Hooked on Lace

Hooked on Lace?! Guess there could be a worse thing to be hooked on, but I'm definitely hooked on knitting lace.   I'm finding there is alot to like about lace.  First--not all yarns make good lace knitting

Mini Mochi yarn from Crystal Palace Yarns is a single yarn and since it was in my 'stash' and we are trying to use up our stashes--right?- I thought I would use it for this latest pattern from Rachel Henry, a mystery KAL==Capriole.  You can find it at Ravelry

It was a fun knit and I didn't want the pattern to end!  I was ready to knit and knit more, but then the mystery was solved and knitting ceased.

Laid out on the carpet to block--it is a lovely pattern, but I would use a lace weight yarn to knit next time.

And then there was this one Misty Meadows Shawl from Cindy Garland

This was another stash yarn==the variegated yarn is two ply handspun wool/silk blend.  It worked nicely on the lace portion.  The other yarn is mohair blend.  It is one of those yarns I have plenty of in my stash.  I bought it when it was on sale and thought at the time " this could be useful in the future".  It is certainly years in the future, a very well aged yarn!

This was the first time I have knit a border--never thought I would like doing this, but it was rather enjoyable.  Really like the way the handspun lined up in stripes on the border.

CRAFTSY

I'm so in love! Yes! in love with this website:

Craftsy

This website allows me to see, hear and experience many of my favorite designers in the fiber industry. I'm able to take them with me everywhere I go................and learn from each one on my own time schedule--whether it's 3 AM or 8 AM or 10 PM. My classes are always within reach--through the internet! And if you need to rewind--the button is right there!!

At the present time, I'm learning about double knitting--one technique I thought I would never use, but then when these names popped up with classes, I was IN!

Alasdair Post-Quinn, Cambridge, MA learned double-knitting, a technique which can be used to make knitted fabric with no wrong side. He has written a book entitled "Extreme Double-Knitting" which was published in October of 2011 on Cooperative Press.

Lucy Neatby is leading a class in Adventures in Double Knitting. Lucy with her quirky hair color and lovely accent keeps your attention on the screen. Lucy is a technical knitter, who loves to find out why things work. Her approach to design is heavily influenced by whatever technique is currently absorbing her. She has a different way of describing how knitting works.

So, needless to say, I'm so IN on this technique.

Don't think there isn't anything but knitting at Craftsy.com--there is sewing, cake decorating, quilting, spinning, dyeing, home decor, cheese making--oh, my gosh! so many wonderful things to learn! Check them out! Each week there is a sale on some classes--and who doesn't like a sale?!
Now, back to my double knitting class.................................

Guild House, Contemporary Handweavers of Houston Home

A good day! A day spent with fellow fiberists! Our monthly spinning group usually meets in private homes but this day we met at the Guild House, Contemporary Handweavers of Houston space for learning and sharing. As usual we had much to share.

Rosemary brought along her handspun yarn that she purchased from Stringtopia

70% Tussah Silk, 20% fine wool, 10% cashmere.  She plied the singles with a fine thread (white you see)

Rosemary also had this birthday batt

"Mary Queen of Scots"  95% merino, 3% tussah silk, 1% anglina, 1% sari silk

We all doodled over this lovely yellow silk/merino blend that Connie was spinning

It brought the sunshine into the room

Her prize winning skein 

Practice skeins--boucle'

Delicious!!

The Guild House also hosts weavers with warped looms--great place to sit and weave up your pattern.

Anita was weaving towels for her hall bath.  Last month she brought in a photo that she wanted to pick up colors from; warped the loom and now is weaving in plain weave two towels to accent her bath.

Sharla, a fairly new weaver, was warping this loom to make a shawl

Other looms warped in the studio was this one set up for towels

This will be a scarf

Hanging the draft within eye sight is a good idea

Color Gamps recently completed and waiting for some handwork

A walk around the other looms to view their progress

Weave drafts handy

And after a morning of work, it is time to share some lunch as we chat.  The Guild House is a great space.  Check it out sometime.

And Many More!!

We continue with our tour through West Houston Quilt Guild April Show. Everyone of the quilts hanging were winners in my book!

I've always been fascinated by house quilts.  This one was made and quilted by Dianne Kuper

"Friendship Houses" 

As I was viewing this quilt, two other quilters came up and explained this quilt, which was an exchange among the bee members.  It is always interesting to hear first hand from the ones involved in making such a grand display.

"A Quilter's Dream" by Maureen McPherson

"Seasons" by Cynthia Regone, quilted by Cynthia and Jane Pisga

Embroidery pattern by Kathy Schmitz

"Tuesday Morning Friends Quilt of Valor"

Made by Gale Davis and quilted by Barb Knoblock

"Kansas Stars" by Nancy Gomer, quilted by Valerie DeRuiter

Gypsy Moth Rose workshop by Cynthia Regone was the inspiration for this quilt

"Check out at Noon" by Naomi Harrington, quilted by Sue Corbett

This quilt was made for her guest room--nice warm inviting quilt!

"Stars at Night" by Lynn Ellis, quilted by Quilt 'n Sew

Lynn likes bright colors on black backgroun so she participated in Quilt 'n Sew's 2012 Saturday Sensation days.

"Tropical Flora" created by Sallye Hodge, who also did the quilting

Pattern is from "Quilts of Paradise" by Cynthia Tomaszewski

"Rainbow Stars" made and quilted by Valerie De Ruiter

This was from quiltfest class taught by Debbie Caffrey from her book "Another Can of Worms"

Submitted by Kathy Johnson and quilted by Kathy is "Itty Bitty Blooming 9 Patch"

Pattern by Blanche Young

"Christmas Diamonds" by Elaine Mason

Adapted pattern by Kim Templin to learn the use of the Double Diamond ruler

"430 Duncans" by Gale Davis, tribute to Duncan Yo-yos

Pattern by Terri Atkinson of Atkinson Designs.  Gale enjoyed using a yo-yo maker

I'm sorry to say, I've lost the names of the next few photos.  These quilts took my fancy while I was walking through the gallery--so, just take a walk with me and admire the handiwork of these quilters

There were so many delightful quilts this year at the show.  It certainly would benefit the group if they documented each and every show.