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Archive for the ‘Mason-Dixon Knitting’ Category

…..99 bottles of beer on the wall!

Posted in Friendship, knitting, Mason-Dixon Knitting on April 11, 2013| 4 Comments »

Susanne and her gift of love - Moderne Blanket for her son and wife!

Susanne and her gift of love – Moderne Blanket for her son and wife!

As some of us approach the end of our projects we find ourselves singing 99 bottles of beer on the wall. This all started with Susanne’s Moderne Adult Afghan.  This has been an ongoing project for a little more than a year….she has knit many other things and then comes back to afghan when she needs a “garter stitch fix. ” She is on the last stretch of 99 rows ….I think last report was that she had 49 more rows to go.

IMG_2807

The O’Dolan Wrap design by MaggiKnits

Now I am nearing the end of a recently started project and find myself humming the refrain of 99 bottles….. My project is another MaggiKnit’s caplet/stole (the kit can be ordered through Skein Lane Studio). It is made up of 8 pieces that are sewn together and then “topped” with a collar. I am one quarter the way through the 8th piece…..I am thinking it will be on the assembly table soon for the joy of seaming. Debbie has also embarked on this project….and she is on her 4th piece. News flash….Debbie just told me has more done and will share tonight when we join to click our needles and tell tales!

I am having way too much fun with my iPad….what a great tool. I now store my working pattern in iBook…and can easily access my pattern at any time. What I love the best is that I can “blow the pattern up” and get right to the detail.

As with most patterns that I knit….I make change and make it more uniquely “mine”. In this case….lovely as though the  tartan might be it’s just a bit too busy for me….so mine will striped….might add some embroidery. The finally unveiling for our (Susanne, Debbie, and mine) projects will be posted soon.

The layout of this work in process…and my trusty iPad
The pattern schematic
Debbie’s 1st 3 pieces.

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Getting ready for Sat knitting

Posted in knitting, knitting techniques, Mason-Dixon Knitting, tagged , , , on November 12, 2011| 1 Comment »

Can it be a week has gone by since our last highly energized Saturday knitting workshop? Last week it was an explosion of energy…..tales to share, work-in-progress to share, and in some cases finished garments. Each tale was delivered with its unique sense of glee.

Susanne and her latest Moderne Blanket

Susanne showed her latest Moderne Blanket (featured in Mason-Dixon Knitting) that is on her needles. Both of her sons have married in the last year or so and each has received this lovely blanket as a gift….well this latest one is to be delivered soon. You can check out the first one here. Once again she is knitting with Brown Sheep’s Cotton Fleece…..and finds this blanket to be great “comfort” knitting…..garter stitch that can be knit without a lot of effort…simply the joy of knitting and watching the blanket grow and the colors unfold.

Check out this silly moment…. Susanne modeling this creative teapot cosy.

Susanne in teapot cosy knit by Debbie H.!

The Sock Showing

The Sock

Then there was Diane….feet in the air….showing her sock…gathering looks of awe.

PJ - Happy Knitter!

PJ wore her No Yoke Ribbed  Sweater. It was knit in Queensland Collection’s Kathmandu Aran. Her sweater is a perfect fit and she enjoys wearing it now.

We had a bit of “technical” grafting under the armhole that turned out just fine.

PJ - The details

Another knitalong can be set up for this sweater….let me know and it can be scheduled to start in January.

There was more show and tell of items on the needles…and a welcome back to Carol C who has been absent for this last year raising dogs and caring for grandchildren. Imagine her surprise when she found that the sleeve to her top-down cardigan was safely here at Skein Lane Studio.

Rohan with his show and tell

And through all the tales, show and tell, and laughter young Rohan kept on knitting.

…..now onto other  Saturday of knitting. Today it’s the Saturday morning workshop – noontime mini-top down series – and the Fan Bolero workshop.

Let the knitting day begin!

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Mason-Dixon

Posted in Mason-Dixon Knitting, tagged on February 8, 2010| Leave a Comment »

As I was google searching for the link to Mason-Dixon knitting for the prior post, I saw the latest post on the Mason-Dixon blog…it’s hysterical!

Enjoy!

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Saturday morning Knitting Workshop

Posted in knitting, Knittng slide shows, Mason-Dixon Knitting, tagged , , on February 7, 2010| 1 Comment »

Photos from our Saturday knitting work shop….you can also check out this slide show!

