Poetry in Motion vest, a cavalcade of color

Poetry in Motion vest by Deby Lake for Universal Yarn.

It's hard to put down a soft, fluffy yarn with a sumptuous color palette and so many possibilities! While working with Poems Chunky yarn in my Short Row knitting workshop, I couldn't help but delve into another project with this lovely, chunky weight yarn.

(Heads up, knitters! This pattern is a FREE download!)

This is the Poetry in Motion vest, designed by Deby Lake for Universal Yarn. It is knit in one piece and the construction doesn't interrupt the rhythm you get into while knitting the eaily-memorized slip stitch pattern. It allows you to enjoy the anticipation of the next color that will flow from the ball of yarn, up through your fingers and onto your needles.

Poetry in Motion vest (back view).

Construction is simple: starting at the vest's lower back hem, you knit up to the neck and continue over each shoulder to knit the left and right fronts.

Finishing is minimal: the sides are the only seams. (How easy is that??) The armhole trims and a ribbed collar are knitted additions.

Poetry in Motion vest.

I used Ultraviolet for CC1 and Reverie (with leftover bits from Sunken Treasure) as the CC2 color. Because of this color combination, I can wear mine with 5 different tops—each a different color. Any of Poems Chunky's beautiful colorways should knit up just as captivating. (See the Old World Plum/Mantra combo on the pattern (left).) With the long color change of this yarn, you might even be able to use all the same color but start at different places in the balls. Swatch it and see!

With this chunky yarn, the project is quick to knit. The stitch pattern is interesting but easy to remember. You could spotlight a particular color or value by choosing a specific color sequence when knitting the collar. Or, with this 100% wool single, employ the wet splice joining method and create your own color sequence. (My workshop attendees had blast with this technique!)

So many possibilities! Relax and enjoy the color parade! 
And, let me know if you try this project.

Knitting and Quilting Show and Tell

With my current position as a fabric rep for Blank Quilting [see My Fabric Rep Trek postings], I have limited time in my schedule for teaching knitting and quilting classes. When I do get the opportunity to get back into the classroom, however, I am always appreciative of completed projects that students bring in for a quick, pre-class Show and Tell. Here are some examples of the fabulous handiwork of my talented students.

Irene completed her Shades of Blue shawl from my design-your-own Mitered Diamond workshop. Irene was in my beginning knitting class just last fall and has been fearless in tackling and accomplishing advanced knitting techniques.

Irene and her Shades of Blue mitered diamond wrap.

Lois and Ofie finished their Cool Cotton Vests made with Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme. One of the bonus techniques in this knitting workshop was the inclusion of a lined pocket. This vest also had the option of a top button closure. As you can see, some chose to put on a button... some did not.

Lois (left) and Ofie (far right) in their summer cotton vests.

Jenny was in one of my Beginning Quilting by Machine classes. Here is one of her recent quilt tops—a stunning black and white star quilt. It's queen size and very striking. (I love black and white quilts, don't you?)

Jenny's black and white queen size quilt top.

Another very prolific quilter from my Beginning Quilting class is Sue. She made this Lone Star quilt for a grandson. He chose the colors and fabrics for the star. The lime green against the hot red orange and purples make it sparkle! Go bold with color and you get spectacular results.

Sue's Lone Star quilt for a grandson.

Sue has an embroidery sewing machine, so she used the in-the-hoop quilting motifs to quilt this full size quilt. She scaled the digitized motifs to fit the various size pieces in the patchwork (setting triangles, background, borders, etc.).

In-the-hoop quilting motifs.

Below is a view of the back of the quilt. She used a lime green solid fabric to complement the front.

Detail of the quilting on the quilt back.

The center star and the half stars were quilted in the ditch. A contrast in value between the color of the the thread and the background fabric enables you to really appreciate the sampler of quilting motifs.

The contrasting thread adds to the texture and print of the background fabric.

Sue also embroidered the label for the quilt to document her gift of love for a special grandson.

An embroidered quilt label.

Always remember to include a label on your quilt! It can be handwritten with a fabric marker, embroidered by hand or machine, printed from your computer, or made by a variety of methods. The label documents your work and celebrates you, your talent, your creativity and your place in history.

Fast and Fabulous with Short Rows

We had the first session of my "Fast and Fabulous with Short Rows" knitting workshop this week. My knitting students are learning the magic of short rows while creating fabulous, 1-ball projects that are perfect for this colder weather.

