- Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:35:38 +0000: Contribute to our Charity Window – Warm Up America!
Share your skills with someone in need this year – Our Warm Up America window is here! Join Lion Brand Yarn Studio* and the nationwide network of crocheters and knitters who are helping to Warm Up America! From now through the end of November we will be collecting 7″ by 9″ afghan blocks. The blocks will be [...] - Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:38:02 +0000: Lily Chin Designer Talk: Now Accepting RSVPs
[ September 16, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] Lily Chin- Designer Talk & Book Signing Power Cables: The Ultimate Guide to Knitting Inventive Cables Thursday Sept 16th at 6:00 pm (this is the THIRD Thursday of the month) ALL CLASSES AND EVENTS TAKE PLACE AT: Lion Brand Yarn Studio 34 W. 15th Street New York, NY 10011 Join the one of a kind Lily Chin for an evening of [...] - Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:05:46 +0000: September Featured Yarn: Hometown USA
September’s featured yarn is Hometown USA TM. Made in the USA, Hometown USA comes in a wide range of 24 bright and primary colors, perfect for school and sports team colors. This easy-care yarn is machine washable and dryable, and works up quickly for fast knit and crochet projects. Each month we feature a different yarn and [...] - Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:53:47 +0000: Men’s Night, Sept 12 – Now Accepting RSVPS
[ September 12, 2010; 5:00 pm; ] MEN'S NIGHT AT THE STUDIO Sunday Sept 12th 5:00 - 7:00 pm ALL CLASSES AND EVENTS TAKE PLACE AT: Lion Brand Yarn Studio 34 W. 15th Street New York, NY 10011The second Sunday of each month belongs to the men! Join us for a relaxed evening of knitting & crocheting (sorry, no women allowed) :) HOW TO RSVP We [...] - Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:42:11 +0000: Featured LB Collection Project – September’s Knit Fitted Pullover
Introducing the Featured LB Collection Project! * Each month the Studio will feature a knit or crochet garment in our LB Collection. Buy all the yarn required to make that project and receive 10% off on that yarn. Purchase everything required for the project and receive 15% off your supplies. September’s Featured Project: Knit Fitted Pullover Receive 10% [...] - Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:32:59 +0000: “Look What I Made” – PATTEN S. LAUREL
Welcome to our regular Lion Brand Yarn Studio blog feature “Look What I Made”, where customers of the Lion Brand Yarn Studio, in New York City*, write about their projects. Have you taken a class at the Studio and then made a wonderful project? Do you have a Lion Brand Yarn project you want to [...] - Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:54:04 +0000: Fall / Winter Master Classes – Save the Date
ALL CLASSES AND EVENTS TAKE PLACE AT: Lion Brand Yarn Studio 34 W. 15th Street New York, NY 10011 Master Classes aren’t classes FOR masters, they are classes WITH masters! Don’t miss out on your opportunity to work with these amazing designers. Call the Studio or check the class page for information on pricing, prerequisites, materials and homework at 212-243-9070. This [...] - Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:36:40 +0000: Hyperbolic Crochet – What an Adventure!
Yarn and math . . . Last week we all felt a little smarter after Daina Taimina came to introduce us all to the fascinating world of Hyperbolic Crochet. Daina wrote the beautiful Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes. Not only is it a beautifully photographed, fabulously written book, but it also won the prestigious, “World’s Oddest [...] - Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:53:57 +0000: Flicks with Sticks: “And Then There Were None” Now Accepting RSVPs
[ August 26, 2010; 7:30 pm; ] FLICKS WITH STICKS AT THE STUDIO And Then There Were None Thursday Aug 26th, 7:30 pm ALL CLASSES AND EVENTS TAKE PLACE AT: Lion Brand Yarn Studio 34 W. 15th Street New York, NY 10011 The last Thursday of every month is FREE MOVIE NIGHT at the Studio! Every month we will feature a different movie [...] - Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:53:00 +0000: Accessorizing.
The needles are full lately. They aren't always being used, but I seem to be filling them up!
