the shizknit

Using a scale to determine how much yarn you have.

2012-01-13T15:44:00.002-05:00

It happens a lot: you buy 7 hanks of yarn for a project, but only end up needing 6.25. How do you know how much yarn you have left? A digital scale can tell you.

Let's use Cascade 220 as an example, since I know that each 100g hank has 220 yards. 220 divided by 100 is 2.2, so 2.2 yards weigh one gram. If I weigh my yarn leftovers and have 30 grams, I simply multiply 30 by 2.2 to figure out how many yards I have remaining - in this case, 66. Now you know exactly how many yards you have left and can search for patterns that will work with your yardage.

Week in review.

2012-01-07T15:08:00.003-05:00

Still doing secret knitting. I swear, that sweater will be perfect as many times as I've reworked the yoke.

This week in review:

Jan. 1

Jan. 2

Jan. 3

Jan. 4

Jan. 5

Jan. 6

Jan. 7

Looking ahead.

2011-12-31T10:31:00.005-05:00

Remember me? My name is Tonya and I used to blog about knitting. December has been unbelievably busy with something like 11 knitting classes in two weeks, a deadline knitting project, and travel for the holidays and my sister's college graduation.

I'm back and looking forward to lots of great knits and classes in 2012. I also have a camera now thanks to my lovely parents, so the blog should be looking much better with actual pictures.

See. Real pictures.

I'll update again next year!

Just in time for the holidays - Shizknit Gift Certificates!

2011-11-21T19:32:00.005-05:00

Give the gift of knitting lessons! Shizknit gift certificates are now available. Please click the "Donate" button below (it is the only option that you can customize your own dollar amount, I apologize for any confusion) and follow the prompts. A Shizknit gift certificate will be mailed to you and is redeemable up to one year from purchase date! Let your friends know that this holiday season, all you want is a knitting class!

Hibernating.

2011-11-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday night I taught my last class until December, so I am taking a break from all of my class projects to focus entirely, 100 percent on my secret sweater. This means a few things are going to sit hibernating in a nearly-finished state for a few weeks.

Like Elijah. This little elephant just needs a few more rows on his arm and some legs and he'll be ready to give to Johnny for Christmas. I hope he doesn't mind being stuffed into a bag for just a teeny bit.

Class Preview: Learn to Knit

2011-11-17T08:19:00.005-05:00

I'm going to do some class previews to let you know what each class entails . . . it's a lot more than will fit on that little sheet of paper I hand out!

That being said, Learn to Knit is the most open of the classes, and the one that I have the least to say about. You'll learn the fundamentals of knitting - cast on, knit, bind off - but if you know a little bit about knitting and would like to know more, I'm happy to teach you other techniques as well such as increasing, decreasing, the purl stitch, stripes . . . it's up to you! (If you are more advanced, you might want to consider signing up for some of my other classes.)

There isn't a "project" per se with learn to knit, but if you want to turn your first attempts at knitting into a simple washcloth, bring 100% cotton yarn. Sugar and Cream and Peaches and Cream are two common brands of cotton. If you have a specific thing you'd like to knit, send me a message at classes@theshizknit.com and I'll help you figure out what materials you need. For the basics, I suggest 100 yards or so of worsted weight yarn (more on yarn weights coming soon) and size US 8 needles.

Learn to Knit will be held the first two Fridays of every month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mama's Hip. You can register for the December classes on the Mama's Hip website, or email me at classes@theshizknit.com. One session is $15, sign up for two for $25. If you're interested in learning to knit but those class times don't work for you, email classes@theshizknit.com to schedule a private lesson.

Save 10% on Winter Classes!

2011-11-15T14:18:00.003-05:00

(You can click the image to make it larger.)

That's right - all you have to do is stop by my booth at the Douglass Loop Farmers Market and sign up for a class! Payment is due on or before the first class session. The weather looks like it will be decent; stop by, knit, and register! I'll be there from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on November 19.

Two Anecdotes

2011-11-12T10:52:00.005-05:00

Leo is now four, and he is turning into such a little boy. It's interesting to observe how he sees the world from such a four-year-old boy perspective.

For example, I was checking out blogs in Google Reader and came upon this:

(from CRAFTzine blog)

Leo walked by and said, "Hey, is that the inside of the world?" (Which was followed by his request that I print out an image for him of the inside of the world.)

And a couple of days ago, Leo said, "What is thread?"

I explained to him that it's like really tiny yarn used for sewing things together.

His response was, "Oh. How does Spiderman swing on it?"

I'm being steadily reminded that his frame of reference is entirely different . . . something I'll have to get used to with two boys!

Holiday Ideas for Knitters

2011-11-11T21:29:00.005-05:00

. . . particularly me, but I'm sure no knitter would object to these goodies! When I worked at the Knit Nook, I only used yarns that I couldn't purchase at the store when I was given them for a design. Now I have a lot of new yarns to try! Since I have no photos for this post, I thought it would be fun to link to a few things on my wish list.

Spud and Chloe Sweater . . . any color, any amount! You can always find something to do with this yarn . . . I have my eye on a big blanket. This might be my favorite yarn, though I still love Blue Sky Worsted Cotton.

Brooklyn Tweed yarns Shelter and Loft. I've seen both of these but haven't knit with either. They seem like a perfect, slightly softer alternative to the now discontinued Rowan Scottish Tweed.

Anything from Quince & Co. I'm thoroughly intrigued and have heard only good things.

And, just in case I'd have trouble deciding what to make, a Twist Collective Gift Certificate . . . $15 would be enough to buy a couple of patterns.

Since my little sister got a job at a bookstore, it might not hurt to mention a few books, too!

Knit One, Knit All by Elizabeth Zimmermann

The Knitter's Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes

The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd

any of the Barbara Walker Treasuries.

Of course, I really don't need yarn . . . I have quite the stash to knit down! But it sure is fun to take a few minutes and dream about all of that squishy fiber out there . . . and I've barely begun!

Back to basics.

2011-11-10T23:01:00.002-05:00

It's been a hectic couple of days. So where do I turn?

Garter stitch, of course!

For awhile, I sort of dismissed garter stitch as too "beginner" . . . why would I want to make something using garter stitch if I know how to cable or knit lace? Then I realized that easy does not equal bad, and sometimes simplicity can be just what is needed. In fact, Elizabeth Zimmermann's book Knit One, Knit All (the only Zimmermann book that isn't in my personal library yet) is all about the glory of the knit stitch.

(When looking up the link for Knit One, Knit All I also discovered the Alice Starmore book Charts for Color Knitting. *Cough, Christmas idea, cough!*)

Here's to some low-effort knitting and funny television; a cozy way to spend this cool November night!

Smitten.

2011-11-08T12:01:00.002-05:00

No matter how much you love your job, work is still . . . well, work. Right now, every single work in progress on my needles is a "work" project, either a design or a class sample. Don't get me wrong, I love knitting each of these items, but there's something to be said about knitting without a timeframe or professional objective.

The key to not getting burnt out, I think, is using really wonderful yarns. Enter Madelinetosh Pashmina. This merino/silk/cashmere blend feels heavenly, and it is impossible to capture the depth of color on camera. (The color is called Mica.) Since I can't share what I'm knitting with it, I thought I would at least extoll the virtues of the yarn. Some may call this pricey at a MSRP of $30 per hank, but when you consider the generous yardage (360 yards) it really isn't bad at all.

I hope you love what I'm making with it! You'll have to wait a few months to see . . .

Wishlist

2011-11-07T12:05:00.003-05:00

The shelf situation got a lot better! (To clarify, the yarn goo in the previous post is what happened to all of my leftovers from other projects that were tossed in a bin. Bad idea!)

I realized that I have a lot of yarn with specific projects in mind and I have no reason to buy yarn in the next, oh, three to five years. (But I want to!) I have work knitting to do at least through the end of the year, but this is part of my 2012 knit up the stash wishlist.

Sylvi with Cascade Eco Wool.

St. Enda with Cascade 220.

Na Craga with yarn from Sweet Home Spun.

Alice Starmore gloves with Classic Elite Alpaca Sox.

Numerous socks and small shawls with fingering weight stash.

Coastal Creatures in KnitPicks Stroll.

Plus, I need to turn a lot of my sketches into patterns for you all!

As you can see, I tend to want to do more complicated projects. Let's hope I get at least a few of these knit in 2012!

An attempt to clean out the stash.

2011-11-06T17:34:00.001-05:00

I would add more, but as you can see, I have a lot of work to do.

Birthday Presents: Giving

2011-11-05T09:50:00.004-05:00

Thanks for all of the great response to the classes so far! In the coming days I will be adding "Buy now" buttons so you can pay for classes online with PayPal. It's currently the only way I can accept credit cards. Cash and checks are always welcome, too - you are not obligated to use PayPal but I thought it might be a nice option.

* * *

Now, to finish what I started - birthday presents! My sister has always had a thing for jewelry and Etsy is a handmade jewelry goldmine. I had a couple of different things in my cart before I settled on these X O Kiss and Hug earrings by MXM Jewelry. I think they suit my sister's personality well.

Since I felt like I had to make something, I decided on an origami box to present the earrings.

I wish I had taken a photo of the bottom, which was made with a really beautiful blue paper. A bit of Spud & Chloe Sweater in Toast and one of Leo's stamps on the tag completed the package.

Winter 2011/2012 Classes

2011-11-04T07:57:00.013-05:00

I hope you forgive me for not posting yesterday when you see what I've been up to . . . finalizing the class schedules! I am once again partnering with Mama's Hip as well as teaching classes from my home studio.

At Mama's Hip, I will be focusing on beginner classes. These will all be held during the day. As a perk for you mamas, babies and children are welcome to come play during classes. You can sign up online for the classes held at Mama's Hip by visiting their webstore.

LEARN TO KNIT

$15 for one session, $25 for two sessions

Fridays, December 2 and 9, January 6 and 13, February 3 and 10

10 - 11 a.m.

Learn the fundamentals of knitting, such as how to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. If you bring 100% cotton yarn you can learn to make a washcloth.

BABY BOOTIES

$35 for two sessions

Tuesdays, December 6 and 13

10 a.m. - noon

Keep baby's feet toasty and warm with these booties. They make great gifts!

RIBBED BABY HAT

$35 for two sessions

Thursdays, December 8 and 15

10 a.m. - noon

Every baby needs a hat when it's chilly outside, and this ribbed hat fits a wide range of ages - from newborn to age 2! A child and adult version of this pattern is also available.

GRANNY SQUARE BLANKET

$25 for one session

Wednesday, December 14

10 a.m. - noon

No crochet experience required! Learn to crochet a giant granny square blanket. It is easy to customize; make it in one color or many and in any size you'd like.

In my home studio, I have a variety of more advanced classes for you to consider.

SHORT ROWS 101

$25 for one session

Tuesday, December 6

6 - 8 p.m.

Short rows don't have to be scary! Practice short rows and make a simple headband in the process.

MOEBIUS

$35 for two sessions

Wednesdays, December 7 and 14

6 - 8 p.m.

A moebius is as stylish as it is versatile. This "cowl with a twist" should be on every knitter's to-do list -- you'll feel so clever when you learn how it's done!

SIX WEEK SWEATER - CHOOSE ANY SWEATER!

