EZ's EPS System

Good Afternoon,

While I was doing some re - reading of Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac, I am just amazed at how simple it is to follow her designs without a lot of hoo - ha directions.  If you haven't read or even thumbed through the pages of any of her books, please take a moment the next time you are at the library.

If you become familiar with EZ's "EPS" system, take a moment or two to think about it, now, apply the formula to a simple knit sweater from any knitting book, magazine, or pattern.  It doesn't have to be an adult size, it will work for anyone.  Once you have K, or Key Number, the rest of the body is given a percentage of that. 

The kicker is, the whole business is based on gauge.  Yup, gauge.  My students are getting better at this technique, I have only been reminding them to do this for longer than I can remember.  I  know it is an unwelcome subject for so many knitters, but I like to explain the necessity this way. 

Most of us purchase the best quality of yarn that we can afford.  Now, combine that with the number of labor hours invested in this garment and give it price as well.  Not to do so is short changing yourself.  Do you like $5.00, $10.00 or perhaps more an hour for your knitting.  It is so important to think of it in those terms.  This may be a gift for a loved one, but if it doesn't fit, look at what has been lost.  To just give it away to someone else who can wear it is OK, but now you are out your gift, yarn cost and your labor cost. 

In these times of budget stretching, where every penny is important, I'm thinking that the lowly gauge swatch makes more sense than not.  Thirty to sixty minutes of knitting to get it right is a small price to allow for. Here is what you get for your mini investment of time:

• First and most important, the correct number of stitches per four inches (not one inch)  for a fabric you absolutely love.  It won't be too loose, like, in seeing through it, or too tight, as in stiff and unwearable. Remember to measure over four  inches.  It makes a whole lot of difference.  Try this, measure the number of stitches over just one inch. and mark it down.  Now, measure over four inches, is it the same?  Most likely not.  For instance, if you measure over the four inches and get 20 stitches over 4 inches, that means per inch, you have 5 stitches.  Now, measure over only one inch.  It is rare in deed that you will come up with the same number, and remember, fractions of a stitch count as well, don't over look that.
• If you keep a record of your projects, attach it in your book along with a yarn label, needle size and also be specific as to whether you knit a flat gauge or circular gauge.  If you are knitting a circular garment, you should always do a circular gauge.  If you really love this yarn, and you should, the information you need for future projects is already documented.

From here it is a just matter of some simple math.  I am not a math whiz, I carry a calculator all the time and usually more than one.  First, measure the widest part of your body, hip, waist or bust, or measure a similar design sweater at the widest spot, using the circumference.  So if the measurement is 22.5" the circumference is 45".  Take this number and multiply it by your gauge.....stitches per inch, and that becomes your cast on number, or in EZ's terms "K".  K = key number and refers to the cast on total.

From this point it is a matter of casting on your stitches and get on with knitting your pattern or design.  Another advantage of EZ's books, you will learn to knit by very vague directions rather than line by line.  I'm not saying that she doesn't use line by line directions, but prefers to simplify by guided instructions instead.  It truly is amazing how well this method works.  For new knitters, the thought of "flying by the seat of your pants" so to speak can be scary, but you also learn the general construction of the sweater, and ultimately cuts you loose from the dependency on every printed line.

I am going to stop here, there is so much more information that I can share with you.  If anyone wants to read more, pick one of EZ's books and then let me know if I can be of some help to you.  We can do all kinds of things, KAL, a class, or what ever might be helpful to you.  Leave a comment or contact  me at dee@youandmeknit.com.  It is time to look toward the Holidays and the special gifts that you will be able to knit for everyone.

Enjoy the rest of your afternoon, and Happy Knitting!

Farmer's Market Cardigan Photo

Good Afternoon!

Bit by bit, I am getting things accomplished, but so much to do.  But here is one success story that I really must share.

Last year one of my students asked me to help her knit up a sweater.  It's design was really beautiful and it was in the Interweave Knits magazine Fall 2009, by Connie Chang Chinchio.  The design was confusing to my student and she asked me if I could break it down into more understandable sections for her.

That being completed, she cast on and began knitting.  Having reached the armhole section, even the re - write was more than she could handle.  She turned the sweater over to me with a huge amount of yarn and asked me to finish it and it is now February of this year. 

Now a problem cropped up, her gauge was slightly erratic, and I wasn't sure that I could match it.  So, knowing there was plenty of yarn, I began fresh, ( I wish I had kept a yarn label to tell you what it was, but it was beautiful).  One month later, I brought the finished sweater back to class and presented it to her. 

She was ecstatic, it fit perfectly and the color complimented her hair and complexion.  My student is away helping with her new grand baby so she lent me the sweater for a photograph.  The photographer, by the way, is Matt Yerkes matt@yerkesphoto.com and he also built my website for me http://youandmeknit.com.   The model is my daughter Jessica.

I do believe she will be modeling all my wearable art!

I also added this to the Knitting Daily Galleries for Reader Photos. 

