.<br />
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<b><i>Baseball:</i></b><br />
I took a break from obsessively watching the Olympics on TV to attend the <a href="http://www.tnna.org/page/StitchNPitch">Stitch and Pitch</a> game at the Marin County Pacifics in San Rafael last night. I conned my son into going with me by not telling him it was Stitch and Pitch, but I think he's forgiven me.<br />
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The Pacifics were playing against the Sonoma County Grapes (I know, I know - I can barely stand to type it), their rivals in the very minor North American League.<br />
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The ballpark is more closely related to a Little League field than to places like AT&T Park, but the knitters were out in force. <a href="http://www.bluebirdyarn.com/Bluebird_Yarn_and_Fiber_Crafts/Home__Marin_Countys_Best_Yarn_Store.html">Bluebird Yarn and Fiber Crafts in Sausalito</a> generously provided goodie bags, and it was $3 beer night, so it was a good mother/son activity for a warm summer evening.<br />
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<b><i>You must watch this:</i></b><br />
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Jesse Kornbluth posted a link to this video on his wonderful blog, <a href="http://headbutler.com/">Head Butler</a>, and it just made my day. So much of what we see on the web and in the news is focused on people being mean, stupid and thoughtless. Take this opportunity to partake of a little kindness and joy, and let it color your worldview in happier shades.<br />
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<b><i>One last thing:</i></b><br />
We are within a day or so of the launch of the Fall issue of <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/fall/magazinepage_01.php" target="_blank">Twist Collective</a>. It is a lovely collection of beautiful designs. I have both a new design and a tech article in this issue.<br />
<br />sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-52235206265985932922012-07-13T15:40:00.001-07:002012-07-13T15:42:11.989-07:00Fun in Fresno<i>Write a blog post</i> has been on my list every day this week, and here we are at Friday already. Better late than never, right?<br />
I had the good fortune to spend Saturday with the women of the <a href="http://www.sheeperthantherapy.org/calendar/aboutus.php">Sheeper Than Therapy</a> knitting guild in Fresno. This is the third time this group has invited me to come be their featured teacher. It is always an honor to be asked to come teach, but when a group asks you back it is a special thrill. Thanks, ladies!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
I taught one of my favorite classes - Making the Most of Self-Striping Yarn. I've done a lot of work with yarn dyed to knit up into stripes (see<a href="http://www.unicornbooks.com/detail.asp?pStockNo=20307" target="_blank"> here</a> and <a href="http://www.unicornbooks.com/detail.asp?pStockNo=20310" target="_blank">here</a> and<a href="http://www.unicornbooks.com/detail.asp?pStockNo=20316" target="_blank"> here</a>). I enjoy talking with other knitters about how to manipulate the colors and predict or control the way the colors will line up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1QdFOsofN0n4W6wMJmdqrwjXtxWQe2-t8X-B7r4JG0G9NwgjSHsj8hyphenhyphenKOys0nbTVy6i1jbuK-_Bjq4rfyYldhiECrHO0vUMYBj7AJ51YATlFDQIWGB_8hbzZmVRJHwsYkBs2vm2A6Quo/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1QdFOsofN0n4W6wMJmdqrwjXtxWQe2-t8X-B7r4JG0G9NwgjSHsj8hyphenhyphenKOys0nbTVy6i1jbuK-_Bjq4rfyYldhiECrHO0vUMYBj7AJ51YATlFDQIWGB_8hbzZmVRJHwsYkBs2vm2A6Quo/s320/001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
There was also some show-and-tell<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth32kG4Id4ZjXQKubMYkGEI4eTwTXVPnzYd68EmXuLi8cFPAB6a_blRjkOxkzv5HuYzW2K793PdGmxLgkh-cr0J8CreE-TPmAtlvbIbkS2dG6UoSZ43FuXZOqaeB_IZjgI01d4LJ51DrM/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth32kG4Id4ZjXQKubMYkGEI4eTwTXVPnzYd68EmXuLi8cFPAB6a_blRjkOxkzv5HuYzW2K793PdGmxLgkh-cr0J8CreE-TPmAtlvbIbkS2dG6UoSZ43FuXZOqaeB_IZjgI01d4LJ51DrM/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And some puppy love from the guild's unofficial mascots<br />
After a sack lunch (thanks for the chicken ceasar, Regina!), we spent some time with a box of samples from the S<a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/spring/magazinepage_01.php" target="_blank">pring issue of Twist Collective</a>, which I had brought along to share. <span style="background-color: white;">It was 102F in Fresno that day, so I'd brought lots of lightweight lacy pieces.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> As lovely as the pictures in the magazine are, there is nothing quite like touching and trying on the samples in person. I suspect there will be several <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/spring/magazinepage_010.php" target="_blank">Harrows</a> and <a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/2012/spring/magazinepage_020.php" target="_blank">Stellarias </a>showing up at future guild show-and-tell sessions.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The guild in Fresno is such a great group - accomplished knitters eager to learn something new, welcoming to newcomers, supportive of beginners, and willing to laugh at my jokes. I'll happily go back anytime. It's too bad every town doesn't have a group like this.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">In other news...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">I know you see lots of charitable organizations asking for donations on-line. I know you need to be selective about where you put your money. But if you don't know about Halos of Hope, you should. Pamela Haschke, a cancer survivor herself, founded Halos of Hope to provide handmade hats to people with cancer. She is doing the work of angels.</span><br />
