We've been snowed in here since Christmas Day. It is the most snow I have seen since I was my kids age--12 to 14 inches. Thank goodness it happened over our holiday. Being a teacher, I love snow days, but grumble when we have to make them up because it always takes those wonderful teacher workdays away. We still have one to make up in February due to a recent snow day. So now on to the year in review--Knitwise.
January--After teaching a beginning Knitting class at the local library, I decided to start a monthly Knit and crochet group. I moderated and am the only man present.
February--Continued to knit and prepared for 10th Anniversary trip
March- Compiling supplies for Anniversary Trip
April- Attended Soxperience on Chincoteague Island for my 10th wedding Anniversary. I had a great weekend learning new techniques and was the only man attending the workshop.
May- I find out there are Men's Knitting Retreats held in various regions of the US and World. I begin to read about these, most importantly the Men's Fall Knitting Retreat, just outside of Seattle, Washington.
June- Went to Tennessee to visit my Grandmother. She had a great visit with my children and I took my Mom to Hobby Lobby for the first time. She was hooked.
July- I find out that XRX, inc. is sponsoring a scholarship for one person to attend the Seattle, Men's Fall Knitting Retreat (MFKR). It just takes a nomination from yourself or someone who would like to see you attend. My wonderful wife nominates me for the scholarship.
August- I go to Knit Wits in Virginia Beach for the first time on my birthday. I love it. I get some great birthday yarn, orange of course. Later that week I find out that I have won the MFKR Scholarship. I am in knit heaven.
September- I attend the MFKR and fly cross country to Seattle, the first time I have ever flown alone. I have a wonderful time and find out about a design opportunity. I come home and work feverishly to design a pattern to be published.
October- I find out that my design is accepted and pending completion (and shipping) by December 10th will be published. I begin work on the pattern.
November- I work the whole month on my design. My brother tries on the cap and it looks as if it was made for him. I must design a cap for him (in black he requests). I also worked my first bazaar and I feel like it was successful as I sold all my scarves, a girl's and doll's poncho set, and made a few contacts. The knit and crochet group donate a total of 9 afghans to our local Social Services.
December- Pattern and Display pieces completed and mailed to Seattle. I cried when I sealed the box, two months worth of work is hard to part with. They look amazing and the company loves the work.
I continue to design, my second piece is in my last entry and the third is coming after this ramble. What an amazing year! I am hoping that the next year will bring more designs, work, and knitting.
And now for the pattern. I created this for the Random Acts of Kindness Forum on Ravelry. I wanted the recipient to have something original and from a yarn I truly love. And it is a perfect one evening knit you can enjoy daily during this season. Click on the title for the Google Document version.
January--After teaching a beginning Knitting class at the local library, I decided to start a monthly Knit and crochet group. I moderated and am the only man present.
February--Continued to knit and prepared for 10th Anniversary trip
March- Compiling supplies for Anniversary Trip
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| On the Hotel Balcony at Chincoteague Island |
May- I find out there are Men's Knitting Retreats held in various regions of the US and World. I begin to read about these, most importantly the Men's Fall Knitting Retreat, just outside of Seattle, Washington.
June- Went to Tennessee to visit my Grandmother. She had a great visit with my children and I took my Mom to Hobby Lobby for the first time. She was hooked.
July- I find out that XRX, inc. is sponsoring a scholarship for one person to attend the Seattle, Men's Fall Knitting Retreat (MFKR). It just takes a nomination from yourself or someone who would like to see you attend. My wonderful wife nominates me for the scholarship.
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| Cap I made with Birthday yarn |
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| Enjoying knit time at the Retreat |
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| Swatches, drawings, and design letter |
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| Swatch of Stitch Pattern |
November- I work the whole month on my design. My brother tries on the cap and it looks as if it was made for him. I must design a cap for him (in black he requests). I also worked my first bazaar and I feel like it was successful as I sold all my scarves, a girl's and doll's poncho set, and made a few contacts. The knit and crochet group donate a total of 9 afghans to our local Social Services.
 |
| My brother's cap that I designed for him. |
December- Pattern and Display pieces completed and mailed to Seattle. I cried when I sealed the box, two months worth of work is hard to part with. They look amazing and the company loves the work.
I continue to design, my second piece is in my last entry and the third is coming after this ramble. What an amazing year! I am hoping that the next year will bring more designs, work, and knitting.
And now for the pattern. I created this for the Random Acts of Kindness Forum on Ravelry. I wanted the recipient to have something original and from a yarn I truly love. And it is a perfect one evening knit you can enjoy daily during this season. Click on the title for the Google Document version.
Materials:
Bulky Weight Yarn (I used Fat Sheep by Farmhouse Yarns 50% wool, 50% mohair)
Size 10 long circular needles or DPNs
Coffee Cup or tumbler for blocking
Gauge: 3.5 purl stitches to an inch (approximately 12 stitches to 4 inches in pattern
Stitch Pattern "Mock Cable Rib"
Rnds 1, 2, & 4: *P5, k3*
Rnd 3: *P5, sl1, k2, YO, psso the k2 & YO*
Abbreviations:
P- purl sl- slip psso- pass slipped stich over
k- knit YO- Yarn over
Directions:
Cast on 32 stitches and join for working in the round being careful not to twist the cast on stitches.
Work in Pattern for a total of 3 repeats (12 rows).
Bind off loosely. I love to use Elizabeth Zimmerman's Sewn bind off for these projects, because it makes a stretchy top for a variety of sized cups.
Copyright December 2010, Small Town Knit Guy Designs. For personal use only.
Please request permission before copying or making items to sell.
Copyright December 2010, Small Town Knit Guy Designs. For personal use only.
Please request permission before copying or making items to sell.
Wet block over a tumbler to get the coffee cozy shape (a little bigger at the top than at the bottom).
Have a Happy New Year!
Where do I find the Elizabeth Zimmerman's Sewn bind off? Never heard of it. I could use that bind off. Nice to find a guy out there who knits.
ReplyDeleteElaine, if you check back here the sewn bind off should be on you tube. I posted a link to it in my peppermint hot cocowl pattern. Check both places. It makes binding off a tube very stretchy. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteFound it, Thanks!I can't get enough of all the hints to make my knitting better. I've been knitting since I was 10 or so. I'm told I'm a beautiful knitter but I know I still have lots to learn yet to live up to that praise. I hope to pass this talent and the love of knitting on to my Grand Daughter who turns 1 year old next month.
ReplyDelete