craftsy « Peacefully Knitting

Knitting with beads, a new adventure!

12 05 2012

Recently my friend Bonny told me that she was taking a Craftsy.com class learning to knit with beads and that she just finished making a beaded cuff. I love beads and I love how they fit into crafts, especially with knitting.

Since one of my goals is to knit a few more shawls this year, I decided to enroll in Laura Nelkins Craftsy class , Knitting with Beads, the same online class as Bonny. Like all the Craftsy classes, you can start and go at your own pace, which I love!

Courtesy of Craftsy.com

A Note from Laura Nelkin, Instructor of Knitting with Beads

Beads add texture and surface interest to your knitwear, making this class perfect for anyone looking to add some sparkle to their knits. In addition to my exclusive patterns for a dynamic cuff and two multi-sized shawls in both lace-weight and fingering-weight yarn, my online class, Knitting with Beads, shares with you the techniques you will need to incorporate beads into any of your projects. With these new skills, you will become the independent knitter you’ve always wanted to be. Join me in this class, get my patterns, and enjoy a whole new level of knitting!

Last year I attempted beads in a hand-spun shawl and I really love how it turned out but haven’t done anything since. I knitted Multnomah by Kate Ray and added beads on the right side row with 181 stitches before the increases. So, I did this: k5, k1 w/bead and repeated up to 2 stitches before marker. I then repeated this step on the 2nd half and loved it! To me, beads just make your shawl shine and by adding a special touch, it becomes very unique.

You can find out more about this project on my Ravelry project page and on my project page with Craftsy!

My Sea Colored Multnomah

I’m very excited about this class and think it will hone my skills not only in using beads, but in knitting shawls. Do you enjoy knitting with beads? If so, what projects have you made incorporating beads?

If you love learning new crafts and more, be sure to check out Craftsy other classes to!

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

Comments : 9 Comments »
Tags: beads, craftsy, knitting, laura nelkin
Categories : All Knitting, Tips & Techniques

All done!

1 05 2012

A few of you may have already seen my photos on my FaceBook Page or on Ravelry, but for those of you who have not, here are my photos of my finished Cotton Raglan Cardigan, which I love!

The Front view

The Back View

The Button

The button I choose was perfect and I’m so happy with the way it looks on my cardigan. I timed it right at Joann’s and got this Dritz Button 1/2 off, which was better than paying $7.95, gulp!

This pattern was lots of fun and I truly have to say it’s quite versatile. If you have time, I truly suggest that you check out Myra Wood’s Craftsy’ class, The Perfect Fit Seamless Crazy Lace Cardigan. This is a wonderful online class that will really teach you how to knit the perfect fitting raglan style cardigan and how you can incorporate different elements to make it uniquely yours. Even though I used the Simple Raglan Cardi pattern from Lion Brand, I still used things I learned from Myra’s class.

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

Comments : 18 Comments »
Tags: cardi, craftsy, knitting, lion brand
Categories : All Knitting, Patterns

Cardigan and Workshop Progress ~ Loving it!

15 03 2012

I must say that I’m really enjoying my current project, Simple Raglan Cardi by Lion Brand Yarn, and that it is knitting up quickly for me.

I have finished the yoke, placed the sleeves on scrap yarn and now I’m working on the body. I joined the Lion Brand Custom Raglan Cardi KAL on Ravelry and have been inspired by what a few other knitters are incorporating into their cardigans. So, I’ve decided to incorporate a lace insert in the body and it’s looking good!

I have evenly placed the lace insert around the body of the cardigan. I choose to knit 8, knit lace, knit 8, knit lace, knit 16 (underarm), knit lace, knit 8, knit lace, k16 (middle of the back) and continued. This made it look more even to me and I really like the effect.

So far I’ve used 4 skeins of yarn and since I have enough in my stash, I plan to make this cardigan fairly long and will also make the sleeves a bit longer.

Back of cardigan that shows the lace insert.

I could not get my needle to stay down but here's the front view!

As I mentioned earlier, I also joined the online workshop, The Perfect Fit Seamless Crazy Lace Cardigan with instructor Myra Wood. Last Sunday I spent time on lesson one, which covered measurements and how to obtain proper measurements to insure a good fit. I had hubby help me with my measurements and wrote down everything on the provided basic sloper template. The measurements taken included the neck, shoulder to underarm, front bust, back bust, distance from bust to waist (taken from the underarm to the natural waistline), waist and hips. This will help me when I start customizing my on raglan garments, especially when it comes to inserting stitch patterns.

Since I don’t have much time during the week for this workshop, I’m looking forward to the weekend so I can continue to lesson two, which covers top down construction. I really like how you can stop and go back to review the online videos and interact with others online. Myra is an excellent instructor and is easy to understand, which makes this class even more fun!

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

Comments : 6 Comments »
Tags: Cardigan, craftsy, knitting, Lace, Lion Brand Yarn
Categories : KAL, Knitting Patterns

TNNA Comes to Phoenix, Part 2

23 01 2012

I was so excited to meet so many people at this convention that I have had the pleasure of visiting online with over the last two years.

I got to meet Anne Kuo Lukito of Crafty Diversions , who had a booth displaying her wonderful designs. I can say that Anne’s designs are even more beautiful in person and it was loads of fun being able to try on her beautiful Weekend Shawl. I also got to see one of her latest designs, Lakedale, a gorgeous jacket that features small two-color brioche cable columns along the front and a two-color brioche edging. I must try knitting this soon!

