tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280482652024-03-14T02:25:03.183-07:00OceanKnitterA #6 aluminum needle has been known to furnish an excellent emergency shearpin for an outboard motor. ~Elizabeth ZimmermannOceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-51667315771345645062015-07-03T10:22:00.002-07:002015-07-03T10:22:33.224-07:00Bigger Begonia Swirl<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some knitters have been asking how I made the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/begonia-swirl" target="_blank">Begonia Swirl</a> bigger, so my project tips are below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I decided to enlarge the shawl, and added one begonia per each section (went from 22 to 33 begonias). I used 1,980 glass Miyuki seed beads, rose bronze color, size 8/0.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The delightful yarn from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/VioletLynxDyeworks" target="_blank">Violet Lynx</a> was hand-dyed in Russia and shipped to the US quickly (about two weeks). She has some great colors and lots of yardage for bigger shawls. The gradient is all from one skein.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SD9HMf8CmFs/VZbEGcq0JeI/AAAAAAAACWM/z-82-hz1PFc/s1600/IMAG2272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SD9HMf8CmFs/VZbEGcq0JeI/AAAAAAAACWM/z-82-hz1PFc/s320/IMAG2272.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I would recommend about 1,200 yards of laceweight, if you decide to increase the size like I did. I ran out of yarn on the last four rows, so I used a similar yarn to finish. I think it outlines the flowers. I’m happy with the result.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, it's lovely work for when you are relaxing, until the flowers! Then much concentration is required -- especially if you are adding beads. It’s not difficult for a lace project, and the gradient yarn produces spectacular results.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">PROJECT TIPS:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lmpPI9fZC-s/VZbEIUuv1qI/AAAAAAAACWc/IwTebLnpG9Y/s1600/IMAG2281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lmpPI9fZC-s/VZbEIUuv1qI/AAAAAAAACWc/IwTebLnpG9Y/s320/IMAG2281.jpg" width="181" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The construction is a little different than you might expect. You start out with 11 repeats. Then, when you get to the edging, each repeat splits into two begonias - so you have 22 edging repeats (begonias). This is the way it’s written, but I wanted it larger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To get the larger size, three begonias per repeat, I had to have more stitches at the start of the edging chart. This took some calculating, but it’s not so bad. What you need is 20 sts per begonia at the start of the edging chart. Don’t count the selvage stitches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To add that extra 20 sts per repeat, you need to keep increasing at the same rate (yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, kxx, k2tog). It gets a little tedious with all that stockinette, but it’s worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When the stockinette (the kxx) is equal to 60 sts, you have enough for three begonias per repeat (33 begonias total). Then start the edging chart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I would not recommend increasing faster, as this would make the spiral twist too much. I don’t think it would hang right.</span><br />
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I highlighted the stitches on the chart to make adding the beads easier. These I added with a size 10 steel crochet hook.OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-45741037079428961602015-05-13T11:36:00.002-07:002015-05-13T11:36:59.811-07:00Stanwood Ball WinderFor decades, I've wound my yarn from skeins into balls by hand. That's right, by hand. I love how the yarn feels as I'm winding and that I can customize the shape and feel of each ball. I guess I just love yarn!<br />
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Well, after much research and hesitancy, I finally bought a ball winder. Even though I do love a good Zen session of hand winding, this ball winder will help me wind faster, and spend more time knitting and less time thinking about knitting -- even though, thinking about knitting is pretty good, too.<br />
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This is a Stanwood Large Metal Ball Winder. I ordered through Amazon, because I get free shipping. You can order directly from Stanwood, and the price is lower, but add shipping and tax and it costs about the same as Amazon. The large size will hold about 10 ounces of yarn. I like that it's a little larger and more heavy-duty than smaller plastic ball winders.<br />
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Setting up took about five minutes, with easy instructions that were included. I've found that it's not very noisy, like some metal winders, due to the nylon gears.<br />
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More on this as I get some experience using it.<br />
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OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-5107788304101818302015-03-26T09:16:00.001-07:002015-03-26T09:16:57.788-07:00Filigrane SpitzendeckenWhat luck! <br />
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Occasionally, I shop on The Book Depository website for lace knitting books, and this one popped up today. I hadn't seen it before. It's a new release of a <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Filigrane-Spitzendecken/9783897984790" target="_blank">Niebling pattern folio</a>, as of March 10 2015. <br />
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Filigrane Spitzendecken<br />
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Publisher: Buchverlag Fuer Die Frau<br />
Language: German<br />
Publication Date: 10 March 2015<br />
<strong>ISBN 13:</strong> <span property="dc:identifier">9783897984790</span><br />
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Collecting Niebling patterns is somewhat of an Easter egg hunt -- it's very exciting to find one you haven't seen before.<br />
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This may have been out before, and I just never saw it, but I doubt it. I would appreciate hearing about any upcoming publications of Herbert Niebling patterns.OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-27065314547376758732014-10-31T15:47:00.003-07:002014-10-31T15:48:09.596-07:00Izzy's SweaterMy cousin Cara sent me this pic of her baby Izzy (Isaiah Benjamin) wearing the hoodie sweater I made for him. It's a Rowan pattern called Hazel, knit with 100% washable merino wool from Plymouth . The buttons are Tagua nut (vegetable ivory) from Britex, washable as well. The little girl is Kate.<br />
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So, without further ado, meet Izzy and Kate.<br />
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OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-56967539796559635972014-08-17T22:56:00.000-07:002014-08-17T22:56:57.408-07:00OceanKnitter's Center-Pull Ball Tutorial<span class="userContent">I was asked to post a video tutorial of how I make a center-pull ball. This is a handy skill to learn. If you have a swift and a winder, you probably think that you'll never need to wind a ball this way. Let me convince you why this is a good skill to learn and know.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">1) When you are on a trip away from home, you may not want to bring your swift and winder.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">2) When you are riding in a car/plane/train/boat, and you don't have a time or space to set up your equipment, you can drape a skein around your knees and wind a ball by hand. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">3) You can stop midway and finish winding it up later, because it's portable and you don't have to take equipment apart and put it away.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">4) Your center-pull ball will be as soft as you'd like. I often wind with one finger under the yarn wraps, as you'll see in the video. But you can put no fingers or more fingers under the yarn wraps to make the ball harder or softer.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">5) While winding this way, you will find every knot or nub or imperfection in your skein, before you ever start knitting with it. Better to find out now, rather than in the middle of a long row, that you have a big knot in your yarn.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">6) Children who are learning to knit often enjoy making this special center-pull ball that never tangles.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">7) You can do it anywhere because you're a super knitter! </span><br />
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<span class="userContent"></span>OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-3039671017148531232014-07-19T07:47:00.002-07:002014-07-19T07:47:35.116-07:00San Mateo County Fair 2014The San Mateo County Fair's been over for a few weeks, but I'm just getting around to posting the ribbons. My Balmoral Thistle coffee cloth won a first place blue ribbon and Best of Show - Textiles. <br />
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They did a great job with the displays this year. It's only $2 to enter an item, and with that, you get two tickets to the Fair and a parking pass. I hope everyone had a good time at the Fair this year!<br />
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OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-75018607798305227492014-05-06T07:19:00.000-07:002014-05-06T07:19:41.451-07:00Balmoral ThistleBalmoral Thistle is being blocked for entry in the San Mateo County Fair.<br />
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I was concerned near the end that I would run out of thread. Halcyon Yarn, who produced the 10/2 tencel, no longer carries this weight. They do have 8/2, a little heavier. I was so nervous about possibly needing to procure extra yarn, it was giving me agida, as my mom would have said. I believe this is Calabrese slang for heartburn (acido, or acid). So, as most knitters do when faced with running out of yarn, I knit faster. <br />
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On the last pattern row, I felt a bit of relief, but I still had to crochet off. I put in a lifeline, just in case, and began the process of crocheting off all those tiny stitches. I made it to the end with only this little bit of thread left. I don't think it's enough for even one more round.<br />
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OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-89327686706387043892014-04-30T22:45:00.000-07:002014-04-30T22:52:21.166-07:00Doilies are Something<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Someday, you may come across a little crumpled lacy thing. Maybe you will be digging through the family cedar chest, looking for those special tea towels, and you'll find this weird little curled up lace thing.<br />
