Photo Friday: Cereal Snacks

Photo Friday: Yarn Store Ceiling

Workshop Wednesdays: Thrummed Knitting

This is my last Workshop Wednesday post, can you believe it? April will be here before you know it!

This last, but very far from least, class is on Thrummed Knitting with Michele Bernstein. Thrumming is where you add pieces of unspun fiber to the inside of your knitted item, thus making it extra warm and fuzzy. These booties are what you will be making in class. The top shows what the inside of the booty looks like when finished. The bottom shows the outside. They are both beautiful and functional! I know I would love to put my foot in a pair of these fuzzy booties!

Michele typically teaches this class in 2 hours, but for this special 3 hour class she is going to throw in additional tips and tricks, as well as background and history. It should be a very wonderful class. Definitely make sure to check it out!

For more information check out: http://cgff.lavendersheep.com/workshops/thrums.html

To read all of the Workshop Wednesday posts check out here: http://lavendersheep.blogspot.com/search/label/Workshop%20Wednesdays

Weekend Wrap

What a perfect thing for a Monday, a Weekend Wrap (rav link)!

I knit this wrap double stranded out of my Panda Silk Sock in color Mountain Sunset. I was amazed when I weighed the final shawl to find out it had only taken 116 grams! So that's a little over 1 skein for the medium size. The small would most certainly only take 1 skein and it fits sizes 30" - 35".

This is the medium size, which fits 36"-42" busts. Maud has a 40" bust and it looks lovely on her. 

What I love most about this wrap is how simple it was to knit, yet how versatile it is to wear. You can leave it down, pin one side up, wrap both sides up. Any which way you use it looks trendy and fashionable. You can dress it up or dress it down. It is definitely a very versatile garment!

If you love it as much as I do you can knit your own in practically a weekend! I have the pattern for sale as well as kits! Remember there is a 10% discount on yarn when you buy it in a kit!

Photo Friday: Wood Floor

Workshop Wednesdays: Tink, Drop, Frog

To be a master knitter I believe it isn't ones ability to knit perfectly, but rather to know when and how to fix  mistakes as they come. Michele Bernstein teaches exactly those skills in her Tink, Drop, Frog: Finding and Fixing Mistakes class. By the end of this class not only will you know when you make a mistake, but you will be able to fix it. I know I am far from perfect when it comes to knitting, but I know I can always fix my mistakes or take them out and try again. That is the beauty of knitting. You too can learn these skills and become a more confidant knitter!

Michele is a very talented knitter who designs wonderful patterns and teaches at Twisted in Portland.

For more information check out: http://cgff.lavendersheep.com/workshops/tinkdropfrog.html

Uhlan Cap

Just in time for my dad's birthday, I finished off this Uhlan Cap (rav link).

I knit it out of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK. I got this yarn when I went to Dublin a few years ago. It was fun to refresh the memories of our trip and to use this yarn for something special. I was only a little disappointed with the yarn because every time I knit with it my fingers turned orange. I haven't ever had this happen with any other color of the cashmerino yarns, so I was a bit surprised by it. Before giving it to my dad I made sure to soak it in vinegar and give it a good wash to remove any of the excess dye. 

Here is my dad modeling it for me. Looks like it fits great and will keep him plenty warm on the fishing banks!

Then we had him try it on with the Beardo I knit him for Christmas. I think it looks awesome. With all of these woollens he should definitely stay warm in the great outdoors!

Photo Friday: Ceiling

Workshop Wednesdays: Rigid Heddle Weaving

I bet there are plenty of people out there who have a huge yarn stash like mine. I have sock yarn and baby yarn and worsted yarn. I have fancy yarn and plain wool yarn. I have often looked at it and wondered how I am going to get through all of it, will I have time to knit it all up? So one of the answers to this problem is learn how to weave! With a Rigid Heddle Loom you can easily weave a scarf in just an afternoon, which will eat up plenty of stash in no time! With more room in the stash that means there is room to buy more! I know the marketplace will be filled with plenty of temptation and delicious combinations of yarn which will make the perfect woven scarves, placemats, and more!

The only thing with this class is you have to come to class with a fully put together loom. There simply isn't time in class to set one up. However, most rigid heddle looms come with complete instructions and are easy to assemble before class time. A simple Google search will give you lots of options for where to purchase one including some local shops, such as Pacific Wool & Fiber in Newberg, OR and Weaving Works in Seattle, WA. I'm also sure if you purchase from a physical store there will be people there you can ask for help with the assembly of your loom.

I am also really happy to have Linda Gettmann back as an instructor to teach this class. She taught Kumihimo Necklaces last year and everyone in the class came out with a gorgeous finished necklace. I heard great reports about her teaching skills. So I know she will be a great teacher for this class. She has requested a smaller class size of only 12 students, so she can get around easily to every person in the class. I know this workshop will be really great.

For more information check out here: http://cgff.lavendersheep.com/workshops/rigidheddle.html

Mini Hewny Scarf

I am really excited about my Superwash Bulky Yarn! First off I finished my Moss Bolero out of it, which I love love love! Now I have knit this lovely Acorn Scarf (rav link) out of it!

See the little acorns the pattern makes? They are so adorable! I have a special love of acorns because when I was little my mother called them Mini Hewnies and the little cap on top was a Mini Hewny Hat. So to me this is a Mini Hewny Scarf. =)

The yarn, of course, is my Superwash Bulky in my new semi-solid colorway Dark Roast. It only takes one skein to make the scarf. Also, if you buy it in a kit you get a 10% discount on the yarn!

Of course I had to go take it outside for a few shots. I thought it looked great with my cream turtleneck and simple brown skirt. Also, the Plover Copper Leaf shawl pin just completes the outfit. I know the weather is changing to more rain than snow, but there is still plenty of time to wear this scarf before spring and summer really arrive! Also, it's a good time to get a head start on knitting for next fall. 

I also had to try wrapping the scarf another way. I love how versatile this scarf is! It really looks great no matter which way you wear it!

Photo Friday: Pink Glow