In this last month of pregnancy I've thankfully been getting small bursts of energy. Sadly this energy and concentration has not been used for knitting or spinning...more like rearranging the furniture, "stylizing" bookcases (like that needs to be done before the baby is born), reorganzing clothing/yarn/cupboards, cleaning, super cleaning, super duper cleaning (totally unnecessary)and weeding the garden. I think the only thing I haven't done is the garage...and I have no intention of doing it...well, not today.
I have managed to knit a little inbetween all of this (as well as when I'm playing words with friends, which is highly addictive).
This morning's evidence.
Newborn hats.
I suddenly remembered the sad tube of material tied with curling ribbon used on my boys at birth. Understandably, the hospitals don't have nicely handknit hats to give all the babies...but I should! I have been playing with some oddments of yarn to come up with the perfect one. There are some cute patterns out there. I made a couple of these, but obviously not in pumpkin colours. I've also come up with my own little birth beanie simple design. I'll post the pattern soon for those who want it. This one is currently on the needles. It needed either a handspun yarn...or something more rustic looking. I am using up some classic elite Moorland from my Redhook Sweater. I'll post pictures of the baby wearing them as soon as he pops out!
Dad's Birthday socks are finally on the needles.
I needed a small travelling project and it was time for socks! I am a little behind on these, as I am every year, with his birthday being last month. I thought that this was ok, being summer and all. Who wears wool socks in the summer...well, he does. At our last beach outing he had them on...with runners...and pants...oh dad.
Anyway, ribbed socks are the best choice for dad. They stay up without being too tight on his legs. He also has voiced a love for handknit socks because they don't scrunch up his toes like store bought ones do...he having size 14 feet.
So, I just started some toe up, with ribbing and a little cable up the sides for interest. So far, so good.
I've also got some lace on the needles. I just had to cast on for The Brandywine Shawl after seeing Sue's at a Friday night knit and chat.
I'm using some alpaca that I picked up last year at Rhinebeck. It is working up just beautifully.
I just need some project monogamy so that I can finish something up! - Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:31:00 +0000: A baby gift!
Being a mother of boys, I have really noticed the lack of cute clothing as compaired to what you can get for girls. Yes, if you go to the high-end-boutique-like-kids-clothing-stores you could probably score a dapper outfit for your little men...but the average kids clothing store makes t-shirts and cargos for boys to wear. Mind you, they get to a certain age and that is pretty much all they are willing to wear...I've given up on the white shirts already. Every now and then I will try getting them into what I consider a cool looking shirt...but if it has a collar forget it. So I look forward to "dressing up" this new baby...he won't be able to voice a complaint for a while:)
Vests are the perfect little layering piece for boys. Wouldn't you know that I recieved one in the mail for the new baby! The most thoughtful, and extremely talented, Grumperina sent us the most adorable vest.
I love the colours and especially love the yarn! It is absolutely perfect. Notice the buttons...very smart. This helps get it over the baby's head. I think that her thoughts on sizing are correct...most likely he'll be sporting this around a year old. You can read all about the vest in her post here.
I will definitely be showing you a photo of him wearing it. It's difficult to truely appreciate the knit unless it is being modeled!
Thank you so much Kathy!
FYI I must confess, in true knitterly fashion, I immediately turned it inside out to check out the finishing. It's absolutely what you would expect from Kathy...perfection;)
Now, there are a couple more handknit/spun presents for the new baby from another very talented knitter. I've also been doing a little knitting myself! More to come soon. - Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:12:00 +0000: Jada in Brown.
A shrug is something anyone can wear. Big, small, short, tall or even pregnant! It's like a great pair of shoes...it will always fit, even if you ate a little too much!
So what better than to knit to make yourself feel a little better?
Started: May 5, 2010
Finished: June 20, 2010
Yarn: Rowan Lenpur Linen. Colour 570 (brown). 9 skeins for the large.
Pattern: Jada by Sarah Hatton from The Lenpur Linen Collection.
Adjustments: None, knit as written. Do make note of the yardage required. Even though my gauge was correct and I was using the yarn it was written for, I ran out.
