Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Knitting Backlash
















Theresa has taken my comments about the KAL (Knit along) personally. She is still making the baby cabled sweaters although her "group" said she couldn't count them as her project. (Whoever gets these sweaters will have very special gifts.)
She really has a jump start on the others for her sweater. It is a cardigan and has longer length.
I was really impressed with the yarns and found they were both Lion Brand's Woolease. I found the colors really attractive.
Theresa also went so far as to find a pattern or two for Rebecca's husband's sweater. We'll see how that goes. 
I think Becky's found her pattern already, but has been too busy to start. 

Friday, August 15, 2008

Quilted gas station

Our group has gotten involved in a few projects, but none ever needed the use of a cherry picker. Check this out: International Fiber Collaborative.

Not Your Average Yarn


Karen (KC) has alpacas. She just had another baby alpaca this past week. I think that makes 6 now. His name is Lambert.
The very softest alpaca fur is from the tummy. The farm collects the neck and butt fur but doesn't send it to get spun. So KC had this fur spun and that is what she is using to make this basketweave sweater. It feels pretty soft to me. And the natural color of the yarn should look good on her. She's only just started so it will be awhile until we see the finished project.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Minor/Major Correction

It's a Three Yarntini Luncheon. For those with hopes of alcohol, you'll be disappointed. It's a play on Two Martini Lunch. But I obviously slipped up. Sorry  :-( 

Thursday, August 7, 2008

CALS






What's a CAL? It's a crochet along. 2 or more people attempt to crochet at the same time a certain pattern. KC and I are doing an Aran cardigan from Jane Snedden Peever's Crocheted Aran Sweaters. Unfortunately the book is out  of print for those who want to see more (the library perhaps?). Surely that ending punctuation is illegal! 
The name for the cardigan is Dusty Miller. KC is using Cascade Sierra (cotton/wool) and I'm using Lion Brand's Woolease (acrylic/wool). She's using the traditional fisherman color, but I went with a natural heather. We've both wanted to make this sweater since we got the book.
I think the stitch pattern is so much nicer than photography shows it. I tried to capture it with the digital camera, but I still don't think it's adequate.
On the other hand there are 3 knitters in the group who want to do an Aran CAL. No one is doing the same pattern and heaven knows what yarn they'll use. You'd think "knitters" could get it right. 
Heaven knows how long these CALs may take. They're probably in queues so long for each of us (and some of us work full time) ok ok most of us. I'm also trying to finish this coverup by Vicki Howell so I can wear it in warm weather from the previous issue of Crochet Today.
AND we're all working on ideas for the Three Martini Luncheon! Whew! 
 

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Short a Skein


This picture is for everyone who has run short of yarn on a project but it really looked like there was just enough yarn to finish. I had to go get more yarn for just the distance between the the two ends sticking out in order to finish the border on the Steeler Nation Afghan.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Ta Da




The Steeler Nation Afghan is complete! Finished the border on Sat and handed it off to Becky at the meeting. This is one hefty afghan that measures 54" square. 

Hey, hey, hey, the Third Charity Yarn Ball thrown by Becky will be on Nov 1st. 

Friday, August 1, 2008

Better pix





                                                                                                                                                I had a difficult time getting decent pictures of the black squares in the Steeler Nation afghan. But I was able to get the textures to show with the help of some natural sunlight. Some pretty nifty stitches.
The other squares are in previous posts.