Finishing School

Finishing School: A Master Class for Knitters by Deborah Newton
The book is on it's way to us and hopefully we will have it by Friday. If not then on Monday.

From Vogue Knitting's website:

The word “finishing” fills many knitters with dread. Some even abandon projects rather than complete the necessary steps to achieve beautiful, wearable garments. Now, notable knitter and designer Deborah Newton shares her expertise and love of finishing techniques in an on-the-page master class. Deborah patiently takes her student-readers step by step through the ins and outs of blocking, seaming, edging, and embellishments, giving them the confidence and skills to create professional-looking knitwear. In addition to Deborah's expert instructions, the book includes patterns for 12 sweaters, jackets, and scarves, many with variations.

Hardcover with jacket • 164 pages

On Sunday afternoon I backed up my computer and yesterday I upgraded to the Lion operating system. There are things that I like but one thing I don't like is adding pictures to blogger. It is really slow. Hopefully I will figure out a quicker way to do it. The other problem is that my mouse is scrolling backwards. That is my first job in the morning.

I thought I was going to knit last night. Didn't happen. I almost went to bed at 8:30 but decided that wasn't a good idea-I would wake up very early this morning. We watched Master Chef Canada and Mike Holmes was the guest judge. He told the contestants that he is a Meataterian. I like that term. Totally applies to me.

I started the third square across today. I will get it done tonight!

Golfing in March

Jane is in the store today so I am going to get a few chores done. Banking. Post Office. Pedicure (I have been talking about this for three months and today is the day). Newsletter. Accounting. Wow, that is a lot of things to get done.

I almost finished another square on the vest while watching TV last night (It should be finished tonight and another will be started).

Could Rachel be anymore annoying on the Amazing Race? Talk about mood swings.

We started watching Frozen Planet. It was really interesting. A few weeks ago our friend Oliver was here from New Zealand. The show had already aired there and he was talking about it over dinner. He told us that on the show they said that no two snowflakes are the same. Everyone at the table looked at him like he had three heads. We told him that we learned that at a very early age-he thought he was so smart with information that we didn't know about. :)

I don't know who I want to win Celebrity Apprentice-I can't warm up to anyone. They are an annoying group of people but I can't stop watching. It's a train wreck and I can't turn my head.

It is later in the day and I just finished a round of golf. Beth called around noon and asked what I was doing this afternoon. Nothing that can't wait. Why? She wanted to golf so of course I went along. We had a great time. I tied her on the back nine which makes me happy. Beth is a much, much better golfer than I am.

 We saw lots of wildlife enjoying the weather.

It was a great day but I'm tired.

Another beautiful day

The weather today was amazing. Much of the day was spent outside with the dogs. Roko couldn't get enough of playing with his Frisbee and the tennis ball. Melo doesn't like to play so much but he likes to watch.

I finished the second and third blocks on the vest. The vest is 15 blocks in all. 3 up the left front back and then 3 more down the front. There are 3 blocks in the middle of the back and then 6 blocks up the right back and front. They are all joined as you go so no sewing is required. You can also make 3 strips and sew them together-whatever you find easier.

I was going to make a strip of 6 blocks and then start the middle back but decided to work sideways so that you could see the size of the blocks.

It looks a bit out of shape because some of the yarns are a bit thicker than others. When the vest is done and blocked, I will make it square.

I tried getting a picture of it sitting on my couch but that didn't come out good so I put it on the floor. The pot lights are on and there was no way to get a picture with no shadow.

The DVR is busy taping. The Amazing Race, Celebrity Apprentice, Frozen Planet and Breakout Kings. There should be another square finished tonight.

Captiva

Yesterday we had a visit from Mr. UPS with a box from Berroco. There is a new yarn in the store called Captiva.

Captiva’s satiny feel and subtle shine give it an air of sophistication. Created by wrapping a shimmering filament around a smooth cotton blend, this machine washable yarn comes in a wide range of elegant shades.

I debated waiting to post this because we ordered four colours and only two came in-

5522 Sugared Peach

5515 Laurel

On Monday I will call my friendly rep at Berroco and find out when the other colours (5517 Pear and 5503 Silver Coin) will be back in stock. I will also find out if they have colours in stock that I didn't order. The colour range is great. Looking at it again (along with the great patterns) I don't know why I only picked four colours and will be adding more.

