Friday, June 29, 2018
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Episode 8 ZK2018 Recap With A Friend
The You Tube video is up on pjknits on You Tube Click here for the video
Show Notes
Deneen Pottery
The Silver Shed USA
Knitting Adventure:
The Yarnery
Albertville Outlet Mall
Steven Be
Knit Buffalo - Yarn Truck
ZIG Sock - Twink and Twat
ZanieCrafts Sock Blank
Lavender Lune Yarn Co
Yarn Geek Fibers
Saturate
Lavender Lune Yarn Company - Debbie's Colorways
Parts Unknown
Dr. Enys - Poldark
Throat Punch
Moonbeam
Midnight
Leading Men Fiberarts
Penny's Kits:
Ground Pepper Kit
Tranquil Gradient Kit
Berry Fun Yarns
Double Berry Milkshake
Suburban Stitcher
ZK2018
Show Notes
Deneen Pottery
The Silver Shed USA
Knitting Adventure:
The Yarnery
Albertville Outlet Mall
Steven Be
Knit Buffalo - Yarn Truck
ZIG Sock - Twink and Twat
ZanieCrafts Sock Blank
Lavender Lune Yarn Co
Yarn Geek Fibers
Saturate
Lavender Lune Yarn Company - Debbie's Colorways
Parts Unknown
Dr. Enys - Poldark
Throat Punch
Moonbeam
Midnight
Leading Men Fiberarts
Penny's Kits:
Ground Pepper Kit
Tranquil Gradient Kit
Berry Fun Yarns
Double Berry Milkshake
Suburban Stitcher
ZK2018
Monday, June 25, 2018
ZK 2018
Door Prize Gift Certificate which went towards a friend's birthday gift.
So much fun!
Sunday, June 24, 2018
What A Wonderful Weekend With Friends
It was the best of times. It was the best of times.
We learned a bit about fotography from Emily Straw.
Debbie and I went on "An Adventure"
Even though Kate Spade is gone, she will forever live in my hands!
It was a bit of a challenge getting out of Minnepolis with the road construction going on, but we finally made our way back to Rochester after scoping out Steven Be.
And yesterday, we started our day in the yarn truck shopping before going into the market.
The weekend was so much fun do to this amazing group of women, we call friends.
And then the final leg of "our adventure", Debbie and I hopped in our car and drove home after an amazing weekend, getting home a bit after 1 in the morning.
Tomorrow, I'll show you what came home with me!
We learned a bit about fotography from Emily Straw.
Debbie and I went on "An Adventure"
Even though Kate Spade is gone, she will forever live in my hands!
It was a bit of a challenge getting out of Minnepolis with the road construction going on, but we finally made our way back to Rochester after scoping out Steven Be.
And yesterday, we started our day in the yarn truck shopping before going into the market.
The weekend was so much fun do to this amazing group of women, we call friends.
And then the final leg of "our adventure", Debbie and I hopped in our car and drove home after an amazing weekend, getting home a bit after 1 in the morning.
Tomorrow, I'll show you what came home with me!
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Zombie Knitpocalypse 2018
I'm off to ZK, I'll check in with you all next week or you can check me out on Instagram while I'm there.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Episode 7 Show Notes for My Sweater Project
Questions and Answers can be found on June 3rd
Books and Bags
25 Gorgeous Sweaters by Catherine Ham Gorgeous Sweaters by Catherine Ham
Knitted Jackets by Cheryl Oberle
Jean Frost Jackets
Custom Fit Knit Jackets by Jean Frost
The Silver Shed USA
Finished Objects
Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig
out of Three Irish Girls Springvale Sock and Meara Mohair
Friendship Road
out of Ultra Pima
Books and Bags
25 Gorgeous Sweaters by Catherine Ham Gorgeous Sweaters by Catherine Ham
Knitted Jackets by Cheryl Oberle
Jean Frost Jackets
Custom Fit Knit Jackets by Jean Frost
The Silver Shed USA
Finished Objects
Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig
out of Three Irish Girls Springvale Sock and Meara Mohair
Friendship Road
out of Ultra Pima
Sunday, June 10, 2018
When You Have Boys
You don't get to go to too many dance recitals! But, Mona Lisa is our first girl in a while that dances, so we got to see another spectacular recital. Proud Grandma pic and proud Mom pics follow!
