Tag: fabric works

Frustration

I’m a little frustrated with the blogging software right now.  I’m sure it’s the learning curve and that I’ll figure it out soon.  However, if someone knows WordPress and would like to help me figure out how to get my Blogroll to show on the left hand side or to have my Ravelry Progress bars show up, I’d appreciate it.

I’m about to head out to Stitches Midwest, but before I go I want to announce some winners.  I have three winners from the Finish-a-long Contest.  The first winner is getting a skein of Yarni sock yarn.  It’s beautifully soft yarn dyed in St. Paul, MN.  I only know of one store that carries this yarn, and that’s the Yarnery on Grand
Ave.  This skein goes to Diane, for finishing 12 projects over the course of the contest.

The next winner is getting this book, The Queensland Collection Book: Jane Ellison #3.  Sorry for the crummy picture, for some reason I took the photo with my phone instead of the camera.  Rookie mistake.  This is donated by Barb at Fabric Works.  Thanks Barb!!

The book is going to Lisa for having finished the oldest project.  Lisa, send me your address and I’ll get this out to you when I get back from Stitches.

There is one more prize, but you’ll have to wait until next week for that.  If you haven’t emailed me a list of what you finished, there’s still time.  You have until Monday.  I forgot my list of contest participants back at the office.  The prize is pretty yarn donated by Fabric Works.  Also coming next week will be some finished object pictures.  I finished one in time to be counted in the contest and one I just finished last night.

Opening Ceremonies

Just in case our friends thought I couldn’t get any dorkier, I managed to prove them wrong last night during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.  Not only did I arrive late because I was at Fabric Works for the official Cast On Party, but I managed to comment on all the wonderful knitwear the Olympians were wearing. 

There was some seriously cool designs and I can’t wait to see how fast knitters will come up with their own patterns for these. 

The US Olympic reindeer hat can be found at www.cleverknits.com or Ravelry link’d here. Those clever knitters figured out a chart right away and whipped one up before the Opening Ceremonies. 

 

Now I’m waiting for the Olympic Sweater pattern.  You can go here to Ralph Lauren and buy your own sweater for $425, but I think this is well worth knitting on your own.  I’m pretty sure with a copy of Barbara Walkers Treasury of Knitting or a Harmony Stitch Guide you could figure out the Celtic Knot design pretty easily.  The arms are just a repeat of the center stitch panels.  Made with Cascade 220 or a Garn Studio yarn, it would be nice and sturdy.  The Ralph Lauren sweater is a wool/cashmere mix… mmmm.  The perfect winter sweater.  If you decide to design this sweater, be sure to let me know.  It’s definitely going to be in my knitting future! 

Sign Up Now for the Knitting Olympics

My Knitting Olympics Project:  Slinky Ribs from Custom Knits – knit in Mirasol Nuna, 40% merino, 40% silk, 20% bamboo.

If you’re from the area and haven’t yet signed up for the Knitting Olympics, there’s still time.  I know of 2 shops in the area that are hosting events.  If you know of others, email me and I’ll post about them. 

Yarn Harbor, Duluth MN

If you want to join us for Team Yarn Harbor, you must sign up at the shop before Friday, February 12.  You cannot cast on until the Opening Ceremonies, but you can swatch (after all, training is key!)  The goal is to finish by the Closing Ceremonies. 
• We will give you a 15% discount on your Olympic project supplies at time of sign up.

In Store Events:
Opening Ceremonies Cast On:
Friday, February 12, 5-9 p.m.
Second Wind at the Pajama Party:
Friday, February 19, 5-10 p.m.
Home Stretch: Sunday, February 28,
12-5 p.m.

 

Fabric Works, Superior, WI

Join us for a special event at Fabric Works.

A. We will have 3 possible events to choose from:
1. Pick a knitting project that you can start and finish in the 17 days of the Winter Olympics. Pick one that will be a bit of a challenge for you. You may swatch ahead of time but cannot cast on until the lighting of the torch.
2. Finish unfinished projects that you have started. Completely finished all ends woven in and blocked! As many as you can complete!
3. Join “Team Jessica” to compete in the baby hat competition. The hats will be donated at the end.

B. We will have an opening event on Friday, Feb. 12th from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm. At that time you will receive a small gift bag for your participation.