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You may not know who made it. But you know it's something. <br />
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Long ago, someone finished washing the dishes, put some quiet music on the stereo, and put on her glasses. She turned on the lamp nearest her chair, and lifted the piece up close to her face to look at the spot where she left off. Then she pulled a few yards of string from her knitting bag, and knit a few stitches. She paused and checked the new stitches to make sure they looked right. Then she knit a few more stitches until she got to the end of a repeat. The doily looked as it should, so she kept going. It was going to set on that end table near the sofa. It would look nice there, under the figurine that she had brought back from Italy.<br />
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She kept going until she finished it. It was lovely, one of the nicest doilies she had made. She put it in her ironing basket and thought she might block it on Saturday.<br />
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But that was long ago, and the doily ended up at the bottom of the family cedar chest. And it stayed there in a crumpled ball, for years. How many times was the chest opened and closed over the decades? Hundreds of times? Yet no one paid any mind to the curly, lacy things at the bottom. After all, they were nothing -- just some old crumpled up doilies. <br />
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The fancy lace tablecloths and matching napkins that were the pride of the German great aunts were passed down with great reverence to the next generation, who remembered the aunts taking them out every year for holiday dinners. Those stately table linens were sent out to the cleaners after each use and put away lovingly to await the next ceremonial opening of the cedar chest. Those were something.<br />
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But the doilies remained, untouched and unloved for decades -- until someone looked at them and said, those are something. And then they were blocked and starched and loved. Yes, they are loved. Doilies are something.</div>
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OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-23648883538066690252014-04-27T16:31:00.000-07:002014-04-27T16:31:41.760-07:00Sonoma Shawl - Freia Fine HandpaintsIt's been a while since I've posted anything to this blog. I seem to post everything on Facebook these days. But here's something new and knitted by me for <a href="http://www.freiafibers.com/store_ombre_lace.htm" target="_blank">Freia Fine Handpaints</a>. Tina asked me to knit the sample for her upcoming show. I always love her yarns, and this laceweight is no exception.<br />
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The yarn is <a href="http://www.freiafibers.com/store_ombre_lace.htm" target="_blank">Ombre Lace</a>, and the colorway is Grapevine. It suits the lovely <a href="http://www.freiafibers.com/store_patterns_5.htm" target="_blank">Sonoma Shawl</a>, designed by Tina Whitmore for Freia Fine Handpaints. I used a size US3 Addi turbo lace needle and gauge was just right.<br />
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The yarn has a little nylon in it, which would make it a snappy choice for sweaters, socks and gloves, yet, it also blocks beautifully for more elegant designs like this one. You can judge it for yourself. The stitches hold their shape well -- if you're a lace knitter like I am, you know how important it is to be able to control the size and shape of every stitch.<br />
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Just before I blocked, I dunked it in lukewarm water with a drop of Dawn dish soap for a couple of minutes, and then rinsed with water of the same temperature. The colors did not run at all, which is quite an accomplishment considering the intensity of the dyes. Very impressive.<br />
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OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-86522913734518231422013-06-18T16:31:00.004-07:002013-06-18T16:31:47.967-07:00Teeny tiny threadFound in the archives of The Lace Museum in Sunnyvale, 1000 count thread used for tape lace.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySuSpsgebmM/UcDsdSOd4cI/AAAAAAAAB74/scLmfFBXM7Y/s1600/1000+count+thread+at+The+Lace+Museum+used+for+tape+lace+turn+of+20th+century.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySuSpsgebmM/UcDsdSOd4cI/AAAAAAAAB74/scLmfFBXM7Y/s320/1000+count+thread+at+The+Lace+Museum+used+for+tape+lace+turn+of+20th+century.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
I can't imaging even attempting to knit with this, but I would like to look at it in person one day.<br />
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I'm trying to decide what to do with my newly acquired 100-weight DMC Cordonnet. It's burning a hole in my knitting bag. I need to figure out if I'll have enough to make a bigger table center, or perhaps make a few small doilies. We shall see.OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-6018515739872659862013-05-27T21:27:00.001-07:002013-05-27T21:27:36.864-07:00Evenstar with Blocking Notes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DC_WMxGjOMY/UaQt9UIhQ-I/AAAAAAAAB7U/Rct7ASLPpcI/s1600/IMAG4518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DC_WMxGjOMY/UaQt9UIhQ-I/AAAAAAAAB7U/Rct7ASLPpcI/s400/IMAG4518.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OceanKnitter/evenstar-shawl" target="_blank">Evenstar</a>, a shawl designed by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/evenstar-shawl" target="_blank">Susan Pandorf</a>. The yarn is Findley, by Juniper Moon Farm, and I used a size US4 needle. I first used Findley to knit the baby afghan sample for Tanis Gray on the cover of the first <a href="http://www.yarn.com/product/juniper-moon-farm-findley-pattern-booklet/" target="_blank">Findley pattern book</a>. The yarn is one of my favorite laceweights. The wide variety of colors and the yardage are excellent. I used over 3,000 glass Miyuke seed beads in the edging, knit perpendicularly, joined to the body of the shawl on every other row.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBb3kmnoOvs/UaQuOeBFyrI/AAAAAAAAB7c/2zEKv5Bw8ho/s1600/IMAG4517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBb3kmnoOvs/UaQuOeBFyrI/AAAAAAAAB7c/2zEKv5Bw8ho/s400/IMAG4517.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The overall size is 56" diameter. It is larger than I thought it would be, but I tend to block strenuously to open up the lace.<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>Blocking Notes:</strong></span><br />
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I soaked the shawl for a few minutes in lukewarm water and a drop of Dawn dish washing soap. I rinsed it in water of the same temperature, and squeezed out the excess water gently (no wringing). I spread it out over a towel, rolled it up like a jellyroll, then squeezed the towel as hard as I could.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-osjnMMLSs2E/UaQtQiPcCBI/AAAAAAAAB7M/_EOyP5XPvMc/s1600/IMAG4520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-osjnMMLSs2E/UaQtQiPcCBI/AAAAAAAAB7M/_EOyP5XPvMc/s640/IMAG4520.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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I pinned it to a piece of berber carpet I keep rolled up just for blocking big lace items. To make it round, I tied a white piece of yarn to a locking stitch marker and anchored the marker to the shawl's center with a few pins. I tied a knot at the other end of the string, at about 28”, and used it as a compass. First I divided the points into four sections, and I stretched out four individual corner points to the same radius measurement. (The shawl is circular, but when you pull and pin the first four pins, it looks like a square, so I call them corners.)<br />
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Then, I pinned every other point in between the four main corner pins, using the white string to keep the same radius. I pinned the remaining points, again using the white string as a radius measurement.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zjm5-DUHG-Y/UaQvFYAhmyI/AAAAAAAAB7o/zoSvfcdLhHM/s1600/IMAG4516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zjm5-DUHG-Y/UaQvFYAhmyI/AAAAAAAAB7o/zoSvfcdLhHM/s400/IMAG4516.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After all was pinned, I adjusted a few of the pins to make sure the points looked even and removed my makeshift compass. I sprayed the whole shawl lightly with water and let it dry overnight.<br />
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The next day, when the shawl was dry, I sprayed it lightly with Niagara spray starch and let it dry for a couple of hours with the pins still in it.. I only do this if I know it’s likely I will wash and block the shawl again after using it. If it’s going to be stored, I don’t starch. Starch can cause staining and it also attracts bugs.<br />
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To store it or to transport it, I prefer rolling it around a cardboard tube. This helps prevent creases and wrinkles. For very large items, I fold them first in a tablecloth and then roll them around a tube. The whole thing can be then wrapped in tissue paper, the ends of the tissue stuffed in the holes at both ends of the tube.OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-54161223654742906362013-05-21T18:57:00.001-07:002013-05-21T18:57:32.749-07:00Marguerite Shimmons' Doilies at Rengstorff House.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBMxfJVrhFU/UZwXFPXHdnI/AAAAAAAAB5U/AddZTymzIqs/s1600/IMAG4315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBMxfJVrhFU/UZwXFPXHdnI/AAAAAAAAB5U/AddZTymzIqs/s400/IMAG4315.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intermezzo, a doily I knitted from a pattern attributed to Herbert Niebling<br />silk and wool, 2mm needles<br />Zwei Deckchen Kungstgestrickt, Art No 060 01 0007</td></tr>
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Paul and I went to Mountain View on Sunday, May 19, to attend the <a href="http://www.ci.mtnview.ca.us/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=470&TargetID=1" target="_blank">Lovely Lace</a> exhibit at Rengstorff House in Mountain View. The exhibit runs through July 24, 2013, and two of my doilies are on display.<br />
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Outside in the courtyard were demonstrations of lace and crafts, including bobbin lace, what looked like Chantilly lace, and some other fascinating things like lanyard making and hula hoop rug weaving. Interesting. The idea was to have a family type of event, but most of the people who attended were older, and just a couple of younger people were at the demo tables.
