KNITTING WITH JACKIE

 Hiya! As a Knitting Instructor for Purls of Wisdom , I selected the “ Blue Sand Cardigan ” by La Madison Rililie for this year's Fall KAL project.  This cardigan is top-down and features a different take on yoke construction, there are various methods to achieve a soft sloping shoulder line. It features a longer back with a rounded large hem (short rows), textured stitches, and a pocket .    I chose this cardigan not only because of the yoke constructions options available; but also, because knitters can make it shorter, stripes or solid, without pockets, etc.  The designer knitted the original in cotton, but knitting in DK or Light Worsted is perfect for the Fall.  The gauge is 21.5 stitches and 27.5 rows = 4 inches in stocking stitches on size 7 needles.  A few ladies in the group are making it shorter and one color.  They have found it challenging which was my desire and I am looking forward to seeing their creation.  We all should contin...

Hiya! For sometime, I have been working on The Knitting Guild of America's, Level 3 program.  A part of the requirements are two original designs - hat and sweater.  One is worked in traditional Aran style and the other in either Fair Isle or Scandinavian style.  For my hat design, I chose to do a stranded Fair Isle design.   Although I love the look of colorwork and have followed several designers who are famous for it, knitting in this technique has seemed daunting to me. I have delayed this submission for quite a while because I did not feel that I could not do it.    I took a few courses and even one-on-one instruction to get some confidence.   Which I did…. this hat is a combination of resolve and fear. I am immensely proud of this design and the knitting.  This is a basic seven-point Fair Isle tam using 8-colors of Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift yarn.   However, there is still progress that I feel could be made.   Fo...

Hiya! It has been some time since my last Blog.  Like everyone in the world, my family and I were dealing with COVID19.  Although, we haven't suffered much personally, but, we felt it as friends, co-workers and the rest of mankind deal with illness and loss. Although, during the past year, my local yarn shop closed, I am fortunate enough to have several shops in my area.  I was provided the  opportunity to work at another shop, Purls of Wisdom .   In addition to group knitting, I am able to teach.   Thus far, I have taught classes on Short-Rows (Introduction), Raverly 101 and Stranded Knitting - Fair Isle Hat. This class is the first stranded knitting class that I have been able to teach.  At the point of registering for the class, each student was give a list of materials and homework.  The pattern is the  Basic Norwegian Star Hat  by Cara Jo Knit.  This is a free pattern on Raverly.   It is a quick knit fo...

  Hiya, As I have mentioned in my previous post, my daughter wanted jackets for her daughter - my only grandchild. For this request, I choose, " Little Buds " by Karen Borrell.  It is knitted top-down and in garter stitch.   Four little leaves give a nice flare shape and add a little girly touch – with 3/4 sleeves and neat I-cord edges. I am again knitting with Conshohocken Cotton - 100% Wool Yarn.  This yarn has been in my stash for more than 30 years.  Although this manufacturer was known for producing cotton, its factory outline carried various types of yarn.  I had nine (9) skeins of yarn to use up - which was more than enough.  I knitted a hat to match designed by Olivia Craftox. Again, I will need to soften the wool.  I found several methods by Megan Goodacre , Tricksy Knitter, that I will select.  After washing, I will, again, use a conditioner with lanolin; however, this time, I will place the garment in a plastic bag for 20 minu...

 Hiya, Recently, my daughter stated that Elena, her daughter, and my granddaughter, need a jacket.  So, I began a search on Ravelry for patterns that I thought she would like.  The only requirement was it needed to be button-down for closure.  I found several options and my daughter selected the following: Cissi Coat by MillaMia Sweden is a wonderful swing coat.  The built-in scarf is a useful twist to normal design - a benefit that children won't lose it.  It is knitted in pieces and sewed together.  The size range is perfect so that I can knit different colors up from 1 to 7 years of age.  I went into my stash and found some very old Conshohocken Cotton 100% wool yarn.  It has been in my stash so long that I needle to replenish the lanolin. I used a technique of adding hair moisturizer to the washing.  I allow it to soak for about 30 minutes.  It softens the wool greatly. I added wooden bottoms.  I deliberately alternat...

Hiya,   Since the quarantine started, I have ventured into the world of the "Knit-A-Long".  A knitalong (KAL) is when many knitters work on their own version of the same pattern at the same time.  My first KAL was with Marie Green.  Knitting along with a group from my LYS, we worked together with the pattern as it was broken down into steps.  The pace kept me on track so that I was able to finish the sweater while before the deadline. So, I decided to join another one!!  This time with one of my favorite designers - Joji Locatelli.  I have a number of her designs on my "things to knit" list.  Note:  My "things to knit" list are projects with the pattern and yarn already purchased - another "knit from stash project"  YEAH!!! Spector is a faded circular yoke pullover.  There are some decorated textured patterns.  Most of the sweater is knitted in a ribbed pattern.  I am using 4 different color yarns.  This will be ...

Hiya, Another sweater that was on my list of things to knit comes from Vogue Knitting's Spring/Summer 2008 editions.  This unique summer cardigan by Nora Gaughn.  It is knitted multi-directional with lace and a zigzag pattern. I decided to use yarn that has been in my stash for more than 20 years.  Marina by Katia is 84% cotton and 16% nylon.  I knew that I didn't have enough to knit the entire sweater in this specific yarn.  Since it has been discontinued for some time, it might be difficult to a matching color or fiber. I got lucky with Berroco Comfort, 9750; however, it is 50% nylon and 50% Acrylic. I thought using it for the lace, top portion only, of the sweater. Thus, far, I have gotten the back completed and I think it looks pretty good. I completed both fronts and realized that I failed to cast on the correct number of stitches.  I modified the pattern to accommodate my gauge. I reknitted the two fronts and I had enough of the Katia to finis...