Time to get this published and on to other things.  Have a great rest of your day and..

 Happy Knitting!

Pashmina Scribble Lace Cowl

Good Afternoon,

I think my fingers are bloody stumps!  I have been working on the Pashmina Lace Cowl Pattern in several different programs.  Most of the ones online use a format to create the graph to gauge, and then it transitions into your graph.  BUT, it is downloaded as a PDF document, which is a PAIN!  I don't simply want to print, which is great if that is all you want to do, then these types of programs are perfect.

I wanted to download to my documents and then create my graph, pattern key and insert it into the pattern. No can do!  So I searched around some more and found a great little tutorial using Excel, and it proved to be better than the last one I used.  I will add the link: http://www.marniemaclean.com/words/2007/08/using_excel_to_1.html. 

It is short, sweet and to the point that even an Excel challenged person that I am, could understand it.  So, I would like to share the knitting key.  The graph wouldn't work in this space, it just got strange looking.

	Knit Every Round
0	YO
K	Knit
\	SSK
/	Knit 2 Together

This is my beautiful daughter, Jessica modeling the Pashmina Cowl.  And for a bit of whimsy....

Just for fun, she pulled it up over her hair.  Very cute.

As before, when I published the original photo, I had offered to share this free from me to you, just because.  Thank You for following my blog.

Have a great weekend and Happy Knitting!

So Much Knitting News!

Good Afternoon,

The first week of "EZ's" A-B-C-SJ, went quite well.  Still have more sign ups to accommodate.  The yarn choices were wonderful, colorful, and a host of other "ful ending words".  There were 2 students last Wednesday and 4 on Saturday. 

Now for the other exciting news!  I just came back from the Post Office and mailed off my submission to Interweave Knits Sockupied 2013.   I spent an hour or so getting together the paper work, filling out the form, and typing up the submission.  I did knit a full size sock instead of just a swatch. 

The sock design is a sport type sock (short) like you would wear with gym or running shoes.  The sock features 2 X 2 ribs, a small short row section after the ribbing that elevates the back of the heel slightly which helps prevent that "slide down into your shoe syndrome".  The heel shaping is short rows as well.  Then, down the foot to the beginning of the toe box.  I like to leave this a little wider than many socks allow for.  The reason being, there is plenty of room to wiggle those piggies inside your shoe.

The best part is the yarn.  I used Cascade "Fixation" which is 98.3% Cotton and 1.7% Elastic.  This is a wonderful material to use especially for my targeted market for Interweave.  The submission is for the Diabetic community as well as for those who have difficulty with edema in the lower extremities.  The yarn having elastic, will stretch without cutting into the circulatory system of the lower legs.  The wider toe box, as mentioned above, is roomy and will not pinch or irritate sensitive toes.  And as all you knitters know, the toes are completed with Kitchener Stitch.  No seams.  When I was wearing commercial socks, I would have to turn them inside out to put the seam on the outside and away from  my skin.  This seaming technique does away with this problem. 

I had to do a sketch.  I do not sketch....very bad.  So I did my best and then wrote all the dimensions for the finished sock.  I wish that I could draw better, but one of my daughters has that talent, not me.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it isn't an automatic disqualify. 

Sorry I didn't have a blog post yesterday, but was just to tired and  I was afraid it would be gibberish.  I only had an hour of sleep Sunday before going to work at 12:00 am Monday morning.  I beg forgiveness.

I had to watch the boys this morning, and my daughter was telling me that they had their first "slap boxing episode" recently. They stood facing each other and in little boy aggression, they were open hand slapping at each other (32 months and 15 months).  I had all I could do to not chuckle the visual in my mind's eye was so funny.  Tis only the beginning.

Have a wonderful rest of the day and Happy Knitting!

P.S.  My You And Me Knit Fan Page is up, though not completed.  Take a moment to stop by and "Like" my page.  Thanks!

Lesson Learned

Good Afternoon,

During knitting class yesterday, someone said there are two seasons in New York.  Winter and Construction.  Which, brings me to my topic today. 

During "Construction" season it's a good idea to keep small projects handy when traveling.  You don't even have to go far.  On my way to class yesterday, the main route into Saugerties is being prepared for paving.  As you can imagine, moving at a snails pace, and then.....stopped.  It felt like 30 minutes when in reality was only 10 minutes.

My reality is that the knitting was packed  up and unreachable.  So annoying.  I have always thought of moments such as these as free knitting time.  You don't have to budget your time, write it in your planner, wait til whenever, it's just plain and simple free knitting time.

About ten years ago, the routes that I was traveling to and from work caused me to cross the railroad tracks every day.  This line is notorious for back ups, stops and two trains, one in either direction.  and of course, on train is usually one stopped while the other continues.  I knit a 60" chenille scarf complete with fringe, in a 2 X 2 rib, on size US 1 needles.  It took me months of train stops, but the point is, any small uncomplicated project can be set aside for just those occasions.