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Traffic and Disobedience</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rTGNhoGPTA/UZwajI0CDcI/AAAAAAAAB50/ZRj9ZAzfK0k/s1600/traffic+mtn+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rTGNhoGPTA/UZwajI0CDcI/AAAAAAAAB50/ZRj9ZAzfK0k/s400/traffic+mtn+view.jpg" width="400" /></a>Attendance was light, partly due to a major five-car accident that stopped traffic on 101 in both directions.<br />
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In addition, Shoreline Amphitheatre was hosting Live105's BFD concert, with about 25 bands and the traffic on Rengstorff and Amphitheatre Parkway was horrendous. <br />
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With about two blocks to go, I was fed up and decided to try something I don't recommend, but it worked. I turned on my warning flashers, and cut into the opposing traffic lane. I zoomed down to the stop light where a traffic guard flagged me down to stop. (Note to my peers: please do not attempt this dangerous maneuver.)<br />
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I said with authority, "I'm an exhibitor at Rengstorff House, and I need to get there right away. I'm not going to the concert."<br />
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"I'm sorry, I can't let you go. You have to wait in line."<br />
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"I need to turn left at the stoplight. I'm not turning right into the concert."<br />
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The traffic guard said tiredly, "Okay, just pretend you work here."<br />
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Paul was somewhat impressed with my assertiveness (and that I dared to drive on the wrong side of the road - so unlike me). "Way to go!" <br />
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We met up with Nina and Jane, my fellow knitters, and had lunch at the Lakeside Cafe, just down the road from Rengstorff House. The cafe has a great brunch menu, and an outdoor seating area adjacent to a manmade lake where local, overweight squirrels wait patiently for visitors to drop french fries. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Marguerite Shimmons' Doilies</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3W0Zd0p4daU/UZwXJVQiv4I/AAAAAAAAB5c/uY56jjQLuCI/s1600/IMAG4292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3W0Zd0p4daU/UZwXJVQiv4I/AAAAAAAAB5c/uY56jjQLuCI/s400/IMAG4292.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charles Grant, docent, who dances like Fred Astaire</td></tr>
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The Rengstorff House is a wonder, having been rescued from the wrecking ball and moved to its current location. The house has been fully restored to its Victorian glory. Thankfully, the docents are a delightful group. Dressed in historic garb, they provided a good bit of information about the restoration and the contents of the oldest house in Mountain View.<br />
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But the true reason for my attendance, and the best things I've seen in a long time, were Marguerite Shimmons' doilies. Marguerite was a lifelong, prolific knitter, who made over a thousand lace pieces in her lifetime. The Lace Museum in Sunnyvale and Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles in Berkeley have each benefitted by the donation of her lacework. We were very fortunate to see some of her masterworks close-up. These small works of art, each unique and lovely in its own way, provided us glimpses of perfection usually only seen in museums.<br />
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Many of her doilies were knit from patterns designed by Herbert Niebling, a mid-20th-century lace designer extraordinaire. As his designs are becoming more admired by knitters around the world, the patterns are slowly being re-released. I've made a few, and collected many of his patterns that I hope to knit in the future. Some of Marguerite's doilies were designed by Christine Duchrow, and some were combinations of multiple patterns, devised by Marguerite herself.<br />
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I've used very fine cotton, silk and wool, and even cashmere to make a lace doily. I've not yet used thread as fine as Marguerite Shimmons used. Her typical thread was 100-weight cotton that is often deployed for tatting and bobbin lace. Miraculously, her stitch tension is perfect, even in the most complicated patterns. I've examined these carefully, and her work is exquisite.<br />
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Gracie Larsen, founder of The Lace Museum, and The Lacy Knitters Guild of Mountain View are keeping this art alive -- I'm a huge fan and a member of the Guild. To join The Lacy Knitters and receive the newsletter with patterns and information, please check out the Guild's <a href="http://www.lacyknittersguild.org/index.html" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHkbSR0PvEw/UZwWkE05CeI/AAAAAAAAB4c/N1ZjP03qb50/s1600/IMAG4299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHkbSR0PvEw/UZwWkE05CeI/AAAAAAAAB4c/N1ZjP03qb50/s400/IMAG4299.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nue Mode #5207/5 K44744, 69 rounds, 11" diameter</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUaZ52jhNtw/UZwWoGtKqiI/AAAAAAAAB4k/3LNGKWt2C5w/s1600/IMAG4301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUaZ52jhNtw/UZwWoGtKqiI/AAAAAAAAB4k/3LNGKWt2C5w/s400/IMAG4301.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Die Kleine Diana K1399, 63 rounds, 12.5" diameter</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nf2HdXriBJw/UZwWslBFQEI/AAAAAAAAB4s/uTpoqAkUKnE/s1600/IMAG4303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nf2HdXriBJw/UZwWslBFQEI/AAAAAAAAB4s/uTpoqAkUKnE/s400/IMAG4303.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Die Kleine Diana K1399, Burda #523, 56 rounds, 10" diameter</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBlnioJwUS0/UZwW0iiGlDI/AAAAAAAAB40/sDLYN3ZgpBs/s1600/IMAG4306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yBlnioJwUS0/UZwW0iiGlDI/AAAAAAAAB40/sDLYN3ZgpBs/s400/IMAG4306.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knitted Lace Patterns of Christine Duchrow, vol 2, pattern 54/2 modified, 11" diameter</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A60Ln1E7BXU/UZwW3WfhNbI/AAAAAAAAB48/fikhv8QzKkQ/s1600/IMAG4308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A60Ln1E7BXU/UZwW3WfhNbI/AAAAAAAAB48/fikhv8QzKkQ/s400/IMAG4308.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two patterns uniquely combined by artist, 14.5" diameter:<br />Admiration, 37 rounds, combined with<br />Kunststricken #720/19, 23 rounds</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_gj99hGOt0/UZwW64FjYGI/AAAAAAAAB5E/Xoi_nIqbEo4/s1600/IMAG4310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_gj99hGOt0/UZwW64FjYGI/AAAAAAAAB5E/Xoi_nIqbEo4/s400/IMAG4310.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambition, 22 rounds center, 40 rows ea for two side wings, 14 round edging, 15" oval</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXvkbp1kur8/UZwW-HGxvcI/AAAAAAAAB5M/a48xLO72LaE/s1600/IMAG4312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXvkbp1kur8/UZwW-HGxvcI/AAAAAAAAB5M/a48xLO72LaE/s400/IMAG4312.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kunststricken #720, 85 rounds, 12" oblong</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkOqzEcgXvo/UZwXTyvI-TI/AAAAAAAAB5k/x8-MKJ861eo/s1600/IMAG4304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkOqzEcgXvo/UZwXTyvI-TI/AAAAAAAAB5k/x8-MKJ861eo/s400/IMAG4304.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Die Kleine Diana K4474, 74 rouinds, 14.5" diameter</td></tr>
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OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-13695353039210374832013-04-24T16:41:00.001-07:002013-04-24T16:46:46.507-07:00Lovely Lace at Rengstorff HouseTwo of my lace doilies will be on exhibit at <a href="http://www.r-house.org/" target="_blank">Rengstorff House</a> in Mountain View, CA.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nAywZ3tWJfk/UXhtXQE96CI/AAAAAAAAB1c/GUA6jl-71fw/s1600/IMAG4240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nAywZ3tWJfk/UXhtXQE96CI/AAAAAAAAB1c/GUA6jl-71fw/s400/IMAG4240.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Lovely Lace exhibit, sponsored by The Lace Museum in Sunnyvale, will run from April 28 - July 24, with a special family day on May 19. On family day, they will have lace-making demonstrations and kids activities.<br />
