my life in yarn

test your color skills

2011-06-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

Found a link to this color test in the ravelry forum for local yarn shop workers. Find out how well you see color! The lower the score, the better you did. I got a zero! Yay!

a sneak peek

2011-06-06T01:27:00.000-07:00

I've been working on my first pattern booklet recently, to be released this Fall. We did a photoshoot last week, and I'm so excited that my pile of samples has turned into something I can share!
It's a collection of women's Fall/Winter accessories, for a range of knitting skill levels. These are just a few of the shots from last week, but I think they'll give you a good feel for the book.

Stay tuned for preorder information!

I'm staying at Knots!

2011-06-06T01:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, after having the shop for sale a few months, I've decided to take down my "for sale" sign. This year so far has been a time of tough decision making, but now that I know I'm staying at Knots, I'm so excited for the shop again! We have a lot of restocking to do, classes to plan, and more! Please let me know if there are any special yarns, fibers, weights, or brands that you would like to see at the shop. I'm going to TNNA, the Fall knitting trade show, this week, and I'm putting together quite a shopping list to take along. I'm so happy to be continuing with Knots - come join me there soon - for a class, a knitting group, or just to shop!

Knots is for sale!

2011-01-24T17:27:00.000-08:00

So, have you ever dreamed of owning a yarn shop? Here's your chance! After many months of decision making, and a few more months of preparations, I am ready to announce that Knots is for sale. The past five years in the shop have been wonderful, and I really enjoy my time there, but I have decided to make more time for my family, teaching, and designing again as well. There are no plans to close the shop, I'm just looking for the next person to continue the Knitting on the Square legacy. It started with Amy in 2005, I took over a couple of years later, and it seems that now is the time to pass the torch again. If you are interested, please contact me at the shop.

In other exciting news, Pete and I are happy to announce that we have a third little Jackson on the way! Audrey and Liv will be big sisters again in August!

littles on ravelry

2010-12-31T06:14:00.000-08:00

Linear and Montoya are finally on ravelry, along with their kiddie counterparts, Little Linear and Little Montoya. If you don't have the patterns already, you can download them now from the comfort of your pajamas! If you've started making them, or finished already, please post your project!

I finished all of my Christmas knitting and will post some of it soon. And, as promised, I began knitting the Glows gloves just for myself. Happy New Year everyone!

to me from me

2010-10-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, having a lot of projects that NEED to be knitted can be a drag. The lineup means you're not entitled to the thrill of a new project. Every year about this time, I set aside my current WIP's to charge into gift knitting, powering though to the Christmas deadline. I know exactly what awaits me in my knitting bag for the next 2 months. I'll be looking forward to my holiday of handknits, but it's nice to have a little incentive to make me finish those gifts on time - a light at the end of the tunnel.

So here it is - the project that I get to make for myself as soon as the list is complete!

Glows by Julia Mueller ,
knit with Dream in Color Everlasting Sock
(it's arriving at Knots sometime in the next week!)

To match my new coat, of course!

Yep, it's pink

2010-10-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to me, courtesy of Cleveland Craigslist. Salmon pink vinyl and formica are totally kid-friendly and play-doh ready. Just bring on the fingerpaints!

mookow restoration

2010-10-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

Pete's associate Jake made this video tour of the shop. Take a sneak peek of the remanufacturing process. Jake, want to come do a video of Knots?

mother daughter knits

2010-06-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

New patterns coming soon from Kate Jackson Knits. Remember, if you sign up for our new customer club at the store, Tied in Knots, you will get free copies of all my new patterns in your email as soon as they're done!

Special thanks to my lovely models, my little girls!

Zoe knitalong

2010-05-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

We are starting our first knitalong at the shop this Friday, and I am so looking forward to knitting something from someone else's pattern! I have been working nonstop this season on new patterns for Kate Jackson Knits, as our Fall trade show is coming up in a just a few weeks, and I miss knitting without a calculator! I chose the Zoe tee or cardigan patterns from C2Knits, a local designer, for the knitalong. They are both well suited to our new Cascade Sierra yarn, a soft worsted weight blend of 80% cotton and 20% wool. Now which color should I choose?

fresh start?

