October 30, 2004
Alison's Poncho Update
Well, I FINALLY finished the never-ending turtleneck on this poncho, and started the body work. It's hard to see, but I've added a "Gull Stitch" cable down the center front and back, from BW's first treasury. It breaks up the monotony of never-ending stocking stitch! Hopefully, Alison will be able to wear it by Spring...
Recycled Silk Scarf
I bought two balls of recycled silk from the Folk Art Studio Cafe last time I was there... and I decided to turn it into a scarf. The yarn is certainly an interesting texture... and the colors! The photo doesn't really do it justice. I decideid to use the "Twin Rib" stitch from BW's Second Treasury, which is mostly lost in this yarn but makes the scarf look even nubbier, I think. I plan to try to have this finished in time to give it to someone for Christmas, but I haven't yet decided who the recipient will be.
October 19, 2004
FO! Genny's Hat
Wow... well, it took me for-EVER! But I think I'm finally done with Genny's Hat, and I'm ready to send it to Idaho! I think the cabled band adds something. It sure adds warmth, anyway, which I hope will come in handy in snowy Idaho! I'll try to get it out to Genny this week, and I'm going to ask her to send me a photo of her wearing it. I'm sure it will look better on her head than hanging on my banana stand! :-)
October 16, 2004
Folk Art Studio Cafe
Earlier this week I went to the Folk Art Studio Cafe with my daughter Diana to pick up some pottery she had painted a couple of weeks ago. I bought some hanks of yarn, which the owner Kathy balled up for me, so I went back today to pick them up. I brought my camera along... you GOTTA see this place!
The whole place is done up in an artsy paint scheme with painted and decoupaged furniture all around. Here's a cool table and bench for enjoying a cuppa joe or spot of tea...
This is the lovely Kathy, who is modeling her toy rat! The lifelike rodent is Diana's favorite conversation piece, so she insisted on snapping this photo!
You never know when you're there who's working and who's passing through! I met Kerry today, who works sometimes on Saturdays. Here, Kerry sits, swatching away! Tough job, eh? I just LOVE the comfy couches and the purple-y fabric on the walls!
Here's another view of the shop... no shortage of beautiful yarns to look at! It just makes you want to touch all of them!
I told you Diana's favorite thing in the shop is the rat, but this is a little much! EEEEWWWWWW! (Artistic vision and photo by Kathy!)
And this is the gorgeous yarn I bought! When I saw it the other day, it reminded me of a vibrant tie dye, and I just HAD to have all 10 skeins! Not sure yet what I'm going to do with it... probably some legwarmers, a hat, and scarf. I doubt I have enough for a sweater for me.... but we'll see.
October 10, 2004
Knitlist Tips Page
Well, I finally finished updating the KnitList Tips Page! It was more work than I expected, but with the new format of indexed tips, it will be easier to update from now on. Thanks to all for your patience! I should mention of course that all of the tips were originally posted on the KnitList, and that the tips are reprinted with the permission of the original author. The tips remain the intellectual property of the authors who created them.
I'm knitting here and there on all of my projects, but there's not enough progress on any of them to report. Hopefully next week...
The KnitList is the largest and coolest knitting resource on the web!
October 6, 2004
On Edge...
Ok, so aside from being totally bored with this poncho, I'm finally at a point where I can do something interesting with it. Originally, I was going to just do a ribbed band at the bottom, to match the top. But then when I got home yesterday there was a box from Amazon waiting... containing two fabulous books by Nicky Epstein:
Knitting on the Edge : Ribs * Ruffles * Lace * Fringes * Floral * Points & Picots - The Essential Collection of 350 Decorative Borders, and
Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments: 350 Appliques, Borders, Cords and More!
Wow! The possibilities are practically endless! I'm now considering doing some kind of cabled band for the bottom edge of my poncho. Not sure yet how I'm going to work it out... but I've got a few more inches of knitting before I have to decide. If you have a thought, let me know!
P.S.--That's my stationery handbike in the background of the picture... someday I need to stop so much knitting and work out!
Alison's Poncho
I purchased the Fall O4 issue of Family Circle Easy Knitting because of a beautiful celery-green turtleneck poncho that was featured inside. I so wanted to make this but since I had already started my own lopi poncho, I thought maybe I don't need another. But then, my co-worker Alison started talking about ponchos one day, and I showed her a picture of that one, and next thing I knew I was ordering the yarn.
