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Carson turned 4

March 4, 2014 by Carolyn

It was just  two or three weeks ago that I sewed an apron for 10-yr old neice Jade….my sister quickly let me know that Carson soon turning 4 would also like an apron. We put our heads together about fabric choice…I found the cowboy boots materials. Then I was back at the sewing machine. The apron arrived on his birthday, Mar 3…..my sister sent me a video of Carson opening his gift and then modeling…..very sweet!! The next day my sister let me know that Carson had been wearing his apron all morning. His grandmother tells me he likes to cook scrambled eggs and pancakes!

I am on a “sewing roll” right now…have a couple more projects lined up.

The cowboy apron…..

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RIP Barbara Scott

February 27, 2014 by Carolyn

BarbaraScottAward[1]It is with great sadness that I share that our knitting friend Jean let me know that her dear life-long friend Barbara, master knitter, passed away this past Monday. Her bright, enthusiastic spirit stayed strong  during the last few months of major illness. You may recall that I’ve mentioned Barbara a few times here on this blog. You can read more about her on this blog post celebrating her years with Knitters Guild of America (TKGA).

Jean shared this from Barbara’s husband, Bob.  He  said, ” I am pretty sure there are a large number of knitters in heaven who needed help and will be greeting her with open arms.”  He could be right!

Barbara will be missed by many. She touched many lives.

Debby from TKGA has graciously shared these lovely photos of Barbara as well as some lovely thoughts and news about a Memoriam.

“It is sad to think that she is gone. She was an invaluable supporter of The Knitting Guild Association, one of our first members and always involved in ways to help other knitters perfect their skills. TKGA recognized Barbara at our Conference in 2007 and awarded her an Honorary Lifetime membership at that time. That is what you see in one of the photos I’ve attached. The other photo is from the TKGA 25th Anniversary in 2010 when she was introduced again for her long-time involvement in the organization. Cast On magazine is carrying a Memoriam in our upcoming Summer issue. Her name has also been added to the TKGA Memorial Remembrance Page online where contributions are already being made in her name to benefit knitting education – something that was dear to her heart.

I have known Barbara for a long time, having worked with her on many projects for TKGA, and I will miss her!”

TKGADinnerBScott_Jul_06_077[1]

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Show Time – Stitches West 2014

February 25, 2014 by Carolyn

BTW...I want Melissa's boots!!

BTW…I want Melissa’s boots!!

It’s preview market night….there is a line to enter the market floor…..knitters are every where!  I capture the beginnings of the crowd and burst into glee when I realize Melissa Leapman, one of my favorite people/instructors, is part of that crowd. Thursday night was busy, Friday was over the stop. We – Maggie, Heather and  I – barely stopped all day. Some of the Friday workshop group met for drinks and dinner Friday night….great fun but no photos…one of us was sick and it didn’t seem right to shoot photos. It was so great to so many old friends while retailing in Maggi’s booth…..I didn’t capture everyone on film. It was great to see Shelli from Knitterly in Petaluma and Liza Souza….both every so briefly but glad to connect. I do love our knitting community.

Oh…..and I did buy something (if you look closely at the photo of Lyn from Cabin Fever/Shetland Yarns you will see the model)….only one thing but it was a kit that I couldn’t resist.

Let’s “shop”!

Thursday night line-up
Maggi and Heather 2014
Me…modeling “Ronda” Book 10
The knitters have “hit” the floor
Do you see Melissa?
Love Melissa!
Tassel Shawl in Linen
The booth
One of the new designs 2014
More of the booth
The shopping has begun
Me…Carolyn…modeling the Flaherty
The Flahtery in blues and purple
The models garments
Customer wearing her MaggiKnits
Terry and Maurie – Skein Lane knitters
Maurie and her sister
Alice knit this!
Alice
Shetland Yarns
Lyn – Cabin Fevers/Shetland Yarns
This is on my wish list!
I love this tattoo….but I wouldn’t get one
The show is winding down!

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Stitches West 2014

February 19, 2014 by Carolyn

Me (Carolyn) modeling new MaggiKnits shawl

Me (Carolyn) modeling new MaggiKnits shawl

Oh….I am so excited…it’s Stitches West time again. Many knitters and retailers will be descending upon the grounds of Santa Clara’s Convention Center Feb 20 – 23. In fact, the retailers and teachers are there today setting up to be ready for all of us possessed knitters who start arriving tomorrow. My excitement is heightened by the fact that I will be retailing with MaggiKnits again. It was so much fun last year (and previous years)….delighted that Maggie asked me to work with her again. I will get to have my “fix” with retailing in the knitting community as well as see so many old friends. I felt a lift in my spirits when I left my “day job” today knowing I was heading to the larger knitting world in the morning. Hurray!!!

You can find Maggie, Heather and me in Booth 613 at Stitches West. Come see us!

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The Gifts Arrived

February 15, 2014 by Carolyn

With some determination and Priority Mail the gifts arrived on time…..well Valentine’s that is! Inside this box was a belated present for Jade.