2010-03-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have poorly neglected the blog for awhile. I guess that is what two kids can do to you! I have been working on new designs lately, and I plan on sharing some recent projects soon. There are also some great new yarns in the shop, and exciting happenings there too! I'll try again to keep you posted about "my life in yarn"!

Baby Blanket Contest Winners!

2009-07-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the six winners of

Knitting on the Square's Baby Blanket Contest!

Top, left to right: Honorable Mention by Barbara

and Best Blanket by Berni

Bottom, left to right: Best Natural Fiber by Jean, Best Unfinished by Diane, Most Unique by Paula, and Best Crochet by Martha

Designing with Audrey

2009-07-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

If you have to be on the floor with crayons and paper,

why not try to get some work done?

I'm thinking of using GGH Cumba for this sweater. (ravelry link)

Any other suggestions?

Happy Wednesday!

2009-07-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

I had a very fussy baby today who needed to be held. Thankfully I had a great book to keep me happy while I rocked her, so I spent my day reading most of Three Bags Full by Leonie Swan. This is our shop's book club selection for the August meeting, so if you pick up a copy be sure to join our discussion! Any wool lover will get a kick out of the sheep detectives.

Big sister is modeling the Sweetheart Pullover from Knitting for Baby by Melanie Falick and Kristin Nicholas. This book is a great resource for baby and toddler projects. The patterns are very well written and a joy to follow. I'll post a clearer picture someday, but she just happend to be wearing it when I posed them together!

spring cleaning

2009-07-01T19:02:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it's July. I just updated my sidebar, so if you want to check out the blogs I really DO read, and the projects I really AM working on, now it's accurate!

The new addition!

2009-07-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I know it's belated, but here's Olivia the day she was born!

Olivia Katherine Jackson

5 pounds, 11 ounces, 18 inches

born about 10 am, Saturday, May 30

(yes, she's already a month old!)

Back at home with a very proud big sister.

Happy Days!

2009-05-10T19:09:00.000-07:00

My little girl turned two this week! Happy birthday Audrey! We celebrated with the family, and she loved her horse cake. (Yes, those are pretzel sticks)

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there! I had a wonderful day with my family. I bought veggie plants and a couple of flowers at Jo's Four Green Fields after church, and Pete worked on my garden all day! No more mint, and the anticipation of the tomato harvest is already upon us!

Audrey's Easter

2009-04-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! I'm back to the blog!

Here are a few pics of the outfit I made Audrey for Easter.

The dress is a homemade pattern, with a stretch cotton I picked up at the Sewing and Quilt Expo, Vogue Fabrics booth. Cute butterflies, princess seams, and a gored skirt for flare.

The sweater/shrug is knit with Plymouth Jeannee, a soft summery cotton/acrylic blend. The pattern is the "orange bolero" from Rebecca Babies and Kids #8, the larger of the two sizes.

The sunglasses are from Grammy's Easter basket, and the attitude is all Audrey.

I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday!

Pete's new website

2009-01-20T18:21:00.000-08:00

I lost a few nights of knitting to my new passion: web design! Check out the website I built for my husband Pete's restoration shop this week. If you need a vintage or antique car restored, he's your guy!

Pete's Custom Coachbuilding

Thanks again to Kathy for the crash course in html!

Einstein Coat!

2009-01-15T18:17:00.001-08:00

Don't worry, I have plenty of my own knitting projects to share, I just haven't photographed any lately! Instead, I would love to show off the new Einstein Coat that Shelly knit for the shop. Isn't it lovely?

We have an Einstein Coat class coming up in a couple of weeks if you are interested. This garter stitch coat from Sally Melville's book, The Knit Stitch, is a wonderful beginner's first sweater project or a relaxing knit for more advanced knitter.

The yarn she used is Arucania Nature Wool Chunky. Check out all of the gorgeous colors in this chunky wool yarn! Some are kettle-dyed, and the others are handpainted, so any you choose would have a great color variation in the coat. This yarn is wonderful for any chunky sweater, as well as cozy winter accessories and home accents.

