Fair Isle Bag KnitAlong

I met with my knitting group today and we discussed the knitalong. We figured out is that the front of the bag and the back of the bag are different. The colors aren't uniform going around the bag. It is knit flat from the top then you get to the bottom and start the other side all in one peice. As far as I can tell that is when it changes to the other color. You finish by folding it in half and sewing up the sides. This is why it will be difficult to convert. I'm sure we will figure out something. I use the term we loosely since I wouldn't even know where to start. Fortunately there are very experienced knitters in my group. I was thinking that maybe we could find a bag that is knit in the round and then apply the color pattern to it. I bet that Cindy could figure that out no problem. I'm going to run it by the group and see what they think.

Research

I haven't done any knitting in the last couple of days. Instead I have been looking up information on knitting with color. I have never attempted Fair Isle knitting. so I need all the help that I can get. I found a great video lesson on the Philosopher's Wool website. They also have a " sampler purse pattern" which they encourage people to practice the technique on. We aren't starting the knit along until around June 7th, so I will have time to play with the sampler pattern to get comfortable.

Red, White, and Blue Needles

It turns out that my red white and blue needles are special after all. I had thought that they were from the Bicentennial, but it turns out that they are from WWII. The following is an email that I received regarding the needles.

Hi Stacie,
The needles in question--red, white and blue were produced during WWII. (World War II) Women were encouraged to use these "patriotic needles" to knit warm items for the troops, especially sweaters, gloves and watch caps. The American Red Cross published a booklet of acceptable patterns that would produce uniform style knitted items. The finished products were sent to the Soldiers ,Sailors and Marines who were stationed in the colder climates during the war. Many groups of women would get together and have "knitting bees" --each woman would work on one of the patterns--when these items were completed, they would be turned over to the American Red Cross to be distributed to the troops. Knitting for the troops took place not only in the United States, but in Europe as well. School children were also encouraged to knit socks, scarves, etc. Even today, there are grass roots organizations that knit warm items for our troops overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Ship's Support Project is just one such organization. By the way, your patriotic needles are quite collectible and hard to find. As a side note, people (men and women) have been knitting items for soldiers in war as far back ( or even farther) as Hannibal crossing the Alps( wool stockings were in great demand to keep the soldiers warm and happy in the extreme weather).
Knittingly yours,
Mary

Thank you Mary for sharing this information with me. It is so wonderful to know those needles created something that warmed a soldier and provided him comfort. Here is a link to the Red Cross website. You will find the actual patterns that the Red Cross distributed. I also read that they are going to be selling vintage knitting kits so that you can Knit Your Bit in honor of the WWII volunteer knitting campaigns.

Saturday

My husband and I went to visit his mother and grandparents last night, and I got quite a bit of work done on Just Peachy on the ride over. The "shortcut" we took went awry so that provided extra car knitting time. I think it is great how patient you can be when you have your knitting.

Lately I have been thinking about starting a Knitting and Crocheting group at my apartment complex. There has to be people living here that either knit or crochet, and I could teach anyone that wanted to learn. I have all of those extra needles that I could provide the new knitters, and we have a wonderful club house that we could meet in. Actually, it was the needles that gave me the idea. I am going to talk to the manager and see if we can advertise in the monthly newsletter.

At work today I was able to help a lady with a crochet project that she was working on. She is making an afghan for someone as a wedding present and was having problems with the pattern. I told her about my next class and got her number so that I could call her when I have the date set. In my last beginner's class I taught the students how to make Granny Squares, and I plan on teaching the basic ripple afghan pattern in the next one. It is a very easy pattern and it is perfect for beginners.

Meryn Cadell

This is a poem from the album Angel Food For Thought by Meryn Cadell. It has been quite a while since I've listened to this album, and I forgot that this poem was on it. My husband and I were listening to it in the car the other day and I said, "I have to post this on my blog!"

KNITTING

I'm knitting myself a hat
And I'm sewing up a head to wear it on
And I'll never be this lonely again

I'm making myself some mittens
And I'm stitching my fingers together to keep them warm inside
And I'll never think about it
And I'll never touch myself again

I'm knitting myself a sweater
To cover the body I'm wearing
And the sweater will hang to my knees
And my hair will grow to the floor
And I'll never go outside again

summer patterns cont.

I've been busy hunting for summer patterns again. This has been pretty fun actually. It's amazing how many wonderful free patterns that are out there. I think that I have finally hit the end of my search. If any of you know of any free summer patterns that I might have missed let me know.