Happy Valentine’s Day
The Material
Mom’s 1954 Singer
The Pocket
It’s Finished!
The Birthday Gift

While my sewing machine (Mom’s 1954 which I love to use) has been set up in the corner of my bedroom for immediate use, I think most of the recent work was mending or curtains. It really was too much fun to be possessed by the urge to sew. When my niece told me recently that she really enjoyed cooking, I thought to myself “how about I sew an apron?” It had been a long time since used my sewing skills. It was like riding a bike again….it all came back pretty quickly…well except my injured thumb caused a slow start with threading the bobbin…..lol! Sewing the  little shirring in the center of the bottom of the pocket was fun; I particularly enjoyed creating the bias with a finished 5/8″ edge.

I’ve now moved the sewing machine to a cubby in the studio area….easy instant access just to pull out and set up on big table! Another creation is in the works….just have to wait for material to arrive….learned earlier today one of them is being shipped from Hong Kong and won’t arrive for a couple weeks. Ugh! I didn’t see that in the fine print.

This morning my sister posted a video of the kids opening their presents. You can see this on my FB page. Love technology for making things so connected!

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Finished!

February 13, 2014 by Carolyn

News flash in from PJ this week…..”Just in case you thought I don’t ever finish something!” Now that did bring a smile. PJ finishes much and I am delighted that she shared her photos (added a couple of mine) to enjoy!  PJ knit her version of the Honey Cowl using 100% merino “Sock” yarn by Malabrigo. The sweater and cap were knit in Bel Canto….now a discontinued yarn.

You can see more of PJ’s work and comments on Ravelry at PJKnitsUFOs .

PJ
View 1 – Honeycomb Cowl
View 2 – Honeycomb Cowl
Matching Sweater and Cap

The Honeycomb Cowl found on ravelry.com is a big hit with several in this knitting community. You’ve now seen a couple on this blog….there will be a couple more showing within the month. I’ve knit 3 inches of 320 stitches on sock weight yarn….only 8 inches to go. Click, click!!

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Another Birthday Celebration

February 9, 2014 by Carolyn

This week we celebrated Bonnie’s birthday with gifts, cheer, champagne, rain and more knitting. I am sure some of us got at least a couple of rows knit. My Honeycomb Cowl has 320 stitches so I was quite happy to get two rows knit, particularly with all the celebration. Happy, happy birthday to Bonnie!

The Birthday Girl!

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It’s done – Maurie’s Prayer Shawl

February 7, 2014 by Carolyn

Maurie had a vision – she was inspired by colors from a rug/throw that she has….then she and her friends knit this prayer shawl for a friend of theirs. The brilliant colors are from Brown Sheep’s dye room….the yarn is Cotton Fleece. Note that each edge has complimentary lace edgings – two different patterns – English Lace and English Torchon Lace. Both patterns can be found at ravelry.com.

Maurie – Prayer Shawl with brilliant Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece
Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece for Prayer Shawl
The Prayer Shawl is done!
English Torchon Lace
English Lace
The Prayer Shawl – Fanned

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Birthdays……two of them!

February 5, 2014 by Carolyn

Two birthday girls – Kimberly and Sarah caused us to uncork the champagne once again. We had two Fridays in a row to celebrate. We even found time to knit. Be sure to check out the love wristlets that Sarah knit and is wearing! Happy, happy birthday…..

FMKG
The gang!
Sarah – the birthday girl!

Posted in Birthday Celebrations, Events, knitting | 1 Comment »

It’s “Thumbs Up”!

January 30, 2014 by Carolyn

Carolyn’s Hitchhiker

I’m so excited that this lovely “fussy” Hitchhiker scarf designed by Martina Behm is done. (You can find this pattern at Ravelry.com). I love the yarn and the results….so why fussy?? It was an 8-row pattern with 4 increases during those 8 rows. Now how tough is that I ask? For me it was a challenge. When I knit garter, which I like to do, I often drift off to another land…..in this case it often meant that I forgot one of my increase stitches. How did I resolve this? I put markers on the needles to count stitches every 8 rows and I knew that each 8 rows must increase by 4 stitches. If I failed that simple test…..one could hear “frogging”!

As I mentioned in a previous post I love this yarn gifted to me by Maurie….many thanks! The colors are perfect and I will enjoy this for many seasons. One day my internal thermometer might cool off and then I will wear lovely garments like this closer up on my neck. So…..in the meantime I put my vanity aside and just enjoy the knitting designs!!

Oh….that reminds again of PJ’s thoughtful advice to me re: cowls. I want to knit the Honeycomb Cowl that is another popular design that you can find at Ravelry.com. I loved PJ’s rendition….a double wrap cowl. She suggested that I consider more stitches for this double wrap. She used a sock yarn and 280 stitches….I am using a sock yarn and 320 stitches. The sock/fingering weight yarn is that lovely choice my “personal” shoppers made at Interweave-Lab last fall. The stitches are cast on and I am on row 4 of 320 stitches. Stay tuned!

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