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This was a surprise for me: <a href="http://the%20lovely%20lace%20exhibit%20will%20run%20from%20april%2028%20-%20july%2024,%20with%20a%20special%20family%20day%20on%20may%2019.%20on%20family%20day,%20they%20will%20have%20lace-making%20demonstrations%20and%20kids%20activities./" target="_blank">The City of Mountain View</a> featured my doily on its event page!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aePlU1JJJbc/UXhtOsiIDrI/AAAAAAAAB1U/nSo92Qol-PU/s1600/Doily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aePlU1JJJbc/UXhtOsiIDrI/AAAAAAAAB1U/nSo92Qol-PU/s400/Doily.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mountainview.gov/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=470&targetid=5" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"></a>OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-26404922095093366912013-03-03T13:52:00.000-08:002013-03-03T13:52:34.642-08:00Dreambird and a Swing Knitting Class<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6siDTHMjTRQ/UTOqlb4FhNI/AAAAAAAAByc/TSB9VdP99r8/s1600/IMAG3994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6siDTHMjTRQ/UTOqlb4FhNI/AAAAAAAAByc/TSB9VdP99r8/s400/IMAG3994.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dreambird-kal" target="_blank">Dreambird</a>. I've learned to love you, but it's been a rocky relationship. In the beginning, I was infatuated with your bright colors and curvy shape. You promised to be exciting, with daring twists and turns. Little did I know how you would taunt me.<br />
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Engulfed in passion, I knit two feathers back in January. The pattern, translated from German to English, was confusing at first, but then the designer released a chart with stich counts per row that made the knitting go more smoothly. I'm about halfway done, and I'm enjoying it so much, I think I may make another with different yarn and colors.<br />
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This technique of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/knitting-the-swing---swing-knitting" target="_blank">Swing Knitting</a> spurred me to look for other patterns and for guidance.<br />
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Since I became enamored with the Dreambird pattern, I decided to take a Swing Knitting class at Stitches West with <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/bzknitter" target="_blank">Brigitte Elliott</a>. Brigitte went to Germany to learn about <a href="http://swing-knitting.com/" target="_blank">Swing Knitting</a> from its pioneers. The Stitches class was sold out, but fortunately, I was on the waitlist, and I got a call a week or two before Stitches began -- I was in!<br />
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Brigitte is a marvelous teacher. She is very patient, yet takes into consideration that some students are advanced and want to forge ahead. Her printed course materials are easy to follow and complete, including references. She provided formulae for creating our own swing knitting designs, as well as tried-and-true techniques, like placing locking stitch markers or pins to indicate turns. She also brought several examples of swing knitting that she had created. I'm excited that she's working on new patterns using this technique.<br />
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She also presented a slide show with examples of inspiring Swing Knitting wall art. Take a look at this German <a href="http://www.magischemaschen.de/" target="_blank">website</a> to see what beautiful works of art have been created with Swing Knitting. (When you get there, click on Gestrickte Kunst to view the artwork.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.skacelknitting.com/" target="_blank">Skacel</a> provided all the materials for this class for free. Not only did we receive three balls of yarn, but also an Addi Lace circular needle. The yarn provided included a <a href="http://www.skacelknitting.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.43420/.f" target="_blank">Zauberball</a> variegated that really pops against the solid color background.<br />
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If you are considering beginning your own swing knitting project, I would advise joining the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/knitting-the-swing---swing-knitting" target="_blank">Swing Knitting group on Ravelry</a>. Also, take a few moments to learn German short rows from a Youtube video. No wraps are required, it's simple and leaves no holes in the knitted fabric. <br />
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OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-5402448576867205792013-01-28T07:29:00.001-08:002013-01-28T07:29:18.103-08:00Dreambird: 2 FeathersFirst two feathers of my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dreambird-kal" target="_blank">Dreambird</a> are completed. You can see where this is headed. The lighting for this photo isn't great, but I'm happy with the progress thus far.<br />
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The row-by-row chart in English was released and already updated once (separate file). It did clear up at least one bit of confusion, which is why there may be a couple of rows extra between my feathers one and two and less between subsequent feathers. As an example, the pattern may indicate "knit back" when you only need to knit back to the last double stitch, rather than all the way to the end.<br />
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I've found it's helpful to read the row-by-row chart, just prior to knitting the next pattern Step. I may write the number of stitches next to each Step on my copy, just to avoid any confusion.<br />
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I'm now ready to zoom through this pattern and complete it, possibly before Stitches West in February!<br />
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OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-81553353740439181412013-01-24T15:08:00.001-08:002013-01-24T15:12:20.430-08:00DreambirdWhile roaming around on Ravelry, I noticed a lovely pattern called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dreambird-kal" target="_blank">Dreambird</a>, based on the Swing Knitting fad that has leapt from Europe to America. So popular is this soon-to-be-ubiquitous, short-row technique that all of the Swing Knitting classes at Stitches West are sold out. (I am on the waitlist for either a Saturday or Sunday class.)<br />
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Silly me, I latched onto the Dreambird pattern as soon as I saw it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Nadita Swings</td></tr>
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Pretty bird! The designer started a KAL and offered the pattern at a reduced price until the end of February. I couldn't resist. I downloaded it and paid all of 3.50 EUR. No biggie, right?</div>
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The pattern was originally written in German, I believe. Then it was translated into English, French, Dutch, Russian, Spanish, etc. Thankfully, the designer speaks English rather fluently, but with the weird quirks that come from learning English as a second or third language. Some of the original English-speaking KAL members are frustrated and some have dropped out. I am now patiently waiting for a promised pattern update that will decipher the pattern's now infamous turn-by-turn instructions. The designer is very responsive, and I do believe she will address all issues.<br />
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My simple beginning has turned into the elephant in my knitting bag, demanding attention, yet I'm trying to ignore it in favor of finishing the <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OceanKnitter/evenstar-shawl" target="_blank">Evenstar</a></span> shawl, at least until the pattern update is released.<br />
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Swing knitting aficionados are enamored with the use of pins to mark the turns in their work. These can be especially important when creating the more complicated swing pieces you may have already seen popping up on knitting websites and in magazines. For the <span style="background-color: white;">Dreambird</span>, they are not especially critical, but they are a good introduction to the use of pins to mark the German short-row turns.<br />
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My humble beginning:<br />
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OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-22512799728770221722012-10-30T09:35:00.000-07:002012-10-30T09:35:29.145-07:00Evenstar - Beginning Beaded Border<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed for the border</td></tr>
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I'm just at the border of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/evenstar-shawl" target="_blank">Evenstar</a>, the lace shawl pattern by Susan Pandorf. The shawl is knit with <a href="http://www.knittingfever.com/c/yarn/findley/" target="_blank">Findley</a>, merino and silk laceweight, by Juniper Moon Farm. The yarn is one of my favorites for knitting lace. I had two balls of the Renaissance color in my stash, and this seemed like the perfect project for it. Juniper Moon Farm has come out with some new appealing colors, too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A peek at the central portion</td></tr>
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A progress photo is below. The beaded border is about 20 sts deep, knit perpendicularly to the edge of the shawl. There are five beads added on every wrong side row, and nearly 3,000 beads are required. I'm using size 8/0 glass Miyuki beads with this yarn, and a #10 steel crochet hook to add them as I knit. I bought some of them from Twisted Sistahs at Stitches last year, but didn't have enough. To make up the difference, I looked online and found a great bead supplier, <a href="http://www.auntiesbeads.com/Miyuki-8-0-Seed-Beads_c_2114.html" target="_blank">Auntie's Beads</a>. This was my first time ordering from this supplier. The beads can be purchased at a reasonable price, and they arrived in about four days. You can shop by size or type, and I'm quite pleased with the overall ease of the experience.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miyuki - Japanese glass beads</td></tr>