$90 for six sessions

Tuesday, January 3, 10, 17, 24 and February 7

6 - 8 p.m.

Whether you have never knit a sweater before or you just want a little guidance with a complex pattern, this class is for you! You choose the pattern and knit your sweater with support.

FAIR ISLE MITTENS

$50 for three sessions

Wednesday, January 4, 11 and 18

6 - 8 p.m.

Fair isle and mittens go together like macaroni and cheese. Teef by David Castillo is the perfect pattern for learning both mitten construction and stranded knitting.

BASIC SOCKS

$35 for two sessions

Wednesday, January 25 and February 1

6 - 8 p.m.

Ankle socks are just right for your first fingering-weight sock project. Since you are making a short cuff, you can get right to the "challenging" part of knitting the heel, and you'll finish quickly!

TWO-AT-A-TIME, TOE-UP, MAGIC LOOP SOCKS

$65 for four sessions

Wednesday, February 8, 15, 22, and 29

6 - 8 p.m.

Learn all of the advanced sock techniques at once! Knit your socks toe up to use every bit of yarn, and two at a time means you'll never have Second Sock Syndrome again!

CABLES

$35 for two sessions

Tuesday, February 21 and 28

6 - 8 p.m.

Achieve beautiful knit fabric with cabled stitches. My hat design, Isotope, will be used for the class.

PRIVATE LESSONS

$20/hour, ask about special deals for a group!

By appointment only.

To register for any class, email classes@theshizknit.com or call 502-627-0618.

The Shizknit reserves the right to cancel any class that does not meet minimum enrollment requirements. You will receive a materials list when you sign up for the class. Payment is due at the first session of each class. Email classes@theshizknit.com to sign up for the mailing list and to be informed of any classes that may be added to the schedule.

Birthday Presents: Receiving

2011-11-02T19:16:00.006-05:00

My sister and I decided to buy each other birthday and Christmas presents from Etsy. Our birthdays are nine days apart, so we always have a joint party.

My sister paid close attention to my Etsy favorites and got me a print that I've been admiring for some time. While the "Keep Calm" trend may be a little overdone, I love the "Keep Calm and Carry Yarn" prints.

A few different Etsy sellers have prints with similar graphics/messages (I've also seen "Keep Calm and Knit On," JennieGee's prints and project bags always have been my favorite. They also come in a variety of beautiful colors; I'm glad that someone else chose a color for me because I would have had a difficult time choosing for myself!

P.S. Check out my friend Allison's blog, AlliMonster Speaks. She is also participating in NaBloPoMo and I love her writing style.

NaBloPoMo

2011-11-01T21:12:00.002-05:00

There are a lot of Mo's, two of which I plan to participate in: NaKniSweMo and NaBloPoMo. I think the original idea came from NaNoWriMo.

Basically, the idea is to GET STUFF DONE! in November, whether it be knitting a sweater, posting on your blog, or writing a novel. While I don't plan on the novel, I have a secret sweater to knit for publication and I might as well try to blog every day.

Content shouldn't be hard; I am knitting more now than ever and planning a lot of fun classes. Photos might be hard without a decent camera, but with a cell phone I can at least share some. (Remember the old days when phones were just for talking?)

I was going to post about my birthday/my sister's birthday, but I think I'll space these things out. Tomorrow - pictures!

It's that time of year . . .

2011-10-25T09:32:00.003-05:00

I finished these warm and cozy socks in late summer, when I was teaching my Basic Socks class. Knit on worsted weight yarn and large needles, the "Knit Nook Socks" are now keeping my husband's feet toasty on cool nights.

The color is not very accurate thanks to the cell phone photo, but the yarn is Raggi in colors 1550 and 1551.

As I prepare my winter class schedule, I think I am going to do a different beginner sock class - ankle socks in fingering weight so you get right to the fun part of turning the heel. What do ya think, guys?

It's not impossible . . .

2011-10-06T12:22:00.005-05:00

In a temporary fit of insanity I have decided to knit both boys sweaters before October 16.

At least I have the good sense to use Spud & Chloe Outer.

Welcome, October!

2011-10-03T13:18:00.004-05:00

October is always a busy month. There are approximately a gazillion birthdays in my family and my husband's family, plus all sorts of fall activities.

One thing that's keeping me busy is knitting! I have been working on an update to St. James and have another secret project on deck. I am also getting everything ready for my classes. Six Week Sweater is in full swing, and Christmas Stocking, Soakers, and Stuffed Animals are also this month.

Tonight is the first Christmas stocking class and I can't wait! Here's a peek at what I have so far. I will definitely be offering this class again - probably early December for those procrastinators out there.

Happy knitting!

Learning.

2011-09-07T10:32:00.003-05:00

Thank you, Sharri, for demystifying intarsia in the round!

Housekeeping.

2011-09-04T19:48:00.002-05:00

A couple of quick announcements this evening.

The time for the Glove class has changed. It is now Wednesday, November 2, 9 and 16 from 6-8 p.m. The entire Fall class schedule can be viewed here, and is also accessible on the sidebar.

Are you on Facebook? "Like" The Shizknit to view a special offer for fans! The offer will be removed at midnight tomorrow (Labor Day) so get it while you can!

I am enjoying my holiday weekend - I hope those of you in the U.S. are also having a fantastic Labor Day.

Happy knitting!

Crafternoon coming soon!

2011-08-30T21:51:00.004-05:00

I thought I would let you all know about a new, kid-friendly knitting group.

Mama's Hip will be hosting Crafternoon every Friday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. I will be there for the first hour with my little guy. Knit, crochet, any craft is welcome! Hope to see you there!

(That photo is of Leo; don't my boys look so much alike?)

What do you get with Knit to Fit?

2011-08-24T09:58:00.002-05:00

I thought it would be fun to highlight some of the classes for Fall individually, especially since I've changed the schedule around a little. The first class in September is Knit to Fit, which is one session held on September 6.

This class could easily be called "Measurements and Gauge." You will receive a packet of sheets with a list of needed measurements and information about how to use those measurements to modify patterns for a perfect-fitting sweater. We will measure both your body (wear close-fitting clothing) and a sweater that fits you well to get an idea of how much ease you prefer. We will also have a discussion about how to make proper gauge swatches and why gauge matters so much.

You will need to bring a tape measurer, well-fitting sweater, and a pencil. If you have already chosen a sweater design and knit a swatch, you may also want to bring a calculator so we can do the math for your sweater. If you have not knit a swatch, you may bring yarn for swatching for when we discuss how to properly knit, wash, block and measure your swatch.

$25 for two hours. You can take Knit to Fit + Six Week Sweater for $100, which is a 10% savings.

For the full class schedule, click here.

A birthday turtle.

2011-08-17T13:21:00.004-05:00

This kid just turned four.

Last year I wanted to knit him Sheldon from Knitty, but I just couldn't get my act together in time. Never one to let go of a knitting project, I finished Sheldon this year instead. He is completely cute!

The colors aren't really true; I used Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Lime Light for the main color and an unknown (perhaps discontinued, even?) grassy green for the contrasting color. (It is also Cotton Fleece but I don't see the color on the web page anymore.) I knit the turtle on size two needles so that it was less likely that the stuffing would show through. Rather than use safety eyes, I used a tiny bit of Knit Picks Stroll Sport to embroider eyes on Sheldon.

Of course, his name isn't Sheldon any more. Leo decided to name him Free Willy, or Willy for short. Either way, I love this cute little turtle and so does Leo.

Fall Class Schedule

2011-08-10T20:37:00.010-05:00

LEARN TO KNIT

$25 for one session, $50 for three sessions

By appointment only.

In this two-hour session you’ll learn everything you need to get started with knitting.

LEARN TO KNIT: WASHCLOTHS*

$35 for two sessions

Saturday, October 1 and 8, 2-4 p.m.

Use soft cotton yarn to make washcloths and learn knitting basics. No experience required!

LEARN TO KNIT: SIMPLE HAT*

$35 for two sessions

Saturday, November 5 and 12, 2-4 p.m.

Make this hat for anyone from baby to adult! No experience required!

LEARN TO CROCHET: GRANNY SQUARE WORKSHOP*

$25 for one session

Monday, September 12, 6-8 p.m.

Crochet granny squares are cute and charming! Use one color of yarn or as many as you like to make these simple squares.

KNIT TO FIT MEASURING & GAUGE WORKSHOP

$25 for one session

Tuesday, September 6, 6-8 p.m.

Before knitting your next sweater, take the time to learn how to make a proper gauge swatch. We’ll take measurements and you will receive worksheets that will help you figure out how to use these measurements to alter any sweater pattern to fit you.

SIX WEEK SWEATER – CHOOSE ANY SWEATER!

$90 for six sessions

Tuesday, September 13, 20 and 27 and October 4, 11 and 18, 6-8 p.m.

Whether you have never knit a sweater before or you just want a little guidance with a complex pattern, this class is for you! You choose the pattern and knit your sweater with support.

SPECIAL OFFER! TAKE KNIT TO FIT AND SIX WEEK SWEATER AND SAVE! $100 FOR BOTH CLASSES!

CHRISTMAS STOCKING

$50 for three sessions

Monday, October 3, 10 and 17, 6-8 p.m.

Learn basic sock construction and fair isle with this festive stocking!

SOAKERS AND LONGIES*

$50 for three sessions

Thursday, October 11, 18 and 25, 6-8 p.m.

There are many benefits to knit soakers for your cloth diapered baby. Learn how to knit and care for woolies and why wool is such a great material for cloth diaper covers.

SPECIAL OFFER! SAVE 10% ON ANY LEARN TO KNIT CLASS OR PRIVATE LESSON IF YOU SIGN UP FOR SOAKERS AND LONGIES!

BASIC GLOVES

$50 for three sessions

Wednesday, November 2, 9 and 16, 6-8 p.m.

Don’t be intimidated by knitting gloves! This simple unisex pattern uses worsted weight yarn knit at a slightly tight gauge to keep your fingers warm and toasty.

STUFFED ANIMALS

$65 for four sessions

Tuesday, October 25 and November 1, 8 and 15, 6-8 p.m.

Choose one of these designs by Ysolda Teague: Otto the Bear, Sophie the Bunny or Elijah the Elephant! These animals are knit seamlessly!

TWO AT A TIME, TOE UP, MAGIC LOOP SOCKS

$65 for four sessions

Time: TBA

Learn all of the advanced sock techniques at once! Knit your socks toe up to use every bit of yarn, and two at a time means you’ll never have Second Sock Syndrome again!

STAR CHRISTMAS TREE TOPPER (OR STUFFED TOY)

$35 for two sessions

Tuesday, November 22 and 29, 6-8 p.m.

Christmas is around the corner and it’s time to decorate the tree! This tree topper is a great introduction to adding beads to your knits. We’ll also be making an i-cord and crocheting the two sides together

PRIVATE LESSONS

$20/hour, ask about special deals for a group!

By appointment only.

To register for any class, email classes@theshizknit.com or call 502-418-7978.

Classes marked with an astrisk are held at Mama’s Hip on Bardstown Road. All other classes are held at the Germantown knitting studio of Tonya Wagner.

Email classes@theshizknit.com to sign up for the mailing list and be informed of classes that may be added to the schedule

St. James update

2011-08-05T09:46:00.003-05:00

Hi knitters,

The web zine that hosted my St. James pattern, MetaPostModernKnitting.com, has gone offline. I have been flattered by the number of requests I've gotten for St. James in the last few days! I have long wanted to update the pattern and this seems like the perfect time.

