Kay's Korner - A Knitters Notes

December 17, 2007

Over the next weeks, most of us will be spending time with friends and family. Consider spending some time with someone you enjoy and teaching them your craft. It will be a gift that will enhance their lives and just might be one of those gifts that keeps on giving. I always enjoy watching a student progress, but recently I was able to see how the hours I spent with a student incubated into an unexpected clutch of new knitters.

A young woman was referred to me for lessons by a friend from my church. We became friends as she learned to cast on and knit and I was able to see how remarkable she is in many ways. A psychologist by profession, she recently took a position working with at risk teen girls, a job she finds both enjoyable and fulfilling. The last time we got together, she gave me some amazing news - not only had she taught two family members what she had learned, she had introduced several of her girls to knitting. In this day of i-phones and video games, these young women are enjoying the traditional craft that I so love. That my young friend has shared her craft with so many, all I can say is that I am humbled. Kudos, Lindsay!

You need not be a teacher to share the love of your craft. All it takes is a little time, patience, and a willing spirit in both you and the person you are teaching. A simple cast on, knit stitch, and bind off will set the foundation, allowing simple projects to be completed. Even though many novelty yarns are being discontinued, they can't be beat for a gratifying first project. They hide mistakes and look so fancy, even in garter stitch! Teach the beginning stitches on a smooth yarn, then dig through your stash and find a couple of skeins of novelty yarn for that important first scarf. With some nurturing, you will soon have a new knitter in your circle.

As I look forward to time with my loved ones, I am hoping that all of you will, as well, enjoy the holiday season. Already, I am planning many tips and tricks to share with you in 2008, from using a niddy noddy to understanding how the characteristics of the yarns you choose will effect your finished garments. It is going to be a great year!

Kay's needles have been quite busy this week. A turban in Cascade's Fixation, a wrap in DiVe Butterfly, and a scarf in GGH Modena will all be under our tree this Christmas. I designed a gorgeous scarf for my sister, knit in a mohair/wool/silk/cashmere blend of fibers on US #15 needles. It should be finished before our Christmas Eve family gathering. And with a little luck, my mohair, cabled sweater coat will get a yoke and I will have something smashing to wear when "to Grandmother's house we go!"

Copyright 2007 Karen Mather

December 10, 2007

Hey, we're e-friends, right? E-friends don't let bad patterns happen to e-friends. Yes, I know we are in the final two weeks of the holiday knitting frenzy and in the scramble for a last minute gift, patterns on the internet, especially free patterns on the internet, are very tempting. I mean, they're right there. And in many cases, they're free! But please, read on and perhaps learn enough to avoid the scenario I see repeated so often, getting halfway through a pattern and discovering the pattern just will not work.

It is not your bad karma. I review many patterns every week and just a few days ago I received a pattern that was sent to yarn shops as a little holiday thank you. Pictured was a nice cardigan that looked a good fit on the model. As I read the pattern, the 1 X 1 ribbing pictured on the sleeves and at the bottom of the back and both fronts had been replaced with garter stitch. Garter stitch rows have more vertical stretch than either stockinette or ribbing. Also, a good ribbed cuff or bottom band are usually worked in a slightly smaller needle than the body and this was not the case in the pattern. The wrists in this cardigan will be loose, unlike the way the sweater is pictured. Many knitters will love the sweater pictured, buy the yarn, begin knitting and at some point realize "Oh, no! It doesn't look like the picture." And many knitters will try to figure out what they did wrong instead of seeing that it is actually the pattern that is incorrect.

Sadly, this happens so much more often than it should. Free patterns on many websites do not go through an editor, pattern checker, or sample knitter, as is required when a pattern is submitted to a magazine. An exception to my free pattern caution are those on the websites of major yarn companies. These are offered to promote their yarns and are often written by prominent designers. But beware the numerous websites where very creative individuals are trying to share something that worked for them. Patterns, especially those in multiple sizes, can be difficult to put into clear instructions and can be open to interpretation.

A free pattern isn't much of a bargain if it costs you valuable time. Read through the pattern. Do a gauge swatch. If you need help, go by your local yarn shop. But if you want a well written, reliable pattern, a book or designer pattern is money well spent.

On Kay's needles this week is an alpaca collar. I am using Maggi's Alpaca from Maggi Knits Irish Collection, a bulky weight !00% alpaca yarn knit on US #10 1/2 needles for a quick knit gift. It will work alone and later I intend to incorporate the design into a men's pullover.

Also this week, I have had the opportunity to see many new warm weather yarns. I can hardly wait to share with you all of the cotton, bamboo, hemp, silk, and viscose blends that are new to the market. New colors have been added to our favorite lines, as well. Naturally, the designers have come up with tempting new patterns in their latest books to help us explore next season's fibers.

Copyright 2007 Karen Mather

December 4, 2007

As we prioritize our holiday knitting, you may find that there is still time to put some festive touches on your home decor. Knitted Christmas tree skirts are always popular, many of them put to use year after year. Although they can be an easy project since most of the trim is usually applied after knitting (think sequins, felt, ribbon, and jingle bells), the base skirt is time consuming. So many increases to create that flowing little skirt! Another popular holiday project is a Christmas stocking. Stockings can be made to any size and are easily personalized, although this does not limit us to intarsia to put names on each piece. By using the recipient's favorite colors or adding purchased trim that shouts personality, it can be fun to use our imaginations.

Other holiday decorating ideas are throws, placemats, and table runners. As all of these are basic rectangles, this is an opportunity to be creative and stretch your skills. Both machine and needle felting are good choices for these table toppers. Again, purchased trim will festively transform your basic shapes, leaving you time for shopping and other holiday activities.

Although I avoid knitting Christmas theme sweaters, not wanting to limit my wearing of a handmade item to a few weeks every year, sweaters made with metallic yarns used either as a main color or a trim can be worn to any affair from business casual to black tie. Metallic yarns are again huge this year, silver most prominently, but my personal favorite is copper. The most elegant holiday outfit I have ever seen was a sweater set with beaded trim worn with a satin ballgown skirt. That gorgeous cashmere twin set could also be worn with velvet pants or with some great fitting jeans and heels. In fact, I copied my friend's idea with a beaded angora twin set and satin evening skirt, making it easy to pull off a quick 3 a.m.change to slacks for a morning after breakfast on New Years.

Kay's needles are busy this week paring down a holiday project list. Doug's Big Wave is a richly textured scarf with a surprise; it is incredibly soft! Queensland Collections Big Wave is a blend of 90% wool, 10% cashmere in beautiful variegated colorways. At 3 stitches to 1 inch, it makes a quick knit, easily finished for a last minute gift.

This Saturday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m., the Suwanee Knitwhits and the Prayer Shawl Ministry from Sugarloaf United Methodist Church are getting together to celebrate the season at the Rare Purls Knitterie in Duluth, Georgia. Both groups are prolific charity knitters and we are proud to host them on this occasion. For information on either of these organizations, feel free to contact me. kmather@rarepurls.net

Finally, I am working up the schedule of classes and workshops for winter '08. Is there a project you would like to tackle that you think others would enjoy? Have you been wanting to learn how to work cables, needle felt, or any other knitting technique? A workshop is a fun, practical, and economical way to explore the needle arts. By taking a workshop, supplies can be bought in quantity, instruction time is well utilized, and expenses are shared. Our '08 schedule will include sock knitting, felted handbags, lace stitch stoles, and many other projects. If you have a suggestion for a workshop or class, let me know. Your input is aways appreciated.

Copyright 2007 Karen Mather