Savery Knitting

Sunday, July 17, 2016

A Sad Goodbye and Much Anticipated Re-Birth...

I have news for you. Savery Knitting will be closing.

Let that soak in for a bit...

I, Victoria Lynn Williams, will rise again as a design and knitting professional.

In life sometimes you have to let something that you love go to be able to move on and grow. The same is true for knitting.

I have been Savery Knitting for 3 years and it is a part of me, literally Savery is my maiden name. As Savery Knitting I...

published and sold my first knitwear design, River Bed Socks.
started teaching Knitting classes.
was a founding member of Flowertown Knitting Guild.
became a Sample Knitter.
attended conferences: Stitches East, Interweave Knitting Lab and TKGA Conference.
created a library of designs.
submitted items for publication.
and much more.

My reasons are my own, but you are my friends, followers and fans, so here is a little bit of my thought process.

Reason #1:
I have come to find out that a brilliant designer Amy Christoffers has been designing under the name Savory Knitting. When you search on Ravelry under Savory Knitting the first published design dates back to November 2009 which predates me by 4 years. Plus, she has pages of wonderful and versatile designs, my favorite is a gorgeous shawl, Kveta. I do not want to compete with that or cause confusion with who is who. I want to be my own individual brand.

Reason #2:
I want to grow and be recognized for my designs and my teaching and my knitting and my writing and so on. There is just so much I love doing. In order to grow, I need to find my knitting focus within my knitting passion. Within the world of knitting, what gets me going?

Reason #3
I have met some wonderful people and some not so wonderful. Some people have helped me and some have thrown me in the fire. Some have encouraged me and some have wished me ill will. I now know who supports me as an aspiring professional in the knitting field and I will align myself with them, for they are my true advocates.

Now for the housekeeping. I will keep my Ravelry ID, Facebook page, Instagram ID and blog open and switch them over to my new brand when the time comes. I will be able to be reached by email at saveryknitting@outlook.com. If you would like to be included when I re-launch, please email me with your email. I will not sell or use your email for any reason other than my re-launch.

Let the metamorphosis begin!

And remember knitting should be FUN! If it isn't, don't be afraid to reinvent yourself. I am not afraid! I am bubbling with the wonder and excitement of what is to come.

Victoria Lynn Williams, that is it.

Victoria Lynn Williams.

Monday, February 29, 2016

WOW what happened!

Alluvia Felted Tote pre-felting

It has been over a year since my last post, but that does not mean that I have not been knitting, God forbid. I have been busy with several knitting and non-knitting ventures.

My Non-Knitting Ventures

My middle daughter is now in Kindergarten

I have been volunteering regularly at my daughter's school

I have decided it is time to go back to work full-time

My Knitting Ventures

Sold my first pattern, River Bed Socks, to LYDIA Yarn

Began test knitting for designers and yarn companies

On June 12, 2015, I hosted my first WWKIP Day event

In 2015 and 2016, hosted an Annual Potluck / Knit Night

With all this going on, I felt Savery Knitting needed an update in a major way. What better day for a debut than February 29, 2016 (LEAP DAY). This day only comes along once every 1,461 days. It is a chance that I could not pass up.

Please take a look at the new and improved Savery Knitting. I have new pages and new information all over the place. Have fun exploring.

Welcome back to my old friends and Hello to my new friends.

~ Victoria

Monday, January 26, 2015

My Monday - Miss Angela Winkle - Week 2

Here is a reminder of my progress as of last week...

I had only 7 full repeats done, but was excited and sucked into the project.

Here is my progress this week...

I have 38 full repeats done now and over 140 stitches. This project will be bigger than the one the designer did. The pattern calls for roughly 330 yards of fingering weight yarn. The beautiful skein above that I personally dyed has over 400 yards. On top of that, I knit very tightly - a blessing and a curse. I have people complementing me on my stitches and how well I can make a pattern look. Then I have sore hands because of my tension.

I will live with my knitting because I have learned that I am not fond of loose knits. If I have a pattern for something that is looser, I will see if I can adapt it for a tighter look. We will see if I can have this finished this week. Fingers crossed.

Knitting a Big Winkle,

Victoria

Monday, January 19, 2015

My Monday - Miss Angela Winkle - Week 1

After a year of blogging everyday, but 1, I took a well deserved break. I started a great new project with my knitting friend Cathy yesterday. I am calling it Miss Angela Winkle.

Have you heard of these 2 following patterns Hitchhiker and Leftie? Most knitters have knit one of these patterns or know someone who has. Both patterns are designed by the brilliant Martina Behm.

Hitchhiker

by Maltina

Flickr

Leftie

Martina also has a very interesting pattern called Miss Winkle. Here is my progress so far...

Here are the official pictures from Ravelry.

I am using my skein of fingering yarn that I hand dyed at the October, Flowertown Knitting Guild class. The class was lead by Angela Cline owner of LYDIA Yarn. It was great and I came out with this colorful, fabulous yarn that will make a great shawl.

