New on the Needles

It's been a while since I last posted. Lots going on. I've been reading and looking up more on techniques than designing lately. I've also gone queue crazy on Ravelry. Here's some of the highlights:


Ebony Wrist Warmers: check!
I just found out that my local book store carries Verena; a German based magazine that is printed in other languages. I picked up the Summer 2010 and just completed my first project from there, Wrist Warmers :) They turned out great and knit up relatively quick. The written directions were a little confusing but I figured it out. I will probably make another pair with a few mods. Longer and a but looser. I also hemmed the picot edging as I knitted.

New treasure to replace the lost
While I was browsing through my favorite thrift store for donated needles and yarns I came across two skeins of Lion Brand Chenille in forest green... the same yarn I used for my first completed knitted project, a scarf I had made a couple years before I met my hubby. I sent him to work with it (it was a cold night) and he accidentally lost it. It was was my favorite winter scarf and I thought I'd never be able to replace it... until now. I made my mother one in the wine colorway last November. It's just basic garter stitch but the texture looks so much more elegant with this yarn. I can't wait till it's done!

Drop Spinning
At the WWKIP Day event a few weeks ago I met a woman who was drop spinning. Since the initial investment is much cheaper and more portable than working with a wheel, I thought I'd give it a try. I picked up some prewashed, brushed and dyed fibers and gave it a go. I love it! I also found out there is a local guild here that teaches and rents out wheels and a reasonable rate so I might give that a try as well. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to knit out of the yarn I spun but I'm excited! It's still a work in process and I'll have to get pictures up and find some good links.

Lace
Recently I've become very interested in lace patterns. With today's available yarns and innovations in knitting tools, designs and techniques the idea of old granny lace is gone. I am particularly attached to the Haruni shawl (meaning "grandmother" in Tolkein's elven language). I also found a book called "A Gathering of Lace" that I have on hold at a local used book store. I noticed a lot of the directions and patters appear to be well written. I'm looking forward to working on some of the projects in that book.

Celebrating WWKIP Day in Kelowna, BC

I had a blast yesterday celebrating World Wide Knit in Public Day with a couple local groups. I met new people, worked on a toy net I'm improvising for my son (I'm taking notes and will be posting the pattern in a week or so), and even tried hand spinning. It was cool seeing so many knitters/crocheters in spot and seeing what they're working on.

There was one woman who had a piece of ribbon with the exact measurements marked (kind of like a personal ruler) of the various parts of a sock to get the perfect fit. That's a very cool idea that I'll have to try as I work on the "Girls Best Friend" and "Movie Socks" this month.

There was another who was knitting a bag out of plastic bags; I especially loved the purple she found from a local chocolate shop.

There were people working on sweaters, socks, scarves, and outfits for a baby. People from different generations and different locations with other artistic talents. More and more people trickled in early afternoon. For once the weather man was right; there was a nice breeze and the sun was hot high in the sky. My hubby affectionately refers to me as lobster cakes... a play on my nickname combined with the color my arms turned. I was glad I had picked something that doesn't require much thought because socializing in a knit together would have been hard if I had chosen something more complex.


WWKIP Day is celebrated globally from June 12th through the 20th. Find a local celebration in your country at: http://www.wwkipday.com