Fiber Fool

Remember these fun facecloths that were a free pattern in My Sister Knits June 2010 newsletter? They are all about the center out closed cast-on and mitering with directional decreases and multiple increases in one stitch - some great skills to have. Due to several requests, there will be a one day class on this pattern at My Sister Knits on Saturday, August 13th from 10am - noon for just $30 (pattern included in class if you did not get it during the free period). You’ll get a facecloth well on it’s way during class. Stop in, or call the shop at 970-407-1461 to reserve your spot.

Remember this cutie from October? That is Amanda’s eldest modeling a boy-friendly version of the Sundog Sweater that was published in the Summer 2009 issue of Twist Collective. I will be teaching a three week course on the sweater at My Sister Knits in Fort Collins beginning March 13th from 1-2:30pm. The cost of this class is $55 + materials (see below). To sign-up contact My Sister Knits in person at 1408 W Mountain Ave, Fort Collins or by phone at (970) 407-1461.

Sundog is a patterned yoke sweater that is knit from the top down with no finishing required! It features a few design elements to help it grow with the child so they get more than one season’s worth of wear out of it. In this class you’ll learn not only how to knit yoked sweaters from the top-down without any finishing, you’ll learn about sizing for children, knitting jogless stripes in the round and working with directional increases. In the class you will get a printed spreadsheet to help you keep track of the increases in the yoke as well as full-color handouts on how to work the recommended paired increases and knitting jogless stripes in the round. The pattern includes sizes from 20 inches to 34 inches.

Materials

• Sundog Pattern from Twist Collective
• For Chest Circumferences of 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34)” you need approximately 225 (275, 300, 350, 425, 525, 600, 700) yds of MC and 75 (75, 75, 100, 100, 125, 150, 150) of CC.
• US 7 (4.5 mm), or size needed to achieve gauge, set of 5 dpns and a circular ndl 20-24” long
• US 6 (4.0 mm), or one size smaller than size needed to achieve gauge, set of 5 dpns
• Stitch Markers
• Tapestry Needle
• Waste Yarn

Pre-Class Homework: For optimum satisfaction, please be sure to have made a generous sized swatch before class that you have washed and blocked as the final sweater will be. If you do not match gauge with the pattern, repeat with different sized needles. If you have too many stitches per inch increase the needle size. If you have too few stitches per inch decrease the needle size.

Some of you may remember the hat pictured above. It was my first of the A la Carte Hats I made very early in the year. The pattern was created to support an all day workshop on two handed stranded colorwork which I first taught in February at Nanytutu’s in Wellington (now sadly closed). Well, I’m teaching it again today - to an overfull class, with a waiting list which means it will almost certainly be put on the schedule again in the new year.

The pattern was designed to work for many different sizes and many different gauges so it is flexible no matter the yarn and gauge a student may show up with (though I recommend worsted for the workshop so a hat is knit in a usable size in the time allotted). I also designed it to be top-down so precious workshop time is not spent gauge swatching. This way you cast-on and increase to the smallest crown stitch count and measure your gauge and add as needed for your desired size.

Once the crown is done it is time to think about the colorwork. I offer several colorwork motifs that can be mixed and matched or even invert the MC and CC for a different look. The pattern includes a small worksheet to help you center your colorwork band on the body of the hat if desired if you know you desired hat body depth and the depth of your chosen band treatment. It makes for a very versatile pattern.

Orignally the pattern was only going to be available in the workshop, however I got tired of answering Rav mail and e-mail about it regularly so it has been put up for sale for the last few weeks. So, anyone can knit the A la Carte Hat. The pattern does not include all the information for starting to knit colorwork, that is still only available in the workshop. But there are some tips sprinkled throughout. The pattern doesn’t even have to be used for colorwork. It is a great top-down hat guide that you can add your own touch too, such as Amanda did - no colorwork and earflaps with a picot edge all around! You can even add textured stitches, just be sure to measure your gauge over the pattern when determining the final stitch count for the body.

This multi-sized, multi-gauge pattern for a spiral topped top-down, no swatch colorwork hat that includes finished hat circumferences from 16-24” and many gauges. There are 8 colorwork charts included that can be mixed and matched for a wide variety of looks. 6 of those 8 charts require no catching of floats and are suitable for those new to stranded colorwork.