<a href="https://www.knittinguniverse.com/hoh/hoh/index/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVhjyCO0lueJhbwaNMN92kSdmjRRMmxnXxyoSQqYLQR-Xc6Cnp-0uBMeFGFqoL-ZWeOmKgnBA-dGgujTRP-JxWQtLXJ0gY3quITlVPqEuNQsugeJjVLiqBEN0p1kFCp55w3M0HTN86h3I/s320/Buzz_Banner_Web.png" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">Though the hats themselves are donated (we know how generous the fiberarts community is), it costs money to get them from the knitter to the head in need. A new fundraising campaign was just annouced: <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/latest_newsletter/xrxinsider_v12i13.html" target="_blank">The Great Buzzzz for Halos of Hope</a>. For a $10 donation, you can vote to shave or save the head of Drew Emborsky (the Crochet Dude), Benjamin Levisay (from XRX, Inc.) or Mark Moraca (from Kollage Yarns). The ritual barbering will take place at Stitches East in Hartford CT in October. Click on over and check it out.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN_TBT0pD8Dz-AB4qZgM4y18a-BlbxMV6VpRwaONG4uwFQx1PjuJMnY6Y6lwIfQMMdgg6RCSZO-z4rga0hK-eb8mbxDnGSh0gM0nHOqTBOO2C4MCot56xFpnagpoQa4ayHPFLhhowRc3Q/s1600/Kenwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN_TBT0pD8Dz-AB4qZgM4y18a-BlbxMV6VpRwaONG4uwFQx1PjuJMnY6Y6lwIfQMMdgg6RCSZO-z4rga0hK-eb8mbxDnGSh0gM0nHOqTBOO2C4MCot56xFpnagpoQa4ayHPFLhhowRc3Q/s400/Kenwood.jpg" width="303" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
And finally, some knitting! I've been working on design swatches and editorial commissions, so can't show you what's currently on the needles, but I can show you a recently released design...<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Here is <a href="http://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/part_number=3735/539.0">Kenwood.</a></span><br />
Knit in <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/yarns.php?cid=34">Kollage Yarns Fantastic</a>, a smooth, many-plied worsted weight merino, Kenwood was designed to be a polished jacket that could take you to the office or out to dinner. It begins at the waist with a band knit horizontally. Stitches are picked up along the edge and worked up for the bodice, then down for the peplum. A simple lace panel adds eye-catching detail along the front edges. The inset waistband creates the illusion of an hourglass waist, and gives you a great place to show off a special button.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-78024512150686490542012-06-27T15:53:00.003-07:002012-06-27T20:20:05.072-07:00The Gathering of the ClanTwice a year, <a href="http://www.tnna.org/" target="_blank">the National Needlework Association (TNNA)</a> puts on a wholesale trade show. Just about everybody in the knitting, crochet, needlepoint and cross stitch business attends, and those who don't wish they did. This past weekend the Summer 2012 show was held in Columbus, Ohio.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U5jKiCpR7HMaPjnaugU4idwRgDnhBUlqf6orrrAcvoEmvGSW9SwTFr_IKaIGychxDltRfE5EXxEjMdaAgmNiFXENkln6Wjmodgsu6-UwDML0sQ2JHXZLo3szF6nPqNrCDD8CP36iNmMm/s1600/Gandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U5jKiCpR7HMaPjnaugU4idwRgDnhBUlqf6orrrAcvoEmvGSW9SwTFr_IKaIGychxDltRfE5EXxEjMdaAgmNiFXENkln6Wjmodgsu6-UwDML0sQ2JHXZLo3szF6nPqNrCDD8CP36iNmMm/s320/Gandy.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charles Gandy</td></tr>
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<i>Fair warning</i> - this is a very name-droppy post. If you don't like that sort of thing, feel free to skip it.<br />
<br />
I arrived on Thursday, and started my weekend by having dinner with the charming Charles Gandy. Charles' new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Embellished-Sock-Knitted-Foot/dp/0984801200/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340833294&sr=1-1&keywords=charles+gandy" target="_blank">Embellished Socks</a>, is a feast for the eyes. His background is in architecture and interior design (he's a past president of the American Society of Interior Designers) and he brings a wonderful eye for proportion and color to his designs. Even if you aren't a sock knitter, you should take a look at Charles' book - his embellishment techniques can easily be adapted to suit projects of all sorts.<br />
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Friday was spent with <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/" target="_blank">Mark and Susie Moraca from Kollage Yarns</a> and <a href="http://www.fineneedle.com/contact-us/about-stacy/" target="_blank">Stacy Mitchell from The Fine Needle</a>, setting up the Kollage Yarns booth on the trade show floor. We finished in record time and rewarded ourselves with food and beer at Barley's Tavern, where we were joined by<a href="http://knitspot.com/" target="_blank"> Anne Hanson and Erica Owens from Knitspot</a>.<br />
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Friday evening found me at the Designer Dinner put together by the fabulous <a href="http://www.marlybird.com/" target="_blank">Marlaina Bird</a>. Let me tell you, Marly knows how to throw a party! In addition to lovely food and sparkling conversation, she provided each designer with a swag bag filled with yarn and treasures from a variety of sponsors. I won a special prize for being the person present who had attended the most TNNA shows. To tell the truth, Linda Pratt of <a href="http://www.westminsterfibers.com/index.html" target="_blank">Westminster Fibers</a> had me beat, but she wasn't eligible to win because she was there as a sponsor<br />
