I've Been Swatchin

I got this book from Schoolhouse Press last week. There are several to choose from, but most of them are vertical designs and Meg suggest keeping it horizontal for women of a certain age. I think I'm probably one of those women.

So, I'm testing a few of these out. 1, 3, 4 and 6. I don't like the looks of 2 so I am not even trying it. And I like 5 but am not going to swatch it for now. I know I'll like it if I decide to add it to my Guernsey. Problem is there is a pattern I like in the Knitting Workshop too. Who would have thought it would be this hard to decide on a pattern.

I'm using the yarn I bought from Arhnild when at her camp in February. When I was doing a little research on colors of yarn that were available, I happened onto a site that had Guernsey Yarn in a cream, a gray, a blue and a red. I figured the red could be used for mine, but I am not sure that the textures of the stitches are showing as much as I wanted them to.

I Didn't Knit At All Tonight

I finished reading The Friday Night Knitting Club. All I can say is --excellent. It reminds me of everything some of the Thursday Night Radical Knitters dream of. And of things some of us hope to never have to go through. And of great women who become friends. You have to read it.

I Was So Proud

I did the kitchener stitch on this sock, without turning off the t.v. and without having to give it a lot of thought....it was short lived. Just as I went to further pat myself on the back, I noticed a dropped stitch way down from the start of the toe shaping. Ugh!

I thought some time back a stitch seemed a little loose. I should have investigated it more. But, now I have finished it and sockie #1 looks good. On to it's brother.

This Is What I'm Reading

A Tale Of Two Gauges

A little less than a week ago, I bought yet another baby yarn in blue. I did not need it, but the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino felt so soft and I could only imagine what a soft sweater it would make.

I did a gauge swatch according to the pattern I had chosen and was all the way down to a size 1 needle and still a bit off. But, I refused to go any smaller and figured the baby could stand it to be just a tad roomy. So, I cast on the sweater on the right. Funny, how un-soft it feels when you go down all the way to a size 1. I was going to give it up and even looked at other patterns.

I was close to chucking the project for now, when I decided what the heck, I'll go up a couple of sizes of needles and see what that gauge look like. The sweater on the left is the result. It is softer and I think I am going to like it. I just cast on the smallest size of the pattern on the larger needles and the measurements are right around where a 9-12 month baby would wear.

Easter is the plan end date, yes this Easter!

One thing is for sure, I do not need any more baby yarn. And I realized something when I was knitting on the size 1 needle, I don't like knitting baby things, they take a lot of knitting despite their smallness.

Russian Prime

I wanted to show a picture of my progress on my Russian Prime sweater today, but unfortunately there is none. You see I ripped it out last night. Yes, I said ripped it out.

Uncharacteristically for me, I shut the t.v. off last night after the Bradley basketball game. I have to post that I NEVER watch Bradley basketball. The reason, many years ago, our local t.v. station started running the games even when they were playing in town. IT always was on a Thursday night and Hill Street Blues was re - routed to 1:00 am. Do I hold a grudge or what? But, because there was nothing on t.v. that I wanted to watch, I tuned into the last ½ of the game. Basketball, for me can be nice background to knitting. When it was over, I thought what the heck, I'll turn it off and work on my Russian Prime for just a little while.

It has been awhile since I worked on it. I think, I knew that there was a little problem with it and subconsciously that it was kept me from picking it up. Amy D., uploaded a file on Yahoo of the chart that I have been kicking around using, because it also has the side panels chart on it. So, I popped it into my new KnitPicks chart holder. I'm not real keen on the chart holder. I think I like my old metal one and the block of wood holder better. But, I digress.....

Back to the Russian Prime (can you tell how I am feeling about it?) I want to start the Guernsey from the new Woolgathering. But, I am not sure that I want to use my Apple Green Galway for it. And I have definitely decided NOT to use the purple Galway. After all, I can't keep making the same color sweaters that the model's are knitted out. Besides purple really isn't my color! And I cannot pull out the Circumnavigated Cardigan that already has about 6 or more inches to it. But, I wonder if Galway makes a nice Caribbean Blue? You know I never checked that out! And, I am going to Morton tonight......where was I?

