TBT and Thursday things

Throwback Thursday.  I can remember this--oh my how young we are!  Living in Alabama, I was working in Ozark and teaching art lessons.  Jim was working at Ft. Rucker with the helicopter simulators.  Soon we would return to Germany on our next life adventure!

Jim and I in 1984

Lace knitting is not something I do often and that is why I chose Sinopia, a one-skein project, for my latest shop sample.  It is from the book, Curls.  Baah Aspen is gorgeous yarn and is holding up well to the knit a few rows frog a few rows type of knitting.  Thankfully I am nearing the last of the repeats.  It will be nice to see the piece blocked.  As with any project blocking improves the fabric and drape.

There are more repeats since this photo was taken.  

Bobbi's monkeys joined in for the class photo.

Monkey was happy to knit himself some pants.

Coming down the pipe...

This week I joined the Boston Scientific team for a charity boxing event.  It is quite a workout and as always so much fun with the usual suspects.  We went to the Vad afterwards for drinks.  We were starving and the burgers tasted so good after the workout.

Boxing buddies

Suretha and I give it our all--I have a good left hook.

Team BoSci!

Ariana

I took the top to the shop yesterday and Deb took a photo for me.  I tried doing one on my own at home, but it wasn't working out.  I have a big smile because I really love this project.  It was fun to knit and looks really good.  Rowan Felted Tweed is the perfect yarn and the charcoal color grew on me.  I want to make one for myself.

Detail of the lace and front gathering.

Happy knitter!

FO!

I finished the Ariana Shell and it is now drying.  The Rowan Felted Tweed DK was the perfect choice.  I made it larger, as I prefer it as a vest instead of a shell.  I am wet-blocking the sweater which made the fabric easier to measure and smooth into shape.  Maybe it will be dry tomorrow and I can take it to the shop.

The lace border is a nice finish to this project.  I enjoyed knitting it.
(After looking at this photo I smoothed out the left side to match the right.) 

The lace yoke was knitted flat and then grafted together.
Above that you can see the four-row seed stitch neck band.

My next tasks are to get more patterns on Ravelry, finish Monkey Jacobus  II, start Christmas cards, and then get some small projects finished.
Thanksgiving will be just the three of us this year.  Nice and cozy.  I did not buy the turkey yet and hope to find a small one.  Last week there were none smaller than 11 pounds!  That is a LOT of turkey.  My last class of the month is today and that gives me time to tidy up the house and decorate.

Coming Atttractions!

I am catching up my calendar and adding in the classes and events through August.  Another wave of Groupons is out and I also have some classes on the calendar that should appeal to new and experienced knitters alike.

My computer is now at Ben's computer desk, Grandma's desk is upstairs, my drawing table is in my new space, and now it is time to divide and conquer the tubs!  Ben's stuff vs my stuff.  Going through things is time-consuming, but necessary.  I am doing it a bit backwards, as I did not paint the ceiling first.  The walls are in good shape and I can live with the small divots in the ceiling where the stars were stuck. Today I will work on transferring what's left in Ben's closet to the other room and my art supplies to the new space.  This should be interesting...

27.02.13  I am making good progress on the transfer.  Having the paper bin, a trash can, and bin for charity knitting yarn has been helpful.  My goodness!  I found needles, markers, my extra scissors, and the ever-elusive tape measure and extra scissors!  Jim will be happy to know the lidded ottoman is empty!  At least four tubs are empty, too!  Yea--progress is a good thing.

I received some good news yesterday...one of my hat patterns will be featured in the new edition of 60 Quick Knits from America's Yarn Shops.  I will be making two baby-sized samples and should receive the yarn within a week.  (Picture me doing the happy dance!)

My classes coming up at Amazing Threads:

Felted Wooly Eggs--Easy Plus
Sundays, March 3 & 10
12-2 pm
$28 plus supplies

It's Your Choice (pick your own project)--Easy Plus
Wednesdays, March 13, 20 & 27
6-8 pm
$36 plus supplies

Countess Mitts--Easy Plus
Wednesdays, April 10, 17 & 24
6-8 pm
$42 plus supplies

Gaugeless Hat--Easy Plus
Mondays, May 6, 13 & 20
3-5 pm
$42 plus supplies

First Möbius--Easy Plus
Mondays, May 6, 13 & 20
6-8 pm
$40 plus pattern download or book, A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting, by Cat Bordhi

Take It From The Top Vest  (Pick a vest from Ann Budd's book, The Knitter's Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters--Easy Plus
Wednesdays, May 8, 15, 22 & 29
6-8 pm
$40 plus book

Urchin--Easy Plus

Wednesdays, May 22 & 29

3-5 pm

$28 plus pattern download and supplies

Take It From The Top Sweater  (Pick a cardigan or pullover from Ann Budd's book, The Knitter's Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters--Easy Plus
Tuesdays, June 4, 11 & 18
4-6 pm
$42 plus book

Hats, Mittens, or Slippers? (Accessories from Knit One Knit All, Elizabeth Zimmerman's Garter Stitch Designs)--Easy Plus to Intermediate

Fridays, June 14, 21 & 28

1-3 pm

$42 plus book

Felted Needle Cozies--Easy Plus

Thursdays, May 16 & 23

4-6 pm

$40 plus pattern download or book, A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting, by Cat Bordhi 

You can register for class by calling 763.391.7700 

or online at www.amazing-threads.com.

My current project is a fun hat in tweed yarn from Skacel--the Tayberry  Hat.  HiKoo's Kenzie yarn is a luscious blend of New Zeland merino wool, nylon, angora, alpaca, and silk noils.  The two-color star stitch is fun to knit and has interesting texture.  Best of all, only one color is worked at a time--two rows of the main color and two rows of the contrast color.  It looks like hounds tooth check.  Love it!  I hope Bobbi gets some of the yarn, as it feels wonderful, soft, and light in my hands and it is tweed!

Happy knitting! X

In training

Pictured are two more sweaters in my wardrobe. I've been looking at red too long! I think I need to redo the cable photo--it's wonky. The one on the right I knitted with Fox Fiber. I changed the pattern from lace just at the chest to an all-over lace pattern. I love to wear this all year round.
Now's the time to find out if all my training will pay off. Midnight tonight is the deadline to tag projects for the Ravelympics. I found my Kori swatches on page 2 of the Vest Vault. I didn't find the Lopi cardigan in WIP Wrestling. There are 500 pages of those. I may add the cotton cardigan to that list, too. It'll force me to finish. THEN I'll be ready for St. B. I'm now on the left front of the cardigan--not enjoying switching skeins, but the end result will be worth the hassle.