Teacherpatknits’s Blog

january 29, 2009

i’m tired tonight after a good day teaching and knitting and helping people in the shop.  one lady this morning said she wished she could move here from capitola because she so enjoyed by hand yarn and the people who worked there.  what a sweet comment!

this is one of my all -time favorite scarf patterns.  it is simple and quick and very textural.  the i-cord edge doesn’t roll and the combination of garter stitch and broken rib stitch keeps the eye moving.  this sample is knit with lorna’s laces shepherd worsted in a size 9 needle.  the colorway is irving park, one i did not like in the hank but love knit up.  i’ve almost finished a matching hat and then will use the rest of skein two to add length to the scarf.

here is the pattern:

cast on 31 sts and** knit 9 rows except for the last 3 sts in each row.  these stitches are slipped from the left to the right needle with the yarn in front.

row 10:  k3, *ki, p2, k1,* across, ending k2 instead of k1 and slipping the last 3 sts.

row 11:  k3, *p1, k2, p1, * across, ending p2 instead of p1 and slipping the last 3 sts.

rows 12-18:  repeat rows 10 and 11, ending with row 10.

repeat from ** until the scarf is the desired length or you run out of yarn.  it is best to end with 9 knit rows before you bind off.

i’ll share pictures and the pattern for the hat in a day or 2.  good night.

january 28, 2009

have you ever tried to put away your knitting and pack up your purse in the dark?  i tell you, it is an interesting challenge.  three students and i were enjoying drop-in class tonight when the lights went out – an equipment failure, pge told us later.  alice was sewing up her bom strips, kristi was working on her yellow vest, and donna (a new knitter) was starting her second round of her first ever hat.  i was working on monkey socks.

things were really dark at first, but our eyes gradually adjusted some – thankfully the front doors are glass!  alice pulled out her cell phone and by that light we were able to find our way out.  hopefully everyone has all of their belongings.  i just left my stuff there on the table since i open tomorrow and can clean it up then.  when i walked around the building i saw work trucks already set up – do you think maybe they caused the outage?  that’s what i think but was too afraid to ask as i drove by on my way home  =)

so, my knitting (or some of it at least) is at the shop.  that means that tonight i will work on mom’s sweater – if i can find another set of dpn’s for the second sleeve.  and i won’t worry about the tool kit or the socks or the new yarn waiting at the shop. oh, and i just realized that i also left my camera as well, with the pictures i was going to post of the malabigo socks.  tomorrow??????
candace promises a flashlight at the shop right away.  i guess none of us ever thought we would need one there.  lesson learned.

january 27, 2009

sunday i finished and blocked my garden shawl by evelyn clark.  i used mooi yarn by louet, a gorgeous blend of bamboo, bison, and cashmere.  the shawl is small – about 24″ long and 48″ wide – but a great size for me to use as a neck scarf.  i had fun knitting from this pattern, found in the knitting lace triangles book.  the book gives the basics of a triangular shawl and a number of different lace patterns that may be used alone or combined.  this particular one combines four patterns that lead to the border pattern.

i did put beads on the edge to add weight and a little glitz.  they are quite subtle as they match the yarn color almost perfectly.

i broke my promise to myself today and cast on for a new project – one that i really needed for the baby cardigan class tonight.  it is easier for the students to see the sleeve stitches taken off and put on waste yarn so i needed to have a sweater knit to that point.  i did use yarn from my stash – cotton fleece in sage green.  i’m adding wide stripes in pale yellow, lavender, and pink.  right now they only go around the yoke.  i may repeat them at the bottom of the body and the sleeves – i’ll have to see.  i’m making a 12 month size and hoping it will work for elleigh in the late summer.

class went well.  the three ladies were pleased to see progress quickly and realize they were knitting their first sweater.

earlier today i met with pastor ray about putting together get acquainted dinners for small groups in the church.  the idea was well received, we talked some specifics, and tonight or tomorrow i have to put the ideas on paper to hand out to the congregation sunday.  lord help me have a clear vision of this project and grant me the words to express the vision clearly to others.

january 26, 2009

finally finished the intarsia clutch for class.  it lo0ks like this after  i took out the flap and redesigned the closing.  i don’t have the right buttons here at home (they need to be bigger) but this is the basic look.

bottom line, it is a quick knit and will teach three skills – intarsia, argyle, and duplicate st. by the way, i really like this rustic yarn from cascade – the wool/linen blend is terrific to work with.  i like the halo effect because it softens the look of the pattern.

classes on saturday went pretty well.  the five new knitters caught on quickly.  well, actually there were only three totally new to knitting.  the other two were taking a refresher.  the youngest was 15 and i had two that were lefties.  variety is nice!