Einstein Coat class:

Wednesday, January 28, 4:30 to 6:30

OR Thursday, January 29, 1 to 3

OR Saturday, January 24, 1 to 3

$15 plus supplies

Call or email Knitting on the Square to sign up!

440 285 5648 info@knittingonthesquare.com

Little Pumpkin

2008-11-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

A quick update on the little pumpkin. Audrey is 18 months old this week! Time flies! And more good news - she will be a big sister in June!

Her pumpkin hat is fibertrends pattern CH-14, Patrick's Pumpkins. The green is Cascade 220 Superwash #801, and the orange is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK #18014. A fun knit!

She is wearing a sweater that I knit before she was born. It is a Yankee Knitter pattern, done in Encore Colorspun Worsted.

Breakwall

2008-08-22T15:56:00.000-07:00

Hey folks! Sorry I've left this blog for so long. Thanks to all those who still check it anyway!

I may not have been blogging, but I HAVE been knitting. I just finished this sweater last week:

It's knit in two pieces, a left half and right half, from cuff to center. Seams at center front, center back, and side/under sleeve, leaving slits at side hems and front neck. The main color is knit in garter stitch, with the contrast color in stockinette. I hope to have the pattern for Breakwall sized and ready soon!

Yarn: Rowan Cotton Jeans

MC 361 Jute

CC 360 Canvas

Needles: Size 8 bamboo circs

My first booth!

2008-06-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

Hi all. I know I've been absent awhile, but I have a good reason. I have been working like crazy to prepare for my first trade show booth! I launched my patterns at TNNA last weekend, and it went really well. Here are a couple shots of the booth:

This was a trade only show, so I was selling to other yarn shops around the country. I was in a "new vendor" section of the floor with neighbors like Shannon and the Stitch Cooperative. (more great patterns!) I also got to see the yarn harlot talk for the first time! She was great!

To prepare, I reworked the format on all of my original patterns and had pictures taken by Maribeth. They came out great! I started shipping patterns last week, and am waiting for another batch from the print shop to get out the rest. I'm putting together a website as well, and I'll let you know when it's finished. Maybe I'll tell you about some of my recent knitting too!

Welcome hat for Baby C.

2008-04-12T09:10:00.000-07:00

Pete's cousin and his wife are expecting a new baby boy this month. New babies and showers mean baby knitting!

I made this hat for the shower with Plymouth Jean-nee, a nice soft blend of cotton and acrylic. It comes in some great colors. I chose the lightest and darkest blue for a one-row stripe spiral. The technique is really cool, but confusing until you do it. (Even when I knit it, I didn't quite get it, but it worked!) You can see the tutorial from Grumperina that inspired it here.

"Thanks for letting me model, Mom!"

Pete didn't want to be on the blog, so I tried to crop out his grumpy morning face as much as I could. Sorry you're still there honey!

That's Life!

2008-03-28T14:52:00.000-07:00

The shop was featured on Fox 8 this morning! You can see the clip from That's Life with Robin Swoboda here, as well as some other Chardon businesses. Enjoy! I'll post soon with pics of Audrey's Easter knitting, and my newest sweater project.

A new addiction?

2008-03-07T18:40:00.000-08:00

Yes, the rumors are true. I learned how to spin last week, and it was awesome! If you've never spun before, you've got to try it just for the mesmerizing effect it has. Imagine the zone that knitting puts you in when you're doing stockinette in the round, wool on bamboo, and it's about 10:30 at night, and you just drank half a pot of Sleepytime tea . . . times ten . . . zzzzz.

I was so "in the zone" that I didn't get a picture, even though my awesome teacher Sierra left me with her wheel and merino for almost five hours.

This is the first photo taken- when we were winding my first yarn onto a swift in order to ply it. That's Sierra on the floor behind me. She plied my yarn for me, and it came out quite pretty!

I spun 60 g total - enough for a nice hat - if I can stand to knit it! It's just so pretty! I washed it and set the spin since this photo, and the wool did bloom nicely, while retaining the "designer slubs."