Left to Right: Karen, Tina and Anne

I also got to meet the fabulous Stefanie Japel, Manager of Marketing and Community and Knitting Instructor for Craftsy. I’m very excited about the new Indie Design program that Craftsy is launching in February, which allows designers to list their patterns free. This is huge kudos in my book and I encourage designers to sign up for this wonderful opportunity. This new venue is a great way to further your ability to market your designs to a community dedicated to crafting.

Did you know that over 470,000 crafters (and growing!) visit Craftsy.com each month? Build your design business and offer patterns on Craftsy!

Tina and Stefanie

Roxanne Yeun of Zen Yarn Garden was there too! I got to finally meet this talented Indy dyer in person and was so excited to see Roxanne’s new Crystal Colorways, as well as many of her other colorways, and was able to touch this incredibly soft yummy yarn. It was awesome! Roxanne also had a few of her lovely designs on display, which was lots of fun to see.

Crystal Colorways

Darn, my eyes were closed but I'm sharing anyway!

I also got to see fellow Arizona designer, Yumiko Alexander of DanDoh Designs. Yumiko’s line of designs keep growing. This talented designer creates beautiful garments for both knitting and crocheting, as well as a combination of both techniques.

Yumiko Alexander

It was fun to meet Kate Oates of Tottoppers, who corraled Ysolda Teague and the young lady for Deep South Fibers into my photo. Kate is busy working on a book and as you can see, is also expecting a new baby that is due in May.

Julie on the left, Kate in the Middle and Ysolda on the Right

I also received a hand-autographed copy of Lisa Bogart‘s book, Knit with Love. I can’t wait to sit down and read this book!

Knit with Love, Stories to Warm a Knitter’s Heart - shares amazing anecdotes of more than 40 knitters, from a Staff Sergeant in Iraq who started a group of knitting soldiers, to a high school guidance counselor who recruited athletic and academic students alike for knitting during the lunch hour. It also includes a fascinating look at knitting throughout history, the many ways knitting can contribute to the community, various tips and tricks for the knitter, even a step-by step plan for starting your own knitting group.

Lisa Bogart, author of Knit with Love

I will have two more posts about my adventures at TNNA, so do stay tuned. Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: craftsy, Crafty Diversions, Kate Oates, Lisa Bogart, stefanie japel, Ysolda Teague, Yumiko Alexander, Zen Yarn Garden
Categories : All Knitting, Yarn & Fiber

Casting On and Casting Off: A shawl, an online workshop and fun!

22 10 2011

Wow, this week has flown and I can’t believe that there is only one week left in this month! I haven’t gotten much knitting done this week either, but I have managed to finish up a bit of spinning for a project I mentioned in a September blog post.

I was planning to spin for the Crow Waltz Shawl designed by Juju Vail of Loop knit lounge but after I finished my lovely 4 oz of Corridale in the colorway Stetsons are Cool, I’ve changed my mind and plan to knit Cladonia by Kirsten Kapur.

Project Details:

4 oz of Corridale in the colorway Stetsons are Cool by Woolen Mill St Yarns :

208 yards
2-ply
worsted weight

3 oz of Corridale in the colorway Peanut Butter by Hi Fiber Kits

136 yards
2 ply
worsted weight

Pattern: This pattern calls for 420 skeins each in two colors for a total of 840 and a size US 7. I plan to knit the body in my Stetson’s are Cool colorway and use my Peanut Butter for the lace. I’m hoping I can squeeze enough out of my handspun for my first spin a shawl KAL. (Spin a Shawl Group)

This week I also joined a wonderful online workshop taught by knitwear designer Stefanie Japel. The One Skein Knit Shrug Workshop provides an excellent tutorial to create a quick and easy shrug that is seamless, worked top down and requires only one skein of Cascade 220 yarn.

Now you can learn a new project with experts and friends! Craftsy Workshops are illustrated tutorials that include all the patterns and templates you need to make your own project – plus a community sharing tips and expert advice!

I really love this online format and it provides knitters wonderful step-by-step written instructions that are clear, easy to follow and understand. I also must say I really like how this workshop flows. You start with an introduction that provides a list of all the materials you will need for the project, followed by notes, that includes a glossary, and sections of each part of the project. The first section starts with the main body of the shrug, followed by separating the sleeves, picking up stitches for the neckline, creating the neckline trim, creating the sleeves and then finishing the shrug.

All instructions are accompanied by step-by-step photographs that depict each step or what the design should like at during a certain point in your knitting. The online interaction between the other members and Stefanie is a great way to learn, ask questions, share, learn new tips and get quick responses.

So, if you are a new knitter looking for an easy project that you can follow and understand, or a seasoned knitter that would like to have a bit of fun, this is a great workshop that I would recommend you check out. For a limited time, Stefanie’s One Skein Knit Shrug Workshop is free and all you need to do is click the “get started” button to join in the fun!

Here’s what I’ve knitted so far and I hope to have it finished my tomorrow afternoon!

I end my adventure today with a photo from the patio. My hubby and I have really been enjoying the cool Arizona mornings these past few weeks. Our back yard is now in full bloom and buzzing not only with honey bees, but finches and hummingbirds. The weekends are perfect to enjoy time together over coffee, conversation and of course for me, knitting!