Close Knitters

Kristin came into the store a few weeks ago with a list of supplies- tape measure, scissors, yarn- the usual list of things for someone taking a knitting class or workshop.

She was headed to a two week knitting intensive at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine. And since she had never knit before she needed some guidance. So I told her to choose yarn that attracted her attention in terms of colors or textures. Here’s what she chose

A pair of needles, a crochet hook for mistakes, and she was off to Maine for two weeks of free form knitting.

The Noro (at the top of the picture, slightly hidden) proved to be her favorite- we all love the soft texture and the colors- the shades as well as the color changes.

She did two things with her Noro

Kristin’s artwork involves lots of found objects- small plastic toys or pieces of toys. Here they blend in a bit with the Noro colors.

She also used Noro for a mitten- knit on double points. Pretty good for someone who had never held knitting needles. Other people in the group knit mittens and gloves too- one mitten with four thumbs, another large enough to cover the entire knitter. It used two pounds of yarn.

There were other workshops at the same time- in baskets, metal working, book binding, and even a Buddhist making a sand painting. Each group had to create a group project, which was auctioned at the end of the session.

Kristin won the knitter’s project

There are knit ruffles at the ends, dyed roving, lots of texture, and an I cord edging. Kristin of did the Noro section on the left.

And what were the other knitters working on?

Lots of people are knitting for lots of babies. One of the nice things about working in a yarn shop is meeting all the happy grandmas to be. For some the yarn shop is one of the first stops they make when they hear that a baby is on the way.

Irene has knit for a lot of babies over the years. Generally she knits afghans. There are twins on the way in the family, so there’s a lot of knitting.

Sexes were unknown when she started to knit, so we picked neutral colors. She wanted simple knitting so it would go quickly.

Big Baby is a favorite for baby blankets- the multi color is pretty, the yarn thick so it works up quickly, and it’s machine washable.

Here’s the first blanket

It’s a big piece of knitting- simple garter stitch. We thought that maybe it was a little too simple, so it got a crocheted border.

Crochet shells- six double crochet in each one. A nice way to dress up an edge.

Here’s the other blanket

This one has it’s shell edge, too.

What’s your go to knit for babies?

If you’ve been in the store lately you can’t miss Jen’s baby- or at least her baby bulge. She’s due in two weeks, and no she doesn’t know if it’s a boy or girl. She and her husband want to be surprised.

So what does a knitting mom knit for her baby?

There are two sweaters, one afghan, a hat with matching booties, another pair of booties, and a little teddy bear.

Then there are the things we all knit for her.

The blanket in the back was knit by soon to be Grandma Nell, the high top sneaker booties by Inge, the moccasin booties by Phyllis and the orange giraffe by Diane. The giraffe was the hit of the baby shower.

And another blankie

This one was a cooperative effort by the yarn store staff- we all knit two squares, and Kim put them together and edged it.

Jen also knit a diaper bag

Complete with a bottle holder, she planned it out, knit it, felted it, and machine sewed straps on. Here’s the bag pre felting.

Don’t forget our kids’ summer knitting camps for kids going into grades 5,6 or 7. Summer is a great time to learn to knit, or to practice what you already know. Links to the registration form are on the store’s main webpage.

We’re offering summer knitting camps for kids. Two sessions, one to learn to knit and one for kids who can already knit. Both will meet from 9 to 11 am, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. That way there is time work on projects between camp sessions. I Can Already Knit will make a felted holder for a cell phone or I Pod. These camps are for kids entering grades 5, 6 or 7.

And for older knitters there are Teen Knitting Nights- for anyone entering grade 8 and above. From 6 to 8 pm, on four Monday evenings.

There are links to registration forms, with all the dates, on the store’s home page.

There are a couple of sweaters on the needles at the shop.

Renee started her top down raglan cardigan in a class- Start Your First Sweater. She’s finished the yoke, and wanted a little supervision to set aside the sleeve stitches and get started down the body of the sweater.

You can see the raglan “seams” in her sweater, and the pattern. The Pure and Simple patterns are well written, nice for beginners, and have lots of potential to personalize a sweater. The yarn is Berroco’s Ultra Alpaca.

Arlene is in the midst of a purple sweater with a fair isle yoke. Here she’s working on both sleeves at one time. Many knitters like to do two at once- you can make sure taht the increases or decreases match.

Both sweaters will be ready for fall.