No rest for the Knitter!

Week 35 = Yarn Clean Up
Day 5 = August 31, 2014


     Here is tonight's progress report:

•      This morning I had 42 projects listed on Ravelry...
  •      Now I have 57 projects listed...
  •      An increase of 15 projects.
•      This morning I had 105 yarns listed in my stash on Ravelry...
•      Now I have 134 stash yarns listed...
•      An increase of 29 stash yarns.

     Once again I can proudly say that every single project and stash yarn has a picture. To check it out click either of the links above. Here are my favorites from today.

Projects

Honeycomb Cowl

Butterfly Swatch

Stash Yarns

Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool Light

Schachenmayr Regia Design Line Stripe Collection by Kaffe Fassett

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

 

Knitting Honeycomb,

 

Victoria

Pictures Galore

Week 35 = Yarn Clean Up
Day 4 = August 30, 2014


     Here is tonight's progress report:

•      This morning I had 43 projects listed on Ravelry...
  •      Now I have 42 projects listed.
  •      An decrease of 1 project because there was a duplicate.
•      This morning I had 78 yarns listed in my stash on Ravelry...
•      Now I have 105 stash yarns listed.
•      An increase of 27 stash yarns.

     I have put in the information on all of these items and also spent a good deal of my day uploading the corresponding picture and can proudly say that every single project and stash yarn have a picture. Check it out, click either of the links above.

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

 

Knitting Pictures,

 

Victoria

Fabulous Friday - LaLa's Simple Shawl

Week 35 = Yarn Clean Up
Day 3 = August 29, 2014

LaLa's Simple Shawl

     When learning to knit there are a few milestones that are always memorable. For example socks, sweaters, lace and ... a shawl.


     This is the first fabulous Friday where I will be sharing a pattern that I have actually knit. Here are the pictures that are on the Ravelry page.

by LaLa Flickr

by LaLa Flickr

by LaLa Flickr

     My version is called Campbell's Delivery and I made it in the summer of 2012. I, of course, modified it slightly. I used a thicker yarn, Lion Brands Homespun, made it extra big and changed up the repeat a little bit.


     The story behind the name is a super sweet one. Campbell is the last name of the doctor who delivered my youngest, Helen. Helen had complications during birth, and afterwards she was in the NICU for a week. So I greatly appreciated Dr. Campbell's calm, cool, expertise after Helen was born because, frankly I was a wreck.

© SaveryKnitting

© SaveryKnitting

© SaveryKnitting

 

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

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Knitting For My Doctor,

 

Victoria

And So It Begins...

Week 35 = Yarn Clean Up
Day 2 = August 28, 2014

 

     Yesterday I said that I would post the links to the yarns and the projects that I put onto Ravelry. Well let me give you a little information first.

 

•      This morning I had 25 projects listed on Ravelry...
•      Now I have 43 projects listed.
•      An increase of 18 projects.
•      This morning I had 5 yarns listed in my stash on Ravelry...
•      Now I have 78 stash yarns listed.
•      An increase of 73 stash yarns.

     Now, I love you, my knitting blog readers, but I would be up through the night if I tried to list everything that I did today.  So, I will show you a few of today's favorites. 

YARNS

Appalachian Baby Design Organic Cotton

 

Malabrigo Yarn Rios

Purl Soho Super Soft Merino

PROJECTS

Campbell's Delivery

Fun Fur Teen

Yellow Striped Pet Blanket

     If you would like to peruse all of my entries at your leisure, feel free to click on the links in the bulleted section.

 

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

 

Knitting My Oh My,

 

Victoria

Yarn Clean Up

Week 35 = Yarn Clean Up
Day 1 = August 27, 2014

     Business first. The winner of the August Giveaway is Carol Savery-Frederick. Congratulations!

     Today, I packed up 5 boxes for the potential, some time in the future move. That got me thinking... what yarn do I actually have and where is it all? So, I am going to use this week to update my Ravelry stash information and I am even going to go as far as creating a project if I know what I am going to do with a certain yarn or yarns.

     I tried to do this at the beginning of the year and was successful in listing most of the yarn I had here on my blog. I said that I was then going to copy all the information to Ravelry. As you can guess from this post, it did not happen. To increase the chances of succeeding this time I am going to put all the information on Ravelry and list the link here. The same thing goes if I create a project for it.

     Be ready for lots of beautiful yarn, lost yarn, gift yarn, charity yarn, so-so yarn, luxurious yarn and many more.

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

Knitting My Inventory,

 

Victoria

Yarn Buddy... ?

