Lost Control -Well not completely

When I sat at the computer today to write a post, the first thought that came to mind was that I just have too many projects started....I lost Control!

Some items in the photo are just a few steps from completion -- weave in a strand or sew on buttons. Others are half finished and some are really just me designing- make a sample swatch or knitting a shawl as I design it.   There is crochet and knitting in the mix.  Charity and gifts.

And did you notice the lovely bags to hold my projects.
(Thanks Katie and Brenda)

Now I could beat myself up about this situation, but the truth of the matter is I need diversity.   I need to have different skill level projects to meet the needs of knitting gatherings..you know it's best to have a mindless project when you knit at Murphy's Pub.  You understand, just in case a cool beer or Margarita fits the bill that day.   

(as an aside, this has been the hottest summer ever).  

How many projects do you have started?   

I have 9. .  No wait, where is that beautiful chevron scarf with the Spanish Yarn????

San Sebastian--Yarn shop Established in the early 1900"s

What a charming shop.  Our tour guide in San Sebastian took us to all the beautiful sites in this city on the Bay of Biscay.  As we walk to one of the many parks, I asked if she knew of a yarn shop in town.   Well of course Eskerne (eskerne@discoversansebastian.com) did know of a place, she knows all the places to go in San Sebastian.   So we walked to this shop, just around the corner.  Large space with classroom, sitting area and many yarns and notions.   I loved it and I guess I was beaming because in addition to the lovely yarns, gadgets and patterns I purchased, the owner threw a few goodies into my bag.   She was very proud of the shop and of the fact that the shop had been located in the same place and running successfully for the last 110 years!!!!  Wow.   Now all I need to do is return to this beautiful city and find that shop again.   It is near Plaza de Guipuzcoa.  

A little bit a breakfast in San Sebastian

Knitting down South- Biltmore and a train ride through the Smoky Mountains

The Biltmore Estates is a wondrous place.  Visited at the end of May (2016) and found myself in a truly beautiful part of the United States.  The amazing structure, gorgeous landscapes and beautiful gardens..

Biltmore Green House

Biltmore House Gardens

Smokey Mountain Railway Ride

We took a train ride through the Smokey Mountains, stopped to enjoy the river...and sat to knit a bit. 

Catching up: A collection of Seamlessly Simple Knit Sweaters

The ballet slippers are done in a duplicate stitch.   

Adding the finishing touch to bands--Ribbon

Grosgrain ribbon adds a finishing touch to sewing on a zipper in knitted items.   It not only adds a nice look to the inside but it adds to the durability and security of the stitches in the garment.
That ribbon hides yarn ends and any hand stitches that may not be perfect.

What you need:
1. Grosgrain ribbon - measure twice the length of the band Plus 5 "

2. Matching thread to the ribbon...  Perhaps your sweater is blue but you are using a white ribbon.   You will need the ribbon color thread.  

3.  Needle, pins (long quilting pins are best) and scissors.   Thimble if you use one is helpful, especially sewing through ribbon.


Step 1 Pinning-
A. Cut the ribbon in half.

B. Position the ribbon so that you have enough on either end (top and bottom) to fold over to the zipper top and bottom.

The ribbon should be positioned to cover the hand stitches on the zipper and can overlap the knitted surface.  

Pin the remaining ribbon down, covering the hand stitches.

Step 2 Sewing-

Using a whip small stitch, stitch the the ribbon to the zipper band and the sweater.   Your stitches should not be visible on the ribbon.

Eliz Zimmerman for the Twins

It's so easy to be creative with the Baby Surprise Jacket.   The identical twins are not dressed in identical outfits, so I used a variety of colors, added a little fun fur and cute buttons for these sweaters.   

Time Flies….

Never thought that time would fly by so quickly and that it's been almost a year since my last post…It's not like I haven't been knitting.  Well I did take a brake after that knitting injury.   You know what I mean… when you have that huge project to finish and the stitches are bunched on the needles and your hands are so tight because you are trying to not let the little stitches fall off the needles, even though you switched to circulars (2 sets of 60"'s) and it's too late cause your thumb muscles are frozen…well you get the picture.  I didn't pick up a needle for 4 months.

Even with "the injury", I have had a very productive knitting year and have been frugal also.  Only splurged at Stitches West.   Oh yeah, I did visit ImagKnit in San Francisco, but that was a daughter day and she picked a pattern and yarn, so it doesn't count (right??)
Glad to be back.. I promise I will post the events of the past year and also new stuff for this year.