Kid Stuff

Good Afternoon,

How many of you enjoy knitting "kid stuff"?  This can range from infants to middle school and includes items like blankets, clothing, toys and on and on. 

Many of you know that I learned to knit from my Great Aunt Zelda.  She was a school teacher and loved to knit and share her knitting  with others.  I can remember her saying that she would only knit for kids, my word, children, her word.  That is because adult sweaters took too long.  There were many of us in the family, so not only were there many sweaters knit, but also that same number were passed around from child to child.

She had me knitting when I was about seven years old.  My favorite projects as I remember was knitting for my dolls, scarves, and hats.  As I got older and into middle school, I started knitting sweaters, mittens, as well as some simple designing as well.  I began knitting for my siblings as well as myself.  Once in high school, I began making some money from my knitting by selling to my friends.

Back to knitting for kids.  What kind of yarn for what  type of project should be used.  There are as many thoughts on this subject as there are knitters I believe.  The possibilities of what type of material used is endless.  100% wool, a blend, super wash, cotton, cotton blend, just to name a very few.  All of us have our favorites.  My personal favorite is wool.  There are so many wonderful, soft wools available today.  Not like when I was growing up.  The wool seemed to be a short staple length and prickly like Shetland.

Most of the things I have knit for my grand kids have been wool or wool blends.  There have been some super wash varieties thrown in for good measure.  Unless the dog decides to take a chunk from the knitted items, they are out grown before they wear out.  Then become the process of passing around the family.

What are your favorite fibers for kids.  What are your favorite projects to knit for kids.  Do you prefer to knit toys or a sweater.  I would love to hear from you.  Leave a comment in the box or share a comment on my FB Fan Page:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/YouAndMeKnit. 

Hope to hear from you soon!  I would love to share projects with everyone.

Have a nice rest of the afternoon and Happy Knitting!

P. S. Here is one of the grand kids hats that I love to knit:




This is the "Wiggle Hat".  I made matching blue and white for JT and Mason this past winter and JT decided to call it his wiggle hat.  The name stuck.  His Mom asks him to go get it and that's the one he brings back, how could I not use that?

Anyway, I would love to hear your comments and see your photos.

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!

Needs For New Knitters

Good Afternoon,

I would like to focus on the new knitter.  This person has a stirring interest in knitting but not sure where to start.  Here are some suggestions:

• Visit you LYS (Local Yarn Shop).  There you will find everything you need to get started.  You will know if it is the right place for you if the shop oozes friendly.  Check out the yarn selections.  You want good quality, but you also do not need to start out on a luxury fiber either.  Check out the class schedule, usually you will find beginner classes at different times to accommodate most schedules.

• Investigate libraries, community colleges, churches, etc., these organizations often have knitting groups that welcome new knitters.  The draw back is not having supplies to purchase.

• What if there isn't a LYS within a reasonable distance?  There area a huge amount of knitting websites that sell supplies and there are also teachers, mentors and coaches that can interact with students online as well.

Purchasing your supplies can be very overwhelming.  What exactly will you need to get started?
Well, your first project should be simple, able to be completed quickly, so there is that feeling of "instant gratification".  You don't want a project that goes on and on.  Interest is lost with a long repetitive, non stop knit.  So, your supply list should be short and sweet too.  Appropriate fiber for your project...you wouldn't want to use 100% wool yarn for a washcloth, you would rather choose a cotton or cotton blend.  Your needles should be specific for your project as well.  View these as tools of the trade.  They will be reusable for many projects to come.  I have encountered potential knitters who look at needles as just an expense, but better to view the purchase as an investment.

After your first couple of knitting successes are under way or completed, you might also consider some of the wonderful knitting needle kits that are on the market now.  They come in a host of price ranges from the more expensive Addi Turbo Clicks to the very reasonable Knitter's Pride.  These are circular needle sets that contain a variety of sizes within a set.  It is always better to buy a set when possible because in the long run they are more economical. 

Speaking of needles, as a long time teacher, knitting coach and mentor, I recommend to my students to invest in circular needles instead of straight needles.  The reason being, you can knit flat on circulars, but you can't knit circularly on straight needles, also more cost effective.  If you have never knit on circulars before, there really isn't much of a learning curve at all.

If you are a member of a knitting group, there are usually as many needle brands as there are members.  Bring some yarn to swatch with and ask a member if they like their brand of needle and see if they would be willing to let you give their brand a try.  It usually only takes a few minutes or so of knitting to make an informed decision...yeah or nay.