Thanks again Sierra! I loved it!

Baby Elf

2008-03-03T09:22:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed, if you peruse the sidebar, that I have not posted a single one of my "recently finished projects." I'll try to correct that quickly.

I made this hat for Audrey a couple of weeks ago at Thursday Knit Night. It took me an hour, plus a bit of time the next morning to replace a roll-brim with ribbing. There never was and never will be a pattern. I just worked an i-cord for the top, increased until it seemed a good size, knit straight for a bit, and did the brim. Tada!

I think she likes it, as she's been wearing it every day since! The yarn is Twister Space from Universal. A nice knit! More FO's to come . . .

Sock yarn, anyone?

2008-02-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

We've gotten a bunch of new stuff in the shop recently, mostly since Shelly and I went to our trade show in January. The New Year often inspires diets of many kinds, and some people even entertain the idea of a "yarn diet" to slim down their stash. Just a friendly reminder to say: "SOCK YARN DOES NOT COUNT TOWARDS YOUR STASH!"

So enjoy, guilt free!

Plymouth Happy Feet

(ravelry)

OnLine Supersocke

SWTC Tofutsies

all new colors!

(ravelry)

Noro Kureyon Sock

(ravelry)

And, last but not least, Dream in Color Smooshy Sock!

(ravelry)

Yippee!!!!!

sweet treats

2008-02-03T19:39:00.000-08:00

"Do you like my new leggings?"

I made these for Audrey this morning. I felted an old sweater in the machine, and cut these little legwarmers from the sleeves. The sweater was wool, angora, and 10% nylon, but still felted well. They came out so cute and soft! Now I just need to decide what to make with the rest of the sweater. Toys? Tea cozy? Baby hat?

I've been knitting too. I finished this first Neopolitan Sock a couple of weeks ago. It is knit with solid brown and variegated pink Aussie Sock. (ravelry)

I knit one round plus one stitch for each stripe, making the jog swirl around the sock. I finished with a star toe shaping, which I think came out a bit short. I'll do something different when I finish the second one, then rip the first and reknit. Any suggestions besides the plain old "flat toe with kitchener"?

don't drop those needles!

2008-01-21T19:51:00.000-08:00

I keep forgetting to take super blog pics while knitting, or at the shop, so I just have this video to share with you today. I found a link to it here, which I linked to from knitgrrl.

Off to the show!

2008-01-09T18:40:00.000-08:00

I'm on my way to the TNNA show in Long Beach, CA in the morning. A fun-filled trade show weekend of seeing all the fun new knitting stuff, and buying for the shop. Yippee! If you see me there, and we've never met, please introduce yourself.

New coat, new knitting

2008-01-07T19:53:00.000-08:00

I got a new coat this week, and all of you fellow knitters know what that means!

I have to knit new accessories! I am thinking of convertible mittens with the cream tweed on the right, and a scarf from two of the other yarns. I might use a pattern from Knitting New Scarves by Lynne Barr. You can see a gallery of the projects here. I like the flapper, as well as some of the other linear/geometric ones. We shall see!

Christmas knitting

2008-01-02T18:36:00.000-08:00

I did do a bit of knitting for Christmas this year. This is a felt tote that I made for my wonderful mother-in-law:

The yarn is Rowan Scottish Tweed Chunky, with various wools for the needle felting, and Grayson E. leather handles. I love how adding the handles and a little bit of embellishment can finish it off.

The matching Christmas hats were meant for father and daughter, but I knew even while I was knitting that Pete wouldn't really wear his. That explains why I got to model it here! The yarn is Cascade 220 wool, solid red and cream, and one of the Handpaints for the green. The colorwork is just a simple slip-stitch pattern. I think they came out quite cute! Audrey never did get a pom-pom, but I will add one for next year. It should still fit her with a mild elastic adjustment.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T17:32:00.000-08:00

Audrey and I were in the Plain Dealer yesterday. You can see the picture here, and you can read the article here. Sorry I couldn't find them on the same page!

I added a list of the blogs I read regularly to the sidebar. Just in case you were interested, or bored, or whatever.