• Glenna
  
• Hiroko & Hasana
  
• Leah
  
• Lilith
  
• Luella
  
• Marilyn (dress)
  
• Marla
  
• Marsha
  
• Nina
  
• Tank of Many Colors
  
• Tina
  
• Bombshell Halter
  
• Daring Diva Halter
  
• Evening Diamonds
  
• Garnets and Pearls
  
• Brazilian Bikini (crochet)
  
• Groovy Crochet Bikini 1
  
• Groovy Crochet Bikini 2
  
• Funky Sleeveless Eyelash Top
  
• Lace Tank Top (I really like this top, and it is sited as an Advanced Beginner level pattern.)
  
• The Waikiki T-Strap Top (This one's from Crystal Palace is quite unique and very sexy)
  
• Fur Halter (Super funky pattern from Knitty)
  
• Honeymoon Cami (This top is too cute and definately on my list of must knits.)
  
• Evening gown
  
• Eyelash Trim Shell
  
• T3
  
• Jeweled Shell
  
• Very Cherry and Cherry Twist
  
• Mariah Top (crochet)
  
• Halter top
  
• Easy Single Crochet Halter Top (I made this myself and I love it. It was one of the easiest things I have ever made)
  
• Rib and Cable Top
  
• Shimmering Slip On
  
• Vintage Halter Top (pdf file)
  
• Vintage Bikini (pdf file)
  
• Knitted Strapless Top (pdf file)
  
• Vintage Shorts and Top Set (pdf file)
  
• Vintage Tunic Dress (pdf file)
  
• Summer Funnel Sleevless Top
  
• Sleezy (crocheted dress hehe. If someone makes this for the love of God please let me know!! )
  
• Vintage Patterns (This site has patterns to crochet and knit. If the site is down check it again later.)
  
• Grey Top
  
• Off The Shoulder Top
  
• Blue Bikini
  
• Two Bikinis (one knit and one crochet)
  

Well, that's all folks. I hope that you enjoy the patterns I have found. Like I said before, if you know of any patterns that I missed, let me know.

Whoa!

My grandmother called me today and told me that she bought me something at a yardsale. When she brought it over, I couldn't believe my eyes! She had a box full of knitting needles, needle holders, and books! I couldn't believe it. I said, "Lord have mercy is this Christmas!" I brought them in, washed them, and organized them. I seperated out each individual pair and rubber banded them together. All together there were 75 pairs of needles, 4 crochet hooks, and ten stitch holders! There were a lot of needles with missing mates.

Now that is a lot of needles! I think that most of them are pretty old. Many of the needles didn't have a brand name on them, and there were a few needles that I found to be quite interesting. There is one pair of wooden needles that appears to be hand made. There is also a wooden pair by Boye and one by Bates. I didn't know that those companies made wooden needles. I'm curious about how old they are. The pair on the right is the one that is handmade.




Another set that I found to be interesting is made by Bates. I have never seen anything like them before. They are made out of plastic and are quite patriotic as you can see. If any of you know anything about these needles please let me know. Unfortunately the stitch holder is broken.




There were a couple of brands that I have never heard of: Hero, Phatom (Made in England), and Zephr. The Zephr is a circular needle made all in one peice out of nylon. It doesn't have any joins. Then there is a metal circular that has a metal wire cable connecting the needles. I have never seen one of these before. I also found a circular needle from an old Needlemaster set. I remember hearing that Sears used to carry knitting needles a long time ago, so it was pretty neat to find a couple of Sears brand needles in the stash. After I got them all seperated I did an inventory. Gawd, I'm such a nerd!!

Saturday

I'm not meeting with my knitting group today. Instead, I am going to visit with the in-laws. Today is our nephew's first birthday. He is a real cutey patooty. He looks just like Rob did when he was that age. I am going to bring my knitting of course. I never leave home without it. Heehee. I am going to take Just Peachy along on the trip.I'll be casting on for the front today. So far this project has been super easy. I can say this now because I haven't come to the part where the front criss crosses. However, I looked ahead in the pattern and it doesn't seem like it will be hard to do. We shall see.

I haven't decided if I want to start Chickami next or the cuuuuuuuuuuuute crocheted top that's in the same VK issue as Just Peachy or maybe the bikini! I haven't crocheted anything for quite a while so I just might pick one of those. I went to my LYS and picked up the necessary needles for Chickami so I am good to go whenever I decide to start it.