After dinner, it was back to the bar with Mark and Susie, where we had drinks with <a href="http://www.maggiknits.com/" target="_blank">Maggie Jackson</a>, and <a href="http://www.paradisefibers.com/" target="_blank">Travis and Sarah Romaine from Paradise Fibers</a>.<br />
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Saturday morning, before the show opened, I shared a lovely breakfast with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Candi-Jensen/e/B001JS2PY6" target="_blank">Candi Jensen</a>. I had the good fortune to work with Candi recently, tech editing her new book for <a href="http://www.leisurearts.com/" target="_blank">Leisure Arts</a>, Knit in a Day for Baby (coming soon to a store near you).<br />
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The show officially opened at 10, and we were busy in the Kollage booth all day. <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/needles.php" target="_blank">Kollage is the inventor of the square knitting needle</a>. They've recently repatriated their manufacturing - the square needles are now entirely made in the USA from materials sourced in the US. Those who know me well know that I'm partial to wooden needles, but I worked with the square aluminum needles all weekend and loved them. They have great point, perfect for lace. The finish on the needles is slick enough to keep your stitches sliding along smoothly, but grabby enough that your double pointed needles won't fall out of your socks. If supporting American manufacturing is important to you, be sure to ask for the Kollage square needles in your local yarn shop.<br />
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When the show closed, I caught a cab with Marly Bird, <a href="http://knittingiceland.is/about/" target="_blank">Ragga Eiriksdottir</a>, <a href="http://tabethahedrick.com/welcome.html" target="_blank">Tabetha Hendrick</a> and <a href="http://www.woolcrafting.com/about-me.html" target="_blank">Jill Wright </a>to a cocktail party hosted by the good people of <a href="http://www.woolcrafting.com/about-me.html" target="_blank">Craftsy</a> at <a href="http://mouton954.com/" target="_blank">Mouton</a>. Delicious cocktails and snacks were served up to an appreciative hoard of designers and yarn manufacturers.<br />
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There was some sort of music festival going on in Columbus - a mid-west version of Mardi Gras. If you ever get into a confrontation with an intoxicated person on the street, Amanda from Lorna's Laces is the person you want to have at your back - I'm just sayin'.<br />
The evening ended with dinner at The Happy Greek with Amanda and her husband, <a href="http://www.miriamfelton.com/" target="_blank">Miriam Felton</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kristi-Porter/e/B001KHBYR0" target="_blank">Kristi Porter</a>, and the gang from Kollage.<br />
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Sunday began with a meeting with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-With-Balls-Hands-On-Modern/dp/0756622891" target="_blank">Michael delVecchio</a>, the Creative Director for <a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/" target="_blank">Universal Yarn</a>. We talked about possible design work the for coming season. Then the show opened for a second day of talking about needles and yarns in the Kollage booth.<br />
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Remember two weeks ago, when I asked for design ideas for Kollage's new bulky wool? Well, here is the result, all done in Toasty:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMrKzKvfBsT3X-KsV-uxXi-_6x0s_zeulCCmdSmblOEVQXaE6t6aediBDnT_1097Csk46fKTWuJD3bXX9BBvPWONF3Ajzt6KS3Nf3wPHwNaXOC6N0zCKw5QG0OagMnJUQ4jJGR1q_pfK9/s1600/Catskills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMrKzKvfBsT3X-KsV-uxXi-_6x0s_zeulCCmdSmblOEVQXaE6t6aediBDnT_1097Csk46fKTWuJD3bXX9BBvPWONF3Ajzt6KS3Nf3wPHwNaXOC6N0zCKw5QG0OagMnJUQ4jJGR1q_pfK9/s400/Catskills.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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Catskills Hat and Cowl</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QG9gV1rUMjbT6Sl4OPBS-GlE5OZdU0QboLbhXM1f6ZX9-l_4XgxlNeTXzDPNZdP25FfIomJ_lrpYf49wkCbRCzGTlc7xnH20jwp4NCVvHwmavUP_tILKin-_-WMpjplRanTPZ9nmKPKP/s1600/Schuss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QG9gV1rUMjbT6Sl4OPBS-GlE5OZdU0QboLbhXM1f6ZX9-l_4XgxlNeTXzDPNZdP25FfIomJ_lrpYf49wkCbRCzGTlc7xnH20jwp4NCVvHwmavUP_tILKin-_-WMpjplRanTPZ9nmKPKP/s400/Schuss.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Schuss Mittens</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkK8s1hANcFKzGMILO_TRb78Viv6dxcal-2uuiQIUw6TC0LG2RwUcjiWVUNmoWoiEcriysGmWONOyF45LaoHSaiqcvEM_2psXwbO24j2XzSpOX0SAsdyJnaRDdrNVTZjPH8wAGZHSA3aO/s1600/Hearthside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkK8s1hANcFKzGMILO_TRb78Viv6dxcal-2uuiQIUw6TC0LG2RwUcjiWVUNmoWoiEcriysGmWONOyF45LaoHSaiqcvEM_2psXwbO24j2XzSpOX0SAsdyJnaRDdrNVTZjPH8wAGZHSA3aO/s320/Hearthside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hearthside Slipper Socks</div>
I made a second hat, too, but somehow didn't manage to get a picture. I need to have a heart to heart with my photographer.<br />
