knitwitzinc.com Blog

There were new faces at midnight knitting, which was fun.  I hope everyone had a great time and is recovering.  (Knitting is great for indoor-out-of-the-heat recovery.)  The next Midnight Knit will probably be towards the end of September or the beginning of October – watch for it in the next newsletter.  Last night some projects were finished, some were started, yarn was untangled and tamed, calls from those who weren’t able to join us were taken, and the winners of the Bag Challenge contest were announced!

Two months ago, challengers began working on their creations – using one skein of Lamb’s Pride in grey, another skein of Lamb’s Pride in the color of their choice, and any other skein of yarn in the shop.  They turned in their entries a month later, and I assigned all the bags flower names so the voting would be anonymous.  For about 30 days pretty much everyone who came in perused the front table and filled out a ballot.

Thanks to everyone who voted, and to those who participated.  The seven bags were fantastic – and over the last month I could tell it was going to be a close race.  After the votes were counted (which took a LONG time by the way), the first place finisher in the original category was “LILY” by LISA.  This bag used Noro Big Kureyon, and featured a drawstring closure and needle felted and beaded embellishments.  Congratulations, Lisa!  You’ve won a $50 gift certificate to KnitWitz.

If for any reason the winner should be unable to fulfill its duties The runner up in the original category was “ROSE” by JANE.  Rose was done with Wool in the Woods Frost and featured a beribboned chain link handle, magnetic closure and fully faced lining with beaded embellishment.  Congratulations, Jane!  You’ve won a $25 gift certificate to KnitWitz – and I’ll be happy to have you use it all the way from Seattle… sigh.  (Be happier to have you use it in person!)

The first place winner in the pattern category was “Daisy” by Linda.  It used Crystal Palace Little Flowers, and featured a ruffled top and i-cord strap.  Unfortunately, Daisy was picked up on the last day of voting – before I could get a solo portrait.  But you can see it here in the group photo.  Congratulations, Linda!  You’ve won a $50 gift certificate to KnitWitz.

The runner up in the pattern category was “Iris” by Rhoda. Iris included Crystal Palace Musique and featured a self flap closure, i-cord strap and beaded tulle embellishment.  Congratulations, Rhoda!  You’ve won a $25 gift certificate to KnitWitz.

Congratulations to the field.  They included:

“Carnation” by Matt.  Carnation used Wool in the Woods Frost and featured beaded embellishment, lucite handles, and a cell phone accompaniment.

“Orchid” by Marilyn.  Orchid used Berroco Lazer FX, a sequined companion yarn, and featured an i-cord strap and shell button closure.

“Tulip” by Jolene.  Tulip included Berroco Lavish, and was the only non-felted bag in the contest, featuring an i-cord handle and button embellishment.

Thanks again to Rhoda, for suggesting the competition in the first place.  It was so interesting to see how differently everyone used the same color.  Some of the most fun ideas come from customers – so please feel free to send me suggestions!  The entries can be picked up by their owners!  See you soon, Kathe

     

 

After recently posing the socks (and fish) for this picture in Epcot, I can totally understand how it is that another sock makes its way into so many photographs – in so many knitterly places. How great would it be for that particular sock to find itself in a picture taken right here, in Jacksonville, Florida? Would you like to see that picture? I would, too! How can we make it happen? Post on your blogs and post on the sock’s blog! I’ll do my part and hopefuly we can get that sock to visit us here in northeast Florida – another great knitterly place! By the way, the socks and the fish totally prove that it’s never too hot to knit. Just in case anyone was wondering…

07/18/07 UPDATE…. The next day: Okay, my people will call your people and we’ll get all the people in one big people-holding place meant for lots of people, and there’ll be a sock… but not on this book tour.  I did try!  I tried today.  Spoke to Jayme-the-wonder-publicist.  Saddest news ever: they’ve booked the rest of the current book tour.  Atlanta’s only what… 7 hours away?  But we know there’ll be other books.  And we’ll be ready!

I was contacted a couple weeks ago about doing an interview for a article in the Jacksonville Business Journal about the resurgence of crafting in the Jacksonville area.  Naturally I said, “Yes!”  It’s on news stands now, complete with a nifty photo of my wheel.  Ms. Penland did a super job quoting me, even down to my archaic use of the qualifier “neat”…sigh.

The yarn I ordered back in May finally got here 2 days ago – so I’m in the middle of 2 socks on 1 circular…  actually, the yarn I ordered in May will get here next week (having shipped out today).  The replacement yarn was sent overnight mail from Yarn Angel Deb of Ewetopia in Troy, Ohio.  The toes are in sight and my socks will be off on Monday morning.  I’ll post pictures once my pal receives them!

