What will YOU do with the extra hour tonight?

As we fall back one hour tonight, I was wondering:
What will YOU do with your extra hour this weekend?
Here are five one hour projects to knit up (quite literally) in no time at all!

ONE HOUR seed stitch cowl: https://youtu.be/-Mpr10C0Pqc
ONE HOUR hat (free pattern on ravelry): http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/1-hour-hat
ONE HOUR earwarmer (another free pattern on ravelry): http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/one-hour-earwarmer
ONE HOUR fingerless mitts (free on allfreeknitting): http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Kn…/One-Hour-Fingerless-Mitts
And last but not least:
ONE HOUR Arm Knit Blanket (also a free pattern and we have lots of super chunky yarn to choose from at The Knitting Garage): http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Kn…/One-Hour-Arm-Knit-Blanket

What's on my needles (week 87)

Before anything else I want to stop and remember Margrit from Morehouse Farms who gave so much to our fiber community.  

She passed away this week and will be missed by many.  Here is a link to their newsletter: http://mail-dog.com/page.html?p=0000015Fu8vj7oAT4s0QaEieIptqiHfyF8&email=Debbieduck1223@gmail.com

 

CABLES * CABLES * CABLES * CABLES * CABLES

I seem to be completely hung up on cables; you could say I am on a cable binge ;)  !

Block Island Hat 

Looking back, I can see that it all started with the beautiful Block Island Hat which I made last August.
Remember, we sell the kits at The Knitting Garage in Rhinebeck and I am giving a class on this especially for those of you who have not worked from a chart before.  You can take the class on Wednesday November 18th or Saturday November 21st  (10am to 12 noon on both days).

 

click here for more information and project notes:  Gansey Hat

Idlewild

After I finished the hat I went on to knitting cables in the Idlewild Tunic.
I wore the tunic on one of the days during the S&W weekend.  It is very  comfortable :)!

Click here for my Idlewild

And as soon as the Idlewild was finished I cast on another TWO projects which have cables:

 Tullamore Cardigan 

The Tullamore cardigan  and the Elementary Watson Socks for Tony.
I also could not resist buying an Aran Cabled Cardigan from Ireland at The Clothes Tree in Rhinebeck.

I am wearing the bought cardigan while working on the Tullamore

                                                                    

Click here for more information on the Tullamore: http://ravel.me/Strickliese/tc

With the back all done, I cast on the sleeves which I will be working two at the same time.

 

 

 

Elementary Watson Socks

And although I had said "never again" after knitting cabled socks for Tony two years ago, I am now working on a pair for him with cables.  

you can't really see all the pretty cables on these :http://ravel.me/Strickliese/tma

 This time I am using a solid color so the pattern can actually be seen and appreciated.  
The yarn which I found in the clearance bin at Stickles (quite a treasure trove!) has 10% cashmere (!!!) in it.  It is the Anzula Squishy (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere and 10% Nylon).  
I feel that such a nice yarn deserves to be knitted up in a special pattern. Since my husband and I both enjoy "Sherlock Holmes", I decided on the "Elementary Watson" socks.  This is a free pattern on ravelry.
Click here for more project information: http://ravel.me/Strickliese/ews

I doubled the yarn with reinforcing yarn for the toes

first chart repeat done :)

What's on my needles (week 86)

I hope everybody who could be in Rhinebeck this past weekend, thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the NY Sheep & Wool Festival. 

Here are some of my impressions:

 

Sven Risom from North Light Fibers is giving a talk at the Knitting Garage

Check out the SCI kits at the shop featuring their Ocean Avenue yarn.

The shop was packed during the extended hours on Friday; an additional draw was the 10% off all yarns

Saturday at The Knitting Garage

We also had door prizes: 2nd prize

1st prize

3rd prize

 

On Sunday we went through all kinds of weather:  From sunshine to snow and back to sunshine several times around .  It made me want to knit something warm very quickly.

Leah Stickle's "Go Monkey Design" booth with her amazing hand-sewn project bags (my personal favorite bags to use!)

 

North Light Fibers (Sven is sporting the Block Island Hat in orange)

For those who don't knit, there were plenty of finished items to see and buy

As my husband is part Welsh, I am always drawn to this booth

Sheepdogs are awesome!

I also came across two demonstrations.  One on Sock Knitting on a Knitting machine and another one of someone spinning :)  Click to open the videos and enjoy!

 

 

Classes this November and December at The Knitting Garage

Class Schedule At The Knitting Garage November and December

                                                                                                                               

I am starting new classes after the Sheep and Wool Festival.  Now you have bought all these pretty yarns, get some help to knit them up into something fabulous for yourself or a loved one (the holidays are not that far off!)

This year the theme is HATS.  In my opinion hats make the perfect gift.  They are quick to knit up and who does not need a hat?!

Whether you have never knitted a hat or you want to learn a new technique, there should be something for everyone.  

 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.

November 4^th and 7^th                     The simplest hat (Basic knitting skills required)

This hat is knitted flat, and then seamed.  This is a good first hat done up on US#10 needles and a bulky weight yarn (Cascade 128). You will learn decreases and seaming.

     

November 11^th and 14^th      Boyfriend Hat by Churchmouse (basic knitting skills required)

This hat is knitted in the round on US#7 and 8 needles in a heavy worsted weight yarn.  Tosh Merino or SimpliWorsted are two good choices. You will learn two techniques of knitting in the round. An additional charge of $5 for the pattern will be applied.

    

November 18^th and 21^st      Block Island Gansey Hat (For the Intermediate Knitter)

We are so lucky to have these kits at The Knitting Garage. The North Light Fibers Mill has been featured in both the “Vogue Knitting” and the “Cast On” magazines. The hat is knitted up on US#7 needles in the round. You will learn how to knit following a chart. You will need to purchase the SCI kit which includes the pattern and yarn for $35.

November 25^th and 28^th     Fair Isle knitting (For the advanced knitter who is new to color work))

The hat is knit on US#4 needles in two colors.  I used Cascade Sport weight yarn. You will learn how to keep good tension when working with multiple colors. You will need to purchase the booklet “Scandinavian Caps for Guys” by Cottage Creations ($7).

December 2^nd and 5^th               Men’s Crochet Beanie (For the beginning crocheter)

This is a basic beanie, crochet top down in worsted weight yarn and a crochet hook size H. You will learn to single crochet and how to read and count your stitches There is an additional charge of $9 for the pattern by Bobbi Intveld.

December 9^th and 12^th        Big Chunky Comfy Hat (For the beginner knitter with basic knitting skills)

This can be your last minute gift as it knits up quickly on US#11 needles.  I made a few of these last year in Madeline Tosh ASAP (1 skein per hat is enough). You will learn how to knit in the round.

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

What's on my needles (week 85)

The weekend we all have been waiting for is finally here!

 I hope everyone can make it to Rhinebeck this weekend for the Sheep and Wool Festival.  The weather is supposed to be perfect Sunny and clear with just enough chill in the air to want show off your woollies (it is supposed to be mid-50's F on Saturday) and the leaves should reach their peak in another day or two.
And then there is the local yarn shop in Rhinebeck, The Knitting Garage at Stickles with extended hours and fun events.

 So, come by and let's have fun :)

And here are my latest projects (click on the links under the pictures for more information):

I finished the Idlewild 

 

I started on my Tullamore cardigan

I also did a few alterations:

And I re-did the neckline on this one "Beeline"

I added 2 1/2 inches in length on this sweater "V-Neck"