Some of my other designs were also on display -<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYolt9HuBS6JpXW2fAn33eklmX6ftw1eu70VM3XrSTbJ2xEIwiLKetp4P0RfEWcL25zs70ahIpju3591tivWD6eZjeggMpe1Ecz63MhRyMe3t2XIaTTAiTbslCsXQAxs3HgE0cYi7cWoU/s1600/Booth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYolt9HuBS6JpXW2fAn33eklmX6ftw1eu70VM3XrSTbJ2xEIwiLKetp4P0RfEWcL25zs70ahIpju3591tivWD6eZjeggMpe1Ecz63MhRyMe3t2XIaTTAiTbslCsXQAxs3HgE0cYi7cWoU/s320/Booth.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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Here is City Sidewalks and Swagger.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9lOGV9drOjVuThhJcnSwpLxt_KLJTBAIbNAv23rEdoURE77eTRc_J2txpWH6jZNfr_ZgKKxeRe22oW-qaeuWegu3CsJNznH94IG5iWvDL1yTa6Ut-64GdfrYX_1RnmfmA2nViY7D8peq/s1600/Kenwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9lOGV9drOjVuThhJcnSwpLxt_KLJTBAIbNAv23rEdoURE77eTRc_J2txpWH6jZNfr_ZgKKxeRe22oW-qaeuWegu3CsJNznH94IG5iWvDL1yTa6Ut-64GdfrYX_1RnmfmA2nViY7D8peq/s320/Kenwood.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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And this is Kenwood.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoopt9MlcyxHaPDRwxFOMS2ARs3nGZDq09aRn0JkJwZCojz2arlTBBKG5-goY2pfJhP_M1j-bT13D_XwEAfSyATuRw7bqrRmVlTrOn7EmHDJuaiPBvZWP0964Wt3IKPFQvmmf39g_5ibyI/s1600/Kate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoopt9MlcyxHaPDRwxFOMS2ARs3nGZDq09aRn0JkJwZCojz2arlTBBKG5-goY2pfJhP_M1j-bT13D_XwEAfSyATuRw7bqrRmVlTrOn7EmHDJuaiPBvZWP0964Wt3IKPFQvmmf39g_5ibyI/s400/Kate.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate Lemmers with her new design for Kraemer Yarns</td></tr>
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All of these patterns will be available soon through local yarn shops and on<a href="http://www.patternfish.com/" target="_blank"> Patternfish</a>.<br />
<br />
Sunday evening I had dinner at <a href="http://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/" target="_blank">Ted's</a> with the lovely and talented <a href="http://knitsophrenic.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Kate Lemmers</a>. I was shocked to find that Kate had never tasted avocado. To a California girl, it was unimaginable that someone could make it past the age of 5 without ever eating guacamole. This was a situation in need of remediation. I gave her a slice of avocado from my bison burger, which she actually ate. Not sure she liked it, but now she can say she knows what avocado is all about.<br />
Dinner ended too early, so we went back to the bar at our hotel, where we were joined for margaritas by <a href="http://scrubberbum.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Julia Farwell-Clay</a>, <a href="http://www.amyherzogdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Amy Herzog</a>, and <a href="http://splityarn.com/" target="_blank">Caro Sheriden</a>.<br />
Monday was my flight out, but I did find a hour to walk the market floor and have a cup of coffee with the lovely <a href="http://www.ilgaleja.com/" target="_blank">Ilga Leja</a>. My time at TNNA ended on a high note as Elaine Rowley and Rick Mondragon let me know they had accepted one of my designs for an upcoming issue of <a href="http://www.knittinguniverse.com/K107/" target="_blank">Knitter's Magazine</a>. We picked yarns at the Universal Yarn booth. It is going to be great - just wait and see!<br />
I've attended TNNA many times, as a shop owner, a designer-at-large, and a booth worker for various yarn companies. I have to say, this was, for me, the best show ever. Thanks to Susie and Mark at Kollage for bringing me along. I couldn't be happier that I went, and I couldn't be happier to be home with Baxter, back into my routine.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-77022731990163739092012-06-13T10:41:00.000-07:002012-06-13T10:41:59.046-07:00We Have a Winner!Thanks for all the suggestions, both here and on Facebook. The winner of the Simply Socks Yarn Company Simply Sock Yarn is KarenAZ! Karen, please let me know how to get hold of you so I can send you your prize. Congratulations!<br />
<br />
Cowls were far and away the most popular answer to the question of what to make with Kollage Yarn's new bulky wool. Mittens were next. So far, I've made a cowl and 2 hats. A pair of mittens is next in line. If I still have time, I might crank out a pair of slipper/socks.<br />
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Oh, you want a peek, do you? Well, here is the Catskill Cowl...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04EhD506zIdhfaXlrBvy_AnpA_bszTJvrhZizqmpmdPGYF72MKedixdZ1ocAZz1H5spiUueE7Rs5eMcAOATqC7f2EC8eRrUQsh7XalpAznQVO0b-ATrhBhaFCEzYb7bMpW3pZUSzOkz5R/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04EhD506zIdhfaXlrBvy_AnpA_bszTJvrhZizqmpmdPGYF72MKedixdZ1ocAZz1H5spiUueE7Rs5eMcAOATqC7f2EC8eRrUQsh7XalpAznQVO0b-ATrhBhaFCEzYb7bMpW3pZUSzOkz5R/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
It will have a matching hat. Look for the pattern in yarn stores and on Patternfish this fall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64kP6xYJ-Vx8IVeE7dvjGyuGFkDDwT37nx6_F8OaxCCcidhiBHKZID110rRUE-Y_EQTzb8siJlj3G4HE7VfSKBsXzt8xFLmEQrDX91jYMMrvZPT6bvPU2SjfAV0UJ7RL7wtZzwQ5mrfH9/s1600/New_yarn_name_it_please_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64kP6xYJ-Vx8IVeE7dvjGyuGFkDDwT37nx6_F8OaxCCcidhiBHKZID110rRUE-Y_EQTzb8siJlj3G4HE7VfSKBsXzt8xFLmEQrDX91jYMMrvZPT6bvPU2SjfAV0UJ7RL7wtZzwQ5mrfH9/s320/New_yarn_name_it_please_medium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This yarn now has a name: Toasty! A perfect description of how this fiber and these colors make you feel. I believe the color I used is called Golden Mist (it was sent to me before labels were printed). One of the exciting things about heathered yarns is seeing the colors of the individual fibers come together to make something rich and delicious.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUumTGvLVh9SU8icS3Vuu78tCf2rfMrvhs7wEqDqVC82PgXiHtO_tGpv8NGRQDrgrnoxifxeezJ0JQ61vnj6ey3-JVtF5tbjQSu3FTEKLjIzMl5RtMOnH2HJcPVWL4yvy4v2HttHWj4jDW/s1600/Toasty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUumTGvLVh9SU8icS3Vuu78tCf2rfMrvhs7wEqDqVC82PgXiHtO_tGpv8NGRQDrgrnoxifxeezJ0JQ61vnj6ey3-JVtF5tbjQSu3FTEKLjIzMl5RtMOnH2HJcPVWL4yvy4v2HttHWj4jDW/s400/Toasty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Look at that pink, and the jade green, and the bright yellow. I would never have guessed that this glorious autumnal gold would result from mixing these shades.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-26627996246507924292012-06-08T11:38:00.002-07:002012-06-08T15:18:12.492-07:00Mission ImprobableI was talking about the upcoming wholesale trade show with Susie at <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/" target="_blank">Kollage Yarns</a> earlier this week...<br />
