On the Bookshelf: Nourishing Knits

8 01 2012

Courtesy of Kristi Schueler

I was so thrilled and so honored when fellow knitter Kristi Schueler, a.k.a. Fiber Fool, asked me if I would like to be part of her blog tour for her new book, Nourishing Knits.

Kristi has combined her love of knitting and baking into a wonderful collection of designs featuring cables, lace and colorwork all paired with 12 mouthwatering recipes.

Inside knitters will be inspired to knit a lace shawl, color-work slippers, socks and mitts, as well as a unisex sweater and a vest.  Recipes include appetizers, main dishes, beverages and desserts.   Not only does each recipe include a simple list of ingredients, but includes methods and tips for preparation, as well as suggestions for pairings and substitutions.

I really love how Kristi also has provided a knitters with a clickable table of contents,  clickable visual indexes of both patterns and recipes, as well as a bookmark panel for even more navigational options!  Since this eBook is downloadable in PDF format, it is extremely portable for most electronic devices, including tablets and iPads.

Here’s just a tiny hint of what’s inside and be sure to click on each photo for a direct link to the pattern!

Ginger - Photo Courtesy of Kristi Schueler

Ciabatta - Photo Courtesy of Kristi Schueler

Ganache - PhotoCourtesy of Kristi Schueler

I love all the designs in Kristi’s new collection, but I must admit I truly have a soft spot for shawls and anything that is lacy.  Ganache is a truly exquisite creation that I cannot wait to knit!

For more information on Kristi’s new eBook or on any other of her lovely designs, you can find her online at Fiber Fool, Raverly, FaceBook and Twitter .  You can also join her Raverly group, Designedly, Kristi Knitters,  to stay informed about all her latest knitting adventures

About:  Kristi Schueler lives on Colorado’s front range with her husband, Drew, and their two dogs, Emma and Brandon. Kristi’s technical approach to knitting comes from a scientific background, including a BS in Meteorology. Her work has appeared in numerous magazines, books and e-zines. While knitting, cooking and photography are all passions for Kristi, she also enjoys reading, yoga and spending time with friends and family playing games and enjoying the outdoors.


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Learning can be fun!

6 01 2012

I love to learn new techniques and this week I’ve learned how to knit a toe-up sock.  This was quite a challenge for me and after four attempts, I was finally happy with the way the toe looked and continued on to the body of the sock.

As mentioned in my last post, I’m working on the toe-up pattern Cable Lagoon by Kris Carlson, a.k.a. Knifty Red.  I was a bit worried that the yarn I had chosen for this project would not show up the cables, but it’s not too bad and it’s wonderful to knit with.

The beginning of my toe

Working on the foot

So what is the draw to toe-up socks?

  1. No Kitchener stitch !
  2. It’s easier to try on toe-up to measure your progress.
  3. Some say it goes faster and they no longer suffer from the notorious second sock syndrome.
  4. The toe fits more naturally.

I did receive a responses to my question in my last post regarding favorite websites for tutorials or videos on how to knit toe-up socks and want to share the following links with you:

There are several great books that feature toe-up sock knitting, such as:

I hope that a few of these links are helpful to you and that if you  haven’t tried knitting socks toe-up, that you might give it a try.  I did, and it’s really not that hard once you get the hang of it.

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

 


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First KALs of a brand new year!

4 01 2012

I typically post a spotlight on patterns on Wednesday but today I thought I’d post about my projects that I will be casting on this week for two KALs I’m participating in, as well as a SAL (spin-along)/KAL.   For me this year will be a lot of fun as I’m looking forward to stash busting and plan to start matching items in my Raverly queue and favorites with yarn on hand.  This is a large undertaking for me but it must be done!

I was so pleased that I actually finished up my pair of Nutkins from the December KAL for the Year of Stash Socks Group yesterday morning.  It took me a month, but I can now wear a brand new pair of socks!  I particularly liked this project as I learned how to knit short-row heels.    Ladies, if you haven’t tried this, it’s really not that hard and in my humble opinion, the heel actually fits my foot better than the traditional heel with a gusset.  I strongly recommend reading Laura Chau’s Short-Row Heel Tutorial.  It’s super easy to read and follow.

Nutkins - Knitted using At Knits End Yarn

I have chosen to knit the Cable Lagoon by Kris Carlson for the January KAL in the Year of Stash Socks Group using my stash of Liberty’s Yarn Sockenstein in a soft lilac.  So, this months KAL will be a challenge as I will be learning how to knit toe-up and will again be doing a short-row heel. 

Attention Sock Knitters, I have a question:  For those of you who knit toe-up, what is your favorite “how-to” website, tutorial or YouTube Video?  I would love to know, so please leave a comment.

