Yarn choice for Anisos - guest blogger Andrea

Happy (almost) New Year!  I'm excited to be, once again, joining the New Year KAL.  I'm really looking forward to beginning.  The pattern is stunning and I've chosen a yarn that I have not previously knit with.  I love the color and can't wait to start casting on those 735 picots (I'm knitting the largest size).  See you in 2017!!

ANISOS YARN - guest blogger Tracey

My yarn choice for the Anisos wasn't hard
to make. I have been saving two skeins of
The Fibre Company's Meadow in Gentian Violet
because I love this yarn and can't think of a better
person to use it for than my Mama.

I am going to knit the second largest size as I have
1090 yards and I want to use every last gram that
I can.

2016 was the year of socks for Christmas gifts
and I have decided 2017 will be the year of
the Shawl.

My Stonecrop Journey - Slow and Steady, Respite and Refuge : guest blogger Jenny

I've just started the 4th repeat of the center block!  Finally :-)

This Stonecrop wrap has a lot knitted into each painstaking row.  Let me tell you more... Just prior to casting on my father-in-law passed away.  He was elderly and suffered with Alzheimer's for many years.  It was hard, but a blessing. 

Since casting on, we've lost a cousin to pancreatic cancer, experienced the outrageous joy of welcoming our first grandchild, said goodbye to our son who embarked on a year-long trip around the world, moved out of our home and are in the midst of a 3-month remodel, and I'm in the middle of a pretty significant job change.

I don't have a lot of time to knit.  But when I do, this Stonecrop has been an incredible refuge - a place to disappear for a bit, focus on the soothing repetition of the pattern, and give me a little mental space to process all that life has given me.  It's been relief, a harbor, and continuity.  In each row are the events of the past 6 weeks.  It will be a wrap that represents a lot of significant moments for me and as I wear it in the future (maybe 2017 at the rate I'm going???) I will remember the gift it was to have this piece to knit and help me navigate this exciting life.

I am using Brooklyn Tweed LOFT in Faded Quilt, purchased at Tolt Yarn and Wool in Carnation, WA.

Finally Casting On! ~ Guest Blogger Sue

Finally getting around to casting on for my Stonecrop. I am using Brooklyn Tweed Loft in Soot. I love this yarn, having used it last year to knit Ludlow. It is nice and organic and tweedy, and I like the stitch definition. Softens up with blocking to a very pleasing knitted piece. 

I am so happy to be knitting lace again. I have always loved Jared's mix of lace with tweedy yarn. I really like working with charts, since it goes more quickly for me than written directions. I will definitely be making the longer version of this pattern. 

The only tip I have so far is that I am tying a knot in the tail of the provisional cast on yarn each time I complete a pattern repeat for the bottom border. Keeps me from having to write it down or count when I come back to it. Looking forward to seeing everyone's progress.  Thanks Melissa, for organizing everything!

FLOOD'S FLOCK 2015 KAL - by guest blogger Andrea

Hi Flockers
     I have posted about my finished "Ludlow" over on Ravelry.  I lovingly refer to it as "FLUDLOW".  I do love this project and the yarn was a dream to work with.  It really gives the wrap a rustic and authentic look.  I'm so pleased with it.  It was so cozy when the weather was cold.  Until then it makes a lovely table runner.
                                                     

     My pictures are a little bit weird but I chose them because the stitch definition shows up so well with the sun/shade.  It is such a gorgeous pattern.
     I'm queueing up "Girasole" for my next project.  I loved seeing the others and have some Plucky yarn set aside for it.  I'll share it when it's finished.


http://www.ravelry.com/projects/aksaxton/ludlow

FINAL(LY) POSTING STREUSEL PICS - GISC BIRTHDAY KAL 2015 - by guest blogger Andrea

Please drop on over to Ravelry and view my pictures of the Streusel shawl. Sorry that it has taken me so long to post these, but life has stepped to the head of the line and I couldn't argue.  This was really a fun project, I love my yarn, and I wear this little beauty a lot.  Happy Spring to you all and Happy Knitting!