Week 34 = Week of Firsts
Day 6 = August 26, 2014


     Have you ever heard of any of the following items in regards to knitting:

• Yarn Holder
• Yarn Buddy
• Yarn Caddy
• Lazy Docks
• Yarn Spinner
• Yarn Top
• Yarn Swirlette
• Yarn Holder Lazy Susan
• Yarn Spindle

     Well... this is what I am talking about today. All the Yarn Buddies pictured and the specs listed on today's blog were all found on Etsy.com. Prices range from $16.95 up to $70.00 depending on the style, wood used and seller.


     I used mine for the first time yesterday. This one just below is the one that I have and I love it. The shipping was super quick and the item was just as gorgeous as I thought it would be. The recessed Lazy Susan feature is an added bonus because it means that the gap between the 2 bases is much smaller. Therefore you are less likely to get your yarn caught in the gap. It also has little plastic feet stuck on the bottom so it does not slide around.

Specs:

Yarn Holder Lazy Susan Ambrosia Maple 

by SantoWoodworks

7" tall and 4.5" wide

Made of Ambrosia Maple

Bearing set is routered into the base

Specs:

Yarn Swirlette, yarn holder, yarn caddy

by WhisperingWoodturner

9" tall and 6" diameter

Made of mixed woods

Lazy Susan mechanism between the two bases

Specs:

Segmented Yarn Spindle Holder KB 55

Salswoodturning

7.5" tall and 4.75" wide

Made of smooth Oak and Walnut wood

Bearing set recessed into the bottom part of the base

Specs:

Viking Santa Yarn Spinner , Lazy Susan (EDS0630)

by vikingsanta

7.25" tall and 4.75" diameter

Made of Jatoba

Specs:

cherry yarn holder lazy susan

by KissingFrog

Made of Cherry wood

Lazy susan fitting is recessed into the wood

Specs:

Lazy Docks - the American hardwood yarn spinner

by TheToothpickMaker

Runs on a ball-bearing turntable

Specs:

A Knitting Tool....The Yarn Susan

by pattydehnert

Specs:

wood yarn buddy walnut woodworking knitting crochet spinner skein wool ball 136

by onegoodturn4u

6" tall and 5.5" wide

Made of Walnut and Maple

Larger spindle turns on the smaller spindle

Specs:

Knit Spinner (African Coralwood)

by Craftiness

7.5" tall and 5" diameter

Made of African Coralwood

Larger spindle turns on the smaller spindle

     In knitting circles just like any other hobby or even the fashion industry, you see one person with something then another and another and suddenly... it becomes the "it" item of the season. Well, last year everyone was getting Mink and this year it is the Yarn Buddy (that is my favorite name for it). There are at least 6 of my knitting friends that have this and some of them have more than one. 

~~~

Don't forget to enter our August Giveaway by answering

the Knitting Question of the Day on our Savery Knitting

Facebook page. The link is below and answers must be

posted on Facebook to qualify as an entry.

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

 

Knitting with my Yarn Buddy,

 

Victoria

My Monday - Blooming in Reverse - Week 6

Week 34 = Week of Firsts
Day 6 = August 25, 2014

     I finished the shawl! All that is left is to block it and viola! This past week, I almost took a bunch of rows out again. I wasn't happy with my k2tog mishap from last week and couldn't take it. But I resisted the urge to make it perfect. This will be for my 4 year old and she will be happy no matter what it looks like.

     I love the look of the 2-stitch, eyelet border that wraps all the way around. Once I figured out that I should use short rows and not k2tog to turn the corner and decrease at the same time, it was great. I was also very happy with how the bind off went.

     It also took to the last flower to figure out that the flowers look better if they are connected directly to the stems. I had been putting a space in between the flower and stem. Next time I am going to do the flowers differently. You can see that except for the last flower there are large steps where I was working on up to 3 flowers at once on both sides of the shawl. Well, I am going to try one flower at a time and stepping the shawl in/decreasing after each flower is finished.

     Be sure to check back next week to see how this blocked.

~~~

Don't forget to enter our August Giveaway by answering

the Knitting Question of the Day on our Savery Knitting

Facebook page. The link is below and answers must be

posted on Facebook to qualify as an entry.

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

 

Knitting with Flowers,

 

Victoria

Haircuts and Small Children... Do They Mix?

Week 34 = Week of Firsts
Day 5 = August 24, 2014

     This past week I took Joanna, (my school girl) for her first ever haircut at a professional salon. I took her to L'Paradise on Ladson Road to see Jamie. Now Jamie has been taking care of me and my hair for 10 years (she even did my hair for my wedding). So we have a relationship and I knew she would be perfect for Joanna.

 

     Joanna, as you can see, handled it like a pro. I am no professional, but I do what I can with wiggly kids sitting on the toilet in the bathroom. When Jamie was sorting Joanna's bangs it was amazing to see what she thought was considered bangs so this happened...

