Cheap Yarn Yay!

I left work today with two bags stuffed with yarn. How much did I pay? I paid a huge whopping 15 bucks! Oh yeah baby! We just got in a bunch of new yarn, so we have a lot on clearance. I bought some Lion Brand Cotton Ease for $2 dollars a skein and some Bernat So Soft for $1 a skein. Don't you just love deals like that!

The Bernat is for my sister's Christmas present. I am pretty sure that it is safe to say what I am making her on here. I'm pretty sure she doesn't read my blog. My sister loves anything with cherries. Her kitchen is decorated in cherries. I gave her a cherry purse last year and she just took a fit over it. I have decide to design a hat and scarf that have cherries on them. I guess you would call the style of the hat a cap. The brim isn't going to fold or roll up. I think I will do a couple rows of seed stitch so that it won't roll up. I drew it in photoshop. Please excuse the amateur drawing.

Well, you get the general idea anyway. The scarf will be Stockinette knit in a tube and will have the same two cherries on each end. I think she will love it. I chose acrylic yarn for her, because she is a very busy mom. She doesn't have time to worry about hand washing or dry cleaning anything. She needs something that you can toss in the washer and dryer. 

I am going to start this hat after I finish the long awaited Fair Isle Bag and Ribby. I wish that I had time to knit more. I need a nice desk job with a boss who appreciates some good ole multitasking ie. knitting and working! Haha! A girl can dream can't she??

Knitting with Beads Anyone??

I want to try Knitting with beads! I love love love the little amulet bags. The are so pretty and delicate. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any size 0000 needles in any of the craft stores or LYS's in my area. Then I found out that my friend Rhonda makes up these adorable bag kits with a booklet that explains everything you need to know! She has to be one of the craftiest people I know. Here are some pictures of her kits. You can click on each image for a larger view.

 



Aren't they great! The needles are so pretty. She puts the pretty beads (that have a fancy sounding name I can't for the life of me remember) on the end herself. My pair have butterflies on them, too cute! She makes some other cool gadgets that I plain to make a part of my stash really soon. I'll show them to you later. For more information you can email Rhonda by Clicking Here.

I also hunted down some information on Crocheting with beads. I knew that there would be people reading this that might not knit, and I wanted to provide information for them too. Beadcrochet.com has animated lessons for righties and lefties.

I'm still waiting for my Adrienne Vittadini Spring 2004 pattern book to get here. I ordered it weeks ago and was told it was on back order. Aaaaaaaaaaaargh! I'm so impatient. I know I won't get to knit anything from it for a while, but I want it! I also want the Fall 2004 book. Bonnie from Chicknits scooped one up at her LYS. I wonder if mine has it?

Took A Break

I took a break from the pc for a couple of days. I didn't want to go blind from looking at the screen too much. Friday I took my Grandma to my knitting group meeting. I wanted her to meet my new knitting friends. I thought that she might find it interesting. I don't know if we converted her or not but she did enjoy watching us knit.

I brought my spindle with my 1 ply to show Janette. She said that for a first attempt it was a really good job. She helped me predraft the pink Romney roving, and I spun a little under her supervision. I think that I'm starting to get the hang of it, but I still have a long way to go before I start spinning anything decent. Per Jeanettes advice, I'll be spinning about 20 minutes everyday for practice. I wish that I had a spinning wheel. I'm sure that would be a lot easier than a spindle.

The craft store I work at just got in a bunch of novelty yarn, and my boss wants me to knit up some scarves for a display. I told him that I wouldn't mind, but I would have to do them at work. I have way too much knitting to do at home. Did you know that Lion Brand makes a ribbon? It is called Incredible, and it is really pretty. I will definately be making a scarf with that yarn. That way I can also see what kind of gauge I get with it. I have a few patterns I want to knit that call for ribbon. Getting a discount on yarn almost makes up for that mean old man that called me a B*#%  today. You just gotta love that.

I'm Finished!!

