KNITTING WITH JACKIE

 Hi Knitters, I came across this shawl when it was advertised in the Vogue Knitting Live New York course selections. The designer, Alexandra Davidoff, was having a class on this shawl.  Although I was going to attend VKL in February, along with my knitting friends, I wasn't planning on taking classes; but, I really liked this shawl. Together with my friends, I decided to have a KAL at my local yarn shop featuring this shawl. After researching, the designer has a mystery knit along with this pattern in 2018.  As a result, there are a number of Youtube videos that provide the explanation that I was looking for.  Here are a few things: 1. To create dragon scales, you have to increase and decrease stitches on the right.  When increasing the pattern suggest the Double Cast On method.   The cast-on recommended for this pattern is extremely similar to the long-tail cast-on, except that instead of the two strands used being the working yarn and a long tail (as they would be for a regular l

 Hi Everyone, Well, I finally finished Elena's Christmas Sweater!!  Just a little late I know.   My local yarn shop had a sample and I thought that it was lovely.  I didn't think that I wouldn't have it finished - even though I didn't purchase the yarn and pattern until early December.  Since it was for a child, I just knew that I could get it completed. Unfortunately, I underestimated my timeline. This is the first time I purchased a pattern by Rachel Brockman.  Lunaberry is an extremely festival pullover with holly leaves and a traditional snowflake motif.  The well-written pattern is accommodated with lovely illustrations, just right for the holidays, and is available in 6 sizes.  The sweater is knitted on three different size needles.  I used Laines du Nord Dolly Max.  Thus yarn is a stretchy, extra fine wool, and 100% mulesing-free.  Although the yarn is soft to the touch, it can be difficult to work with.  It is several strains of twisted yarn; therefore, you must

 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 continue to become for skillful in our craft..

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.   For example, – tension could be more consistent and jogl ess

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 for anyone who is familiar with stranded knitting.  I finished it in no time.

  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 minutes then rinse. Enjoy Knitting Each Day