If anyone would like a copy of the current St. James pattern, please email tonyawagner@theshizknit.com and I will send it to you as soon as possible. The updated pattern will be available on this website in approximately one month (I knit the first sample in a week, so a month is a conservative estimate) and will include directions for short-row bust shaping, a better waist shaping technique and an improved collar.

This also allows me to use a yarn I've been infatuated with recently - Spud and Chloe Sweater. I have loved it since I used it for my Lucky Number Pullover and am currently using it for another project. It's just so difficult to choose a color for the sample! (Maybe Barn?)

Weaving in ends, via the Purl Bee.

2011-07-15T20:11:00.005-05:00

One question I get frequently is, "How do I weave in the ends?" Let Laura at the Purl Bee show you!

I have been knitting and crocheting, but not taking many pictures. So here's a photo of Johnny with the special blanket the ladies at the Knit Nook made for him.

See you soon!

Swatching, step #6.

2011-07-10T08:56:00.007-05:00

Okay, so I will admit that there are several steps to swatching. But none of them take much time! Let's review.

1.) Knit swatch with appropriate needles and stitch pattern. Keep in mind that if your garment is knit flat you should knit the swatch flat, and if it's in the round you should swatch in the round. (A post on that is coming soon with another video!)

2.) Measure your gauge. (Video coming!)

3.) Wash and block your swatch. As you saw from the video, this takes less than a minute of actual effort (plus 15 minutes in the middle to let it soak.)

4.) Let the swatch dry. My swatch dried overnight, but if you're concerned that your swatch will take awhile you can turn on a fan nearby.

5.) Measure your gauge again.

And this brings us to today's post - 6.) Hang and weight your swatch.

You don't have to do this for every single swatch, but if you're making a long cardigan or skirt out of a fabric that is heavier (like cotton, etc.) you might want to take weighting your swatch into consideration. I am knitting Cria (the short sleeve version) from Ysolda's book Little Red in the City and she suggests that particularly for this sweater you hang and weigh your swatch because of the fiber content she uses in the recommended yarn.

It's easy. I just used some magnetic clips and attached my swatch to the fridge amid Leo's artwork. We don't have a clothesline, but this worked just as well. Then you just use clothespins to weight the bottom of the swatch. Leave it for a bit and then remove it. If the swatch goes back to the shape it was before, you don't have to worry about the fabric stretching in length. If not, measure carefully and know that what you see when you're actually knitting is not how the finished sweater is really going to hang. I really wish I had done this for Malabrigo swatches in the past, since the 100 percent merino stretched a bit in my February Lady sweater. (I knew it would, but I just guessed how much rather than taking an accurate measurement.)

Please consider how my swatch changed. I am using Rowan Lenpur Linen (the colorway is Vivid) and size US #4 needles.

Before blocking: 12.5 stitches and 18 rows per 2 inches

After blocking: 12 stitches and 19 rows per 2 inches. Not a remarkable change, but remember that even the slightest difference can mean inches when you knit a sweater!

After hanging and weighting: 12 stitches and 15.5 rows per 2 inches

I was aiming for a gauge of 12 stitches and 15 rows per 2 inches when all is said and done, so I got *really* close! I know that my measurements will be slightly shorter than the schematic, so I can take that into account when I'm knitting the sweater (which will be especially important for areas like the armholes, which we don't want to be too binding.)

What would we do if the gauge was not what we were going for? You can either rework some of the math in the sweater or reknit the swatch using a needle one size larger or smaller.

Yes, it is a lot of effort, but worth it for a sweater that fits. I don't want to spend hours working on something that I'll never wear!

How to Wash and Block Your Swatch!

2011-07-04T16:27:00.002-05:00

As a special treat, I've created and uploaded a video called "How to Wash and Block a Swatch." I recommend for all of my classes where knitters are making a garment that knitters not only swatch prior to the first class, but wash and block the swatch as well. I'm creating a whole series of swatching videos and I hope you enjoy them!

BONUS CLASS! Entrelac starts on Tuesday!

2011-07-01T20:48:00.005-05:00

Hi knitters!

Since no one signed up for the Soaker class at Mama's Hip, I have decided to offer Entrelac instead. What's entrelac, you say? According to Knitting in the Old Way (one of my favorite books):

This geometric type of knitting, found across Scandanavia, resembles woven basketry (when seen from a distance!) . . . This type of work, today known most often by it's French name, entrelac, was particularly striking in Finland, where it was worked dramatically in contrasting red and black.

We will be knitting a hat, which you may have seen at the Knit Nook. I surprisingly have very few photos of my entrelac hat - surprising because Craig, Leo and I take turns wearing it all winter long! I did manage to find an old photo for ya.

Here are the facts about the class!

Entrelac

Tuesday, July 2 and 9, 4-6 p.m.

$30

Materials: 2 skeins self striping yarn (such as Noro Kureyon or Silk Garden) OR 1 skein each of two different colors worsted weight yarn, size 5 16" circular, tapestry needle

To sign up, simply email classes@theshizknit.com. I hope to see you there!

Baby knits.

2011-06-17T10:40:00.005-05:00

You may have noticed that many of the classes I'm teaching at Mama's Hip center around baby knits. There are several reasons for this. First, it's a lot quicker to finish a baby project than an adult project. That makes baby items great for trying out new techniques. Also, since I am teaching the classes at a store that sells baby products, it makes sense that their customers would be interested in learning to knit baby things. Plus, baby stuff is darn cute.

I like to knit along with my classes, and though I have already knit many of these items for my boys, I know several people that are pregnant or have just had babies. By the time this quarter of classes is over I should have several baby gifts finished!

The first class was Knitting in the Round: Hats and I made a Little Boy Blue for a little boy that was born in May.

I tried to get one of my little boys to model the hat, but the little one was sleeping and the big one was too busy drawing pictures to stop for a hat photo. The great thing about this pattern is that it fits for a really long time, so anyone from a newborn to an almost-four-year-old can wear it!

Speaking of those little boys, Johnny has a new habit. Climbing. Everything. Maybe it's because he has a big brother to keep up with, but J is definitely more adventurous than Leo was at that age - I think the only time he is still is when he's sleeping.

A new favorite is climbing into the toy box and playing with all of the stuffed animals. At least he is contained!

Helping.

2011-06-15T18:29:00.005-05:00

I started a swatch hat today (more on that later) and Leo wanted to help me knit. His version of "help" was tugging on the working yarn - not exactly optimal. I finally told him he could hold the ball of yarn for me, which he did . . . from several feet away.

(Yes, I know that I need a new camera. Boo on the broken one!)

In the photo you can see one of my favorite things from one of my favorite places.

This shelf made our living room instantly more cozy, and it even still smells a little bit like the Knit Nook. (Or maybe the Knit Nook just always smelled like wood shelving?)

Check back in this space soon for a big swatching lesson!

Pillow progress.

2011-06-13T10:08:00.003-05:00

I made at least a little bit of progress before realizing my thread was M.I.A.

After cutting out the templates, I began cutting the letters from the wool felt. I am using this amazingly soft Wollfilz Felt Bundle in spice. Since I already had the fabric on hand I wanted to splurge on soft wool felt, and I was right to do so - it's a million times better than the synthetic felt you'll find at big box craft stores.

I love the dimension that you get by layering the smaller letter on top of the other one. However, I realized that my thread matching the pillow fabric (which I'm going to use to hand applique the letters) is missing. I see a trip to JoAnn's in my near future . . .

WIP: Giant Granny Sqauare

2011-06-11T09:31:00.003-05:00

For some reason, I've been all about crochet lately. Perhaps it's because the knit sweaters I'm working on are warm 100 percent wool? Perhaps it's the instant gratification crochet brings? Perhaps it's the fun of using all those colors?

Whatever it is, I'm seriously smitten. I have made it well over two feet into my giant granny square and haven't gotten bored yet. On the contrary, twice I've stayed up late at night after everyone has gone to sleep just so I could make it around the whole square one more time.

I am using little bits of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece that I've managed to collect over the years. In fact, I bought the pink at the very first summer sale that Kristin and Cindy had when they bought the Knit Nook, and the purple and celery leaves were purchased in the last few days that the store was in business. I started the granny square in the last week the Knit Nook was open as a pick-me-up, and the bright cheerful colors certainly helped to lift my mood. I think it's almost impossible to look at those fun colors and feel gloomy.

The colors are (from center): Prosperous Plum, Celery Leaves, Robin Egg Blue, Barn Red, Pink-A-Boo, Wild Sage, Lime Light, Lapis, and a mystery light blue (perhaps Nymph?). I am using a size H hook. The inspiration comes from Joelle's Giant Granny Square. I am not sure how large the square will be - I'm just going to keep going until I run out of yarn - but I'm already plotting some crochet potholders with any bits of yarn I may have left over.

T

2011-06-10T10:10:00.006-05:00

T is for . . .

Template. Because T is also for Tonya. I am making these monogrammed applique pillows for our living room and I can't wait to share the finished project with you. (And to also snuggle with them on the couch!) There will be two 18" pillows with a C and a T, and two 14" pillow with a L and a J.

Typewriter. I ordered a Smith Corona Corsair Deluxe from Etsy seller Poetry of Objects. I think it is from the 60's, placing it firmly in the Mad Men era. I love typing on it - I got it to type the cards on our Roladex (because y'know, handwritting them was out of the question) and have been finding little things to type, like to-do lists or set lists (I'm a fan of lists in general).

Perhaps more important than the functionality, it is turquoise and looks great in my living room.

Thank you. For being patient during this big blogging dry spell. My camera is broken, but I realized I can borrow my husband's iPhone and use that to take photos. Aha! Until I am able to purchase a new camera (I think I'm going to save up for a fancy-schmancy one), please excuse the unedited iPhone photos.

Special Olympics Scarf Project

2011-05-27T19:46:00.005-05:00

I was recently contacted by the Field Service Director for Special Olympics Kentucky about a great opportunity for crafters. Here's what she says:

Special Olympics Kentucky is participating in the 2012 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project. Handmade scarves from across the US will be donated to different states as a symbol of unity, support, compassion and empowerment. These scarves will be worn for our 2012 Winter Game athletes, coaches, families, and volunteers. They will wear these scarves with pride in knowing they have become part of the Special Olympics family.

The Special Olympics Scarf Project started in Idaho of 2009 and made a request for 5,000 Red Heart scarves and surpassed their goal with 60,000 scarves. Special Olympics decided to take this project nationally in 2011 with 35 states participating, and succeeded with over 26,000 scarves who contributed to an unprecedented sense of unity, support and community for the athletes and the Special Olympics Movement as a whole.

You can always visit the website for project guidelines. www.scarvesforspecialolympics.org

Special Olympics Kentucky needs 300 scarves for our 2012 Winter Games in Lawrenceburg, IN for our athletes, coaches, volunteers, and staff to wear!

Technical difficulties.

2011-05-23T12:48:00.001-05:00

Hi knitters!

There seem to be some issues with this blog when viewed in Internet Explorer. My attempts to fix it haven't worked, so I'm going to see if someone a bit more knowledgeable than I can take care of it. From what I can tell, everything appears fine in Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari and other browsers.