Can you believe I finished that scarf and shawl list?? I sure can't. I had to organize, alphabetize, and write out the code for the page. I'm not going to admit how many hours this all took! You might think I don't have a life! Haha! The final link count turned out to be 139. I ended up cutting out a few patterns due to issues with the site they were posted on. Needless to say, I haven't done any knitting today. I really need to get that Fair Isle Bag Finished. It has been whimpering in the darkness of my knitting bag. "Please pick me up! I'm lonely!" There just isn't time is there? Sometimes I wish that there were two of me, but then we would probably fight over who gets to knit the bag anyways. Well, it's time for me to get off of this computer. I can't look at this screen a minute longer. Ok, I'm really getting off of this computer now. Have a great day!

Holy Cow!!

There are soooooooooooo many scarf and shawl patterns on the internet. Can you believe that I have found 145 so far, and I am actually leaving a bunch out! I could stop there, but I think I'll look a little bit more for the heck of it. I'm shooting for 150. Think I'll get there? For now, I'm dragging my tired butt to bed! Goodnight :)

Look What I Can Do!

I can spin! Woohooo! I learned how today during my first Spinning Guild meeting. We made our own spindles out of CD's and wooden dowels, and then we got our first lesson in spindle spinning. It was honestly and incredible experience. Ever since I was a kid I have been fascinated with the process of creating fabric from wool, cotton, and other fibers, and now I have actually participated in it. When I learned how to crochet at five I was amazed with what you could create with a just a hook and yarn. When I knit my first socks, I just couldn't believe that two sticks and yarn made them! Now I can even make the yarn! I may not be good at it yet, but by golly I can do it. I still have this great pink roving that Janette gave me, but I want to practice a bit more before I attempt to spin it. It is so pretty, and I don't want to ruin it.

If you would like to make your own CD spindle Click Here. It was really easy to make, and Rhonda said that it spins just as good as her other spindles. She has to be the craftiest woman ever, so I believe her! There are many resources for spinning on the internet, so I'll post a few links for those of you interested in learning to spin. Enjoy!

I Can Spin
The Joy Of Handspinning
The Bellwether
Spin Off

I'm Still Here!

I haven't abandoned the blog. I promise.  You see, Hurricane Charlie has this real problem. He just has to be the center of attention! I really think that he should have been hugged more as a child. Maybe he needs some therapy??

I took my Ribby Shell over to the next door neighbors for some good ole hurricane party knitting. Not having to read a chart or a pattern was especially helpful once the power went out. I highly recommend this pattern for some seriously easy and relaxing knitting. I did put Ribby down long enough to teach my next door neighbor Kim how to knit. I have a ton of extra needles and a stash of kitchen cotton that I may never see the bottom of, so I got her started on an easy dishcloth. She was a very fast learner.

I would really like to show progress pictures of Ribby, but it is for my mom who is a daily reader of my blog. Hi Mom! She knows she is getting a tank, but hasn't seen the pattern picture or the yarn. That is the one drawback of Christmas knitting and blogging. Maybe I should just figure out how to block my family from my blog! Hahaa! Just kidding Mom!! Maybe.......(insert evil laugh here)

Wowsa!

I have had some time on my hands today, so I've been searching for scarves and shawls. Can I just say Holy Crap!! There are a lot of shawl and scarf patterns out there! You are going to have to be patient with me on this one. Right now I'm in the bookmarking stage. It's going to be some work getting the links alphabatized and coded. I will probably seperate the crochet patterns from the knitting ones since there are so many.

Poll Results

Thanks to everyone that participated in my poll. I'm going to get started looking for scarf and shawl patterns in my free time. I'm only going to put links for interesting/unique scarf patterns, because there are A LOT out there. I hope everyone has a great day. I have to go to work now, yuck!

Update

I have another update on my brother. It's very frustrating that we get only bits and pieces of information and half of it is wrong. First we hear he is shot, and then we hear he wasn't shot and it was shrapnel. Now the latest news is that he was shot. Did you ever play the game Telephone when you were a kid? You all sit in a circle and the first person whispers a sentence in the second person's ear. The second person whispers what they heard into the third person's etc etc... The last person says outloud what they think the sentence is, and it is almost always way off. This has been like one big freaking game of Telephone. This is the actual story.