"Fast and Fabulous with Short Rows" knitting workshop.

I'm introducing class participants to a beautiful, multi-shaded chunky wool yarn with long artistic color changes, called Poems Chunky from Universal Yarn. It's warm, wooly and supple and the anticipation of seeing what color flows next from the skein provides additional enjoyment to the knitting experience.

In addition to learning about short rows, students will learn or get practice with the following techniques:

• I-cord edge
• Provisional cast-on
• Grafting with Kitchener stitch
• Knitting in different directions
• Knitting in the round to make mittens
• and more...

The projects—a short row scarf, a neck-warmer (collar), a hat and a pair of mittens (not shown in photo)—will knit up quickly in an evening or two with fabulous results.

If you're a knitter and would like to join me for one of the remaining projects, contact me soon at veronicaquilts@gmail.com. Next week we'll be working on the I-cord neck warmer.

Ruffles, Diamonds and other yarn creations

We had lots of fun and laughter at my demonstration on self-ruffling yarn. This scarf is a quick, one ball project that doesn't require a lot of concentration—except for keeping those 8 or 9 stitches on the needles. We used Spectra by Universal Yarn for this fun project. Two of my students model their creations.

Left: Marie used Spectra Volcanic.
Right: Irene models Spectra Larkspur Glen.

One of the Diamond Girls, Sue, completed her mitered diamond vest, the project she chose in my Mitered Diamond Adventure workshop. She added a knitted band along the collar and sleeve edges of her piece. A hook and eye closure completed the look. It turned out fabulous!

Vest from my Mitered Diamond Adventure knitting workshop. 

My Knitting in the Round students are looking fashionable in their completed Retro Cloches with a knitted  flower embellishments. 

Student projects from Knitting in the Round class.

Here are other yarny creations that my students have completed. We love Show and Tell at classes and workshops. Enjoy!

Left: Linda accented a red Retro Cloche from Knitting in the Round with black trim.
She also knit a coordinating red scarf to go with it.
Right: Sharon used a zigzag lace pattern for this cute hat.

My talented students have other needle art skills as well. This is a crocheted baby blanket. Lovely!

A beautiful baby blanket crocheted by Marie.

We even knit for our 4-legged furry friends. Here are two doggie sweaters, knit by Jane, that any fashion-forward dog would be proud to wear.

Jane's colorwork dog sweater. Notice the pocket on the top of this sweater.

A sporty striped dog sweater for the same lucky little dog.

Easy Ruffled Scarf—sassy, girly and fun!

When I attended Stitches South last weekend, I brought back a show program for my knitting students to see. In it, there was an ad with a photo of a scarf that featured one of the fun, novelty, self-ruffling yarns that are on the market.

Their eyes lit up...  they oooh'd and aahh'd...  

excitement filled the classroom...

OK! I'll order yarn and we'll do a quick demo at the beginning of next week's No Fuss Color Knitting class.

Easy ruffled "boa" scarf made with Spectra. You can make it in an evening!

I ordered two colorways of Spectra from Universal Yarn. It arrived Saturday and by Sunday, the 7-stitch scarf was finished. Deana (right) and I are both modeling the finished product. These yarns and the projects made from them are sassy, girly, and a quick knit—what's not to like?

Ruffled Scarf Demonstration this Tuesday evening (May 1) at 5:30pm. Bring a pair of size 8 or 9 straight needles and point protectors or a stitch holder (to hold the stitches for traveling). E-mail me if you're not currently a student in my class but want to stop in for the demo.

Diamond Girls... you sure do shine

I met with the participants of my Mitered Diamond Adventure modular knitting workshop for the final class session yesterday. I refer to this wonderful and talented group of women as the "Diamond Girls," and there was no doubt about the stellar work they did on their class projects.

The Mitered Diamond Adventure is a knitting workshop I offer that introduces participants to the concept and techniques of modular knitting. We work primarily with mitered squares and mitered diamonds (squares set on point) and the Mitered Diamond Shawl pattern by Michael del Vecchio is our inspiration impetus. Deluxe Worsted Long Print by Universal Yarn, a 100% wool worsted weight yarn with long color changes, was chosen for the project.

After providing instructions on knitting a mitered square in Session I, students practiced the technique and on their homework swatches. In Session II, I presented my "It's Cool to be Square" visual presentation on modular knitting that included garment silhouette possibilities and design opportunities.

