Knit One, Knit All

Brimmed Hat- Horizontal

Knit in Patons Shetland Chunky

The one thing I have learned in knitting Elizabeth Zimmerman style is that the directions seem so simple, and I need to just read them and not try to figure out where she is going.  JUST GO WITH IT.



TOP SECTION- knit in three sections (triangles) by picking up the side of each triangle



RIBBING WORKED IN THE ROUND



At this point it's time for the brim to be knit.   Elizabeth asks you to increase 1 stitch for each stitch on the needle.  She also instructs you to work back and forth, and stitch together in the end.   I'd rather not sew so I decided to wrap and turn, on alternating end stitches at the end of each round so that there was no seam.  It worked

I cord trim (wonder what it would look like with a differant color yarn)

The Package

The package came in the mail yesterday and I actually let it sit without opening for about 3 hours.  Could have been the need to savour the contents at the quiet time, no rush.   This was really a treat.  Since I need to block a large piece (the Knit, Swirl #1) it seemed the right thing to do..ordering blocking mats from Knit Picks.  They had a special sale on books...  well even though I hardly have room for the books I own..The Opinionated Knitter was on the list..could not pass it up and it is lovely.   Absolutely Lovely.   I love the way she thinks.

2011 knitting completed

2011--Some my own design, some not 

Some I have no photos   Socks, scarfs, etc 

I know the shows on the needles but it is complete,   My daughter is wearing it as I type ..yarn from String in Manhattan,   bulky Italian Cashmere, the most wonderful feeling yarn I have ever knit!!!

Also completed  Vogue Caplet  in Debbie Bliss Wool    

Stash busting!!

 I joined a site that is stash busting and here is the link, you may be interested in doing the same.
The Destash Challenge

Last year I decided to knit every pattern in Knit One, Knit All by Elizabeth Zimmerman using all stash yarns (see previous posts) and  although Holiday gift knitting postponed that project, I am back on track.

Another use of my stash----A few weeks ago I just happened to stop at one of the local yarn shops, Sonoma Yarn and a guest author was presenting a trunk show that afternoon..so happy about this show, but had to wait a while.  So it was off to lunch at The Hacienda for my favorite fish taco..then back for the show.

The author is Sandra McIver and she is absolutely a genius..her book knit, swirl is beautiful and the designs are lovely.   The most amazing thing is that one size sweater fit perfectly on women of various sizes!! One young lady, who had to be a size 2, tried on a swirl and then another woman put the exact same swirl on (she was at least 6 inches taller and many sizes larger) and the sweater hung and draped perfectly on her also!!! It was just amazing.   I don't think I would have believed how gorgeous the sweaters looked if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.    Take a look at the designs.   knit, swirl
After much swatching  and combining yarns, I choose to use Melody by JOJOland (purchased at the Adventures in Knitting event in Provincetown Mass in 2010)  and a silk and merino yarn from A Touch of Twist (purchased in Rhinebeck 2009)    At this point I have about 5 welts done, mind you I cast on over 650 stitches!!!

Loving Rhinebeck

NYS sheep and Wool festival, what a wonderful weekend. The company, Donna, and the weather was perfect. we packed alot into a short period of time, cooking demo, watching the chopsticks fastest knitter contest, sheep shearing, dog fresbie players, and of course yarn browsing.

Home Grown

     Back to gardening ..it's been a long time.  Probably lost my desire to work in the garden about 6 years ago, knowing that there would be that long distance move and that the house would be sold.  We had a beautiful garden, by the way, it was mostly perenials or self seeders..so the iris, delphinians, lavender, cosmos, tulips and carnations continue to bloom

Cardigan Knit one knit all Adding the front and collar

This project is really working up much faster then expected.  Back is on the stitch holder and collar is worked on the circular needles.

It this point the front side and back are knit together at the same time that the collar is added.

Notice the I cord binding which is knit in all at the same time and the collar.  Now to begin the left side.

The needle to pointing to the front side and I corded buttonholes.

From Fleece to Wool I Hope!!

So now to spin.  A friend has Dorset sheep with lovely coats.  She asked if I'd like the wool and since I had the time (who I'm I kidding) thought it would be a fun thing to do.  Wash, comb, card and spin some wool... Well at least some of the washing is complete... the wonder of the Internet, enabling me to watch a video teaching me how to cleanse the fleece while I was washing it.  Mind you I have done this before on a teeny tiny scale.  When in college my Primitive Weaving course began with the professor handing each of us a handful of unwashed fleece..from which we were expected to create a finished product, all using primitive tools.. even had to make our own spindles and loom.  Loved the project back then, but I can see that this is going to be a lot to do...why now that I look at this beautiful white wool  ...I'm realizing I'm going to have a TON of yarn!!!

Enjoying the craft and workmanship

I have always wanted to crochet a bedspread. Crochet is where my interest in fiber began. It always seemed such a task..yet I have the materials in my stash.   This is not my work, bit it is lovely and a wonderful bargain ..less then $20 at a local garage sale.. It needed a touch of loving care, delicately washed and sun dried.  There are a few loose chains that need repair, but overall this is a beautiful piece.  Ecru in color and not a mark on it.   Probably stored in a cedar chest waiting for a special guest to visit.   I decided a few years ago that nothing should be tucked away waiting to be enjoyed.  So out came the silver (a gift from my brother) and any other items in my cedar chest that could be used and enjoyed everyday.  This coverlet is laying across my quest room bed.  I'm just waiting for my guests.

Knit One Knit All #4

Total pink and bulky --This next hat is shaped with shortrows and will be woven together top to bottom. (notice the blue yarn, that's the provisional cast on) What is really nice about working in the Bulky yarn is that no short row holes can be seen, and that's even without knitting the wrapped stitch.   A super quick project- this is the work of one afternoon.

The top of the hat is on the left and you can see the levels where the hat increased in size across the right side and the middle (center of photo) less increased