Last Wednesday night Chris was in a convoy that was attacked. The militants were on the side of the road with a rocket propelled grenade waiting for them to pass. Once they shot that they started small arms fire that killed one and wounded five. Chris was one of the wounded. He was in the passengers seat, and the bullet went through the door through his right leg and shattered in his left thigh. The person driving was much more injured, so Chris took over driving until they were out of danger. My brother Nick was able to go to the hospital and will be there until Chris gets sent home. I am so thankful for my brother Nick's unit who never even hesitated about getting him to Chris' side.

This information came straight from Nick's wife so it should be acuarate. Thanks again for all of the well wishes and prayers. Please continue to send happy thoughts and prayers for both of my brothers. Nick is still in the mess, and Chris has a long recovery ahead of him.

Ok you need a smile after reading all of that. Click Here

Bad News Today

I had a bad feeling this morning, so I decided to read the online news on Iraq. Some of you may know that both of my brothers are over there. I read that a helicopter had been shot down, and my stomach twisted. My brother Nick works on Black Hawks and has to fly along with the crew. I got on AOL instant messenger to see I could get in touch with my sister-in-law. I had to make sure Nick was ok and my bad feeling was wrong. She says, "Oh yeah Nick is fine. I just talked to him a little while ago."  Whew! We continued to chat and all the sudden I get this message,

"CHRIS HAS BEEN SHOT!"

She was on the phone with my mother who was asking her to call the Red Cross. I called my mom to try to get more information, but she didn't have much information to give. All we know is that his convoy came under attack, he was shot three times in his legs, and his friend was killed. Despite his wounds and profuse bleeding, he kept driving his truck until he got them all to safety. My brother is a hero.  There isn't a whole lot of information available on the attack, but you can read an article by clicking here. 

The phone call to the Red Cross was a success. My brother Nick is at the hospital with Chris as we speak. They are about to operate, and hopefully we will learn more soon. Not knowing is freaking killing me! My mom is a wreak, my dad is a wreck, and all of us kids are a wreck! At least Chris is alive and will be leaving the war. But what about Nick? What's going to happen to him?

A Button!

Donna from Yarn Tomato made me a button, and I absolutely love it! It's on the left side of the page near the bottom. If you haven't visited Donna's site before, you ought to check it out. She makes the cutest buttons ever. She is also the owner of the Crochet Blogs ring which I plan to join. I'll make an effort to crochet enough to meet the qualifications :) Right click on the button to save it to your computer, and then upload it to your image host. If you don't have image hosting you can go to Photobucket. That is who I use, and it is free. Thanks again Donna! You Rock!

Yep, I crochet

I promised progress pictures today, but I decided not to show a project I am actually working on. Instead I decided to show a project that I have been neglecting for a very, VERY long time. This is a motif for the Summer Sunflowers Afghan that I begun, oh I don't know ummmm, SIX YEARS AGO! Why I lost interest in it I really don't know. I know that part of the reason is that I taught myself how to knit four years ago and fell deaply in love with it. I barely pick up a crochet hook anymore unless it is to teach a class at work or make Christmas presents. I always end up crocheting stuffed animals for the kids and christmas ornaments for the rest of my family. Last year I made Devin a stuffed Tigger and Ben a stuffed cow. His mommy really likes cows, and I wonder who's cow it is now. Haha! Now that I have started my Christmas projects there will be Crocheting content in my blog :) Maybe I will even pick my poor old Sunflower Afghan back up. I know she is terribly lonely.

Finally Knitting!

I actually did some knitting yesterday! It's amazing! I worked on the Fair Isle bag and started the Ribby Shell from ChicKnits. I have finally completed one side and the bottom of the bag. I am officially halfway there! I know I am really slow finishing projects, but I haven't been able to get much knitting time in lately. I'm lucky if I snag an hour a night. I'm beginning to worry about finishing Christmas presents on time. I think I will end up giving IOU's with pictures for the presents that I don't finish. They should understand. I work full time, I have no commuting time, and I can't knit at work. If you can I am soooooooooooooo jealous of you! My time for working on projects is way limited.

Wild!