Please excuse the gap. I don't know it got into the picture and can't figure out how to take it out. It's been a long day and my mind won't let me figure it out.

As always Berroco has great patterns. This is a free pattern that they just emailed out and you can find it on their website.
Casale

Aurea is another free pattern you can download

There is also a book for the yarn-book 318 which we have in the store. My favourite design in the book is called Romana

Two enchanting half-circles form the lower portions of a long open cardigan, matching up perfectly with textural stitching along the back.

 Palladio is a close second. The wide sleeves look great in this yarn.

Fluttering sleeves add romance to a close-fitting boat neck pullover with a high ribbed waist.

I don't have much knitting to report. By the time I got home from work last night and ate dinner it was almost bed time. Maybe tonight. :)

Is feels like summer

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you get up early. I was tossing and turning this morning so I decided to get up and get my day going-much earlier than I had planned. I got some website updates done and orders placed before 9am. Then I went to get a new mask for my CPAP. I never sleep without my CPAP and my mask was starting to get a bit yucky. Can't wait to get to bed tonight. :)

I hope you are experiencing the beautiful weather we are having in Southern Ontario. It feels like summer. I have the door of the store propped open because it is so warm out. My car said 19C. Unbelievable.

I didn't get a lot of knitting done last night but here is my vest so far. You can put the colours wherever you want so every one's vest will be a bit different.

I'm knitting in my ends as I go so there won't be any sewing when I'm done. Sewing in ends ranks right up there with sewing on buttons.

I just found the button to edit photos on my phone. How did I miss this before? I can rotate photos before emailing them to myself. What a great feature.

I was able to work on Gnarled Oak this afternoon. I have two more rows of the chart to do (one knit row, one purl row) and then five rows of garter stitch for the collar.

Here are a couple of close ups of the leaves. The cardigan is in the front window and the sun is still out so the colours are off.

I just got home from work and the car still says 19C. Not good if you like to ski but great for us golfers.

That darn Barry

I only got four rows knit last night. One row was a killer. To give the 3D look of leaves the pattern has you doing something close to bobbles. Knit 3, turn, Purl 3, turn then do a decrease. It took forever.

I got a few more rows done in the store and had to do another killer row. I got part way through and then we had many customers. I'm not complaining about customers. Wish I never had time to knit in the store. :) The row needs concentration and picking it up and putting it down isn't good. So I put it aside until tomorrow. I didn't even bring it home tonight. Something else got in the way.

We received a few more kits from Trendsetter for the A-Mazing Blocks Cross Front Vest in the Marshmellow Twist colour way. I couldn't stop myself. There isn't enough for a picture but there will be tomorrow because once I am done this I am going to knit.

Barry Klein is the owner of Trendsetter Yarns and has an amazing eye for colour. If Barry is putting together colour combinations you know they are going to be great!! I loved this when I saw it at TNNA and knew I wanted a sample for the Knitter's Frolic.

Marshmellow Twist

Pamela dropped off a flyer in the store for a new knitting meetup in Dundas

The Around the Bay Knitters Guild and the Dundas Library invite you to a monthly drop-in for knitters-new and experienced-at the Dundas Branch of HPL. Guild members will offer encouragement and advice for beginners and everyone at all skill levels can share craft ideas and enjoy the membership. This program is Free and you don't have to belong to the Guild to attend.

The first meeting is Wednesday March 21 at 6:30 pm. Watch the Around the Bay Blog for more information.

It's knitting time! Hope you are doing the same.

Cables

I am working away on the yoke of my cardigan. There are 28 rows in the cable pattern and I just finished the 14th row. A discovery has been made while knitting-I am very picky about my cable needle. I didn't like the one I was using last night but the one I am using today is much better.

The brochure to Camp is finally done. I'm very excited about the workshops we are offering-they are all brand new to Camp. Josh Bennett, Beth Casey and Fiona Ellis. We can't ask for any better instructors.

You can download it here...

I received an email today with information on the next Kim Hargreaves magazine to come out. We should have it in May.

There was also an email from madelinetosh. Tosh chunky is in transit.