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At first, the number of beads may seem daunting, but it's easy to fall into a rhythm while you're adding them. I've done wider lace borders, but not with this many beads. The beading does slow you down, but the results are stunning, and it's worth the extra effort. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting the border</td></tr>
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To work the border, I'm using a US4 DPN the same size as my circular. One point protector stays on the end of the circular that's holding all the stitches. I crocheted a chain of about 25 sts from which to cast on provisionally the 16 sts required to begin the border -- the working yarn from the body of the shawl is not cut and is used to cast on this base row. This may seem fiddly, and it may take a couple of tries to get the right tension to begin the border pattern. I tried to cast on very close to the last stitch of the body of the shawl, to eliminate any large holes or gaps that would show when the final border row is grafted to the first border row.<br />
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For the beading, I purl the stitch that requires the bead, then I transfer it back to the left needle. I pick up a bead with the #10 crochet hook. I pull the transferred stitch off of the left needle with the hook and slide it through the bead. Then I move the stitch with the bead over to the right needle. Then I tug the working yarn a bit to snug up the beaded stitch. Like I said, the process will slow you down, but as you do more, it becomes a rhythm, and you will get faster and faster.<br />
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The work stays to the left as I knit the right side rows, and to the right on the wrong side rows.Using the DPN makes it easy for me to flip the work back and forth. I tend to keep the crochet hook behind my right ear or resting on my lap. The seed beads are in a flat, round container, about 2" in diameter that has a tight-fitting lid. I keep a single layer of beads in the container and replenish as needed. It's helpful to set the bead container on a cloth, or non-slippery surface, so it doesn't move around as you are picking up beads.<br />
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Ellie wants me to post photos of the completed shawl very soon so we can get back to our regular play schedule :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellie hopes that I'll be finished very soon</td></tr>
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OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-28869224260873930052012-09-18T08:19:00.000-07:002012-09-18T08:19:54.285-07:00Tulip Dress and EvenstarI made this sweet little pink <a href="http://www.patonsyarns.com/pattern.php?PID=4290" target="_blank">Tulip Lace Dress</a> for my friend's grandbaby, due in October. It's a free pattern on Paton's website, but you do need to sign in to download. The yarn is Paton's Grace, 100% mercerized cotton. Although the yarn suggests hand washing, I put this through the washer and dryer (with fingers crossed) and it came out perfectly.<br />
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The project on my needles at the moment is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/evenstar-shawl" target="_blank">Evenstar</a> by Susan Pandorf. It's a lovely design, and I'm hoping it turns out as well as some of those I've seen on Ravelry. The yarn is <a href="http://www.fiberfarm.com/our-yarns" target="_blank">Findley, by Juniper Moon Farms</a> and the color is Renaissance. You can find it many <span id="goog_371004474"></span><a href="http://www.yarn.com/product/juniper-moon-farm-findley/">yarn stores<span id="goog_371004475"></span></a>. I've just started Chart 3 and have graduated to a 47" Addi lace needle, size US3. This shawl is going to be pretty large, maybe 60" in diameter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-59LGxM20p2g/UFiISNpDkaI/AAAAAAAABqA/DOCgDbwj6Cs/s1600/evenstar+in+progress+9-18-2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-59LGxM20p2g/UFiISNpDkaI/AAAAAAAABqA/DOCgDbwj6Cs/s320/evenstar+in+progress+9-18-2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My first Findley project was the Lace Baby Blanket I knit for Tanis Gray for the Findley launch. The <a href="http://www.yarn.com/product/juniper-moon-farm-findley-pattern-booklet/">book</a> is still available. That's the blanket on the cover.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qMCOHL1gtQ/UFiNPihPf0I/AAAAAAAABqY/4jrDyeQwRXE/s1600/JUNIPERPATFINDLEY_zoom_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qMCOHL1gtQ/UFiNPihPf0I/AAAAAAAABqY/4jrDyeQwRXE/s320/JUNIPERPATFINDLEY_zoom_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-16978064691620538502012-07-23T09:26:00.000-07:002012-07-23T09:26:33.611-07:00Krokus at the California State Fair 2012<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the California State Fair Awards Ceremony</td></tr>
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Last weekend was the California State Fair awards ceremony. Paul and I had decided to attend when I received a notice in the mail that my blue Krokus, a table center designed by Herbert Niebling, had won First Place, Best of Class and Best of Division. I was so excited! Paul and my friends Nora and Jeanne and I trooped through the blistering heat of the Fair together.<br />
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Due to this extreme heat in Sacramento, the awards ceremony was not well-attended. Even though the awards were held in the morning at 10 a.m., the temperature was already up, around 90 degrees F. By the afternoon, it was over 100, and people were wilting. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krokus won two ribbons!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My category was Other Fiber Arts, which included lace (knitted, crocheted and all others), tatting and weaving.The competition was stiff. Overall, the exhibit classes had attracted 4,500 entrants this year. I don't know how that compares with other years, as this was my first time entering. <br />
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The Master of Ceremonies cracked a few jokes and handed out the 20 Golden Bear trophies to the Best of Show winners. The other winners got ribbons. No trophies for me this year, but maybe next time. I was happy with my two ribbons! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOSRse1vhgQ/UA1f_nmwmuI/AAAAAAAABmY/ouiKzvF_G1s/s1600/Firevision+-+Fire+House+Chefs+9_10_10+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOSRse1vhgQ/UA1f_nmwmuI/AAAAAAAABmY/ouiKzvF_G1s/s320/Firevision+-+Fire+House+Chefs+9_10_10+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Golden Bear Trophy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The youth awards were the most inspiring. A 10-year-old girl sitting in front of us won a Golden Bear trophy for youth photography -- the smile on her face was priceless!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4DmPTpcqhaY/UA1gvHj9_yI/AAAAAAAABms/L6hY4k8caZQ/s1600/S1050009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4DmPTpcqhaY/UA1gvHj9_yI/AAAAAAAABms/L6hY4k8caZQ/s320/S1050009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Best of Show winner: a crochet table covering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Best of Show in the overall Fiber Arts category was a crocheted lace table center. It was a beauty!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zD9VD6ouUmQ/UA1hXMBxeqI/AAAAAAAABm0/OP_c3eDQuH4/s1600/S1050013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zD9VD6ouUmQ/UA1hXMBxeqI/AAAAAAAABm0/OP_c3eDQuH4/s320/S1050013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Announcing the special awards inside the Exhibit Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We stepped inside to view some exhibits and shop. Nora got a tarot reading, and I bought a photo frame for Ellie's picture and some salsa seasoning. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JD's special Salsa Seasoning</td></tr>