<i>Susie:</i> We just got a new yarn in to bring to the show. Of course, its too late to get any designs to go with it.<br />
<i>Me:</i> Tell me about it.<br />
<i>Susie:</i> I'ts a single ply bulky wool in pretty heathered colors.<br />
<i>Me:</i> Put some in the mail to me. We've got two weeks. That's plenty of time to do a couple of accessory pieces. I'll come up with something.<br />
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So. I'm expecting a package in today's mail with 2 skeins each of 4 different colors of this yet-to-be-named yarn. I'll need to apply my needles and my skills to turn out three or four samples that can be displayed at the show starting 2 weeks from tomorrow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMYyEwvGHYmMIebmkfbkIiNj50E7JMVu37uAA_MTvpSyPm8kEK2Nv_AbR7nrlXXhl9DfvgKQ6S68K2uhWe7jcnqO27CQZqcs8qNzkOgGPZ935R2hgoWda9pmzW_xNNPHaS1g1cwis2s8m/s1600/New_yarn_name_it_please_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMYyEwvGHYmMIebmkfbkIiNj50E7JMVu37uAA_MTvpSyPm8kEK2Nv_AbR7nrlXXhl9DfvgKQ6S68K2uhWe7jcnqO27CQZqcs8qNzkOgGPZ935R2hgoWda9pmzW_xNNPHaS1g1cwis2s8m/s400/New_yarn_name_it_please_medium.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's the thing - I live in California. We have no more than a couple of days each winter when bulky wool accessories are a good idea. I don't even own a winter coat. And it's June. <a href="http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/38.440467,-122.714431" target="_blank">We're expecting temperatures in the 90's this weekend.</a></div>
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This is the perpetual designer's dilemma. We are always working out of season. Winter designs are knit in early summer; spring pieces are due in December.</div>
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I've decided to try some crowdsourcing. I need fresh ideas for accessories made from bulky wool. Other than a hat, what sorts of patterns would you like to see in this yarn?</div>
Will you help? Please leave a comment here on the blog with your ideas. And to show my appreciation, here's what I'll do. I'll use the random number generator to pick one of the comments. The winner will get this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREELD9JKdHiFkcxW2oHYoPx9Kgrh8KDHuFhx8ASszQE69srIWcb7oamtgsPmvzTwaBmM1O-vyhVoRk6W4pV3Y_crty2gPGwnx09xID_PPwKMV2X9Fx2o3C59n-6qyItF9wAVz8vIL63uV/s1600/182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREELD9JKdHiFkcxW2oHYoPx9Kgrh8KDHuFhx8ASszQE69srIWcb7oamtgsPmvzTwaBmM1O-vyhVoRk6W4pV3Y_crty2gPGwnx09xID_PPwKMV2X9Fx2o3C59n-6qyItF9wAVz8vIL63uV/s320/182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
4 skeins (700 yds total) of <a href="http://www.simplysockyarn.com/servlet/Categories?category=SOCK+YARN%3ASimply+Sock+Yarn%2C+Solids&searchpath=40155&start=41&total=65" target="_blank">Simply Socks Yarn Company's Simply Sock Yarn</a> in a lovely handpainted semi-solid pale blue called Icicle. Be sure to include your e-mail address with the comment so I can let you know if you win. I won't use it for anything else - knitter's honor. You have until midnight Monday to get into the drawing for the prize, but if you are reading this entry after that time, it's not too late to add your ideas.<br />
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Watch for pictures of the final results. And thanks!<br />
<br />sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-28066960640708772532012-06-03T10:13:00.001-07:002012-06-03T10:13:35.881-07:00Swatch It!The <a href="http://www.tnna.org/?page=Summer" target="_blank">semi-annual trade show for the needlework industry</a> is coming up at the end of the month. Columbus, Ohio will be overrun with needlework shop owners, yarn manufacturers, publishers, designers and anyone else you can think of who is involved in this business.<br />
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One of the features at this show is The Great Wall of Yarn. This is a huge expanse of grid wall filled with samples of new yarns. Each yarn is shown with a swatch, and shop owners are encouraged to take a strand of yarn for reference as they shop the market.<br />
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Those of us who teach at Stitches were invited to make the swatches this year. This is a wonderful opportunity to play with new yarns before they are generally available, and I jumped at the chance.<br />