     I have forever had problems figuring out Helen's bangs and I figured I was there at the salon and Jamie was open after Joanna was finished... so I plopped Helen right down and let Jamie do her magic again.

 

   She had a ball as you can see and now both girls can see and look fabulous. So, in actuality, Wednesday was the first time either of my little ones have gotten a professional hair cut.

~~~

Don't forget to enter our August Giveaway by answering

the Knitting Question of the Day on our Savery Knitting

Facebook page. The link is below and answers must be

posted on Facebook to qualify as an entry.

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

 

Knitting with Less Hair,

 

Victoria

Moving

Week 34 = Week of Firsts
Day 4 = August 23, 2014


     For the first time as a married, mom of 2, my family has decided to move. Now before all my local friends freak out and blow up my phone, we are going to move with in our existing area. More specifically, we are going to move out to a more rural area and get a few acres of land.

Maybe I can knit up a few of these to pack my stuff in.

sheilazachariae.blogspot.com/2013/03/knit-and-fabric-boxes.html

     The number one goal is to find a place in the same exact school area. Now, I do not mean school district ,I mean specifically the 3 schools we are zoned for right now. Our three schools happen to be some of the best in the district and the State.


     So I will not be moving far, just down the road or around the corner. The other reason this is a big first for me is because this is the first time in my life that I have had a set residence and chosen to move just because, without a momentous reason.

• The last time I moved, it was to move in with my then boyfriend (now husband).
• The time before that I moved to start my adult life in South Carolina.
• The time before that was to start my first full time job.
• And before that I was in college.

     So wish me luck with the search. I will keep you up to date on what happens.

~~~

 

Don't forget to enter our August Giveaway by answering

the Knitting Question of the Day on our Savery Knitting

Facebook page. The link is below and answers must be

posted on Facebook to qualify as an entry.

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

 

Knitting on the Move,

Victoria

Fabulous Friday - I Heart Cardigans

Week 34 = A Week of Firsts
Day 3 = August 22, 2014

I Heart Cardigans

by Tanis Lavallee

© Tanis Fiber Arts

     This cardigan is something wonderful to behold. The cabling down the front is gorgeous. The simple sleeves with a generic cuff are a little longer which is exactly what I prefer in a cardigan.

© bethhunt

Comment: I am not sure if it is the picture or the

solid color of the yarn, but the beautiful cables

do not show up nearly as well on this sweater.

© Tanis Fiber Arts

Comments: The collar provides just enough

height and warmth to keep the chill out.

© celticcaston

Comment: The detail of the different

cables on the back is amazing.

© Tanis Fiber Arts

Comment: I love the extra wide

band for the buttons.

~~~

 

Don't forget to enter our August Giveaway by answering

the Knitting Question of the Day on our Savery Knitting

Facebook page. The link is below and answers must be

posted on Facebook to qualify as an entry.

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

 

Knitting with Variegated Yarn,

Victoria

Let the Schooling Begin!

Week 34 = Week of Firsts
Day 2 = August 21, 2014

     So I hinted at a week of firsts yesterday. Today we had a mighty big one.

     My daughter, Joanna, started Pre-school today! I have so many feelings going on inside.

•      When did she get old enough for school?
•      How will she cope?
•      What if she needs me?
•      She doesn't really need school, does she?
•      Will her teachers take care of her like I take care of her?

     We live close enough that I walked her to school. On the walk back home, BY MYSELF, I called my Mom (and woke her up) to share a Mom to Mom moment which means just as much to me, as my daughter's first day of school.

     I know there have been lots of firsts already and will be lots more to come. This one is just exceptionally important because it starts a new era for my daughter and our family. For the next 16 years our lives will circle around Joanna's and Helen's (she starts in 2 years) schooling.

     I await the journey and look forward to how much both the girls will grow and change.

~~~

 

Don't forget to enter our August Giveaway by answering

the Knitting Question of the Day on our Savery Knitting

Facebook page. The link is below and answers must be

posted on Facebook to qualify as an entry.

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

 

Knitting at School,

Victoria

Week of Firsts

Week 34 = Week of Firsts
Day 1 = August 20, 2014

     This week is a big week of firsts in our family. Throughout the week I will share with you some of the firsts that we will be going through.

     But, tonight I am going to start with the...

AUGUST GIVEAWAY

     The giveaway is New Knits on the Block by Vickie Howell. Now this giveaway is a first for Savery Knitting Giveaway's and here is why... the book is signed by Vickie Howell (see 2nd picture below). This week you will have a chance to get up to 7 entries into the AUGUST GIVEAWAY! For a full list of the rules see below.
 