When I go for a walk, if it isn't too hot, I will bring my knitting along.  Today was OK to do that except when the sun came out, then it was too hot and my hands started to sweat.  But living near the Hudson River, it only takes a few minutes of that incoming tidal breeze to cool off again.


I knit in the grocery store.  At some point, I have to stand in a long slow moving or non moving line.  Mittens, socks or some such small thing can be thrown in your bag to be pulled out to save the sanity.  Not only that, if you are Knit Shop owner, or Knitting Teacher, such as I, it is a great way to advertise with out paying for the ads.  It's just your regular trip to the food store, bank, or wherever.

Have a great rest of your day and take your knitting along!

P.S.  Most of those free knitting places are air conditioned too, so being hot outside doesn't count except if you are walking!

The Knitting Madness Begins Soon

Good Morning,

How is it that I have so many projects going on at one time?  No matter how well I try to plan, there always seem to be more and more that get added to the list.  They are now in varying stages of completion.

It is near the end of July and and steam rolling into August, typically  when I remind myself that Christmas is only four months away!  Oh my, no wonder the knit list is so long, then there area classes to prepare for to teach at yarnandteashop.com, my pieces on Etsy, Craftsy, and Ravelry.  It's a good thing that knitting is good for arthritis in the hands.
While talking with my daughter yesterday, she is a knitter as well, I told her that she may get some simple things to knit for me that she can do while she is reading for school.  She is my Braniac Math Major, who, by the way, received an A in her accelerated Calc Course!
I would like to share with you a couple of pictures that were shared on FB and brings to my mind the frantic, crazy knitting moments that seize me every once in a while.

How cool it would be if we could navigate our many projects like this.....maybe not, for me it is about touching and feeling the yarn and it's about the process.

Superman the Super Knitter?  This again, make me think how can I knit faster?

But, then I would not be a part of my knitting.  It would fly so fast through my hands that I would barely bond with them.

The reason I felt compelled to share these with you, is that first, they are cute and funny.  But on a more serious note, why do we do this to ourselves.  I dare say, probably every year, there are projects rushed because we are frantically knitting away, I know I do. 

I was thinking this morning, that a FaceTime or Skype KAL, might be fun.  We as knitters always have so much to share with each other, and I always have a great time knitting with others.  It doesn't have to be in a LYS, but could be in a cafe, church group, library or some one's home.  If this is something that might be of interest, please email me: dee@youandmeknit.com, or drop a comment in the box below.   

This can be a really fun way to get to know others who share a passion, learn how others execute a particular knitting technique, because there are many ways to do things.

Have to mention that it is much cooler today since the storms went through.  It is so much more pleasant outside.

Have a great day and Happy Knitting!

Layering Shrug

Good Morning,

We had a little rain last night, but not enough to give good relief to the ground.  Gratefully, there are no draught conditions like other parts of the country. 

I have started a new project yesterday, and knitting it is simple, clear and so far, error free.  It is a free down loadable pattern called Layering Shrug by Juju Vail for Loopknitting.com.  I am knitting it in Malabrigo lace weight yarn color 148, Holly Hock.  The yarn is a tone on tone 100% Baby Merino spun single.  I wish that you could feel this it against your skin....yummy! 

Here is the link for the Layering Shrug:  http://www.loopknitlounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Layering-Shrug-1.2.pdf

Here is the link for Malabrigo Lace Baby Merino:  http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/


Back to the Shrug.  The pattern begins some rows up the sleeve with a provisional cast on.  Then you knit down to the "cuff" area and bind off.  Those first 12 rows, I did change the pattern just a smidge, just because I do stuff like that.  I did not knit the purl rows, instead continually worked the yarn over rows for the 12 rows. 

The very bottom of the picture is the bind of and just above that is the 12 rows I altered.  Then you move on up the sleeve.   I also realize that the pattern is not written for lace weight yarn, but the person who will receive this is a small size, so with the gauge that I am getting, 7.5 stitches to the inch on a size US 4 circular needle, this should be OK.

I am so anxious to see how this design comes together.  I friend of mine had knit it awhile ago, and I loved it...so now can't wait to experience the complete project for myself.

Have a great afternoon everyone, Happy Knitting!

Elizabeth Zimmermann's A-B-C-SJ Completed

Good Afternoon,

Sooo hot and humid here in the Hudson Valley aaggaaiinn.  We are having the "Dog Days" now.  What in the world will be in store for August?  OK, enough whining.  On to better topics.  

We are going to revisit EZ's Surprise Jacket.  It has been washed and blocked and I took it to The Perfect Blend this morning, it was still a little damp.  Anyway, it came out so beautiful, I hope that it gets some attention and that there are a few knitters that will want to sign up for the class. 

