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The Saga of the Stoles – Part 4

Posted in knitting, tagged , , , , on May 6, 2009| 3 Comments »

The Rebozo Stole – This is a wonderful design from Cheryl Oberle featured in Folk Shawls. I helped Sandy pick out this yarn, Silky Wool and Silky Wool Tweed, for a stole for one of her relatives. And then Sandy’s health condition got worse…she wasn’t able to recover and she left us in March 2006. I inherited this part of her yarn stash….I loved the project itself and had such fun helping her to pick out the yarns. And then I had the fun of knitting  it ….a special memory of Sandy.

…..Silky Wool is available through Skein Lane Studio; Silky Wool Tweed has been discontinued.

Diane also knit the Rebozo.  She used Shetland Wool. After wearing it a couple of times, she discovered that the yarn had broken on her cast-on row. She didn’t remember what method she used, but it was taut….and it continued to break and break along the cast-on row.  Finally, we cut that black edge off…..oh, yes, it was black! We picked up the stitches and then bound them off. Another success story…with a few choice words along the way. But the end result was that we were both very happy for Diane.

….reminder to double click photos for up and personal look!

Coming next: The Saga of the Stoles – Part 5  (We’re almost there!)

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The Saga of the Stoles – Part 3

Posted in knitting, tagged , , , , on May 5, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Prayer Shawl…. The prayer shawl is an inspiration from The Prayer Shawl Ministry. During the past few years I have either knit a prayer shawl or participated in the knitting of one. One of the earlier ones that several of us knit together was for Sharon – a customer, employee, and friend. Her brother Terence died on a Richmond school ground defending someone else. For Sharon’s stole we chose a hot pink cotton from Needful Yarns. (I “loved” this supplier, and, unfortunately, for us knitters, they decided to close their business.) And in 2007, we knit one in pink MaggiKnits’ linen for Lindsay who had been diagnosed with cancer.

For my version of the prayer shawl I used Noro’s Silver Thaw, a wool and mohair yarn, that is now discontinued. I must say that it was quite pricey, but such fun to knit. I knit it in memory of my mom…..and as it turns out I wore it when I officially became Catholic last year. (Kimberly wrote a lovely post on her Bead One, Pray Too blog about this.) I hadn’t thought of it until now, but I should name the stole – Martha’s Prayer Stole. The patron saint that I chose was St. Martha, my mother’s name. This is a great stole to wear – it always stays in place.

Noro  “Poncho” Stole – When this store model arrived at Skein Lane in the Fall of 2005, we all looked at it and said, “What the h….!” This stole had and still has three holes in it. And the pattern describes it as a poncho with “Make Opening for Head” instructions. Now, I usually am a quick study….as are  my customers and friends….and we just did not get it. I got on the phone with Susan at our supplier. With some consultation with her staff, she was able to tell me that the holes were armholes….and that the stole had a huge wrap on your body. You hold the stole out, slip each arm into two of the three holes and then wrap until you can slip one arm into the available hole. When it’s on, it has a lovely shepherd feel about it…even somewhat of a 70’s feel (for those of you who might have been around then). The pattern is featured in  Noro Vol.18, Y-749. I love this shawl but have to be in the right mood to be wrapped in so much fabric. Maybe, I would wear it more if it snowed here.

….. Noro’s Silver Thaw has been discontinued.

….be sure to double click on photo for more detail!

Tomorrow: The Saga of the Stoles – Part 4

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The Saga of the Stoles – Part 2

Posted in knitting, tagged , , , , on May 4, 2009| 3 Comments »

Cream Annie Scarf….This stole was comfort knitting for me during 2004-2005 when my mother was ill with cancer. It gave me then and now much comfort. And this particular stole inspired others….Diane, Susanne, Natasha, Helen, and Terry….to name a few. The design, a simple 2 x 2 moss stitch, comes from The Queensland Collection by Jane Ellison. The body of the stole is knit with Kathmandu Aran, 85% Merino Wool, 10% Silk, 5% Cashmere and is enhanced with stripes and fringe of Soft Comfort Kid Mohair (now discontinued). It’s such a joy to knit with this yarn. I have used it for a second Annie Scarf, yes a second, because I wanted to knit in pink and it was a pink that I couldn’t wear in a sweater (too much gray). Remember, you can never have too many stoles! I’ve also used Kathmandu Aran as one of the yarns, along with a lightweight mohair, for the Saturday Morning Jacket.