Session III was a troubleshooting and review session, an idea exchange, and of course, Show and Tell. For their project, each student chose her own garment style. The projects included wraps, vests, and runanas. Here is a show and tell of their creativity and the progress they made.

Lois completed her mitered square vest.
The long color changes add a striking detail at the neckline, hem and sleeve edges.
CO = 31 sts.     Color: Midnight Blues

Sharon designed a ruana by opening the front of a poncho silhouette.
The larger squares focus on the color changes of the yarn.
CO = 51 stitches.     Color: Purple Sky

Left: Irene designed a long wrap in a "V" shape.
The hemline shows off the points of the mitered diamonds.
CO = 31 sts.   Color: Midnight Blues
Right: Pat chose a long, rectangle wrap using mitered squares.
In contrast, the edges of this wrap are straight.
CO = 35 sts.   Color: Hawaiian Sunset

Jane's circular wrap took some calculations! Graduating sizes of diamonds
cascade from the neckline. CO = 25, 31 and 35 sts.   Color: Sea and Sand.
Jane kept the color values more consistent by cutting out the navy from the color sequence.

Susan hit the "sweet spot" in the color change sequence.
The colors in her modules are very consistent which accentuates the symmetry of her design.
CO = 35 stitches.    Color: Purple Sky

Left: My (Veronica) design is a caplet.
The center double decrease miters make right angles in the front and back.
CO = 35 sts.   Color: Autumn Equinox
Right: Sharon chose a mitered square vest. The smaller units create a different color pattern.
CO = 27 sts.    Color: Sea and Sand

Aren't all these pieces Fantastic?!? 

When I was planning and creating this workshop, I wasn't sure where the exercises might lead the student. I wanted workshop participants to get a good understanding of modular knitting techniques and the process for knitting and assembling the units, but to also provide an encouraging and creative environment in which the knitter could take a step or two beyond the pattern, if she/he chose.

The fun and excitement for me (as a teacher as well as a knitter), is having the opportunity to take an adventure down a path less traveled... even if it requires some detours and problem solving. To be able to see sights that were not on the original itinerary and experience the joy of discovery... that's half the fun for me.

These garments far exceeded my expectations. And I feel confident that I achieved my goals. Thanks to my students for taking this Modular Knitting Adventure with me. You are all shining stars!

Modular Creativity and Design

Designing and dtermining the knitting sequence.

The second session of the Mitered Diamond Adventure modular knitting workshop was full of inspiration, design, creativity... and a few calculations.

After learning the modular knitting techniques and determining their preferred cast-on method and double decrease, workshop attendees gathered their swatches and commenced with designing. Hands down, the preferred cast on was the knitted cast-on, and preference for the double decrease was a split between a center double decrease and the slip 1, k2tog, psso. Knitting, as I tell my students, is all about choices!

Design
This phase of the Adventure was to choose a garment silhouette. For this workshop, we're using the Mitered Diamond Shawl pattern as a roadmap, however students are encouraged to try a different garment style using the shawl pattern as an inspiration springboard.

To provide some design, color and texture "food for thought," I presented a digital slide show (using Keynote on my iPad and connecting it to a projector) of the various shapes, color and texture options that can be used for modular knitting. We are working primarily with mitered squares and diamonds (squares on point), but modular knitting can be done using many other geometric and tessellating shapes. There is also a wealth of design, pattern and texture potential with this technique. The presentation sparked ideas for their projects and their modular knitting adventure took off.

Here are some of the sketches and layout mock-ups they are working on.

Using "line" as a design element.
Miters can go in a single direction or different directions. 

Mitered square vest.

Mitered diamond wrap.

Calculating unit size and garment width.

Knitted swatches and a mitered diamond ruana or poncho layout.

Mitered square vest.

One of the considerations we discussed was determining the sequence of knitting the modules. If the diagonal of the miters are going in different directions, which unit do you knit first, second, and so on? It's like putting a puzzle together and following a recipe. You have to add the correct ingredients at the proper time.

Whaddaya think, Teach' ?

Shalom Cardi got a Thumbs Up!

I love—LOVE—getting pics of projects that my students have completed. These are not class projects, but things they have seen or found in other resources (patterns, magazines, on-line), and have decided to make on their own. How exciting it is (and very gratifying for me) to see them venture out with the skills they have developed in class and create these pieces with amazing results!