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At first I was skeptical of this seasoning from Minnesota, but it's really good, and can be used for dips or salsa or seasoning meat or veggies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ-iQVpgM4M/UA1h2h1ZJ1I/AAAAAAAABnA/Oi_BsZKNB08/s1600/S1050023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ-iQVpgM4M/UA1h2h1ZJ1I/AAAAAAAABnA/Oi_BsZKNB08/s320/S1050023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two lovely shawls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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The green Estonian lace shawl on the left was beautiful, but it was hard to see the stitchwork because of the way it was draped. I felt the same about the way mine was displayed. It would have been nice to see all the detail, with the lace spread out over a table.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izOYkjKzRxE/UA1vpX6_vAI/AAAAAAAABng/d9XGpJdLr2k/s1600/S1050010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izOYkjKzRxE/UA1vpX6_vAI/AAAAAAAABng/d9XGpJdLr2k/s320/S1050010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another beautiful shawl</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91jlaO3xu8s/UA1zEdWNpWI/AAAAAAAABn4/EzDz2DizUXc/s1600/S1050024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91jlaO3xu8s/UA1zEdWNpWI/AAAAAAAABn4/EzDz2DizUXc/s320/S1050024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More beautiful work</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vOXQonLIcVs/UA1zsKVxmaI/AAAAAAAABoA/MLcEtav9YDw/s1600/S1050021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vOXQonLIcVs/UA1zsKVxmaI/AAAAAAAABoA/MLcEtav9YDw/s320/S1050021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The large quilt is made entirely of silk ties</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iz4ZPD2S1fc/UA10ca9fscI/AAAAAAAABoM/NOh-XKpPjc4/s1600/S1050020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iz4ZPD2S1fc/UA10ca9fscI/AAAAAAAABoM/NOh-XKpPjc4/s320/S1050020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spanish Peacock from A Gathering of Lace, Meg Swansen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Did I say it was hot? It was HOT! and I don't mean hot from the salsa. It was difficult to enjoy the agriculture and farm animal exhibits outdoors. In the Livestock Nursery, I saw some Jacobs lambs, only a few days old. <br />
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We decided to have lunch in restaurant at Arden Fair Mall rather than swelter outside and eat Fair food. Ahh, air conditioned relief!<br />
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Nora and Jeanne headed back to the city, and Paul and I checked into Le Rivage Hotel next to the Sacramento River. We had a lovely view, but it was impossible to sit outside on the balcony for more than a few minutes in the heat.<br />
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I will never complain about fog again. :)OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-78625863398443986452012-05-29T08:13:00.000-07:002012-05-29T08:13:37.522-07:00TrollblumeAnd here is Trollblume, a.k.a. the Troll, the result of a KAL conducted by the <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NieblingLaceKnitters/" target="_blank">Niebling Lace Knitters</a> on Yahoo. I used a no-name silk from my stash and US0 (2mm) needle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RHrb0hUMvzA/T8TgGIoQE7I/AAAAAAAABjI/4JSvYeBt-cI/s1600/IMAG2633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RHrb0hUMvzA/T8TgGIoQE7I/AAAAAAAABjI/4JSvYeBt-cI/s400/IMAG2633.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The flowers are sculpted, meaning they bunch up and look a little puffy. This is by design, although I don't recall seeing another Niebling design with sculpy flowers. It makes me wonder about the origin of the design, and whether this was experimental or a collaborative work by Niebling and an assistant. Who knows?<br />
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The center was knitted first on DPNs, then the leaves on each side were knitted individually, while the sides remained on stitch holders. It was a little awkward having those stitch holders dangling off of the sides while knitting. The group mistresses suggested binding off the sides, and then picking up stitches all the way around to improve the shape and ease blocking, but I chose to follow the original design as written.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ivGMi87a4qg/T8TgvO75LOI/AAAAAAAABjQ/qNCDBW3DInc/s1600/IMAG2636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ivGMi87a4qg/T8TgvO75LOI/AAAAAAAABjQ/qNCDBW3DInc/s400/IMAG2636.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4sH1d7WeUg/T8Tg8tBthII/AAAAAAAABjY/U7biBKyefPY/s1600/IMAG2639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4sH1d7WeUg/T8Tg8tBthII/AAAAAAAABjY/U7biBKyefPY/s400/IMAG2639.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
Making the two pointed ends look alike was a bit challenging. The start and end of each border round was at one pointed end, and the other pointed end was the center of the round and included a double yarnover. The KAL directions suggested adding a ktbl at the pointed ends, but being a traditionalist, I went with the original instructions. Overall, I'm pleased with the result.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj-uqZmfLQQ/T8ThE0bIqRI/AAAAAAAABjg/gGzFwzrX3Tc/s1600/IMAG2637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj-uqZmfLQQ/T8ThE0bIqRI/AAAAAAAABjg/gGzFwzrX3Tc/s400/IMAG2637.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-65640084953860681532012-05-06T12:03:00.002-07:002012-05-25T20:22:04.623-07:00Blue Krokus - NieblingThis pattern may be found in the February 1989 Anna Magazine, and has been reprinted in the 2011 BuchVerlag fur die Frau folio entitled Schone Spitzen, ISBN 978-3-89798-335-9. In the Anna Magazine it was called "Krokus" and in the reprint it is called "Feuerbohne."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9BY3yW4IkVw/T6bHLF137DI/AAAAAAAABgM/SfURsCISxBA/s1600/IMAG2540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9BY3yW4IkVw/T6bHLF137DI/AAAAAAAABgM/SfURsCISxBA/s400/IMAG2540.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
For this table centre, I used a very fine cashmere/silk from <a href="http://www.yubina.com/cashmeresilk.htm" target="_blank">Yubina</a>. The thread is lovely, but very light. I would not use it again for a tablecloth, because it is so soft, and the points do not stay sharp after blocking. In fact, the entire cloth will need to reblocked and starched before I submit it to the California State Fair. I do like this thread, but it is more suitable for a diaphanous scarf or shawlette.<br />
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A few notes:<br />
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In the 0289/33 Anna magazine pattern, part of the chart is missing:<br />
Row 79 - end with k2tog, yo, k4<br />
Row 81 - end with yo, skp, k3<br />
Row 83 - end with yo, k5<br />
Row 85 - end with k6<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gU0vqM5VWSI/T6bEH551WlI/AAAAAAAABfc/8BtP-cnxav0/s1600/IMAG2523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gU0vqM5VWSI/T6bEH551WlI/AAAAAAAABfc/8BtP-cnxav0/s320/IMAG2523.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The pattern in the Anna magazine is printed in several pieces: Rows 1-77, Rows 79-123, Rows 125-167, Rows 169-191, Rows 93-209, and Rows 211-245. The reprint is in fewer chunks, but it's also laid out differently. <br />
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In the reprint, the repeating stitches are more difficult to follow, because every stitch is shown in the chart, whereas in Anna the first grouping is shown, followed by the number of times to repeat. E.g.: <br />
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In Anna: [ 0,\ ] x7<br />
In the reprint: [ 0, \, 0, \, 0, \, 0, \, 0, \, 0, \, 0, \ ]<br />
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If a smaller size doily is desired, stop after Row 132 or after Row 80.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5RiDFj7hPA/T6bEZ5ipHoI/AAAAAAAABfk/yKPEn7uhFNI/s1600/IMAG2530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5RiDFj7hPA/T6bEZ5ipHoI/AAAAAAAABfk/yKPEn7uhFNI/s320/IMAG2530.jpg" width="320" /></a>At Row 211, the 16 repeats are divided into 32 repeats. Add additional repeat markers at this point.<br />
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Neither in the Anna magazine nor in the reprint is there a definitive process for crocheting off. For this doily, I used the following stitch groupings.<br />
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CROCHET BIND OFF: At beginning of Row 247, [K4] then crochet the number of sts indicated together, and ch13 in between each group:<br />
7, 7, 5, 7, 7, 7, 5, 7, 7, 9<br />
This last number (9) includes the last 5 sts of the repeat plus the first 4 of the next repeat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHcwqCUWmE4/T6bE86lCRvI/AAAAAAAABf0/h1PlGFq-lf4/s1600/IMAG2546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHcwqCUWmE4/T6bE86lCRvI/AAAAAAAABf0/h1PlGFq-lf4/s320/IMAG2546.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBWGF8JBqf8/T6bFOMZa2WI/AAAAAAAABf8/5oUHADWQkOw/s1600/IMAG2549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBWGF8JBqf8/T6bFOMZa2WI/AAAAAAAABf8/5oUHADWQkOw/s320/IMAG2549.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hv0BEoxGEss/T6bFsaHgPCI/AAAAAAAABgE/YanR7xaHkXA/s1600/IMAG2528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hv0BEoxGEss/T6bFsaHgPCI/AAAAAAAABgE/YanR7xaHkXA/s320/IMAG2528.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-22777019375308986612012-02-04T10:21:00.000-08:002012-02-04T10:23:31.194-08:00Pinterest!I have recently been introduced to <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, an online bulletin board of images collected from around the web. It is completely addictive. <br />
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The way it works:<br />
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You sign up.<br />
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You create one, two, five or 100 Pinterest boards for pinning your favorite images from around the web.<br />