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Here are the swatches I made:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGroNaSlvRuZl80JP2upNkMKH_3ABKL8pIYGiKmrVyBpE4CHnUBjQVVKcuhKMc6ya4F6aZ2I0vwCsbtclRD00np1kic80hsAEep2wTAmA8U40_1SwJPXeiwUj1Tz-xpfkapd1H8zwgnRAg/s1600/224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGroNaSlvRuZl80JP2upNkMKH_3ABKL8pIYGiKmrVyBpE4CHnUBjQVVKcuhKMc6ya4F6aZ2I0vwCsbtclRD00np1kic80hsAEep2wTAmA8U40_1SwJPXeiwUj1Tz-xpfkapd1H8zwgnRAg/s640/224.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Clockwise from top left: <a href="http://tahkistacycharles.com/t/yarn_list?m=3" target="_blank">Tahki Yarns</a> <i><b>Ringo</b></i>, <a href="http://www.universalyarn.com/index.php" target="_blank">Universal Yarns</a><i><b> Verve</b></i>, <a href="http://www.dknitting.com/gyarn.htm" target="_blank">Great Andirondack Yarn Co. </a><b><i>Aurora</i></b>, <a href="http://www.alpacathewayitshouldbe.us/about.html" target="_blank">Alpaca The Way it Should Be</a> <b><i>Earth Treasures</i></b>, <a href="http://www.skacelknitting.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.99562/.f" target="_blank">Skacel/Schulana <b><i>Luxaire</i></b>,</a> <a href="http://www.trendsetteryarns.com/lafurlaspecs.asp" target="_blank">Trendsetter Yarns<b><i> La Furla</i></b>.</a></div>
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Creating these swatches brought me back to the time when I owned a yarn shop. In my shop, there was a swatch or sample made with every yarn on offer. These samples hung on hooks near where the yarn was shelved.<br />
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I know that not every yarn store displays samples. Creating these swatches is an investment - after all, a ball of yarn you've used for a swatch is a ball of yarn no longer available to sell. As a shop owner, I was willing to make this investment for 2 reasons. First, I think it is important to give the customer an idea of how the yarn will look knitted up. When you can see and feel a knitted sample, it is easier to imagine how the yarn will work in your project, and you are more likely to be satisfied with your purchase. Second, I think is important that a shop owner really know the product she is selling. I personally knit with every yarn in my shop, so I was able to speak from experience when discussing the pros and cons of each yarn.<br />
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I'm always surprised to hear someone say they hate making swatches. I love them. A swatch is an experiment, an investigation, a learning opportunity. As a designer, I often use swatches to test ideas and see how stitch patterns will combine. In the swatches for the Great Wall of Yarn, as in the shop samples I used to make, the objective was to show off the yarn. Several of these swatches were knit more than once, as initial efforts revealed that a different needle size would improve the hand of the sample, or a different stitch pattern would best display the yarn's special qualities.<br />
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Learning to enjoy the swatch process will make anyone a better knitter.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-62980598102061082412012-05-30T09:33:00.000-07:002012-05-30T09:35:13.195-07:00Socks for MomI spent Memorial Day weekend at my mother's house celebrating her 80th birthday. We were joined by my sister, my younger brother and his mate. The only ones missing were my older brother and his wife, who were not able to make the trip from Arizona. And Daddy, whom we've been missing every day for more than 10 years.<br />
My mother is the only person other than myself for whom I make socks. She loves her collection of handknit socks. She likes to show them off and carefully darns them when they begin to show signs of wear. For this birthday, these socks were added to her collection...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZUQdhZG7r7hDPmbu_3FeKs26mPA7uWkOcuwPJg3T9c0S2QQ_N_TVuZ1gARQm4dgp7NiMfL_nErpAgv4APVusLhHrr7pTaOB7_bptyTDq35D2mkLnR6pKtR7jyFmZKk49msmjCatc_4mC/s1600/308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZUQdhZG7r7hDPmbu_3FeKs26mPA7uWkOcuwPJg3T9c0S2QQ_N_TVuZ1gARQm4dgp7NiMfL_nErpAgv4APVusLhHrr7pTaOB7_bptyTDq35D2mkLnR6pKtR7jyFmZKk49msmjCatc_4mC/s400/308.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't she have great ankles? Sadly, that delicate bone structure was not part of the genetic legacy passed on to me.</td></tr>
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The yarn is Bertha from<a href="http://www.dirtywaterdyeworks.com/bertha.html" target="_blank"> Dirty Water Dyeworks</a>, a Merino/Cashmere/Nylon blend I got in the teacher gift bag at Sock Summit last summer. There is no pattern for this design yet, but Mom has asked that I call it Ramona - her middle name. I'll let you know if I decide to write it up for publication.<br />
At 80, Mom is going strong. She lives by herself in the house she and Daddy shared, drives herself wherever she wants to go, and is in remarkably good health. I keep waiting for the day when I can beat her at Scrabble (a game at which my family is insanely competitive), but that day has yet to come.<br />
Happy Birthday, Mom! You are a daily inspiration. I love you.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-78120509620660405562012-05-21T08:58:00.002-07:002012-05-21T09:22:20.658-07:00Because Knitting and Animals Go TogetherI know you see lots of fundraisers on Facebook and blogs, but if you are an animal lover, here is one that deserves your attention:<br />
The gracious and talented <a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Limited-Time-Colorway-----Lisa-Souza-Knitwear---Dyeworks.html?soid=1102115605664&aid=ovqpqN-df-A" target="_blank">Lisa Souza has created a special color of her beautiful sock yarn as a fundraiser for the Grace Foundation</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-Yg61CsA7cVzBUsuUnrrmWyjQqVlEKdw3psaUoetBcPx53z5k1illRqWLUdh2_QO2XeBUOG2uV07lhwXhFeUWKaTSLUGbmBm-lhfJngEUn6CR8EGhFWrtEhYIwsL9XkpGEO4SVK2RE0T/s1600/Appaloosa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-Yg61CsA7cVzBUsuUnrrmWyjQqVlEKdw3psaUoetBcPx53z5k1illRqWLUdh2_QO2XeBUOG2uV07lhwXhFeUWKaTSLUGbmBm-lhfJngEUn6CR8EGhFWrtEhYIwsL9XkpGEO4SVK2RE0T/s320/Appaloosa.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from Lisa Souza Knitwear and Dyeworks</td></tr>
