I Took The Plunge.....

I took the plunge and ordered Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Sweater instructions on DVD.

Years ago when I saw a picture of this sweater, I didn't like it. Probably because it was done in a single color and it didn't look 'exciting' enough; but over the past 6 months or so, something has been beckoning me to try this pattern.

I looked for free instructions online, but they are not to be found. There are 'off-shoots' of it, but they did not quite draw me in.

I looked at Elizabeth's book (online) that contains the pattern, but the price was a bit of a turn-off. Besides, I don't really love her style of pattern writing. I have one of her books and I rarely use it. Might as well say that I never use it.

Someone in our AC4C Group sent a link to an exciting new look for the Baby Surprise Sweater and the colors got me drooling. Here is the link: http://www.knitting-and.com/wiki/Baby_Surprise_Jacket

When I discovered there was a DVD on how to knit it I tried to get a cheaper price, but could not find one, so I ordered from Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Surprise-Jacket-Meg-Swansen/dp/B000MGTT5Y?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1174187457&sr=8-1

Well, the DVD came the other day and last night I sat down at the computer and looked at it. I love it! Meg Swansen (Elizabeth's daughter) did an excellent job with this! The instructions are written on paper and inserted into the DVD case, and while it seems clear enough, when you look at the DVD the instructions are made so much clearer.

Ms Swansen is an excellent teacher. Her voice is soothing, she is an excellent knitter (knits continental style and her fingers flow like the wind), and she filmed the entire video outside in a green wooded area (that looks a lot like the rural area I live in).

You get rejuvenated and relaxed just by looking at the background scenery. I am glad I did get the DVD because she shows you step by step what you are supposed to be knitting. (The shape of the Baby Surprise Sweater is unlike anything you have ever knitted and expecting it to have sleeves, a front and back).

You also get instructions for adding a collar and a matching bonnet. Additionally you are told how to make an adult sized version for yourself.

I haven't started knitting the sweater because if I do I won't finish the three projects I was supposed to have finished by now, but don't.
But, you can believe when I am 'free' the BSS (Baby Surprise Sweater) is the next thing on my needles, and you know I will share photos when I am done!


Here is the outside of the DVD case. Pardon the colors, as they were taken in the house at night under less than desirable lighting and the case is plastic which reflects the light something awful. You can get a better look on Amazon.


Here is the inside of the DVD. Note the neat instruction holder...

Instructions continue on the back with a "line drawing" of what the finished piece looks like before you sew up the two cuff-to-neckline seams. But reading the instructions and seeing it actually done on film are two different things and will save you a lot of confusion.

The video is approximately 1 hour and 23 minutes long. I feel that I have made a very wise investment, and I wish other authors would follow suit and create a video when instructions are 'complicated.'

Latest Off the Needles....

It seems like it took forever, but I finished the baby sweater for the Inuit project selected by All Crafts For Charity's online Yahoo Group for the month of May. We were requested to use wool if at all possible because it is cold in their area of the world year-round. I had a few odd skeins of wool in my stash that happened to jump into my hands last Fall when visiting a local yarn shop. At the time I had no idea what I would use them for, but knew at some time or another, they would probably be used to knit some baby, somewhere something warm for the winter.

The other is a car seat blanket waiting in the wings to be given to a little one who is still growing in his Mommy's womb and won't make an appearance until late Fall of this year.

Grace Robinson & Company's Yarn Store - Freeport, ME

I've been away from home for a few weeks which is unusual for me. John wanted to participate in a major Sporting Clay Tournament in Rhode Island in early May. On the way we stopped in Boston for a few days to meet with his relatives and returned to Boston for a few days on our way back home, which turned into an extended stay because the transmission blew on his SUV.

Though it was a financial crisis, we did manage to enjoy ourselves and I must admit, I sort of had to tear myself away to head back to Maine yesterday.

While passing through Freeport, Maine I asked John to stop at this wonderful yarn shop. I visited last Fall but they were closing in 20 minutes which meant I did not have 'enough time' to look at their marvelous selection and "feel" the yarn with my fingertips.

Well, I spent plenty of time there yesterday, and would you believe I did not come out with a single skein or hank of yarn?? Call it what you will, but I could not believe it myself! I think I was overwhelmed with too much choice, and too little money.

It's like being at an "All You Can Eat" buffet with 200 choices and one stomach..... It sort of has a psychological effect on you and takes your appetite away, or at least reduces it quite a bit.
I did better last year when the store was closing in 20 minutes. At least I came out with 4 skeins of yarn which I recently used to create a car seat blanket for a baby due this November.

This store; Grace Robinson & Company (a strange name for a yarn shop) is extremely well stocked with all sorts of goodies. It even has back issues of knitting magazines (that is a gem in and of itself).

When I entered, I immediately asked if they had anything "on sale" and was told that the sale yarn was being kept next door in the other building and they would be happy to take me over there. There was yarn next door, but nothing like in the main building and the sale prices weren't low enough for me for the yardage. I did see clothing samples; one which immediately drew my attention. It was an off-white mohair and wool lightweight sweater coat with slits up the side and across the back; a rather sexy number which could easily be dressed up with a pair of sexy bronze high heel shoes and worn to the most elegant parties. I looked at the price tag and almost fainted! It was $600!!

