What's on my needles (week 23)

I have been having a great week with the weather being perfect and my knitting going full speed.

At The Knitting Garage

Although nobody came for my Sun Hat class last Saturday, the pattern has become quite popular and we sold a few copies at the store.  I am looking forward to see more of these hats knitted up.  It really is a great grand hat and I am happy to be wearing mine since I took it out of the window and replaced it with the T-shirt we will be knitting up this Saturday.  If you are interested in this class, sign up today or walk in for the class Saturday morning.  And don't forget:  Next Tuesday I will be starting a beginners knitting class.

Store sample

The store sample is half way done ; probably in another week or two all will be revealed.

At Home

For now I will simply call the WIP  "Indocine"  after the yarn which I am using.  I have another name in mind and will use that when the pattern is finalized.  Here is a little "teaser" :
I love the silky sheen of the yarn and thought to enhance it further by adding beads.  I did not want to take away from the beauty of the yarn and have the beads compete with it, so I purchased beads in a similar color.  I was thinking of pearls, but of course the holes in pearls are far too small.  These are size 6 beads and I think these are perfect for what I am doing.  I purchased them at "I Dream of Beading" in Poughkeepsie which gave me a wonderful opportunity to catch up with Janice.

 The girlfriend Market Bag

I did start on the market bag using a different circular cast-on which I find to be a little easier and faster (I will teach you in the class).  I am making this bag as a gift and was torn between several colors, but I kept coming back to yellow which I think will pair well with the dark blue I have left over from the T-shirt and which I will be using for the handles.

What's on my needles (week 22)

I have had quite an exciting week.
Some good : a wonderful massage at the Haven Spa in Rhinebeck, a gift from my boss and the perfect thing for what I call my "knitting shoulder".  I get tense in my right shoulder and neck and should listen to my own advise on exercise for knitters right here on my blog: http://knitwithdoris.blogspot.com/2012/06/health-benefits-of-knitting.html
The bad:  My car didn't start yesterday and charging the battery did not do the trick; I had it towed this morning and can only highly recommend T&N Towing in Red Hook.  Now I am anxiously awaiting the verdict.  I hope it is just the battery, but have a bad feeling that it may be more.  Well, Joe from Red Hook Auto knows his stuff and I know my "baby" is in good hands.
But on to knitting and all anxieties melt away:

      Update on my car:  It needed a new battery, that was all :)

At The Knitting Garage

We had a wonderful class on the Pinwheel Spa Cloth last Saturday and I was so inspired that I whipped up two more of these since.  They do make such great gifts!
The turquoise one is knitted up in Blue Sky Skinny Cotton and the white one in Lily Sugar'n Cream Cotton, both yarns are available at Stickles.

 

Don't forget:  This Saturday, June 21, is "Knit in Public Day" AND I will be giving the class on the Great Grand Sun Hat.  Sign up today for the class or walk in Saturday morning.

 

My next Store Sample

I am working on a fabulous shawl in Nuna Fina by Mirasol, BUT since this is a new pattern I am in the process of writing, I keep it as a secret project till it is finished and all will be revealed ;)

At Home

I knitted up the two Spa Cloths above and got a little further with knitting Matthew's scarf.

I am also knitting the same shawl at home which I am knitting at The Knitting Garage.  I am knitting this one in yarn a little heavier, the Indochin by Lantern Moon, which was given to me as a "Thank you" for letting them use my pattern "Candle Flame Scarf" .  See also my post from last March :http://knitwithdoris.blogspot.com/2014/03/whats-on-my-needles-week-10.html  .
I am adding beads to this.  So you all will have to be very patient and wait until the pattern is finalized :)

But I will start something else today, too, so I have something I can share.  So, today after posting this, I will cast on the "Girlfriend Market Bag".  If you are interested:  I will be giving a class on this on Saturday, July 26.  So far I have two people signed up, so there are still two more spots available.

What's on my needles (week 21)

Thank you!

First of all I want to say a BIG Thank You to all of you who went to the Yarn Sale Fundraiser for Cancer.  The Tivoli Library had many people stop by and was able to raise over $300 for the cause.
Additionally to that, several blankets, hats and booties were collected.  Everything will go to the Cancer Center in Albany.
For those who missed the sale or want to go again:  There will be a repeat fundraiser (yarns and books) on the Tivoli town wide yard sale day on Saturday July 26th.

 

 At The Knitting Garage

 Classes 

A reminder that this Saturday we will have a class at The Knitting Garage on the "Pinwheel Spa Cloth".  You will learn an easy (!) circular cast-on, how to knit with double-pointed needles, several lace stitches and a crochet bind-off.
There are still three spots left available for this class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Store sample

The little Harriet Dress is finished.  It looks adorable; the perfect dress for summer time.  The pattern gives instructions for sizes 6 months to 5 years and is available for purchase at The Knitting Garage.

At Home

Summer Flies

My "Summer Flies Shawl" is finished and came out beautifully.  It was much easier and quicker to knit up than I had anticipated.

  

 Great Grand Sun Hat

I also knitted up a Summer hat in less than a week.  This hat has a lovely wide brim to keep your face shaded.  I usually wear baseball caps in summer, but this is much more elegant.  I also like the fact that it folds up small (to put in your purse) and it can be washed.  I knitted my hat up in the Trendsetter Lino, a cotton/linen blend yarn.
If you take the class next week Saturday, June 21, you will learn how to knit in the round on both circular and double pointed needles, add stitches, work with slipped stitches, and knit cables.

What's on my needles (week 20)

I want to point out two events this weekend: 

 

Yarn Sale Fundraiser in memory of Marie-France Dougherty

Saturday, June 7th From 9am to 12 noon
The Tivoli Free Library will be holding a donated yarn sale (very nice yarns!!!!) in memory of local resident Marie, who left us in June 2013 after a heroic battle with cancer.
All proceeds will go to St. Peter's Cancer Care Center in Albany.
For directions to and information on the library click here:  Tivoli Free Library

Country Living Fair

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 6-8

Click on the above link for more information.
If you are going to the Dutchess Fairground for the Country Living Show, make sure to stop at Leah Stickle's booth.  She will have awesome things from the "A.L. Stickle Variety Store", and "The Knitting Garage". There will be most definitely something for everyone.
Here is a view of just some of the project bags you can purchase.  Each bag contains a pattern and enough yarn to finish your project.

At The Knitting Garage

Classes 

We had a few sign-ups already for Summer Classes. Be sure to check out what is being offered and sign up for a fun time.  Remember we offer classes every Saturday morning teaching new techniques while starting you on a new project.
And we also offer beginners knitting classes; a perfect opportunity to learn how to knit while getting you (and your child) out of the summer heat.
For a full schedule click on "classes" above or click on the link "current class schedule" on my blog.

Store Sample

The second piece for "Harriet" is almost done.  It is a quick knit and promises to be a cute little dress.  The yarn (Blue Sky Skinny Cotton) feels nice in my hands while I work with it so it will feel good on the skin of the little one you may want to knit it for.

At Home

Summer flies

It took me several days to bind off my "Summer Flies".  But it is done now and on the blocking mat.
Here are some pictures before and while blocking.  New pictures next week of the finished shawl.
Heads-up on Gerrie's and Connie's shawls which they started during my Saturday morning class:  They are both doing well with their projects and I will post pictures in a few weeks :)
I am really looking forward to be wearing this.

Matt's All in One

I have continued to work on Matt's scarf/ hood/ pocket project and it is slowly getting longer :)