the block of the month group was pleased with the easy pattern and all left feeling successful.  there are quite a few new bom’ers so we took more time explaining the concept and how they can individualize the size of the finished piece.  it is fun to see the different choices of yarn and colors.

as for the lace class, i pretty much let the ladies talk and share their frustrations and successes.  the nupes are particularly challenging so we spent some time talking about ways to make them easier.  i think the best idea is just to pull out the stitches as you make them so that they are bigger.  one student decided to forgo the nupes and just do the same lace pattern in each panel – good choice, i think.  it is no fun to knit something that does not bring some pleasure.  i did have one revealing thought in class.  i might actually like this pattern in a bigger yarn – it would make a lovely baby blanket .  there would be fewer repeats and i might be able to stick with it and finish it!

no picture of the malabrigo sock as i left it at the shop (on purpose).  if it is there and i am here then i have to knit on projects that need finishing and not on malabrigo socks that feel so good!

yesterday i finished and blocked my mooi shawl.  it is beautiful.  i’ll share pictures and thoughts tomorrow.

i’m off to teach three classes today, starting with a learn to knit class of 5 students.  as always, i am eager to meet the new knitters and get them started.  their energy and enthusiasm keeps me going.

the block of the month (always a big group) is my second class.  the pattern this month is super easy so the ladies, especially the new ones,  who should have fun and not be frustrated.

i end the day with the second session of forest path stole.  i have not grown to love or even like this fps project – probably because i have so many other things i would rather be knitting right now.  i have not knit on my fps since class first met 2 weeks ago, mostly because of family being here, so my students will be well ahead of me.  i am counting on them to discuss problems and solutions today while i moderate.  it should be interesting!

in the meantime, the rain continues to fall as it has since the kids left.  i must admit that i love rainy days – they are perfect for getting things done around the house and then curling up to knit or read.  my sister gave me the new friday night knitting club book for christmas and i am eager to get into it.  but today it is teaching first.  then finishing up my sample project for the intarsia class next week – an argyle-patterned purse.  i’m decreasing for the flap so it’s almost finished.  i really like working with cascade rustic!  i promise pictures tomorrw, of both the purse and my new sock out o the malabrigo sock yarn we recently put on the shelves.

january 23, 2009

malabrigo hat

materials: 1 skein malabrigo merino worsted (216 yds). makes both this hat and the matching mitts. 16″ circular and double-pointed needles in size 7.

size: adult (fits head size 21-23 inches)

Cast on 100 sts and join, being careful not to twist.  work in k2, p2 ribbing for 1.5 inches.  change to *k3, p1,* and continue until hat measures 6″ from cast on edge.

set up round for decreasing:  *knit 12, pm, k11, k2tog, pm,* repeat around 4 times for a total of 96 sts.  there are 8 markers with 12 sts between each one.

decrease by knitting to within 2 sts of each marker, k2tog.  repeat this drecrease until there are only 8 total sts left.  change to double-pointed needles when the hat gets too small to fit around the circular needles.  when there are 8 sts left, cut yarn leaving a 12″ tail.  thread the tail into a tapestry needle and thread the needle through the 8 remaining sts, taking the sts off of the needles as you go.  pull up the tail, take it to the inside, and weave in all ends.

january 22, 2009

grandma turned 88 today.  a friend took her out to lunch and she joined us for dinner, including cake and ice cream.  she said she was exhausted when all was said and done and headed downstairs for an early bedtime.

i will try to post the pattern for the fingerless mitts tonight and the hat tomorrow. 1 skein of malabrigo will make both.

Malabrigo Fingerless Mitts

1 skein malabrigo merino worsted (216 yds) and dpn’s size 6

Cast on 45 sts, dividing the sts evenly between three needles.  join, being careful not to twist the stitches.  work a *k2, p1* rib around, continuing until the mitt measures 5.25 inches from the cast on edge.  at this point, drop the malabrigo and using waste yarn (a small scrap, 12″ or so, will be plenty.  be sure it is about the same weight as the malabrigo) k the next 7 stitches.  slip these 7 stitches back to the left needle and knit them again (knitting all 7 stitches), this time using the malabrigo.  Continue to knit around, switching back to the established rib pattern (k2, p1) until the entire mitt measures 6.5 inches.  bind off loosely.