Buy A la Carte Hat Pattern Now - $6
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I finally had an excuse to get a duct tape dressform made. It seemed I always put it off for some reason or another - “I’m loosing weight right now so it doesn’t make sense” or “I don’t have anyone to wrap me” or more accurately “I don’t want to make DH wrap me in duct tape as he is already so busy with other things.” But, I decided to lead a workshop on it which was just the kick in the pants I needed to finally get one made.

Nearly 2 years ago now I think it was, Amanda and I had a little fiber day for ourselves and one of our stops was at A Knitted Peace down in Littleton. When we were there several employees had forms around the shop wearing samples. Each one was unique in shape and proportion, but all of them were beautiful and I fell in love. We got to talking with one of the lovely gals and she mentioned that they had done it as a group and really had a good time. After seeing that all sizes and shapes looked great I really wanted to make one.

About 10 days ago or so DH took a little over 2 hours and wrapped me in duct tape (you should have seen the responses to our criptic Facebook statuses, LOL). I just put the finishing touches on it now. Not because finishing it was that difficult, but the duct tape we bought must have been exposed to smokers while in the warehouse somewhere as it smelled horribly of stale cigarette smoke so I wanted it to air out a bit before I sealed it up.

I learned a lot of things in the process of making mine and I am really excited to get share what I learned with those taking the workshop this Saturday, September 19th. The fun starts at 9am at My Sister Knits. You’ll need to call to reserve a space (407-1461). As we’ll be outside (you can go inside to be cut out of the form of course) there are 11 possible slots for the workshop. You may be more comfortable signing up with a friend so you are wrapping each other, but it is not required! You’ll need 2 60-yd rolls of duct tape and an old scissors. You should also wear your most commonly worn (and flattering) undergarments and I suggest pull-on pants with the least bulk at the waist, i.e. yoga pants. Also put your hair up off of your neck. It is not fun to get duct tape stuck to your hair! A sheet with all the details is available at the shop which includes supplies you’ll need to finish off the form at home.

My second self here is modeling my Seraphim Shawl I knit a few years ago. If you are interested the details are on Ravelry.

If you’re wondering what else I’m teaching this fall, everything is on my Google calendar (iCal and XML versions) and will be getting added to the class page here shortly. Some classes have already had sign-ups so I suggest reserving your spot early to ensure you get in!

Wow, it was a loooong time ago that I started this top. I’ve got just the sleeves to go, but got sidetracked with other, more secret projects (for winter publication). But I’m hoping to squeeze out the time to wrap it up this week because on Saturday (August 22nd) I have the first of a 4 class series on knitting top-down raglans to fit at My Sister Knits (the blog)

This class is a bit more free form than my past classes. I’m leaving the actual pattern selection up to each student and can even help them make a design of their own if desired. There are several pattern options in Stefanie Japel’s Fitted Knits and Wendy Bernard’s Custom Knits if one is wanting to purchase a book of patterns. While not all of the projects in either book are top down raglans, much of what I’ll be teaching will aid in knitting the non-raglan projects in those books in the future. If one is wishing to dip their toes into designing a top-down raglan I would recommend Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker. There are of course a few free options if you just want a basic top-down raglan, including a freebie from Stephanie Japel and a great calculator that generates a pattern just for you for just that yarn and needle combo. You can also peruse Ravelry for top-down raglan options as well.

We’ll be meeting 1-3pm on Saturday. The first two weeks will be back to back as this week we’ll choose yarn and patterns and do measurements, then you’ll come back the following week with a washed and blocked swatch and we’ll go over any adjustments that need to me made to accommodate your size or differing gauge etc. We’ll also discuss what kind of shaping will be required - waist shaping? Short-rows for bust, belly or butt concerns? The remaining classes will be spaced out so homework is realistic. You should have a wonderful sweater completed hopefully before the snow flies (though the way the summer has been I will not guarantee that).

The official class description:

Want to dip your toe into the pool of sweater designing? Or want to knit a sweater that fits all your curves? The top-down construction makes it possible to try on the sweater as you go, ensuring a great fit. Designer, Kristi Schueler, will discuss fitting tricks such as short-row shaping for larger busts or bellies and waist and hip shaping as well as walk you through any math. Please bring a generous sized washed swatch (6×6 inches or larger preferred) that includes any stitch patterns you would like to accent the sweater with if desired and your favorite, best fitting sweater (bonus if it has raglan or yoke construction) to the first class. CLASS LIMIT 6 STUDENTS.

To sign up, stop in or call My Sister Knits - 970-407-1461.