OK I thought that since other folks are covering specific people and their activities, I might cover MK World news (who knows someday we might consolidate?)
IN MK WORLD NEWS…….
I have nothing to add at this time.
(I AM LYING! SEE BELOW)
WHY?
Cuz nobody submitted anything to be shared!
I don’t lie, but I did catch your attention didn’t I?
So topics most seen:
Oil Types, Garter Carriages, Sounds of MK, Places we knit, Knit Radar and HELP! I am new and something is really really wrong. Not a bad place to be. We do learn from our mistakes
In news of the MK World, there is a Knit-A-Long as previously mentioned on Ravelry for Mary Ann Oger’s Take A Turn Sweater so far there are 2 COMPLETED PROJECTS! yay TO AndreaL and macon!
This is my first in a series of weekly topical related posts.
I figured it would be a good idea if I actually write about this Knit a long as I do it. Helps to keep in touch right? Well, today after spending some time mulling over my options I decided to actually get my swatches knitted. Swatches you say??? Yes, I am torn between two yarns. I can use either of these…
I was sweating a little bit about my yarn choices. I really love the periwinkle colored wool its not a superwash though. However it doesn’t felt easily so I figure it will withstand many wearings. And the subsequent cleanings. I hope, that is. I knitted this swatch up using the prescribed tension 8. I could go looser but now having washed it… I like this fabric so I will adjust the pattern ever so slightly.
By the way… knowing that many designers are very protective of their designs, I asked Mary Anne how she felt about folks modifying her patterns to suit their needs. She responded “my stuff is all about doing whatever you want - I wish to inspire people to knit - not to duplicate what I do, but to use my techniques to learn and do what they want!!” Well, I AM INSPIRED! I didn’t really need to ask about how she felt because right within the pattern she says.. “Add more cables or make it plain!”. Thats a strong reccomendation for me.
I need a raglan sweater… so I may knit this as a Raglan, but then I will lose some of the Cables and Tuck Rib. I am just thinking about this btw… I am not glued to it yet. Or knitted into it so to speak. I knitted my swatches today here they are:
Then there is this swatch… 45% Acrylic 45% Nylon and 25% wool nope its not going to shrink up on me. But I just don’t love the fabric.
I did a little bit of a study of the pattern with Knitware and I know I have plenty of yarn for the project and I can see what I need to modify thats IF I do the Raglan.
Oh and my pre wash swatch measured very closely to the 30st 36 rows over 4in/10cms. I was at 29.09 SP4″ and 38RP4″ with the wool and 30.46 SP4″ and 41RP4I in the blend. The blend changed rather dramatically with blocking. The wool is about the same. Thats eyeballing I haven’t actually measured them again yet. They are drying now.
I have a most favorite non-fiber site that I love to view… Icanhazcheezburger hysterical pictures and captions and its mostly kittys. I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for fiber related ones so I wouldn’t feel bad about sharing my addiction. more cat pictures
Well somebody asked for it and here it is. Episode 11!
In this podcast I mention the Take A Turn KAL that Mary Anne Oger has so kindly enabled.
I share my need for and love of caffeine. A tid bit from Iwannaknit Retreat (I am behind aren’t I?), and for those of you who don’t know you find out what is up with me and cows… or do you. More importantly the appropriate use of frogs is discussed. I share my joy of vacationing in New Orleans and a brief (ha ha) overview of Ravelry.
As if that is not enough… here are some videos that I just posted on You Tube for a little comic relief. If you didn’t LISTEN to the podcast you are missing it!
Courtesy of Mary Anne Oger a KAL suggestion for this late summer early fall season (or Late Winter Early Spring etc depending on where you happen to be located). Folks, Mary Anne is offering her Take A Turn Sweater pattern free of charge on her website. If you have never heard of Mary Anne Oger or Knitwords, I will ask you what knitting machine you have been hiding behind if you are a newbie to MK congratulations here is a great resource.
This is a wonderful opportunity to knit one of Mary Anne’s more popular patterns. It is an opportunity to work on something as a World of Knitters. I can’t think of a single person who would not be interested in or have someone that they could knit this pattern for. Or heck knit it for your local charity!
If you are reading this post you can get the pattern at the Knitwords Site the link is at the top of the page but don’t be shy about browsing. Check out Mary Anne’s blog too while you are at it!
Get Ready? GET SET ?!!! KNIT ON!!!