Wednesday

I have put down Just Peachy for a little bit. I wanted to work on my 2x2 socks. Queen Kahuna has a method of knitting a heel and gusset without having to pick up stitches. You increase for the gusset as you are knitting the heel. I have never tried anything like this so it is a learning experience. So far her directions have been very easy to follow and I have not had any trouble.

I taught a Beginner's Crochet class today. I taught my students how to make Granny Squares. It was the very first thing I ever learned and I thought it would be a great project for beginner's. This way they can leave the class knowing how to make baby blankets, afghans, dishcloths , and more. The students were excellent and very fast learners. We had a great time. For their next class I am going to teach them a basic ripple pattern. My next knitting class will be on the 28th. I hope those students will be as good as the ones I had tonight.

Sunday

I finished the back of Just Peachy tonight. I have the shoulders on a stitch holder. When the front is done the shoulders are going to be grafted together. I just hope that I do a good job on the side seems. I honestly hate finishing. I am just going to take my time and do the best job that I can. As promised I took a picture of the progress. Keep in mind it isn't blocked and I haven't weaved in any of the ends yet. Here it is...

Changes

I worked on Just Peachy tonight and made another change in the pattern. It isn't a major one but I thought that I would make note of it. When I got to the increase the pattern calls for a M1, but for some reason that made a little hole. I usually don't have that problem and I think maybe it has something to do with the yarn that I am using. I decided to use a different increase and I knit in the front and the back of the stitch instead. That worked just fine. My poor 2x2 socks have sat untouched for a while. I picked them up last night and knit a couple of rows. I have been knitting during my lunch break lately. I'm making a purse from Fun Fur and Homespun to display in the store. It is an extremely simple pattern, but will be a great way to show off the yarns and advertise my classes. I'll be posting pictures of my progress on Just Peachy soon. Wow say that three times fast!

Online Knitting List Acronyms

AS: Alice Starmore (knitwear designer)
BTW: By the Way
BUFO: Boring UnFinished Object
ECU: Eastern Continental Uncrossed
BIGHI: (pronounced Biggie) But I Gotta Have It
EZ: Elizabeth Zimmermann (knitwear designer)
FCEK: Family Circle Easy Knitting (a magazine)
FO: Finished Object (usually accompanied by many !'s)
FOREPLAY: For Our Really Exciting Projects, Let's Add Yarn
: Grin
HALFPINT: Have a Lovely Fantasy Project, I've No Time(coined by Amy Detjen)
IM(H)O: In My (Humble/Honest) Opinion
IW: Interweave Magazine
KAT: Knitting against time
KF: Kaffe Fassett (knitwear designer)
KIP: Knitting in Public (and you're encouraged to do it!)
LOL: Laughed Out Loud
LYS: Local Yarn Store
LYSO: Local Yarn Store Owner
MS: Meg Swansen (knitwear designer)
NQBE: Not Quite Big Enough
NTINAMY: "Not that I NEED any more yarn..."
OKC: Obligatory Knitting Content
ROFL: Rolling on the Floor Laughing
SEX: Stash Enrichment eXpedition SWIPE: Stalled Work In Progress
TIA: Thanks In Advance
TKGA: The Knitting Guild Association
TOAD: Trashed Object, Abandoned in Disgust (coined by Fahy Bygate)
TTFN: Ta Ta For Now
UFO: Unfinished Object
USO: Unstarted Object
VBG: Very Big Grin
VK: Vogue Knitting
WIP: Work in Progress
Y or WCZ: Yarn or Wool Containment Zone: where we cache our stash.
YAQ: Yarn Acquisition Quest

Referring to family members, etc:
DH or W: Darling (or Dear) Husband or Wife
SO: Significant Other
DS or D: Darling Son/Sister or Daughter
DGD or S: Darling Granddaughter or Grandson
M or FIL: Mother or Father in Law and so on, depending on context.

Sunday

I am about 4 1/2 inches into Just Peachy. It called for one row of k1 p1 ribbing, but I did two instead. I'm hoping that will keep it from rolling up. The pattern calls for 8 balls of Adrienne Vittadini/JCA Celia (silk) in #908 peach. I wish that I could afford it, but it is 9.95 a ball! It would cost 80 bucks for me to make it. I'm not saying that the yarn isn't worth it. It is just way out of my league. I am happy with the feel of the Aunt Lydia's Caress Microfiber I decided to use as substitute. I got it on sale for $2.00 a ball. It may not be as nice as the silk, but I think it will turn out great.