If you would like to view the class schedule and are having trouble, email me at classes@theshizknit.com. I hope to fix this issue soon.

Class Schedule (Updated)

2011-05-23T08:40:00.002-05:00

LEARN TO KNIT

EVERY SATURDAY FROM 2 – 4 PM!

One session: $25

Three sessions: $50

Five sessions: $75

Sessions do not have to be consecutive. Learn to Knit classes will begin on June 11.

Knitting in the Round – Ribbed Hat for Baby or Adult

This class is suitable for beginners that would like to learn how to knit in the round. You’ll learn how to use circular needles and double points and make a ribbed hat in the process.

Tuesday, June 7 and 14, 4-6 p.m. $30.

Baby Booties

Follow up that hat with some booties and you have a layette!

Tuesday, June 21 and 28, 4-6 p.m. $30.

Soakers

Learn about the benefits of wool and how to knit and lanolize your own soaker.

Tuesday, July 5, 12 and 19, 4-6 p.m. $45.

Beginner Sweater – Confection Baby Shrug

This sweet shrug is a great introduction to knitting and top-down sweater construction. (Adult pattern available, but you may not finish it during the class.)

Tuesday, July 26, August 2 and 9, 4-6 p.m. $45.

Intermediate Sweater – Baby Dress / Child Tank

Get ready for summer in this garment that will grow with the child. Little ones can wear it as a dress, and as they grow it can be used as a tank. You’ll learn how to make ruffles and an applied i-cord.

Tuesday, August 16, 23 and 30, 4-6 p.m. $45.

Intarsia – Argyle Sweater Vest

Don’t be intimidated by intarsia! Make an argyle vest for yourself or a little one.

Thursday, July 14, 21 and 28 and August 4, 11:30 a..m. – 1:30 p.m. $60.

Please note that the Intarsia class will not take place at Mama's Hip.

Fair Isle – Baby Fair Isle Sweater Vest

If you’re ready to try stranded knitting, practice with this adorable sweater vest suitable for boys or girls.

Saturday, July 9, 16 and 23, 4-6 p.m. $45

Knit to Fit: Make a Sweater that Fits You!

Learn how to measure yourself properly, attain gauge, and use those numbers to make a sweater that fits just how you want it to!

Tuesday, June 7, 14, 21, 28 and July 5 and 12, 6-8 p.m. $90

Basic Socks

Keep it simple with worsted weight socks on double pointed needles.

Tuesday, July 19 and 26 and August 2, 6-8 p.m. $45

Two at a Time, Toe Up, Magic Loop Socks

You might as well learn all of the advanced sock techniques at once! Use a long circular needle to make two socks at a time using the magic loop method, and make sure to use every bit of yarn by knitting them toe up!

Tuesday, August 9, 16, 23 and 30, 6-8 p.m. $60.

Cables

Take your knitting to the next level by learning cables! Choose a more fitted hat with a seed-stitch brim (baby or adult) or a slouchy hat with cables all over (adult sizes only).

Saturday, July 30 and August 6, 4-6 p.m. $30

Lace

Practice lace on a dainty baby sweater. Then you’ll be ready to start a lace project for yourself!

Saturday, August 13, 20 and 27, 4-6 p.m. $45.

Private lessons are available by appointment for $20/hour. Two or more students may schedule a private lesson for $10/hour each.

Stuck on a project, but not taking a class? Tonya will fix simple mistakes for $5, but more complex mistakes may require a private lesson.

Class Policies:

A materials list and the pattern will be emailed when you sign up for the class. You may pay at the beginning of the first class, but if you cancel without 24 hours notice you must pay 50% of the class fee. Payment may be made via cash, check or PayPal. Tonya Wagner reserves the right to cancel classes. If a class is canceled, you will receive a full refund. For any class, you may bring your own project as long as it fits in with the technique being learned. To register, email classes@theshizknit.com or call 502-418-7978.

All classes are taught by Tonya Wagner and will take place at

Mama’s Hip, 1559 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40205.

Crochet Dilemma

2011-04-16T11:18:00.003-05:00

Hi, all! It's been gray and icky around here, and my knitting mojo has been pretty low. At last we're having a few sunshiny days, and though it doesn't really feel like Spring right now (Craig wore his Cobblestone today), Easter is just around the corner.

I have dabbled in crochet in the past, but not enough to consider myself a crocheter. That didn't stop me from deciding to crochet Easter baskets for the boys when I couldn't find anything I liked in the stores. I am using a basic pattern and modifying it to suit my taste. With a J hook and Nature Cotton double stranded I crocheted the bottom as written, added another increase row, and did the sides of the basket. Now I have a small bit of yarn left and have to figure out the handles.

Originally I was going to chain across, single crochet a few rows and thread some floral wire through, but I don't think I have enough yarn for that. I've thought about doing a big braid and threading the floral wire through instead. I tried crocheting directly around the floral wire but I didn't like the look, though Suzanne's suggestion of crocheting around a wooden handle might work. There's also the option of a knit i-cord with floral wire threaded through the middle, much like I did in my Star Tree Topper.

So, do any of you have ideas? I've decided I'll just go ahead and start crocheting the second basket - I have a week to figure it out, right?

Since it's St. Patrick's Day . . .

2011-03-17T15:48:00.003-05:00

Why not talk about aran knitting? Or more specifically Aran Knitting.

When I heard that Alice Starmore's classic book was being reissued, I immediately put it on my wishlist. I received it for my birthday last fall and have been oohing and aahing over the patterns ever since. I have had a few in my queue for quite some time, and now I have the yarn for three sweaters. (I may or may not be spending a good portion of my Knit Nook paycheck on yarn; since they're going out of business I feel the need to stock up!)

To keep things all legal, I'm linking to Alice Starmore's website rather than posting her photos on here.

First, Na Craga. This is one of the simpler sweaters in the book, and I think it's where my aran journey is going to begin. I have some lovely yarn picked out for it.

This is from Sweet Home Spun in Henry County, Kentucky. Adrienne introduced me to JoAnn and the sheep last year, and it's a pleasure to make something with their wool. Adrienne told me the colorway was Archie's Ladies - Archie is the ram, and the wool is from his women.

Next up is St. Enda, also for Craig. I have a bag of Cascade 220 with St. Enda written all over it. (It's the gray yarn in the photo below; the blue is Malabrigo and the pink is Lenpur Linen.)

Finally, a sweater for me! St. Brigid is the quintessential Starmore aran. I want to make so many mods that I'll probably save this for later - I'm still deciding what kind of neckline I want, and I definitely am going to make it at a finer gauge and with less ease. I'm going to use this lovely Mountain Meadow Sport, made in Wyoming. It is begging to be knit into some cabley goodness.

I have already swatched Na Craga, but discovered that I'll need to reswatch with a smaller needle. Even though spring is just around the corner, I can't wait to cast on for one of these beautiful arans.

Roar!

2011-03-11T13:09:00.003-05:00

Both missions for the week were accomplished! The scarf was completed and delivered on Tuesday night, and Leo wore his Roar hat to school today.

To review, it's Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton in Pickle and Mediterranean on size US 7 needles. (Hey, Blue Sky Alpacas redesigned their webpage! It's really pretty.)

I think he looks handsome.

And he likes it, too!

At bat and on deck.

2011-03-06T11:34:00.004-05:00

Forgive me if my sports analogy is wrong. I'm one of the most nonathletic people you'll ever meet.

One of the benefits of my new sales job is that I really must be a self-starter. I've found many ways to stay motivated and accomplish my work. One of the biggest things that helps is making a list for every single day of the things I need to achieve. Every two weeks or so I print out pages that have an outline of basic tasks I need to do and I date them and add the specifics.

I'd be a much more productive knitter if I applied that kind of attitude toward knitting. So, why not start now! These are two of the projects I need to finish this week.

By Tuesday, I'd like to finish this scarf. Early in February Craig spent some time teaching and performing in Utah, and this is a gift for the friend he stayed with while he was there, who will be in town Tuesday.

The yarn for this scarf is Cascade Magnum. It's a little darker gray in person - I think it's color #8400. I'm using size 19 needles and making the Soft Chunky Scarf, but shorter and without fringe.

On deck is a hat for Leo. I was sad when I forgot about crazy hat day at his school last month, because I know we could have rocked it! However, favorite hat day is coming up next Friday. Leo has been asking for a cotton hat for months - the Scottish Tweed hat I made him is just too itchy for his sensitive skin and he hasn't gotten a replacement yet. (I don't have a photo of the hat, but I made it using this yarn.) For a long time he wanted a snowman hat, but I just couldn't get excited about those long floats with cotton yarn. I considered a whale hat, but changed my mind. Then I remembered Roar by Kate Oates. I showed Leo and he flipped out in the best possible way. I was short on Blue Sky Cotton in boyish colors in the stash, but Erin came through with some green (Pickle, I think) to go with my blue (Mediterranean).

Again, if you want to see the true colors you might want to click on the link above to the yarn page. It's a gray day here and I lack editing skills.

I have other WIPs and projects planned, but I thought this would be a good place to start.

Leo's Valentines

2011-03-03T15:17:00.005-05:00

It's somewhat difficult to take photos of yourself, so I'll wait to post about my recent knits. Instead, let me show you what we did for Leo's class this Valentine's Day.

There are only eight children in Leo's class and I knew that I wanted to make his Valentines. I originally wanted to use Erin's idea of using a photo of Leo holding a giant sucker. This was a problem for two reasons: one, Leo is mega-wiggly and two, the light in February just wasn't cutting it. At the last minute, I remembered something I had seen on the CRAFT blog - these origami hearts from zakka life. It was perfect, especially since Leo's class was discussing Asia at the time and even had an origami station set up in the classroom. I had all of the supplies on hand so I didn't have to spend a cent.

We used bright colors - mostly pinks and reds with a little purple and orange thrown in for good measure. I made 10 so the teachers could each have one, too. (Leo made one but didn't quite have the attention span for more - his folding wasn't bad, though!) We wrote "Happy Valentines Day from Leo" on the back of each heart.

This image of Leo kind of sums up why I couldn't do Erin's Valentines - I have hardly any photos of him at the age of three that aren't just a giant blur. Even with editing this is kind of a poor quality photo, but his little smile is adorable at least.

Now, to find my GorillaPod so I can photograph my Fetching mitts.

Hello, there.

2011-03-01T22:48:00.004-05:00

Oh, hi. How is it already March? I've gone a long time without blogging and wanted to say hello. I do have crafty things to share, but first a quick update.

The Knit Nook is closing. As you can imagine, I'm upset (a massive understatement) but working to figure out what comes next. I will continue to teach knitting classes and private lessons in another venue beginning in May. (And for now sign up for one of the last classes at the Knit Nook.) My private class schedule is TBA, but if there's a class you're dying to take, let me know and I'll add it to the list! I also have another job, so I am spending quite a bit of time promoting Bobas, Sleepy Wraps and Episencial skincare products in a three-state area. In addition, I'm also teaching a knitting group at Field Elementary school. I've been a busy lady lately!

Then there's the job that I do 24/7 . . . taking care of these guys.

I promise I'll have actual crafty content soon. I'm coming out of my lull (I have a couple of Stockinette stitch hats to show you) and am planning some fun projects. At the very least, my stash is expanding quickly and I need to share photos of yarn! I just have to dig out my camera and photograph things. I thought you might like to know my ~~excuses~~ reasons for not updating the blog lately.