I tried to do a longer post, with pics of some of my Christmas knitting, but I wasn't able to load any photos tonight. Bummer! More updates on my current knitting soon.

Ello's adventure

2007-12-08T17:55:00.000-08:00

Ello is finished, and he has quite an adventure during his short life. You can see more adventures of Ello's siblings on the "adventures of Elijah" group on flickr.com. The pattern is from Ysolda.

(Sorry, I have no energy left for making links. Maybe later.)

Once upon a time, there was a little elephant made of yarn, and his name was Ello. He was born in a cubby in yarn shop, but he did not have a family.

Upon emerging from the cubby, he went for an exciting ride in a yarn swift . . .

. . . and he landed on the couch, where he received an excellent knitting lesson from a knitting fairy. He asked, but this fairy would not be his family. She already had a fairy family of her own!

He was quite sad and lonely, so he snuggled into a knitting bag and took a nap.

When he awoke, he was no longer in the knitting shop, but in a cozy cabin! He must have been carried home with a knitter! Maybe he would find his family here?

Checking out his new surroundings, he fell out of the knitting bag . . .

. . . and was eaten by a terrible monster!

The monster carried him all around the cabin, and Ello was very scared.

Then, the monster dropped him into the arms of a cute, friendly baby girl! Now he would certainly be safe from danger. Was she his family?

But wait, she is going to eat him too! Oh, the burdens of being so irresistible. He must get away!

Ello jumped to the floor, still in one piece. He met an entire pride of elephants, roaming the savannah of the nursery together. He had found his family at last! The end.

it's still not cold enough for a coat!

2007-11-20T18:49:00.000-08:00

The November Ruffle is finished! I wove in the ends this morning and gave it a bit of steam before wearing it all day. Every girl should have a wrap like this; warm, soft, and comfortable while being pretty and elegant at the same time.

Sorry about the self-portrait. I cropped out the basket of clean laundry in the background.

Yesterday, I made a lining for my seed stitch purse.

When choosing the fabric, I had a couple of more subdued options picked, but then I thought, "If I get THIS, I will smile every time I open my purse!" It not only had sheep, cows, and pigs, but they are all wearing patchwork quilts! Too cute!

Still to do: sew the lining into the purse, find and attach a button, and finish sewing on the leather handle.

old knits for new people

2007-11-18T18:26:00.000-08:00

I made this sweater before I was even pregnant with Audrey, in anticipation of the family I might have someday.

It is the child's placket pullover from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. I knit it with Noro Silver Thaw- a self-striping blend of wool, angora, and nylon. This is a great pattern, especially because the sizing goes from newborn up to 8-10 years. It is so cuddly and cute on my little one, I may need to keep making them as she grows!

Audrey says, "Mom, aren't you so proud of how I can sit up all by myself now? I'm such a big girl! Still a but wobbly, but I'm getting it!"

knitting report

2007-11-15T19:28:00.000-08:00

I had a good knitting day today, even though I frogged a bit. I actually got to work on some things, and I have progress to show. This is the November Ruffle wrap. I decided that the ruffle was not going to be full enough, so I ripped it back a few rows to increase for more ruffley-ness. I got this pic while it was off of the needles:

I got it back on the needles, then increased the ribbing 150%. Now I just need to knit about 4 more inches. It should be lovely!

Not wanting to work on the wrap at knit night, I decided to start this.

My little one needs some handknit toys for Christmas, and Elijah will be something soft and squishy to chew on. I think I'll add a rattle too. Fun!

awesome Aussie

2007-11-13T17:49:00.000-08:00

We got two new yarns from Oasis Yarns at the shop! This is Aussie Wool:

It is a chunky super-soft Australian wool. I have already knit a swatch with it for my Fall 2008 Knitscene submissions. I love working with it. It is also great for chunky ribbed scarves, like the ones I have made held with two strands of mohair. So soft and cuddly!