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This shelter in California's Sierra Foothills has recently taken in a large number of horses and other animals from an abusive home, stretching their resources to the breaking point. These people are doing the work of angels, and we can help Lisa help them. If you, like me, treasure the company of your animal companion (mine is snoring beneath my chair as I type), please take a minute to read Lisa's information about <a href="http://thegracefoundation.com/" target="_blank">the Grace Foundation</a>, then take out your credit card and order a skein (or two, or three) of this yarn. You'll feel good about yourself the rest of the day.<br />
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What's on my needles? <a href="http://www.kollageyarns.com/yarns.php?cid=39" target="_blank">Kollage Yarns Riveting</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_uGbLzQPSxzAY9i8yzjUtMzrRclfgBMhO_y6oItKtt0mw3u1sQpyZ5W0YgkIM5HRfehucePXktOiHyk1KFOdmh8W3x-GVwOmfNG9oCn1ZroYhPPBK8VV7ZukY0skt5po4xjB9N0_LfHc/s1600/Day+at+the+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_uGbLzQPSxzAY9i8yzjUtMzrRclfgBMhO_y6oItKtt0mw3u1sQpyZ5W0YgkIM5HRfehucePXktOiHyk1KFOdmh8W3x-GVwOmfNG9oCn1ZroYhPPBK8VV7ZukY0skt5po4xjB9N0_LfHc/s320/Day+at+the+beach.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oryNlf-FEowznywoftvMu9ZMEatir2YquR_F2depnBQz_I0EBQZ-26wYcANNzOcphfOqYyE094TEqYGQdhYnUqIVtxLB_lPPuNhNCEYZ2I1pX2Uah-JvVEDgn4JXRahur3PEj7a9yw77/s1600/DSCN0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oryNlf-FEowznywoftvMu9ZMEatir2YquR_F2depnBQz_I0EBQZ-26wYcANNzOcphfOqYyE094TEqYGQdhYnUqIVtxLB_lPPuNhNCEYZ2I1pX2Uah-JvVEDgn4JXRahur3PEj7a9yw77/s200/DSCN0312.JPG" width="200" /></a>I've used Riveting for many projects, but this is the first one I'm making for myself. I'm using the stitch pattern from <a href="http://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/part_number=3675/539.0" target="_blank">Day at the Beach,</a> but making a V-neck, 3/4 sleeve cardigan. I think it will be just the thing to wear at the wholesale trade show in Columbus, Ohio in late June. At 6 sts to the inch, this is not a fast knit, but I'm making progress.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-33350151030694012322012-05-04T10:28:00.000-07:002012-05-04T10:28:44.381-07:00Work in ProgressI read a fair number of knitting blogs. I don't read them all, and there are a fair number of excellent blogs I miss simply because I need to limit the time I spend at my computer doing things other than working. But I do read a lot.<br />
I get a little annoyed when I see coy references to "secret", or "stealth" projects. I get more than a little annoyed when they are called "sekrit" projects, but that's just because I really don't relate to cute. <br />
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That said, I can't show you most of what I've been knitting lately. It is either for publication, in which case I am contractually obligated not to share it prior to publication, or it is for a yarn company who pays me for the privilege of revealing the design at the trade show in June. I can tell you that in the past 10 weeks, with the help of Pat the Wonder Knitter, I've delivered 10 completed projects. I know. Sometimes I even impress myself.<br />
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What can I show you? Hats.<br />
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I am eagerly anticipating attending the Giants game this evening with my sister and my son. They are playing the Brewers, and Tim Lincecum (fondly known as The Freak) is scheduled to pitch. <a href="http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/ballpark/index.jsp" target="_blank">AT&T Park</a> is a glorious place to watch a baseball game. Perched on the edge of San Francisco Bay, even when the game isn't exciting, the view is. But it gets cold in the evening, so I decided we all needed hats.<br />
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I dug around in the stash and came up with some yarn in appropriate colors. The orange is <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=182_189" target="_blank">Blue Moon Fiber Arts Peru</a> in Cozy Fierce and Dirty Orange. The black is Kid 'n Ewe (long ago discontinued).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilADXvkgnf1ihjIDh9xJxchMXwspRCN6Entnp7A8sTd5czxiLrn4_8oCwJKCPcbSGUMBQY8U3nOGbxMLvFg-1qtcWO4bINfxlEVY6SaGZux5Y5xNZLWkmat8mOEJoogdhYN92KfIxo0cRT/s1600/fan+hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilADXvkgnf1ihjIDh9xJxchMXwspRCN6Entnp7A8sTd5czxiLrn4_8oCwJKCPcbSGUMBQY8U3nOGbxMLvFg-1qtcWO4bINfxlEVY6SaGZux5Y5xNZLWkmat8mOEJoogdhYN92KfIxo0cRT/s320/fan+hat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Joe decided he wanted a full on fan hat, so he gets earflaps, mohawk fringe, and the team logo duplicate stitched on each side.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKNMbd_UKOGw4VaItnCaBsfomDb7e0Ghpj9scexzKn3JCKqmbAJ7LBWKUCUNSnmuKOlez_Y0I1a1e5eySegDh2HGbXujt9wn9gEEpWfG2vZL7xLsaIfBKGusAM6meqLI6kGok5h-H-awk/s1600/cable+hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKNMbd_UKOGw4VaItnCaBsfomDb7e0Ghpj9scexzKn3JCKqmbAJ7LBWKUCUNSnmuKOlez_Y0I1a1e5eySegDh2HGbXujt9wn9gEEpWfG2vZL7xLsaIfBKGusAM6meqLI6kGok5h-H-awk/s320/cable+hat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Jeni wanted something with cables. A sideways cabled band fills the bill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJNkHQhDK9HAWJ4PWWQMlXgQMAxHOJwDAqWuQY7I0m8COp7fZPKb-O_Ju6f7jPuMLuRpQoER5WIXm-RDoscWWhldvPo3lVPNeHXLAO0rKNarohCIkOfYDFgJBCuBbABC_jRhynVoy2a8W/s1600/bow+hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJNkHQhDK9HAWJ4PWWQMlXgQMAxHOJwDAqWuQY7I0m8COp7fZPKb-O_Ju6f7jPuMLuRpQoER5WIXm-RDoscWWhldvPo3lVPNeHXLAO0rKNarohCIkOfYDFgJBCuBbABC_jRhynVoy2a8W/s320/bow+hat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