Knitting Winkle,

Victoria

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

WIP #4 - Rainbow Stripes Shawl - Finished

Blog #7 of 2015 on 1/7/2015

After over 2 years and 8 months the baby blanket turned toddler blanket turned school blanket turned shawl is DONE. The only thing left to do is weave in the ends. Yipee!

The size measures 5' 5" at its widest across the top and 3' 2" at its longest down the middle. As I said last night plenty big, for a 5 year old. That is a 8 1/2" by 11" folder on the shawl for size perspective.

This blanket pattern is based off the baby blanket that I did for Helen. I was tired of doing the typical rectangular baby blanket. So, when I designed Helen's blanket and then this one I turned the blanket on its corner and decided to do a stepped edging. I love the look of it and it throws people off when they look at it because they think it should be the typical rectangle blanket.

Knitting for Joanna,

Victoria

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

WIP #4 - Rainbow Stripes Shawl

Blog #6 of 2015 on 1/6/2015

Here is yet another WIP that has been hiding in my closet since 2012.

Rainbow Stripes Shawl

     There is a long story about this blanket that dates back to 2009. Let me fill you in...

    I was planning to knit 3 baby blankets in 2009 for one of my cousins, one of my husband's cousins and myself. We were each expecting our first child in early 2010. I got the blanket for my cousin done on time. The one for my husband's cousin was done about six months late.

     One thing lead to another and next thing I knew I was pregnant with child #2, Helen. I swore that I would have Helen's baby blanket done so that I could bring her home from the hospital in it and succeeded. As soon as I finished Helen's blanket I also swore I would start the blanket pictured above for Joanna, who at that time was 2. Not quite a baby anymore, huh? Next thing I knew again, Joanna was almost 5, which leads us to today.

     After much consideration I have decided to make the blanket into a shawl. It is PLENTY large already. Plus I am afraid that if I continue with my original plans she will be in college before it gets done.

     Maybe I will get it done in time for her birthday next month, fingers-crossed.

Prolonged Knitting,

Victoria

Monday, January 5, 2015

My Monday - River Bed Socks - Week 2

Blog #5 of 2015 on 1/5/2015

They are finished! It took 1 year, 4 months and 22 days for my first pair of self designed socks.

The fit is not perfect, but great for only my second pair of socks. Next I am going to try toe up.

Knitting with time,

Victoria

Sunday, January 4, 2015

WIP #3

Blog #4 of 2015 on 1/4/2015

You may remember the hat that I made for my husband at Christmas. Here is one picture of the hat partially done, one with the hubby wearing it and one with the little one wearing it.

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Stocking Cap

One would ask, "If this is a finished project, then why is it on my WIP list?" Let me start by saying that I love my husband dearly and this hat is the first thing he EVER asked me to knit. So when he told me that the brim needed to be wider so he could fold it up, I thought no big deal. Then after wearing it a few times he mentioned that it was too long and every time he sat down when wearing it, he sat on the tassel and it got pulled off his head.

So... let me remind you that I love my husband before I go on. I have frogged the whole hat and now have 3 balls of yarn. I will start over with You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Stocking Cap #2 and it will be awesome. There will NOT be a #3.

Knitting it Over Again,

Victoria

Saturday, January 3, 2015

WIP #2

Blog #3 on 1/3/2015

My #2 WIP is Angela's Dream Scarf by Jeanette Estee Famulari. I am using LYDIA Yarn's Delight in the colorway Van Gough. I have 5 repeats so far and am loving it.

I can't wait to see how it blocks out. From the official pictures on Ravelry, I can tell that it will be beautiful. Look below and see for yourself.

Angela's Dream Scarf

by Jeanette Estee Famulari

Knitting Delight,

Victoria

Friday, January 2, 2015

Fabulous Friday - Miss Winkle

Blog #2 on 1/2/2015

This pattern makes me feel so light and happy. My friend, Arrylee, just did this shawl with her hand-dyed yarn and it turned out beautiful.

I love the asymmetrical design and how the loops add dimension to the look of the shawl. When I was looking at Arrylee's finished shawl, I was surprised at how small it looked. Then after thinking about it, I realized it was a perfect size to keep my neck warm when I wear my hair up.

Miss Winkle

by Martina Behm

My friend Cathy and I are going to knit this pattern together this month. We are both going to use our yarn that we hand-dyed. I will keep you updated on our progress.

Knitting Miss Winkle,

Victoria

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Taming of the WIP's

Blog #1 on 1/1/2015

http://www.lewasdesigns.com/knit-happy-sheep-wall-decal.html

     This past Sunday I was at my knitting group, Summerville Knitters. My good friend, Arrylee, got to talking about what her next project will be. She also mentioned that she will not be able to start it until she finishes an existing project. I was confused... when I want to start a new project, I just start. She however has a list and only allows herself to have 6 projects on the needles at any given time. I have tried this in theory, but never actually written mine down. Maybe the key to implementation is having it written down and seeing how many partial projects I have.

