Harper!

Pictures of my dog, but not quite as gratuitous as last time.

I love dressing up animals. And that is why I have a dog and not a cat.

Leo's First LYS Visit!

Last week, Leo made his first venture out into the world. Where do you think his momma took him? Knit Nook's Stitch and Bitch of course! (While some, acquainted with the adventurous knitting and the raucous bitching, might disapprove, saying, "You might as well have taken that vulnerable infant to a biker bar before the smoking ban!" be reassured that we were on our best behavior.)

So Leo made the rounds and met everyone...


...while Tonya met the supplies for her Tangle Yoke Cardigan! This sweater is proving to be this year's Central Park Hoodie! Tonya has selected Silky Wool for her project, which has the same gauge as the Felted Tweed.

Here is a picture of the Tangled Yoke Cardigan. So far, Liz, Tonya, and Erin have started it, while multitudes are still discussing it (including me).

Charity Knitting: The Red Scarf Project

Thanks to everyone for the Duduza dolls! We will send them out early next week, so there is still time to make one if you hurry!

Our next charity knit will be The Red Scarf Project.

In 2005, Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) started The Red Scarf Project, an initiative to send Valentine's Day care packages, and handmade scarves, to college-bound foster youth. Last year, the OFA was overwhelmed with submissions, so this year there are a few new rules, including a much earlier deadline: early October!

We'll collect scarves at The Knit Nook, but we will send the scarves Wednesday, September 26 so they will reach their destination in time.

You can also send your scarves directly:

Orphan Foundation of America

The Red Scarf Project

21351 Gentry Drive

Sterling, VA 20166

Guidelines for Knitters (or Crocheters!)

Scarf Size: Approximately 60" long and 5" to 8" wide. Scarves should be long enough to be wrapped around the neck, with tails long enough to be tied in the front.

Style: Think unisex collegiate. Ask yourself if your son, brother, and/or husband would enjoy receiving the scarf. Fringes are optional. Your scarf should drape and tie easily.

Yarn: Preferably DK, double fingering-weight, worsted weight, or light bully yarns. No laceweight, super-chunky, or mohair yarns as there are many people who find mohair too itchy. The yarn should be soft.

Color: Red! However, this could mean burgundy, cherry, russet, red stripes with other colors, or multicolor hues including red. Other unisex colors, including black, navy, teal, olive or gold are also welcome.

Finished and tagged: Yarn ends should be securely sewn in. For a personal touch, attach a tag saying "Handmade for You" with your first name, city, and group affiliation, if any. Donors have also included washing instructions, messages of encouragement, gift cards, burger bucks, books of stamps, etc.

For free scarf patterns, or to read more about the Red Scarf Project, click here.

Knitting for family

Whitney won a blue ribbon at the fair for her Entrelac Hat and Scarf set. (Whitney took our Entrelac Hat class. If you want to learn this blue ribbon winning technique, our next class starts Sunday, September 30. Check out the details here.) So, while Whitney embarks on another project, the Stag Bag by Norah Gaughan from Knitscene, guess what her younger sister Hillary is knitting?


Yep, that's right: another Entrelac hat and scarf set. (If I'm not mistaken, Whitney made the hat and scarf originally as a gift for Hillary, but projects are contagious and you can never be too careful gifting knitting to a knitter.)

As I mentioned in a previous post, Vi made her granddaughter (deserving or not is questionable, but adorable is undeniable) this Penny Straker sweater. Here is Vi's granddaughter and her sweater in person.

And here is a close up of the owls. See the beads for the eyes?

Vi has been ill recently and was hospitalized over the weekend. She's fine, but misses the Knit Nook. We're keeping your chair open for you Vi! Feel better soon!

Spin Me Right Round, Baby!

Suzanne is WAY into spinning right now! She even made us take down the neglected Ashford and teach us how to use it. Here she is helping Cindy.

Suzanne just started in April, but she's very good already. She even won a second place ribbon at the fair. She is going to get an angora rabbit (at first, her husband said no; but then the ladies at Stitch and Bitch signed a petition to allow Suzanne to get her bunny, and it worked! Who said democracy is dead?) and spin right from the rabbit's back.

This is what Suzanne made.

This is what I made. (She claims there is a two week learning curve, but I don't believe it!)

Suzanne's Spinning Workshop begins Tuesday, September 25. Click here for more info.

Free Pattern: Tapestry Hat

Rowan Tapestry is a wonderful blend of 70% wool and 30% soybean fiber. It's soft, fuzzy, and with beautiful color variations. When we first got this yarn in last winter, I took a skein home to play with. I came up with this hat. Enjoy!

Tapestry Hat

Materials
1 skein of Rowan Tapestry (although some people said they needed a tiny bit of a second skein)
US 6 16 inch circular
US 6 DP needles

Directions
CO 99 sts, place marker and join in round. Work in K1, P2 rib for 1 inch.
Knit next round and increase 31 sts evenly (about every 3 st or so) across round. (130 sts)

Work in Mock Cable as follows:
Rnd 1: *P2, sl 1, K 2, pass slipped stitch over both knitted stitches, repeat to end.
Rnd 2: *P2, K 1, yarn over, K1, repeat to end.
Rnd 3 and 4: *P2, K3, repeat to end.

Repeat Mock Cable 10 times. Then, work Rnd 1 and 2 of Mock Cable.

Begin decreases as follows, changing to DP when necessary:
Rnd 1: K8, K 2 tog tbl, rep to end.
Rnd 2: K7, K 2 tog tbl, rep to end.
Rnd 3: K 6, K 2 tog tbl, rep to end.
Rnd 4: K 5, K 2 tog tbl, rep to end.
Rnd 5: K 4, K 2 tog tbl, rep to end.
Rnd 6: K 3, K 2 tog tbl, rep to end.
Rnd 7: K 2, K 2 tog tbl, rep to end.
Rnd 8: K 1, K 2 tog tbl, rep to end.
Rnd 9-11: K 2 tog tbl, rep to end.

Cut a long tail, and with tapestry needle, thread the remaining stitches and pull it tight. Weave in loose ends to finish.

Kentucky State Fair

This year, friends of the Knit Nook were well represented at the State Fair!

Suzanne Steiger (our crochet teacher) won for this adorable baby sweater.

Vickie Cassady (of www.woolpurses.com fame) won a red ribbon for one of her felted bags.

Whitney Barter won a blue ribbon for her Entrelac Hat and Scarf set.

And not to brag, but I won second place for my Nantucket Jacket. Since the knitted and crocheted items are crammed into those cases (a quilter's conspiracy if you ask me), here's a better view of the sweater that won me my first KY State Fair Ribbon!