The wildest thing happened to me today. My husband and I were out running around having fun, and around six or so we started heading home. As we were stopped at a stop light I noticed this old man waving at me and pointing at something. It was a little parakeet that had landed on the side mirror of his car! When it registered in my brain, I started to get out of the car to catch it. Unfortunately, the light turned green and the man started to drive off. The poor little bird did it's best to stay on the mirror, but had to fly off onto the side of the road. I started freaking out and got my husband to turn around so I could save the bird. He knew better than to argue, and he took me back to the spot that I saw the bird land. I jumped out of the car and there the little thing was! It was walking back into traffic towards the cars. Stopping traffic I slowly approached the bird so that I wouldn't scare it into the cars. I herded it away from the street and back to the grass where I quickly but gently grabbed it. It then proceeded to bite the crap out of me and continued to do so all the way back to the car. You should have seen my husband's face when I walked up to the car with the little bird in my hands! He says, "Now what the heck are we going to do?" At first I wanted to keep it but then I decided against it. I would hate to have saved this little baby's life only to have my cats knock over the cage and eat it. After a few phone calls and a bazillion bird bites, I found the birdy a home. Now I can rest easy knowing it is safe and sound.

Free Poncho Links

1. Abigail Goss' Baby Poncho Set (C)
   
2. Adriafil's Poncho "Carmencita" (K)
   
3. Adult Ramblings' Joined Motif Poncho (C)
   
4. Adult Ramblings' Left Over Poncho (C)
   
5. Adult Ramblings' Striped Poncho (C)
   
6. A.L. de Sauveterre Cape May (K)
   
7. Amimono's Falling Leaves Poncho (K)
   
8. Amy Fong's Sheer Poncho (K)
   
9. Angel Poncho for baby (C)
   
10. Anne Modsitt Hannah's Poncho (K)
    
11. Barbara Breiter's Easy Garter Stitch Poncho (K)
    
12. Barbara Breiter's Easy Openwork Poncho (K)
    
13. Barbara Breiter's Musique + Fizz Knit Poncho (K)
    
14. Bella Online's Adult Poncho
    
15. Bella Online's Pretty Poncho (C)
    
16. Bernat Bling Bling Poncho (B)
    
17. Bernat Cottontots Hooded Poncho (K)
    
18. Bernat Ping Pong Capelet (K)
    
19. Bernat Solo Poncho (K)
    
20. Berroco's Amore Poncho (K)
    
21. Berroco's Asars Ponchette (K)
    
22. Berroco's Delmarva Poncho (K)
    
23. Berroco's Donatella Poncho (K)
    
24. Berroco's Famous Poncho (C)
    
25. Berroco's Famous Poncho (K)
    
26. Berroco's Linda Poncho (K)
    
27. Berroco's Loretta Lynn Poncho (K)
    
28. Berroco's Maia Poncho (K)
    
29. Berroco's My First Asymmetrical Poncho (K)
    
30. Berroco's Nina Cape (K)
    
31. Berroco's Novak Poncho (K)
    
32. Berroco's Paige Poncho (K)
    
33. Berroco's Panache Poncho (K)
    
34. Berroco's Phyllis Poncho (K)
    
35. Berroco's Samantha Capelet (K)
    
36. Berroco's Shanaya Poncho (K)
    
37. Bobbie Nash's Ribbon Shawl/Poncho (K)
    
38. Boogie Knits' Summer Poncho (K)
    
39. Bright Spot's Color Block Poncho (C)
    
40. Bright Spot's Leafy Poncho (C)
    
41. Brooke's Purple Poncho (K)
    
42. Canadian Living's Back To School Poncho (K)
    
43. Canadian Living's Mini Poncho (K)
    
44. Capelet Pattern Generator (K)
    
