YAY!!! It's May! 2018

Hello Everyone,

We were so happy that May finally arrived with the full beauty of Spring, we had to proclaim it YAY!!! It’s May! Now that May is almost in the books, we had a busy month knitting some very cool projects where we learned new techniques to add to our skills project bag. 

We started the month with the YinYang Kitty Ankle Socks KAL.

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These socks are purrrrfect (sorry, couldn’t help it!!) for using contrasting fingering or sock yarn. The best part for me is each sock is the inverse color of the other, one’s yin to the other’s yang, and great to wear to yoga (as a fashion statement because yoga with socks spell disaster for me). Aside from being very cute, we learned an easy Intarsia in the round. While Intarsia is generally used in flat knitting, it can be adapted to knitting in the round. We posted a tutorial from the Confident Knitter (http://confidentknitter.com/2s2p/intarsia-in-the-round/) on our Facebook page. Browneyedbabs on Ravelry who has a tutorial on Intarsia in the round says, “While Intarsia ‘in the round’ is a seamless way to achieve a block of color in hats, toys, sweaters, mittens etc. it is not technically knitting in the round as the work is turned and purled each row, but, it looks like knitting in the round and is completely seamless.” Asa Tricosa probably says in best in her tutorial “(sort of) intarsia in the round” where she adapts the technique because as she puts it, Intarsia does not work well in the round, but it can be done with adaptations (http://asatricosa.com/intarsia/). There are also a number of YouTube tutorials for Intarsia in the Round. I liked Julia farwell-clay’s video because it shows you how to knit an invisible join (https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=v2Iu8fkoBuc). Another method you can use is Duplicate Stitch for the kitty’s eyes and nose. We like this technique because the area is small and duplicate stitch really brings out the eyes and nose. Purl Soho’s tutorial shows us how step –by-step (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/duplicate-stitch/). I found Purl Soho’s tutorials very helpful. Not only are the videos very well done, the instructions and pictures are clear and straightforward. 

Speaking of Purl Soho, we learned a new technique, Honeycomb Brioche, with their pattern, “Latticework Shawl”. We all know that once we learned the Brioche Stitch that we couldn’t get enough. And to learn that there are variations of the Brioche Stitch is just wonderful. The pattern and the excellent tutorials provide a solid basis to use this stitch in a variety of projects. You can make the shawl or use the stitch in a cowl or bandana. To get the most from this stitch, I found using highly contrasting yarn shows the honeycomb pattern the best. I think using more complimentary yarns will give a subtler look and I am looking forward to exploring that with fingering yarn. The most important tip is to cast on an odd number of stitches. After that, let you imagination go!

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Our Pop-Up project was a handy cover for your favorite mop. What better way to help our environment than to make a reusable cover? The versions come in knit or crochet and are an easy way to learn crocheting if you knit or knitting if you crochet. Depending on the yarn and stitch, you can make a cover that scrubs, cleans, or polishes. 

We enjoyed “YAY!!! It’s May!” And we learned several new techniques all while having a lot of fun. We also celebrated our Moms and we honored and remembered those who gave the greatest measure in service to our Nation. 

We are continuing with several skill building projects next month with “Over the Moon for June!” What better way to say HELLO to Summer!

Knit, Crochet, & Stitch On, 

Lisa

April Showers Bring...Small, Fun-Filled Projects! 2018

Hello Everyone!

April is a wrap and we enjoyed ourselves by knitting portable projects. As part of our theme, “April Showers Bring…Small, Fun-Filled Projects!”, we explored the fun that comes with knitting smaller projects. Smaller projects portability lets us take our stitching projects with us on those road trips or as a sports spectator. There is definitely a satisfaction to finishing a smaller project more quickly. Of course small does not mean there won’t be new and skill-building techniques. Our first April project, Sweet Little Cowl by Rachel Brockman for Universal Yarns, has Brioche Stitch, Provisional Crochet Cast-On, and I-Cord Bind Off. Purl Soho has one of the best tutorials for Provisional Crochet Cast-On. Check it out the one step method here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/provisional-cast-on-video/

This pattern underwent a change on April 20^thin the form of erratta to the Two-Color Pearl Brioche portion. Like many of you, I had already knitted the original pattern for my first cowl. The pattern is beautiful in the original form. It’s equally beautiful in the update, so I decided to knit the second cowl with the new stitch pattern. The designer has actually just updated her pattern to reflect these two versions of the Two-Color Pearl Brioche stitch pattern. Per her Ravelry page and the updated pattern, Rachel Brockman added, “The errata on this cowl turned out to be a happy accident, so at the advice of a customer, we’ve decided to include instructions for two versions. Version A reflects the sample photos – the Pearl Brioche has a “v” shape. Version B reflects the happy accident in which the two-color portion has small bars in place of the “v” shape shown on the samples.”Both versions are wonderful and look great together! And did I mention that Universal Yarn FibraNatura Cottonwood is so soft and in your hands as you knit? As Rachel says, “Knit, Relax, Smile, Repeat!”

Sweet Little Cowl (LMB)

Log Cabin Mitts (LMB)

Our next project, Log Cabin Mitts by Karen Templar, combines semi-traditional log cabin squares without intarsia and then moves onto a clever joining method and miter techniques. This project is a great way to use up small amounts of yarn and can be knit in colors that contrast, compliment, or in one color. The one color log cabin pattern plays on texture and is a great alternative if you want a one-color mitt. Since the April weather has been quite cold, these mitts worked perfectly and looked great! Watch out, because we bet you cannot knit just one pair!!

And our pop-up project brought smiles and cuteness in threes! Ernie, Esther,& Enid Easter Chickens by Janice Anderson brought us these fabulous and funky toy chicks. There is something so fun about making “stuffies”. The extra embellishments, the little techniques to make your toy unique and special, all of it are smile inducing. I made wings for my chicks by using the part of the crocheted technique for the legs. I used pony beads in the bottom stuffing, and then I stuffed those little chicks to a high cuteness level of chubbiness. It has been pointed out to me that I do like to stuff my toys. Remember Fa-la-la Fred? Well, my Fred is known as Fat Freddie!! More to love, that’s what I say!!

Esther, Ernie, & Enid 

Lastly, April 21^st saw the first annual LYS Day. Local Yarn Store Day is a brick-and-mortar yarn shop appreciation day created by The National Needle Arts (TNNA) Yarn Group. The inaugural LYS Day takes place today on April 21 and is designed to show support for small businesses while bringing together a unique community of knitters, crocheters, weavers and spinners to drive awareness and celebrate the craft. We thank our amazing stitching community for all your support and encouragement. We are very grateful for all of you!!

In closing, April brought us small, fun-filled projects that taught us new techniques and put huge smiles on our faces. April is in the books and now we look forward to YAY!!! It’s May!

Knit, Crochet, & Stitch On! Lisa