This was actually knit for a store sample...which will eventually come home to me. It's a little warm right now for me to wear anything other than a tank top. You can have a good look at it at Shall We Knit in New Hamburg.
I know I will get a lot of use out of it. I wear tanks all year long. Just throw this over a tank for fall, no problem. It will actually be great for breast feeding as well, offering a bit of privacy for the baby to eat;)
The pattern is well written. It has a simple lace stitch to it, which is easily memorized. It eventually turned into my mindless tv watching knit. The main piece is pretty large, like knitting a baby blanket that you sew up and add some ribbed cuffs and bands to.
The Lenpur Linen yarn is pretty interesting. It is 75% Lenpur and 25% Linen.
Linen we are pretty familiar with. Beautiful, durable...a luxurious fiber that keeps you cool in warm weather. It is a vegetable fiber, from flax, a bast fiber taken from the stalk of the plant. It is easily dyed and softens but doesn't loose colour when washed. Yes, it does wrinkle but it presses easily. Like cotton, it has poor elasticity and does not spring back readily.
Lenpur...is also a plant fiber. It comes from white fir wood. Yup, it is a cultivated wood fiber! It is surprisingly soft to the touch. Garments made of Lenpur are thermoregulatory, anti-odor and absorbent. Another perfect fiber for warm weather.
So what does this mean to the knitter? Well, this blend is perfect for spring and summer knits. The drape is wonderful, perfect for shrugs, shawls, scarves, wraps, summer shells, whatever! It knits ups really nicely. Although there is no elasticity, I didn't have a problems with my wrists or elbows like I sometimes do after knitting with cotton. The look of the fabric is much more luxurious than cotton. I sometimes avoid cotton because of that dishcloth look...you don't need to worry about that with Rowan's Lenpur Linen. The colours are nice deep hues and don't look faded.
The washing instructions are pretty specific:
Dry clean or hand wash in soapflakes; do not soak; cool rinse; do not wring; short spin; do not leave wet; reshape and dry flat away from sunlight; use a damp pressing cloth.
Ok, sounds like it is high maintenance. Well, I gave it a quick bath in eucalan, rolled it in a towel to get rid of most of the water and then reshaped it on my blocking board. I pinned it here and there to the measurements. Once dried it looked great. It softened up and actually looked freshly pressed...not crunchy. I did press out the fold line (it was folded in half on the blocking board) before photographing.
My only complaint is it sheds these little hair like fibers on you while you are knitting with it. I tend to wear white, so it was really visible on me. I'll let you know, now that it has been washed, if it does it with wear.
So, would I use this yarn again? Yes! Without hesitation.
By the way, thank you for all of your encouragement with the preganacy. I know that I am not the first woman in the world to be pregnant...every person that has ever lived came from a woman. It's kind of incredible if you think about it. Just look at the thousands of people you see in a day...they all came from a mother who carried them around for 40 weeks.
Some experiences are good and some are not. That is life...I know. Thank you for listening and for the empathy...I promise to stop complaining soon.
Like in 7 weeks, 3 days, four hours...;) - Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:03:00 +0000: Surprise... Socks!
Who'd have thought it? I've knit... socks! I'm working on non-sock projects, really I am, but I haven't felt like lugging them around in this heat. The Clapotis is a thick, stifling blanket, and even Geodesic and the lace shawl I'm knitting are too much. So it's socks.
Vampire socks (March '10 Mystery Sock for the SKA on rav, not really called vampire socks). Top of the foot:
Side of the foot (How much you wanna bet yoga was invented by people trying to take pictures of their handknits???)
Both of them together:
And from the back (speaking of contortions...)
I love how these came out. The twisted stitches made my hands hurt, but aren't they pretty?
The boring details:
Yarn: Louet Gems Pearl Fingering in a freakin' bright blood red
Pattern: Belle Vittini
Needles: US #0
Comments: I only did one repeat of the second chart. I love the stitch definition of this yarn, but for some reason can't get gauge with it. My row gauge was off so much, I ended up with an 8" shaft even though I left out 20+ rows of shaft pattern! Still, I love how they look. Lots and lots of twisted stitches, though. - Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:29:00 +0000: Force Knitting.