When I put it on the table it looked like this:

 Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Zimmermann's A-B-C-SJ Pattern by Schoolhouse Press
                                                                                                   

If you notice, both the sweater and the diagram are placed on the table in a similar fashion.  If you look at the diagram you can pick out where "A" and "B" are.  By rotating the lower "B", which is the front neckline, up to the Back or Neck "B", the piece looks more sweater - like.  Now there are just the sleeves to match.  Those are the "A's"  By putting them together, you now have:



Another interesting point, is that when the sweater was designed, there are button holes in both of the front bands.  It works out well for two obvious reasons:

1.  When this sweater was designed, there were no sonograms to know the newborn gender.  So,

     there was a double set of button holes to place buttons on the correct side on a neutral color  

     sweater. 

2.  Today, and this is my favorite part, with holes on both sides, you simply sew the buttons over the 

     holes you don't need.  You now have perfectly lined up buttons to button holes.

I'm sorry I don't have the Mattress Stitch ready for you.  I wanted to keep the shoulders open so everyone would be able to see what a genius EZ was.  I can't imagine how her brain worked so that she was able to design, what looks like above, as an unidentifiable piece of knitting.  There are probably as many guesses as to what it is as there are knitters who have never seen this before.

I will keep you updated on how the class goes and also will post the Mattress Stitch Video. 

Happy Knitting!  And, stay cool. 

P.S.  I took a set of hand knit washclothes to a local gift shop this morning.  The Manager seemed quite pleased with them.  They may be added as part of a new spa collection.  Keeping my fingers crossed.

            

 

Yes, You Can Knit This

Good Afternoon,

Late start today, watched the boys this morning, and it was fun just lazing around on the porch and cuddling.

I was doing some browsing through one of the forums that I read and came upon one today that I posted a reply to.  The question was regarding DPs, a set of five.  "Do you begin with the DP's or only work on two needles to start."  The second question was, "Since you are using a set of five, do you work the two slippers together?"

These are certainly legitimate questions, especially if this knitter is fairly new to her craft.  But sometimes, even those of us who have been knitting for many years, can get caught up on a word or phrase that we might have to read more than once, or just cast on and get to it.

I am not familiar with the pattern she was referring to, but I was able, I believe, to ascertain that these slippers would be knit one at a time.  By the way, it is a Jane Austen design.  Since she likes to work with more period garments and accessories, so, I don't think that this technique, two at a time, would be included.  There was no mention by the knitter of using two circular needles or one very long circular needle that would lead one to believe that they would be knit two at a time either.

This knitter's other question being "When starting, use two needles or all five."  I explained to her that the magic words here might be, cast on X # of stitches and divide between four double point needles and join without twisting.  If there was no mention of dividing or joining, they would most probably be started flat and then worked circularly later on. 

Some of these terms and directions can be very confusing to knitters of varying expertise.  One of my new favorite things to do is to introduce a new knitting pattern to my class for test knitting.  No charge for the pattern, they just have to buy the materials for the item.  During a conversation with two other designers and teachers this past Saturday, we decided that this might be a great way to test a pattern.  We have probably knit it hundreds of times and from memory, but once it goes on paper, somehow something seems to get omitted or lost along the way.  What we do is just so automatic.

We also do not work for major publications or have a well known name. And, of course, no trove of test knitters at their disposal to make sure every thing works.  Now, here is a "hoot" that I have to share.  Having been a test knitter for a couple of local designers, the trickiest thing was when I found an error, my head and hands do an auto correct and keep on going, forgetting to write it down, of course.  That is no help at all. You almost need someone of lesser experience to do this test knitting for you, because they are more likely to fire away with questions regarding wording and technique.

The next time you knit from a pattern and encounter an error, please do not get angry or impatient with us.  Sometimes things just slip through the cracks unintentionally.  In most cases there is some contact information to reach someone about an errata update.  Please do not feel that your questions are inappropriate or "dumb" because I do not consider any questions inappropriate or "dumb".
In closing,  when starting a new pattern, check for unfamiliar terms, do a gauge swatch, adjust needle size if necessary, cast on and dive in.  Don't try to digest the pattern or gain an understanding by combing every word.  The key things to look for are:

1. Is this knit in the round?
2. If so, do I need DPs as well as CNs?
3. If knit flat, how many pieces are there.
4. How is this put together if knit flat?

I know a few of these items may be found in the description of the pattern as well as mentioned in the materials and tools needed, but I still like to glance through just to make sure I have all the facts I need.

Armed with this information, you should be able to tackle many things that you might otherwise choose not to do.  Knitters tend to underestimate their abilities with the familiar phrase, "I could never do that!"  Yes, you can and I can help.

Happy Knitting!  Get your challenge on!

Good Afternoon, 

So behind today.  I was with the boys this morning for a few hours, so I hope you will excuse me.  We were out on the porch while it was still cool.  I have such fun with them.

For a few more hours I was at yarnandteashop.com with Mary, the shop owner, and we were putting together a sweater class.  It is very interesting that this discussion happened to be today.  I told Mary that my blog yesterday had mentioned Elizabeth Zimmermann, EZ as she liked to be called, and one of her sweater designs.  Today's meeting will feature another of EZ's designs....the A - B - C - SJ or for those not in the know, that translates to the Adult Baby and Child's Surprise Jacket.