Cover

Inside Cover 

 

~~~

 

The rules are simple:

1. Answer the Knitting Question of the Day. You can do this by posting your answer on the Savery Knitting Facebook page.
2. Feel free to post as many answers as you like. Please NOTE that only your first answer for each question will be counted as an entry.
3. The giveaway week runs from Wednesday, August 20 to Noon on Wednesday, August 27.
4. You can post your answer at any time from beginning to end of the giveaway week.
5. Only entries in the United States will qualify.

~~~

 

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

Knitting First, 

Victoria

13 Knitting Facts

Week 33 = Knitting Facts

Day 7 = August 19, 2014

Beautiful... Mink yarn... see number 11 below.

http://www.greatyarns.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=PureEleganceYarn

     The past 2 weeks have been all about Interesting Knitting Facts. Well as you know, I finished up the 46 facts on Sunday. So, I figured I would give you a few knitting facts about me!

1. I first learned to knit when I was 7/8.
2. I didn't knit for over 23 years before I picked it up again in my 30's.
3. My first ever major knitting project was a men's sweater for my Uncle and I didn't even block it.
4. I design about 85% of what I knit.
5. I have been regularly attending Summerville Knitters for over 2 years.
6. I love Baby Alpaca.
7. My mom is my "knitting-wing-woman" (we all need one).
8. I don't like blocking.
9. I love learning all things knitting.
10. I am the Secretary of Flowertown Knitting Guild.
11. I love Mink yarn.
12. I subscribe to 5 knitting magazines.
13. Knitting is my passion and I want to bring it to the world.

     There you have it... 13 lucky facts about me and knitting.

~~~

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

My Knitting Facts, 

Victoria

My Monday - Blooming in Reverse - Week 5

Week 32 = Knitting Facts
Day 6 = August 11, 2014

    
     First, I want to wish my best friend, Eileen, a Happy Birthday.

     Second, I have an update on my shawl. My brilliant k2tog idea from last week did not work. As you can see in the first picture, it decreased too quickly. It also centered the decrease in the middle of the decreases instead of to the left.

     After some tweaking I figured out that using short rows would work wonderfully, as you can see below.

~~~

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

Knitting with Birthday Wishes,

Victoria

Interesting Knitting Facts 41-46

Week 33  = Knitting Facts
Day 5 = August 17, 2014


     Tonight I have the conclusion of the great 46 Interesting Facts About ... Knitting. As a special treat I have 6 facts for you tonight. WOW!! <---being sarcastic :)

www.knitting4fun.com/

          41. Tricoteuse is French for “knitting woman.” During the French Revolution, a group of knitting women would sit beside the guillotine and knit through the executions. The Commune of Paris organized and paid these women to attend beheadings and tribunals “to greet death, to insult the victims, and to glut their eyes with blood.” They would jeer and shriek and knit as the upper class were led to the guillotine.^h


          42. In 1566, King Eric of Sweden owned 27 pairs of knitted silk stockings imported from Spain. Each knitted pair cost the same as his valet’s yearly salary.^h


          43. There were shepherds in the Landes swamps in France known as tchangues (“big legs”) who would knit on stilts while they watched their flocks. The need for stilt walking and shepherds were obliterated by the early 20th century when the government planted a forest of maritime pines over the swamps.^h


          44. The first knitting pattern book of any kind at all was the 16th-century Modelbuch, which was a printed pattern collection specifically for embroidery and lace. By the mid-17th century, patterns specifically for knitting were emerging within some pages of pattern books. In 1761, Susanna Dorothea Kriegl published an early pattern book devoted exclusively to knitting, the Strikkemøstre (Knitting Patterns).^h


          45. The term “Stitch-n-Bitch” has been used at least since WWII to refer to social knitting groups. It is also the title of a 2003 knitter’s handbook. Scholars note that these social groups often act as a form of resistance to major political, social, and technological change in Western societies.^d


          46. The countries of East Asia have no native history of hand knitting. Though hand and machine knitting now are popular there, knitting has come to them mostly through the modernization process in the 19th and 20th centuries.^j

References

^d Gardner, Sue, ed. 2007. A to Z of Knitting: The Ultimate Guide for the Beginner to Advanced Knitter. Woodinville, WA: Martingale & Company.


^h Nargi, Lela. 2011. Knitting around the World: A Multistranded History of a Time-Honored Tradition. Minneapolis, MN: Voyageur Press.


^j Rutt, Richard. 1987. A History of Hand Knitting. London, UK: B.T. Batsford.

~~~

For today's Knitting Question of the Day,

go to Savery Knitting on Facebook.

Knitting from a 16th-Century Knitting Book,

Victoria