Published Finally!

To have closure is a wonderful thing!  Late Thursday evening I received word that the Simplicity Volume 3 Men's pattern book was back from the publisher.  Skacel emailed each of the designers who had patterns published in the book.  They also attached a copy of the cover (I wish I could post that but cannot) and my pieces made the cover!  I was so excited I cried.  My first design made the cover of a book!  I have been awaiting word so I could post my pics of the pieces.  So here they are.  The set is completely reversible with a Wavy Rib on one side and a basket weave on the reverse side.  I will include pics to show each side.  You can check with your LYS to order the book and the yarn.  There are also some great colorwork patterns and a couple of great sweaters by my friends Frank Wilmott and Kurt Fausset, both of whom I met at the Men's Fall Knitting Retreat in Seattle last September.   So enough with the chit/chat, bring on the pics!

Wavy Rib side of mitts

palm side of wavy rib

Wavy Rib Side of Scarf

Wavy Rib side of Beanie

Top of wavy rib side of beanie

Basketweave side of beanie

Basketweave side of mitts

palm side of basketweave

Basketweave side of scarf

Basket weave side of beanie

Top of Basketweave beanie

 All of the pics are pre-blocking. I just did not want to try this after blocking.  I can't wait to get the book.  It should delivered this week.  I will get my wife to take a pic of me holding the book so you can see the cover next week.  Enjoy the pics!

Keeping You in Stitches Retreat

Practicing Magic Loop knitting

Well folks, like my fellow blogger WillyG, I am a bad blogger.  It has been quite a while since my last blog and I have been quite busy with gift projects, a retreat, and a design to be published.  This entry will be about the retreat.  On April 29th and 30th we held the first annual (hopefully) Keeping You in Stitches Retreat.  To say it was a blast would be an understatement.  To prepare for it I have been emailing and writing to some of my Knitting Contacts for several months to get ready.  Claudia Morris of Southern Purls in Ahoskie, was our yarn and notions enabler.  Heather, my wife, and I were the teachers/planners. The Retreat was held at the Barnes House Bed & Breakfast in Murfreesboro.

My wife bought and made crowns for us to wear in honor of the Royal Wedding which took place that morning.  We felt like the princes and princesses of knitting.  I was in my element as knitting teacher.  we began with a Cabled Coffee cozy designed by me.  Click the name to get the pattern.  Some of the attendees had not done cables before, so I chose a stitch pattern which had twists in both directions.  We worked on those for a couple of hours, then retired to the parlor for some sit & stitch time.  Around 11 pm we left for the evening  to get some rest.

Blocking our coffee cozys.

The next morning Craig, our host with the most, treated us to breakfast before our knitting began.  After breakfast we felted our cozys in the washer and set them up to block. Then it was off on a field trip to the Alpaca Farm.  Three Hawk Alpacas is less than 5 miles from Main Street in Murfreesboro.  Anita our host was kind enough to give us a tour, answer questions and let us interact with Callie, the friendliest Alpaca I have met.  (I have blogged about her before when we visited with my kids.  After our Q & A session we visited Anita's shop and several attendees purchased some lovely alpaca fiber to take home and work up.  Claudia even bought a cone of brown &                  natural/white.  We are dying to see this worked up.

Callie enjoying attention.

The afternoon brought us a great lunch from Tavern 125 in Mufreesboro.  We had placed our orders the night before and Heather picked up lunch for us to enjoy after the Alpaca Farm visit.  There were Reubens and Salads, fries and more.  Lunch was wonderful.   After lunch we were joined by another participant and began our Entrelac class.  We began a scarf, Basic Entrelac Scarf, from a pattern by Lisa Shroyer.  She very graciously gave us permission to use her pattern for our retreat.  Everyone caught on quickly and was amazed at the results.  It was a fun class and easy to teach with skilled knitters.

Tom practicing Broomstick Lace.

We took a break from Entrelac and Heather tried her hand at teaching with Broomstick lace.   Again we were making a scarf, in cotton,  with a pattern from Naztazia, Broomstick Lace Scarf.  Check the link for pattern and you tube tutorials.  I decided to try my hand at this technique as well (I can crochet, but prefer knitting).  It is working very well and will be a late Mother's Day Gift for my mom.  We all finished up around 5 pm.  Some had to say good bye for the evening.  Tom, Ilene, and I went to dinner at Napoli's Italian restaurant.  I tried the Portabello Ravioli for the first time.  It was fabulous.  We all knitted until 9 and retired to our homes, agreeing that the first retreat was a success. 