I will be teaching this class starting on Wednesday 7/25/12 and then again on Saturday 7/28/12.  That way we will be able to accommodate those who can come both during the week and on weekends.  It will be an on going class that anyone can hop into at any time.  I just love teaching like that because no one feels that they missed anything.

The class description that we used for the shop website is mostly EZ's own words taken from the book The Opinionated Knitter by Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swanson.  As quoted from EZ (Elizabeth Zimmermann) the opinionated knitter:  "Dear knitter, I call it the "surprise jacket" because it looks like nothing on earth when you have finished knitting it.   Sew up two seams, and you find you have the nicest little garter-stitch baby (or adult) sweater you could wish to see, reversible, and with no side, or armhole seams to look ill-fitting or feel uncomfortable.   And there is no breaking-off or joining-in of yarn."

                                           Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Zimmermann's A-B-C-SJ Pattern
                                           by Schoolhouse Press

The knitting of this sweater, as many of you know, is knit in one piece.  It looks rather odd when knit and one doesn't quite know what to do with it.  But follow the directions in the pattern and it is a simple matter of folding the sweater, stitching the shoulder seams and voila!  the "Surprise Jacket" so suitably named.

                                                     Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Zimmermann's A-B-C-SJ Pattern
                                                     by Schoolhouse Press

I have knit this sweater before, most recently for JT when he was born.  I love the design and so many ways to make it yours just by color alone.  Each and every one looks slightly different, solids, stripes or color blocks, you get to choose.  Get crazy or stay subtle. 

Want to take the class and you don't live nearby?  Let's make a date to Skype or FaceTime the class.
Drop a comment in the box below or email me at dee@youandmeknit.com.

Happy Knitting and stay cool.

Patrick Sandusky's Reply to Knitters and the Ravelry Community

Good Morning!

The last day of classes for three of my grandchildren was yesterday and they all moved up to Middle School!  It brings them excitement and apprehension of the unknown, but by the time school starts in September, and they are in class for a week, it will be like they were always there.  Kids have such a great ability to adapt.

I wanted to use my space to repost a reply by Patrick Sandusky.

Jun 21, 2012, 12:07 PM ET

Statement Update:

"As a follow-up to our previous statement on this subject, we would again like to apologize to the members of the Ravelry community. While we stand by our obligation to protect the marks and terms associated with the Olympic and Paralympic Movements in the United States, we sincerely regret the use of insensitive terms in relation to the actions of a group that was clearly not intending to denigrate or disrespect the Olympic Movement. We hope you’ll accept this apology and continue to support the Olympic Games."

Statement from USOC Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer Patrick Sandusky:

“Thanks to all of you who have posted, tweeted, emailed and called regarding the letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics.
Like you, we are extremely passionate about what we do. And, as you may know, the United States Olympic Committee is a non-profit entity, and our Olympic team receives no government funding. We are totally dependent on our sponsors, who pay for the right to associate with the Olympic Movement, as well as our generous donors to bring Team USA to the Games.
The letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics was a standard-form cease and desist letter that explained why we need to protect our trademarks in legal terms. Rest assured, as an organization that has many passionate knitters, we never intended to make this a personal attack on the knitting community or to suggest that knitters are not supportive of Team USA.
We apologize for any insult and appreciate your support. We embrace hand-crafted American goods as we currently have the Annin Flagmakers of New Jersey stitching a custom-made American flag to accompany our team to the Olympic Games in London. To show our support of the Ravelry community, we would welcome any handmade items that you would like to create to travel with, and motivate, our team at the 2012 Games.”

This letter proves that we do have a voice.  We can change things.  All we have to do is gather together toward a common goal.  Maby we should start brainstorming about other injustices that need attention.

Wishing you all a great weekend and Happy Knitting.

UFO Solutions

Good Morning!

How many UFO's do you have in the closet, under the bed, or maybe in the attic?  Come on, be honest now.  Most knitters have them lurking somewhere and I am not immune to this phenomenon either.

There are many reasons for UFOs.  Loss of interest is a big one right up there with ran out of yarn.  Maybe the project turned into something more complicated than you expected.  Having worked in a yarn shop for a number of years, another reason is the finishing that needed to be done.  The knitter either hated finishing, in which case I introduced them to circular knitting, or they just didn't do it well. 

How about going real green here and unearth that project and take it apart, then re-dress the yarn.  What I mean about re-dress is, after pulling the knitting apart, wind the yarn into a hank.  It will be very curly from being locked in a stitch pattern for so long, but that can be fixed.  Once the yarn is hanked, tie the hank in several places, similar to a new purchased hank, but I like to err on the side of caution and add a few more. 

Once everything is hanked and tied, now it is time to wash.  Treat the yarn as wool, and that way you won't have to worry what the fiber content is just in case you don't have the label any more.  Immerse the yarn in a solution of warm water and wool wash (not Woolite) or any mild soap, my personal favorite is the original blue Dawn because it is ph neutral. 