45. Carie Clement Super-Simple Trellis Stitch Poncho (C)
    
46. Caron's Child's Ruffled Poncho (C)
    
47. Caron's Fabulous Ponchini (K)
    
48. Caron's Toddler Poncho (K)
    
49. Carrie Viskozki's Black and White Poncho (C)
    
50. Carrie Viskozki's Child's Striped Poncho (C)
    
51. Carrie Viskozki's Stiped Poncho (C)
    
52. Carrot Patch's Galway Bay Cape (K)
    
53. Carrot Patch's Nautical (K)
    
54. Carrot Patch's Rah Rah Cape (C)
    
55. Carrot Patch's Swashbuckler (C)
    
56. Cat Bordhi's Flowing Collar Poncho (K)
    
57. Celebrity Poncho (like Jessica Simpson's) (C)
    
58. Celia's Basket Ostrich Plume Lace Capelet (K)
    
59. Charlotte Meyer's Charlotte's Web Poncho (C)
    
60. Chell Grissam's Lightweight Jewel Shawl (C) (the tie makes it poncho like)
    
61. Cherry Tree Hill's Old Rose Poncho (K)
    
62. Child's Poncho (C)
    
63. Chris Carroll's Jayda's Poncho (K)
    
64. Christy McMahon's Kid's Beaded Poncho (C)
    
65. Christy McMahon's Pretty Plus Size Poncho (C)
    
66. CJ Roshak's Poncho (C)
    
67. Classic Elite's Charmed Poncho (K)
    
68. Classic Elite's Lou Lou and La Gran Poncho (K)
    
69. Clearwater Knits' Ladies' Poncho (K)
    
70. Coats and Clark Baby Poncho (C)
    
71. Craftown's Asymmetrical Cross Stitch Poncho (C)
    
72. Craftown's Child's Poncho (C)
    
73. Craft Yarn Council Knitted Poncho (K)
    
74. Craft Yarn Council Crocheted Poncho (C)
    
75. Creative Knitting Magazine's Tuneful 'Rap (K)
    
76. CrochetandKnitting.com Keeley's Poncho (C)
    
77. Crystal Palace Asymmetric Poof Crochet Poncho (C)
    
78. Crystal Palace Big Net Mesh Asymmetrical Poncho (K)
    
79. Crystal Palace Big Net Open Stitch Poncho (K)
    
80. Crystal Palace Child's Capelet in Cotton Chenille with Squiggle Trim (K)
    
81. Crystal Palace Choo Choo poncho (K)
    
82. Crystal Palace Deco-Ribbon Openwork Poncho (K)
    
83. Crystal Palace Glam Poncho (K)
    
84. Crystal Palace Striped Poncho (K)
    
85. DIY's Poncho-relli (Charm and Toreador ribbed poncho with ribbon) (K)
    
86. Dot Matthews' Baby Short Round Poncho (C)
    
87. Dot Matthews' Bows and Arrows Poncho (C)
    
88. Dot Matthews's Diamond and Lace Poncho (C)
    
89. Dot Matthews's Diamond Trellis Poncho (C)
    
90. Dot Matthews' Doover Poncho (C)
    
91. Dot Matthews' Eastwoodly Poncho (C)
    
92. Dot Matthews' Elagant Lace Poncho (C)
    
93. Dot Matthews' Reflection Poncho (C)
    
94. Dot Matthews'Gentle Ripples Poncho (C)
    
95. Dot Matthews' Lizzy the 4th Poncho (C)
    
96. Dot Matthews' Short Round Poncho (C)
    
97. EK's Easy Poncho (C)
    
98. Emerald Moon Creations' Adult Poncho Sweater (C)
    
99. Emerald Moon Creations' Child's Poncho Sweater (C)
    
100. Filatura Di Crosa Zarone Cape (K)
     
101. Fuzzy Galore's Cloud Poncho (K)
     
102. Fuzzy Galore's Easy Crocheted Child's Poncho (C)
     
103. Fuzzy Galore's Easy Poofy Capelet (K)
     
104. Fuzzy Galore's Easy Lacey Capelet (K)
     
105. Fuzzy Galore's Granite Poncho (C)
     
106. Fuzzy Galore's Mobious Capelet (K)
     
107. Fuzzy Galore's Spiky Poncho (K)
     
108. Glampyre Knits Shoulder-Warmer (Boob Tube) (K)
     
109. Groovy Crochet's Cape and Beret (C)
     
110. Groovy Crochet's Child's Cape (C)
     
111. Groovy Crochet's 3 Color Poncho (C)
     
112. Groovy Crochet's Autumn Poncho (C)
     
