What is on my needles (week 82)

Another Store sample finished...

 

 This is design 9 by Magdalena Neuer.  The pattern is one of 15 in the Lana Grossa Olympia booklet ($8 at the shop or $4 with purchase of four or more skeins of the yarn). 
I managed to make the store sample with just four skeins.  It is a fun over sized vest, big enough even to wear over your coat and guaranteed to brighten your coldest winter day.
The yarn comes in many great colors; come in to the shop to check it out!

The simple construction is easy even for the beginner knitter

 reverse crochet around the armholes

 

 What do you do when you find yourself with extra cash? ...

..........................................................well,  buy YARN, of course.....

At least that is what I did when I found out that a repair was less costly.  I checked out the clearance bin at Stickles and bought 8 skeins of the elsebeth lavold Silky Wool.  I also bought the perfect pattern:  "Tullamore cardigan" by Emily Ringleman.  It is available on ravelry for $6.50 and I am planning on starting it right after I finished the Idlewild Tunic I am working on now.  Here is the pattern link:
 

Tullamore cardigan

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tullamore-cardigan

A well-stocked clearance bin!

My bargains :)

And yes, you read correctly:  I am almost finished with my Idlewild Tunic:

This is a dolman sleeve construction and you can read more of my pattern notes here:
http://ravel.me/Strickliese/i2 

Right now I have the back, the front and all four sleeve halves on my 60" cable!

 

What's on my needles (week 81)

Let me take you to the yarn shop where I work and show you what I am working on

A picture is a thousand words, so here are a number of pictures (video) of the yarn shop "The Knitting Garage at AL Stickle" in Rhinebeck.

You can view the video on my facebook page, too:
https://www.facebook.com/Knit-With-Doris-Discover-Your-Inner-Knitter-575533785859817/timeline/

Here is more information on the store sample I am working on:

It is a vest made in chunky Lana Grossa Olympia and on US# 17 needles. The pattern called "design #10, is not on the ravelry database yet, but we have copies of it at the shop.  The vest is knitted sideways with two openings for the arms and fits loosely even over your winter jacket (see model in the picture).  Click here for my notes on ravelry:  http://ravel.me/Strickliese/d12

Almost 25% done after just one day of knitting

 

What's on my needles (week 80)

Last week I finished the light Summer cardigan.  Amazingly I have not been able to wear it yet as we are having a very hot month of September so far; too hot for even the breeziest of long sleeves.

But that did not stop me from casting on another sweater.
Last year Ira who was the original owner of Samuel's in Rhinebeck passed away (see also my post at that time :http://knitwithdoris.blogspot.com/2014/04/whats-on-my-needles-week-12.html).  Ira was a passionate knitter and his partner let his knitterly friends have some of his stashed yarn.  With some encouragement from my co-worker Julie who knows that I am very partial to the color "green", I gave his Berroco Blackstone Tweed a new home with me.

I found a pattern which I think will go really well with this worsted weight yarn:  "Idlewild" by Julie Hoover : http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/idlewild
You can click on the link to view it on ravelry.  You can buy it on ravelry for $8.  This is an over-sized sweater/ tunic which can be worn on its own with leggings or over a skirt, pants (I am making mine about 4 inches longer).  I think it will be the perfect garment for a cold winter.  Idlewild can be worked in any Worsted or Aran weight yarn (Manos del Uruguay, Madeline Tosh, Heikoo Simply Worsted...to name a few we carry at the shop).  To show off the cabling, you will want to choose a solid or only slightly variegated yarn.

I am getting the right gauge on US# 8 needles, but don't like the looseness and am knitting on US#7 needles. As this is not a fitted garment it will just make it a little less oversized.

my swatch; bottom half on US#7, top half on US#8

I am knitting this two sizes bigger to give it a lot of positive ease (minus the smaller gauge); the sweater the model is wearing has 7 inches of positive ease.
Whenever I knit up two identical pieces I knit two at the time and have started this sweater the same way.  The sweater is knitted in two pieces with dolman sleeves, so when I get to the sleeves I will have to use an extra long cable!!

 I love the cabling and if I have yarn left, I may make a cowl with the same cable motif.

 

These last two pictures probably show the color best

Check here on ravelry to see my progress on the sweater: http://ravel.me/Strickliese/i2

What's on my needles (week 79)

First of all I want to wish everyone a Happy Labor Day Weekend!
Since I just spent the better part of this morning to write out a class schedule for the next few weeks, I am keeping my blog post brief :)

I picked up my summer cardigan and finished it this past week.  I had intended to save it for car knitting, but we got ourselves a new oil-tank instead of going on a road-trip.  At least we are ready for Winter between that and our wood stove. A big shout-out, too, to Nash Brothers for their quick and professional service.

For more project notes on my comfy Summer Cardi click here:  http://ravel.me/Strickliese/fc

Class Schedule At The Knitting Garage for Fall 2015

Class Schedule At The Knitting Garage FALL 2015

                                                                                                                                          

As the summer is winding down and the children are back in school, plan to learn how to knit or learn a new technique and get a head-start on those holiday gifts.

 Individual Projects:

       These classes are held on Wednesday mornings 10am to 12noon and then on the following Saturday from 10am to 12noon (dates are indicated below). 

       The cost of $45 per class includes the pattern unless otherwise indicated and any additional help you need to finish the project. 

       All classes are for a maximum of three students per class to insure individual attention.

       Prior sign-up is necessary for all classes. 

       Discounts: * 10% discount if you sign up for two or more classes.

                    * 10% family discount.
To sign up for any of these classes or to schedule a private lesson, please e-mail me at formbyd8@gmail.com

September 16^th and 19^th                Learn How to Knit (No previous knowledge required)

You will learn a simple cast-on and the knit stitch (Continental Method).  By the end of the class you will be on your way to knit your first scarf.  I will also explain a little about the different yarns and notions used for knitting.  You will need a bulky weight yarn; 100 yards or more depending on the desired length of your scarf and US# 13 needles. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

September 23^rd and 26^th    Learn to Double knit (For the Intermediate Knitter)

Have you ever wondered how they make those fully reversible Fair Isle knitted hats and mittens?  The technique is called “double knitting “.  You will learn this technique and how to read a chart by making a simple hot pad/ potholder.  After that, there will be no stopping you to apply the technique to other projects.  You will need two colors of a worsted weight cotton yarn and US# 7 needles.

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September 30^th and October 3^rd       Worsted Weight Socks (for the Intermediate Knitter)

We will use a pattern by Liat Gat.  You will learn the basic construction of a sock.  These are knitted up on two circular needles or one circular needle using the magic loop method.  They are knitted up both at the same time in worsted weight yarn and are great to wear with your wellies or clogs especially if this winter will be as cold as the last one.  Knitting both socks at the same time eliminates counting later to match the second sock.  You will need one 32” or longer or two  (one 16” and one 24”) US# 7 Circular needles and 170- 200 yards of Worsted weight yarn. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        

October 7^th and 10^th                            Learn How to Crochet (No previous knowledge required)

Do you want to learn how to crochet?  This is the class to come to.  You will make these simple fingerless gloves in the same basic stitch over 13 rows!  I will also talk a little about different yarns and crochet notions.  You will need worsted weight yarn and a size G (4 mm) hook.

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Private Lessons are also offered at $40 per hour at your convenience.