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