Pink Annie Scarf….As I’ve said, I was inspired by the previous Annie Scarf to knit this stole in the 2007-2008 time period. I used Pink Kathmandu Aran and in place of the Soft Comfort Mohair I used a lace weight mohair that I strung with beads for one stripe of color. For the other stripe of color I used Waikiki (color 2889) from Crystal Palace. It too has become one of my favorite stoles.

Diane’s finished version in pink  (also striped in Waikiki – color 2889) is featured along with Natasha’s pink version still on the needles. She used a pink, brown, and yellow waikiki(color # 2820) that is much more gentle than it appears in the photo. I can hardly wait to see it finished and fringed. It will be perfect for Natasha to be wrapping up together with her soon-to-be born baby.

. …Annie Scarf pattern and yarn available through Skein Lane Studio.

Tomorrow: The Saga of the Stoles – Part 3

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The Saga of the Stoles – Part 1

Posted in knitting, tagged , , , on May 3, 2009| Leave a Comment »

It’s true! I have quite a collection of stoles.  Let’s see…there are six knit, one crochet, and four woven. I do believe I am all wrapped up! Each one of these has a story to share…so many have memories of people who have been and continue to be important to me.

Black/Taupe Crochet Stole…..this was crocheted for me by one of Skein Lane’s customers. Carol is a prolific crocheter and this happens to be one of my favorite pieces that she has ever made. The yarn is Bamboo from Southwest Trading. I was recently  “fussed”  when I discovered  that one of the threads had broken. I quickly dug into my memory bank of darning techniques that Auntie Kate taught me when I was a child.  Success….only I know and now you.

………Bamboo available through Skein Lane Studio

..be sure to click on the photos for a close up of the pattern and fiber!

Tomorrow: The Saga of the Stoles – Part 2

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That Next Flash from the Past

Posted in knitting, Knittng slide shows, Uncategorized, tagged , , on May 2, 2009| Leave a Comment »

It was Thanksgiving, 2008, and time to start the holiday celebrations again. And the Friday knitting group began. We knit, we lunched, we knit….it was the holiday season! And the finale luncheon – the one before Christmas was once again at Skates on the Bay in Berkeley. This time Jean took some wonderful photos and we’re going to see them through Jean’s slide show. Thank you Jean.

Ugh! My scanner isn’t working…and it looks like I need to do some tech work…writing and knitting are much more fun!

Kimberly has been crafting again and we are the lucky one!

Kimberly had been crafting and we were the lucky ones!

Tomorrow: The beginning of the Stole Saga.

p.s. Celebration photos from other knitting workshops will be appearing in the next few days.

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A Flash from the Recent Past

Posted in knitting, tagged , on May 1, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Our knitting workshops have a lot of fun and each one has its own distinct personality. Each group celebrates the holidays – the Friday Group celebrates the entire month of December….okay, they/we start with Thanksgiving weekend.  We knit, we lunch, we knit.  The finale luncheon is at Skates on the Bay in Berkeley. These photo shots are from 2007. (You can double click on the photo to enlarge for better viewing.)

Tomorrow: The Friday Group at 2008 Celebration

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Baby Luke’s Sweater

Posted in knitting, knitting techniques, tagged , , , , , , on April 30, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Diane (she’s in a couple of our knitting workshops) has just completed this beautiful sweater for her 1-yr old nephew, Luke.  She has learned alot along the way. The first challenge was that the pattern called for a DK weight (5.5 sts/in) and she chose a Paton’s Worsted weight (5sts/in). We did the math and chose the instructions for the smaller size knowing that we -she- would get a size around 22-24 inches. Now the finished sweater measures out just fine….but what Diane didn’t realize is that Luke is a small guy. He will grow into it.

Some of the other things that she learned are: two kinds of seaming, picking up stitches, the one-row buttonhole, and the P2tog bind off. The pattern is such a compliment to the yarn. I think I want to make an adult size…because one knows I can have never have enough knit items!

