Knit your First Sweater Workshop

Are you ready to tackle your first hand knit sweater? This workshop is for you.

 This slightly-cropped raglan cardigan features a single button closure, a cable ribbing and an eyelet detail at the sleeve line. Techniques covered in this workshop include a top-down seamless construction, raglan sleeves and knitting cables without a cable needle, plus discussions on measurements and fitting.

The workshop will meet for 3 sessions starting January 9, 2012. The workshop fee is $55 plus the cost of the yarn. The a pattern and handouts are included with the workshop. We'll be using Fibra Natura Sensational, a 100% superwash merino wool for the project. The sample shown here has stripes, however workshop participants will be making a single yarn (solid or variegated) version.

Please contact me at veronicaquilts@gmail.com for more details, to register and order your yarn supplies. Space is limited.

Whaddaya think, Teach' ? (part 2)

They are just knitting their hearts out! Here are pics of more handknit projects that were lovingly knit this season by my knitting students for their family and friends.

Stripes, texture patterns, pom-poms and colorwork.

Check out the colorwork on these knitted caps. Using a red/white/green color scheme, Jane modified a basic "leaf" motif to create holly leaves. Then she added French knots for the holly berries. How festive! These hats make you want to take to the slopes.

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.

Pets give Christmas gifts, too

China (left) and Lucy, the extra kitty.

For those of you who have pets, you know they are part of the family. Being so, they give and receive Christmas gifts, too. (Yeah, you mommies and daddies with furry, 4-legged kids know what I mean.) Our kitty, China, always gives great gifts, and they are often very partical.

This year, China and Lucy (our part-time kitty whom we co-parent with our neighbors) asked me to help them make kitty pillowcases for their people parents. Lucy (he is a boy kitty) wanted to make pillow cases for his other mommy, Betty. So, here is how the three of us (China, Lucy and I) made their Christmas gifts.

Pillowcases by China and Lucy

Choose two coordinating fabrics. If the fabrics have pictures of kitties, kitty paw prints or kitty toys, so much the better! You need 1.5 yds. of the main fabric and 3/4 yard of the contrast fabric to get a set of two regular size pillow cases. China and Lucy prefer 100% cotton quilters fabric. They recommend to pre-wash and iron the fabrics before you start to cut and sew.

For each case, cut a 10" x WOF (width of fabric) strip of the contrast fabric. This will be the band. Also cut a 25" x WOF of the main fabric (25" or 26" inches long depending on how much fabric you have after pre-washing). Trim off the selvedges so both fabrics are the same width.

10" pillow case band. Press open seam. Turn up hem.

With right sides together, sew the short sides of the band together to create a wide tube. We used a quilter's quarter inch sewing machine foot to sew a 1/4" seam (you could use 3/8" or 1/2" if you want). Press the seam open. Then, press up about a 1/4" hem on one long side of the band.

The body and band with side and bottom seams sewn.
(The red fabric is the body fabric.)

With right sides together and starting at the folded edge, sew the body of the pillow case along one short side and down the open long side. (The center fold of the fabric is the other long side of the pillowcase, so you only have to sew two sides.)

Trim and bevel the corners of the body to reduce bulk.

 

Press the seam allowances open.

With the right side of the band facing the wrong side of the body, and raw edges and seams aligned, pin the band to the body. (The side of the band with the turned up hem will be free.) Sew the band to the body.

Press the seam allowance toward the band. Turn pillow case right side out.

Fold over the band toward outside of case. Enclose and cover the raw edges of the seam with the folded-up hem. Pin and top stitch the band in place, close to the hem edge. You can use a matching or decorative thread and a straight or decorative stitch.

China's red pillowcases (above) and Lucy's pillowcases for Mommy Betty.

Here are the finished pillowcases. Lucy thought the grey kitties on the black fabric looked like him.

The work is done. Now, go have a snack.
Merry Christmas!