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/aksaxton/streusel

Goalsetting - guest blogger Steph

I have been working on my Ashby the past few days and have started to get some traction. It is really nice to see some progress on the piece, I think I might finish the  border edging this weekend. While I know I should focus on finishing the thing in its entirety, I have to be honest all I want to do at the point is to finish the edging. I am just ready for a break from traveling cables. It has been fun, it has been a challenge and I have gotten to use a new skill I have picked up along the way (cabling without a needle).


So that's all for now. As soon as this goal is reached I will set a new one for myself and post pictures of the progress that has been made.

Ludlow Progress ~ Guest Blogger Sue

I am starting the second repeat of my Ludlow.  This has been a slower knit than I had anticipated. I breeze along until I get to the Moss stitch section, which slows me down considerably! I have 8 skeins of Loft, and hope to have enough to finish. Really loving the pattern and stitch definition I am getting with the Loft.

I am finding a row counter to be especially helpful with this pattern. Also, I love the charts for the Diamond sections. I use a long Post-It note that I have taped together, and move it up a row at a time. I am then able to quickly glance at the chart, making sure I stay on the correct row! 

Have really enjoyed seeing everyone's projects so far! Happy Knitting, and stay warm!

STONECROP:: GUEST BLOGGER TRACEY~CLOVER

My first Christmas gift for 2015
is complete, wrapped and waiting
until December to be mailed. I
loved knitting Stonecrop, really
I did. The charts were easy to follow
and like all of Jared's patterns the
end result is a treasure.  Thanks
for hosting another great KAL, it
was a blast.

Turning a Corner - guest blogger Steph

So I may have become a KAL addict. In my attempt to focus more on using my stash and less on buying yarn I have signed myself up to 3 KALs(this one is included).  I can't seem to help myself.

The good news is that I am turning a corner both figuratively and literally on the Ashby on I  did the short row turn and am on to Chart D. I don't know if my gauge is off or if this is going to grow a bit  but it seems a bit small to me. It will be fun to watch  and see what happens. I'm headed on a yarn-cation next week to see the "Interpretations 2" trunk show next weekend in Portland and take a couple classes with Joji; I'm hoping I can make some good traction on my Ashby.

STONECROP:: GUEST POST BY TRACEY~ CLOVER

Slowly, but surely my Stonecrop is
growing. I am now beginning the
seventh repeat, leaving only two more to
go before I can begin the top border. I
had planned to knit twelve repeats, but
this is a Christmas gift for my sister who
is a little on the short side ;) [ I'm two inches
taller] and I don't want it to be too long.
I am already trying to decide what color
I want to knit for myself.

Well, crap. - guest blogger Lesley

The good news is that I'm really, really close to finishing Girasole.  I've sucked it up and cranked out the knitted on edging as though I don't know what the word "boredom" means.

Now for the "Oh, crap" part.

I was working along yesterday afternoon, hoping to have Girasole ready for the blocking mats today, when I realized - I don't have very much yarn left at all.  In fact, I may not have enough to finish!  I got down to 22 edge stitches when the yarn ran out.  So close!!!

I'm currently waiting for Scarlet (Huckleberry Knits) and the wonderful folks at Northwest Handspun to give me a call to let me know if there's any more Merino/Yak/Silk in Browncoat in the area that I can get for love or money (preferably money).  If the answer is no, I'll need to deconstruct Girasole and re-knit her on slightly smaller needles.

I can't say that it would break my heart to have to do this.  The Girasole pattern has gone very quickly and has been fun to knit.  The yarn is lovely as well, and it certainly wouldn't qualify as torture to knit with it again.  So maybe I'm not so close to finishing, after all.

Lesson of the day:  If your pattern calls for 1200 yards, and the skein says 400 yards - you had better have more than 3 in your stash!!

To console myself while waiting for the phone to ring, I've cast on for Ludlow and worked the first 20 rows of moss stitch.  It's quite a relaxing knit so far - just back and forth, knit and purl.

Size 7 needles are giving me a fabric density that I like with the Felted Tweed, so I'll stick with that size.  The gauge is about 4.5 per inch unstretched.  It should easily give me the finished measurement without too severe a blocking.