Check back soon!

New year, new technique.

2011-01-14T18:02:00.000-05:00

A break from Christmas knits for my new socks!

I'm at the Knit Nook, on Mondays, and Suzanne was teaching a two-at-a-time magic loop socks class on Monday nights. Every week as I left to pick up my boys, I wished I were staying for the class. I am a sufferer of SSS (Second Sock Syndrome) - I even owe my mom a partner to the Broadripple sock I knit her four years ago! A few weeks later, I decided to try it on my own. Since I was doing something new, I thought I might as well throw in another new technique - knitting my socks from the toe up. Sharri helped by supervising my cast on and away I went!

I worked on the socks on New Year's Eve at French Lick Hotel . . .

. . . and New Year's Day at West Baden.

They're slow going, but I'm almost finished with the foot. I'm using Wendy Johnson's pattern Toe-Up Socks with a Difference (because I am easily persuaded and Sharri was using that pattern). The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Argyle, and I'm using 40" Addi Turbos in size 2.5 mm. I have to admit that I was worried about how the yarn would pool, but I'm thrilled with how they're turning out.

2010 Christmas Presents Revealed: Logan's Hat

2011-01-13T18:24:00.000-05:00

Logan got a Shizknit original for Christmas. I had a hard time deciding what to make him, but then it hit me - a golf-themed hat in his school colors.

If I were a perfect blogger, I would have fiddled with the colors with photo editing software to get them exactly right. However, I am not a perfect blogger. I used Knit Picks Swish DK in Cobblestone Heather for the main color and Mission Falls 136 in maroon for the contrasting color. These two yarns compliment each other nicely; they're the same weight and fiber content.

My brother is 12. Twelve. Doesn't he look older?

He's on the high school golf team. Hence the letters MCHS.

And the word GOLF.

If people are interested, I will happily make this chart available with all 26 letters and the golf club fair isle.

I am going to make a similar hat for my cousin that is more about school spirit and less about golf, so we'll see how that one turns out.

Though the hat has a 22" circumference, it can also work for cute babies in a pinch.

(Okay, you got me. I just wanted an excuse to show off my adorable 11-month-old.)

That's half of the Christmas presents I knit - two more to share!

2010 Christmas Presents Revealed: Stephanie's Scarf

2011-01-12T19:47:00.005-05:00

After a blogging hiatus, I finally have knits to show you! The holidays are always quiet because I spend a lot of time knitting for family members and I don't want them to see their presents in advance. Now that they've got their knits, I'm free to share.

This is my sister Stephanie in the scarf I knit her. The pattern is the Icon Scarf from this year's Holiday issue of Interweave Knits. I used Twinkle Soft Chunky in Haze and thought it was a good excuse to buy some size 17 Lantern Moon needles (which I think are still 50% off at the Knit Nook!)

Steph's scarf is the only Christmas present I got decent photos of before giving it away.

I really love the cable. I actually sketched out - years ago! - a scarf that was one big cable. To be honest, I like this version better than the one I envisioned.

I'm kind of disappointed that she liked the scarf so much - I was half hoping I'd get to keep it!

The story of Emmaline

2010-11-30T16:46:00.009-05:00

Molly (the blogless) and I decided to race to see who could finish Emmaline first. She made her first version (seen in this post) in five days, and I thought I could beat that time so I challenged her. I had Classic Elite Sprout (colorway Salvia Red) in my stash and didn't think I had enough yarn to do the project I originally wanted to use it for, so it was just right for Emmaline. (And actually I have one entire hank leftover!) I knew that if I raced Molly I would stay on task and finish Emmaline quickly, and I did.

Here's the play-by-play (sorry for the poor quality webcam pictures).

November 13: Cast on around midnight, but didn't knit at all because I was too tired. Made an effort to intimidate Molly with my "bring it!" face.

November 14: Despite the uncomfortableness of having over 200 stitches on 16 inch circulars, I got to the sleeve startin' point.

November 15: Knit the bodice up to the purl row.
November 16-18: Ripped. I didn't like where the purl row hit so I redid a few inches of the bodice. Then I had two days where I knit about four rows. (I do have two demanding small children - I should state that pretty much the entire sweater was knit either while I was at work or while the boys were sleeping.)

November 19: Knit Emmaline as the pattern was written, and decided it wasn't long enough . . .

. . . though the fit is great!

November 21: Finished Emmaline! I beat Molly, but in fairness she did lose a ball of yarn.

I wore it to the Knit Nook the next day and to my parents' house on Sunday for our Thanksgiving celebration there. I love how it looks!

I give this sweater an A for speed and wear-ability!

More on the cushions.

2010-11-07T11:44:00.003-05:00

Erin commented on my last blog post and asked for more info on the cushions. I thought I'd post the photo here, in case any of my readers are master pillow sewers.

The top photo shows the pillow with the intact zipper, and the bottom is clearly the busted zipper. The pillow covers are constructed pretty simply; there's a front and back piece, a long gusset, and a zipper panel. I was originally going to take apart the cover to use as a pattern, but it's simple enough that I'm just going to measure it and add a seam allowance. By the way, it is probably worth noting that the zipper runs the entire length of the pillow and is sewn over in the seam allowance. (Does that make sense?)

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

Another challenge.

2010-11-05T09:18:00.003-05:00

Do you all follow House on Hill Road? Erin is a local crafter who really does it all - sewing, knitting, embroidering, making yummy food - and her blog is always a good source of inspiration.

I was pleased to see that she's hosting Pillow Challenge Week next week, because it gives me the motivation to cross something off my to-do list.

A friend of my husband's (I suppose he's my friend, too) very sweetly gave us his son's old rocking chair. My husband thinks it's hand built, and simply by looking at it I agree. It's a fantastically awesome chair, but the cushions need a little work. The zipper is busted on one of the cushions, and Leo has decided that they need "blue sheets, not red sheets."

Just as I was making my plans to recover the cushions in denim (which meets Leo's requirement in that the fabric is blue and my requirement that it is durable), I saw Erin's challenge. I'll be making use of her Put a Zipper in Your Pillow Tutorial (which she's promised to revamp) and hoping that being part of the challenge will encourage me to actually finish these covers.

More sewing.

2010-11-04T15:48:00.002-05:00

Leo seems to be getting all of the handmade things lately!

The kid was in dire need of winter sleepwear, so I made him these flannel pajama pants just in time for pajama day at school. I used the oliver + s sailboat pants pattern for the basic shape. I guess you could say these p.j. pants are almost like my muslin, though I've already sewn most of the oliver + s pants. I love making pajama pants and already have fabric for three more pairs - one Leo sized and two adult sized.

Perfect for Halloweek.

2010-10-29T06:13:00.000-05:00

Yesterday it was finally cool enough for Leo to wear the Little Fang sweater from Vampire Knits.

Appropriately, after school his teacher told me that they acted out a story in class and Leo was the vampire.

Apparently if you put on this sweater you turn into a vampire. Look at what it did to the little guy who modeled it for the book.

This sweater is size 3T, and if I were to make it for Leo today I'd knit a size 4. The sleeves are a bit too short, but he's wearing mostly size 4 (and sometimes up to size 6, depending on the make) in ready made clothing, so that makes sense. The sizing for this and my other children's sweaters is based on sweaters from Gap. Also, I'm glad I used the superwash Knit Picks Swish DK. I think a few special hand knit items in hand wash only yarn would be okay, but for a running around on the playground (and apparently, wiping your nose on your sleeve) sweater superwash is the way to go!

Leo told me that he wants me to knit him more sweaters. I'm happy to oblige.

Crafting of a different kind.

2010-10-28T20:25:00.006-05:00

It's sewn, not knit, and it's not for one of my children - I actually get to make something for a girl!

Kristin is having a baby in December, and tonight her mom and the Knit Nookers threw her a surprise baby shower. I knew she'd have tons of knits, so I decided to sew her something.

The baby kimono is from Weekend Sewing and the fabric is from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern 2 line. As long as the new little Matly doesn't look too closely at the stitching, I think she'll enjoy her kimono.

Change of plans.

2010-10-22T22:31:00.010-05:00

I am trying to plan Christmas gifts, which I probably should have done ages ago. I always have grand ideas, but don't always achieve what I want. Will blogging about it keep me accountable? Maybe.

I tend to knit other people's patterns for Christmas gifts (though I have at least one original idea in mind for someone), and who better to start with than Elizabeth Zimmermann? Or so I thought.

I was going to make the Fishtrap Aran hat from Knitter's Almanac, but about one row in I realized that a hat that is that heavily cabled was probably not the best idea. If I'm going to be successful in finishing gifts, I have to be realistic!

The yarn is Rowan Scottish Tweed Aran, which is sadly now discontinued. I'm wasn't sure how the color will be received - though it looks like a rust from afar, up close you can see some purple-y flecks in the tweed. Since I was intending this to be manly, I was worried about the bit of purple.

I love the yarn, though, and decided that it would be great with Leo's coloring. I am making a plain version of the Cheery Scrap Cap for Leo to wear out on the playground at his preschool. Of course, that doesn't hep me finish Christmas gifts any more quickly! To make things more manageable, I intend to make this a multicraftual Christmas. That means knitting, sewing and even a little crochet - I know I don't have tons of time, and sewing and crochet are much faster.

Seed stitch, glorious seed stitch.

2010-10-22T16:42:00.003-05:00

I've long thought seed stitch might be my favorite stitch pattern, but this sweater definitely confirms it. I've knit 14-16 inches of seed stitch so far (time to measure again!), and have yet to grow tired of it. Such great texture and dimension without too much work!

The yarn is Cascade Ecological Wool and the pattern is forthcoming. I sketched this out over a year ago, so it's nice to finally make this sweater a reality!

Itty bitty.

2010-09-28T14:36:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow? Did I say I'd be back tomorrow? Oops. I should have learned by now that if I say I'm going to blog at a specific time that something will come up to delay me.

I'll be back soon (notice that I'm not committing to a day) with a KCWC wrap up, but for now here's something I finished for a little one.

Craig's cousin and his wife just welcomed a baby girl. Unfortunately, she was born very early and weighed just over three pounds at birth. She's doing well but has a long hospital stay ahead.

I decided to make her a small version of my Little Boy Blue ribbed baby hat using Cascade's Cash Vero yarn, which is soft and wonderful for a baby. I followed the pattern but used size 6 needles and only knit four inches before doing the decreases. The result is a hat that will fit a preemie, but it will also stretch and fit her for quite some time.

KCWC: Day 1

2010-09-21T15:51:00.004-05:00

My first day of the KCWC was spent at the Knit Nook, (did you know they're open on Mondays again? Come say hi!) so I naturally spent my time knitting.

First up, the Tomten. It's quite different than the last photo I posted, but yesterday I just made a bit of progress on the second sleeve. I think I can easily finish this by the end of the week, assuming my children cooperate.

I was originally worried that it would be too small, so I asked Leo to put it on. Though he started waving his arms around "to be like a bird" before I snapped the photo, making my carefully arranged sleeves go astray, I do believe it will fit all winter long.

Disheveled, but cute.