• tart
• well water
• cousteau
• smokey orchid
• kale
• william morris
• cove

I kind of took the day off-I knit for most of it. There is yarn I want to knit with and won't start until I get Gnarled Oak done (I know, this has never been a problem in my life before). I haven't watched the Y and R for some time but put it on at 12:30. Adam could see. Then he was blind. Miracle he can see. Then he is blind. Now another miracle and he can see again. I probably won't watch for a while again. :) Then I watched General Hospital. Today was the lead in to Robin's funeral. I remember when she joined the show and watched her grow up. It's sad to see her go.

Knitting class tonight and then TV to watch-that's good for me-lots more knitting time for the evening. Colton on Survivor could be the most annoying player ever. It will be interesting to see what he tries to pull tonight. Please let us have good songs on Idol tonight. And a new Criminal Minds.

Cables are started

I finished my short rows and have row 1 of the cable pattern done. You can't see a lot in the picture but I was proud of getting to this point.

There are finally enough rows done that I can put it on a mannequin. 

Last night a newsletter went out and a few people commented that the background was very distracting making it hard to read. I have picked a new template for the next newsletter that doesn't have any background so hopefully the problem will be solved.

If you didn't get the newsletter you can see it here...

Beth and I went to Five Guys for dinner and then did a bit of running around after work. When we got home I checked my email. An order from Winnipeg-thank you. Junk mail-no thank you. And an email from Direct Air that they have suspended all flights until May. Guess that means my plane ticket for two weeks from now isn't any good. I checked out Porter. Over $2000 for that weekend. US Air is over $700. I'm glad that my trip wasn't important. Maybe April.

My knitting is staring at me so I think I'm going to move upstairs and get a few more rows done.

Knitting Machine

There was no time to post yesterday. I was a knitting machine. The decreases are done and I reached almost 5" past where the sleeves were joined to the body. Now I need to do some short rows. This will make the cardigan longer in the back than in the front. Not hard to do and the instructions in the book are excellent.

I wanted to knit more last night but made myself go to bed at 11:30. It was an early morning today. Out of the house at 8 for a quick trip to Toronto. I stopped at one of my distributors to pick up yarn for a customer (forgot my list and didn't get yarn for another customer-not a bright moment) and then on to get bags for the store. I was back in the store by 11:30 with lunch for Jane. Then onto Beth's warehouse to help her out for the afternoon. I'm home for a few minutes then off to have my nails done.

Ms. Canada Post brought in some more patterns today including the Berkeley Square Cardigan

Fiber Trends Pattern FT466 Design by Therese Chynoweth
Classic rib trim is combined with knit-and-purl texture to create a sophisticated, yet relaxed cardigan. Wear it with jeans or dress it up to suit your mood. With only two seams to sew, this is one design for the minimalist in all of us. The body is worked in one piece to the armholes, shoulders are joined using three needle bind off, and the sleeves are worked in the round to the underarm.
Size: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
Finished Bust Measurement: 35 3/4 (40 1/4, 44 1/2, 48 1/4, 52 1/2. 56 1/4)
Yarn Requirements: 1200 (1325, 1500, 1600, 1750, 1875) yds of a worsted weight yarn.

Needles: Circular (circ) US size 8 (5mm), 16" & 32" (40 cm & 80 cm), and set of 4 or 5 double pointed (dp) needles.
Other Supplies: Split ring markers or coil less pins, stitch holders, six 1" (25 mm) buttons.
Gauge: 19 stitches and 26 rows= 4" in Boxes pattern. 

This will look great in madelinetosh vintage!

Beth just got home from work and there is a newsletter in her inbox to proof read. It should be going out to you tonight. Last night while lying in bed I was trying to think of things for today's post. I came up with something good-so good that it will be in a tips and tricks newsletter going out next week.

Time to run. After my nails the knitting will resume. Top Chef finale tonight and then the start of Top Chef Canada. I can't believe I watch these. I don't cook and wouldn't eat most of the food they make but I can't get enough of it.

Road Work in Ancaster

There is construction on Wilson Street in Ancaster but at the other end of town from us. Wilson Street is closed from Fiddlers Green Road to Halson. Our end of Wilson Street has no construction on it.