Tomorrow: A flash from the recent past of some of the knitting fun we have.

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Seaming without Sewing

Posted in knitting techniques, tagged , , on April 28, 2009| 4 Comments »

I was almost done with this post…when my fingers went flying crazy…bingo the post was gone! So, we begin again…..

I was recently reviewing the June 2009 issue of Knit’N Style and was enlightened by Margaret Radcliffe’s  wonderful article “Learn to Seam without Sewing“. For those of us who are knitting afghans that need to be seamed together…and more specifically to those of us who are knitting “The Great American Afghan” either independently or with our Afghan Block Party knitalong, Radcliffe offers great tips. To quote, “Take Control! Crochet, three-needle bind off, or knitting on as you go are just a few of the alternatives to sewing seams in your knitting.” I would encourage you to get a hold of that article – great techniques!

I am now dreaming of how smooth the finishing of my afghan will be. While searching for links regarding this afghan, I came upon a site, The Rainey Sisters, that has an alternative edging to the afghan that appeals to me. Indeed, the internet opens up a world of endless possibilities for us.

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Marsha’s Saga

Posted in knitting, knitting techniques, tagged , on April 26, 2009| Leave a Comment »

A close up of the cut and fix....can you see it?

A close up of the cut and fix....can you see it?

Marsha is persistent in solving problems - and this was one of the best!
Marsha is persistent in solving problems – and this was one of the best!

About 4 weeks ago prolific knitter, Marsha, came to Saturday morning Skein Lane knitting workshop, and she was so happy. She was almost through with a sweater knit with Berroco’s Pure Merino and the pattern was from MJ2B (I think)…a wonderful pattern with a cable yoke. I, in fact, had been wanting to knit this one for a long time. Well…the group was all excited for her. The next Saturday Marsha arrived full of dismay. While she was weaving in loose ends one of them became undone…with the help of the cats…and she had a huge whole in front…like 1 1/2 inches. She left it with me…and I can usually mend anything to perfection…but not this time. So, the following weekend we embarked on an adventure. We cut off the bottom of the sweater with the idea in mind that she would knit the bottom again and then graft it to the top. All the while I had nagging thoughts about stitches not being knit in the same direction and thus being 1/2 stitch off while grafting. Well, after we cut I was picking out and unknitting the knit fabric on the top above the cut. Now, this pattern was an 8 x 5 rib…..and imagine my surprise when I realized I was unknitting the stockinette and picking out the purls. It was a knitting miracle! Marsha knit the sweater back down from the cut to the bottom and the 1/2 stitch off issue rolled into the purl part of the rib. Marsha wore the sweater yesterday and only knitters who know the story would know and, even then, they had to really look. It was really a miracle! Check it out. Oh, and she is knitting a cowl from the cut-off bottom! I am still excited about the solution. And tonight Marsha writes, “I still can’t believe the knitting miracle!”

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MaggiKnits update

Posted in knitting, MaggiKnits, tagged , , on April 24, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Our feet are finally back on the ground after Stitches West and MaggiKnits. It was a wonderful trade show….lots of knitting enthusiam….and great to see so many old acquaintances and friends. Maggie and Julie. who came from the UK to help Maggi, were their creative best helping customers making decisions about garment and color choices.

Maggi Knits Team and customers

Maggi Knits Team and customers

My staff and I helped our customers walk away happy. Many thanks to Sundee, Jan, Merle, and Debbie for all their help!  It was a great weekend. And since then many of us have been knitting Maggi designs. A MaggiKnits knitalong starts on May 2. Check our website www.skeinlane.com for the details.

Other exciting MaggiKnit news is that I spent time talking with Pat (and Sharon) from Neighbor Knit Shop in Hendersonville, TN while they were on their way to Stitches South in Atlanta. They were meeting up with Maggi for another weekend of retailing fun. We were both quite excited about the endless possibilities of knitting with Maggi’s yarns. In fact, Pat mentioned that one of her customers is using MaggiKnit’s linen to knit The Classic Shirt from Mother-Daughter Knits by Sally Melville & Caddy Melville Ledbetter.

Stay tuned for our soon-to-come MaggiKnits garments and tips page to be featured at www.skeinlane.com

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