Liberty's Yarn Sockenstein - Lilac

I’m also participating in the 12 Shawls in 2012 Group and plan to cast on a design that I’ve been itching to knit for ages, Cobble by Kitman Figueroa using my stash yarn,Punta Yarns Merisock Hand Painted in colorway HP53 , a mix of soft desert colors.

Punta Yarns Merisock Hand Painted Yarn

Lastly, I’m also spinning for a shawl in the Spin a Shawl Group and joined the Designer SKAL that started January 1st and ends on February 29th.  The pattern for this SAL/KAL is Fialature by Chrissy Prange.   I will need to spin  300 – 500 yards of worsted weight for this project and haven’t quite decided on my fiber yet, but I’m leaning towards my fiber stash of Black Trillium’s BFL  in Columbia .  If I have time, I may also participate in the SAL/KAL that started January 1st and ends March and spin for one of my favorite “no purl” patterns,  Carol’s Clever Little Shawl.

Black Trillium BFL Roving - Colorway Columbia

If I have absolutely no WIPs after all these, which mostly likely will not be the case, but you never know, I would love to knit a second 198 yds. of Heaven by Christy Verity for the dozen shawls in 20dozen group.

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!


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On and Off the Wheel: A spinning I did go!

2 01 2012

I’ve been busy trying out my new Kiwi wheel and I must admit, I love her!!!  The double treadle makes spinning so much more enjoyable and I seem to be spinning a bit more smoothly.

Since I was right in the middle of finishing up my 2 oz of BFL on my Traditional, I didn’t really want to start another batch of fiber quite yet but I was itching to take her for a spin.

I decided to use my handspun Polwarth single that truly should have been plied upon completion but I thought I could use it “as is”.  Due to the inconsistency in the handspun, it wasn’t feasible to use unless it was plied.  I decided to ply this single with a lovely boucle style mohair  called Little Loop by Ironstone, which gave me a lovely tweedy skein of fiber coming in at 125 yards.  The added touch of mohair gave my handspun a very unique quality that I’m excited to use!

The Facts:

Fiber:   100% Polwarth hand-dyed from Capistrano Fiber Arts Studio in the colorway of Autumn Sunset

Commercial Fiber:  Little Loop Mohair from Ironstone in a blend of 90% Mohair, 5% Nylon and 5% Wool

Left: Polwarth Right: Little Loop Mohair

Plying on the wheel

1 skein at 125 yards!

This was a fun bit of spinning for me and allowed me to see how my Kiwi spins.  So far, smooth spinning and I’ve learned a couple of things too.  I’m excited to have the help of fellow spinners, and Kiwi owners, Simone and Maya, too and I know I will learn even more!

This is my first batch of fiber for the new year and I look forward to spinning at least 12 pounds of fiber this year.  Yep, 12 pounds!  I joined the 12 in 2012 Raverly Group towards the end of December and look forward to a year of spinning fun.    This will also help my efforts in my other group, Spin a Shawl.     So far I have finished the first  2 oz of BFL on the Traditional and I’m now spinning the remaining 2 oz of BFL on the Kiwi.

BFL on the Wheel

Fiber Facts:  100% BFL hand-dyed fiber by Spirit Trail Fiberworks in Olive Gray.

 


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2011 in review ~ Another Amazing Year to Me!

1 01 2012

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for my blog and I was rather amazed and want to again say thank you to my followers.

I was thrilled to see that I’ve doubled my visitors and my followers from this time last year !!!

The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 150,000 times in 2011. If it were an exhibit at the Louvre Museum, it would take about 6 days for that many people to see it.

How did they find me?

Some visitors came searching, mostly for peacefully knitting, crochet bags, knitting, jane austen knits, and crochet bag.

Where did my visitors come from?

Most visitors came from the United States.  However,  Canada and the United Kingdom were not far behind.

What was the most commented post?

The most commented on post in 2011 was Wednesday’s Pattern – The Weekend Shawl

Attractions in 2011

These are the posts that got the most views in 2011, and a few of these posts were written before 2011.  Maybe I should consider revisiting a few of these topics!

All I can say is, I couldn’t have done this without ALL OF YOU.  So thank you so much and I hope that I can continue to inspire you!


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A Brand New Beginning….. 2012 Here I Come!

31 12 2011

Today is a bit of reflection and a bit of getting ready for the good changes that are coming.  I want to thank you all for such a wonderful year, your support and encouragement and most of all, your friendship.  I feel that I have found many kindred spirits here in the fiber world and I’m so grateful to have all of you talented people in my life.  Every day I’m in awe at the talent, the creativity, the support and the pure enjoyment that each of you share with each other.