They do have a website and they will mail-order. The website is:
http://www.yarnandneedlepoint.com/

I did take my camera in and asked if it would be alright to take photos and they said yes; so here is a slide show of what I saw (or at least most of it). There is also a comfortable living room setting to sit down and knit or needlepoint if you so desire. It it the largest yarn shop I have ever visited. Most Shops are small and packed to the gills. This was quite spacious and well packed with very expensive stock.
Here is the Slide Show....

What I've Been Up To...

Lately I've been guilty of jumping from one project to another without finishing ones originally started. I guess I have my life set up to see just how well I can multi-task. Eventually I do get around to finishing knitting projects unless I just can't stand the yarn or the pattern that I am using. The first thing I look at before starting a knitting project is:

1) Do I like the yarn? Is it a color I am excited about; because if it isn't, I am won't be able to spend hours, days and weeks looking at it;

2) Is the pattern easy, yet challenging enough to keep me interested and excited about the outcome?

I love the "look" of quite a few patterns, but when I read the instructions, I realize it will drive me crazy trying to keep track of the intricate movements I need to maintain on every row. This is a guarantee of failure for me and ripping out rows is not a wonderful exercise!

I finally finished knitting two Spring sweaters for two year old Ruth Drake. One is a cardigan, and the other is a pullover. She looked so cute in them both (I forgot to take my camera when I delivered them) so I can't show you pictures! I intend to knit two winter sweaters for her using wool yarn for this coming Winter (bite your tongue at the thought of that word girl!). And Ruth's mother told me there will an addition to their family late this year. So; the needles will be smoking again!

I knitted a scarf for my Aunt Monica who blissfully celebrated her 60th birthday this month. I was supposed to block the scarf when I finished it, but I like the way it looks unblocked, so I am keeping it that way. The scarf pattern was harvested from a "Vogue on the Go" book on Scarves. I have had the book for years, and the first time I tried to knit this pattern, it did not work out and I finally had to let it go. Since then my pattern skills have greatly improved and this time I was successful.

I found an AC Moore Craft Store in Augusta a few weeks ago (I thought we only had Michaels) and was so delighted to find Sculpy Clay in individual packs and great colors! I spent $21in clay. I dared peek at the yarn section to see if they had anything I absolutely MUST take home with me, and thank goodness I was able to avoid buying some. I think their yarn section is kind of small; and that can sometimes be a "good thing."

I am also knitting a vest for a young friend of mine who is going to have a birthday next month. And I still have to finish knitting the scarf and hat for my friend Steve who lives in Arizona... Yes! I know. It's desert country and why would he need a scarf and hat?? Because, it is cold in the wee hours of the morning, and he walks his dog Riley before going to work.

So, enough talk! Here are the photos.

Here are some buttons I made recently with Sculpy Clay


Here is a close-up view of little Ruth Drake's cardigan (knitted in Carons Simply Soft)


Here is the pullover sweater for Ruth (knitted in TLC Cotton Plus)


Here is a full view of the cardigan sweater


Here is the beginning of the scarf for my Aunt Monica


I am almost 3/4 finished


All finished..


A close-up


Close-up of the metal ornamentation on the corners in lieu of tassels.


Now for the vest. I know it doesn't look like much yet.


Here are photo of the pattern I am following.


It is a very easy, quick pattern. The yarn is a heavyweight wool or bulky. I am actually using Brown Sheep's "Shepherd's Shades." Less than seven dollars for 131 yards. I think the value is great!
The pattern is Susan Esser's "Midnight Express Vest," a free pattern on the web.

More Needlework

I wish I could knit faster! For everything I would love to create with yarn I really need to be able to start and finish a sweater in two days. Fat Chance of that ever happening! I could knit by machine. I have one of those that I purchased well over 30 years ago and it sits in the box unused. Why?? Because it is a pain in the butt to keep the stitches on the needles, and it is somewhat "impersonal" to knit with a machine unless you want to become a factory-conveyor type person; which I don't. There is something very therapeutic about holding that yarn between your fingers and personally creating fabric. When you get right down to it, it's magical!

These are some buttons I made using "bake in the oven" clay. These will go on a variety of baby garments.

Here is a multi-directional scarf I knitted as a present for my Uncle Georges' Lady. It was knitted using mercerized cotton.

Here is a close-up.

Here is a wool scarf I am knitting for my friend Steve who lives in Tucson, Arizona and gets up at 4 AM in the morning to walk his dog Riley. He gets pretty darned cold in the desert that time of day, and he says wool scarves he purchased 20 years ago are in tatters. How could I resist knitting him a replacement?? I am using Lamb's Pride Worsted; a wool and mohair blend.

Here is a close-up. This is a cable pattern and it works up surprising fast. I intend to knit a Seaman's hat to match. I should have it completed by May for his birthday....

Here is a toddler sweater and matching hat I knitted for a wee one who lives down the road from me. She just celebrated her first birthday in February.

Some Finished Projects......