Here are a few things that my knitting students have whipped up in the past 2 weeks. Left: this is Lois' first Shalom Cardigan [pattern by Meghan of Involving the Senses (her blog)]. It went to a granddaughter for Christmas and, as you can see, got a much deserved 'Thumbs Up.'

Shalom Cardi by Lois

Since knitting this piece was so much fun, Lois made one for herself (right). She added a button closure at the neckline and incorporated two different yarns—very attractive. I wore my version of the Shalom Cardigan to class a few times and Lois asked about the pattern.

Sharon made this baby sweater and cap ensemble (below) for a friend's grandson. Sharon used the stranded colorwork technique and added Swiss darning for more embellishment. Details include a placket, buttons and button holes and don't you just think the ear flaps on the little cap are adorable?? This is one lucky little boy (and a lucky friend and mom, too) to receive this beautiful and thoughtful gift.

Stranded colorwork matching baby sweater and cap.

Stranded knitting baby hat

Here is a fun little one-ball quick-knit—a cable knit ear muff (headband).

Cabled ear muff.

 Pat made several of these ear muffs for Christmas gifts. A cabled band is knit and then stitches are picked up on one side so there is a double thickness of fabric. Soft, warm and a great stash buster. You could experiment with different cable patterns, background stitches (all purl or maybe a seed stitch?) and make one in every color.

I would be remiss if I didn't include a nod to a fabulous, funny and inspiring teacher with whom I was fortunate to take a workshop this fall, Sally Melville. This project, the Cardilero (cool name, eh?), is from her book, Warm Knits, Cool Gifts.

Cardilero pattern from Warm Knits, Cool Gifts by Sally Melville.

I picked up the Rio de la Plata kettle dyed hand spun wool at the Knaughty Knitter and was inspired by Sally, her workshop and her designs. So, here is my Cardilero, with an extended left front and a shawl stick by Shaune Bazner.

"Cardilero" pattern from Warm Knits, Cool Gifts by Sally Melville.

Other books by Sally with a laundry list of projects I want to make are:

• Mother-Daughter Knits: 30 Designs to Flatter and Fit
• Warm Knits, Cool Gifts: Celebrate the Love of Knitting and Family with more than 35 Charming Designs
• The Knitting Experience Book 1: The Knit Stitch, Inspiration & Instruction

Her famous Einstein Coat is in the "The Knitting Experience."

I also like the cute vest Sally is wearing in the picture below. I'm sure it's one of hers. Anyone recognize the pattern?

Sally Melville (left) and I at her workshop.

And, to teachers everywhere, Thank You for your inspiration, patience, encouragement and the creative inquisitive spark you ignite within us.

Stitches inspiration

From a class with Laura Bryant of Prism Yarns.

Students from several of my knitting classes have requested a class on color knitting techniques. I sent in a course description to my program manager. It was accepted. As I research, make notes, develop outlines and class projects that support the concepts I plan to present, I went back into my photos from Stitches South expo looking for inspiration. Here is some inspiration for color, fiber, pattern and texture that I encountered this past spring.

Laura Bryant's garment (left) and swing vest (right) from Barry Klein at Trendsetter Yarn.

Look up and down for patterns and color. Carpet in one of the conference rooms.

More carpet designs.

From the expo parking lot. This says it all.

Knitting, swatching and snoozing

We had another glimpse of Spring yesterday as the temperature reached the 70s and the sun smiled on all the flora and greenery in the back yard. It was a relaxing afternoon to enjoy the outdoors, and prepare the swatches I need for upcoming classes.

We're going to cover the Kitchener stitch in my Lace Knitting class this evening. My students are working on a lace sampler scarf and will be joining live stitches from both halves of the scarf. The other swatches are in preparation for classes I will be taking at Stitches South in a few weeks.

I also completed a sample for a new class on Knitting in the Round (another request from my knitting students). This is a modified pattern inspired by Louisa Harding's Poppy Beanie. It's an adorable and retro beanie style hat—reminiscent of the 1920s cloche. The beanie and its flower embellishment have several fun techniques for knitters of all levels. I am converting it to be knit in the round for my class. It will be a good intro project for learning how to maneuver double pointed needles (dpns) and a circular needle. Stay tuned for more information on this class...

And, here is the "extra kitty" who was snoozing away the afternoon. He is a neighborhood cat who has more-or-less adopted us.

Try to relax, kitty.