This is Aussie Sock:

I haven't knit with this yet, but I am really looking forward to it. There are solid and handpainted variegated colors, and one hank should make a pair of socks. Audrey especially likes the purple/pink combination. The pictures really don't do the colors justice. You'll just have to come check them out for yourself!

chocolate and peanut butter

2007-11-11T19:03:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful day here at our cabin in the woods. Our little family bunkered down after church and had a nice cozy day with the fire blazing in the woodstove. All of Audrey's grandparents and her Uncle Alec came to visit. I got some knitting done on the ruffle wrap:

I am almost finished with the main rectangle and ready to start the ruffle edge. It's quick to knit for such a large project. I haven't drowned yet in the sea of stockinette!

I also baked some tasty peanut butter cookies. You can tell they were VERY tasty, since this little guy is the only one left! I doubt he will last 'til morning.

Okay, I ate it already.

Audrey's first sweater from Mom

2007-11-10T19:17:00.000-08:00

Yarn: Cleckheaton Cocoon, bright pink, three balls
Pattern: Cleckheaton baby book for Cocoon,
ribbed side-to-side cardigan, size 9 months
Needles: size 2 metal straights

I finally finished Audrey's Cocoon sweater! It has been seamed for awhile now, and I washed and blocked it a few days ago. This yarn is so soft! I sewed the button on this morning, and she wore it for the first time today. There is definitely some room to grow, which is better than the opposite. Do I have the best model, or what?

November Ruffle

2007-11-09T07:05:00.000-08:00

This is the project I started a couple of days ago. It is a rectangular wrap with a ruffle on three sides. I am holding two yarns together. The brown is Cascade 220 wool, and the grey-brown marled is Peruvian Tweed alpaca. The combination, on size 10 needles, is making a soft, warm fabric, and it feels great to knit. I hope it feels this great to wear!

For those of you paying attention to my "blog every day in November" attempt, you will notice that I missed yesterday. I did have a good reason though! My computer wouldn't upload pictures, so I had to wait for Blogger folks to fix the tech stuff. Now it works! Yippee!

pokemons, monkeys, monsters, and stinkers

2007-11-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

This is Drew. He is showing off his project from the last knitting olympics.

He's the guy who showed me his handknit peas and pokemons yesterday, and inspired me to make my own peas in the pod! I love any pea-in-the-pod things because my maiden name is Podnar, so it was always kind of our thing.

These are Amy's monkey socks. (Yes, Amy who used to own the shop.) She made them with Southwest Trading Co.'s Tofutsies, from yours truly. Lovely, no?

You may have noticed that I did not take these last two pictures. That's because I have no camera today! But I still blogged, and that's what really matters.

Oh, and this:

Little monster and little stinker, my two sweeties. (Sitting on big sweetie's lap)

the October Pillow

2007-11-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

The pillow is finished!

You can see it in person at the shop, along with several other versions by customers and Shelly. This project has been a hit! It's a great intro to stranded knitting, and works up quickly without shaping.

We had our first snow today, and the roads actually got a bit slushy by afternoon. I pulled out some of my toasty winter accessories to keep my extremities warm, but I can't help thinking about knitting some new ones!

I've also been inspired to knit these. Thanks Supers!

See more about this designer, Jean Greenhowe, including some free patterns, here. I hope to get her pattern booklets in the shop soon. Happy knitting!

warm the hearth

2007-11-05T17:16:00.000-08:00

We got a new woodstove last weekend! I documented the process, just like the good little blogger I am.

Pete is setting up stove and chimney placement here. Plumb line courtesy of Cascade 220, thank you very much.

What would he have done without the yarn stash? Unsurprisingly, my help pretty much ended here. I spent the next few hours biting my nails as they cut a hole in the roof.

My husband is very clever in finding many uses for his tractor. When tackling a project like this, it can serve multiple purposes. It can replace a pickup truck and the arms of four strong men:

It can also be used as a very stable ladder. (or a jungle gym)

By the end of the day, we had a cozy corner of the living room where the TV used to be. Now where did I put my knitting?

the first of many?

