BYC KNITTING CLUB

[itsy]

I'm trying out knitting with dpns for the first time. I'm making fingerless gloves for my neighbor.

The top where I bound off is a little looser than I want it to be. Do you think blocking it will help?

 

[DuckLady]

NICE!!

Yes, blocking will help!

 

[m.kitchengirl]

Such cute projects!
I just finished this:

A super quick knit skirt. I needed a break from my lace afghan & this was the perfect thing! It was glorious yarn too. Superyak. Who knew Yaks were so SOFT?!

Time to block it & then take my afghan back a few rows (or inches... we'll see) & start again.
The break did me good. I can't wait to get back to orange lace.

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

Beautiful yarn, m.k ... what is it??

So .... this skirt was a quick project for you?? My you must knit fast!!

It turned out gorgeous!! I'm loving it and keep going back to view the pics. Is it actually green/yellow or is it blue/yellow that makes it appear green??

I made a pair of mittens for DS for Christmas last night. The kind where the top comes off the fingers and a hole for the thumb. Didn't use a pattern. Got some ideas from knitting this to make it better, so these mitts (knit from 2-ply hand spun yarn) may just go in my etsy shop.

Started a pair of lace, elbow length, fingerless mitts for DD for Christmas (also from 80/20 merino/silk hand spun yarn). I'm about 6 repeats into a 6 row repeat (out of 10) on the first mitt. Next up are leggings for D-I-L ... also handspun 50/50 merino/tencil)

 

[m.kitchengirl]

Oh, thanks.
The skirt is made from 3 & 1/2 skeins of Karabella Superyak. It is incredibly nice yarn. It sells for about $20 each skein, but I bought my 8 skeins when my favorite LYS was going out of business & only paid $45 for all 8. That was a weird day. I got so much yarn, and it was fun to go on a shopping spree I could never afford. I felt awful though, my LYS lady was great, and it was sad to see her close up the shop.

The Superyak is a grey, gold & beige yarn, with the 3 colors plied together. It looks much prettier knit up than in skeins, that is for sure.
I'm not normally a fast knitter, but this skirt was in the round, on size 10 needles. I think I am sold on skirts. NO SLEEVES! Incredible.

I wound up ripping my lace lap blanket back to row 1 last night. It is amazing what success with one project does for all the rest. I made a rule for myself I couldn't get more yarn until I worked through my stash some. After the afghan is finished I think I'll be able to get some new yarn. The rule has brought me to spinning though, which is wonderful fun.

 

[peepacheep]

I would like to buy a spinning wheel. Does anyone have recommendations?

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

It's always sad to see a LYS shop close. We've had 3 close within 60 miles of me. Great for my stash, but a sad event.

Spinning wheels: It all depends on what type of yarn you want to spin, how much room you have, do you want to travel with it and the price you want to pay. I always recommend the Ashford brand. They've been around for years and if you buy a used one that needs repair, you can always get parts for it. A saxony style has a larger footprint than the castle style wheel. Castle wheels are easier to transport and some models fold up making them even easier.

If money is a concern, look into Babe wheels . They may not be the prettiest wheels, but they are very functional and a good price.

My first wheel was an Ashford Traveller. It has a double treadle and was a double drive with an optional Scotch tension. I have the regular & jumbo flyers. There is nothing I can't do with that wheel. I also had the Ashford Traditional (single treadle, double drive) that I used as a student wheel. It was sold to a student of mine. When I had to travel for work, I looked into folding wheels. I was able to try out the majority of folding wheels on the market at that time and bought the Kromski Sonata. It treadles like butter! I know some folks are sold on Louet wheels, but compared to the Ashford and Kromski, the treadling on the Louet wheels was akin to stomping on the treadles. It just wasn't my style.

Your best bet is to try out a number of wheels and see which fits you best.

 

[Rosaleen]

It is very sad when a LYS closes. I had a lovely shop with great customers and staff, located in a busy, touristy downtown. My husband is in the advanced stage of ALS (Lou Gehrig disease) and I am his primary caregiver. The financial demands of this horrific disease forced me to close down my shop this past spring. I truly miss it. Thank heavens I have my chickies to uplift my spirits each day.

 

[m.kitchengirl]

I am sure there are lots of knitters who miss you everyday, too. The LYS is such a sanctuary. Like the library, or the backyard.

to you for helping all of us knitters out there, and

for you, the caregiver, no small task, I know.

 

[Rosaleen]

Thanks for the hugs and kind words. I do try to get some knitting in for holiday gifts.