Let the yarn soak for about half an hour and squeeze the water through the fiber a couple of times.  By allowing for the soak time, the fiber will be well saturated and it will relax.  Then rinse fiber in a similar water temperature as you washed it, warm.  Do not use extremes as fiber could felt depending on the type of wool you are working with. 

Once rinsed, gently squeeze excess water from the fiber and press between towels.  I like to hang the hanks on panty hose (doesn't cause a crease) and suspend them over a tub, outside or somewhere the water drips won't harm your flooring.  Let it thoroughly dry.  No more curly cues.  Your yarn is now ready to wind into a ball, ready for a new project. 

Now the problem becomes, how much yarn to I have?  What can I do with it?  Well, if you did by chance save the label, you can weigh it and get an idea how much you have.  If your hanks were nice and even, you can measure and get a rough idea how many yards you might have.  Or, take a swatch to your LYS and coordinate it with another color (contrasting collar, cuffs, bottom ribbing, button bands, etc)  and get creative.

If you really want to finish that UFO, and need some assistance, take it to your LYS.  They will probably be able to point you in the right direction by suggesting someone to help.  If you do not live near a shop, and do not know someone, please feel free to contact me.  Many knitters have been referred to me for help.  Please don't take  my word for it, I can supply references if you ask.  I have many very satisfied repeat customers.  EMail: dee@youandmeknit.com.

Happy Knitting! 

Playing With Lace

Good Morning!

The day is now sunny and the breeze is blowing away the rain clouds of yesterday and last night.  My buddy JT is having a morning snack of crackers while sitting with me at the table.  He has his hands over his ears complaining that the train whistle is too loud.  Poor boy!

Because of the time of year, lace is in the forefront of many knitters' to do list, the perfect summer knitting.  I must say, I'm in the same boat.  I have always used a commercial lace pattern to knit from mostly due to my thinking that lace is to difficult to chart.  I do prefer charts to the written word. 

I was reading a craftsy.com class schedule and found a class advertised as Lace Shawl Design with Miriam Felton.  After watching the class preview, I think that this will take away my hesitation. Now I can pick up my needles and start swatching with the yarn I just purchased just for this purpose from Craftsy as well.  It is a beautiful single ply 50% Merino and 50% Silk in a simply luscious Raspberry color.  It was an incredible bargain too!  The deal was two skeins of this beautiful lace weight for $18.40 and shipping is free!  I just got it yesterday and it is definitely Yummy!

The project on the needles is lace but this one is a free form lace.  It was in my Summer 2001 Interweave Knits Magazine.  I don't know about you, but I will put a sticky note a page that peaks my interest, and then due to so many projects on going, the magazine is set aside.  I came across it again on the knittingdaily.com web site galleries.  What splendid timing!

I had some "Pashmina Cashmere" that I received from a dear friend who was sharing her stash.  In this stash were a few balls of Pashmina left over from one of her projects.  Perfect!  So, I took the elements from this gorgeous sweater "Coral Cardigan" by Nancy Eiseman and charted up my own  "Scribble Lace." 

Out came the graph paper and I started charting some basic lace stitches.  No two rounds are the same and that is what gives it a "coral" look to it.  I took the needle size up a little bigger to make my stitches more open.  I am very happy with the outcome. 

So put your Brave on, click on the links above and try your hand at some lace stitches.  You will be surprised at how easy it really is.  The trick is marking your place and graph paper and counting your stitches to make sure you have the correct number.  Have fun with this, I certainly am.

As a side note, my website is coming along.  Feel free to stop by for a look,  youandmeknit.com. 
Follow my blog on my site by clicking the Fiber Space button or go to knitnanny10@blogspot.com.

Happy Knitting!

Knitting Tip

Good Morning!

I hope you all had a great weekend, I know I did.  I took a class at yarnandteashop.com which was fantastic.  I haven't taken a class for quite awhile, but I must say, if you haven't, find one and spend a great couple of hours.

What I find is that I may not really need the class for the learning per se, but it is all the "unadvertised" wonderful things that you learn that you can't put a price tag  on.  And then, there is the meeting of new friends who share your passion and usually on more than one level. 

What I mean by that is, there are all levels of knitters, even if the class is for, say, intermediate to advanced.  All of us have knowledge of our craft that is freely shared.  How awesome is that!  I used to work in the food industry, and one thing I found out is that information is not always enthusiastically shared.

Here is one tip that I learned and want to pass along.  Copy and paste this or take notes.  It is so simple I don't know why I haven't heard of it before.  Let me give you just a little background.  The project was a French Beret knit in fingering weight handspun, hand dyed yarn, which the instructor, Mariepaule, prepared for us (check out cheltenhamcottage on Etsy).  If you have ever cast on firmly using fingering weight yarn, getting the cast on over the join on a circular needle can be a major headache.