If you are coming from the west on the 403

Take the Wilson Street exit
Turn left on Wilson

Follow the D2 signs

You will pass a few strip plazas (Fortinos, Food Basics...)
Turn left on Fiddlers Green (St. Annes Church is on the corner) - the road is closed ahead of you and you have to turn
Turn right on Jerseyville (the road ends and you have to turn left or right)
Turn left on Lover's Lane (the road ahead is closed-you can only go one way)
Turn right on Sulphur Springs (there is a three way stop here)
Turn left on Wilson (stop light)

If you are coming from Hamilton/Dundas or from the east on the 403 you will not be affected by the road work.

Two Day Post

Kate sent me an email and asked me where she could find the link to the classes on my website because she was doing a blog post. They aren't on the website yet. Please don't get me started on that-the web guy has them but hasn't done it. I decided to save this post for Saturday and do a post just about Kate. Don't miss out on taking a class with a fabulous teacher.

From Friday

It has been crazy weather in Ancaster this morning. Sunny one minute and then white out snow the next. Right now it is sunny and a beautiful day.

We have a new Noro yarn.

Ayatori
60% wool
40% silk
22 stitches = 4" on 4mm needles
142m on a ball

The colours are pastel-very summery. Me wants some. :)

The new Noro books for spring haven't arrived yet. There will be one from Noro and I believe that Jenny Watson is doing one as well. If you are like me and need to start with the yarn right away then you can choose any double knitting pattern.

Check out a cardigan called Pretty in Pink on Ravelry. This will look great in the Ayatori.

Ms. Canada Post made her daily visit with a box of patterns. Westknits 3 from Stephen West is here.

Thendara
Knit in tosh pashmina
I WANT!! (I'm being very greedy today)

See all the patterns from the book...

I'm writing away and looking out the window to lots of snow. It really can't make up it's mind.

It's Saturday

I have been working away on Gnarled Oak. Okay, that is a bit of a stretch. I worked on my quilt Thursday evening. All 16 squares are done. Now they need to be trimmed. Okay, I need to press them properly and then trim them. Then it is time for the borders. Gnarled Oak has proceeded past the second decrease row. I have another 3" (which includes two decrease rows) to do before I can start on the yoke pattern.

There were more patterns in the box with the Stephen West books including

Scalene by Carina Spencer
We have the scarf knit in the store in lace weight and I have knit it in Liberty. You can also knit Scalene in fingering weight (think of the possibilities).

I'm looking forward to a day at home tomorrow. Knitting and quilting mixed with Nascar, golf, The Amazing Race and Celebrity Apprentice.

Kate Atherley

We are excited that Kate Atherley (www.wisehilda.blogspot.com) will be joining us again to teach two workshops.

Kate teaches all over Southern Ontario and I highly recommend taking one of her classes. Kate taught for us in the fall and every student who left the store said they would definitely take another class with her.

Saturday April 14

Baby Surprise Jacket

10am-1pm

$40

Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket is a very popular and clever pattern. This class guides you through the pattern - learning not only how to read it, but all the key stitches and skills required. Learn about yarn choices, sizing, and ways to customize the pattern - including adding a hood or collar and working with multiple colours.

  

You will make a mini size sweater in the class.

skill level: advanced beginner/intermediate - knitters must be comfortable with knitting and decreasing.

materials required: bring straight or a short circular 5mm needle and a ball of Noro Kureyon

Two Socks in One: The War And Peace Method

2-5pm

$40

Suffering from Second Sock Syndrome? Bored with your usual way of knitting socks? Looking for a way to impress your friends and challenge yourself? Learn to knit two socks at the same time - one inside the other, on the same set of needles! This class will expand your skills, and add an excellent new trick to your repertoire.

skill level: advanced; students must be proficient sock knitters

materials required: bring 4.5mm dpns or long circular for magic loop method, and two colours of worsted weight yarn

NOTE:

Class space is limited

You must pay the class fee in advance, either over the phone or in person

Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable

Liberty

We have two new colours of Liberty from Classic Elite. If you have been reading my blog for a while you will know that I love this yarn. I have knit a lot with it and have it at home on the needles as well.