113. Groovy Crochet's Fringe Poncho (C)
     
114. Groovy Crochet's Gaucho Poncho (C)
     
115. Groovy Crochet's Granny Square Poncho (C)
     
116. Groovy Crochet's Minimex Poncho (C)
     
117. Groovy Crochet's Petite Poncho (C)
     
118. Groovy Crochet's Poncho (C)
     
119. Groovy Crochet's Poncho and Cap (C)
     
120. Groovy Crochet's Poncho and Pants (C)
     
121. Groovy Crochet's Poncho, Hat, and Bag (C)
     
122. Groovy Crochet's Practical Poncho (C)
     
123. Groovy Crochet's Rustic Poncho (C)
     
124. Groovy Crochet's Show Off Poncho (C)
     
125. Groovy Crochet's Two For The Road Ponchos (C)
     
126. Groovy Crochet's Woodland Poncho (C)
     
127. Groovy Crochet's Versatile Poncho (C)
     
128. Hello Yarn's One Baaad Poncho (K)
     
129. Howe2Knit's Cabled Poncho (K)
     
130. Interweave's Round the Caplet (C)
     
131. Interweave's Staff Ponchos (K)
     
132. It's a Girl Thing Poncho (K)
     
133. Janelle Schlossman's Child`s V-st Poncho (C)
     
134. Janelle Schlossman's Easy Poncho
     
135. Janelle Schlossman's Lacet Stitch Poncho (C)
     
136. Janelle Scholossman's Lacey Plus Size Poncho (C)
     
137. Janelle Schlossman's Open Stitch Rib Child`s Poncho (C)
     
138. Janelle Schlossman's Pretty Shells Plus Size Poncho (C)
     
139. Janelle Schlossman's Sky Poncho (C)
     
140. Joanna's Poncho (K)
     
141. Jo-Ann's Scalloped Cape (C)
     
142. Jo-Ann's Seafoam Crochet Poncho (C)
     
143. Julie A. Bolduc's Scalloped Fashion Doll Poncho (C)
     
144. Katie McEvoy's Cleopatra Pattern (K)
     
145. KnitList's Poncho Recipe (K)
     
146. Knitting-Crochet.com Spanish Style Poncho (K)
     
147. Knitty's Villa (K)
     
148. Linda Craftiques' Cabled Poncho (K)
     
149. Liza Prior Lucy's Iceland Knit Poncho with Bobble Fringe (K)
     
150. Luv2Crochet.com Lacy Shell Poncho (C)
     
151. Mackenzie's Stainless Steel Poncho (K)
     
152. Maggie's Crochet Martha's Coming Home Poncho (C)
     
153. Maggie's Crochet Martha's Mini Coming Home Ponchos (C)
     
154. Maggi Stitches Ribbon Poncho (K)
     
155. Maize Hutton's Poncho (K)
     
156. Majorknitter's Blue, Blue, Blue Poncho (K)
     
157. Major Knitter's American Doll Poncho (K)
     
158. Major Knitter's Poncho Pattern (K)
     
159. Mango Moon's Embellished Poncho (C)
     
160. Mango Moon's No Fringe Poncho (K)
     
161. Mango Moon's One Piece Poncho (K)
     
162. Mango Moon's Ponchito (K)
     
163. Marlo D. Cairns Triple C Poncho (K)
     
164. Martha Stewart Like Poncho from Bernat (B)
     
165. Martha Stewart Like Poncho from Caron (C)
     
166. Martha Stewart Like Poncho by Plymouth
     
167. Michaels.com Chenille Thick & Quick Fun Fur Sheared Poncho (K)
     
168. Michaels.com Incredible Poncho (C)
     
169. Michaels.com Incredible Poncho (K)
     
170. Michaels.com Moonlight Mohair Poncho (K)
     
171. Michaels.com Poncho Scarf (B)
     
172. Midnight Knitter's Seaweed Wrap (K)
     
173. Medidit.com Striped Poncho (C)
     
174. Moda Dea Cache Crocheted Poncho (C)
     
175. Moda Dea's Poncho (K)
     
176. Moda Dea's Swirl Poncho (C)
     
177. Moda Dea's Ticker Tape Poncho (C)
     
178. Moda Dea's Vixen Poncho (C)
     
179. Modeknit.com Hannah's Poncho (K)
     
180. Myra Wood's Easy Peasy Poncho (C)
     
181. Nancy Valocik Buttoned-Up Knitted Shawl (very poncho-like)
     
182. Natalie Langkilde's Poncho shawl (K)
     
