KNITTING WITH JACKIE

Hi Everyone,  One of my goals this year is to knit more from my stash. Compared to some knitters, my stash is fairly modest, while others might consider it quite large. Personally, I think it’s just the right size.   A few years ago, my local yarn shop offered a beautiful scarf kit for purchase, and I couldn’t resist adding it to my collection. It sat in my stash, waiting patiently for me to bring it to life. The design combines both knitting and crochet—something I’ve always been drawn to—so I was excited to finally get started.   Crocheting the granny squares turned out to be a labor of love. Using a 2mm crochet hook and changing colors with each round made the process slow and intricate. Once the squares were complete, they had to be sewn together, and then stitches were picked up along the edges for the knitted sections. The knitting itself was simple ribbing, but the finished scarf didn’t lay quite as flat as the pattern photo suggested. Fortunately, since it’s a sca...

 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 tai...

 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 seve...

 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...

 Hi Everyone, I know it has been quite a while since I blogged.   Like everyone else in the world, I am dealing with the shutdown, reopening, and adjusting to the new normal.  Having knitting projects has kept me calm and relaxed.  I am appreciative and grateful for the stash that I have accumulated over the years.  Although stores have reopened in the area of the United States that I live in, I have not ventured too far from home. As a result, I participated in my first Knit-A-Long over the 4th of July weekend.  It was Marie Green's Annual 4-Day KAL.  Typically, the sweater is knitted over 4-8 days; however, this year, the KAL has 4X more days.  I can't imagine completed an entire sweater in just 4-8 days; but, I was sure that I could do it over 16-32 days. The sweater is knitted top-down and the colorwork is actually slipped stitches. Participating in the KAL was fun.  Not only because a few of the ladies from my local yarn shop was kn...

Hiya! It has been a while since I have blogged and I can't use the pandemic as an excuse.  As with everyone in the country, I have been shut-in for weeks.  My husband and/or I have ventured out, amongst people, only several times in the last 9 weeks.  We have tried to take a walk 3/4 times a week, just to get out of the house. It is during this time, that I am grateful for my love of knitting and reading.  Since the pandemic, I have successfully completed items that have been waiting for seaming and blocking.  In addition, it has given me the energy to tackle a shawl that I frogged a few months ago - Andra Mowry's Briochealuscious. This is a large and impressive shawl that is super entertaining to knit.   It is broken up in sections that contain stripes, short rows, speckles, and brioche.   I started knitted to the broader and decided that I did not like the color combination. Since I have a great deal of time on my hands, I decided to pick ...

Hiya, As you know, I was determined to continue knitting from my stash.  As part of my "Make 2020", I am knitting Caitlin Hunter's Tecumseh.   The base green color a discontinued yarn from Classic Elite Yarns, Inca Alpaca.  This yarn is 100% baby alpaca.  It is soft, sturdy, and gives a nice luster with a hint of yellow.  For the ribbing, I used LeFibre Nobil Mambo in the green colorway.  Both of these yarns are have been in my stash for more than 15 years. To complement this greenish-yellow yarn, purchased recently the  Acadia from the Fiber Company in Roseby and a hand-dyed merino yarn from 29 Bridges in the colorway called Seal.   This is my first stranded color-work, top-down garment.  Soon the body was done and then the sleeves.  I was a little concerned about reaching them because of the needle choices.  I started knitting them with 9" circular and found that it was such a joy and way less fiddly than w...

Hiya, I am moving right along with my Make 2020 list.  I have just finished a comfortable hat using yarn from my stash.   The pattern repeat was easy to remember and required only 1 skein of yarn (150 yards). UnBlocked You will notice that this hat was originally designed for cancer patients recovering from chemotherapy.  Therefore, it would be a perfect project for groups and/or guilds to knit and donate to a local hospital or cancer center.  Since too very little time to know, I will be reaching out to my local facilities and see if they would be interested in receiving a small quantity.  Enjoy Knitting Each Day! Jackie

Hiya, As you know, I was determined to do more knitting from my stash in 2019 and I will continue to do so in the new year as well.   To that end, I had a single skein of mohair yarn in various colors.  I didn't know what to do with them; but, I knew that I did not want to discard them all. I found a pattern a free pattern by Beata Jezek called Outline .  It is a simple construction and a very easy knit.  The pattern was enjoyable knit and provided a wonderful knitting rhythm.  Although it is suggested to use yarns of similar weight, I decided to use the mohair from my stash. In addition, I did not follow the pattern suggested color sequence. I think it turned out pretty good. Enjoy Knitting Each Day! Jackie

Hiya, For 2019, I was determined to do more knitting from my stash.   To that end, I have found several cowl patterns that looked interesting and I knew that I could use the yarn I had in my craft room. The first cowl was a design from Alexandra Davidoff .  This design was given to Vogue Knitting Live NY Attendees (some years ago).  It was apart of a gift bag to those who attended the gala dinner.  It included a single ball of yarn by DMC (100% Baby Pure Merino Wool).  The pattern reminded me of the Joji Locatelli's Odyssey Shawl.  I added tassels instead of pompoms. The second cowl is a design by Bristol Ivy, Persimmon .  For this cowl, I used three different off-white merino wool yarn (Debbie Bliss, Katia & MilliaMia).  I faded the three yarns from bottom to top.  It looks great.  No one notices the difference unless I point it out to them.  The blossom (or whatever you want to call them) stitch expands on ...