Me, My Girls, and a whole lot of beads!

This week has been a busy one as more things than usual are going on. Topping the list is preparing for  upcoming classes at StevenBe's, Father's Day this coming Sunday and last but far from least, my daughter Katie's 19th birthday.

Today is technically her birthday but with the help of my junior knitting girls, we successfully surprised her with a party on Wednesday. Katie loves Hello Kitty and fortunately Jack's Bakery in Brooklyn Park created the purrrrfect birthday cake for her.

My girls are the best and I can't say enough good things about them. I know I'm prejudice but seriously, these girls are amazing. Not only are they great knitters, but their other talents include, piano, violin, cello, gymnastics, soccer and much more. In fact Madeline and Elena performed a cello/violin duet and played Happy Birthday for Katie. It was beautiful.

This same group of girls have been with me for many years, with the youngest being 6 and the oldest 19. The funny thing is that there really isn't any age difference when they're all together. They support each other, talk about their problems and even offer advice. I know this sounds sappy but when I look at them and listen to their conversations, I feel a great sense of hope for our future. Its easy to get caught up in all the bad things you hear out there but trust me, I know from experience that we'll be okay.

With the help of Roxanne at All About Yarn and Bead Basics (both in Coon Rapids) we were off and running on our quest to create the perfect beaded bracelets. We learned many things one of which is that no matter how careful you are, beads fall on the floor! Of course we didn't finish them but we should complete them during our next class. I'll definitely share the pictures of the finished product...Can't wait!

That's about all for now but I'll be back next week with more knitting adventures. We've dusted off the video camera and will be making more videos on everything from I - cord to kitchener graft.

Links:
Jack's Bakery
StevenBe
All About Yarn
Bead Basics

Shawl, Baby Hat and Bath Mitt

Sometimes I think that early summer is more hectic then the Holidays are! Between graduation open houses, planting your garden, and later watching the critters eat what you've planted in your garden, it's hard to fit in serious knitting time...Let alone keeping my blog up to date.

Nevertheless, I have managed to accomplish a few things. First of all, I taught my first class at StevenBe's last Saturday and I had a lot of fun doing it. The students were eager, the staff was both courteous and accommodating and when all is said and done, the students will have a beautiful shawlette with make ones, yarnovers and ssk's forever engrained in the their brains.

I'm also teaching a blocking and seaming class this month. Next month I'll be sharing the ins and outs of jogless color knitting on this baby hat I designed. For those of you that have never tackled a cable before, I've created a cotton bath mitt that will teach you cables, seams and so much more. Be sure to check out my class schedule at StevenBe's or just stop by and say hi when I'm there. There is always something fun and unique happening at StevenBe's.

I'll be back in a few days to share what my knitting girls have been up to.

Happy knitting!

Links:

www.stevenbe.com

Shepherds Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival

This past Saturday my friends Bruny, Anna and myself attended the Shepherds Harvest, an annual event that is held at the Washington County fairgrounds. It was an especially grand affair as the festival was celebrating it's 15th anniversary and the weather was absolutely perfect!

Just about everything that is associated with getting the fiber from the critter to the knitting needle is showcased at this event....literally. Of course there are the critters themselves, sheep, llamas, alpacas, angora bunnies and goats just to name a few. Then there is an array of every gadget known to man that will process the fibers into workable yarn. And just in case you don't have a clue as to how to use these gadgets, they offer classes for that too!


It's the everything in between that intrigues a spectator like me. I get a kick out of the unique notions, buttons and the beautiful specialty yarns that often make their debut at such an event. Both local and rural yarn shops were on hand to showcase their products and it was fun to experience such a wide variety at one location!


Here is the problem....Anyone who has a stash like mine, has absolutely no business buying more yarn. Fortunately for yarn shops, that has never stopped me which is why my stash continues to grow. Like all purchases I make and don't really need, I tend to do a bit of self reasoning to justify my actions. This is what I came up with: 


1)  I had an overwhelming need to contribute to our struggling economy. After all, what kind of an American would I be?


2) What's a few more skeins?


3) My husband is out of town and I can easily sneak it into the house.


4) The yarn jumped into my arms and begged me to bring it home. It could happen, right?


5) The yarn is gorgeous, how could I not buy it? And besides, my stash could use a little freshening up!

I am thinking both the Madelinetosh and Three Irish Girls will make beautiful cowls, don't you?


Also, I finally found the perfect yarn bowl which came from Brickyard Pottery and Glass (www.brickyardpottery.com) located in Shell Lake, Wisc.  Check them out, they have really cool stuff.


Stash Report


   

The Madelinetosh in this photo has been in my stash for quite some time. I had originally purchased it to make the Ravelry Honey Cowl. Unfortunately once I had begun making it,  I found it to be too dark to emphasize the beauty of pattern.


Instead, I decided to switch patterns altogether and add some LUCCI to make the Lillian's Sister (Margaret) cowl designed by Steven Berg. I think it really compliments the Madelinetosh and in addition to the cowl, I have enough yarn to make a scarf. I might add the String Along sequins located on the right of the picture just to give it a little pop.


That's pretty much what's new on my end, now I just have to knit all this stuff....If I could just figure out a way to knit in my sleep - just think of the possibilities! Maybe I'll come up with a gadget that will do that and I too can have a booth at the Shepherds Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival. Never say never in the world of technology!

Welcome to my Blog!

Hello to all my fellow knitters and welcome to my blog.

Those nearest and dearest to me know that over the past six months, I've been working on my new website. Of course I thought it would only take a few weeks - typical me. Fortunately, it is now done and I'm ready to move on with my blog.

Like my website, I want my blog to be a source of ongoing help to my readers. In addition to discussing the newest in yarn and needles, I will continue to share new techniques.

Much of my blog will be about something all knitters can relate....Too much yarn in my stash! At first I thought that I would write about creative ways to hide it from my husband and family - even my dogs have been known to sniff out my yarn. But alas I've decided to come clean and actually knit with the yarn I have.

I've even toyed with the idea of knitting my way through my stash like Julie Powell did with Julia Child's cookbook. Do you think anyone out there would make a movie about a somewhat obsessed woman knitting nonstop? Probably not.

So here is my plan, I will use as much of my stash yarn as possible. If I blog about it, it will force me to stay on course.

My blog is a work in progress...I welcome your thoughts and ideas so feel free to contact me.

I'm off to my stash.