Some highlights of their projects. Susanne is knitting her Moderne Blanket from Mason Dixon in Brown Sheep’s Cotton Fleece and she is knitting the adult version. After she started she learned that her son purchased a Queen-size bed. Her decision – continue knitting the original adult size and let this afthan be a throw for the Queen-size bed.

Diane had two projects to share. The first was the crochet blanket for her son Aaron which had been in process for 3 years. Her plan was to give this gift to her son on Saturday evening. I am remembering that I started a crochet blanket/afghan for my nephew when he was born and I presented it to him when he was 26. I am not quite sure what my hold-up was.

Diane’s second project is a blanket knit with Lion Brand yarn. I know it’s a gift…but I’ve forgotten who gets this lovely afghan.

And we have another baby blanket. Shari is knitting with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. She loves the yarn…and is not excited about seed stitch. Now that she is nearing completion of this project, she thinks it’s wonderful…but a couple of weeks ago she described the project….”If I believed in heaven and hell, I would say that I am in knitting hell!” This brought rounds of laughter.

In addition to the above projects there were many process – Cathy is using her yarn remmants to knit the most beautiful socks; Eleanor is working on socks for her husband Nick; Carol is knitting a scarf; Maggie is reworking her sweater – gauge was off (I’ll talk more about this in a future post).

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Diane knits, crafts cards, and bakes!

Posted in knitting, Mason-Dixon Knitting, tagged , , on December 8, 2009| 2 Comments »

Diane

Diane with baby blanket

Diane recently finished her second baby blanket for a new addition to her boyfriend’s extended family. Her first was her rendition of the Moderne Baby Blanket. Her second baby blanket was another joy to knit…simple, quick and charming. I asked Diane for the details this evening.  Her answer is at the end of this post.

Isn’t it fun to see Eleanor admiring Diane’s work? It is truly a joy to witness how appreciative and supportive other knitters are of each other.

Not only does Diane knit…but she crafts  cards! Here is the card that accompanied this baby blanket.

Diane's crafted card

Diane's crafted card

Diane’s professional history includes that of being a pastry chef. That talent continues with her…right now she is crazed beyond belief with baking…she even gave up a few evenings of knitting to bake for this spiritual season. Note the response below!

And now Diane’s response to my request for info.

“I got the pattern from “Natural Knits For Babies and Moms” by Louisa Harding. It was the Blanket and Hat on page 39.  I chose it because it looked to be small enough for me to finish it in a short time. The width was for 18” and length 24”. I made it longer, and I would have made it wider if I had been thinking about it.  The yarn was Merino 5 by Crystal Palace Yarns. It was a 100% Superwash Merino Wool.

The pattern is very simple but pleasing to the eye. I did get the impression she loved it and appreciated my effort. I made the hat that went with the blanket, and I really did not like how I joined it, as I didn’t have my instructions with me to seam it, but I gave it anyway..figured the baby would out grow it very quickly!

My card making started about 5 years ago with Sally, and we still try to get together to make cards about once a month. The cards I make seem to be always so well received, and make me look like I am very creative, even tho it’s done with a template for the center. Anyway, I do love being able to use hand made cards as part of the gift.

I have a feeling that in this particular family knitted and crocheted gifts are taken care of, and passed from family member to family member. I happen to know that the bassinette is 73 years old, and still being used by the grandchildren who are now having babies.”

Diane, thank you!

Tomorrow I will tell you about my next major knitting ventures!

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So much creativity!

Posted in knitting, Mason-Dixon Knitting, tagged , , , on September 2, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Well….who would have thought more than a week would go by….like many of us I am lamenting not enough time. The weather has been both a blessing – more gardening – and also a cause to be inside – way too hot for me. And I have been immersed in getting for our October knitting retreat at Marconi conference Center just north of Pt Reyes. Sally Melville and Nancy Bush are our featured instructors. I have also been more than a little over the top this last week with my family blog…a historical memoir of my grandparents on the plains of Eastern Colorado. And then there is my animal farm..Stan, Ollie, and Lucy. Oh….and I have been working at my day job.

Of course, knitting is always the underlying driving force. Everyone in the knitting workshops continue to be so creative. Let’s check out some of the  knitting workshop inspirations.

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Saturday morning workshop!

