Saturday, October 8, 2011

My latest knitting projects include this wrap from the cover of Interweave's premiere magazine "Knit.Wear"

I love knitting cables and this wrap was fun to knit!  The BIG braided cable is a six by six cable and the shaping in done by increases and decreases within the purl sections between the braids.  I'm at the point where I need to graft the edges together, add the ribbing a block the piece.  I need to have about 20 minutes of peace before I tackle the kitchner stitch over 60 stitches.  There is a great tutorial with the pattern on grafting knit and purl stitches. 


Another project I'm doing that I am quite proud of is my first ever toe-up sock.  Socks are not on my priority list of things to knit, but that may change.  I usually do the traditional cuff-down sock, make that a cuff-down booty sock (very short leg).  I remember being amazed at all the parts of a sock and how they knit up and came together the first time I knit a sock.  I have to admit, that awe has fizzled.  I mostly do socks now because I "have" to for a class or a sample.  I asked Kate, who teaches the toe-up sock class at Stash, to show me the cast on used for toe-up magic loop.  After I got the method for the cast on, I decided to continue with the toe, then the foot, then the heel (which was so much fun), then the leg, I still have to finish the cuff, then start the other sock!  Kate insists I should learn two-at-a-time soon, I'm not so sure juggling two balls of sock yarn on a size US1 40" needles is my cup of tea, but we'll see.

forgot my camera at the shop, so I'll put the pic up of said sock soon

So these two projects have been put to the side, only for a day or two, 'cuz I started another project!  Now I'm knitting the Eudora Hat by Dull Roar, which is a slouchy hat with a turn under contrast brim, welt accents, short row shaping and staggered decreases.  I do have to admit the turn under brim was a little of a pain, but once that was done, the rest of the hat is worth it!  I'm using Aslan Trends Baby Llama, and new yarn at Stash, for the main hat and for the contrast a little Manos Silk I had laying around.  I'm finished with the welts, I have not done these before and they were fun.  The pattern walks you though it.  Just pick up the purl stitch a few rows under the row you are knitting and knit the two stitches together.  I just started the short row shaping, this pattern uses a way to short rows that I've not used before, but again the explaination is wonderful.  I'm having so much fun with this hat and all the techniques that are involved in knitting it, I may just have it finished by the end of the night, if I stop posting to the blog and get back to knitting!  As a matter of fact there is so much technique in this one little project, there may be a class in the future :)

 A Hat or Eudora
Contrast turn under brim
again i forgot my camera and the pics above are courtesy of Dull Roar
            my eudora hat                               the wonderful welts
contrast manos silk band

Monday, October 3, 2011

Tiny Owl Knits takes you on a journey of fairy tales and whimsy as you knit patterns like:
 deer antler hat
 fairy castles (these hold hooks and needles!)
 gnome homes (for your DPN's!)
 hopsalot
wear the wild things are

I can't wait to knit up a few of these projects.  Maybe I'll join Max in his forest of wild thing and knit the crown and sweater.  I will certainly have to have a set of fairy castles for my needles, I can't think of a better way to hold them.  And the gnome homes are a must since I've taken up sock knitting.  All patterns are available at Stash.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

New Extended Hours!

I'm excited to announce extended seasonal hours, starting October 3rd
Stash will be open later on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays!

New Hours:

Monday 10 am - 6 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm
Wednesday 10 am - 6 pm
Thursday 12 Noon - 8 pm
Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

Later classes will be offered, as well and knitting and crochet help.  See class schedule here

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

All the pretty colors!

New from Skacel, Simplicity by HiKoo.  "A value yarn that is an excellent choice for afghans, children's wear, sweaters, and anything welse that get's daily use.  This machine washable merino wool blend feels like butter in your hands while knitting, but is a true 'work horse' of a yarn."  DK and worsted weight yarn available.  Look at those colors!


Monday, September 12, 2011

New and Fun!

 Owl Phone Cozies, lattes, cupcakes, and a pint o' ale
by: heather
 Handmade sewing pins!  
by: heather
 Grande Greta and lil Elsa (elsa pattern now available!)
by: heather
 New hand-sewn pouches, I Love the Hippo!
by: jackie
More zipper pouches
by: jackie

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Just arrived! A new scarf yarn from Universal Yarn Company, Marina by Rozetti. This honeycomb yarn ruffles as you knit it. There also is a nice YouTube video which demonstrates cast on to bind off.  There is also a PDF you can download and print here:  working with Rozetti Marina.  Come in soon for the best selection!



Monday, August 1, 2011

Thank You!

Stash's two year celebration on Saturday was so much fun!  Thank you for celebrating with me, I hope for many more years of knitting and creating with you.

 willow had a great time and loved her disguise
 yummy treats and goodies for everyone who came in


Congratulations to the door prize winners:
Deanna
Jeanne
Coral
Ellen
Miriam
Celia
Jill
Rose


Thank you to Classic Elite Yarns, Churchmouse Patterns, Siouxsiequeue's, and Brown Sheep for provideing the awesome prizes!