Cast your stitches on a double point needle the same size.  Then begin the first round transferring stitches to your circular needle. Make sure there are no twists in your knitting and join as usual.  I couldn't believe what a pleasure this was instead of struggling. 

Now you can pull out all your fingering weight projects, cast on and get knitting!. 

What's in a Hat? Another Hat!

Good Morning!

The photos you are seeing is an old design but a recent knit.  The hats are really one with two designs.  It is great for kids, seeing as how they love to change up their colors and designs depending on  what they are wearing.  I wish as an adult I had that same abandon....stripes with prints, plaids with paisley, two different socks; no thought at all about someone else's opinion.  Just when did we lose that anyway?

The hat was started with a crocheted provisional cast on, just above where the ribbing goes.  Knit your hat in the usual way, this one was done on circular needles.  Finish as normal and add whatever "topping" you would like.  In this case I used a pom pom, for the first one on the needles.

Then came the embellishment.  I love to use lazy daisies, they are so girlie.  No offense guys.  Now, pick up the stitches from the provisional cast on and knit the ribbing.  Then knit the other hat.  Once you decrease the top of the hat, you won't easily be able  to add embellishments, so I like to use this hat for interesting stitches and color work.  It does make for a great contrast between the two.  I finished this one with an I-Cord pig tail.  So much fun!

The pattern will be finished soon and will be available on my site.  Just click on the "Pattern" button.
Hats have been a special passion for me for many years.  My very first design while in Jr. High School, now called Middle School, was a hat knit without the benefit of a pattern.  It was a 2 X 2 rib and was able to figure out the decreases.  Hats are quick knits and great for using up bits of yarn in your stash to make room for more stash. 

I hope you all have a great weekend!  Pick up those needles and get knitting.  Remember!  Christmas is only six months away!  Did I say that!?!

Long Tail Cast On 'n Cats

Good Morning!

The last few weeks I have been knitting hats getting them ready to upload to my Etsy site, which isn't quite ready yet. During the process, I have been experimenting with the cast on. I have used mostly a "knitted on" cast on as well as the "cabled" cast on. But, let me back up just a bit, say about 45 years or so.

I was taught the "thumb" cast on by my Mom. My Great Aunt taught me to knit, but she always cast on for me. Mom eventually broke down and taught me how to do it by myself as she got tired of casting on all the time. I was a prolific knitter. I didn't have much for fiber, so would rip out and use the same yarn again and again. I even resorted to using butcher's cord and even tried baling twine, which I couldn't rip out because it was too hairy.

As my knitting progressed and I learned new techniques, my cast on changed as well. There were no knitting classes available at that time, but I read whatever I could to learn anything new about knitting. My "thumb" cast on evolved to a type of knitting on. Instead of just slipping the loop on my needle, I would insert the needle into the loop on my thumb then take the working end and wrap it on the needle as if I was knitting a stitch. This is similar to the "long tail" in that you had to have enough yarn to wrap the thumb each time. The edge of the cast on was bulky, and not very neat.


 The "knitted on" cast on was next one I tried and that worked very well. Then on to the "cabled" cast on, which I have used for years and still do today. In the mid 1990's, I was taking some classes locally, and learned the "long tail" cast on. I really loved that one, but trying to figure out how much yarn to allow to get the required number of stitches made me crazy, so I went back to my "cable" cast on.

A couple of years ago, while working at Amazing Threads, http://www.amazingthreads.com/ , I was talking to the owner, Susan DeRosa, about the "long tail" and my inability to come close to estimating the "tail."
She said to my astonishment, that you don't have to...just use both ends of the ball. Duh, no one was sharing this information before? What an incredibly simple solution.

That technique sat on the back shelf for a while until recently. Playing with some two color cast ons, the "long tail" became a perfect solution. Holding the M/C over my forefinger and the C/C color over my thumb,it was just what I was looking for. I had a single strand of color at the very bottom edge of the cast on. It certainly turned out to be a great edging.

Now, the correlation between the cat and the "long tail" cast on. When I was trying to figure out the right amount of yardage for the tail, it generally pooled on the floor next to me and as a long tailed cat does, gets under foot. BTW my cat would always seem to get it and by the time I tried to use it, the yarn ended up slightly frayed in some places. Cat tails and yarn tails, don't know which is more of a problem. They both are cuddly, like to be close, and, well, let's leave this for another post!

Knitting on Etsy



Good Afternoon!

I am so behind the eight ball today.  Here it is 1:30 Eastern Time, and I am only posting this now.  My morning has been so taken up with the boys and trying to combine it with my work....not always a good blend.  Mason is climbing so fearlessly, I believe that he thinks he has bungee cords attached to him.  That is, if he even knew what they are....wish he did have them, I would feel better.

Beyond that, I have been working on setting up my Etsy Shop on etsy.com.  First I spent most of the morning reading up on all of the procedure and policies, the where and wherefores and the whys and why nots.  Phew!  So much to digest all at once.  So I said to myself, just get to it. Get started. You don't have to finish it today. There is such a thing as a SAVE button.