I hope you're all enjoying this fantastic rainy Friday - perfect for knitting, hot tea, and audiobooks!

Change of Heart - Guestblogger Maria

Just a quick post to let you all know that I quit Stonecrop and will now be knitting Ludlow instead. Knitting from charts is just a bit too much for me at the moment and I am feeling more comfortable with written patterns, also my yarn did not show up the pattern very well.
Here's to new beginnings!

Never too late... guest bloggers Carolyn & Penny

Carolyn and I had our photo shoot today, thanks to her hubby, Gordon. He's such a good sport. Streusels were a pleasure to knit. So much that C has started another. These were a KAL to celebrate "Girls in Sheep Clothing... and a few boys, too" 5-year anniversary -- back in July. We might be slow, be we're persistent.

Indecision ~ Guest Blogger Sue

To say I am indecisive, is putting it mildly. I was so thrilled when Melissa and Kelli announced the Floods Flock KAL! What a great idea! Yet, for someone like me, who has trouble making a choice, it can be agonizing.

Initially, I decided to knit Stonecrop. I hastily ordered some Loft in Sweatshirt from Loop, in Philadelphia. Great customer service, by the way. It was at my door in two days!  I wound the yarn and cast on with the zeal and glee that comes from a new project. But after knitting the bottom border, I wasn't thrilled with the fabric I was getting. Maybe I just like my lace to be a little lighter. Love the yarn, love the pattern, just not what my needles were producing. So, I stalled a little.

Then, Kelli posted her gorgeous Ludlow!! I was in love! I had originally thought that was the pattern I wanted to make, but had chosen Stonecrop since I love lace.  So, I ripped out what I had done, and immediately cast on for Ludlow! It's just the kind of knit I need right now. Back and forth, soothing knitting. I will also admit, I was not thrilled with having to keep track of two charts at once with Stonecrop. Probably for a time when my mind is not so scattered.

Absolutely loving this project so far! Also love all the other projects I have seen so far!

Girasole shawl - guest blogger Lesley

I am SO late to the party!  I have good reasons, but more about that later.

I'm working on the shawl version of Girasole, using Huckleberry Knits merino/yak/silk blend in the Browncoat colorway.  It's a very lively tonal brown - not "flat" at all.  It's a little redder in the picture than in real life.

I've just finished chart D, and I'm halfway through the first repeat of chart E.  The pattern is really easy to follow, and the repeats are simple to remember as you go around.  As Melissa mentioned in an earlier post, at this size, she's getting hard to photograph!  Here's one side of the shawl:

I can hardly wait to start the edging and start "freeing" the shawl from the needles!  I have a long way to go, though - I'm just past the halfway point.  Last night was the first time I had noticed how long the rounds are getting - and they'll be getting even longer.  What a fun, fun project!  :~D

But, you know, one project is never enough.  I was so impressed with Andrea's, Kelli's, and Shari's Ludlows at knitting last week that I decided to pick up some added "motivation" to finish Girasole.  Once she's done, I'll be casting on for Ludlow in Rowan Felted Tweed.  I'm thinking size 7s ought to do.  I'll start swatching there, at any rate.

Now, about those "reasons" I mentioned earlier!  TPTB at my apartment community decided that last week was the perfect time to put new carpet in my apartment.  So, I had to pack all of my things up to be moved out while the carpet was installed.  All the "fun" of moving, without moving.  The new carpet is lower maintenance and a better color, but not very comfortable underfoot.  I see rugs in my future!

After the installation on Friday, I got to spend the weekend turning this...

...into this. (Notice Girasole ready for her close-up on the sofa!)  And that's just the stitching room.

I filled up the car twice with things for Goodwill, and I've already started setting aside knitting goodies for the silent auction at this year's retreat.  Did I mention all the "fun" of moving?   :~P

That was followed by a work conference in Portland on Monday and Tuesday.  No pictures, but believe me, I'm doing you a favor in that omission!