But next up is Hogwarts 2!  If you didn’t participate in the first round, you can sign up as a First Year in the second round starting July 14th.  This one will run from August 1st to October 31st.  The cool thing is that you’ll be knitting for the same person who’s knitting for you!

Here’s my Second Year Questionnaire…

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? – Gryffindor

2. Shoe size?  Foot length?  Foot circumference? — 8.5/9 US, 10 inches, 9.5 inches

3. List your three favorite sock yarns.
a.  Colinette Jitterbug served on a plate
b.  Louet Gems
c.  Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock

4. Would you like to try a new brand of sock yarn?  If so, which brand?  – Would like to try anything except Knitpicks (sorry to even type it…), and that’s on principle because I’m an LYS owner.

5. Do you prefer variegated or solid sock yarn? — Leaning towards solid lately.

6. What colors would you like to add to your sock yarn stash? — Love greens the best, but no preference… I will say I’m not so much a neon type girl.

7. What kind of sock patterns do you gravitate toward?  Lace?  Ribbed?  Fair Isle? — It’s all lovely for different reasons (really).

8. Do you have any allergies?  (smoke, animals, etc.) — Yes, smoke.

9. Will your socks be exposed to cigarette smoke or animals as you knit them? — NO.

10.  Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal? — Sure!

  

Baby Surprise Jacket in Alpaca Light

I’ve been shamed into listing all my works in progress (”WIPs”). However, it’s backfired on all the shamers into an undertaking of Great Pride.  Even if it is a dreaded LIST. So, ha-HAH!  The distraction to the right I’ve provided to keep you from reading said list is a finished (almost) Baby Surprise Jacket (patterns are coming!) in the newest yarn – Berroco’s Ultra Alpaca Light.  It’s as finished as it’ll be to show the unique shaping.  It’s seriously knit all in one piece. I did the buttonholes on both sides, oops. I’m not sure how the Malabrigo snuck into the picture. Anyway, I guess if you’ve kept reading thus far… here is my revised Works in Progress List.  Brace yourself.

1. Aran stocking from Vogue Knitting in Noro Cash Iroha, Size 3s
2. Gentleman’s Fancy socks from Knitting Vintage Socks in Wildfoote, Size 0s
3. KnitWitz Cable Bag in Lamb’s Pride Worsted
4. Butterfly Wrap sweater from Stitch Diva in Misti Alpaca DK Suri/Silk, Size D hook (crochet, but what the hay…)
5. Camisole from Handknit Holidays in Lady Godiva (will likely frog)
6. Icarus shawl in Royal Fiber Spinnery Suri Lace
7. Crayon Box Jacket
8. Georgina Vest from Rowan Classic Art in Handknit DK Cotton
9. Willow cardigan from Yorkshire Fable in Yorkshire Tweed Chunky
10. Butterfly dress from Romantic Style in Kidsilk Haze
11. Gripsholm jacket from CTH Collection, Book 1, in Noro Silk Garden/Cash Iroha
12. Calmer log cabin throw from the Mason Dixon folks
13. Universal Classic Worsted mitered squares pillow
14. Askew in Misti Cotton Silk
15. Prairie Kimono from KnitScene in a cotton/linen blend
16. Cozy in Etoile
17. Shawl in Schaefer Anne
18. Shawl in Schaefer silk
19. Mystery Stole 2
20. Mystery Stole 3 (shameful…)
21. Quillow in Cash Iroha (was finished, but found another skein to add)
22. Malabrigo Slip’n'Slide shawl from Knitters
23. Socks in Jitterbug
24. Sock in Austermann Step
25. Sock in HaNdKrAfT handdyed
26. Sock in green Panda Cotton
27. Sock in Night Lights Panda Cotton
28. Sock in Tofutsies
29. Hepburn Cardigan from Lace Style in Louet Gems sport
30. Louisa Harding’s Sorrel sweater
31. Willow cardigan in Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Chunky
32. Misti Alpaca black lace wrap
33. Here and There Cables scarf in Lorna’s Sport from Scarf Style
34. Chevron and Feather scarf from Little Box of Scarves I
35. Wool in the Woods Belle in the Heavens cardigan
36. Lady Eleanor stole from Scarf Style
37. Harry Potter scarf
38. Shoulder Shawl in cherry leaf pattern from Victorian Lace Today
39. Moll in Rowan Cork (to go with completed Kathy)
40. Fringed shawl in Trendsetter Check
41. Hearten in Rowan Calmer
42. Perl Grey’s Jane Origami Pullover
43. Ditto Sock
44. Nereides in Trendsetter Taormina
45. Rhapsody shawl in Hemp for Knitting’s cashmere blend (nice yarn, troubled pattern)
46. Elegant Drape cardigan from Simply Knitting in Calmer

That’s it.  I’m pretty sure.  Now… don’tcha just feel better?  The truly sad part is, it’s all I can think about to start another one.