Appledore

As many of you know I love Appledore knit in Cotton Jeans from RYC. This is Maggi and Lise from my Thursday night class. They are proudly showing off their amazing jackets.

I do have some knitting to report. I am working on my cardigan in Silk Garden Lite. I finished the back last night. Somewhere in the back of my head I think I will have it done for the Frolic at the end of the month-I better get going.

For the past week I have been having some weird, weird dreams. Last night I decided to go back to high school and one of my classes was 'How to Knit'. In the dream I did know how to knit and that caused many problems with my teachers (there were two men teaching the class and neither one could knit).

Here are a couple of pairs of shoes that I bought while away. I have these in black and hot pink. Thank you Franco Sarto for doing some great shoes this spring.

Who can pass up a pair of black patent shoes?

One down and five to go

When I am sitting in the front room of the store I just can't stop looking at Appledore. Everyone who was in the store today stopped to look at it. The cotton is very firm which makes the cables really stand out.

I knit on Tempest last night and today in the store. Do you know how long it takes to do one row of 580 stitches? It took a whole ball to do 1". Only 5" more to go.

I'm off to knitting class-the last one of this session. When I told my class that I wasn't sure about another session before summer they all complained very loudly. I guess we'll have some more get togethers-I don't really teach them anything.

Visiting an old friend

I pulled out Kilcar over the weekend and started the second sleeve. A customer just finished it and told me that it is amazing. She said I needed it done and hanging in the store. I am going to work on this as my upstairs knitting and work on the Asymmetrical jacket in the store. One half of the jacket is almost done-should be finished tomorrow. Maybe I can get them both done before summer gets here. LOL!!!

I mentioned all the yarns and books that came in on Monday. After going through them all it is really tough deciding which to make. You will all be proud of me-I haven't started anything yet. I am going to finish what is on the needles-okay not everything because that will never happen.


I am sending my knitter Ann the yarn to knit Appledore. I want to knit this for myself but she can get a sample done for the store much quicker. I chose the colour Sail Cloth because it will look good on Bev when she wears this at the Gone Stitchin' Weekend. I know that you have seen this picture before but I love it so much that I like to keep looking at it. If Wannietta would hurry up with her Blue Sky Alpacas shrug then she could have some fun new yarn as well!!!

I have a funny story for you. My friend, Sam (not her real name but I promised not to embarrass her) has a husband who is a computer genius and wanted to learn how to knit. Sam taught him and occasionally he likes to have a go at something. When he saw the lingerie in the new Interweave he decided to knit her a thong. The only yarn she had in the house was Nashua's Creative Focus Worsted-a blend of wool and alpaca. Can you imagine how comfortable that would be? When he got it done he made her 'drop trou' and try it on. Because he was so impressed with himself he wanted to do another so this one is in Super 10 cotton.

This week is busy with classes. Last night was the second week of the Lattice Bag. I did not get mine felted on the weekend-I promise to do it this weekend. My class has finished the bottom of their bags and got the stitches picked up to work the body last night. Now they are on their way with the cables.

Tonight was my 'advanced' class. It should really be called the class I can't get rid of. Some of them have been with me for 15 years. They spent the first hour going through the new books. I think a few of them got some knitting accomplished-mostly just talking.

Tomorrow's class has been with me for about 3 years. Again, the first hour will be spent going through books and gossiping. Kelley brought cookies and milk last week and Lise has promised to make short breads this week. Can't beat a class like this.

Friday night I am teaching a finishing class. My biggest pet peeve is someone who knits a beautiful sweater and then they do a terrible job sewing it together.

I just looked at the clock and it is 1:20-time for bed!!!

Getting ready for knitting classes and Rowan preview

I have finished the schedule for my spring classes. Many people have been asking for beginner crochet so it is on the schedule. We are going to make a simple scarf so I thought I should make a sample. I started today between customers but didn't get very far. Here is the picture of Trendsetter's scarf that I am modifying. It will be narrower so that it can be done faster and use less yarn.

Tomorrow is supposed to be the launch date for the new Rowan. There are a few sites out there with pictures so I decided to share a few with you.


This is Appledore from RYC. I am in love with this. It is knit using their new yarn called Cotton Jeans. The yarn is 100% cotton so I imagine that the jacket will be heavy-more of a spring/fall garment than summer.

Here is the cover of the new Summer Tweed Magazine. There are new colours in this yarn for spring as well. Everyone has been asking Rowan for new designs in this great yarn and finally they have listened.

And the picture that everyone wants to see. Here is the cover of Rowan 41. I believe the full magazine will be launched on Rowan's site tomorrow.

Bamboo Tape is a new yarn from Rowan for spring. There will be a separate magazine for it. Take a look at the shade cards-amazing colours in true Rowan style.