Liberty Wool is a super-soft, washable wool available in solid and printed colors. This yarn's balanced twist will make all stitch combinations pop.With all the great qualities of wool and the ease of machine washability, Liberty Wool knits at a gauge that suits many designs and is ideal for children's pieces as well as those for adults.

7865 Violet Glen

7864 Flower Garden

I love these colours!!

Classic Elite is bringing out two colours a month until June. We don't know what they are until they arrive in the store. Just like Christmas.

I totally forgot to show the colours that arrived in February

7863 Brick Road

7862 Watercolour
Rainbow

There are new patterns as well.

February Baby Cardigan
I'm going to send an email to Classic Elite asking them to make this in an adult size-very cute.

A cardigan for babies with set-in sleeves, garter stitch cuffs and chevron hem and collar. Written for sizes 6-12 months (18 months, 24 months) and shown in 6-12 months size.

Colour 7862 Watercolour Rainbow

 Easy Moebius Cowl

An easy cowl with plenty of interest that is entirely knit, first flat in Garter stitch then joined with a ½ twist. Cowl is then finished in the round with a contrasting Stockinette stitch border.

Colour 7864 Flower Garden

 Hooded Scarf

A long, ribbed scarf with a simple hood with easy shaping in the middle. Piece begins with ribbed scarf end and worked across the hood then down the second scarf end. Hood is seamed in finishing.

Colour 7865 Violet Glen

Mitred Cowl

Worked entirely in Garter stitch, ten mitered diamonds are worked one after the other, in one piece without breaking yarn. A short seam is sewn to join the first diamond to the last and form a cowl. Stitches are then picked up and triangles are worked along each edge to complete.

Colour 7864 Flower Garden

I am about to start the second decrease row on Gnarled Oak. Last night in class Lynn asked me to set my cardigan aside and work on something else for a bit. I am further ahead than her and she wants to catch up. Rumour has it that Sarah will be home for Easter weekend. Will she have her cardigan done for us to get pictures??

Sleeves are Joined

It's just after 8am. I woke up early because Beth had to be out the door early. She isn't the best at getting up in the morning so I set my alarm for 7 to make sure she got on her way.

As the ladies were arriving for class last night I got my sleeves joined.

I got three more rows done before bed last night. It doesn't sound like a lot but there are many stitches on the needle.

It is a beautiful day out already. Hard to believe that it is March!!

We received an email from Soak this morning that there are new Soakboxes coming for spring. These fabulous kits include Heel foot cream for feet worthy of hand-knit socks, under the premise that one should give their sock-loving feet some serious love and Lorna’s Laces new sock yarn, Solemate. Solemate is made with Outlast®.That means it has climate control technology so your feet are "Not too hot. Not too cold." Pure genius, in pretty packaging. You'll get a minisoak stuck in there too!

This season's colors are Dobson, Campbell, Cornelia and Kedzie-they will coming in Shepherd Sock as well.


(I don't know why there is a big space here-I can't make it go away and don't want to start playing around with my post)

It's almost home time and Diana came in with a scarf she just knit for the store. She does an amazing job on lace!!

Sonoma Lace Scarf
One ball Freia Ombre Lace
3.25mm needles

Love it!!
The colours are beautiful.
We have the yarn in stock and there will be new colours for spring coming in a couple of weeks.

From Tina at Freia Yarns

To achieve the long color runs in our Flux and Ombré yarns we have developed our own dyeing process. Though labor intensive, the hands-on nature of the 

process allows us to ensure an even consistency in the yarn and colors over multiple dye lots. Our method also means that though our yarns will match 

very well from one dye lot to the next, no two balls of yarn will ever be the same.

During the day I have worked two more rows on Gnarled Oak. The next row is a decrease row.

I'm home from class where we all got knitting done. I finished the decrease row and then one more row. Survivor and American Idol are taping. Could get a couple more rows done tonight.

Scarf Yarn Alert

Mr. Canpar just brought in three huge box of scarf yarns.

Rocio

A frill yarn with miniature pom poms along the edge.

Three colours arrived

Greys and browns

Browns

Black and grey

Ondas

Three colours arrived

Triana

Four colours arrived

Fingers crossed Mr. Canpar will be back on Friday with a shipment of Moda Lame.

This version of Filatura di Crosa's tape-like net yarn is finished with a metallic edge. One ball makes a scarf.