183. Ornaghi Filati Acapulco Poncho (K)
     
184. Ornaghi Filati Biberon Poncho Fucsia (K)
     
185. Ornaghi Filati Oslo Mantellina (K)
     
186. Paige's Poncho by Marnie Maclean (B)
     
187. Pam Davis' Opal Child's Poncho (K)
     
188. Pam Davis' Lacy Opal Shawl-Poncho (K)
     
189. Pam Davis' Opal Fall Poncho (K)
     
190. Peg Thomas' Short Simple Cape (K)
     
191. Poncho Pattern Generators (K)
     
192. Rachel's Beauty in Bloom Poncho (C)
     
193. Rare Yarns' Butterfly Poncho (K)
     
194. Red Heart Symphony Poncho (K)
     
195. Roz's Beginner Poncho for Everyone (K)
     
196. Roz's Poncho (K)
     
197. Roz's Tuck Lace Poncho (Machine Knit)
     
198. Sandi Marshall's Cape Sized For Toddlers And Small Children (C)
     
199. Schachenmayr Chid's Poncho (C)
     
200. Schachenmayr Poncho Shawl (K)
     
201. Scotty Maloney's Dog Poncho (K)
     
202. Signa's Bed Cape (K)
     
203. Sskeins' Easy Baby Poncho (K)
     
204. Stitch1knit1.com Patons Diploma (K)
     
205. Steph Thorton's Child's Poncho (C)
     
206. Stephanie Japel's Paris Loop (K)
     
207. Sue Kawamoto's Holey Moley Poncho (K)
     
208. Sugar N Creme Easy Crocheted Ponchos (C)
     
209. Susan Esser's Poncho-Eula (K)
     
210. TheDailyKnitter.com Pepper Poncho (K)
     
211. The Knitting Garden's Chunky Print Wrap (K)
     
212. Women's Weekly Crocheted Poncho (C)
     

All the links listed above are the result of some serious google searching :) I have no affiliation with any of the sites and probably have not researched them beyond the page on which the pattern is located.

Lessons Learned

Let me first say in my defense that I am a TOTAL beginner at this whole Fair Isle thing. I know there is at least a couple of people reading that are with me on this. I will now save those people from making the same mistake I did.  Friends don't let friends make dorky mistakes :)

Do you know that when you read a chart while knitting flat not in the round, you read it from right to left, left to right, right to left, and so on? Well if you do, you are one up on me my friend. I have never read a chart in my life. It didn't specifically state in the pattern to read the pattern this way, so I just read it right to left, right to left, right to left... Luckily the main pattern still worked out. I guess that if it hadn't worked out, I would have figured out I was doing something wrong. Well actually I don't guess, I know. I found out that I was screwing up when I got to a part of the chart, and it just wasn't looking right. Rip rip rip knit knit knit, and it still didn't look right.

Me: "Janette what the haites am I doing wrong? Is this chart wrong? This should look like this, and it doesn't?"

Janette: "No the chart looks right to me."

Me: "Well something can't be right this is supposed to have brown stripes, but I'm not getting brown stripes"

Janette: "Yeah it looks like the chart will give you brown stripes"

Me: "But I'm not getting brown stripes"

Janette: "How are you reading your chart? Are you reading it right to left then left to right?"

Me: "Huh???"

I was lucky that the mistake didn't mess up the main design of the bag. It did however mess up the sides, but noone is going to notice it but me. I'm gonna suck it up and leave the mistake. There is no way I'm ripping it out. It's not like it looks bad. It's just different from the chart.