I am so honored and so blessed to be part of such a wonderful network of knitters and fiber artists, who are geniune, caring, supporative, encouraging and very unselfish of sharing their time, talent and knowledge with others.

So, as we get ready to embark on another brand new year, many of us form resolutions and goals.  For me, this coming year will be a year of renewal and I’m ready to embrace what comes my way.  I’m also very goal oriented and have a few things I want to accomplish over the upcoming year and thought I would share my goals, and my resolutions, with you, which will hold me accountable and insure that I keep track.  I plan to revisit my goals and resolutions every quarter and see what I’ve managed to finish.  This should be fun, as well as very challenging.

So, here I go …..

Resolutions:  God and Family first!

  • Bring more spirituality into my life
  • Spend more quality time with my husband and family
  • Spend less and save more – yes, this means I’m going on a “fiber” diet next year.
  • Spend more time outside gardening and less time indoors surfing the net.
  • Read more, create more and spend less time on the computer.

Goals: 

2012 is a stash busting year!  This is just a “small” portion of what needs to be used before I buy anything else.  Of course, this does not include my stash of fiber for spinning.

  • Knit at least 12 pairs of socks – I joined a new Raverly Group 12 Socks in 2012 and will be continuing with the Year of Stash Socks
  • Knit at least 8 shawls – I joined Romi’s lovely Pins & Lace Club, this will ensure I do this!
  • Knit at least 4 lace scarves
  • Knit 2 sweaters – one for me and one for my Mom
  • Create at least 6 new designs to include, hats, scarves and wraps
  • Learn new techniques such as two a time socks, Fair Isle/Colorwork, toe up socks
  • Development an understanding of lace knitting and hone my skills
  • When I join KALs (knit along) or SALs (spin along), I will be dedicated and I will finish what I start
  • Spin more fiber to create gorgeous handspun for knitting projects – I now have 3 wheels and they need to be put to use!  I joined the Raverly Group, 12 in 2012 , which has a goal to  spin 12 pounds of fiber over the year and I belong to the Spin a Shawl group.  I think both will help with this goal.

I end my post today with a poem that was passed on to me by a fellow co-worker the end of the day on Friday.  When I ready this poem, I thought “this is perfect, this is what I truly need to accomplish in the New Year”.

RECIPE FOR NEW YEAR’S PUNCH

Take yourself, peel off layers of egotism and self-pity, cut out seeds of
unkind thoughts and unhappy emotions.
Remove all prejudices and worries.
To this add one firm belief that life’s worth living.
Mix well with one practical idea that you are somebody.
Season with a sense of humor and optimism.
Sweeten with love.
Then add one strong determination to live at your highest every hour of the
day, come what may.
Let effervesce for 365 days.
Garnish with smiles and pleasant words.
Serve with gentleness and courage.
Note the effect.
(Author unknown)

Happy New Year everyone!


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After Christmas Knitting, Upcoming KALs, etc.

27 12 2011

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  Mine was quiet, peaceful and simply wonderful!  I even managed to finish sock# 1 of my pair of Nutkins and I casted on the mate Christmas day, that’s major sock knitting progress for me.   I have to give a shout out to Kim ~ her sock yarn is awesome to knit with!  To check out Kim’s yarn, visit her online Etsy shop, At Knits End.

To help me focus and keep on knitting, I joined the Year End Wrap Up KAL.  I’m also hoping to cast on and finish a pair of Glorious Mitts by Karen Adams, but I don’t think that’s going to happen, but you never know.

Sock #1

 

I was blessed with a wonderful gift from my hubby that was part Christmas and part birthday.  This great wheel was ordered from one of my favorite local shops, Tempe Yarn and Fiber, and I  can’t wait to get her so I can  start spinning!

Here’s a photo of what I’m getting ….

 

So I’m thinking about next year and what my plans will be for the blog, designing and knitting.  I think I will post a resolution of sorts over the weekend and it will be fun to reflect back upon and see how I progress.  Meantime, as I mentioned earlier, I’ve joined a new Raverly Group to help me focus even more on knitting socks, the  12 Socks in 2012, which was formed the first of November for those who enjoy knitting socks without the rules as to toe up or toe down, specific patterns or prizes.  I’m excited that quite a few of my knitting online pals have joined and we will be able to motivate each other to finish our sock knitting projects!

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!


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Merry Christmas To All!

25 12 2011

From our house to yours, Merry Christmas!

A simple yet heartfelt thanks to all of you who have followed me over the last few years and to all my new followers.  I appreciate each and every one of you, and feel so blessed to have found so many kindred spirits in the fiber world.

May each of you have a very blessed and Merry Christmas.

The Perfect Christmas
By Broken Angel

The perfect Christmas,
would be held with much family and friends,
all gathered in one place,
to spend this special time,
with those they love.