I am still clicking away with my needles and yarn. Below are photos of the Modular Baby Blanket I was working on that is going to South Africa, and two modular scarfs I knitted using the cotton yarn (actually it is a thread I would place in the light-worsted weight category) pictured below. Both were fun to do and I plan to do more. They work up fairly quick and the cotton thread makes it an accessory you can wear year-round. The scarves will work with everything from blouses to turtleneck sweaters. And I think the zig-zag pattern spices up your look.


Here are the two scarves knitted using the Elann Cotton Thread

Here is a closer view of the pattern. Modular knitting is usually composed of knitted triangles and squares, and the beauty of it is you usually do not have to pick up stitches to achieve this effect. The triangles 'magically' appear on top of one another.


Here is an even closer look.


Here is a photo of the finished Modular Baby Blanket going to the Zulu's

And here are more skeins I added to my "Stash." I have decided to start treating myself by purchasing more natural fibers. I like acrylic for certain projects; but I am 'acrylic-ed out.' The problem now is: I don't want to use my beautiful yarn. Call me wierd; but I love looking at the colors and don't want to break up my stash....

What am I working on now?? A baby sweater for a neighbor's 1-year old; and knowing me, I suppose I will include a hat and socks. After that I will have another Modular Scarf on the needles as a gift for my Uncle Georges' special lady who lives in California. Beyond that I have a loooooong list I intend to complete by the end of this year. The problem with that is; I always find myself having to insert 'emergency' things into my list, which puts everything else further down the way, and I never get to complete everything I set out to do. I still haven't made anything for myself from last year; and I still "owe" a few items to people I said I would donate.

Haven't Posted In A Long Time.....

It has been a long time since I have posted. It's not because I haven't been knitting. I have. It calms me. It changes my brainwave patterns from Beta to a Theta state of mind. Beta is a highly charged anxious state of mind when everything inside of you is "on alert." Theta is a much more relaxed, calmed down, let's meditate relaxed, frame of mind. Many rely on cigarettes, alcohol, or some other form of drug (legal or otherwise) to change their brainwave patterns. I prefer knitting, crocheting, or working with any craft. It is healthier; and when you are done, you have created something that not only brings you pleasure and has greatly enhanced your life; but if given away or sold, brings pleasure to someone else too.

In the past few months I have knitted things, and given them away, forgetting to take pictures so that I could add them to my visual Knitting Log.

I am perfecting my sock knitting skills by knitting John a few pairs using Lamb's Pride worsted weight wool. It is a much heavier yarn than those recommended for knitting socks, but believe me, when you live in a cold winter climate such as Maine, and you wear boots the entire winter season; a heavier sock is needed and very much welcomed. Also; John is recuperating from a broken ankle and must wear an air-cast at all times. You cannot use a shoe with it and therefore a heavy sock is very much appreciated to keep the foot warm. I knitted an ultra heavy sock in Lamb's Pride Bulky weight yarn which he wears when venturing outdoors to doctor's appointments etc.

I do have a few pictures to share. I will post them individually instead of using a slide show. When slide shows are used, they do not adequately allow you to comment on what you are looking at.

This is a dual-purpose Shawl: It can also be used as a small Throw over your legs to keep you warm while watching television or reading. I made something very similar a few years ago for my aunt, but it was not quite as large. This was a commissioned piece and I used Lion Brand Jiffy yarn.

This is a baby blanket that will be sent to Dr. Samantha (Sam) Williams who is treking to South Africa this Spring bringing much needed clothing to a Zulu tribe.

Here is a close-up. I am using Red Heart "Candy Print" yarn for this one. I enjoy the effects the striped yarn gives when this blanket is done. The pattern is copyrighted and can be obtained if you join the Multidirectional Knitting Yahoogroup formed by knitting designer Iris Schreier http://groups.yahoo.com/group/multidirectional/.

Here is a toddler sweater I am finishing for a child in my town. I have to add buttons. I didn't do quite the perfect job I would have liked; so I will pass this on to the little one's mother and knit another one for her later. It is still wearable and warm, and that is the important thing. I used Caron's Simply Soft in "Grape" to knit this one.

This is a good little book to use for knitting baby thru child sweaters. The book gives basic patterns and optional edgings and necklines. It can be a bit confusing at times, but it does open the mind to more creativity.

Some new 'Stash' that I chose from my Christmas present of yarn money. This is mercerized cotton (light worsted weight) from Elann.com. This company is based in Canada, sells discounted natural fibers, and gives the quickest service. I can place an order with them and receive it in 5 days via the United States Postal Service; which I find remarkable! I live in Maine and it takes the post office 3-4 days to deliver a Priority box to Massachusetts.

More Christmas present 'Stash.' My local yarn shoppe was having a sale and it is so hard to choose from a Shop full of gorgeous fibers! The hot "pinkish" red is an Italian product called Dive, and is a blend of wool and microfiber. It is a very soft bulky yarn. The green is a ball of Cascade Yarn: all wool superwash, 220 yards, worsted weight and soft as can be. I plan to knit myself a tam from it. But don't know when I will get around to it. I also have 2 skeins of Malabrigo coming from New York.