Knitting In The Old Way

Knitting in the Old Way by Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts &
Deborah Robson

SSK leans to the right

K 2tog leans to the left

The difference between SSK and K2tog is the way they lean.  If you are making a garment that has decreasing on both sides you want one decrease to lean to the left and one to lean to the right.

The Book "Knitting in the Old Way" shows many different techniques such as these two methods of decrease and the different uses for them.  It answers the simpliest of questions to showing you how to shape a jacket. 



"Knitting is a distinct virtue.  It's reflective and repetitive.  Whenever you are engaged in doing a purely repetitive thing, your mind can reflect upon life"

Georffrey Fisher

Archbishop of Canterbury

(1887-19720)

Just amuse me please

That's a little how I feel today - a little slap happy with too much information on technology.  Who knew there was so much to learn about social networking?  I learned about pinterest, search engines, the instructer used a whole bunch of words I didn't know.  But, when I left the seminar I was smug with my basic knowledge.  The classes on our web site needed to be updated so I thought with my new found knowledge I'd just go into the program and quickly update it.  Huh!  That was 7 hours ago!!!  I accidently (who ever does this on purpose?) deleted the information on the page not once, but twice!  So much for my technology savy. 
Sooo-if you would indulge me and atleast go look at the web site and the new classes, I would feel it was all worth while.  www.mainstreetyarn.com

Win over $200.00 in yarn!

Have you entered our yarn contest yet?

Can you guess how many yards of yarn are in this bowl?  Whoever guesses closest # of yards wins the whole bowl of yarn, a $200.00+ in value.
Contest ends July 20th.
We look forward to seeing you.

Mohawk Hats!

Elya and her Daddy sporting their new hats!

Upon the request of my husband, I made matching Mohawk hats for him and Elya for Father's day.  These two were made out of Lamb's Pride bulky so they knit up very quickly.  They make quite the eye-catching two-some walking down the street. 

Knit One Knit All

One of Elizabeth Zimmermann's dreams was to publish a book of her garter stitch designs. As you look through Elizabeth's designs, you will find a wealth of material, much of it little known or unknown to knitters. Further, you will be intrigued and excited by the unique construction of some of these "new"; designs (equal to her classic baby surprise jacket). You will find sweaters, coats, jackets, and vests for adults and kids, baby garments, plus a wonderful array of small projects including sideways gloves and socks, several brimmed hats, an ingenius pattern for knitted clogs and more.

About her favorite knitted texture she wrote "One can only cite the elegant appearance of Garter stitch.  It forms beautiful crinkly ridges, which are handsome in themselves.  They can be employed horizontally or vertically or both and enable the structure of offbeat knitted pieces to be visible and organically decorative.  I like to think that the very first knitter, doodling with sticks and sinews at the sunny entrance to his cave, or peering at his knitting by the flickering firelight, doodled with, or peered at Garter stitch; the bread and cheese of knitting, the basic stitch - surely the prototype."

Large Basket Weave Stitch Blanket

Basket Weave Stitch

Row 1: (right side) Knit

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: K2, *P4, K2; rep from* to end

Row 4: P2, *K4, P2; rep from* to end

Row 5: K2, *P4, K2; rep from* to end

Row 6: P2, *K4, P2; rep from* to end

Row 7: Knit

Row 8: Purl

Row 9: P3, *K2, P4; rep from* to last 5 stitches, K2, P3

Row 10: K3, *P2, K4; rep from" to last 5 stitches, P2, K3

Row 11: P3, *K2, P4; rep from* to last 5 stitches, K2, P3

Row 12: K3, *P2, K4; rep from" to last 5 stitches, P2, K3

Repeat these 12 rows.

This pattern needs to be divisible by 6 plus 2 stitches.  In other words, if you want a 5 times pattern repeat, you would cast on 32 stitches (30 + 2)

This stitch makes a wonderful blanket.  Depending on how big you want the blanket and what weight yarn you are using, will depend on how many stitches you cast on.  For instance if you want a blanket that is 60" x 60" and you were using worsted weight yarn (5 stitches per inch) you would cast on 302 stitches, knit the basket weave stitch until the blanket is 60" long.   You would need approx. 3,360 yards of worsted weight yarn, using a size 7 needle.









Christmas Stockings in July???

Knitting Pure and Simple #277

Christmas Socks by Nancy Lindberg

It's not to early to start on Christmas Stockings, whether it be for your family, your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors, whoever you think might enjoy a hand made Christmas Stocking.
It's a great summer project.
If you are interested in a class please email me at eweknit@mainstreetyarn.com.  If we can't find enough people for a class come into one of our help groups.  If you want to make a Fair Isle Christmas Stocking Betts is having a class in Fair Isle Knitting July 26 and Aug 19th.  You'll learn the technique in a class and after you make a hat in Fair Isle you'll be ready to make a Fair Isle Christmas Stocking.