So now dreaming,
of that one perfect Christmas,
with the special people in my life.

Pictures I see flashing,
through my mind,
of beautiful white snow falling,
a tree,
with presents under it,
in front of the window,
and everything laughing,
having a good time,
while opening,
their gifts.

Such a wonderful time of the year,
hopefully being the perfect Christmas,
that we all wish for.


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And the winner is ……

23 12 2011

Thank you all for entering my recent giveaway for the review copy of 60 More Quick Knits.

If you haven’t already purchased a copy of this book, you truly should consider adding this one to your library.

There are designs for knitters of all levels that range from simple to complex and include texture, bobbles, lace, color-work and cables.   For beginner knitters there 7 patterns that are super easy, for intermediate knitters 34 patterns and for those of you who have more of an advanced knitting knowledge, there are 19 patterns.

And the winner of the giveaway is …..

Entry #5, Katy of Stanley, New York !!!  Congratulations Katy and I know you’ll love your new book.

 

Merry Christmas to all!


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Interweave Knitting Lab Announces Two Locations in 2012

22 12 2011

Interweave Knitting Lab Announces Two Locations in 2012

Save the dates: event returns to San Mateo, California November 1-4, 2012 after a successful first appearance in 2011; New England Knitting Lab debuts in New Hampshire October 4-7, 2012

Loveland, Colo., December 21, 2011: Interweave Knitting Lab, a national knitting event from the publishers of Interweave Knits magazine, has announced its return to San Mateo, Calif. next November 1-4, 2012 after a successful debut in 2011. This premiere event was such a success—with sold-out workshops and lectures and incredible attendance at the Knitters’ Market—that Interweave has decided to add a second location on the East Coast in Manchester, N.H., October 4-7, 2012.

 

Interweave Knitting Lab offers knitters opportunities to learn from knitting legends and experts in small, intimate class settings—alongside new friends who share their passion for knitting. This premiere event was created especially for passionate knitters who want to take their knitting skills to new heights. It offers innovative, immersive workshops and project-based classes, lectures, enticing panel discussions and other special evening sessions, plus three days of shopping opportunities at the Knitters’ Market.

The 2012 Interweave Knitting Lab event locations and dates are:

 

Interweave Knitting Lab New England, October 4-7, 2012: The Radisson Hotel Manchester, in scenic New Hampshire, located just one hour north of Boston, Massachusetts in a fun downtown area. Offering an inviting atmosphere and signature hospitality, the Radisson presents a wealth of world-class hotel services and amenities including: room service, business services, a Fitness Center, an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna and free Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) airport shuttle service.

Registration for Interweave Knitting Lab in New Hampshire opens in mid-April.

Interweave Knitting Lab San Mateo, November 1-4, 2012: Interweave Knitting Lab returns to Marriott San Mateo, a beautiful hotel located on 11 acres and just minutes from downtown San Francisco. With Italian marble floors and chandeliers in the lobby, this hotel has the look and feel of a first-class luxury hotel. With any spare time you may have while attending Interweave Knitting Lab, you can visit one of the many San Francisco attractions: Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Pier 39, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf and Half Moon Bay are all within 30 minutes.

Registration for Interweave Knitting Lab in California opens in early May.

Classes at Interweave Knitting Lab range from rarely-offered classes on unique regional, ethnic, and historical techniques, to studio classes that apply new design and technique skills to original creations. There are classes in sock knitting, lace knitting, cables, sweater construction, knitwear design, color theory, mosaic knitting, intarsia, Fair Isle, and much more.

Interweave Knitting Lab New England will focus on modern inspiration for thinking knitters: A program of in-depth classes on authentic and personal knitting design, working with color and line, and manipulating fabrics and fibers. The curriculum will explore the intersection of handknitting technique and inspiration, with forays into the larger textile industry and the art world.

In its second year, Interweave Knitting Lab San Mateo will continue to focus on handknitting techniques and traditions, with classes on subjects ranging from ethnic knitting history to complex cutting-edge techniques.

Interweave Knitting Lab is put on by arts and craft media company Interweave, publisher of Interweave Knits and Knitscene magazines, as well as the online knitting community, KnittingDaily.com.

For more information and the latest updates, interested participants should sign up for the event e-newsletter online at http://www.interweaveknittinglab.com.

 

###

Website: interweaveknittinglab

 

Facebook: Facebook.com/interweaveknittinglab

 

Twitter: Twitter.com/knittinglab

 

Media Contact: Jaime Guthals, Director of Public Relations, Interweave

jaimeg@interweave.com, (502) 243-6834 Cell (502) 387-2383, Twitter @InterweaveNews


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