OK… there has been a lot of talk recently about Machine Knitting Video and their availability. So, I would like to invite anyone that doesn’t have the ability to post their own to share theirs with me and I can post them for you here or please post them to You Tube. I don’t know why folks don’t or can’t use You Tube more, its where I go to look for video instruction or funnies. I have a variety of interests beyond machine knitting but MK is my passion. You tube is public but then so is this forum… albeit a little bit more closed and no not everyone can post. Although if you’d like to submit an article here…. I’ll take submissions from anyone who has something that they want to say as long as its MK oriented and educational. I reserve the right to edit for size and length any posts that others share here. Do let me know or send me a message on you tube so I can mention new videos as they happen?
This being said. I have a lot of videos that I have used in my classes. There are also videos that don’t make it into the classes because I do live demo in classes. I have video ready for students in case I can’t demo for whatever reason. My classes are all hands on. I did end up doing mostly live demo so did not actually end up using these much in my classrooms. SO, double benefit. Students who have taken my classes, can now get a reminder video at no charge. Folks who haven’t taken my classes can get some technique demo just not the detailed comments. By the way, for those demos done on my Bond some are only for Bond users others… can be used on any machine. The metal bed I use in MOST of my videos is a Chunky Singer. No weights required for cast on. OK sometimes I like weights, I am just showing off the Singer/Studio/Silver Reed quirk of not “needing” weights all the time
I only teach beginner level knitting. Its a level I really enjoy teaching. I am not always perfect and my videos are unedited. If we were in the classroom… I wouldn’t have the sound on for the videos. I’d be making comments starting and stopping to point out details to the techniques as well as modifications for different machines. I am pretty quiet in some videos but others I talk you right through. You will get to hear my little comments as things go well or poorly however. Along with my whiney dog, telephone, lawnmowers and the soothing sound of my fish tank in need of water. I hope I don’t swear to often. If folks feel I could change certain things please feel free to comment here, I may even publish these comments. Please don’t discuss my foibles in public forums I can take criticism, and correct things. I don’t need or want to be taken to task “publicly”. I am posting my videos in support of all the other Video casting machine knitters. Support us and we’ll keep doing it! I hope too see some videos back soon!
Anyhoo… a few videos in which things get done. If you have taken my classes in the past I hope these are helpful to you and you can guess which class they were/are for. I posted one video blooper in which a cast on method fails, there might be other questions in the video descriptions so pay attention! If you know or think you know…. comment! Your prize will be another blooper added.
My videos are presently being hosted here on You Tube
OK I finished the Marine Corp Emblem section that I showed in the recent video. Its off the machine and its gorgeous. Just have to Semper Fidelis the ribbon for the Eagle and off it goes. I’ve been a crazy knitting and crocheting fool because I’ve been away from home more than I’ve been home which really has an impact on my blogging and podcasting.
Had the opportunity to work with a machine knitter early last week. She’s just gotten a lovely Brother 910 that she is learning. Gave her a first lesson, couple of cast ons and offs, and practice and left her with homework to accomplish.
I’ll have to follow up there right after vacation. Hubby and I are headed to New Orleans for 5 days of heat, just like home, and fun unlike all the work at home. A much needed sanity break. We took a mini non sanity break visiting the Grand Kids and their parents in Virginia. They are moving to Orlando we think so, visits might become fewer and farther between there.
I continue to update the MK World Map and hope everyone reading this has taken the time to either add themselves or have me add you to the Map. Its pretty full for the U.S. some areas need help. Other countries are pretty devoid of any MK info.
So, forgive my snails pace at things. I’ve promised alot and not followed through. Stay tuned though! Big things coming!
I have so much I want to share… as usual though I am on a deadline. I have to knit 2 of these and complete them ASAP. (yeah sometimes I do procrastinate) So here is a quickie preview of an upcoming topic.
The CNY Machine Knitters group meets monthly. Saturday was our May meeting. We had some amongst us who have wanted to make yarn swifts. SO, we did! We had so much fun too!
The CNY Machine Knitters have to thank two helpful Husbands: Casey R and Bob T for their technical expertise, patience, and assistance!
Our initial plan was based on this . We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Erica for sharing her plans.
Here is a short podcast that Lorraine Merrill and I did as a result.
Good friend and fellow machine knitter Michelle Teasley joins me to talk about Iwannaknit Retreat happening June 13-15 in beautiful Shipshewana, Indiana.
Here is a link to Knitting Today and the brochure that Michelle and I are talking about.
I am so lucky. Don’t think I don’t know it. I had so much going on that I haven’t had time to podcast. I have more to do also!!!! SO without further ado… enjoy the podcast! The pictures below are from some of my activities.