For me, something simple with a little whimsy. Black piping gathered with a bow on one side.<br />
At least our heads will be warm.<br />
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On my needles right now is another project I'm not yet willing to show. It is an 80th birthday present for someone who regularly reads this blog (hi, Mom!). Check back after May 26th for photos.sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763537754842863616.post-26794179839418021802012-03-31T10:46:00.000-07:002012-03-31T10:46:59.603-07:00It Wasn't Hard at All *In my <a href="http://knittinginwinecountry.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-hard-can-it-be.html" target="_blank">last post</a>, I showed you my freshly spun Bamboo/Merino/Bison/Cashmere yarn and talked about my dissatisfaction with the natural color.<br />
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I considered the color selection in <a href="http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/9236231-AA.shtml?lnav=dyes.html" target="_blank">Dharma Trading Co.'s acid dye</a>, decided on Alpine Blue, and placed my order. I dug an old enameled stock pot out of the back of the cupboard, bought a cheap package of wooden spoons at Big Lots, and found my bottle of white vinegar.<br />
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A smarter woman would have done some experimenting first. A more cautious woman might have practiced the process with some inexpensive commercial yarn, or wound off a small sample of the handspun for a color test.<br />
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I took time to read the instructions on Dharma's website, but then I threw caution to the wind. I put my skein in a bowl of warm water to soak. I filled my stock pot and put it on the stove. I weighed out some dye powder, dissolved it in some hot water, and added it to my stock pot. I turned on the heat, added my wet yarn amd gave it a good stir. When the temp was just to simmering, I added a splash of vinegar, then let the pot simmer for 30 minutes. Then I pulled out the yarn and gave it a good wash and several rinses.<br />
The Patron Saint of Reckless Women was smiling on me.<br />
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Want to see the results?<br />
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This...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLh1gVjmAp3vk8mzrH98xxNS7jJ2ktXRXUuVeyyZqpUz1Z7yJfwGPpvvVvBN4UcKq37U_p5PwX5ts76HUQkIPvvafztJO-yEGGJ6XjZXfhCQI8qjFlDW8fAUa-yOlcAPGZG72mwvnC-CDq/s1600/Bamboo,+merino+cashmere,+bison.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLh1gVjmAp3vk8mzrH98xxNS7jJ2ktXRXUuVeyyZqpUz1Z7yJfwGPpvvVvBN4UcKq37U_p5PwX5ts76HUQkIPvvafztJO-yEGGJ6XjZXfhCQI8qjFlDW8fAUa-yOlcAPGZG72mwvnC-CDq/s400/Bamboo,+merino+cashmere,+bison.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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turned into this..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5duqGeeIiEWfv-QT7fVtEf9N_gXl5NmWcdONzJDzlx6IMK4KlRM2CHEZg2BduZme0q2oOUovFGY0J5ZeiTyNOWgoEDwj_KnL5sGDcYgJQtThAa2YLfbLMspbWVRXMAmw2Epz39PmZNPgh/s1600/dyed+yarn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5duqGeeIiEWfv-QT7fVtEf9N_gXl5NmWcdONzJDzlx6IMK4KlRM2CHEZg2BduZme0q2oOUovFGY0J5ZeiTyNOWgoEDwj_KnL5sGDcYgJQtThAa2YLfbLMspbWVRXMAmw2Epz39PmZNPgh/s400/dyed+yarn.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love the new color. As expected, the bamboo did not absorb the dye the same way the wool, bison and cashmere did. It shines through as a paler shade of blue. The softness, sheen and drape I loved in the original yarn is still every bit as seductive.<br />
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<b>Lessons learned:</b><br />
<ol>
<li><i> I used far too much dye.</i> The manufacturer recommended 1/4 oz for each pound of fiber. Since my skein was 2 oz, I figured I needed just under 1 gram of dye. My digital kitchen scale really isn't accurate at such small quantities, so I can't be sure exactly how much I used. What I didn't account for is the bamboo. It was 50% of my fiber blend. As a cellulose fiber, it does not take acid dye well, so I was really only trying to dye 1 oz of protein fiber. There was still lots of color left in my pot, so I know I did not exhaust the dye bath. Instead of pouring it down the sink, I poured it into mason jars. I just can't bear to waste it (even though it's only about 50 cents worth of dye). I'm thinking I'll dig around the stash for some white wool to throw in. Does anyone have any experience with re-heating a dye bath? Am I asking for trouble here?</li>
<li> <i>If I'm going to do much more dying, I need to get some rubber gloves. </i>The yarn needed lots of rinsing to get rid of excess dye - I'm guessing the bamboo was shedding the dye that was just on the surface and not bonded to the fiber. All that time in warm tinted water turned my hands a bit blue and softened my fingernails.</li>
<li> <i>Fortune favors the brave. </i>I'm so pleased with the results of this adventure. I'm glad I didn't wimp out and decide to live with the original color.</li>
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* I almost changed the title of this post. Instead, I'll just say to both my brothers, "Get your mind out of the gutter."sandihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101171238586395335noreply@blogger.com2