For the thumb, carefully remove the waste yarn, placing the stitches on two double-pointed needles.  there will be 7 stitches on the bottom of the thumb opening and 6 stitches on the top.  attach the malabrigo and knit the 7 sts on the lower needle.  using a third needle, pick up and knit 2 sts in the space between the upper and lower needles and knit the next 3 sts from the upper needle.  using a fourth needle, knit the 3 sts remaining on the upper needle and then pick up and knit 2 sts in the space between the needles as you did on the other side.  there should be a total of 17 sts, 7 on the first needle and 5 on each of the next 2 needles.

knit 5 rounds on these 17 sts and bind off loosely.  weave in all ends. please make another for the other hand =)

enjoy your mitts.  the hat pattern will be here shortly.

january 21, 2009

okay, the family is gone but since i worked a long day today, things are not yet back to normal.  i found a train piece in my knitting basket, underwear that does not belong to terry or me,  and a burp cloth on the floor in the laundry room – who knows what other little reminders will turn up?

things were relatively quiet at the shop today so i actually cast on with the new malabrigo sock yarn.  so far i am liking it, especially the colors in the orange, purple, gold and cream blend.  i am going to try something different when i get past the cuff ribbing – maybe a diagonal lace pattern?  it just needs to be simple so i don’t have to think about it.  since i cast on my usual 64 sts, if i do a pattern that is a multiple of 5, the pattern will automatically swirl.  maybe k4, yo, k2tog?

candace started going through the cascade 220, sorting out dye lots and marking down older skeins and/or colors.  the sale shelf has a lot of purple and neutral yarn right this minute as that is as far as we went today.  tomorrow i have bom and drop-in class so the table won’t be available and without it we can’t continue on to the blue shelf.

speaking of bom, the first 4 blocks of this series (37-40) are pretty easy.  i hope people don’t get bored.  i really wanted to encourage new knitters or those new to bom with a positive experience that looks good and just requires counting.  knit and purl stitches only in january, adding yo’s and k2tog for february.  i have 2 big classes this month with many students to bom.  i’m glad it continues to be so popular.

this will be my 4th 12-square afghan.  the first 2 were knit in various colors of manos, both solids and variegateds.  the third year i used O-wool, and organic cotton/wool blend with tweeded colors.  i might just finish that one up for reuben.  this year i’m knitting with classy and deliberately choosing colors that will go in elleigh’s room.  it’s fun to have a particular person in mind as i plan the blocks patterns and colors.

january 20, 2009, 10:00 am

here is reuben singing in the car along with his favorite song, “mighty to save:”10:00 pm – they are gone.  we took them to pleasant hill and left them with friends.  we are back home now – sigh.

january 19, 2009, 10:00 pm

it is the end of another wonderful day with family.  rand and esther took the babies and drove to meet friends – they were gone all day.  i spent the morning playing with william – he is such a sweetheart!  i actually took a nap this afternoon when william did but a telemarketer woke me up way too soon.

i have a terrific (well, not really) picture to post tomorrow of grandma and the three kids.  you can imagine how hard it was to take a picture and get the cooperation of an infant and 2 toddlers!  i must be crazy but tomorrow we are going to “picture people” when we get to pleasant hill and take family photos.  hopefully the boys won’t be too tired after the long drive.  after dinner at claim jumpers (a family favorite when in california) with aunt janie,  terry and i will head home while the kids will continue on to spend time with friends before heading home to atlanta and denver on thursday.

i took out the top of william’s newest hat and reknit it today, adding 1″ to the length.  the rest of my knitting time focused on great-grandma’s sweater.  i am almost done with one sleeve.  i so want to give up on the 2 circs and go back to my favorite double-points.  the circs are so slow, and i have to think too much.  but i will stick to the plan just so i can say that i did.

the other knitting related activity of the day consisted of a visit to the yarn closet with kenna to get her opinion on some colors and projects in progress.  she likes the olive entrelac stole but has no occasion to wear it.  the nancy tunic pullover for william she really liked, in spite of someone telling me they thought it looked too feminine knit up.  the blue tones will be great with jeans.  she nixed the vittadini yarn because the color was too dull.  and she picked navy and camel for a hooded cardigan for william.  now, there is no telling when i will get any of these projects started, much less completed, but at least i know what will work for kenna.

esther, on the other hand, did not get too the yarn closet but she did give the okay to the lorna’s green line colors for a kangaroo sweater for reuben.  she decided on a green sweater with a brown pocket.  rand chimed in on that one and asked for brown patches on the elbows and a matching hat.  not sure how i would do the patches but i might try.

scott spent some time with the chain saw today and opened up the view from the deck.  it will be interesting i the morning to see what a difference it makes.  having the boys here meant a lot of little chores that have been on the list for too long are finally accomplished.  thanks, sons!