Afghans Comfort Knitting and Crochet

We just got this terrific Afgan book!  It is a compilations of patterns by Nora Gaughan, Margery Winter, and the Berroco Design Team.  Come in and check out the brilliant afghan ideas. 

Malabrigo Arroyo has landed!

Arroyo by Malabrigo has arrived!  It is a superwash DK weight yarn that comes in 335 yards.  Just look at the beautiful colors!  We now have lace, sock, DK, worsted, and chunky weights. 

It's all about the cables

 

I'm sure you've been asking yourself this question, which is, where did cables originate? No one knows for sure, but they seem to have their origins in Celtic tradition, such as the Book of Kells with its incredible intertwining symbols.  Off the west coast of Ireland men had  fisherman sweaters with a combination of cables and were unique to each person, so if they were lost at sea and washed up on shore they could be identified.   That is sad, but yet amazing - think if we did that now?  Wow - we'd have to have some repeats don't you think?
Many consider cable knitting to reach its heights in the Aran Sweater, which consists of panels of different cable patterns.
The good news is you can make your own unique sweater by combining a mixture of cables.  There are many books that feature just cable patterns.  One of the better reference books for cables is "Vogue Knitting Stitchionary 2" or Interweave Press "Cables & Arans".

Double-Eyelet Rib Stitch

I know I'm always looking for unique stitches to make scarfs, socks, sweaters, etc.  One way to make your own creation is to pick a pattern you like, or design one and use a unique stitch.  This stitch is quite interesting and I think would make a beautiful scarf, great cardigan or pair of socks.

Row 1: (right side):  P2, *K5,P2; rep from* to end.
Row 2: K2 *P5, K2; rep from* to end
Row 3: P2, *K2tog, YO, K1, YO, sl 1, K1, psso, P2: rep from* to end.
Row 4: Rep Row 2

Repeat these 4 rows until desired length.  This pattern is a repeat in multiples of 7 plus 2 stitches.

To Brighten the Gray Skies

Come see our new summer bags!  I know, I know, it doesn't seem like summer, but maybe one of these summer bags will bring some sunshine into your life.

Addi Clicks of all kinds!

We currently have all of the Addi clicks line in stock!  You can choose from the Turbo, Bamboo, Lace, Long Lace, and Hook. 

Knit Along!

Looking for a great summer knit?  Out of excitement for one of our newest yarns, Louet Euroflax, a few of us ladies are casting on CoCoKnits Liesl!  Its a great lightweight swingy top perfect for summertime.  We want you to enjoy this great knit too by joining us for a casual knit-a-long beginning this upcoming Sunday the 17th from 1-3.  We say casual meaning, there are no deadlines and no homework outside of what YOU want to do.  We will meet up again on July 1st from 12-2 to catch up on everyones progress!  We will be there for morale and technical support so no worries if you run into a hiccup or two.  We hope you can join because we'd love to see you!

Did she say Naked Yarn?

We just received yarn that is undyed for those who are dyers or want to try their hand at dyeing.  This is the yarn Amy will be using in her Kool-Aid class on July 15th.  It is also wonderful if you want to knit with an undyed yarn.
We have  Aran Weight Bluefaced Leicester 182 yards for $13.99, Sock Yarn 437 yards for $13.00 per skein and will be getting in DK Superwash Merino this week.

Euroflax!

Euroflax just came in!  Look at the beautiful colors it comes in!  We also got in some great patterns.  This yarn is wet spun so it blooms and softens as you work with it and wash it.  Come in and check out the skirt, it has a terrific drape!

Betts Series I is coming this summer

Betts will be teaching the different methods of casting on, gauge, invisible seams, and picking up stitches.  This may all sound like things you might already know, but when Betts teaches it, she is adding lots of information and tips.  See our web site at www.mainstreetyarn.com for more information.  The class will be June 30th, July 7th, 14th and 21st from 1:30 - 3:30.  Betts has a help group right after the class from 3:30 - 5:30, if you'd like to join and start practicing some of your new skills.  The help group is 6 sessions for $60.00 or drop in for $15.00.

Beautiful Colors

Here is a sampling of Betts color work.  She has an eye for putting colors together and she is going to share her knowledge on June 21 and 28th, in a color work class.  The class is on a Thursday from 5:30 - 7:30.  Betts will show you how to combine colors to make a stunning fabric.

The cost of the class is $75.00 and yarn is included in the price of the class, all you need to do is bring a size 2 needle! 

People are so wonderful!

We started collecting hats for local hospitals and look at all of the hats you have brought in!  Thank you!  You can also join us every fourth Friday for our Charity knit.  We have a lot of fun and would love to see you!

New Knitscene!

The newest edition of Knitscenen is here!  It is chock full of great accessories!  Come in and check it out.

Can you say Malabrigo??

We just received two big boxes of Malabrigo Rasta, Worsted and sock.  Soon we will have the Arroyo.
Here is a sample from each of the yarns.

Citron in Malabrigo Sock

OXO Cable Cardigan

Five Spice Hat and blanket for Ewenice