Monday, June 04, 2018
What's On The Needles This Week? My Sweater Project!
It's crunch time this week. With just under a week until the end of the ZK Contest, I am knitting away on my Featherweight Sweater from Three Irish Girls Yarn that I bought last year at Stitches Midwest.
This entry will be good for 50% yarn bonus as Three Irish Girls will be vending this year. Featherweight has been on my list forever as a sweater that I have wanted to knit. This sweater is definitely a case where, just because I want to wear and knit it, doesn't mean I can. There are multiple reasons why I needed to look at this very carefully and decide what mods I need to make to it, instead of just casting on and holding out for the best.
First up, I knew it was going to need extra length. The shorty sweater has never been my style.
Next up, my cardigan sweaters have to close! They cannot ever just hang open. If they do, I am camouflaging it with my hand to keep them close.
And lastly, schematics are so important for me in looking at a sweater design to knit. I have pelican arms, as I call them. I cannot wear skinny sleeves. One thing I always look at on a schematic, in addition to the bottom hem dimensions, is the measurement of the upper arm. If it is a skinny sleeve, I have to either plan on adding extra stitches, using a larger needle to get a larger gauge on the sleeve or not knit the design!
When I saw this design in a totally different direction at Stitches Midwest, I could see that Three Irish Girls resolved almost all of these problems for me. And I got to try it on. Their sweater is longer than the original, knitted on a larger needle and by doing a rib for the front closing, eliminated that pesky rolling of stockinette, that is another pet peeve of mine for sweaters. And to boot, they had yarn in colors that are my colors. I snatched it up and knew it was mine!
Now, the only issue left is when I wet block it, that it grows just a bit as I was running a bit low on yarn since I made mods on the needle sizing. Note to all, buy more yarn than you think you are going to use.**
This entry will be good for 50% yarn bonus as Three Irish Girls will be vending this year. Featherweight has been on my list forever as a sweater that I have wanted to knit. This sweater is definitely a case where, just because I want to wear and knit it, doesn't mean I can. There are multiple reasons why I needed to look at this very carefully and decide what mods I need to make to it, instead of just casting on and holding out for the best.
First up, I knew it was going to need extra length. The shorty sweater has never been my style.
Next up, my cardigan sweaters have to close! They cannot ever just hang open. If they do, I am camouflaging it with my hand to keep them close.
And lastly, schematics are so important for me in looking at a sweater design to knit. I have pelican arms, as I call them. I cannot wear skinny sleeves. One thing I always look at on a schematic, in addition to the bottom hem dimensions, is the measurement of the upper arm. If it is a skinny sleeve, I have to either plan on adding extra stitches, using a larger needle to get a larger gauge on the sleeve or not knit the design!
When I saw this design in a totally different direction at Stitches Midwest, I could see that Three Irish Girls resolved almost all of these problems for me. And I got to try it on. Their sweater is longer than the original, knitted on a larger needle and by doing a rib for the front closing, eliminated that pesky rolling of stockinette, that is another pet peeve of mine for sweaters. And to boot, they had yarn in colors that are my colors. I snatched it up and knew it was mine!
Now, the only issue left is when I wet block it, that it grows just a bit as I was running a bit low on yarn since I made mods on the needle sizing. Note to all, buy more yarn than you think you are going to use.**
Sunday, June 03, 2018
My Sweater Project - My Answers
What are the styles I turn to? - In my regular wardrobe - t-shirts, throw em on for the weekend or at night, comfy, cozy, loose fitting t-shirts. For work, simple button cardigans that can go over a tank in the Summer months, turtlenecks in the Winter that can have a shawlette worn over them.
What styles do I look good in? Well, that is a good question. Maybe, the real question is what styles do I feel good in? I think I really need someone else to answer that question for me.
What styles do I KNOW I do not look good in? No drop shoulder. No sleeveless. No tunic lengths or below the hip styles. They cover the hips, but I am way too short to pull them off.
What would I say is my signature style? Blue Jeans and a t-shirt for casual. For work, simple throw on and go out the door. Do I wish this was a different answer, yes I do, and would love to change this up a bit in My Sweater Project.
What items in my wardrobe are needed? I have added this to include, what items in my wardrobe do I want? Refer to all the answers above and below...I want em all!
