Recent Projects–December 20, 2011

Obviously, I can’t tell you about a couple of my knitting projects since the recipients might read this blog (although I’ve skimped this year on some family members since I’ve been knitting so much for the shop – I hope they understand).  However, I have made a few items that have turned out very nicely that I’d like to show off!

This is a purse made from Poems yarn using a Ravelry free pattern that I then felted.  I added an extra set of short rows since I knew it would shrink with felting.  When it shrunk, it became rather shallow, so I added a button and made a tab with I-cord so the contents wouldn’t fall out easily.

I recently acquired a Kindle, which I love, especially for keeping my knitting patterns without having to juggle paper all over the place!  To protect the screen, I made a Kindle cover, again using a free Ravelry pattern.

A friend is teaching my son to hunt deer with a bow.  As a thank-you, I made her a sweater for her dog, who apparently does not have as much hair as a dog living in Wisconsin really needs.  I used a free pattern that I found on Ravelry, but did a fair amount of modification based on the measurements of the dog.  I don’t have pictures of the dog in the sweater yet, but I’ll get those as soon as I can!

My other did other current project is a hat and mitten set done in crochet.  Was learning to knit really as tedious as this crochet project is?  Well, I’ll get there eventually, I guess.

What are your current projects?  Anything exciting?  I’ll have some pictures after Christmas – I hope!

A Few Of My Favorite Things–The Ablet

The Ablet, AKA knitting abacus, is a bracelet and knitting counter all in one.  How cool is that?  You get to wear a beautiful piece of jewelry that helps you keep track of your knitting rows!  This is one of my new favorite knitting notions.  It’s pretty.  It’s useful.  How can you go wrong?!

The Ablet is made with 18 beads strung on two sets of ribbons side by side to make an abacus.  It works just like an abacus.  You slide the beads of the “ones column” after each row until you have done all nine beads.  Then, you move the “ones” beads back and slide the first “tens” bead down and repeat the process.

My Ablet is made with blue beads so it matches just about everything that I wear.  There are designs, though, with wooden beads, multicolor beads, and sparkly beads.  The beads are very easy to move and don’t require you to drop your needles.

One of these would make a great gift for a knitter.  Prices range from $18 – $35.  Stop by the Knitting Nest to check them out!

And Then The Magic Happens . . .

By Patrick Martin

A few weeks ago, I made the models for our sock knitting class.  As I was working on the heels of  the sock and watching the tube I was knitting take a 90 degree turn, I had a very clear picture in my head.  It was a picture of Linda, one of our teachers, telling some clients, “… and that’s when the magic happens!”  I don’t remember exactly what she was referring to when I heard her say it, but for me, turning a heel is like magic.  I just blindly follow the instructions and the whole tube makes a right angle turn: MAGIC!!  But then I started thinking about how my wife wrote the pattern for these socks.  The heel turning thing is not so magic to her anymore.  She completely understands it and can even write it down stitch by stitch.  But I remember the first time she turned a heel.  She was giddy!  It was magic!  That’s why she wants to learn to knit Brioche now.  Not so much because she wants a challenge, but because she wants to experience the magic again.

So, what is it that makes the magic happen for you?  When we first start knitting, finishing two rows with the same number of stitches we started with could be magical.  Or maybe you’ve just learned that “knit one purl two” is more than a silly saying and you are watching ribbing appear!  That’s the fun of learning a new skill.  When  your hard work starts to pay off and you see the fruits of your labor, it’s like magic.  And, after a while, when that skill becomes a little easy and you start to understand why it works, you need to look for the magic again.  So, go find yourself something new to learn.  Make some magic happen.  And if you think you don’t have time, ask yourself if any of the things that you are spending your time on now are making magic.  If not, maybe you could change your priorities a little and learn something new!

Patrick Martin

Gifts For Knitters

[We have a sign in our window that says “Gifts for Knitters”.  Every time I see it, I think of the line “Votes for Women” from the song “Sister Suffragettes” in Mary Poppins.  Just thought you might want to know.]

It’s getting closer to Christmas (Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, your winter holiday of choice).  If you have a knitter in your life and are trying to come up with a thoughtful and useful gift, let me give you some ideas.

Books – Check out this post for some great book ideas.  In addition, we have Knit, Swirl and Knit One, Knit All which have been big hits this year in the knitting world.  If you know a knitter who likes to knit socks, we have several sock knitting books which could be paired with a skein of sock yarn for a lovely gift set.

Debbie Macomber – Does the knitter in your life read the Debbie Macomber books (or do you and do you want to get said knitter reading the books)?  We have the first couple of books in the Blossom Street series along with a couple of accompanying pattern books.  You could even add in some of the Debbie Macomber yarn (from Universal yarns) like Wild Meadow, Morning Glory Cotton, or Petals.

Yarn – We carry some “fun” yarns that would be a great addition to any knitter’s stash.  Who wouldn’t love a little Bamboo Bloom in their life?

We recently got in some Baby Alpaca Chunky from Cascade which feels just delicious!

For those who like to really buy local, we have our “Sheep to Shop” yarn.  This is the yarn that we purchased as raw wool from Lamb’s Quarters then took to the mill for processing and spinning.  In addition to the yarn itself, we have made photobooks that show the processing steps.

We also carry Lavishea, a wonderful lotion bar that knitters love because it keeps our hands from drying out without getting them oily.

For our Packer fans, let’s not forget Old ‘92!  This yarn from Dear Husband is a Green, Gold and White colorway, specifically designed for Green Bay fanatics!  We have this yarn in worsted wool, superwash wool, and sock yarn (wool, nylon, and cashmere). 

And then, there is the ever popular gift certificate!  This allows you to let your knitting friend purchase whatever they choose from The Knitting Nest completely guilt free – because you’ve already paid the bill!

If you are still unsure, that’s OK, too.  Just stop in and ask one of us for help – I’m sure we can come up with some other ideas as well!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!