Posted in knitting, Mason-Dixon Knitting, tagged , , , , , , , on August 23, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Natasha Marsha Elliot and Nina

Natasha Marsha Elliot and Nina

What an excitement loaded morning….designs, sharing, laughter and baby Elliot came with his mother Natasha. Once again….you’d think we’d never seen a baby….so many oohs and aahs! And he really is a lovely baby and so glad that Natasha can be with us. Some of the other highlights: Eleanor shared her Sock Summit experience (you might also want to check the Yarn Harlot’s blog), Terry shared another one of her creations, Cathy – a truly left-handed continental knitter – shared her latest translation of cable instructions as well as a baby sweater for her grandchild, Rebecca just completed a hat, Maurie is working on her adult surprise sweater, Susanne is finishing a cape stole, Diane has finished her Moderne Baby Blanket and is now working on the completion of her top-down sweater, Marsha is working on an adult Moderne Blanket, and yes…Natasha can still knit – she is working on an Feather Ripple Afghan using deep rich red and rust colors, Katie is knitting away with her gift scarves, Nina is on her rendition of MaggiKnits La Alhambra design, and Margo is making progress on her blue sweater…a lace design.

Margo was having a problem reading which row she should be on as she shapes the curves on the neckline. She thought she was on row 9 and I finally discerned that she wass on row 11….and that the first shaping on the right side of the neck was off….but I said “It’s not obvious so I might let it go.” Where upon Margo says looking at the rest of the group, “If she doesn’t care, then I don’t! (She usually does!) Let’s move on.” It’s hard to express Margo’s wonderful delivery of words and expression…but it is great and she makes us all laugh.

And a knitting tip from Cathy…as you are trying to remember names…use word association. This came up because Terry was trying to remember the name of the stitch pattern…you know the one where you just keep knitting…well it was garter. And here is Cathy’s tip: Gunsmoke – Miss Kitty wore garters! Another round of laughter.

One more tip from Eleanor which came from Charlene Schurch, instructor at Socks Summit and author of Sensational Knitted Socks….when you are swatching and changing needles in the same swatch (which is what I recommend that you do rather than casting off and starting a new swatch..simply change needles) use yo’s as separation between needle size swatches….this will control the tension between the different needle sizes used within the same swatch.

And now some more photos! Enjoy!

Coming next: works from Tues, Thurs and Friday.

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Diane’s rug is done!

Posted in knitting, Mason-Dixon Knitting on July 16, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Another Mason-Dixon inspiration

Another Mason-Dixon inspiration

Oh where, oh where have the last two weeks gone?! You all have been knitting…I’ve been taking photos of wonderful items….there’s much more to share.

I’m thinking part of the two weeks has been caught up with my “animal farm” and pup, Lucy, needs lots of exercise…in fact, we are leaving right now for Pt Isabel. But before we leave let me share Diane’s latest.

It’s been 11/2 years now that Diane has embarked on a new path….a single person regrouping buying a home…decorating it…and one of her dreams was to knit a Mason-Dixon inspired bathroom rug. It’s garter…that’s not tough…but she knit this with 3 strands of Sugar and Spice – a cotton yarn that is a great price with great results – and it really racked havoc on her hands and shoulders. She has knit many things during this last year plus…and now the rug is done. Hurray!

More coming tomorrow! Enjoy!….oh, Lucy is calling now….we’re off!

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Carolyn’s Log Cabin Blankets

Posted in Mason-Dixon Knitting, tagged , , , on June 12, 2009| 1 Comment »


The Moderne Blanket – I loved doing this one for my youngest sister’s youngest baby. There is a beautiful picture of all three of her girls cuddled under this blanket….and I will post that photo later.

The Joseph’s Blankie of Many Colors – I started this blanket with my living room in mind…and then I received a lovely gift from my friend celebrating our 50 years of friendship. I’d like to think friends since the womb, thus making me much younger than I am…but it was in grammar school on the Plains of Eastern Colorado that our paths crossed. I was so moved by her gift that I thought she should have this log cabin blanket. I pulled it out of its UFO spot, finished it and sent it on. Recently Mary told me that her husband (we all went to high school together) was bragging to some of his co-workers about it…and you know that glaze that sometimes comes over a non-knitter’s eyes…well Charlie experienced it! Sure made my heart happy that Charlie likes the blanket as well as Mary.

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Peg’s Log Cabin

Posted in Mason-Dixon Knitting, tagged , , on June 11, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Peg and "Joseph's Blanket of Many Colors"

Peg and "Joseph's Blanket of Many Colors"

Peg had a lot fun knitting this blanket, another Log Cabin version from Mason-Dixon Knitting,  as a baby gift. It’s great how she offset the lights and darks…and she was able to use a lot of yarns from her personal stash.

Tomorrow I’ll share the one I did that was going to be for me…and then it became a gift for a life-long friend.

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