Pattern Complete

Good Afternoon,

Today was the last pattern update to be completed.  The Petal Face Cloth has been emailed to Matt, matt@yerkesphoto.com.  He is my photographer, web designer, and printer. I would not be able to work without him, thanks Matt!

I had emailed the pattern yesterday, but forgot to add the link for the technique video.  Fortunately adding the video link and resending only took a few minutes and then email it on to Matt. 

The video is Emily Ocher's Circular Cast On.  When researching for my pattern details, that was the one element that I knew that I wanted.  I had taken a class on this technique years ago when knitting from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac.  The directions in the Appendix on page 141 does have a couple of diagrams and a description.  This was included in the book to knit the Pi Shawl on page 71 for the month of July.  Ironic that I designed the face cloth in July as well.  The cast on is unique in that there are crocheted stitches into a ring that are then divided and placed on double point needles.  A little fiddly but well worth the effort to learn.

Sketching and drawing are not my strong suits, so the video was created to give a visual of the cast on.  My students seem to work much better when a visual is provided for them, so I thought it might be helpful for you as well. 

This is one of the patterns that will be going to the L.A. County Fair, sold in kit form as well as a finished product.  Not being there in person, the video is the next best thing to being able to teach the cast on.

Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnQi2DrdG0jIxOZp1SeKebQ?feature=guide

Give it a try.  It is a great way to begin anything circular; doily, wash cloth, table cloth, blanket, shawl, and the list is only as short as your imagination.  The best part of the cast on is that it can be tightened so there is to tell tale hole in the center.  All it takes is a tug of the yarn tail to close it up. 

I hope you enjoy it and find in helpful.  Have a great rest of the afternoon and.....

Happy Knitting!

Going to the Fair!

Good Afternoon,

I have been writing, knitting, working on a new video,  I have an opportunity to place some of my things in the LA County Fair!  The thought of it all just amazes me. 

One of my sister instructors at yarnandteashop.com is going out to LA this year.  She and her husband used to live in California, and they would be there every year, but now they have to travel.  She at first asked me to knit a hat for her, a commissioned piece, and I said yes.  Then she invited me to share my patterns and any kits I might have to travel with her to LA where she would place them for sale.

This morning I had a meeting with Matt, my photographer and web designer, yerkesphoto.com.  We then began a check list of items that would have to be worked on.  At present count, there are five patterns that will go.  One of them will need a video link embedded to clarify a technique I use.  I tried shooting the video this morning, but was unhappy with the results.  I will try again tomorrow.

There will also be one kit to be made up....that is if the fiber gets here in time for me to break it down into kit form.  This is for the Petal Face Cloth and the fiber comes from Vermont.  Keeping my fingers crossed as I only have 1 1/2 weeks to prepare everything. Plus the knitting that has to be done as I am sending along some finished Face Cloths as well.

And on top of that, have a baby garment and hat to finish by mid week, a private class on Wednesday afternoon and my usual class on Saturday morning.   I feel like I  have been caught up in a whirl wind of things, but so excited about all the possibilities.

I will wrap this up, keep you all informed of how things go.  I created a checklist of things to do and I have accomplished three of them today. Oh, so many to go!

Have a great rest of the afternoon, and Happy Knitting!