Autumn and helping the community

Connie came in here a while ago to buy some yarn. She wanted to knit a shawl for her church's fund raiser. She had found the pattern and we could get the yarn for her.

Then she came back with this.


It is a pattern from Jojoland and uses their Rhythm yarn.

In exchange for Connie letting us have this at the shoppe, we are helping her sell it for $200. All of the proceeds will go to the 1st Presbyterian Church in Elk Rapids. It is for a fund raiser that will help families through agencies like the Women's Resource Center.

Connie has put a lot of time and effort into this beautiful shawl. And we know that it will help to make a difference in our community.

It's Demarie's fault

Demarie came in on Saturday with this pattern in her hands. (you have to be a member of Ravelry to go to the pattern.) I helped her pick out the yarn (Pastaza) and she left. But - she got me thinking. I pulled up Ravelry and started to look at the pattern and what others had knitted with it. And I was hooked.

This is a picture of the Ralph Lauren Olympic Hat for the opening ceremonies.


I picked out St. Denis, loved the colors and Jill had raved about the yarn, and started knitting when I got home Saturday night.

Now - what I did not need was another project. I was happily knitting MY Elizabeth Zimmermann Weekend Sweater

(although the dye keeps staining my hands, but that is another post), plus I am also knitting Carol's Clever Little Shawl out of the Brown Sheep Handpaint Original.

And then there are the other trillion UFO's I have tucked away here and there.

But, this hat kept picking at me, so I picked out the yarn and started it. (I am using the St Denis book hat pattern for cast on and other information.)



Monday morning I looked at what I had knitted and this is what I saw.


Look closer.

Twisted knitting. Not what I wanted. So, I will tear out 2.5" of knitting 140 sts per row and restart.

I swear that I checked and my stitches were not twisted. Honest.

More samples

I am fortunate to have a group of talented knitters. Because of them, you have an opportunity to fondle the yarns and find out how the patterns work.

This is Sally Melville's Faux Fur Hat knitted with Mountain Colors. We have kits made up for you with the yarn and pattern.


The man's vest is made with Jojoland Rhythm yarn.


And then one of my favorite patterns - the Wonderful Wallaby.

Betsy has knitted several of these. This one is made out of Portland Tweed.


I love the front pouch.

Phillip's sweater

Part of the fun of working in a yarn shoppe is the people you meet. Phillip's mother is knitting him a sweater using Elizabeth Zimmermann. She came into the shoppe to see what we thought about the hem. I told her that I liked the rolling effect, but we decided that it should be Phillip's call.

It is not finished yet, she has to weave in some loose ends and finish under the arms, but Phillip thought it was soft and warm enough that he wore it out of the shoppe.

Perfect for the day.

Want some ideas?

We have lots of new samples.


Hmmm, I am seeing a constant with the color theme. Okay - here is something different.

A Thank You

January 30, 2010

Dear Leelanau Community,

A deep, loud, resounding "THANK YOU!" goes out to all of the anonymous knitters who so generously donated boxes and bags full of handmade mittens, scarves, and hats to be donated to families with young children in our area. The "warmies" have been distributed to families via home visiting programs such as Parenting Communities and the Grand Traverse Band Early Headstart as well as through the Leelanau Baby Pantry and Laundry Project. Additional items were donated to local preschools to keep underdressed kids warm on the playground this winter.

Research tells us that outdoor play promotes the release of endorphins creating joyful sensations similar to those we experience when eating chocolate. Outdoor play helps children (and adults) relieve stress, better understand their relationship to the natural world, and has been proven to enhance environmental stewardship.

Thanks so much for creating these beautiful, functional works of art that will keep Leelanau families outside enjoying the sparkly snow and hills, promoting health for people of all ages.

Warm regards,

Angela Poneta Dedenbach

Parenting Communities Coordinator

On behalf of

Leelanau Families and Early Childhood Initiative

Molly and Dolly

We love to see what folks have made. Audrey sent these pictures to me.

She used the Marble yarn and Knitting Pure and Simple's Girl's One Button Cardigan. She found the pattern for the doll sweater on Ravelry.

Don't you love it?

.

123

123. That is as in one hundred and twenty-three. As in what you have knitted and crocheted for the families of our community.

As of Tuesday, 1-19-2010, you had turned in 50 hats, 42 scarfs, 27 mittens, one headband, one pair of socks, and one toy.


Marilyn crocheted 34 scarfs.

Inmates at the jail took wool sweaters, felted them, and sewed them into mittens and a toy.


Here is Tricia, of Parenting Communities, and her son, Thomas, checking out the goodies.


123 items were given to Parenting Communities, Headstart, and other agencies that work with families in Leelanau County.

Jane Addams - "The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life."

Hatting

Fun, fun. This is for my daughter's boyfriend. It is the Boyfriend Hat. Appropriately labeled, don't you think?

Tiffany, from my favorite bank (Northwestern in Leland) is my model. Yarn is Deep Pine Lamb's Pride Worsted. US 8 needle.

Flying time

Whew! The holiday season whooshed past and I am still wondering what happened.


I did finish two cowls (my new favorite knit. Quick and fun.)

The pattern is Dolores Park Cowl.


This one is knitted with Misti Alpaca Chunky Handpainted.


And this one is knitted with Mountain Colors Wool Quarters, double stranded.



I baked bread.
And enjoyed having my grown children and their friends.



Oh, yes, and their dogs.






I hope your holiday season was as wonderful as ours.

Finishing up

I finished up several projects.


This is the Wee Fair Isle Stocking. It comes in a kit.



This is what I call the child's tassel hat. I made the second size, but doubled the amount of stitches cast on. I also knit it in a circle, rather than flat. The yarn is Punta Lava Handpainted.



At some point I need to start thinking of Christmas gifts. For this year.

My new friends

I am having fun. A while ago I found a pattern called Korknisser. Finally I was able to sit down and start knitting.

Voila! My new friends! Worsted weight yarn and US 3 needles and about an hour per gnomey. (I am a slow knitter) But, it is something I can finish and I have a bag full of corks to dress.

Aren't they cute?

Betsy is at it again

Betsy is always trying out new ideas. Here are some fingerless mitts she has whipped out using Kid Seta with her yarn stash.

Snow Day

I was going to be at the shoppe today, until I went outside.


I admit it - I am a wimp.



But I shoveled snow on the walk and on our roof.



And Murphy ran around.


Have a great snowy day.