Do I need sweaters for work or sweaters for the weekend or both? Yes! I want sweaters to work in and I want comfy, go to Saturday knitting sweaters, head out in the Winter Lopi sweaters to double as a coat.
Do I want classic sweaters? Yes, a couple.
What am I most comfortable in right now? Sweaters that cover.
What would I love to be able to wear and how can I make it something that I can wear? Lets take drop shoulders for example. Years ago, I knit and wore them. Fast forward many years later and a helpful Judy Chan from the Chicago area, taught me that was not a look I should be knitting or wearing. She helped me to take a drop shoulder sweater pattern I love and want to knit, and make it one without drop shoulders, keeping the body design of a sweater as it should be, but making a sleeve that I can wear. The best money I ever spent and the best Summer of classes I ever took. When choosing sweater patterns, I really need to look at the style and if I really love it, but if there is something about it that I should not wear, I need to really look at it and see if it isn't something I change up and still knit. And if not, don't!
If I knit it, will I wear it? That is the question that should be asked before ever buying a pattern, yarn or even thinking about knitting a sweater.
Do I love the color I have chosen? It is no secret I love turquoise. And I am loving brights these days. I often think I "need" to change it up a bit on my color pallet of knitting, but lets face it, if you are going to knit it, make it a color you love and look and feel good in.
Am I just wanting to knit it because "everyone" else is? I am so that person. Just because it looks good on the thin and tall model, doesn't mean it is something I should knit and wear. I have a book case full of old knitting magazines. I started pulling and tossing those that are from almost two decades ago. Before I toss though, I am looking at the ones that I had earmarked for possible knitting. What was I thinking back then? They would not have looked good then on me. I really need to develop a bit of self control on my choices for knitting sweaters and not be led astray.
Wow! That was a bit of reflection now wasn't it? What's next?
What styles do I look good in? Well, that is a good question. Maybe, the real question is what styles do I feel good in? I think I really need someone else to answer that question for me.
What styles do I KNOW I do not look good in? No drop shoulder. No sleeveless. No tunic lengths or below the hip styles. They cover the hips, but I am way too short to pull them off.
What would I say is my signature style? Blue Jeans and a t-shirt for casual. For work, simple throw on and go out the door. Do I wish this was a different answer, yes I do, and would love to change this up a bit in My Sweater Project.
What items in my wardrobe are needed? I have added this to include, what items in my wardrobe do I want? Refer to all the answers above and below...I want em all!
Do I need sweaters for work or sweaters for the weekend or both? Yes! I want sweaters to work in and I want comfy, go to Saturday knitting sweaters, head out in the Winter Lopi sweaters to double as a coat.
Do I want classic sweaters? Yes, a couple.
What am I most comfortable in right now? Sweaters that cover.
What would I love to be able to wear and how can I make it something that I can wear? Lets take drop shoulders for example. Years ago, I knit and wore them. Fast forward many years later and a helpful Judy Chan from the Chicago area, taught me that was not a look I should be knitting or wearing. She helped me to take a drop shoulder sweater pattern I love and want to knit, and make it one without drop shoulders, keeping the body design of a sweater as it should be, but making a sleeve that I can wear. The best money I ever spent and the best Summer of classes I ever took. When choosing sweater patterns, I really need to look at the style and if I really love it, but if there is something about it that I should not wear, I need to really look at it and see if it isn't something I change up and still knit. And if not, don't!
If I knit it, will I wear it? That is the question that should be asked before ever buying a pattern, yarn or even thinking about knitting a sweater.
Do I love the color I have chosen? It is no secret I love turquoise. And I am loving brights these days. I often think I "need" to change it up a bit on my color pallet of knitting, but lets face it, if you are going to knit it, make it a color you love and look and feel good in.
Am I just wanting to knit it because "everyone" else is? I am so that person. Just because it looks good on the thin and tall model, doesn't mean it is something I should knit and wear. I have a book case full of old knitting magazines. I started pulling and tossing those that are from almost two decades ago. Before I toss though, I am looking at the ones that I had earmarked for possible knitting. What was I thinking back then? They would not have looked good then on me. I really need to develop a bit of self control on my choices for knitting sweaters and not be led astray.
Wow! That was a bit of reflection now wasn't it? What's next?
Saturday, June 02, 2018
My Sweater Project - Questions That Need Answered
What are the styles I turn to?