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You add a Pinterest button to your browser search bar.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qrVvi0VYWSM/Ty125fXVzeI/AAAAAAAABbY/FK49GdussRw/s1600/hyrna+herbogar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qrVvi0VYWSM/Ty125fXVzeI/AAAAAAAABbY/FK49GdussRw/s320/hyrna+herbogar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hyrna Herbogar knitted by that Logan Chick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then, every time you find a lovely image you want to pin to your board, you PIN it using the Pinterest button. The image appears on your board. Clicking the image takes you to the page where you found it. It's great for queuing up future projects. (I added the above image to my board.)<br />
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You can follow others' Pinterest boards, so you get to see what everyone you know is pinning. And others can follow your boards.<br />
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My Pinterest handle (name) is: OceanKnitter.OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-79130421803346120062012-01-06T11:03:00.000-08:002012-01-06T11:03:56.679-08:00Knitted Lace of Estonia at LacisI visited the <a href="http://lacismuseum.org/exhibit/Knitted%20Lace%20of%20Estonia/" target="_blank">Knitted Lace of Estonia exhibit</a> at <a href="http://lacismuseum.org/" target="_blank">Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles</a> in Berkeley, CA yesterday. The exhibit featured a lovely collection of knitted lace shawls provided by Nancy Bush. Nancy wrote the book: <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/DVDs-Videos/Knitted-Lace-of-Estonia-DVD.html" target="_blank">Knitted Lace of Estonia</a>.<br />
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Flash photography is not permitted in the Museum, so please forgive the quality of some of these cell phone photos.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f00iNnWhQJc/Twcp2tbEwsI/AAAAAAAABZQ/L9vMbUiK0Jg/s1600/IMAG1963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f00iNnWhQJc/Twcp2tbEwsI/AAAAAAAABZQ/L9vMbUiK0Jg/s320/IMAG1963.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoLsDHMA4LU/TwctIFBrUkI/AAAAAAAABbA/X9e-IJiPRks/s1600/IMAG1978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoLsDHMA4LU/TwctIFBrUkI/AAAAAAAABbA/X9e-IJiPRks/s320/IMAG1978.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bo1zFwO2xRs/TwctUbr5EGI/AAAAAAAABbI/PnhuZZUyWXI/s1600/IMAG1968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bo1zFwO2xRs/TwctUbr5EGI/AAAAAAAABbI/PnhuZZUyWXI/s320/IMAG1968.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-16759984980999649672011-11-12T08:16:00.000-08:002011-11-12T20:06:58.849-08:00Interweave Knitting Lab: Review - Part 2<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNnSbQzH8hU/Tr1hDj6RHrI/AAAAAAAABXg/gRziSdDmEto/s1600/IMAG1612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNnSbQzH8hU/Tr1hDj6RHrI/AAAAAAAABXg/gRziSdDmEto/s320/IMAG1612.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivan Hoxbro, Anne Modesitt and Shirley Paden</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Are four days at <a href="http://www.cvent.com/events/interweave-knitting-lab-2011/event-summary-27b8e163705e481498c9e199e0796b0d.aspx">Interweave Knitting Lab</a> at the San Mateo Marriott enough to absorb, feel, remember, and tell the story of the experience? It will have to be, because <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KnittingLab">Knitting Lab</a> is over. The designers, authors, teachers, experts, vendors have all gone home or to their next teaching assignments.</div><br />
But the memories linger on. And what great memories! Here's a sampling of what I experienced.<br />
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</div>GALINA KHMELEVA: Broken Borders - Lace Restoration Therapy<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On the first day, Thursday, November 3, I was on the waitlist for Annie Modesitt's Charted Entrelac & Entrelace class. I had never taken a class from her before, and it was not to be this time. My scheduled class was with Galina Khmeleva, Broken Borders: Lace Restoration Therapy. This class was therapy indeed. See a full review <a href="http://oceanknitter.blogspot.com/2011/11/knitting-lab-day-1.html">here</a>. (I got so excited, I wrote a full review on Day 1 when I got home that night.)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">COOKIE A: Sock Innovation</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Friday, I took a day-long sock design class with <a href="http://www.cookiea.com/about.html">Cookie A</a>. I'm not a sock knitter by category, but I do enjoy the architecture and design of socks, which is something Cookie and I have in common. Cookie is a bit of a mad scientist, weaving patterns and motifs together to build incredibly beautiful sock designs. She communicates her theorems like a high school math teacher. We used Japanese and German stitch pattern books to pick a chart or two to integrate into our designs.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Cookie loves ribbing. That sounds a little racy, but actually, she made me think about it more than I ever had before. How does the ribbing of the sock flow into the pattern? What makes a good ribbing or a bad ribbing? We counted the repeats required to go around the sock. We designed our ribbing to flow into the charted pattern. We figured out how much we needed to increase or decrease after the ribbing and still make the pattern flow into an elegant, balanced design.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VFDjbd7BWRQ/Tr1gA9S3-NI/AAAAAAAABXA/bJ367l0Y7EU/s1600/IMAG1588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VFDjbd7BWRQ/Tr1gA9S3-NI/AAAAAAAABXA/bJ367l0Y7EU/s320/IMAG1588.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And then, of course, there was suckage. This is Cookie's term for what happens when you include a cable pattern in a sock design. The cables cross and suck the sides of your sock inward, making for an uncomely appearance, and sometimes an uncomfortable sock. Each of us in class was tuned in to the suckage problem, so much that it became part of our class vernacular. "I've got a 3x3 cable, so how much suckage do I have?" "What are you going to do about the suckage?" We also talked about the reverse problem: the extra girth provided by lace patterns in socks. But no relative term was coined. I need my jargon, so how about: "I've got 5 yarnovers in each repeat, so how much blimpage do I have?" or "What are you going to do about the Zeppelin effect?" You decide.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSCH2iZ7HZ0/Tr1gVWkeGMI/AAAAAAAABXQ/Pvw7GbNlndc/s1600/IMAG1603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSCH2iZ7HZ0/Tr1gVWkeGMI/AAAAAAAABXQ/Pvw7GbNlndc/s320/IMAG1603.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We also talked about dividing stitches for the heel, and how to center the design attractively on the top of the foot. We talked about the shapes of feet, and making a wedge toe and other toe shapes to make the sock comfortable and fit properly. Cookie announced that she has Fred Flintstone feet, squarish across the toes.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm not an expert yet, but I feel equipped to design a good sock now, not a simply adequate one.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xXbLYaHSjs/Tr1f2dL_L2I/AAAAAAAABW4/bVUA5KliS8E/s1600/IMAG1585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xXbLYaHSjs/Tr1f2dL_L2I/AAAAAAAABW4/bVUA5KliS8E/s320/IMAG1585.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">JUNE HIATT: The Principles of Knitting</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9aIEjvnLT1o/Tr1mMT0RdpI/AAAAAAAABX4/xrUYg0OOljk/s1600/June+Hiatt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9aIEjvnLT1o/Tr1mMT0RdpI/AAAAAAAABX4/xrUYg0OOljk/s320/June+Hiatt.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">June Hiatt came to speak on her book <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/principles-of-knitting-june-hemmons-hiatt/1102845190">The Principles of Knitting</a>. The book will be released in February, totally rewritten, revised, re-researched. June spoke as if she were Tom Hanks in Castaway, emerging from her exile of researching and writing. She spoke about how she spent a decade writing the first edition, back in 1989, and how she spent about the SAME amount of time rewriting this new edition. She looked at every piece and made changes, typing it from scratch.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">She remarked about how some people have tried to explain how one technique was different or better than another technique, and she would answer, "It's my book," while continuing on her way. She explained that she didn't interview or ask anyone questions, since the techniques were well documented in books and on the Internet. I noticed many people in the room glancing at each other, wondering if we were all thinking the same thing at that moment.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">THE EVOLUTION OF THE KNITTER: FROM HEARTHSIDE TO HIGH-SPEED - a panel discussion</div><br />