Once you find out the knitting notions that you prefer, perhaps your LYS or your online knitting supply source has a wish list that you can print out and post in a strategic place.  That way at gift giving time, it can be used as a valued tool for the gift giver.  Include web info, LYS info, pricing etc.  The more information provided, the more likely it will be used.  Also, be sure to add books to your list as well.

I hope that this information is helpful for you and that getting started will become the beginning of a long association with the world of knitting and all it's groups and members.  We are a friendly bunch of people who love to share what we are knitting, finished or unfinished.  It is a great way to get ideas for future projects and expand your knitting experience.

My current projects are, Hemp Face Cloths, ongoing, French Beret, Layering Shrug, Little Girl's Dress, pattern writing and organizing for my classes.  I'm sure I have left out a few things as well.
I would love to know what projects you are working on.  As always, if you get stuck or have a question, post in the comment section below, or email me:  dee@youandmeknit.com.  Skype and Face Time are available as well. 

I hope you all have a great weekend and Happy Knitting!

Another Happy Customer!

Good Morning!

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

I received a text message from one of my students this morning after I arrived home from work.  Some photos saved to a memory card that had been taken months ago was found.  She had taken the photos for me, I didn't have my camera, of a commissioned sweater I had knit last year. 

A friend from church had given my name to a co - worker.  After a meeting with clients, it was decided that they would look for a pattern they liked then come back to the yarn shop where I worked, Amazing Threads at the time.  This is the cover of the pattern booklet they brought:

If you notice, the cost of the pattern is $.65!  There is no date in the pattern booklet, but it is No. 119.

The sweater that was chosen is the cover photo.  So, now I am a little cautious.  After looking at the pattern, the men's sizing only goes to a 38" chest.   After measuring a favorite sweater, my client is a 47".  Fortunately he had a sweater with set in sleeves, the pattern is a saddle shoulder.

OK, I accepted the challenge.  The re - size wasn't too bad as the boarders on either side of the center motifs would be able to accept a few more inches without any major issues.  The same with the sleeves, I just added to the waffle looking stitches on either side of center.  The problem was the saddle and the neckline.  They took a might more fussing.

The smart thing that I did do, was keep the client's sweater to use for measuring.  It was summer and he wouldn't be wearing it til fall.  So with lots of careful measuring, I was able to justify the depth of the armhole with the saddle, where it came together with the neckline and then the overall neckline.

The pattern instructions had been written for flat knitting.  I usually change that to knit in the round, but the one thing I have found is that knitting for others, you really need more places for adjustments.  No matter how carefully you measure and then knit, something usually needs to be addressed.  In this case, he wanted the bottom of the body to be taken in just slightly.  If this had been knit in the round it would have been more difficult to adjust.  I cast on using a ribbed cast on with Cascade 220 wool.

When they came to pick up the sweater after final adjustments, my student took these pictures:

Another happy customer!  I would have liked the saddles to come a little lower on the front and back, but didn't change that due to not wanting them to be unhappy and have to rip and re - knit.  By the way, all those little "Vees" are created by baubles!

All's well that ends well!  Enjoy the rest of your day and Happy Knitting!





A New Class Project Coming Up

Good Afternoon,

I was spending time with the boys, so missed you all yesterday.

New project coming up on the horizon, a double knit afghan.  Here is the link:  

http://www.ravely.com/patterns/library/winter-wonderland-afghan.  This is an incredible afghan worked in the double knit technique as well as color work.  Certainly not something that will be completed in a short time.

by aknitter52 Flickr

This is a most incredibly knit piece, however, not to be done in a weekend! 

Double knitting is knitting a reversible piece on two needles.  The total cast on is completed, must be an even number of stitches, divisible by 2, and then the stitches are evenly divided between two needles, holding them parallel.  Starting at one end, begin combining stitches to one needle by slipping the first from the front needle, then slip a stitch from the back needle, then one from the front needle and then one for the back needle. Continue in this manner until all stitches are merged on to one needle. 

Now to knit them, knit the first stitch, yarn forward, and slip the next stitch purl wise, yarn back and knit the next stitch, yarn forward and slip the next stitch purl wise, yarn back.  Just continue in this manner, checking occasionally that you haven't caught a stitch by executing one incorrectly by putting your hand up through the bottom opening and making sure all is separate and not connected anywhere.  There is a rhythm to it, just chant along and you will pick it up in no time. 

I will be completing a video tutorial in a week or so, and will let you know when completed.  I also used this technique while knitting the finger portions of the Gauntlet Fingerless Glove Pattern.

Have a great afternoon everyone and Happy Knitting!

view aknitter52's Winter Wonderland Afghan

by aknitter52 Flickr

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!