Well there ya have it. Thank God for Janette, or I would have been bashing my brains out over that one. So folks, learn from my screw up. If you have never read a chart before, remember when you are knitting flat you work the chart starting at the bottom. On the first row you read it right to left, and on the next row you read left to right.

Summer Tops

Daring Diva Halter by Marnie Maclean (k)
Evening Diamonds by Marnie Maclean (k)
Faux-Fur Halter from Knitty (k)
Garnets and Pearls by Marnie Maclean (k)
Glenna from Berroco (k)
Grey Top from Circulo (C)
Halter Top from The Nuthouse (c)
Halterneck from The Nuthouse (k)
Hiroko from Berroco (k)
Honeymoon Cami from Knitty (k)
Irene from Berroco (k)
Jenna from Berroco (k)
Jewelled Shell from Knitty (k)
June from Berroco (k)
Katia Portofino from Elann.com (k)
Lace Tank Top from Elann.com (k)
Leah from Berroco (k)
Lilith from Berroco (k)
Luella from Berroco (k)
Marla from Berroco (k)
Marsha from Berroco (k)
Meg from Berroco (k)
Mariah Top by Marija Spasojevic (C)
Nina by Berroco (k)
Off the Shoulder Top from Circulo (k)
Paulina by Berroco (k)
Rib and Cable Tank from Estelle (k)
Ribbon Sweater from Rebecca pdf (k)
Riso Cardigan from Lana Grossa pdf (k)
Sassy Stripes from MagKnits (k)
Shapely Tank from White Lies (k)
Shell from Crystal Palace (k)
Shimmering Slip On from Craftown (k)
Sigma Tank from Knitty (k)
Silk Cardigan and Top from Lana Grossa pdf (k)
Sophistication from Circulo (c)
Spring Fling Tank from Blue Blog (k)
Square Top from Glampyre (k)
Summer Net Shell from Crystal Palace (k)
T3 from Knitty (k)
Tank of Many Colors from Berroco (k)
Textured Sleeveless Top from Elann.com (k)
Tina by Berroco (k)
Top with Ribbon Sheen from Rebecca pdf (k)
T strap top from Crystal Palace (k)
UCan2 Shell from Chicknits (k)
Very Cherry & Cherry Twist from Knitty (k)
Waikiki Peplum Vest from Crystal Palace (k)

To Pioggia

Pioggia wrote:

As always, you provide very useful links indeed, thank you. Do you happen to have a picture of the wrong side of your fair-isle bag? I'd like to take a closer look before attempting fair-isle myself. Thanks!


Pioggia,

You are very welcome. This is all a learning experience for me, and if I can help someone out then it makes it all the better. Plus if anyone other than just me learns from my mistakes then I don't feel so bad about screwing up! Haha!

The internet was a God send for me when I was learning to knit. I didn't know a single person that knew how, so I had to figure it all out for myself. From day one the internet has been an incredible resource, and it continues to be to this day. One day I hope to be the creator of such wonderful websites and the originator of the tips and hints :)  I love having a way to share the useful information that I find out there in the great big world wide web! I'm a great googler (hehe is that a new word?), and my husband says that if it is out there I'll find it.

As requested, here is a picture of the back of my bag. Just click on the image for a larger view.

Oh what the heck I'll throw in a shot of the front too.

 

I just started the bottom of the bag during my knitting group meeting yesterday morning. Another great lesson was learned, ie. I screwed up bigtime, but I'll save that lesson for my next post. I wish you the best of luck on your first colorwork project. Keep me posted :)

Happy Knitting,
Stacie

Yarn

I have recently learned a lesson when buying yarn. Make sure you get enough!! I ordered some Schachenmayr Micro online. As I have posted before I am planning on knitting a tank top with it, but I'm really beginning to worry that I won't have enough. Unfortunately I don't have any way to get anymore. Sooooooo If I don't have enough, I'm up the creek. My friend Janette sent me some good links that help you estimate how many yards of yarn you need to make a sweater. They give estimates for different sweater sizes and different yarn weights. These links actually saved my butt on a recent yarn purchase! I figure that I can't be the only one that learns lessons the hard way, so I thought I should share them with you. 

Angel Hair Yarn Company
The Red Sweater
Yarn Xpress