Yarn Twist Problem................

I finally decided to begin on this knit along--love Toni Lorenz's patterns--

you can find her in "Knitting in the Loft" group on Ravelry.

I have been looking forward to this sampler--

I settled on my handspun "Phoebe" blend from Sky loom Weavers

It spun up beautifully!  knits up nice and soft--

One Problem!

I began the ruffle and look what's happening!  It's leaning to the right--

well, that's my fault!  I didn't set the twist in the yarn after I

spun  and plied it.  I just got excited to begin--wound it off

to ball and took it to needles--  when I saw this happening, I

immediately cut the yarn and skeined it off

After it's skeined, you can see how the twist

is uneven--mistakes can always be made when you

are spinning--and I've been spinning for 30+ years!

The object is to take the yarn off your bobbin, skein it

and have a perfectly balanced yarn--

Here's how I set the twist--I soak the yarn skeins in

warm water, wring them out and use two hangers to 

put weight on the skeins to set the twist--when

they dry--I'll be back in business!  to knit with

perfectly set yarn!

I settled on my handspun "Phoebe" blend from Sky loom Weavers

Victorian Knitalong

Well, I have two weeks under my knitting needles on this

interesting look at 19th century knitting.  Franklin Habit with

Markers Mercantile has given us a unique knitting experience.

the first clue--ugh!!  I ripped about 5 times before I finally

got what I was missing.  There are several videos on the

ravelry group's page--but, let me tell you--it wasn't 

easy to get those steps into my brain!

I even changed yarn three times--

Finally!!  I got it!  after the fifth time!

This is going to be really neat--waiting on the

next clue.

Boost Your Knitting

Arnall-Culliford Knitwear is hosting another year

to Boost Your Knitting skills.  I participated last year

and am looking forward to another round of

knowledge from these talented designers/knitters.

The techniques included are:

Brioche Knitting, including increases and decreases

Choosing colors for stranded colorwork

Tubular cast-on method in the round

Dip stitches

Double knitting, including decreases

Finishing techniques for toy knitting

Gusset short row heel for toe up socks

Intarsia in the round

Joining in yarns for colorwork

Marlisle

Tuck Stitches

The program begins March 1. You can also find their group

on Facebook and Ravelry

Now, For Something Completely Different--and Entertaining!

Enjoy!!

Spin Along--Knit Along

Beginning February 13, you can jump into

Namaste Farms/Redding Method will have a SAL and KAL-- this 5 week spinning and knitting extravaganza is being held so that people who don’t knit, can learn! The program has been expanded to include spinning yarn and dyeing a simple solid single too. All the instruction is FREE and will take place on their Facebook group, Redding Method.  If you knit but don’t spin,  you'll learn a simple method to make yarn on a chopstick.  If you crochet but don’t knit, you can learn to knit.  If you spin but don’t dye, you'll learn how to dye.  All you have to do is join and show up to Redding Method and get the relevant information such as links etc…

The ultimate goal of this project, besides inviting people to learn and become more skilled in fiber arts, is to have a finished project. The project we’re doing is a simple hat.  There will be at least 5 free patterns to choose from and those will be listed in Redding Method in the files section.

Sock Knitting......................

I've been sock knitting using this interesting yarn

--this pair (first sock of two)--I couldn't figure

out a way to knit both socks at the same time with this yarn--then

I watched the video and there is no way you can knit two socks as the same

time!  Problem solved for me!  It becomes mindless knitting--

the yarn is all you need to get two identical socks--that is--

if you watch the marked thread features.

Watch the video here

When speaking to another sockitter recently 

They suggest winding off the yarn from the end

To yellow marker and then the yarn would be ready to begin

This could be a solution to knitting 2 socks at 5he same time

Finished the first sock--easy peasy knitting!

Now, the second sock is begun--just had to pull

out the yarn till I reached the end of the yellow

marker--and cast on--how in the world did

they figure out the dyeing method??

It works!

It's time for Agatha February Read

Just a little late with this--doesn't matter, always a good read or watch on Netflix (confession--I did!)

Cards on the Table (1936)   This book is all about the game of Bridge

"lay one's cards on the table. Also, put one's cards on the table . Be open and honest, reveal one's position or intentions, as in John laid his cards on the table and told her how much they could afford . This expression alludes to showing the hand one holds."

What will I knit along with this book?  Hmmmm..

I'm thinking  nice lacy wrist warmers would work for a Bridge party.

This pattern is designed by Evelyn Clark