Pinwheel Afghan

Pinwheel Afghan



Here is one of my WIP - as you know (from previous posts) I usually have about 9 projects going at the same time.  This is one of my 9.  I think it's going to be a shop sample, but we'll see how it turns out.  What I mean by that is I'm not really sure I picked the right colors, but I had my husband help me and well, you know, if it doesn't work out I think it might be all his fault (this is where I would put a smiley face, but apparently my Blog doesn't have that option, or I can't see it [which is most likely]). 

This pattern is a Pinwheel Afghan from Oat Couture.  I'm having a great time knitting it, it is not boring or monotonous like some knitting can be.  Changing colors, working the edge and doing short rows is what is keeping it interesting, plus it's going pretty fast, being on a size 8 needle.

I finished my mink scarf.  I soaked it yesterday and now it's in our closet drying.  The closet was the only space I could find long enough to stretch this scarf out.  I'm looking forward to being able to wear it when the weather gets cooler. 

That's it for now - see you soon.

Knit-A-Long

Judy, Jeri ,Pam (mannequin stand in), Claudia, Ann and Barb

 

There were many more of us who did this Holden Shawl Knit-A-Long, but these were the people who came to get their picture taken. 

 

 

Consider doing our current Knit-A-Long which is a Hexagonal Market Bag, it is a free pattern on Ravelry, www.ravelry.com.  Tina made one and has already used hers!  The Knit-A-Long is held on Thursday evenings from 6:00- 7:30.  Come and join us for this informal social gathering.  This Knit-A-Long will be until July 18th.  There will be a drawing for a prize for those who finish their Knit-A-Long's by the 18th of July.  It's an easy knit, so come get started!

 

 

 



Ultra Pima Cotton!

Check out this terrific yarn we just got in!  Ultra Pima Cotton is made up of 100% Pima Cotton and comes in 220 yard hanks.  It knits up at 22-24 stitches for 4 inches on a 5-6 US needle and is a wonderful yarn for the Summer!

Oh, What a Beautiful Sweater

This is an Entrelac sweater that Lisa made.  Isn't it beautiful?  It was made from Noro, so of course all the colors look beautiful together.
When I first came to Main Street, Lisa was just learning how to knit - she's been working hard at it since and look what she created!  Congratulations, Lisa, in your knitting progress.

Mink Scarf WIP

Since I talked about my WIP (Work in Progress) projects, I thought I might share some of them with you. 

This is my Mink Scarf which is a very simple pattern.  I plan on wearing it just like it shows in the picture (above) so I had to make it a bit longer than a normal scarf.  The length will be about 85" and is taking approx. 750 yards of the  fingering weight yarn (2 skeins of the mink).  This is the kind of scarf you could make with any yarn and any weight.  It's basically a seed stitch scarf.  Half way through the scarf I cast off 5 stitches on each side to make the neck slimmer, working in garter stitch, just for the neck.  That way when I fold the scarf in half and put the remainder of the scarf through the loop, the neck won't be so bulky.

 

I am very, very close to being finished with this project.  The ends have not been sewn in and of course it hasn't been blocked, but I think it will be one of my favorite scarves when I am done. 

 

 

Can there be too many projects?

I was in the yarn guest room yesterday to get the room ready for my son who will be here on Wednesday.  Well, there seemed to be some yarn, books and magazines hanging around.  I got all those organized, but then as I was looking in the closet, I noticed quite a few bags with partially done projects.  I'm trying to figure out how they got there.  I mean, right now I am currently working on 8 projects at one time (which is just right for me), but how did those other ones sneak into the closet?  They are all projects I want to complete, I just haven't.  For instance, I have a pair of socks that I knit on Magic Loop that just need to be bound off.  Really?  Three more pairs of socks, one sweater, 1 scarf, 1 stole and I can't remember the rest but I'm sure there are more.  What happened to them that I apparently disregarded them with little thought.  I can't finish them now because I have 8 different projects going, so I'll try and finish them when I get some of these projects done, however, once I get a project done, I'm excited to start a new one....and so it goes.  Sigh....

New Summer Hours!

Here are our new Summer hours!

Monday:        10:00am-5:00pm
Tuesday:        10:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday:   10:00am-5:00pm
Thursday:       12:00pm-8:00pm
Friday:           10:00am-6:00pm
Saturday:       10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday:         11:00am-4:00pm

See you soon!

Yarn Tasting Update!

For those of you planning to attend the Yarn Tasting, we just wanted to let you know that it is going to be cancelled.  We will still be taking part in the Art Walk and would love to see you! 

Oh What a Purl!

Hi all!  Its been a while since Ive posted here... So many things going on since Spring arrived!!

I wanted to share with you my loathing avoidance of purl rows.  Im sure I am not alone when I say purling is not my favorite.  It takes so long, its a less natural motion for my hands, and did I mention it TAKES SO LONG! 

Behold my secret!  Portuguese Style Knitting!!  I have discovered the beauty of the Portuguese Purl Stitch.  I actually enjoy it SO much, that the Wingspan I recently finished for the shop was made ENTIRELY from purling! 

So if Garter Stitch for days or Stockinette Stitch for miles with its pesky purl rows puts you off, check out our Portuguese Knitting Workshop!  There are two times available for this 2 hour class.  You can chose Sunday August 11th from 2-4 OR Sunday August 18th from 2-4.  Space is limited so if youre interested sign up now!

Teaching my Granddaughter to knit

Odessa

I was just visiting my Granddaughter in New Orleans and she informed me she wants to learn to knit.  She will be here for a month in less than 2 weeks, so I've been thinking the best approach to teach her how to knit.  I thought of the old fashion way, of sitting with her quietly, in a subdued setting where she will sit (stand?) still to learn to knit.  Like illustrated in the top picture.

Even though the picture of Odessa looks like she is an angel with wings, I know I'm for certain not the patient, subdued woman in the picture.

Then I ran across this video.  We get a fair amount of people requesting instructions on how to teach very young people to knit. 

This is what Amazon reviews have to say about the video.  "This DVD features a proven method of teaching kids skills that will help them for life. It helps kids to concentrate, increases motor skills, develop hand-eye coordination and it is also a great confidence builder! For ages 5+. Dr. Elizabeth Seward entertains kids with a unique animated story while teaching them to knit and make their own knitting needles. Kids teaching kids-every kid will be inspired watching 7 year old Ryan Anderson as he teaches the basics of knitting. Knitting instructor and producer Marcy Levitas Hamilton teaches the kids how to make fun and easy knitted balls and toys with Stitch-Along instructions. There is also a visit to The Alpaca Ranch to learn how yarn is made."

The video is 90 minutes long, so I'm not sure we will get through it all in one setting, and she may lose interest along the way, but I have two more Granddaughters who I can teach.  I WILL MAKE ONE OF MY GRANDDAUGHTERS KNITTERS!

A great deal for a Spinning Wheel!

Spinning is a terrific way to customize the yarn you work with!  We have an Ashford Traditional Spinning Wheel on Sale for $385.00.  That is an incredible price for this wheel.  Come in and take a look!  We even have a terrific teacher on staff who can get you on your way.

Stay quenched!

We have the perfect way to stay quenched while you do your Summer knitting and support your favorite knitting store!  These great bottles are easy to throw in your knitting bag for all of those outdoor knitting locations you frequent and they are great looking too!