KnitQuest

See Ya Next Year Madrona

I always have trouble writing these wrap up posts. It’s impossible to capture in words the energy, creativity and general happiness that flows when you get a large group of knitters together. I feel like a bouncing ball or humming bird flitting around trying to absorb it all. So many new people to meet, ideas to consider, fibers to fondle, and friends to connect with. It’s a whirlwind.

(Tina, Deb, Jen – sorry no pic and me were the BMFA crew for the weekend)

Add in teaching, working long days in the booth and evening events and I end up a combination of euphoric and exhausted. By Sunday afternoon I was still all smiles, but also having trouble forming a coherent sentence.  At one point I cheerfully asked a woman if she’d like a credit card for her yarn, instead of a bag. She said she would prefer the credit card. No doubt.

(BMFA booth with a number of my samples – Djinn, Vancouver, Sway and the corner of Seedy Side of Jazz)

I guess what I’m trying to say with all my ramblings is go. Go to Madrona if you can, it’s truly amazing, but just go to a conference. There’s no other experience quite like spending a good long time surround by your passion and people who share it. Plus there is always the market place.

I’ll leave you today with a big load of thanks. Thanks to Suzanne Pedersen for trusting me to teach. Thanks to all my students for signing up and giving me your time and attention. Thanks to Tina, Deb and Jen for making long hours fun. Thanks again to Tina for the yarn and especially the camel and silk roving I came home with. Thanks to everyone who bought one of my patterns at the show or came to my website after we ran out. I truly appreciate the support and hope you enjoy them. Thanks to my husband for holding down the fort while I was gone. And super big thanks to Mac for giving up a friends birthday party so Todd and the kids could come help break down the booth. I am one lucky lady.

Off to Madrona

I’m dashing out the door to Madrona Fiber Arts Festival (I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date!). I’ll be back next week to tell you all about it.

And since I have a big backlog of pictures to show you I’ll leave you with Mac and Gilly enjoying iFly for Mac’s birthday.

Axis Fingerless Mitts: Release

Meet Axis (and be sure to read to the end for a special price). A few months ago I needed a quick project for Christmas gifts. While pondering my options and looking for yarn, I came across my button stash and immediately starting thinking about how I could them. I’m all for getting the most bang for my effort and hoped I could come up with something simple to knit and practical to wear, and then add fun and interest with buttons.

I’m pretty happy with what I came up with. What do you think?

(worked in Black Magic with 8 misc. buttons)

The mitts are worked flat, with increases for the thumb and a slight slant. Once the body is finished, you work the thumb, add buttons and seam them up. Practically instant satisfaction.

(worked in Stormy Weather with 6, 1/2 inch antler buttons)

This is a great project for beginners looking to practice increases and decreases. And for those who don’t need any practice the mitts are a great group or especially exciting TV project.

I almost never have time to knit without interruption or ten other things on my mind, so I love a project I can keep track of no matter how scattered my brain, but not so basic I lose interest (I know I always say this, but it so true!). These captured my attention so well I knit six pair.

At 200 yards, or less, of worsted weight Axis is also a great way to use up leftovers or small balls of yarn. Of course I think Twisted is a fantastic yarn and recommend it, but just about any sturdy (remember it’s on your hands a will get roughed up) substitute will do. The pattern comes in three sizes for flexibility and was written to be easy to add or remove stiches so you can switch yarns and customize the size.

If you decide to give Twisted a try you can get 3 pair of mitts (ok not 3 large but any other combo of sizes) from a single skein, or have plenty of yarn to make the mitts and a matching hat or scarf. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

(worked in Jade with 6 flower buttons – sorry no idea where I got them)

To celebrate I’m offering Axis at 50% off this weekend only. The promotion end at midnight Sunday Feb. 12th, 2012 Pacific time.  I hope you like it!

Materials: 170 - 200 yds per pair or 1 skein Blue Moon Fiber Arts Twisted (100% merino; 226g/560 yds per skein). Shown in Jade, Stormy Weather, and Blackbird.
US size 8 (5 mm) needle, or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle
12 1/2 inch (1.5 cm) buttons
Gauge: 22 sts and 22 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch
Finished Measurements: 7 3/4 [8 3/4, 9 1/2] inches (20 [22, 24] cm) at widest point, laid flat and before seaming
7 1/2 inches (19 cm) length

Price: $3

Unexpected Sabbatical

You know the expression “S#*t happens!”? I prefer to think of it as “Life happens” because all the things, people and happenings that can derail your carefully laid plans aren’t bad, just disruptive. However, either way you choose to look at it there is no getting around the fact that it’s true. I had no intention of disappearing from the online world or even taking an extended break, but as often happens my plans and reality didn’t match up. I could offer you pages of explanations and apologies for my absence, but I won’t. First of all, it’s pretty boring stuff (family responsibilities, health, household chores, etc..) and you have better things to with your time. Second, I’m not really sorry. I’m sad, I missed you all and I feel bad for letting my readers down, but I’d have to make the same choices if I could go back in time. I love blogging, knitting and my online friends but we all have to make choices and set priorities and sometimes I have to put other things first. Plus this is supposed to be a knitting blog, not a woe is me blog.

So if anyone is actually still out there reading, let’s just move on. Ok?

I’ll do my best to get back into a blogging routine and to producing some new patterns and knitting to share with you. You forgive me and read, or don’t. Obviously your choice.

Speaking of new stuff, I’ll have a new fingerless mitt pattern, Axis, at a special into price for you in the next couple days. Here’s a peek at Axis.

If you’d like to see me, or the new pattern, in person. I’ll be teaching and working in the Blue Moon Fiber Arts booth at Madrona next week. I hope to see some of you there.