This month we talk about FINISHING! I'll show you some of my recent finished objects; my favorite bind off; weaving in ends; soaking and blocking your finished items; adding buttons; and what do YOU do with all the finished things?
You can find me on Ravelry and Instagram as denmoma; join the group on Ravelry and Facebook, just search DenKnits; or subscribe to the YouTube channel. My Etsy store is at etsy.com/shop/DenKnits
Welcome (back)! This video begins season 4 of DenKnits and a new format. Videos will be uploaded on a monthly basis and have a focused topic up for discussion.
This month we talk about HANDSPUN! I'll show and discuss all the finished skeins from January along with finished knits out of handspun, other patterns good for handspun, fiber acquisitions, tools and tips!
You can find me on Ravelry and Instagram as denmoma; join the group on Ravelry and Facebook, just search DenKnits; subscribe to this channel or follow along at denknits.blogspot.com
Shawl design out of handspun 3-ply to 2-ply from SpunRightRound
Spinning
It's Tour de Fleece! Somehow related to a bike race that I don't know anything about, I decided to join Team Phoenix Rising 2015 because she created a Facebook group and I like her fibers :-) My goal is to spin all of my two Spin This Box fibers and I started with prepping some of the braids on Friday. I'll mostly wheel spin but since I have some days I won't be able to use my wheel, I will also be using my TurtleMade spindle.
Christmas in July / Birthday Month
Like my Facebook page and / or follow my business Instagram account to see the daily highlights. Patterns that are free will be highlighted as well as paid patterns that will be discounted. I'll also have specials on finished knits for sale for non-knitters and maybe even some handspun or other items knitters would like!
Looking for test knitters to join my DenKnits team! While I can't compensate now beyond undying gratitude and a free pattern, if we grow together there will be more to come!
Side note
I keep forgetting to mention on the video but Darn Good Yarn has a new section to their website called 'Featured Designers' where I am one of the few to be highlighted with links to all my work for them that can be currently purchased on their website!
Chevron Cowl out of Desert Vista Dyeworks Worsted It!
Shawl design for Darn Good Yarn with their beaded silk lace weight
Weaving experiment
Works in Progress
Design for Darn Good Yarn with their Velvet Viscose yarn
Designing
I've been busy the past two weeks mostly working on designs, new and old. I had a lace shawl pattern released through Darn Good Yarn that was found to have an error. I talk about the process of reading your knitting and fixing designs.
Giveaway on my Facebook fan page for DenKnits will be running until tomorrow, Monday February 26, sometime in the evening. Become a fan and enter to win! You can get either the finished item or a kit to make the Asymmetricowl. If you don't win but would like to buy either of these, check out my shop on Square Marketplace.
Works in Progress
- Darn Good Yarn designs, recently finished the banana fiber version and a lux fiber version is currently being knit up
- TreLiz poncho design out of her DK weight yarn Tsunami colorway, frogged back to the seed stitch beginning and re-knit with different decreases; pooling is looking different but hopefully the flashes show up again!
- Measure in Love which you can get either through Ravelry or Megan's First Giving page by donating you will receive a coupon code for one hat download; I'm using my handspun batt from Joanna Spring of KnitSpinFarm to make the short cowl version of the pattern
- These are the Breaks is being knit up out of Reynolds Rapture (discontinued) for the KnitALong on Instagram #hooigkal2015 that runs through the end of February; all Oblivious Knits patterns on Ravelry are 50% off (no coupon code needed!) until February 1st
No other WIPs were touched in the past two weeks, nor was the wheel :-(
Needle comparision
- my old interchangable needle set from Clover Takumi
- my new purchase from Amazon ChiaGoo Spin
Ravelry groups/threads
- Podcast Junkies is a group that talks about podcasts, one thread in particular is an interesting read, especially for other podcasters 'What drives you crazy about podcasts'
- I've set up a thread in the DenKnits group'Give me YOUR opinions' for you to tell me how you enjoy the podcast (or what you don't!), but feel free to leave a comment on this blog post or the YouTube video
It's a small world...
Although I don't generally talk about podcasts I watch (that would take forever and a day!) I wanted to tell you about another podcaster because she is local to me, Erin Joy Knits, and as it turns out we had a previous connection!
I have a little bit of spinning I'm working on... Two braids from a Got Fiber? Friday sale on Facebook by Phoenix Fiber Co. spun together using a tip from Debcquilts
GIVEAWAYS!!! It's that time of year for gifts, right? There are three possibilities for you to win!
I don't know if I've ever digressed so much :-D This is a long one guys, but the last video was short, making up for it preemptively!
Finished Objects - I finished a Yoda hat for my cousin's toddler, it's a combination of this earflap hat and this Yoda hat. The fingerless mitts have been received, they're my creation with a touch of a MelTran pattern. I also got the Bender hat in the mail. This was all my design and I hope to write up a pattern because there weren't any knit choices on Ravelry already! The recipient of the Bender hat (who has also gotten other hats from me) happened to be by the Jagger Spun factory for work and thought to stop in and pick up a skein for me! Yay!!!