     Well, the WIP list is started and so far I have 6 projects that I can readily think of. No telling what I will find when I go digging. I have also started a list of projects that I want to do and so far it has 22 projects. I started a 3rd list of projects (past, present or future) of my own design that need to be written down. The 4th and final list that I started was for my sanity... a shoe size list. I have many family and friends that I want to knit socks for and am tired of asking repeatedly for their shoe sizes.

     The #1 item on my WIP list is my River Bed Socks that I talked about on Monday's blog. Check out My Monday - River Bed Socks - Week 1 to see the info about them.

     I will keep you up to date as I search, rediscover and FINISH all of my long hidden WIP's.

Taming of the WIP's,

Victoria

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Happy New Years!!!!

Week 52 = In Conclusion...

Bonus Day 8 = December 31, 2014

My Grandma Joanna who taught me to knit.

Welcome to your bonus New Year's Eve Blog. Let us review the numbers for Savery Knitting's blog in 2014:

365 days in a year

364 days Savery Knitting blogged in 2014

361 days written by Victoria Williams

3 days written by Carol Savery

5 Savery Knitting Followers (a feature on the blog site)

226 views for a blog on 1/18/14 titled Novelty Yarns

154 views for a blog on 2/4/14 titled Clipboard Patterns?

124 views for a blog on 4/24/14 titled Mink and Baby Alpaca

116 views for a blog on 2/24/14 titles Needle Storage

81 views for a blog on 10/9/14 titled Who gets a hand knit Christmas present?
5573 total number of views for all 2014 blogs as of the time of this post
86 total comments left on the blog

Here are some numbers for Savery Knitting's blog since our first post on September 13, 2013:

11,304 views

372 posts

Knitting by the Numbers,

Victoria

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Adios

Week 52 = In Conclusion...

Day 7 = December 30, 2014

So today is the last day of the 52nd week of the year, but not the last day of the year. I will save the numbers report for tomorrow.

Today I went on an adventure with my friend Wanda. We went to Michael's and Hobby Lobby (I had a gift certificate for Hobby Lobby). I have only been to Hobby Lobby once before, but they had several sock yarn colorways that I liked last time I was there and figured I should check them out.

The yarn that I chose was Premier Yarns Wool-Free Socks in the colorways below:

Utah

Grand Canyon

Vegas Lights

It is amazing how addictive knitting and yarn is. I, personally, can never have enough knitting projects on the needles. I am also like most other knitters out there and love yarn in all its forms and quantities.

Knitting The Last Day of The Last Week,

Victoria

Monday, December 29, 2014

My Monday - River Bed Socks - Week 1

Week 52 = In Conclusion...

Day 6 = December 29, 2014

This is the 2nd pair of socks that I have ever cast on. I was so excited when I took a sock knitting class from my good knitting friend, Tamara, aka KnitOasis, in August of 2013. By the time the first class was, over I only had 4 rows left to complete the homework. Since I was so excited, I didn't want to lose the newness waiting for the next class (which was only 6 days later) so I started these socks.

I originally learned to knit socks on DPN's, one at a time with a plain stockinet pattern. I changed it up for this pair and cast on both socks using the magic loop method. The pattern River Bed Socks is also of my own design.

Well, it has been over a year and I think it is time to finish my 2nd pair of socks. I can't wait to see how they come out.

Knitting River Bed Socks,

Victoria

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Plans for the New Year

Week 52 = In Conclusion...

Day 5 = December 28, 2014

http://knittingdragonflies.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-new-year.html

     So what are your plans for the new year? If you were to ask a non-knitter this question they would say move, change jobs, vacation and so on. But when you ask a knitter they instantly name 5 new projects they want to do, the 3 new yarns they have been dying to get from the LYS and the 4 new techniques that they are interested in learning.

     One of the great things about knitting is there is always more to explore... more designs, more techniques, more yarns, more styles, more conferences or more colors.

     I am busy making plans for the new year some I will share and some I will work on secretly. I look forward to seeing and hearing about your plans also.

Knitting Plans,

Victoria

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Where Ever You May Roam

Week 52 = In Conclusion...

Day 4 = December 27, 2014

When knitting, our hands are occupied and our brain is free to roam. Over the years mine has roamed endlessly with the following things:

Chores to do
Projects to do with the kids
Dinner preparations
My next knitting project
Friends
Family
Happy times
Childhood memories
Dreams for my family
Dreams for my future
Other knitting creations

There is more that I can't recall at the moment. I love the effortless joy of knitting. It allows for some quite time, inner calm and time to reflect. This quite time alone has gotten me through many a trying situation. I love knitting and will always be greatful for what is brings to my life.

Knitting for Reflection,

Victoria

Friday, December 26, 2014

Fabulous Friday - Mondsee

Week 52 = In Conclusion...

Day 3 = December 26, 2014

A lovely shawl is always a good project. I know in my house there is always one area of the house that seems colder than the others. So I am endlessly wrapping shawls and blankets on the back of my neck to keep me warm.

Mondsee

by Monie Ebner