Oh, yes, the Russian Prime (those two words as my other conscience reminded me, a.k.a Char). I worked a row around and discovered that I was missing two stitches. No, not dropped two stitches, but more like did not cast them on. Not a big deal, they can be handled later when I increase. So, I keep working. I am using a 24" needle and a 24" just does not seem to be long enough, to spread out the stitches to see what it is really going on. So I dig through my needles. All I have is a bamboo in a Size 5 and it is about 27 inches. So, I used it for the next round. I just don't like the way it drags on the bamboo. And I am not a 100% sure that I did not twist the join 5 rows ago.

So, I started ripping it out, and then got so frustrated, I just snipped it loose, tossed it and tonight when I go to Morton, I'll buy a 32" Addi, re cast it on with the correct amount of stitches and begin again. I've learned a couple of things from my first cast on of the Russian Prime and now it will give me an opportunity to get them right the second time around!

That is if my trip to Morton, doesn't get me into trouble!

Does This Not Just Scream My Yarn?

The latest Woolgathering just screams make me out of my purple Galway. The only problem? The purple Galway is two skeins into the Circumnavigated Cardigan. But, I do have some great Apple Green Galway that would look pretty cool as a Guernsey Pullover too.

The best news, there is a video just out at Schoolhouse Press on it. After posting, I'm off to order it!

I Might Just Have To Bid

The ensemble is so cute! I have named it St Patrick's Day in the Caribbean.

I'll keep watch on the bidding and if I see that it is going kind of slow or not going for a decent amount, I'll bid on it myself.

Can You Believe It?

My box of yarn from Arnhild arrived on Saturday as I was walking out the door to the Basketball Tournament. It still sits un-opened.

Unbelievable!

I'm working on my silent auction items for work. Finished pictures tomorrow. Thanks to Linda for the yarn for the downsized version of the booga bag. And Norma gaves me the Encore Chunky for the scarf. It is going to be hard to give it away. She had to have bought it with me in mind! It really is going to look great with the bag.
I found just enough of the eyelash to go around the top.

And if the bidding does not go high enough, I might just bid it all back into my hands!

Wearin of the Green

Every year at work, we do a silent auction at St. Patrick's Day. Last year, I knitted a felted bag in green with eyelash. Added a eyelash scarf and some green lia sophia jewelry. Most of the pieces that are auctioned off are in gift bags are wrapped pretty in green paper. I put mine in the felted bag. It was a hit.

This year came too fast and there was no time to do anything. So, I ignored it. Then, yesterday, my friend who is in charge of it, whined. How last year's mine was such a hit. Wouldn't I please consider doing something again? I have no time to shop. I had no stash. I went to my friends, they have no stash either! So, I figured I would shop at Hobby Lobby tonight and maybe in between ball games on Saturday and then knit like a fiend come Sunday, felt on Sunday night, take it to dry in front of my heater at work on Monday and have it in the case by Tuesday. Oy!

So, I slept on it! And remembered my one skein book, my dear friend Jo gave me. It has some possibilities! And then, I remembered some one skeins stash that I do have.

Here they are. I think I can do this and NOT have to felt any of it.

I see a scarf. I see a couple of washrags. I see a small little purse. One of the greens are not exactly kelly green, but I thought I could maybe get a way with it. Stay tuned.

The Last of Arnhild - for this year
My final purchases at the store that brought Arnhild's yarn and patterns (Purls). This baby yarn is so soft, I could not resist, even though I have a similiar color in Dale. This is for my great nephew for Christmas next year! Arnhild is only doing wholesale now, so she has Martha, the new owner of Purls sell the products.
This is my baby Circumnavigated sample from Marcia's class. Ignore all of the strands hanging. They are holding stitches or my guide stitches for the saddle shoulder. The pockets are very interesting, they are fused. Now, I know unless you actually see them being done, you are asking huh? I started a big version of it last night, and so I hope to have a couple of the future blogs that will show you the fusing in action.