2007-11-04T17:28:00.001-08:00

Well, I've been inspired by the lovely Ysolda to post every day in November, so here is hopefully the first of many posts for the month. I am already getting a late start, this begin the FOURTH already, but better late than never. If you know anything about my lifestyle, you will understand the reason for the question mark.

As far as knitting goes, I am working tonight on swatches and illustrations for the Fall 2008 issue of Knitscene. I hope they like what I have to offer!

I finished knitting this little number from the front cover of the Cleckheaton book last week.

It is made with Cocoon, a blend of 70% merino and 30% nylon. The fingering weight yarn is super-soft and squishy. I love it!
The seaming is done, but we still need to sew on the button and block it before I can get you a picture on the model.

More tomorrow! (?)

The post I SHOULD have done three weeks ago!

2007-10-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm alive. AND I got a new computer, so I can get back to blogging again. Yippee! Did you miss me?

First things first- I'm on Ravelry! My name there is Kate Jackson Knits. If you go check it out, don't be too dissapointed in the total lack of projects. I'll have a photo shoot soon and get more things up there.

I got new furniture at the shop: two new couches and a coffee table, and I brought a hutch from my in-laws too. You can see them in these pictures from the alpaca yarn tasting.

We had a blast sampling different alpaca yarns - I can't wait to do another one! I've already done bamboo and alpaca - any suggestions for the next "featured fiber"?

This is a progress photo of my Acidic Seed Stitch purse. I designed this pattern for the Fall Knitscene, where I used a yellow Blue Sky Alpaca yarn. This one is Cascade Tuscany, a super-chunky wool. I am going to add a leather handle (new at the shop!) and line it with something pretty.

This is my Fair Isle Pillow, which I did a class on this past month. It is knit with only two yarns: Lamb's Pride worsted in light grey, and Noro Kureyon, a self-striper that makes it look like I did more work than I did!

I'm kind of on a Kureyon kick with this and the Lizard Ridge. Sooo . . . .

The man in brown brought us a present!

Ten new colors of Kureyon! Yippeeeee!

Now I just need to find more knitting time! I can blog with Audrey on my lap, but knitting doesn't really work that way.

Speaking of Audrey . . .

She wanted to model this darling knitting basket for you. She wants you to know that the lining is very soft and yarn-friendly. Hey, you didn't expect this long of a post WITHOUT her, did you?

New yarns!

2007-09-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, it really is like Christmas every time the UPS man comes to visit. What can be in that big box?

Fun colors, even through the plastic bags.

Ooh . . . . Adrifil KnitCol

washable merino self-patterning dk

Aah . . . . Plymouth Suri Merino

alpaca/merino worsted blend

solids, heathers, and handpaints

yippee!!!

And now for some knitting: This is the swatch in-the-round for a fair isle pillow. The pillow will be the subject for a class coming up in October. I swatched the fair isle in the round, since that is the way I will be knitting the project. A regular stockinette swatch would not do the trick, since stranded colorwork pulls the stitch gauge in significantly, and I am also not purling at all. I will use my "swatch" as a very schnazzy travel-mug sleeve.

The swatch, I knit in 40 minutes. Then it took me 5 days to knit this? Two inches? This is just an example of how LITTLE knitting time I have. I'm going crazy! The pillow is looking lovely, regardless of how long it's taking. I am using Lamb's Pride worsted and Noro Kureyon for a much more complicated effect than I'd get with two solid colors. What do you think?

My birthday is this Friday. I'll be 25, and my sister Eileen will be 22. Are we feeling old yet? Come celebrate at the shop with me! All my favorite yarns will be 25% off. And let me tell you- I really like a lot of yarns!

Wrap it up!

2007-09-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been gone so long from the blogosphere! Life happens, you know? One good thing about not blogging for awhile is that I now have an incredibly long entry to make!

I started AND finished a project last week. We had a dedication at our church for Audrey last Sunday, so I went shopping for my outfit Tuesday night. I found great clothes, but I needed a wrap to go with my new outfit! What's a girl to do? Make something of course! I had a black and white skirt with a black top, so black was the obvious choice.

I grabbed some soysilk:

And my ever-ready Denise set:

Did some quick figuring:

(yes, it's the ravings of a mad woman)

And we're off!