Works in Progress - The Easy Ripple Afghan is being crocheted for my son's teacher who is expecting a baby boy next month. I'm also still plugging away on my Highland Handmades socks, just my usual vanilla sock. My cousin's toddler is also getting a Mickey Mouse hat, I just need to figure out the ears! I'm also working on a test knit for CoggieTM, KaRi from The High Fiber Diet.
Spinning - Finished the merino from TreLiz, my favorite Greek fiber artist :-) The fiber spun on the wheel turned out deliciously but not the same weight as the spindle spun fiber.
Spinzilla - Go Team HappyFuzzyYarn!!! I finished two 4oz braids on the wheel, one was 242yd (presoak)(968yd submittable) and the other 282yd (presoak)(1128yd submittable). I also spindle spun on the road trip and managed to get through 3oz of another 4oz braid! I was able to 2-ply 178yd (presoak) and had 68yd of singles (presoak) (for a total of 602yds submittable). My total Spinzilla contribution was 2,698yds!!!
Stitches East - There was so much... I don't know what really needs to be notated here! Well, it was amazing to finally meet Darn Good Yarn and just soak it all in. I'm anxiously waiting for Stitches to post Fashion Show pics so we can all get a better look at our item as well as all the other gorgeous knitwear. I saw Wendy from Knit1Heart2, I chatted with A Riot of Color and got a sock blank & a button, I picked up a few minis from White Birch Fiber Arts and some fiber from Highland Handmades along with a button for being a podcast fan!
DGY Designing - A sweater I designed is being released soon from DGY, along with a felt ball CaPOWl (it's a cape/cowl type thing) and I have two items in progress and one more to get started! Expect lots from me through Darn Good Yarn over the next year or so :-)
Welcome to DenKnits, where I finally remember to share all the places I am virtually!
Here to talk about the first Finished Object with me is my son, Ethan, for whom is was created... This is the Easy Crochet Soccer Ball that I crocheted in Red and White for the Man U fan. The crochet part was easy, piecing together was not, until I found this project with a schematic photo! I used some leftover Hobby Lobby yarn and G & H hooks.
I also Finished one other item, the KISSy the sheep pattern from Kari, coggietm, of the High Fiber Diet. I knit mine up in Jojoland Tonic so I had to adjust gauge and needle size down to a US4. This will be my first finished entry into the KitM KAL using a pattern from an attendee designer!
The Iris Goddess of Rainbow Shawl is still a Work in Progress. I am knitting on Clue 3 with my Sheep Dreamery yarn and know I will love my shawl when finished, just wish it were already finished! This will be a KitM KAL entry as well since the yarn was purchased there last year.
I've also put some Work into the Bender inspired hat that has been ordered from me. It just looks like a regular hat now but soon will take shape into the Futurama character!
Needing something simple to take with me, I cast on some socks again! These are my usual sock formula, usual sock needle and Highland Handmades Sugar Maple Sock yarn. It is a colorway called Haven which was created for the KitM retreat last year, so it's another entry into the KAL :-)
In BIG designing news... I will be attending, however briefly, STITCHES EAST! The ladies at Darn Good Yarn were invited to come with a fashion show item and they extended that to me :-) I am excited to not only have a MODEL wear an item I knit, on a runway, in front of lots of people... I also get to FINALLY meet Nicole and Maggie in person! Having worked with them virtually for over a year I am looking forward to spending a bit of time with them.
However... sadly I realized that Stitches coincides with Spinzilla. As a member of the Happy Fuzzy Yarn team I not only got a discount for the fiber I purchased at Michigan Fiber Fest, I also get to use the discount until Spinzilla... so I ordered a few more braids :-) I plan to spin up one braid on my wheel, hopefully finishing at least singles over Mon and Tues. Then I'll have to work out some spinning time on the road using my Turkish and work up at least one more braid. You can still join in the fun on this or any other team with openings until Sept 22 or go as a Rogue spinner until Oct 3.
Since it's a new month and I've noticed an increase in the number of shared projects, I think you like this prize drawing method! Everyone who shares a finished object gets their name put in the draw and if you have more than 5 items shared you'll get another entry! This month's winner is sehepworth! Congrats Sarah, love seeing all the socks you've been making :-)
3 comfort blankets from bulky/super bulky yarn held double and knit with size 36 needles, take about 2 evenings to finish a blanket (sorry no pics and already gifted)
Leaf Lace Scarf from Darn Good Yarn Silk Cloud, my own design
Acquisition - Spin to Knit by Shannon Okey, package deal for hardcopy of the older version, e-copy of the update when available and entry into a drawing all for $10!
