Stone Soup Designs

Knitters Connection

2009-06-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

2 days with Cat Bordhi.... wonderful!

I learned a bit about good teaching and kindness. I learned a bit about good knitting. I also worked up some new socks in Smooshy Happy Forest. Once graphed, it behaved as I had expected it to.

Columbus was abuzz with good food - LemonGrass had wonderful asian fusion and I found Ice Cream Nirvana in the place of the North Market: Jenis. Had I not been there for the yarn, I would go for the food.

Yarn? Did not buy much. I guess the restraint that I have been trying to develop, finally kicked in.... or maybe the manic splurge 2 weeks ago at Hoosier Hills was still hanging over my head?

Friends? Lana Holden has re-entered my life in a very good way. Let's say we hit it off and I hope to knit with her often!

Gifting

2009-06-15T15:15:00.001-07:00

I never thought I would be a monogamous knitter. Never had that thought occurred to me. Lately though, I find I am FINISHING pieces in record numbers - seems there is a benefit to knitting on only a few projects at the same time. Ravelry is also helping me track them and keep them controlled.

My goal lately has been to have fewer than 5 project: one hard, one easy and one small - with no more than 2 of any one sort on the needles at a time. This allows me to work up design samples, keep up with gifting AND knit something for me.

Currently on the needles: Socks for my hubby, and a 2 year old lace shawl from Amanda Gill. The shawl is finally moving forward due to the use of stitch markers every 20 stitches~

I needed to clear out my knitting bag so that I can prepare for 2 very important projects which will be added this week: Cat Bordhi socks and my first officially "sold" design - more about that later.

Almost forgot.... Gifting. The cranberry shawl is mostly garter stitch. There is a 5 stitch border in seed and a lace edge. This was begun at Hoosier Hills as something I could knit while walking about. After HH, I began a deep lace edge. Between each working row there are 3 rows of garter. Did I mention it is alpaca and silk? Skacel Alpaca Seta in Burgundy is a lovely boucle with a soft hand. If I were smart, I would submit the design...

Video for the OCD Knitter

2009-06-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

For the OCD knitter in each of us.... a video.
The sounds are charming!

A new Pattern and Class: Baby Steps

2009-06-11T06:42:00.000-07:00

Working with yarn has rewards... like having the FULL BOX of Crayons that you never had as a kid. New Pattern to be available soon!

8 colors of BabyBoo arrived just at the time I needed to design a beginner class. This is designed to give the beginning knitter confidence. Blocks start 2 at a time so that intarsia is introduced. 8 block designs begin with stockinette and knit/purl variations and finish with cables.
Pattern will be written for DK and worsted weight.

Dad's Aran

2009-01-08T07:54:00.001-08:00

Finished. Here is Katie modeling the sweater on Christmas eve. He is happy. I am happy (I do want to take out the zipper and put it back in - this time, with the bottoms matching up.)

Great sweater. Knit from the collar down. Book is out of print, but copies can be had. I will be making one for myself.

Inside pocket... After all, we need to maintain the illusion of a doting father and his little girl.

Good Yarn Karma

2009-01-08T07:38:00.000-08:00

I must have it. Honest.

You all know I cannot BUY** yarn. Apparently though, the universe feels that I NEED yarn.

Presenting: 16 skeins of hand dyed lace from Alpaca with a Twist. Also in the box were a hat and a sweater. If you are shopping - look for Highlander and Mojito

** Donations do not count. This was a silent auction for cancer at the warehouse Open House.

<<<<<<<<>Threadbear - Way too cool. Malabrigo... Colors are Blue and a yellow/green (ochre). I bought a skein of Hilary Sock yarn earlier in the month and got a gift certificate later in the month.

I wish I lived nearer to Lansing. Would like to see the shop in person.... Taking classes there would be cool too.

Dad's Aran

2008-12-19T06:31:00.001-08:00

Nearly finished. this is photo is about a month old. the sleeve are done. I only need 2-3 rows on the bottom rib, pockets, block, then add the zipper. I LOVE this sweater. May need to make one for me... We all know the next one will go much faster! (wont it?)