Don't we look lovely?

Quick wrap, my own design

1.5 balls Phoenix soysilk from Southwest Trading Company

Size 10 Denise needles

started August 29, 2007

finished August 30, 2007

I know it's not the best picture of the finished object, but how important is that really? I have it at the shop if you'd like to see it in person. I will also have the pattern available sometime next week. The yarn knit up very quick and soft. I added dropped stitches to save myself some knitting and add more drape.

By the way, isn't she the cutest?

Please sew me together! I want to be a jacket!

2007-08-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of one of my many UFO's. Yes, it's a sea of Noro Iro feather and fan, all knit and waiting to be sewn up into the Tailored Scallops jacket from the cover of Lace Style. The peices have been knit since before Audrey was born, back in May! My goal is to get it done this week. We'll see!

I also have recently finished a cropped cardigan in Plymouth's Shire Silk tweed. It is seamed and blocked, awating buttons and a photo shoot. Coming soon!

This is Debbie and Kathy, the two knitters who just finished Boot Camp 3 and 4 this Saturday. They are modeling their new hats, fresh off the needles. Hooray for new skills!

I really DO knit!

2007-08-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

I finally have some current knitting to show! First, the project that is on my needles today: The Lizard Ridge blanket from knitty.com. This is a pic of the first four squares, out of 24 needed to make up the blanket. The two on the right have been washed and blocked, and the two on the left are just knit. (one still on the needles!)

The yarn is Noro Kureyon, in colors 102 (bright pink and orange) and 185 (Fall tones). I am knitting on addi turbo's size 8, and I am knitting backwards in the short row sections. Though this does take a bit of practice before coordination kicks in, it does save time and extra movement in the long run. Rather than purl, I knit from the right needle onto the left, almost like knitting while looking in the mirror.

I am waiting on a shipment of more Kureyon colors, due sometime this week or next, to add to the mix. The colors are so beautiful, it makes the yarn a real joy to knit with.

I have recently finished knitting Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket. This ingenious piece of knitting is a true engineering marvel, that you just have to knit to believe.

This is what you knit:

Then you fold it up into this!

I still have to sew seams along the shoulders and sleeve tops, and it will be done. The class for this is coming up in September, and there is still room in the Wednesday evening section. The times are Wednesdays, September 5, 12, and 19, from 5 to 6:30. Email or call me if you would like to sign up.

We had a young knitter in the shop today, working on her first dishcloth project. This is Madison, and she is planning to make something for her new baby sister next. Here's to the next generation!

Zimmermann books

2007-08-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

Three Elizabeth Zimmermann books came in to Knitting on the Square last week, along with her Baby Surprise Jacket as a single pattern. Her genius approach to knitting is both inspired and inspirational. If you're late in finding EZ, like I was, be sure to check her out as soon as possible!

Here goes!

2007-08-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

I've been planning this blog in my mind for awhile now, and I finally did it! I had to overcome several obstacles, including a severe lack of time AND a broken camera, but I persevered and here I am. I have several reasons for writing a knitting blog, not the least of which is to give myself a motivation to tackle the shameful amount of nearly finished projects lurking in the corners of my life. The need for posting material will hopefully give me an extreme case of finishitis.

To begin, here is a pic of my most recently finished project:

Pattern: Monkey Socks by Cookie A. from knitty

Yarn: Southwest Trading Co. TOFUtsies, color 788

Needles: size 1 bamboo DPN's

Aren't they nifty? These are the first socks that I ever made for myself, and I think I'm hooked. I'm definitely a sock knitter now!

Another purpose of this blog: To fulfill the many requests for more recent pics of my sweet baby girl.

Confused Audrey

Happy Audrey

She's modeling a super-cute pair of jeans, knit with love by my best bud Katie. Thanks Katie! The blanket she's laying on was knit by another great friend Maribeth. So pretty! You guys are awesome.

I'll be adding my profile soon, as well as a list of my favorite blogs, and VERY LONG list of UFO's. Stay tuned for news from the store as well. More soon!