Out of the Box

This past weekend, we had our annual knitting retreat in Julian. Just five of us who have grown close over the years knitting our memories. We chose this project to work on...Out of the Box Sweater using hand-painted South American cotton from Punta Yarns. Yum!!!

We did not get as far as we had expected because there were distractions.

One cuter than the next!
And there were plenty of reminders that Thanksgiving is not too far away.

Can you tell these photos were taken from inside our airconditioned lodge! As my husband always says...I got the indoor model. Yes, that would be me. Now, back to my knitting!

Crystal Blue Persuasion

I know I date myself by that title but it seems so appropriate for these stitch markers. I am crazy about them and have made many for my friends and even a set for Louisa Harding when she visited the Grove in January. I can still see her clapping her hands and squealing with her British accent "I love my stitch mahkers". She went so far as to say they would appear in her next book. We shall see!


I make mine with decorative sterling silver head pins and Swarovski crystals, and I wire wrap them. Marcia has come up with an even easier way using silver cable and crimp beads instead of head pins. Hers are pictured above. Either way, they are stunning. We figure it costs about $1.97 a piece to make them. Not bad when they are pretty enough to wear as earrings! And we have all the materials at the Grove. If time allows, I'd be happy to show you how to make them. Hmmm. Maybe I'll do a class for them in October. Any interest?

Fall Abundance

For a yarn shop owner, there is no better time of year than the Fall when the new yarns start arriving. The shelves are full, color selections complete, and the visual appeal of it all is almost too much for one who has The Passion. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to capture the saturated colors of this new South American Hand Painted Cotton from Punta Yarns. They are spectacular and the yarn, rare. Rare because it is a bulky cotton. It's damn near impossible to find a nice bulky cotton. Cotton is a heavy fiber. Much more so than wool. It it's not spun correctly creating a light loft it's, well, heavy. Heavy's not so nice in a cotton. It's sort of like wearing the weight of a wet blanket. But This Stuff! Oh my, it's light as a feather, spun so it doesn't look like it will pill or mat. I'd have to say, this is the most exciting yarn to hit the market in a long time. We've also ordered the wool, which comes in colors as rich as Manos, but the hand is much softer. They are to ship October 15th from upstate New York. And I will be waiting in the window for them to arrive!

Catalina Island

I was going to post a "Gone Fishin'" sign on the door of the Grove before I left, but Melody and Anne were kind enough to work for me. Three days on an island. Just me and my Sis from Maryland sitting side by side in beach chairs. Sorting out our lives. Reflecting where we've come from and where we're going. Swimming when it gets too hot. Eating when we're hungry. Drinking whether we're thirsty or not! Heaven on earth! And now, after that nourishment, I'm ready for the Fall and hunkering down to some serious knitting on glorious new yarns...like the amazing bulky South American Hand Painted Cotton from Punta Yarns. Oh my, wait 'til you see this stuff!

Yes, It Is Always Like Christmas

Customers ask me if getting yarn shipments is like Christmas. Yes, it is! Here is a bunch of new colors in Brown Sheep's Cotton Wool that came in yesterday along with Bryon's Rosewood Needles, Inox steel dpns in teeny sizes, and lots of Addi Turbo's and Addi Lace Turbo's. Oh, yes, and more Shannon Martin cards that still make me laugh out loud. So, it was quite a good day!

By the way, the ball of orange striped yarn on the right side of the photo is Hand-Painted Lanaloft in Orange Confection, a new Brown Sheep yarn that comes in both worsted and sport weight. The peachy-colored solid to the left of it is Lanaloft solid in the color Marmalade. It retails for about $7.00 per skein for 160 yds. and it's 100% wool. Darn good price! So if the hand is nice, we'll be getting the line in for the Fall. Even though it's 90+ degrees, I can still get very excited about Fall yarns!

Vogue's Fall Knitting Magazine Is Stunning!

Vogue Knitting Fall 2009 has arrived. When I reviewed it, I promptly called the NY distributor and ordered 8 more copies since this is the best issue I've seen in years. There are some wonderful hat patterns, including the one above, and beautifully textured sweater patterns. It's honestly hard to chose which one to make.

And don't miss the article entitled Brilliant Idea! in Vogue's Spotlight section about Swarovski Crystallized Store & Lounge in NYC. "Splendor" is the only word that comes to mind. It is for "knitters seeking the perfect embellishment for the special sweater or shawl". Good lord, that's was our "brilliant idea" in bringing Marcia DeCoster to the Grove!

This reminds me of when Anne and I visited Manhattan yarn shops. They were the size of closets and had such little inventory on hand. Anne told me I was very spoiled because of the space I had. When we returned to San Diego, my remark was....New York's got nothin' over us! And, I'll say it again. Hah! NY's got nothin' over us!

Louisa's Sari Ribbon Bag

I don't know why it is so difficult to finish our own projects, but it is. This Sari Ribbon purse was knit by a friend of mine who was not using it because she couldn't bring herself to install the lining. I volunteered to do the job and in exchange, she is generously allowing me to keep this in the shop as a sample. Now I'm no sewer but I managed to do this lining so I'm pretty sure anyone can do it and boy does it make a difference!
It feels so much better with added body. It has a great drape and is a perfect snag-free nest for a delicate project.
While I demonstrate its use as a project bag, it would make a beautiful evening bag as well. The pattern is no doubt a Louisa Harding pattern as this is her yarn: Sari Ribbon. Unfortunately, we can't locate the pattern so I have written it based on what I see in front of me. Here it is:

Materials:
Sari Ribbon by Louisa Harding (2 hanks)
Size 10 needles
Tapestry needle to sew side seams and gusset for handles.
Material for lining with sewing needle and thread.
2 circular handles approximately 6" in diameter.

Gauge: 2.5 sts = 1"

Directions:
Cast on 30 sts.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: Knit
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: Purl

Continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures 13" from cast on edge ending with a wrong side row. Repeat Rows 5-8. (These rows create a garter stitch ridge which is the fold line for the bottom of the purse. Continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures 12" from the garter stitch edge (i.e., the bottom fold line) ending with a wrong side row. Repeat Rows 5-8. Knit next 4 rows in stockinette stitch. Cast off all stitches on right side.

Finishing: Fold purse in half, wrong sides together, and sew side seams 7 1/2" from fold line towards the top of the purse. Turn bag to right side. The garter stitch ridges at the top of the bag form the fold lines of the gusset which encloses the handles. Fold the fabric over the handle, pin in place, easing the fabric and stitch on wrong side of fabric. Repeat for the other handle.

Cut a piece of fabric 14" by 28". Fold fabric in half and sew 1/2" side seams approximately 7 1/2" from fold line. Place lining inside bag with right sides together. Pin in place. Fold fabric to the inside along the sides and top. Using a blind stitch, hand-stitch in place.