I also worked on the I-desperately-need-to-finish-this project, my Little Scholar Vest. I wove in all the ends, sewed the shoulder seams, and began the armhole ribbing. I am hoping to finish this TONIGHT after the boys go to bed . . . we'll see. An hour should be enough time to at the very least make some serious progress.

See ya tomorrow with pictures from Day 2.

A challenge for next week.

2010-09-18T20:04:00.004-05:00

Elsie Marley is hosting a Kid's Clothing Week Challenge. The concept? For one hour every day from September 20-26, work on a kid's clothing item. I think the challenge was originally intended for sewers, but she is including us knitters & crocheters, too.

I just so happen to have several kid's items either on the needles or on standby, so I am definitely in! The plan:

* Finish the Tomten - I am down to the last sleeve and edging, so I should be able to finish without too much trouble. (But man, those sleeves seem to take forever!)

* Finish the Little Scholar Vest so I can take photos - again down to the very final details.

* Make these oliver + s pants for Leo. I have the pattern traced and cut out, but I still need to cut out the fabric and stitch 'em up.

I have a list about a mile long in case I finish these things, but first things first. I'm looking forward to my kid-related crafting!

Little Fang Sweater

2010-09-16T21:03:00.004-05:00

Confession: I'm not the most vampy person, but I did read all of the Twilight books and most of the Sookie Stackhouse novels. What can I say - all of the knitters were gossiping about these vampire tales so I had to give them a try (plus they were all on the Knit Nook library shelf). When Genevieve Miller asked if I would contribute a child's sweater design to her book Vampire Knits, I was relieved that I had a little bit of a vampire background.

I submitted three or four ideas, but the one that Genevieve and the book editors decided on was this Little Fang Sweater. It was inspired by those smiley face t-shirts (something similar to this), but there's actually no face at all - just two intarsia fangs at the bottom where the smile would be. The raglan sweater is knit in pieces and seamed (intarsia in the round - no thanks!) and uses Knit Picks Swish DK. Sizing is from 2T - 6.

I'm honored that Genevieve asked me to be a part of this book - I'm in the company of some accomplished knitters! Tanis Gray, Cirilla Rose, Julie Turjoman (who has a book of her own to promote), and Nikol Lohr are just a few of the talented knitters that have patterns in Vampire Knits.

I couldn't write this post without thanking Kristin for her help and Genevieve for her flexibility - the deadline for this book was around the time that Johnny was born, so first it was painful to knit because of pregnancy related carpal tunnel, and then Johnny's first few weeks were quite rough (thanks to RSV/bronchiolitis) so I was more focused on his well being than my sweater. Thankfully, knitters are kind people that are generally willing to lend a hand/extend deadlines!

Vampire Knits is published by Potter Craft and is available at yarn stores and book stores near you!

Knit Nook photoshoot.

2010-09-11T21:09:00.005-05:00

The Knit Nook just happens to be an excellent place for photo shoots. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense - who better to appreciate your need to document your hard work than other knitters? Plus, there's always someone handy to snap a photo.

Molly and I decided that today would be stiletto day at the Knit Nook (why not?) and we also both ended up wearing handknit sweaters. Mine is Liesl (which I should probably do a proper blog post about), and Molly's is Emmaline. Then it turned out we both had extra yarn from our sweaters that we turned into crochet things for our heads. Molly made a headband using her remaining Araucania Nature Cotton, and my Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton became the Beginner Friendly Cap from Crochet Today.

So to review:

Stilettos? Check.
Hand knit sweaters? Check.
Matchy-matchy crochet accessory? Check.
iPhone Knit Nook photo? Check.
A fun Saturday at the Knit Nook? Double check.

Knit Picks

2010-08-28T22:05:00.005-05:00

The yarn in the previous post was Knit Picks Cadena in one of the newly released colorways. Brook. Cadena is a bulky weight yarn made of a blend of 70 percent Peruvian Highland Wool and 30 percent Superfine Alpaca.

Look familiar? I used Cadena for my hat, Epitome. I've been working with Knit Picks IDP on bringing you this pattern for a low price! The pattern isn't live on the IDP yet, but for now enjoy a price cut on The Shizknit and Ravelry. You can now purchase Epitome for $2.50. (Higher than the Knit Picks IDP price to cover PayPal fees.) As soon as the pattern goes live on the IDP I'll let you know!

Guess this yarn.

2010-08-24T10:10:00.001-05:00

Details to follow.

Cover.

2010-08-20T01:09:00.002-05:00

I was casually looking over some of my favorite knitting-related websites and noticed that the preview for Yarn Forward Issue #29 is live. I was flattered to see that a design of mine made the cover! I was able to find a photo on eBay. I'll share more when my contributor copy arrives in the mail.

For Sale! Ultimate Sweater Machine Deluxe.

2010-08-17T09:12:00.004-05:00

This is a great piece of equipment, but I will always be a hand knitter at heart. If you or someone you know would like to knit big pieces of fabric in a flash, the Ultimate Sweater Machine is for you.

The Deluxe model comes with the Ultimate Sweater Machine, plus an extension kit, row counter and intarsia plate. In addition I have extra accessories, including never used ravel cord and claw weights. The USM Deluxe is $231 on QVC.com. I am asking $150 or best offer. If you're in the Louisville area I will give you a free how-to lesson. If you're interested, please email tonyawagner@theshizknit.com.

I do as I'm told.

2010-08-09T19:47:00.004-05:00

My mother informed me that she has been checking my blog daily for pictures . . . knitting picture are nice, but what she really wants to see is a sweet baby boy.

So . . . here's a sweet baby boy.

I have been busy knitting. I need more needles to finish my fair isle baby vest (darn . . . I'll have to go to the Knit Nook!) and I've started a special toy for a soon-to-be three-year-old. Plus, did you know today is Elizabeth Zimmermann's 100th birthday? Though she died in 1999, she's very much alive in sweaters and mittens all over the world. Maybe I should work on my Tomten tonight in her honor or spend some time with one of her many fantastic books.

Alternative to stitch holders. (& Tomten update!)

2010-07-29T12:45:00.005-05:00

Stitch holders are amazingly wonderful things . . . when you can find them. I know all about slipping stitches to waste yarn, and there's a time when that's appropriate, like when you need the stitches to be flexible. However, if I have a small number of stitches to be held, I prefer to use something more rigid than waste yarn because I find it easier to put the stitches back on the needle.

Last year I showed you how I used a paperclip to hold stitches on Craig's Smokin' Jacket. A paperclip wouldn't be big enough for this project, though. And since the goal is to eventually slip the stitches back to a needle, why not just hold the stitches on a spare needle? I have seen a knitting pattern or two that recommends doing this, and I think it's a simple-yet-effective practice.

I did something that hundreds of knitters have probably done. I took a spare double pointed needle (make sure to use a size similar to the size you're knitting your sweater on - my sweater is on a US 9 needle, and this dpn is a US 8) and put ponytail holders (you could also use rubber bands) on each end so the knitting doesn't come off. Ta-da! For a wider section you could also just use a single-pointed knitting needle and secure one side with a rubber band, or you could use an extra circular needle.

I can't believe how quickly the Tomten is going! I still have quite a bit to do, but I'm pleased with my progress so far. In this photo with the Tomten spread out you can see a hint of the modular-ness.

Though jacket weather is still in the somewhat distant future, I am so excited about finishing this sweater.

Nothing boring about it!

2010-07-27T15:17:00.004-05:00

You may look at this photo and think, "Grayish-blackish-bluish garter stitch. Ick."

You would be wrong. When Elizabeth Zimmermann does garter stitch, it's never boring or icky.

This is the beginning of my Tomten Jacket for Leo, and it's actually been a really fun knit so far! I am using the directions from The Opinionated Knitter (they're also included in Knitting Workshop, but the Opinionated Knitter directions are more specific) and Rowan Pure Wool Aran. I even worked on it at the HullabaLOU festival in the sticky, 100 degree heat.

The fun thing about this pattern is that you could make it 10 times and never knit the pattern the same way. You could add pockets! Make a hood, collar or crewneck! Buttons or zippers! Switch up the colors! There's an example of the Tomten Jacket on the Purl Bee that looks quite different than how I envision mine, which will have a hood and a contrasting border. (Speaking of Tomtens, check out Jared Flood's adult Tomten. So nice!)

There will be a Tomten class at the Knit Nook in September, which you should check out. To sign up, call 502.452.1919.

And now for something completely different, a cute baby picture!

I think he's trying to decide if he wants buttons or a zipper on his Tomten. He's definitely going to get one, too!

Winner!

2010-07-23T19:00:00.003-05:00

The winning entry is . . . Tutorgal with Little Scholar Vest! You've won the whole collection of baby vests and will receive a free copy of each pattern as it's released and the ebook with all of the patterns and accompanying tutorials. When I read the idea Little Scholar Vest I had the "Why didn't I think of that?" feeling. I think it's just right. Runner-up is Sarah with Marzipan. Sarah, you've won a free copy of the Little Scholar Vest when it's released. If both winners will email me (tonyawagner@theshizknit.com or theshizknit on Ravelry) with their email addresses I'll be sure you receive your prizes!

The vest is coming along nicely. Today I shot a video to explain how to knit fair-isle with two hands. As soon as the knitting is complete, I just have to do a photo shoot and put some finishing touches on the pattern and it will be ready for release!

Playing with color.

2010-07-19T12:12:00.003-05:00

. . . and no, I'm not just talking about the fair isle vest.

In addition to the vest e-book, I have another e-book coming out. This one is going to take awhile; my ETA is six months from now, but it might be longer. I've been playing around with different combinations of yarn and trying to figure out a color story. Since I'm not sharing much else about the book, I thought I could at least reveal that. (It's hard not spilling the beans all at once!)

Two of the projects are already underway, one more is swatched. The colors aren't set in stone (well, the two in-progress project colors are!), but I think I like this mixture.

Modeled photos of Johnny's Not-Quite-An-Apple-Hat

2010-07-15T14:27:00.008-05:00

You may remember this hat that I knit before Johnny was born. My inclination was that it was way too big for a newborn size head, and I was right. However, now that Johnny is 5 months old the hat looks great on him.

Just to reiterate, it's the Apple Hat by Susan B. Anderson, knit using Rowan Pure Wool Aran in Cedar. The color is a bit off in the above photo (I "antiqued" it using editing software) but from a cuteness perspective the picture is just right so I decided to use it anyway. The color in the photo below is closer to the actual hat, though Johnny doesn't seem very excited to have his photo made.

I think this hat will still fit in early fall when it starts getting chilly. For now I'll put it back in the drawer - I don't think Johnny needs it in this 90+ degree heat!

P.S. Don't forget about the pattern naming contest!

It had to be Fair Isle - and a contest!

2010-07-13T14:29:00.004-05:00

This is what I'm reknitting in those fabulous Knit Picks colors:

I have made some improvements to the pattern, which was originally written in March 2008. Leo is only seven months old in the photo - now he's almost 3! I had the pattern test knit and tech edited, but by the time that whole process was complete Leo no longer would fit into the vest. Since I'm never truly happy with how unmodeled photos of sweaters look, the vest simply didn't get published. Now I have a brand new model, and the vest will be knit with a new yarn! Both the old and new version are knit in 100 percent organic cotton - soft for wee babes.

