Grandma Says

Knitting, Weaving, ,

I love to knit. . . been doing it since I was in 2nd grade . . . and that was a loooong time ago. And yet, I’ve always wanted to learn how to weave. However, I am the kind of knitter that knits a swatch and then goes for the project . . . I ‘m not very good at the planning stage. I’ve not dug into the world of weaving very deeply because it seems to me like you need to plan out your projects. And, convincing myself I don’t really like planning, thus weaving, is an excuse for the fact that looms are expensive and take up a lot of room. So I’ll stick to my first love, knitting.

I did take a table loom weaving class at the Yarnery in St. Paul about 10 years ago. That was really fun, but I didn’t have any of the tools. (Use of  a loom and tools were included in the class, but I had to return them) Drat.

Last week,  a friend of the family gave us looms!!!!

A 60″ Fanny Loom and a table loom. . . and a bunch of stuff that is unidentifiable to me. I feel so fortunate! Now, what to do with it all and where in the house to set it up? I’m really excited to start learning to use this wonderful gift!!

I’ve been researching classes and reading books from the box-o-books that accompanied the looms. The first thing I want to weave is a guitar strap for my 1947 Martin OO17!

As my Grandma often said when she heard me whining when I was a child, “Be careful what you wish for”.

 

 

Non knitting post about candle making

Striped Socks

Knitting, My original hand knitting patterns, On My Needles, Original Patterns, , , , ,

I finished these socks in 3 days!!
I’m celebrating a friend’s birthday tonight (Friday)  and on Tuesday I thought how lovely it would be to give him a pair of hand knit socks. . . so here they are. . . on my old feet.

Gary's socks

I used Harrisville Designs Highland yarn on size 3 needles. They are a sturdy pair of socks!

I love the variety of colors available by Harrisville Designs!

sock heelsEven striped through the heels!

Another head in the Treetops Cap

Knitting, My original hand knitting patterns, Original Patterns, , , , , , , ,

01ellenintreetopsI knit this hat for Ellen but it is so soft and lovely that I’ll be wearing it when she isn’t!

I knit this in LOFT – a 100% American wool – Grown in Wyoming, spun in New England – this wool is very fun to knit.

I used size US 2 and 3 knitting needles and knit this hat in the round. Here is a link to my pattern.

Top of cap
Top of cap

Knitting enthusiasm still strong

Find knitting news, Knitting, On My Needles, , ,

It has been ages since I’ve blogged. . . okay, only about 18 months. ..but that is ages in “online” time.
I’ve been busy knitting – – – AND – – – learning how to play Cajun accordion. Learning to play the accordion is cutting into my knitting time, but I’m sure I’m building new neuropathways in my brain. The in and out of the bellows while at the same time playing a tune on the buttons is a lot like rubbing your tummy and patting the top of your head. It is also reawakening my knitting creativity! (I’ve started a new shawl that I will tell you about soon)
Recently a friend sent me a link to an article about a knitting group started in prison. An inspiring read. Here is the link:
Reading this made me want to knit with friends again. . .
Happy knitting!
Shawn

A great cast on when starting at the top

Knitting, My original hand knitting patterns, On My Needles, , , , , , ,

I love to knit mittens and hats from the top down! Starting at the top provides me the opportunity to keep trying it on as I go. . . and my projects always turn out the right length.

Here is a video of a really nice cast on that I have started using to get a sweet flower at the top of my hats and mittens.

I used this method for this hat –

I’m a big fan of fulling and felting too. These mitts are knit using two strands of Galway wool and US 17 circular needles, then fulled to fit.

I’m working on a pattern that explains how I knit mittens from the top down. . it will include directions for this fulled mitten, which by the way is super warm and great to wear in MN winters while waiting for the bus! This could also be used as an oven mitt.

Earflap hat with Twined Knitting

Find knitting news, Knitting, My original hand knitting patterns, Original Patterns, , , , ,

A while back a friend mentioned she wanted a classy, black, earflap hat to wear with her “good” coat. She showed my the ecru 1940s art deco style silk scarf that she wears with this coat. A lovely design is woven into the scarf and I decided to try to match it on the brim of the hat. I wanted something that would be warm and with a nice firm brim and earflaps.

Result – twined knitting – with raised stitches.

    

I fell in love with twined knitting about a year ago, and my family chipped in and bought me Twined Knitting, A Swedish Folkcraft Technique by Birgitta Dandanell & Ulla Danielsson. (an out of print 96$ purchase!!).

So I read the book and figured out how to make raised stitch designs and the black hat pictured here was the result. I don’t remember what yarn I used for that hat.

After knitting several hats I’ve decided a nice spungey, springy yarn, with lots of body works best when knit on a smaller size needle than recommended on the label.

    

I’m happy to knit you one in the color of your choice! 50 colors to choose from in Harrisiville Shetland! Shoot me a comment for more details.

I am writing the pattern using the wavy raised stitch design for publication seen on the other hats pictured here.

Pattern coming soon!

Starting Anew

Find knitting news

I’ve been staring at my computer screen for what feels like days – trying to set up a new website. This is all quite fun – but I don’t know what to do with my old blog. . . the one with all my projects since 2007

I certainly am learning a lot about web sites and such but not getting any knitting done! 🙁