Great Knitting Help

If you are having trouble with some of the basics, or want to learn something new, take a look at this knit help website.  It is also available in an app for iphone or ipods.  I just watched a clip on continental knitting.  Wow, I think I have been knitting the wrong and the difficult way!  It looks like it would save a lot of time!

http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/learn-to-knit

Knit Club January Progress

Barb and Sandy still working on those diagonal scarves.
The pattern is challenging if you aren't paying attention. 

Dawn's purple cowl is finally done.  Looks great, plus she
did the binding off herself!  Time to pick a new project.

This picture makes me laugh.  Jane is knitting so fast that her hands
are a blur.  The ribbed scarves she, Lisa and Mary Ann are making will
look great!  The varigated colors in the yarn are gorgeous.  Hopefully will
get a good pic of them next time.

Why Knitters Knit

Tomorrow is the next knit chick evening.  I can't wait to see everyone's projects!  I saw these cute little bags and thought they were the perfect size for carrying around those dishcloth projects.  The tag says knitters knit because they are so smart that they need knitting to make boring things interesting.  All the girls will get one.  

The Cowl

Improv Cowl design by French Press Knits

You can find this pattern on the FPK website or on Ravelry.  Look for the free pattern called Improv Cowl.   I used Cozy Wool granite, a wool blend, because I don't like the scratchiness of wool around my neck.  This was easy to do, mostly because it was in the round, and only involved knowing how to knit and purl. I only used one strand of yarn, because the yarn is already very chunky.  I followed the rest of the pattern for CO stitches and needle size.  I'm making one for Maddie for when she goes to college next year.  Not sure how well it will hold up, since it's 50% acrylic, but it was quick so I can always make another.

Bagels, Mimosas, and a Few Goofy Knitters

This would be Dawn's new project, the cowl.  After 3 starts, it finally got going but did spend a lot of time on the floor , ripped out.  Debbie had to jump in and take care of things, numerous times.   No talking while starting a new project!  Certainly was good for a lot of laughs.  Great way to spend a Saturday.

Mary Ann's first finished dishcloth and the 2nd one started.   The 2nd one already looks so much better!

Dawn's patriotic dishcloth.  I think it's going to her friend who loves 4th of July celebrations, unless her mom snags it from her first.  You never can tell; people like these enough to steal them!

Sandy and Barb's diagonal scarves are coming along nicely!  The color combinations are stunning.  Hope to see them finished in 2 weeks, when we next meet.  Sandy is using black Cha-Cha with Aegean Waters Minestrone, and Barb is knitting with eggplant Cha-Cha with Lilacs and Lavender Minestrone.

What's Next

I still have to post the headband pics and pattern, if I can figure out how to write it up.  The finished improv cowl scarves and probably the infamous slippers Rose is attempting to make will make it to the blog!  This blog, in no way will appear professional or skilled. The pics will be basic shots by a highly unprofessional photographer.  The projects are simple, knit in good company, with good friends, sharing laughter over our knitting mishaps.  Let's get knitting, ladies!  Check back to see if your knitpic appears in the blog.

Easy Dishcloths

Easy, Fast, and Durable
These dishcloths knit up super fast.  You can watch a good movie and have one done by the time the movie is over.  I use the Lily Sugar 'n Cream yarn.  Pair a couple of these with some Mrs. Meyers  dishsoap, and you have a really nice gift for your favorite hostess!  Wow, I'm starting to sound like a cheezie blogger, but it's true.  All the knit chicks love them too.  Sandy is knitting them for random people who are wanting more and Dawn says they are great for washing walls!  I don't know where the pattern originated, but it can be found all over the internet. 

Diagonal Scarf

Diagonal Scarf in Lime and Purple
This is the VOGUE scarf made using Cha-Cha yarn and Minestrone yarn by Trendsetter, which I picked up from
Knitting on the Fringe.  The shop offers some really great classes, not just in knitting.    The pattern is available at www.vogueknitting.com  Again, an easy to make scarf, an easy pattern to follow, and looks amazing, which is why I made it.  You won't see me knitting anything that's difficult.  The yarn was rather costly but it's for me, so who cares!

The Challah Scarf; Finally Done

Challah Infinity Scarf
This is a design by Pam Powers I found with the girls on a trip up north.  Cynthia's in Petosky is a great shop with  great yarns and projects.  I loved this as soon as I saw it on display, but wasn't sure if I could do it.  They assured me in the shop that this was indeed easy.   The construction was rather challenging but the knitting itself was a breeze.   The web address on the pattern is http:\\artfiberdesign.com   You can likely find the pattern there but I think it's also on www.ravelry.com.  I used smaller needles to try to make a more petite version and liked the way it came out.  The yarn is a soft, creamy colored alpaca.  Wish the pic was better.  Barb bought the same pattern and yarn.  I can't wait to see it!

French Press Felted Slippers

Crazy, but these are so easy to make!
Melynda Bernardi designed this pattern, and there is no way to go wrong.
frenchpressknits.com
I was fortunate to take this slipper class from Melynda.  She not only wrote an easy to follow pattern, but  she made the assembly of the slippers easy too.  If you are looking to make slippers, this is the pattern for you!
If I can do this, anyone can.  To date I think I have made 6 pairs and they are a wonderful treat to give away.  Looks like you spent weeks on them!
I frequently stalk the Frenchpress blog for new ideas from Melynda.  She's easy to understand.  I just recently snagged her improv cowl pattern and knitted it up in 2 nights.  It's a great wrap around!  Pics to come.

So it Begins

This knitting thing must be serious.  Starting a blog?  Why not!  Now that I have some knitting groupies to look at a blog, it might be fun.  We will post some of our projects, maybe some patterns, and postings of our fun evenings knitting together. I am sure I won't do a very good job of updating, but hang in there and don't lose interest.  I might not like blogging, but I do like simple knitting.

My goal is to continue to enjoy what I am knitting, seek out those projects that look like they were ridiculously hard, but not, and to help a few others enjoy the same.