Here's the thing: I'm not completely happy with the name of the sweater. A few of my testers put their photos up on Ravelry, and at the time I was calling it the Divinity Baby Vest, after the candy. I had just finished the Confection Baby Shrug and wanted a sweet name for this vest, too. However, the name doesn't quite seem right to me. Suggestions? If you suggest the winning name, you will win a free copy of my upcoming Baby Vest e-book! (More details on that ebook coming soon. I've been working on it, and I'm excited to start sharing.) The contest will end at midnight on July 20.

Yarn in my mailbox.

2010-07-11T21:44:00.002-05:00

Very rarely am I allowed to blog about a project for a yarn company while it's in the works, but I have to go-ahead to share this with my readers.

I will be using these three colors of Knit Picks Simply Cotton Worsted for one of my upcoming designs. It's actually something you've seen a long time ago, but revamped and reworked for Knit Picks. Can you guess what it is?

My Lucky Number Pullover . . .

2010-07-08T22:40:00.003-05:00

. . . keeps popping up in unexpected places! I knew that I would see it on a few yarn store websites, but it's still always a surprise when I'm browsing the internet and it shows up.

First, Loop Knits reviewed the new line of Spud & Chloe patterns. It was fun when I saw that post come up in Google Reader. Then tonight I thought I'd check out Purl Soho's new website, and I saw my Lucky Number Pullover looking back at me!

There are lots of places that stock Spud & Chloe, so be on the lookout for my Lucky Number Pullover at your LYS or on the web.

Coming soon!

2010-07-06T16:24:00.003-05:00

Deadline knitting is finished (for now), which gives me a chance to work on a few personal projects. Since I'm halfway finished, I feel confident to announce that I have an ebook coming your way! It isn't what I thought my first ebook would be (yes, first - there are going to be more!) but I hope it's something that knitters will like.

Patterns and schematic are (mostly) written, book layout is (mostly) done, knitting is about halfway finished, and my tech editor is lined up and ready to get started in a few days! The book will include five patterns and a technique section, but that's all I'm going to say for now.

Also coming soon - the Knit Nook Summer Sale & Fall classes! Look for previews of some of the classes on this blog at some point between now and when the classes begin.

How To: Make a Hand Card

2010-06-29T12:46:00.005-05:00

Father's Day has come and gone, but this card can be adapted for any occasion! All you need are cute little kiddos, some paper, crayons, scissors, and a blank card.

I didn't get any pictures of the card in progress because I was too busy helping to make the card. But it's quite simple and turns out adorable!

Step One: Trace hands onto blank sheet of paper.
Step Two: Let big kid color the hands.
Step Three: Cut out hands, glue to blank card, and write a message inside.

Color the back, too, and add the year.

I'm really pleased with how the card turned out and I hope you can make your own hand card for someone special.

I-cord to the rescue!

2010-06-21T14:19:00.003-05:00

You may remember my blog post about the Milo Soaker. Not a terrible pattern, but waaay too big in the waist for my ~~little~~ big Johnny.

Since I don't have time to knit more soakers until my deadline is met, and after that I will be working on more designy things, I decided I really need to make Milo work. The simple solution was to knit a long i-cord and thread it through the waistband. That's exactly what I did.

Johnny has worn his soaker three nights without any leaks! For those of you interested in the cloth diapering details, I am using a regular prefold with a BumGenius doubler. His diaper is completely saturated when he wakes up, but the bed and his clothes are dry. (I have gotten many questions about cloth diapering and was thinking about doing a post about cloth - would that be interesting to people?) I think I am going to relanolize the soaker, because though it hasn't leaked I really don't think I added enough lanolin the first time.

So to summarize:
1. I-cords are awesome.
2. Johnny is happy in his new soaker!

Popping in.

2010-06-11T14:01:00.003-05:00

Still working on secret projects, so though I am spending a lot of time clicking those needles (and doing math - the yucky part of knitwear design), I have nothing to show you. I completely resonated with the first paragraph or two of Franklin Habit's latest blog post . I love that I am able to design something, knit it, and get paid to do so, but there are times that you want a project to just be finished already. I am itching to start on my next project.

Lucky for me, it seems to be perfectly acceptable for knitters to post photos of flowers. So here's the obligatory late Spring/early Summer photo of a hydrangea. I didn't plant these, but they magically appeared in my yard. So pretty.

Lucky Number Pullover for Spud & Chloë!

2010-06-02T21:47:00.005-05:00

One of the cons of knitwear design work (there aren't many!) is that I can't really post about the things I'm knitting. That just makes it all the more exciting when a pattern is about to be released!

This little sweater for Spud & Chloë's Fall 2010 design line is made using their worsted-weight yarn, Spud & Chloë Sweater. It is written for child's sizes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and includes charts for numbers 1-9, so it is easily personalized for any recipient. Leo & Johnny will definitely be sporting some Lucky Number Pullovers this fall! (If only I were able to keep the sample!)

Spud & Chloë is awesome for baby and childrenswear because all of the yarns in the line are machine washable. The yarn comes in cheerful colors that we've come to expect from Blue Sky Alpacas. It was such a pleasure to work with Spud & Chloë, and I hope you all enjoy knitting this sweater. Look for the pattern in mid-June; in the meantime you can add it to that Ravelry queue!

One-minute craft: Eve from Wall-E

2010-05-19T10:50:00.005-05:00

If it weren't for Pixar, I'm not sure how I would have made it through the bedrest portion of my pregnancy. (Of course, the grandparents helped a lot, too!) Leo is a big fan of every Pixar movie, but his recent favorite is Wall-E.

With two boys and knitting that I am contractually obligated to do, I don't have too much time leftover for other crafts. But this Eve balloon took about a minute to make!

All you need are a white balloon, a blue permanent marker, and a black permanent marker. Draw Eve's face on the balloon. Easy-peasy. My Eve's eyes aren't exactly like the animated version, but once this Eve pops I plan to experiment and make more Eves in the future. I think this would be a great craft for kids at a Wall-E themed birthday party!

BSJ Class

2010-05-15T16:48:00.006-05:00

Have I mentioned lately that I love Elizabeth Zimmermann? Because I do (in case you forgot.) There are few people that master their craft in the way that Ms. Zimmermann mastered knitting, and she was so darn witty and innovative.

One of my favorite EZ patterns is the Baby Surprise Jacket. This thing stands the test of time! I have made three Baby Surprise Jackets, one that lives at the Knit Nook and one for each of my boys.

Leo's Baby Surprise Jacket was made using leftover bits of Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton and US size 9 needles. It lasted him two winters. I love the hood.

Johnny's BSJ was teeny, and definitely won't fit him next winter (he's already almost 16.5 pounds!) I used Dale of Norway Baby Ull and US size 4 needles on this one.

Aside: my, how these boys have grown! Leo's photos were taken in February '09, and Johnny's were taken in February '10. Both little guys are so much bigger now!

Anyway, while I love the BSJ now, I will admit to being a little confused the first time I looked at the pattern. If you'd like to make a Baby Surprise Jacket (or two, or three) but don't want to jump in without any help, you can take the Baby Surprise Jacket Class at the Knit Nook. It takes place Sunday June 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 5-7 pm. Cost is $60 plus materials, and you will receive a student discount while in the class. If you'd like to sign up or have questions, you can always call the Nook at 502-452-1919. In addition to learning how to construct the basic sweater, you can learn how to modify the pattern to add a hood, collar, i-cord or cuffs, or even make the BSJ a pullover! You know you wanna make one . . .

FO: Milo Soaker

2010-05-10T20:17:00.003-05:00

I mentioned before that I was making the Milo Soaker from the book Vintage Baby Knits by Kristen Rengren.

I liked knitting the soaker - the construction is easy and it was a super fast knit! However, the lack of shaping led to some size issues. I knit the 3-6 month size for Johnny, who is 15 pounds and 14 ounces. It fits his chunky thighs, but the waistband is HUGE. It is shown here over a normal prefold diaper, but even in his bulky nighttime diaper getup (which I haven't actually worked up the courage to try yet) it's still a little big.

Here you can see exactly how large the waist is! If I knit this again, I'd definitely use smaller needles for the ribbing as well as cast on fewer stitches.

I did enjoy the yarn - Vermont Fiber Company O-Wool Classic. When I committed to cloth diapering I went through my stash and found all of my 100 percent wool yarns, and this is the yarn I wanted to knit with first. Besides, it's the exact yarn and color recommended in the pattern!

If I have to evaluate the finished soaker I'd say it's good, not great. I can't wait to try some more patterns!

Why blocking your swatch matters.

2010-05-01T20:17:00.005-05:00

My husband calls me a Hall Monitor. I'm the person that's always saying, "Use your turn signal!" even when there's no one behind us. My Hall Monitorness applies to knitting, too. I've often encouraged knitters to not only knit a swatch, but to wash it before casting on for a new project. I'd like to think that one or two people listened, but most of the time I'm sure that the allure of starting a new project is too great. Who has time to properly block a swatch and let it dry?

I'm hoping this example convinces some people. The above is a swatch that pre-blocking measured 6.25 stitches per inch. After blocking, the stitch gauge was 5.5 stitches per inch. That may not seem like much, but let's put it into perspective. Say you had to cast on 100 stitches for the back of a sweater. At 6.25 stitches per inch, the sweater back would measure 16 inches, giving you a 32 inch bust. At 5.5 stitches per inch, the sweater back would measure just over 18 inches, giving you a sweater with a 36 inch bust. That's a four inch difference!

So block your swatches, people. If you're going to spend hours and hours knitting a sweater and you'd like to ensure a proper fit, it's worth the time it takes to swatch and block said swatch. You can always browse more yarns and patterns while you're waiting for that swatch to dry!

Diamonds Argyle Vest now available as PDF download!

2010-04-26T00:02:00.000-05:00

The Diamonds Family Argyle Vest pattern was originally published in Yarn Forward magazine Issue 12. Now you can download a PDF for the adult sized pattern!

Argyle never goes out of style! Knit your own version of this vest in your favorite colors.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 30[34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54] in, 76[86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127, 137] cm.
Length: 23[24, 24.5, 25.5, 26, 27, 27] in, 58.5[61, 62, 65, 66, 68.5, 68.5] cm
Two inches of positive ease is recommended.

MATERIALS
Mission Falls 136 Merino Superwash (50g / 124m /136yd, 100% merino wool); 4[5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9] skeins MC (024 Damson), 1 skein CC1 (023 Amethyst), 1 skein CC2 (0535 Crocus)

US 4 (3.5mm)16-inch circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
US 5 (3.75mm) needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
US 4 (3.5 mm) double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
Locking stitch markers or safety pin
2 Stitch markers
Stitch holders or scrap yarn
Tapestry needle
Bobbins (optional)

GAUGE
24 sts and 28 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch after blocking

$6 for a PDF download, hosted by Ravelry.

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Practical crafting.

2010-04-25T15:30:00.006-05:00

In general, I make things because I want to - for example, Leo doesn't really need any more sweaters at the moment, but that's not going to stop me from casting on for new ones. Sometimes, though, I make things to fit a specific need. Lately, that's what I've been doing.

I have just started cloth diapering Johnny, and if you're going to have cloth diapers it makes sense to use cloth wipes. Rather than pay $12 for a package of 15 flannel wipes, I decided to use materials I had on hand to make my own.