My cousin's wife makes cakes.  Her business is called, "The Icing on the Cake."  Well we had this made for the retreat (we ate on it all weekend).  The icing on our retreat was coming back to the B & B for breakfast with Tom and Craig on Sunday morning before seeing Tom off to the Triangle area of NC.  We are already brainstorming ideas for next year and hope to have more goodies, students, and knitting fun! 





A special thank you goes out to the following Donors for our Retreat: 

Skacel Collection, Inc
Rainy Days and Wooly Dogs -- Goth Socks Yarn
Love of Knitting Magazine
XRX, Inc.
Southern Purls
Yearning for Yarn
Beech Springs Alpacas
Three Hawk Alpacas

Each of the above companies donated prizes, patterns, or other items so that each participant left with a "swag" of items to enjoy their knitting.  Thanks for your donations.  Well, that is my update for now.  I plan to let you know about a new knitting shop and show off some Finished Objects in the next couple of Blogs.  Happy Knitting!

Rainbow Shrug, Gauge, Teaching, and Knitting Retreat

I finished a shrug for my wife last week.  I ended up giving it to my daughter.  Again I was hit with the, "you didn't do a swatch/V8 smack in the head".  I had found a pattern for a 3 hour cardigan made in super bulky yarn on size 15 needles. (It can be found for free at Designer Yarn Sale.)  I decided to use the size 15 needles but try it with ribbon yarn (because it is spring and 100% wool this time of year is way too hot.)  Needless to say, 2 1/2 days later, I ended up with the tiny shrug you see in the pictures below.    So once again I learned the importance of a gauge swatch.  The reason the shrug took more

    

than 3 hours was the use of the ribbon yarn.  It tends to twist when you are knitting and after 10-20 stitches I had to untwist for a more even knit.   I like for the ribbon to lay flat on the needle instead of twisting into a strand.  I don't think the effect would have been as pretty.  I am making another one of these for a friend out of Lion Brand Hometown in orange (her favorite color) and I am using size 17 needles for the proper gauge (yes I did a swatch this time).  It should be finished this evening.  

I taught my first Beginning Knitting Class at the Crafting Stop in Franklin, VA (check them out on Facebook).  I think all went very well for those who came.  I am hoping to teach another sometime in April.  It will be great to have an ongoing gig for teaching knitting skills.  I hope the students learned and the store now has chunky yarn so we are going to try for a scarf next time.  

Now for the Knitting Retreat.  We are finalizing all plans for the Knitting retreat.  Models are nearly complete,  I have to begin working on writing out patterns and organizing supplies, prizes, folders and  whatever else we should need.  If you or anyone else you know would like to attend please send them to the previous post which announced the "Keeping You in Stitches Retreat." 

Another Alpaca Farm and a Finished Project

My son Avery explaining that he is going to be it and try to tag them.

I think I had written about our visit last summer to 3 Hawk Alpacas here in Murfreesboro.   The owner, Anita, was very kind and we toured, talked, and petted for over an hour.  This past Friday, Anita had her herd shorn for the the season.  I had planned on visiting to see the shearing first hand, but with having missed work for my grandmother's funeral and a workshop, I could not justify taking another day off.  I was disappointed but, what could I do?  Several weeks ago my pastor's wife gave me a brochure for another Alpaca Farm in St. John, NC (About 15 minutes from my house).  I emailed the owner of the farm and arranged a visit with my family for Sunday.  The animals were beautiful, soft, and well kept.  The yarn from last year's shearing was some of the most beautiful I had ever seen and touched. 

Can you please open this gate?

The most exciting part about this visit is that the alpacas here are to be shorn on April 9th and I will be assisting in the shearing.  I can't wait.  My wife and I are also purchasing a "share" in this years yarn.  We will get 2 pair of alpaca socks, and six skeins/hanks of fiber!  I am so excited.  I can't wait for April 9th!

The Alpaca Mafia, Whattaya lookin at?

"Wool Leaves" Baby Afghan

The next pics are of my first lace afghan.  It is Jared Flood's pattern "Wool Leaves."  I enjoyed the pattern as it was quite easy to follow and I can't wait to give it to our Dance teacher at school.  She is due to have a son in the next few weeks.  This blanket is quite thick, but will serve as a good car seat cover or receiving blanket in the late fall.  I will try to blog again this weekend after my first beginning knitting class.  Wish me luck!  So far I have three confirmed students.  I am happy to be sharing my love of knitting with others.  Hopefully they will carry on the tradition.