On Tuesday, November 1, those who had their hearts set on seeing and hearing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_G._Walker">Barbara Walker</a> speak on her amazing career and life received an email from Interweave that an emergency would prevent her from coming to speak at Knitting Lab. For many, Ms. Walker's appearance was the primary reason for attending this event. At first, I was saddened and hoped that she was well. Information was revealed on-site that she was having gall bladder surgery. We all wished her well.<br />
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In her stead, we were treated to a lively panel discussion which included the following speakers: Vivian Hoxbro, Annie Modesitt, Marilyn Murphy, Shirley Paden, Susan Strawn, Meg Swansen, Eunny Jang, moderator.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-si3mAq2O3OI/Tr1hJs5Hd1I/AAAAAAAABXo/p6IN6RE6Eew/s1600/IMAG1614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-si3mAq2O3OI/Tr1hJs5Hd1I/AAAAAAAABXo/p6IN6RE6Eew/s320/IMAG1614.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eunny Jang, Susan Strawn, Marilyn Murphy, Meg Swansen</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Aside from the sheer brilliance of this panel, their variety of skills and knowledge and their cultural and generational attitudes represented something like a United Nations of knitting. I felt completely at home in their presence, and delighted to be a part of this unique event, befitting the new tradition that is Knitting Lab. I hope this panel discussion becomes a part of every Knitting Lab event in the future and that additional experts from more countries and backgrounds are included.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've admired Shirley Paden's designs and dressmaking techniques for many years, yet I had never heard her speak. I now wish I had been able to squeeze into one of her classes. I was able to speak to her for a short time after the panel discussion and she encouraged me to join her Ravelry group (called We Love Shirley Paden, started by a fan).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I also enjoyed listening to Susan Strawn's remarks and recollections. She's an absolutely brilliant speaker, and I certainly would put her class on my wish list for next year's Knitting Lab curriculum. Susan is a historian, a teacher of dress and culture history at Dominican University in Illinois, and has written the historical reference Knitting America.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">THE SAN MATEO MARRIOTT</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My roommate and I hadn't taken time for a meal break on Friday night, so we headed to the restaurant. I had a delicious mushroom risotto and an adult beverage. The food we were served at dinner each night was tasty, and I had no complaints. Also, the service was very pleasant, and my friends remarked that the employees made an effort to keep us feeling happy and welcomed.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The American breakfast buffet, included with the guest room stay, was fantastic. A wide assortment of breakfast items included: omelettes made to order, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, bakery items, fruit, yogurt, cereal, smoked salmon, coffee, tea, juices ... I'm probably forgetting something, but it was fabulous and got us off to a good start each morning.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">However, the lunch buffet for conference attendees was expensive and not satisfying. The Caesar salad in a box was $12 with minimal protein -- just lettuce, a few soft croutons, a sprinkling of packaged shredded parmesan and a tiny piece of chicken breast, together with a pouch of lemony, un-Caesar dressing. Not acceptable. The sandwiches were $8 -- either roast beef or turkey with a piece of lettuce and tomato on plain white or wheat bread. Blah. Nothing makes a conventioneer more cranky than a blah lunch. To protest, I did order a quesadilla from the restaurant for lunch on one day that was acceptable and tasty (though not traditional, I did enjoy it).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv2zbRlT4II/Tr6bg1y3NII/AAAAAAAABYA/FsDovy7AEBU/s1600/3131029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv2zbRlT4II/Tr6bg1y3NII/AAAAAAAABYA/FsDovy7AEBU/s320/3131029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The rooms were lovely; however, there was a shortage of refrigerators. I like to have a cold drink and maybe some fruit or cheese in my refrigerator at a conference, so I asked specifically for a room with a fridge. They told me there was a shortage and "would you like to be put on the waiting list?" "No, thank you, I'd just like a room with a fridge." They miraculously found one for me, after I complained a bit.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The meeting rooms were appropriately sized for the number of students. In some cases, the rooms were very cold. Luckily, we were all wearing sweaters or shawls.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The sound system in the Inspire ballroom where we heard the evening speakers needs to be improved. Occasional feedback and muffled sound marred the speaker's delivery. For this reason, my friends and I made an effort to get into the ballroom early and sit in front.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Getting around the hotel was amusing. The guest room elevators were down a corridor, away from the lobby and the conference elevators. With everyone roaming around and getting lost, I found myself in the elevator with various famous designers and teachers on several occasions. Meg Swansen and Amy Detjen asked me how to find the room elevators, so I walked them down the hall like a tour guide. Shirley Paden, looking elegant in a white blouse and navy slacks, chatted amiably with students on her way down to the lobby.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The collegial atmosphere seemed to uplift and encourage everyone to mingle and get to know each other. It felt different from Stitches West, another knitters' convention that explodes every February in Santa Clara. At Stitches, many people are there for the Market, and you lose your student experience in the hustle and bustle. At Knitting Lab, the majority of attendees went to at least a class or two. I also found myself having discussions at a more intimate level than at Stitches. The pace seemed a bit slower, a bit more conducive to learning. I was tired and fulfilled at the end of each day.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Coming soon: Part 3</div>OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28048265.post-29366763606083183312011-11-04T07:49:00.000-07:002011-11-04T07:49:54.515-07:00More photos from Knitting Lab<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XRTirXYdQ8/TrP4osAxchI/AAAAAAAABVw/CRr3bVaGkME/s1600/IMAG1564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XRTirXYdQ8/TrP4osAxchI/AAAAAAAABVw/CRr3bVaGkME/s320/IMAG1564.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane and Nina</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkTmgfuCtvg/TrP4x5RxQVI/AAAAAAAABV4/gF5eH9YFpQ8/s1600/IMAG1573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkTmgfuCtvg/TrP4x5RxQVI/AAAAAAAABV4/gF5eH9YFpQ8/s320/IMAG1573.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real Estonian shawl on the silent auction table. Last bid was $200, and climbing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H_fk26eFvk4/TrP5CdQ0MvI/AAAAAAAABWI/huScFyXEbAY/s1600/IMAG1576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H_fk26eFvk4/TrP5CdQ0MvI/AAAAAAAABWI/huScFyXEbAY/s320/IMAG1576.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another silent auction item from the cover of Interweave Knits</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJpfF96taQ8/TrP5MHhYd8I/AAAAAAAABWQ/TbXFsOH2XbA/s1600/IMAG1577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJpfF96taQ8/TrP5MHhYd8I/AAAAAAAABWQ/TbXFsOH2XbA/s320/IMAG1577.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the Market to open</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z6OuJj8fwqQ/TrP5VRm1L-I/AAAAAAAABWY/mHDySwWkZ40/s1600/IMAG1578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z6OuJj8fwqQ/TrP5VRm1L-I/AAAAAAAABWY/mHDySwWkZ40/s320/IMAG1578.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The line forming outside the Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0S6xel09ZRc/TrP5fegqvTI/AAAAAAAABWg/iJ-DT9D5GK4/s1600/IMAG1579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0S6xel09ZRc/TrP5fegqvTI/AAAAAAAABWg/iJ-DT9D5GK4/s320/IMAG1579.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In my hot little hand ... alpaca/silk/merino from Just Our Yarn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GnwR477bgg/TrP5ml-B1AI/AAAAAAAABWo/BtKv8ECE_v4/s1600/IMAG1581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GnwR477bgg/TrP5ml-B1AI/AAAAAAAABWo/BtKv8ECE_v4/s320/IMAG1581.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the shopping frenzy begins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U17pZ6hNmkE/TrP5wsbV36I/AAAAAAAABWw/0sp8VzRf-to/s1600/IMAG1583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U17pZ6hNmkE/TrP5wsbV36I/AAAAAAAABWw/0sp8VzRf-to/s320/IMAG1583.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oodles of spindles at Carolina Homespun's booth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>OceanKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982651637126085149noreply@blogger.com0