You Had Me at Mystery!

This a Mystery KAL for a semi-circular. top-down shawl, designed by  Maria Rosa Spighetti

There will be 3 clues, scheduled as follows:

March, 11 — clue 1
March, 18 — clue 2 
March, 25 — clue 3

This clues version will be free until March, 27 when the full pattern will be released.

Happy knitting!

Frida's Crochet Flower Blanket

Isn't this the prettiest flower basket you have ever seen?  I"m so in awe of this crochet work, which is the handiwork of Jane Crowfoot

What magical needlework................

Jane has designed a new Crochet Along project in association with UK based yarn company Stylecraft. Following the phenomenal success of the Lily Pond CAL project in 2015 the new project will be starting soon!

The new project is called Frida’s Flowers Blanket is inspired by Mexican Folk Art and the colourful dresses worn by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Created in Classique Cotton on 50g balls, this blanket is a combination of 12 rich, intense shades that you will use to make Jane’s exquisite floral designs.

The project is aimed at those looking to improve their skills rather than complete beginners.

Published in 8 fortnightly installments over 4 months all the patterns will be available to download for free from the Stylecraft Web site from Tuesday 5th April

For more information, see: Stylecraft

One Lazy Knitter

I'm one lazy knitter when it comes time to put my needles back in their proper place!

I just place them in one of my container folders, until next time,

I sort through them then

Well, the other day--as I was procrastinating, I decided to sort the needles

according to size--now, isn't that a novel idea!

needles are in their proper envelope in the proper folder

until next time when I finish knitting.................. 

Weaving Innovations Collection

Our March meeting of weavers opened a 'can of worms' when we began to discuss our next topic of study for 2016-17.  There was interest in Bateman Weaves and Echo and Iris Weaves--we were divided--what should it be?

"Dr. William G. Bateman left a legacy of manuscripts he wrote while exploring new weave structures/systems in his retirement years. After his death, his daughter recognized the importance of his work. Virginia Harvey took on the task of publishing his work which resulted in six monographs published in the 1980 s by the Shuttle Craft Guild. This work remains largely unknown or unexplored in the weaving world, and CW has heretofore not had a study group devoted to the Bateman Weaves. Linda Davis and Wanda Shelp formed the Bateman Weaves Study Group in 2010 as co-leaders. The group began in 2011 with Monograph Thirty Seven, Park Weaves, and has subsequently studied all additional five monographs. We have determined sufficient interest to continue with the group at least through 2016 where we will begin again with Park Weaves."  complex weavers  

 Marian Stubenitsky is the author of this fascinating book.  A new book of weaving, explaining many different weaves that can be made in echo- or parallel threading. A unique project, never before published as a book.  Our own shop owner, Tracy, had been corresponding with Marian regarding this weave structure.  Tracy wanted to have some samples on hand for her booth at Convergence.  Marian doesn't sell her pieces but she found other weavers in her area that would supply Tracy with wovens.  The following are the scarves that Tracy received...................What do you think?

Echo and Iris weaving

Sesame Street Moment

Did you watch Sesame Street with your kids?  Or maybe, you just liked to watch it yourself.

Remember, the game--which one of these are not like the other?

Well, I have this problem with my blocks

I'm pressing away on my 20 red center blocks and 30 gold center blocks,

When I come to this block--something didn't look right...........

no kidding--The upper right side is wrong!

WRONG!

Do the frog thing--rip it, rip it, rip it............

Weavers' March

It was another great Weavers' meeting--a perfect way to begin our March.

When it's time for show & tell--we are all ears and eyes

on the presentations.

I think this is the best way to learn from each other.

Rosemary had been absent for awhile, but when she returns

she has the most interesting things to show off

Here is her summer challenge for state project.

Spun corn silk!  Yes, the silks that wrap corn on the cob!

She had a gourd that she lined with fiber pieces and crouched with

pine needles

Rustic--she polished with brown shoe polish

We have seen this in progress--eco dyed wool squares

but she has assembled them into a wonderful cloth

And an interesting way to dye--turkey cloth!

oh yes, Rosemary comes up with clever ways to challenge our

imagination--this was the cloth draped over the Thanksgiving turkey

as she basted the turkey throughout the day--

who would have thought you could get this!

Susan had finished knitting this soft and lovely shawl for a friend;

before she sent it off, we were able to see and handle

pattern is Nurmilintu by Heidi Alander

This is a free pattern on Ravelry.

Marion had woven shawl to present--some design elements--she asked how to

use these 'mistakes' to her benefit--we had many suggestions for her.

I actually liked the 'design element' left as is.

Scharine had an exciting show & tell.

She has just returned from Jordan and

she had many weavings from her trip to

tell us about

This was a lease stick made for her while there.

She doesn't know much about the holes or notches due

to communication problem

Very interesting indeed

Her purchased rug--is not woven but twined!  Oh joy!

Twining!  She tried this technique and said it wasn't for her--

or me!

We've had some discussion about tea towels since our February meeting

when we had so many wonderful towels to investigate from Charlene's 

(check out February post)

Connie decided to weave the structure with the draft she had from

Small Webs Book--out of print.

Okay, Charlene--you have us excited about our weaving once again!

 

Here was Connie's draft--

Jana's Hat

Jana's Hat is the perfect vehicle to use up all those small bits of sock yarn.  I'm a real sucker for this type of pattern.  I've knit a standard hat pattern (Gap Hat--August-Sept, 2011) but it's always nice to have a different technique to use in knitting these hats.  So, check out Hedgehog Fibers website to find this free pattern.

I also found this She Makes Hats Blog--okay, I do think  we are on a hat binge again!

Plume Panel

by Kali Berg  

check for this one on Ravelry

Okay, until next time--keep those needles clicking!