Close up of stitches

Long Time, No Blog

I hope that you all will forgive how long it has been since my last blog.  I have had a lot going on so I think I will do these in short entries over the next few days.   Since my last post, I lost my Granny in Tennessee.  She passed away at home on March 4th and I left the next morning for Tennessee with my parents.  While I was there, I got to see cousins whom I have not seen in 30 years.  It was a bittersweet reunion and I hope we will continue to stay in touch through Facebook, phone, and email.  I completed a swatch for Interweave Knits winter issue (now the waiting begins again). While we were driving to and from Tennessee,  I also finished a blanket for a friend who is due in April.  It is Jared Flood's "Wool Leaves."  I will post pics once it is blocked. On the trip home I visited the "Black Mountain Yarn Shop."  The shop was wonderfully stocked and I was able to get my wife some beautiful Katia cotton with long color changes.  I hope she will make something to wear in the spring.  As we were checking out and talking I was able to introduce myself and show them pictures of my soon to be published pattern for Skacel (if it would only come out soon).  When I got home I had already been friended on Ravelry by the shop.  I am so excited about this whole knitting venture.   Things are coming together nicely for the Knitting Retreat.  My wife and I are very excited.  More to follow in the days to come....

Big Box Store Help?

I am working on a crocheted shawl in Bernat Mosaic.

So, because of my rural living (which I do love until I want nice yarn), I find myself in Big Box stores quite often, trying to find "good" yarn for myself and acrylic for kid friendly and inexpensive projects.  Most of the people who wish to have something made by my wife or myself want "cheap and machine washable."  So on my weekend away I found myself in several big box stores looking over the yarn on sale.  A lady approaches my wife and asks "Do you knit, I need some help."  To which my wife replies, "We both do, and my husband is a published designer."  The lady seems very relieved and asks her question about fiber content, yarn weight, and suitable substitutions.  I answer as best as I can and show her a few yarn labels and offer a substitution to her fear of the wool content.  She was so pleased and said I am so glad I asked for help.  She commented that she could never find anyone in that store who knew anything about yarn, knitting, or crochet.  A few minutes later I am looking at a skein of wool which I have been wanting to make socks from.  A very nice English woman sees me looking over the skein and asks (in her wonderful accent) "Oh do you knit?"  And I reply "Yes."  She tell me that her brother learned to knit in school in England, but never learned more than knit and purl and could make a few items.  She asks, "Do you just knit and purl, like most men?"  So since my wife had already opened the bag, I replied "I am a designer."  She immediately comes back with a very English, "Oh, very well then!" smiling the whole time.  We continue our conversation and complete our yarn shopping.  On the way out of town to our vacation destination, we stop at one final Big Box Store.  In the store my wife and I are approached by a woman who is trying to match two different brands of yarn for a baby blanket she has started.  She holds the two up together and asks if we can tell a difference.  I tell the truth, as it is quite noticeable, and she seems disappointed.  She continues looking and so do we.  When we go to check out, I leave my wife at the register as I feel the "call of nature."  When I return from the restroom, I notice the lady is still comparing yarns trying to find something that will be close enough, when a tidbit of knowledge hits me.  I go to the lady and tell her to divide her large skein in half and use it at opposing ends of the blanket with the new yarn in the center.  I told her I read that somewhere or saw it on TV and it just occurred to me it may work for her.  She liked the idea and thanked me.  Later in the car my wife told me it was so nice to see me helping people with their yarn.  She said that I was in my "element" and the people knew I know what I am talking about.  So where am I going with this blog?  I think some big box stores owe me a discount for my customer service this weekend.  Why is it that these stores fully man a "custom frame counter", but never have anyone to man the needlework area?  Just a thought.  Coming soon, pictures of completed projects!

A Year of Knitting-and another free pattern

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

On the Hotel Balcony at Chincoteague Island

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.

Cap I made with Birthday yarn

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.

Enjoying knit time at the Retreat

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.

Swatches, drawings, and  design letter

Swatch of Stitch Pattern

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.

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.

I Think I'll  "Pass Over Cables" Coffee Cozy

 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.

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!