Then the Apartment Dieties descended again yesterday with new appliances!  I have a new range/oven, refrigerator, and washer/dryer.  The washer/dryer stack has a higher capacity than my old one, and the range has two (yes, TWO) large burners, instead of one.  (If you've ever tried to cook Thanksgiving Dinner on an apartment range, you know what a big deal this is!)

I'm looking forward to taking next week off and getting in some much-needed knitting time!  Hopefully there won't be any more major events at home while I'm off.  Getting new things is very nice, but I need a break.

Ashby reboot - guest blogger Juliann

 

I decided to switch yarn for my Ashby.  I love the charcoal but it was too dark.  My eyes were getting very tired from straining to see the pattern no matter how many lights I turned on.

I switched to another Berocco, Ultra Alpaca, in a washed denim color and the knitting is going much faster.  I am on my second B chart (out of 5) but best of all, with this lighter color, I can actually knit while we watch TV in the evening.   I am using a cable needle for the two stitch cables and I am feeling very confident now.  Love learning something new!

Gnome away from gnome ~ A Weekend on the Ice by guest blogger Kelly Lightbeam

We had a fun weekend on the ice!

We got our fish house moved out there, and all set up.

We even caught some fish! (5 tiny walleyes ~ 9" each)

We went out to breakfast....

At our favorite spot.

Love it up here in Mille Lacs, MN.  I know this post is heavy on Gnomes and light on knitting, but I did get quite a bit done, and am almost ready to make the turn on the border of my Ashby.  Also, I wanted to remind everyone that there's still time to vote on the name for the gnome.

edited by Mel to add the link for the voting : here it is!

Happy weekend, everyone!
Kelly Lightbeam

Morgen's Machair Stonecrop - guest blogger Morgen

Greetings all!

I am a bit late to the blogging party, but I did start my Stonecrop on the first.  I did the lower border and then set it aside to finish up my Fir Cone Wrap (Churchmouse pattern, linked here) of which I have about 30 yards left, then to attach the upper border and block.  The Fir Cone Wrap I have done in Jamieson's Ultra.  I had never worked with Ultra before; lovely stuff it is!

I keep looking at my Stonecrop and doubting my judgement on the needle size.  I went down a size as I usually do because I like my lace to be a little tighter, but then I keep second-guessing myself.  I've been picking up the border I've already done and looking at it, stretching it and then deciding I am quite happy with it as it is.  I have gotten very little knitting done in the past week, but my guys are both gone this weekend to an archery tournament so I will have plenty of time to myself  and will be able to make some headway.  I'll post again after a repeat or two.

Wishing you all a warm cup of cocoa and relaxing knitting!

**My yarn is some of that Scottish Designer's Hebridean 2-ply in the colorway Machair which is Gaelic for a low-lying grassy plain on the northwest coastlines of Ireland and Scotland and the Hebrides.

Knitting Ludlow - guest blogger WillyG

Knitting with great yarn is so satisfying.

It's a good thing, because this pattern is a bit of a stretch for me. It's not difficult, but it does require that I look at my work a lot more than multitasking permits. So much for movie knitting. (This project may actually help me live my dream of simpler living by reducing stimulation and slowing things down a bit.)

What has been trickiest is following the directions. I was using the written pattern to feed me directions stitch by stitch, but when I attended knit group I quickly realized I needed another strategy that would be more intuitive; after all, the pattern is not complicated. The front is not so difficult once the pattern is established; looking at the unfolding stitches reveals what comes next, and is easy to compare to the charts for a visual reference point. But the wrong side of the fabric presents more of a challenge, especially early in the diamonds section. My solution is to use a technique I had honed during the border of my recent Leaves of Grass border - to knit backwards, keeping the Right Side facing me the entire time, so that I could read the stitches more easily. It enabled me to keep knitting while listening and chatting with the new women that showed up this week. I still won't be able to look away much, but I don't have to be counting in my head on those wrong side rows.

Now that I have that figured out, all is right with the world. I am relishing knitting with Loft and feeling the fabric it creates.

Thank you all for the lovely comments on my last post. Here's to happy and healthy knitting on your projects!