I dove in and edited my profile and then on to the store itself.  I have learned to not answer any questions or give additional information if it is optional, at least right now anyway.  The reason being, is that you get side tracked, forget that you didn't save the latest information that was added and now you are starting again.  Dang. Side tracked is not good.  Staying focused and on task is so much better, but sometimes this gal just needs a set of blinders to keep that focus.  Keep your eye on the goal.  My short term goal is to get my Etsy shop finished. 

Time for me to get to my Nanny chores.  The dishes are calling me and then I will have some lunch and then back at my new Etsy store for some more data entry. BTW, the hat above will be in my Etsy store.   Hope everyone has a wonderful afternoon and Happy Knitting!

The "Wiggle" Hat

Good Morning!

It's another mostly cloudy day today with rain again this afternoon, perfect knitting weather.  I just love settling in with a good book on my iPad or a movie and my knitting.  It's those kinds of lazy-ish days that "mindless" knitting seems to imply.  Although, with the boys to keep me company, that usually won't happen until the afternoons when JT and Mason go down for their naps.  It's nap time right now for Mason, and snack time for JT and so a perfect few minutes to write. 

One of the first patterns that I did was the "Wiggle" Hat.  I had mentioned the hat in one of my  posts of last week and how it got it's name.  If you missed that post, JT named the hat.  I had made one for each of the boys and one afternoon when my daughter got home from work, she asked JT to get the "Wiggle" Hats.  I was surprised at that, since I didn't know that they had been named.

The sample hat that I had made for The Perfect Blend, yarnandteashop.com, was double sided.  I had embroidered a flower on one side and a frog on the other side.  By doing this I didn't have to knit two hats.  Anyway, it is a very simple hat to make, but the advantage to that is once it is knit, there is a perfect opportunity to teach the Kitchener Stitch. There are quite a few more stitches on the hat than on the toe of a sock or the shoulder seams of a sweater.  Therefore, more practice time gain an understanding and the ability to memorize the process.

My friend Carol Cypher, a beading teacher, used to teach her classes using mantras for learning.  I loved this method of teaching, and adapted a mantra for the Kitchener Stitch.  It is as follows:

Front Needle
Slip one (stitch) as if to knit, take it off
Slip one (stitch) as if to purl, leave it on
Back Needle
Slip one (stitch) as if to purl, take it off
Slip one (stitch) as if to knit, leave it on
And Repeat

Here is the link to view video on YouTube. 
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnQi2DrdG0jIxOZp1SeKebQ?feature=guide

It's Elmo time.  JT hasn't seen Elmo since last week and he has washed his hands and is already for me to get him set up.  Have a Great Day everyone!

You Have Permission to Change the Pattern

Good Morning!


The new week has started and here in New York it is a grey and drizzly day. All the better to knit my dears!
All of those daily chores can wait while we take some time to knit a few rows. Grab your beverage of choice, shut off the phone and computer and enjoy the silence. The only sounds heard is maybe the ticking of a mantel clock and the gentle "click" of needle tips as they touch one another.


I wanted to talk about making changes while knitting a comercial pattern. Yes, it is allowed and as a writer of patterns, I would encourage you to do so. There are many reasons why it is a good idea. First, it gives you the opportunity to make it yours. You also might know a better way of doing something that makes more sense to you.
There is also the learning aspect as well. What I mean by that is, maybe you need to have more or less shaping in that sweater you are knitting. This "need" might require you to do some research in order to execute these changes.


This is a good thing. Do what you fear and courageously pick up your yarn and needles and make the leap of faith. What have you got to loose? I don't know about you, but I find myself ripping out stitches or rows because the change I planned didn't work or maybe I didn't think it through enough. Whatever the reason, ripping is not a totally a bad thing.


Let me give you an example of a simple change. I recently finished a baby blanket for a co-worker who is expecting. It is a log cabin style blanket which is similar to a log cabin quilt. I'm sure most of you have seen one. I did purchase a pattern on line, so I didn't have to think, just knit. I also like to support other people who sell their things on line as well. Anyway, I didn't even read it, just went to the yarn shop The Perfect Blend, yarnandteashop.com and picked up some wool and jumped in.


The pattern was written to bind off stitches and then pick them up again. I chose not to do this because this method will create a bump or ridge that really doesn't need to be there. I gathered up some extra needles 24 inches and longer to hold the stitches that were to be bound off. That way when I came back around to them, I had only to knit them off their "holding" needles with no stitches to pick up.


The second change I made was to add a border all the way around the blanket. The resulting frame really looked like a quilt block. These were small subtle changes that made my work a little neater, but also, so much faster. Let's face it, binding off and picking up stitches is time consuming.

JT is getting ready to have his mid morning snack, toast with cream cheese. I put it in the toaster oven and he turns it on "by mines self!" Got to go, toast is ready!