C. Open knitting hours during the Olympics are as follows:
Saturday, Feb. 13, 1 – 4 pm
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 5 – 7 pm
Wednesday, Feb.17, 11 am – 3 pm
Thursday, Feb. 18, 5 – 8 pm
Saturday, Feb 20, 1 – 4 pm
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 5 – 7 pm
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 11 am – 3 pm
Thursday, Feb. 25, 5 – 8 pm
Saturday, Feb. 27, 1 – 4 pm

D. Closing Ceremonies – Sunday, Feb. 28th, 2 – 4 pm. – Bring your finished “events” and receive your prize! Join us in an international potluck just for fun!

Entry Fee: 1 beautiful skein of yarn from your stash and one international dish for the potluck. We will have signup sheets at the shop for the potluck so there can be some variety. If you don’t have a stash of yarn, you may purchase a beautiful skein of yarn at 20% off the regular price to donate for prizes.

Please try to sign up ahead of time so we know how many gift bags we need.
715-392-7060

 

Incognito

No, I haven’t been hiding out, or going incognito, we were hit with a major wave of sickness at our house during the last week in December.  Between that, a short week at work and a trip to the cabin, the blog has been a little neglected.  So I appologize. 

The good news is that there has been lots of knitting going on in the Big Blue House (well, technically most of it happened at the cabin since the kids spent the weekend with Gram and Gramps).  I’ve put buttons on a baby sweater that I had promised someone weeks ago.  I’m working on another brown Unoriginal Hat, I started a scarf, I started an adult sweater, and I will be finishing up a pair of slippers (hopefully) tonight as well as putting buttons on another baby sweater.  Wow, are you tired?  Because that whole thing makes me tired when I look at it that way.  On the flip side, it means lots of fodder for the blog.  I might even have a spinning post coming up soon!! 

So here’s the details on the hat seen above.  That’s Lil’ that’s modelling for me.  She’s got a tiny head, but the hat was made extra long, just in case.

Pattern:  The Boyfriend Hat

Needles: Size 8 US

Yarn:  Mission Falls 136 Merino Superwash, bought at Fabric Works in Superior. 

Modifications:  The only thing I did was add stripes in a contrasting color.  This is the second hat I’ve made this fall for my nephew.  The first hat I did with an entire skein of one color of Mission Falls, however my sister didn’t feel it covered enough of his ears.  So this one I made sure would be absolutely long enough and would cover him until adulthood.  To be fair, the kid does have a big noggin.  I always make him an adult size and he’s only 5 1/2! 

Keeping Up With the Joneses

I’ve never really considered myself a trendy person.  It’s not like I’m lagging far behind the times, I just don’t feel the need to run out and buy the latest skinny jeans or whatever is new this week. 

So why is it, that when it comes to the flu, my family needs to keep up with the Joneses?  We’re on Day 3 of Addie being sick.  Technically, I suppose it’s day 2.5, but who’s keeping track?  Fever, stomach ache, body aches, cough, extreme tireness.  Ugh.  The poor kid is miserable.  She missed her Halloween party at school today.  Although she was sad about it last night, she really just didn’t have the energy to get too upset about it. 

I’m going on less than the normal amount of sleep today, and when I get like this I feel the need to organize.  So here’s a run down of the projects I’m working on.  In my defense, I’m getting ready for Christmas.  Yes, it’s only October, but a knitter has to get going early or she’ll never finish. 

1.  Socks for Oma

2.  Cabled Scarf for Richard (my husband’s aunt asked me to make a scarf for her son for Christmas)

3.  Sweater for ___________ in Debbie Bliss Merino

4.  February Lady Sweater for ___________ in ___________ yarn.  (You don’t think I’m going to spill all my secrets do you?  Not started yet.

5.  Wisp (no intended recipient yet)

6.  Slippers for Sharon

7.  Branching Out Scarf for my sister.  Technically this isn’t a Christmas gift.  It’s a swap from 2 years ago.  She agreed to make me a bag if I would make her a scarf.  I bought the fabric.  She bought the yarn.  I just got the bag, so I think it’s time for me to break out the scarf and work on it again.  It’s got some bad memories associated with the scarf, so I may have to rethink the pattern. 

The completely bag – fabric purchased at Fabric Works in Superior.