I'd never done or watched anything like this before so I went whole hog and entered as many categories as I could, which was 5 out of the 8 available. Because I learned to spin fairly recently I was in the novice level, there were also intermediate and advanced levels. I watched the whole judging process, which may be different for every event, but I've reviewed it all for you. I'd never really seen anyone go into detail on how it works before so I thought it could be helpful for someone and perhaps interesting to others. I ended up with four ribbons, three 1st place and one 3rd place!
Emily of Fiber Addiction had my designs and sample knitting at her booth, I also got to meet her in person officially
Emily from Bricolage Studios was in the same tent so I stopped by to say hi and let her know I submitted a skein I spun from her batt into the competition
Meet up with KaRi and Lorrie, ran into Dena and Jill and hung out in Jenna's booth, Uniquely Yours
Made my own batt using Jenna's drum carder out of Alpaca, BFL, Firestar and Silk Noil, this was probably the most fun!!!
Also found Bethany and her daughters and got to see my Tulip Top design 'in the wild' as her daughter was wearing the version she had test knit for me :-)
KALs - RAL finished, Stashless group won, our group winner is...
- May-June is summer tops, any garment you would wear on top in the summer is eligible! Dip everywhere this is a popular KAL now :-). Consider making my Tulip Top and purchase for 1/2 price using the coupon code mentioned.
My Favorte Things - Current listings for buttons/pins and 3mo subscription to Knit Kits, includes pattern, yarn(s), and notion for 'That Sunset was Bananas', 'His and Hers llama hats' and 'Two in one' cowls along with a little surprise!
Pick a pattern from these designers and join along! You have until April 30th!
Charity KAL
Alice's Embrace is a group knitting shawls and lap blankets for dementia patients. They have everything you need to know on their website, including patterns! For every 10 FO's posted to our thread I will do a drawing for something :-)
SPINNING!
I'm the proud foster parent of a Ladybug spinning wheel for a few months and was given lessons this weekend at a local Knit 'n' Spin along with great encouragement from the other spinners.
I have finished 3 1/2oz fiber samples and have two braids to get me started, one gifted with the wheel from Greenwood Fiberworks and one I purchased for myself from Spun Right Round
March Knit along - A Finish along where you can pick up something you haven't touched in February and hopefully finish it in March. Ideal for a project that was set aside because you had questions, ask the group! Also for a project that was set aside because you got sick of it, the group can cheer you on! April KAL - Karen from stash.less and myself will be hosting a joint race along... Pick your group based on designer, DenKnits is using Mizzle designer Patricia Martin, find a pattern from that designer (free or paid) and help your group get the most done to be winners! Both groups will have a separate draw for a Ravelry pattern download and whichever group has the most FO's will be in the running for yarn from the host of the losing group. If I end up doing a yarn giveaway it may be this, this or this. Share the Love - The Sampler Girl Podcast with Tanyamarie (on Rav) aka bzmama (on IG) has an audio podcast on iTunes as well as a video podcast on YouTube! She's having a spring KAL called 'Spring Rain'; The Spritlyknitter podcast with Orange-maid (on Rav) aka sprite966; Lise from Greece who has an Etsy shop TreLiz, on Rav she's treliz and treliz_yourowlyarn on Instagram. Share more on the board! I'm wearing my Sockhead hat but forgot to mention it.
March Knit along - A Finish along where you can pick up something you haven't touched in February and hopefully finish it in March. Ideal for a project that was set aside because you had questions, ask the group! Also for a project that was set aside because you got sick of it, the group can cheer you on! Inspired to pick up this cotton top from the stash.less podcast plant fiber craft along.
Spinning - 0.8 oz of CJ Kopec Creations superwash BFL spun on my Cattail Knits turkish spindle, a little more to spin and then on to plying with the fiber spun on the Dodec wheel
Future KAL - In April Karen from stash.less and myself will be hosting a joint race along... Pick your group based on designer, find a pattern from that designer (free or paid) and help your group get the most done to be winners! More details as they are worked out
Review of bamboo needles purchased through ebay from sfcdirect
Acquisitions:
From the local yarn store in addition to the Opal 6-ply Sport and the Soleil in turquoise, another Soleil in pea green and Sirdar Baby Snowball in multiple colors
I am trying to add this feed to iTunes... If you have a moment can you help me out and see if you can find DenKnits there and if so can you see any videos?
Ironic title as I was watching back, editing and I realized that in the beginning, talking about myself, I didn't want to take credit for my work. Yet later on I wondered why my friend wouldn't take credit for her part and I realized what I'd done... Do you easily take credit for your knitting?
I keep hearing more and more about arm knitting and when I checked it out I found videos by non-knitters... While they were good and I learned, I thought it would be nice to learn from a knitter.
DenKnits is here to help! I've put together a 15 minute video that will have you arm knitting a cowl in 30-60 minutes!
Besides your arms you'll need a pair of scissors and some yarn, yes that's it! I used two full 50g bulky/super bulky skeins to make the wrap able cowl in the video. I also tried this using smaller portions of 5 different 100g worsted weight skeins. The possibilities are endless!