Only 2 hands

2008-11-07T09:28:00.000-08:00

I cannot tell you how much I have been knitting. It keeps me sane... but makes me crazy at the same time... I was downsized 7 months ago.

I have been free-lancing a bit: knitting for a magazine, knitting for a shop, knitting for myself... and doing some electronic newsletters. I really like working on my own, but do miss being on a team. I have also been learning a bit about html - with the thought that I can free lance by helping update websites - too many old or ugly ones out there.....

How about some knitting? the mittens are a finished pattern, for sale on Ravelry. The rest are some busy work I knit up for a local shop... I have 2 more volunteer projects and then I need to start charging....

Dad's Aran

2008-10-19T06:15:00.001-07:00

My pattern jumping seems to be over... I have been knitting samples for the shop and others and neglecting my own projects. What is frustrating is that my mind is Still working on 5 projects but my hands need to remain with 1 project.

This is a cardigan I began. It is for my father for Christmas - about 2 months away. I may need to rename the Honey to Frog's Aran. Am I being so persnickety because the pattern is faulty? Because I don't understand it? or because it will go on the Front of my Father? Probably the last.

But I need to forget who it is for... and Knit On... or I will not ever finish it. Pattern is from Two Sticks and a String by Kerry Ferguson. The yarn is delightful - bought at 40% off from Mass Ave Knits at Susan's Christmas Sale. I am working on the set-up rows... over and over again.

My goal is to work on this - exclusively - for a full day. I may get past the set-up row angst. Wish me luck. I will report back.

Indulge me... please

2008-10-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Katie is 23 tomorrow. In this picture, she is about 4 or 5 - on the porch at her granny's house in Taylor Arkansas.... and yes... that is a pair of training pants on her turbaned head.

Love ya, Sweetie!

Warm Hands

2008-10-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

With the cold weather.... comes cold hands.

So, I am working on a new pattern to keep hands warm. This will be a 3-some for warm hands: Fingerless mitts, Mittens, and Gloves. The yarn is Dream in Color. They do lovely stuff with washable wools. I am using Classy, the Worsted Weight, doubled. The chunky weight, Fatty, could also be used in a single strand.

The pattern is rated easy and I have worked up the mitts and the mittens... The gloves need a bit of math, but all will cast on the same. ...

dork? really?

2008-10-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Katie's, favorite word seems to be dork.... and apparently, I am often one. Given the title and her being in Germany this week, she is on my mind....

I am too excited. I am actually "listed" on Ravelry as a "designer." So Yes, I am.... a dork.

Now to make myself a designer.... what do you think? Do I need an orange streak in my hair?
~p

Fun with Politics

2008-10-09T19:20:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this from All Knit and No Sheep - Designs by Counting Sheep Studio!

Brrrr....

2008-10-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

40 degrees and I am Freezing! Hard to believe this is just the beginning.

My days have been filled with knitting shop samples. This is is a joyous baby blanket. The yarn is a color that just makes me happy. I have about 5 more inches to go and I can mail it off. While I am looking at the photo - I see the knitting I wear near-daily - fingerless mitts (to be taught in 2 weeks) and an alpaca top down sweater.

On other shop knitting, I have been working on Twisted Rib Hat with Dream in Color's yarn in Happy Forest. The pattern is free and delightful. I think I will knit up some fingerless mitts to match.

Hat of Love

2008-10-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

So I am trying to get by DH to wear my hats on his cold head.... and STILL cannot figure out why he prefers the 99 cent k*art version to anything warm and wooly from my hands....

This is what I am working on for his cold head. It will have 2 layers and the yarn is very soft (Classic Elite Woo Bam Boo and Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK). but the killer part is the cast on edge... see the details? After the braid, knit a round with both yarns - essentially doubling the stitches. Then I took the heathered gray and knit upwards on a US2 and took the medium gray and knit downwards with a US 0. I love/hate working on it. After weeks of working on class projects for beginners, this is challenging and warmly welcome.