I got a bunch of flannel on sale at JoAnn Fabrics before Johnny was born - I'm pretty sure it was $2.99/yard. I cut it into 8 inch by 8 inch squares using my rotary cutter and mat, and then simply zig zag stitched around the edges. I have around 30 wipes so far and still have about a third of my cute monster flannel left.

I got the idea to put them in a wipes container from a knitter, and I think it's pretty fantastic. Who wouldn't want to see those cute little monsters pop up?

Cloth diapering of course gives me an excuse to knit soakers, and I have cast on for my first - the Milo Soaker from Vintage Baby Knits. Photos forthcoming!

Even cuter.

2010-04-17T15:40:00.003-05:00

Yes, I'm knitting. No, I'm not posting about it. Other than a yet-to-be-photographed Liesl, I am working on secret knitting that won't be revealed for quite some time. On one hand, that's awesome because it means you will have new Shizknit designs! On the other, it makes for a very boring blog.

Luckily, I have two very adorable little boys. Until I manage to take a proper photograph of Liesl, you'll just have to deal with yet another image of these charming fellas.

The boys.

2010-03-31T14:19:00.003-05:00

I have been knitting lately, but mostly I've been busy with these two little boys. Both Leo and Johnny are growing way too fast - faster than my knitting is!

Some socks for me.

2010-03-16T18:13:00.005-05:00

These socks first appeared on my blog in May of last year. MAY. At that point, I didn't even know that baby number two was on his way! As of that blog post, I was three inches into the second sock. I didn't work on the socks between Bonnaroo (which was in June) and March first. When I picked them back up, I was ready to start the heel flap and decided that finishing these simple ribbed socks would be a great project to tackle with a new baby and a toddler. I just wove in the ends today, ten months after I started them.

I am going to take a second to say something totally unrelated to the socks - this is my first attempt at a self-timer photo using the Gorillapod my mother gave me for Christmas. Pretty nifty. Okay, back to the socks.

I mentioned in the last post that I was able to line up the stripes. I got pretty darn close to matching them perfectly. Around the heel you can see that they're off a little, and the second sock has a little green on the tip of the toe. Luckily, that's not too noticeable once you're wearing them.

When I make these socks again (and why not, since they're so classic), I want to make them a little smaller. Just a wee bit - maybe 60 stitches instead of 64. Otherwise, I give the yarn and pattern an A!

Yarn: Kaffe Fasset for Regia Landscape 4-Ply (Fire)
(the color is more true in the first photo)
Needles: Clover dpns, size 1
Pattern: Plain Ol' Socks, available at the Knit Nook and written by Kristin

Getting back in the groove . . .

2010-03-06T12:30:00.003-05:00

Johnny is now officially one month old, and I think that means it's time to get started on some original designs! While pregnant, I had very sore hands and deadlines to meet, so I pretty much just sketched ideas and left them at that. Now I finally have the energy to make some of those sketches into sweaters!

That wee little swatch is the beginning of the first design I'm focusing on. I decided to start small with a Leo-sized garment, and the yarn is a wool/cotton blend which is just right for this time of year. I'd love to have the pattern finished and ready to be purchased by the beginning of April, but we'll see. Stay tuned!

An almost victory.

2010-03-02T13:26:00.005-05:00

I never was much of an athlete.

With the Ravelympics beginning just days after our second son was born, I chose a very simple project to work on this year. My mission? Finish Johnny's Baby Surprise Jacket. I didn't think that was too much to aspire to; I merely had to complete seven rows, seam the shoulders and add cuffs and buttons.

I almost made it, but Johnny still doesn't have any buttons on his BSJ. Which I suppose is just as well, since he's too little to button them anyway.

Yarn: Dale of Norway Baby Ull
Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket
Needles: US size 4

I think Johnny is pretty happy with his sweater.

New baby in a new hat.

2010-02-24T16:25:00.005-05:00

Since this is supposed to be a knitting blog, I suppose it's time I actually show you some knitting! With my secret projects mailed and my hands no longer aching, I have been able to squeeze in some stitching between taking care of the little guys.

I cast on for this Little Boy Blue Ribbed Baby Hat when I had to go to the hospital the Tuesday before Johnny was born. I was admitted for high blood pressure and needed some nervous-energy knitting to distract me. Though I didn't knit too many rows then, I did pick it back up when I was induced on Saturday. I knit all through early labor (and received many comments from the nursing staff; some of whom were also knitters) and continued working on the hat after Johnny was born. The yarn is Spud & Chloe Sweater on US #7 needles. (Aside: the Spud & Chloe website is probably one of the cutest yarn websites I've ever seen - if you haven't visited, check it out!)

If you'd like to see more pictures of Johnny, check out today's post on the Knit Nook blog. Kristin came over last night and was able to meet the little man. And of course, look for more Johnny and Leo on this page - I'm in the mood for cute baby and little boy knits!

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Housekeeping: due to tons and tons of spam, I had to delete the posts "Standard Abbreviations" and "Guest Blogger: Kristi Porter talks about Knitting in the Sun." Since I feel these were both valuable posts, I plan to repost a version of them in the future.

Johnny.

2010-02-22T16:57:00.003-05:00

Who's that peeking out from under that blanket?

John Bingham Wagner arrived on Saturday, February 6 at 3:19 P.M. He weighed 7 pounds, 13.7 ounces and was 20 inches long. It's been a busy couple of weeks, but everyone in the Wagner household is thrilled with the new addition. It took me two weeks to upload the photos of him from the hospital, but we're getting back in the swing of things and I hope to have more pictures of Johnny (including some wearing some lovingly knit hats & sweaters) quite soon.

Epitome now part of Help for Haiti

2010-01-20T16:12:00.006-05:00

We all know about the terrible earthquake that struck Haiti last week.

I have been very impressed with the Help for Haiti efforts on Ravelry. If you're unfamiliar with what's happening, many designers have decided to donate a portion of their proceeds from certain patterns to a charity that will benefit Haitians.

I have to admit that my pattern sales are pretty slim, with only one for-sale pattern. But this morning, I heard about the horrible aftershock that hit the already devastated area and decided that any contribution is better than no contribution. From now through February 14, 2010, I will be donating 50% of profits from my Epitome pattern to Doctors Without Border s. I have just updated the pattern to change the recommended yarn and it now includes an additional size for adults with larger noggins. If you decide that Epitome isn't the hat for you, please consider purchasing any of the patterns on the Ravelry list.

Click the button below to purchase the pattern for $5.

Christmas gifts revealed: Icing Swirl Hat.

2010-01-07T12:41:00.000-05:00

Another Ysolda hat for Christmas! This time, I made the Icing Swirl Hat for my niece, Hillary. My photo isn't the best (again, I forgot to take a shot of the hat on a person), but Ysolda has photos of herself wearing the hat on her blog that illustrate how nicely the hat slouches.

I knit the hat using Rowan Cocoon in Seascape. I wanted to make something with Cocoon since it arrived at the Knit Nook, and I decided to cross my fingers that my niece doesn't have a mohair sensitivity and use it for her hat.

Is it just me, or does this hat remind anyone else of Elizabeth Zimmermann's Snail Hat [rav link]? The shape is somewhat similar, but since it isn't in a super-bulky yarn it is definitely slouchier.

This is another hat to add to the hats-I'd-enjoy-knitting-again list!

Christmas gifts revealed: Estella.

2010-01-04T18:27:00.000-05:00

It's time for the great Christmas gift reveal. Some of these presents were knit far in advance, some are still not finished, and none of them have been featured on my blog to date.

First up, Estella. The pattern is by Ysolda Teague, who is one of my favorite knitwear designers. I decided to knit Estella in one color and chose a bright blue shade of Cascade 220 (#9467, I do believe), since my little sister has beautiful blue eyes.

I forgot to take modeled photos of pretty much every present I knit, but thanks to Facebook I can do things like steal shots from my sister's page.

My sister is clearly better at self portraits than I am; here's what happened when I tried to get a shot of Estella before wrapping it.

I am a huge fan of slouchy hats (especially Ysolda's!), so I had a hard time giving this one away. A nice little detail is the star on the crown of the hat.

I think I may (y'know, after I finish all of the other things I must do, and in between taking care of two children under the age of three) knit a two-color Estella at some point. It was certainly a fun hat to knit and I'm glad my sister likes it!

Happy new year.

2009-12-31T22:07:00.003-05:00

Wishing the best for everyone in 2010.

Swappin'.

2009-12-21T12:59:00.005-05:00

One of the most fun things about babies is knitting for them! Earlier this fall I joined in a baby hat swap on Ravelry, and I finally got around to getting the photographs on my computer.

I received not one but two hats from Emma in the United Kingdom. She used the classic umbilical cord hat pattern from Stitch 'n' Bitch and Sidar Soft Toddler Aran yarn.

I knit a hat for Becky (Bossy Bee). She is due in April, and I didn't know the gender of her child so I went with the gender neutral Olive You hat from Itty Bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson. The cream and red yarns are both Rowan Handknit Cotton, and the green is Sugar 'n' Cream.

I am participating in another handmade baby stuff swap, but will probably be sewing the present for that one - knitting isn't so kind to my hands these days. I'm glad I got most of my Christmas projects out of the way early - and next week I can share with you what I made!

Oh, yeah - a baby hat!

2009-11-09T12:10:00.002-05:00

I forgot to share this photo of the first hat I made for the new baby. It's the simple-but-charming Apple Hat from the Spud and Chloe blog Spud Says. Susan Anderson (who is known for her Itty Bitty knits) curates the blog and designed the hat.

You may notice that my hat isn't particularly apple-y. I mainly knit the hat to serve as a gauge swatch and the large portions of stockinette stitch in the round made it perfect. The yarn is Rowan Pure Wool Aran in Cedar. This is the smallest size but looks to fit about a three month old.

Super sly sneak peak.

2009-10-29T11:12:00.003-05:00

My sister took this photo of Leo and I on Sunday, and you can kind of sort of see one of the things I'm working on. Sort of. This is as much of a glimpse as you're going to get, so ascertain what you can!

Just for fun, here's my belly on the same day. Twenty-four weeks!

Have a great Thursday, everyone!

Stylish St. James

2009-10-28T09:08:00.005-05:00

If I can't share a lot about what I'm knitting, why not talk about others' projects?

Last night will surfing Ravelry I discovered that a couple of knitters made beautiful fingering weight St. James sweaters. I have seen several mods, like adding crocheted flowers instead of a bow [rav link], but so far this is my favorite -- I'm itching to cast on for a fingering weight St. James the second I get back to my pre-pregnancy weight.

I first saw Debby's St. James [rav link], made of Dream in Color Starry on US size 4 and 2 needles. I love the color, and that she knit it while watching Mad Men. (Another of my favorite things about browsing projects people have made using the St. James sweater pattern -- many of them refer to it as a "Joan" sweater, which is super flattering; I love her style! Although when I designed St. James, I hadn't yet been exposed to Mad Men.)

In Debby's notes, she points us to the sweater that inspired her to use fingering weight yarn, Spongy's St. James [rav link]. She also used a Dream in Color yarn, Smooshy. In her pattern notes, she tells how she modified the sweater to work with fingering weight yarn and US size 7 needles.

Thanks to those of you that are knitting my designs! It motivates me to get back to work and create more patterns to share with you.