Birgitta

Birgitta is the loved teacher of many knitters, myself included.  Years ago after knitting 30+ scarves I wanted to knit something else and learn more.  I was lucky enough to find Birgitta at my local knitting store.  I started taking classes and she gave me the help and confidence I needed to venture on.  Whenever I asked Birgitta if she thought I could do something she said yes and I believed her...  so I did it. Another bonus of being in Birgitta's Tuesday morning group was that I met my knitting buddy, Claudia.  So here we are on Thursday lucky enough to be knitting together and eating pastries from Hoffman's Bakery at the wonderful store, A New Yarn, that Claudia is now managing.  Birgitta's life has led her back to her native country, Sweden, and I can tell you she is missed by many.  We are so happy she comes back to visit :)

P.S.  Yes indeedy I am holding up a spindle with yarn I spun myself!  More on that later.

I Learned to Spin!

I had so much fun in Eugene, OR this past weekend at The Black Sheep Gathering.  I drove down on Thursday with my friends, Marita & Monica.  It was a beautiful day and we were all excited about our girls' weekend :)  I had never been to Eugene before and I was charmed by the beauty and friendliness of the town.  The festival itself was at the Lane County Fairgrounds a short drive from our hotel.  I LOVED everything about it!  Seeing the all the different sheep and starting to grasp the differences between them and their wool was a beginning to finding my way to what breed I may want to keep when we move to Friday Harbor full time.  The marketplace was full of talented people that were friendly and knowledgeable who were willing to talk to a newbie to the spinning universe AND they all had really cool stuff that I wanted to buy.  My budget kept me somewhat in control but I had to splurge a little ;)  The highlight of my weekend was learning to spin.  Connie Paulsen of Spindlewood Co. was so patient, kind and fun to sit with.  She stuck with me until I was comfortable enough to think I might be able to spin on my own with my beautiful new spindle that was hand-turned by her talented husband, Steve.  In my next post I will share the beautiful roving I bought and the results of my first yarnmaking adventure.

Island colors

This past weekend we were up at our island house and I could see a patch of yellow from the porch and it kept catching my eye....   so we drove down the road to take a look and this is what we found.  The picture almost does it justice.  I love all the seasons on the island and the colors that each brings.  I am under the spell of color these days more than I have ever been in my life. I think it is one of the gifts that knitting and my love of yarn has brought me.  I am drawn to it everywhere and can't possibly pick a favorite.  I guess I'll just have to love the one I'm with :)  

My Kiss Purse

Pattern: Kiss Purse

From: The Knitting Experience Book 3: Color

Yarn: Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool in Black Noro Kureyon

Needle: US 6 Turbo Addi Circulars (my favorite needles)

Here is another great Sally Melville pattern. This is my first stranded color project and yes I used both hands! I was so fascinated by the color progression of the Noro that I made quick progress because I hated to put it down. This is a GREAT first stranded color project... especially if you use the Noro because you get lots of gorgeous color with only 2 strands, the chart is an easy 10-stitch/8-row repeat, and because you knit in the round no purling just knitting. I over felted a little so my bag is on the small side but I love it and it makes a perfect petite project bag. I often use it to carry a sock-in-progress when we go to Friday Harbor.

Pink, pink and pink!

Here are three pink scarves. I think I was having a pink attack :)  The mobius is knit from 100% silk in a double seed stitch.  I made it for myself and it feels like heaven on my neck.  The light pink is chunky baby alpaca in a 4 x 4 rib with garter ends and it graces the neck of my delightful funny friend, Michelle.  She is spending a lot of time in Alaska these days and I need to do some matching mitts for her! The pink mohair is straight garter and it is as light as a feather.  This confection floats on the neck of my neice, Kailey, in Arizona.  I may have more pink in my system...

Isn't she lovely?

This is my neice, Jenny, who has been the recipient of more of my knitting than any other human on the planet.  I think it is because she is a crafter too and appreciates my work and creativity.  She is a lovely young woman with an artistic/creative soul...  now if she could just support herself!  She is wearing Jen's Poncho (the real name of the pattern) which is in Sally Melville's book, The Knit Stitch.  I LOVE Sally's books and they have helped me more than any other knitting resource except for my adored knitting teacher, Birgitta.  More about Birgitta at another time.  I knit this poncho for Jenny out of Patons Divine, an inexpensive VERY fuzzy soft yarn.  It's just okay to knit with but a very pretty synthetic with 18% mohair.  I love the colors (Frosted Green for Jenny's poncho) and the price, $5.00 for 142 yards.

I have taken a class from Sally Melville at Churchmouse Yarn and Teas on Bainbridge Island.  It is the VERY best yarn store I have ever been to.  If you live in the Seattle area and have not been there yet you are in for a completely delightful experience.  It has absolutely everything a shop needs to be the best. Sally is a great teacher, designer and writer.  

A Set for Em

This is a little set I knit for my niece, Emiley.  She is 7 and an amazing, beautiful, SMART girl.  I have asked her mom to send me a picture of her wearing it but I'm still waiting...  I really want to see that hat on her :)  Purple and green are Em's favorite colors and I knit this up with Tahki Yarns Torino. This yarn is so soft and springy but a little pricey at $8.25 for a small ball of 94 yds.  I did love knitting with it.   I bought it at a beautiful local yarn store up in Mill Creek. Main Street Yarn is a light-filled, big for a yarn shop, store with a great selection of yarns, patterns, books, bags, needles etc.  I can spend hours there just browsing.

Anyhow, back to Em's set.  The hat and mittens were both free patterns and I did plain old garter on the scarf and just changed colors when it felt right.  I guessed on the size of the mittens and they are way too small.  I hope Emiley will put them on one of her prized Build-a Bear friends and I will knit her another pair :)