The cool part of the sweater, is that when I am done, there is no sewing together. And you know how I like no sewing! Stay tuned for more on the Circumnavigated Cardigan in the weeks/months to come.

And so we are coming to the end of what I can tell you about Arnhild's Knitting Retreat. Oh, there is so much more, but, I don't want to bore you with for another week. Suffice it to say, I am going back next year. The cost is just right, the food is good, there was real hot chocolate one afternoon with marshmallows, tea breaks in the morning, some great show and share items to see one night all laid out for us with the info on each one, and of course a nice hotel to sit and watch the snow come down. It was a great weekend.

And the Mexico clothes are still sitting where I left them when I unpacked almost two weeks ago. Oh well, back to reality! When is Meg's camp?

Souvenirs

As a child whenever we would go on vacation, I would have to have a souvenir of the trip. So, it is no wonder that as an adult, I would need a yarn souvenir to remember my knitting vacations. And Arhnild's would not be any different, would it? Even though the WIPS and Stash are now to the point of a sin.



Even though, this appears to be a young person's size, I tried the hat on and I am going to make this for me for next winter. The dark color in the picture is a dark teal.




I am currently swatching the cardigan and awaiting for the rest of the yarn to make it's way to me. I tried on Arnhild's sample while at the Retreat and fit really well except for the sleeves that were a little long. Arnhild's daughter designed this sweater and she is the one on the left.


And last but not least, I bought this book for the mitten patterns. No yarn, but the book screamed, buy me.

Tomorrow, the last of the souvenirs, a pic of my little Circumnavigated Cardigan and a final wrap up of Arnhild's Knitting Retreat.

Classes At Arnhild's Knitting Retreat

I did the Circumnavigated Cardigan all weekend. We knitted on a very small version to get all the techniques. The instructor was Marcia Carlson. I am so glad I took this class because without it, I never would have made it through a big one. Medrith Glover is the designer and her pattern was in Knitter's years ago.

I first stumbled across the pattern when I was at my first Meg Swansen Knit Camp. I could not get the issue of the magazine from Knitters so I ordered it from Medrith Glover. I always intended on knitting it and never quite got to it.

I am anxious to start on a big version of it now, but it will have to wait til the weekend, because I just can't concentrate on it right now. The yarn I had planned on using for it all weekend is a Cascade 220 Tweed. Now, I am not sure I will have enough of it. This sweater to me screams tweed or variegated.

Back to classes though. Arnhild had four classes for our choosing. And the nice thing, is if you wanted to get up from where you were and go off and listen to another one you could. No problem. And the equally nice thing is that for three of the four classes, Short Rows, Shadow Knitting and the Cardigan, all of the class materials were included in our folder when we registered. The other one was Arnhild's clinic, where you could bring your problems and get help from her or others or just sit and knit.

I just can't tell you how relaxed the classes were. What a great feeling it was. The most stressed part was not having my yarn to start my sweater with while I was there!

Arnhild

I met Arnhild once at Stitches Midwest when I bought her Poncho Kit. I wore it Friday night. Two things happened almost simultaneously. She personally greets everyone when you see her. I held my hand out to introduce myself and she says "no (in her delightful Norwegian accent), I get a hug. At the same time, she is saying to me, you are wearing my poncho, you bought that at Stitches Midwest, no?" I am amazed!

Friday night during dinner, Arnhild lets us know what the weekend will be like. Very easy going, do what you want, bounce from class to class, knit whenever you want enjoy. She personally introduces everyone and makes them stands up. Tells us how long you have been coming to her knitting retreats, where you from and she mentions to the crowd that I am wearing her poncho that I bought at Stitches Midwest.

Arnhild did not teach any classes, but rather was in a clinic where you could take your knitting problems whatever they may be and get help with. She is such a sweet lady, and I love to listen to her speak. She is very open about her life, family and trips to come. She is currently selling her trip to Norway this summer and talked to us on Sunday at dessert break quite in depth of future trips. By the end of the time I spent with her, I am seriously thinking about going on her Knitting Cruise to Norway in two years!