What styles do I look good in?
What styles do I KNOW I do not look good in?
What would I say is my signature style?
What items in my wardrobe are needed?
Do I need sweaters for work or sweaters for the weekend or both?
Do I want classic sweaters?
What am I most comfortable in right now?
What would I love to be able to wear and how can I make it something that I can wear?
If I knit it, will I wear it?
Do I love the color I have chosen?
Am I just wanting to knit it because "everyone" else is?
Before embarking on My Sweater Project, these are questions I, at least, need to answer for myself. Partly because I know me, and I can so easily be distracted by what everyone else is knitting, the latest, hottest pattern, rather than just taking time to think it all through. Which has me knitting all over the place and not being very focused on my knitting.
In the next blogpost, I'll answer these questions for me.
What styles do I look good in?
What styles do I KNOW I do not look good in?
What would I say is my signature style?
What items in my wardrobe are needed?
Do I need sweaters for work or sweaters for the weekend or both?
Do I want classic sweaters?
What am I most comfortable in right now?
What would I love to be able to wear and how can I make it something that I can wear?
If I knit it, will I wear it?
Do I love the color I have chosen?
Am I just wanting to knit it because "everyone" else is?
Before embarking on My Sweater Project, these are questions I, at least, need to answer for myself. Partly because I know me, and I can so easily be distracted by what everyone else is knitting, the latest, hottest pattern, rather than just taking time to think it all through. Which has me knitting all over the place and not being very focused on my knitting.
In the next blogpost, I'll answer these questions for me.
Friday, June 01, 2018
Kickoff! My Sweater Project
I want to knit some sweaters. How about you?
I want to wear my knitting. How about you?
And I want it to be sweaters!
Don't get me wrong, I love my shawls. I love knitting shawls. But, there are so many sweaters I want to knit. And I want to build a new wardrobe of sweaters.
Many years ago, Cheryl Oberle, published a book Knitted Jackets. I fell into this book deep. I knit almost everyone of the jackets in the book. Most of the sweaters have now been passed on to worthy people who don't knit, but love the sweaters I can no longer wear. Which sorely left a hole in my sweater wardrobe. I have knit a few sweaters since then, but I find myself wanting something more.
I want sweaters that say to people, I am a Knitter! Call it a sort of re-branding of me. I have a vision of the sweaters that I want to be a part of my wardrobe. I want them to be stylish and I want them to be fun. I want some of them to be simple and I want some of them to look like they just came off of the knitting runway.
I want them for Summer and I want them before Winter sets in so I'll be a step ahead of the weather.
I want to have them to wear to retreats and parties and kicking around on the weekend. I want them to scream Knitter!
And along the way, I want to learn new things and venture into new techniques and types of sweater knitting. I want to explore sleeve techniques, perfect my seaming, steek really well, hone my color work skills, go out on a limb with my knitting and not always take the quick and easy route, but most of all I want them to be me.
I am so excited to start My Sweater Project, knit with me, won't you?
I want to wear my knitting. How about you?
And I want it to be sweaters!
Don't get me wrong, I love my shawls. I love knitting shawls. But, there are so many sweaters I want to knit. And I want to build a new wardrobe of sweaters.
Many years ago, Cheryl Oberle, published a book Knitted Jackets. I fell into this book deep. I knit almost everyone of the jackets in the book. Most of the sweaters have now been passed on to worthy people who don't knit, but love the sweaters I can no longer wear. Which sorely left a hole in my sweater wardrobe. I have knit a few sweaters since then, but I find myself wanting something more.
I want sweaters that say to people, I am a Knitter! Call it a sort of re-branding of me. I have a vision of the sweaters that I want to be a part of my wardrobe. I want them to be stylish and I want them to be fun. I want some of them to be simple and I want some of them to look like they just came off of the knitting runway.
I want them for Summer and I want them before Winter sets in so I'll be a step ahead of the weather.
I want to have them to wear to retreats and parties and kicking around on the weekend. I want them to scream Knitter!
And along the way, I want to learn new things and venture into new techniques and types of sweater knitting. I want to explore sleeve techniques, perfect my seaming, steek really well, hone my color work skills, go out on a limb with my knitting and not always take the quick and easy route, but most of all I want them to be me.
I am so excited to start My Sweater Project, knit with me, won't you?
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