Blocking

Kate Atherley just sent me an email - she has a new class going live on Wednesday. Blocking.

Blocking brings out the best in your work. With knitwear designer and author Kate Atherley as your guide, learn how blocking makes your stitchwork pop, your knitwear fit, your projects feel soft to the touch, and so much more. Kate will teach you about blocking, drying, and caring for a huge range of fibers, as well as how to protect your projects and supplies from moths and pests. Kate will even demystify using blocking wires to create perfectly straight edges, and pinning projects to form the shape and size you desire. Plus, Kate will take you step-by-step through blocking mittens, hats, lace scarves, lace shawls, one-piece and multi-piece garments for the fabulous finish they deserve.

Do you really need to block? That is the million dollar question.

Here is the Guernsey Wrap that I am knitting. You can see that the edges are not straight. And the stitches aren't lying flat. Blocking will make all the difference.

When we get a project done we want to wear it right away but a bit of blocking will make your garment look that much better. Blocking isn't hard but Kate will share many tricks with you to make it that much easier. I asked Kate what she blocks with and her preference is my preference, Soak.

Click to see all the information on the class and to sign up with your 25% discount.  

The discount won't last forever so don't delay. You can buy the class and then watch it as you have time. There are 9 sessions - Kate is going very in depth. Give your projects a professional look.

New Project

After playing with Haymarket while we were packing for the Knitters' Fair I decided that I needed to knit with it again.

I started The Guernsey Wrap on Saturday night after we got home from Kitchener.

The pattern is by Jared Flood and he describes it as 'Fisherman-Inspired Texture'

You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry...

I'm using the 5mm needles that the pattern calls for and it is coming out slightly smaller than it should. I'm okay with that because the stitches are showing up really well being a touch tight.

This picture was taken yesterday morning.

This is how far I am now. I would have accomplished more yesterday but there was some last minute things to take care of for Camp. Football took time too. Beth had a nap so I had to look after flipping between games. I need a converter that I can talk to.

Mr. UPS came in this afternoon with many, many boxes from Rowan and a very important one from Lorna's Laces.

This is a custom colour for Camp called Sparrow Lake. The yarn is Sportmate. If there is any left over after the weekend (and some comes home with me) then it will be available in the store. I'm going to talk with Beth this weekend and see if we can order this colour in other qualities. It is that beautiful.

It was a crazy day in the store and we've got everything unpacked, put away and the boxes are repacked for Camp. There is one small problem with packing for Camp. We have a lot of door prizes and the goodie bags are phenomenal but they take up a lot of room. That leaves me less room to bring yarn. Beth and Cathy are going to work their magic tomorrow to fit it all in the van. I saved some boxes just in case they let me pack more.

Mom and dad just returned home from a few weeks in Myrtle Beach. Two boxes ended up in the back of their van (not sure how that happened) with yarn bowls. We should have them unpacked tomorrow afternoon.