I know I'm going back to her Knitting Retreat next year. It is already on the calendar!

It Was A Beautiful Weekend in Iowa

As long as you did not have to go anywhere! And I didn't! If we were not talking about knitting, we were watching the weather outside. And fortunately for me, I could call my boss on Sunday night and let him know I was snowed in in Iowa and did not feel bad about it.

Unfortunately, there are no pictures of Arnhild's Knitting Camp. Not that I couldn't have took some, but while in Mexico, I got too close to an ocean wave. It slapped up at me, must have hit my little Fugi camera just right and seized it up and now it will not work. I will have to investigate having it repaired or start looking for a new one, but that subject will be put on hold for awhile.

Julie and I made it just in time on Friday night for the start of knitting camp. The weather started in full force after we got there and for the rest of the weekend, whether it was from our hotel room window or from the classroom, we kept tabs on a quite beautiful storm. We all felt we were quite lucky that we had electricity the whole weekend. Some places in Iowa still did not have any yesterday.

Anyway, that will all I will say about the weather. The real purpose of my visit was Arnhild's Knit Camp. Camp is held every year the last weekend in February in Ames, Iowa. It took us a little more than 5 hours going and 5 hours going back. People who attended this year had been new people like me and some who have been going for 11 years. We came from Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. As far as I could tell, no one is turned away.

Cost for me was $335. I paid a $100 deposit last year, and did not have to pay the balance until I was at Camp. I can't believe what all I got for my money. I shared a room with Julie and her sister which brought the cost down a bit. The bed was so fluffy, I had four pillows on my bed and a fantastic comforter that just swallowed me up. The room was really quite nice! Also included, in the weekend, was the classes, my meal on Friday night, continental breakfast on Saturday, lunch on Saturday, Dinner on Saturday, brunch on Sunday, and dessert bar mid Sunday afternoon. I was pleased with what I got for the money.

Tomorrow, Arnhild.

It Was A Beautiful Weekend

I Have Alot To Tell

But, at the moment, I just want to sit in my chair, drink a diet coke and do nothing!

Short version - Julie picked me up on Friday around 12:30. We went off to Ames, Iowa to Arnhild's camp. We stopped at a yarn shop on the way. The weather turned into rain, hail, freezing rain, back to rain.

Friday night, it began to freeze rain. Saturday afternoon, after a morning of freezing rain, it commenced to snow. It was what they were calling a two sided storm in Iowa. It snowed another 10 -12 inches on top of the freezing rain!

We could not get out on Sunday, so we spent another night! It took us over an hour to clean off the car and get the doors to open. I just got home.

I had a great time and Julie and her sister and I have already put it on our calendar for next year.

More info to follow in the days ahead! Suffice it to say, I'm glad to be home and after just a bit of a rest I am going to swatch for a new sweater!

I Have To Go Back To Work

I could get used to this not working. But, then I would not be able to go to Mexico or to Knit Camp or to Arnhild's this weekend.

My friend, Julie is picking me up tomorrow at work around noon tomorrow and we are off to Ames, Iowa.

So technically, I am only working 11 1/2 hours and then I'll be off for the weekend.

Next week, however is going to be one LONNNNNNNGGGG week!

I'm Back!

And no, this is not a flattering picture! But, I was a little tired this last day in Mexico, and really ready to come home!

We had a blast! I've got everything put away this morning. Went through the mail, paid the bills and filed the rest. I still have laundry to do, but the nice thing is none of the laundry needs to be done for the trip to Arnhild's this weekend! So, it will wait until I get back.

I am glad I only took sox with me to knit. I think I knitted only about three rows the whole time I was gone! Now, I'm ready to knit. I think that is what I'll spend the rest of the afternoon doing.

Tomorrow it is back to work!

My Bags Are Packed

I'm ready to go. And boy are the bags packed! I was packing light this year, right! Then why does it seem like I have everything I own, but yet don't? I did however decide on just these sox. Because when given alot of thought, I know that they are doable in a week.


Adios All, see you in a week!