I love the way the yarn feels, but it is a bit difficult to work with on my Denise needles. I'm not going to switch though, because I need the extra long cords!
I do love the way the poncho feels, and I wish I was making one for myself! Maybe I'll do that next...
Commuter Knitting
Here's what I'm doing with the Rio de la Plata Yarn that I picked up at the Folk Art Studio Cafe a couple of weeks ago! Most of my knitting gets done in the car on my hour-plus twice daily commute. I decided that I needed something that doesn't require me to think, or to lug a pattern or a chart... and though I am not a huge fan of garter stitch, The yarn itself is pretty and oh so soft to the touch! I just love touching it as I knit. I'm finding that I'm not too happy with the feel of the clover circulars, but I can't tell if it's the needles themselves, or their bulky size. I'll stick it out, though... always wanting to try new things!
Knitting Resources
About Me - If you really GOTTA know who's writing this blog...
Got Feedback? Visit the Guestbook
Work in Progress: Aran Sampler Rainbow Blankie - Click this page to see all the cool designs that are going into this project!
Finished Object Gallery - This page doesn't have a lot on it! I'm notorious for not finishing projects. But check back from time to time as I just might surprise myself!
Trish's Knitting Library - This is an assortment of knitting books and related materials that I've enjoyed, so I thought I would share them with you.
Trish's Knitting Links - I surf a lot for knitting resources so I thought I'd start compiling my discoveries here. Check back often!
The KnitList - This is probably one of the oldest and most comprehensive knitting resources on the Web. There are literally thousands of members, and people are always ready to provide information and help.
KnitTalk - and if you're sick of the Knitlist and just want a warm fuzzy place to chat about knitting, try this group on for size.
KnitHatsNow - A mailing list devoted to people who love to knit hats! We maintain an always-growing list of free hat patterns available on the web.
KnittingScarves - A mailing list devoted to people who love to knit scarves! We maintain an always-growing list of scarf patterns available on the web. Crocheters are welcome, too.
Knitty - Very creative online knitting magazine. Great patterns and really great articles. Best of all, it's FREE.
Trish's Knitting Tips
Knitting Small Round Objects Without Double Pointed Needles (a.k.a., "The Magic Loop") - Learning this technique revolutionized the way I knit! The booklet which describes the technique in detail is published by Fiber Trends and is available through a huge variety of knitting retailers. I also found that I learned the technique on my own pretty well visiting this website: How to Knit Small Circumferences Using One Long Circular Needle.
Recently, I've found a website called Knitting Help.com where the Magic Loop technique is demonstrated. Click on the Advanced Techniques page to find the video.
My Own Patterns
Cables and Eyelets Scarf -- I put this pattern together and I'm enjoying it a lot so far! Of course, my sample is still in the UFO pile, but the pattern is a lot of fun to knit.
Fancy Cabled Braided Scarf -- My first pattern! I love cables, and I love this scarf. I hope you enjoy it, too!
Commercial Knitting Resources
The Yarn Market - My current favorite yarn store. A wide selection of beautiful and fun yarns.
Knitpicks - My other favorite yarn store. This one carries tons of accessories and doo-dads I can't live without! Recently, Knitpicks has begun carrying their own house-brand yarn. The reviews are good and the prices can't be beat! Be sure to check them out.
Denise Interchangeable Needles - I love these needles and I use them exclusively. I have two sets! The needle sizes range from 5-15, and the cables can be combined to make almost any length. I find these needles lightweight and easy to work with.
Favorite Knitting Blogs
WendyKnits - This one is a hoot to read and contains lots of info on really interesting projects! But, Kudos to Wendy's tip on Cabling Without a Cable Needle. I've read many directions before, but this one was the one that caused my "light bulb" to go off.
Archives
Visit My Other Sites!
Day Family on The Web - This is our family website; check often for updates on the kids and other news.
Parents with Disabilities Online - This is my project I manage for parents with disabilities. I really enjoy providing resources, information and support to families like ours, so that they know they're not alone.
Birtles Shorrock Goble - Founding members of the Little River Band, who have reunited and gave me the honor of doing their website!
Beeb Birtles' Official Website - The pleasure has been all mine to manage the web site for the life and times of Beeb Birtles, a founding member of the Little River Band.
DOT Disability Resource Center - This is where I work, and I also do the website for the office.
Powerscape, LLC - this is the website for my brother's business, which specializes in commercial power washing services.
©2004 Patricia Day; All Rights Reserved.
E-mail Trish: Trish@trishday.com