Is the mojo back, well no. But I am trying...forcing it. I actually have finished up a few things and cast on for more. Are there photos...no. There is a mobility problem lately.
You see, my sciatica is trying to kill me. It could happen, death by sciatica. This is the third day of it and the second of a pretty much sleepless night. I have resorted to extra strength tylenol ( I am not normally popping any pills while pregnant ). Hopefully todays doc appointment will bring me some relief.
He is a fantastically kind and knowledgeable doctor. He understands my humour...but he is a he. He'll never actually carry a baby.
I love how doctors ask how you are feeling. HA!
Let's see...
My sciatica is currently trying to kill me. I can't sit, stand, lay down or bend.
I have indigestion...reflux, burning everynight...just from a sip of water.
Because of this indigestion, I need to try and sleep sitting up, which doesn't work. This puts pressure on my sciatica and there is no sleep involved.
I am fat. I look down at my body and wonder who that is.
I can't walk up a flight of stairs without getting winded. I feel extremely out of shape and would really love to be able to go for a run.
There is a vein bursting out of my right leg...it looks gross and travels all the way up. Yes, I mean all the way up.
You know those veins in the hands of serious weightlifters...well my boobs look like they have been weightlifting. Attractive!
Hemorrhoids. Nuff said.
TMI. I know, I'll stop there.
Other than that I feel super fantastic!
We were just chatting about that first child feeling at knit and chat the other morning. The joys, the wonderment, that pregnancy was so wonderful...experiencing growing another human being. By the third, it doesn't seem so joyous! Just give me the baby, I'll do much better when he is on the other side:)
I tend to complain this one...but I know how lucky I am to be able to experience this. His room should be complete this weekend and I can just sit back and relax all summer. 9 1/2 more weeks to go...but who's counting;)
Ok, so knitting.
I've been working away on Jada with Rowan lenpur linen yarn. I ran out of yarn on the bottom ribbing...with a few rounds to go of nearly 400 sts. It's finally finished up and blocking...hopefully I'll have some pictures later this week to show you.
There has been some more dabbling in double knitting...with a new pattern on it's way shortly.
Currently I am working on Aeolian Shawlette (from Knitty) in Tanis' mulberry silk. Gorgeous! Of course last night I screwed up three rows back with an extra yarn over. I'll look at that today to see if I can repair it and fix the gauge without ripping it back.
I may be force knitting...but I'm still at it! - Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:42:00 +0000: Monthly post
Ha ha, just kidding. Mostly.
I've been sidetracked from the Hey Teach sweater by these darling washcloths.
Sorry about the lousy light, it was raining and gloomy but I couldn't wait to take the pic. Now, as I write, it's sunny and bright out (of course).
The pattern is Reverse-Bloom flower washcloth from Weekend Knitting. I decided to knit three before the end of the school year: one for Rose's preschool teacher, one for the secretary, and one for the program director. The recommended yarn is Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille, and I was actually able to find it (on clearance!) at City Knits. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've knit a pattern with the suggested yarn. I'll tell you one thing, this yarn is perfect for a washcloth. The fabric comes out exactly like terrycloth. It's so soft and mushy and it's also 100% cotton, nice.
The only problem is, each petal is knit first, separately, then joined and the center is knit in a spiral. All those ends to weave in!
Look at all that dangling yarn!
A cast-on end for each petal, a cast-off end for four of the five (the working yarn of the last petal starts the joining round), then the last bit after the center is worked. Ten ends, ugh.
I figured out early on that I could work each cast-off end into the knitting by knitting it with the working yarn as I knit the first round of the center. So that took care of four.
On the very last petal of the very last flower, I realized I could also work the cast-on end into stitches as I knit them without it showing very much. Why, oh, why did I not realize this before?
But that's all in the past now. I'm knitting the center of the third washcloth, and it will be done tonight. I'm including a bit of handmade soap and a Panera gift card with each washcloth. Rose's preschool graduation ceremony is tonight, and Friday is her last day. Then we'll give each person her gift and I hope they enjoy them.
