Showing posts with label Patterns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patterns. Show all posts

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Member Highlight - Lorna Miser


CCS Member and author Lorna Miser discusses her new book, Knit Pink, 25 Patterns to Knit for Comfort, Gratitude, and Charity.



Lorna’s book was just released and I asked her about her process of designing and knitting the projects in the book.  What you may not know is many times publishers dictate what yarns they want used and what kind of projects need to be included, but Lorna reports that her publisher, Martingale, did not put those restrictions on her so she was free to choose the yarns and projects herself.  There is a wide variety of patterns to choose from featuring quality luxury yarns from many different labels.  The projects include: cowls, scarves, pillows, hats, mittens and gloves, blankets, purses and totes, shawls, shawlettes and shrugs, socks, a vest, some slippers, and even washcloths.  Something for every knitter.  And the featured yarns run the gamut from superwash wool, wool/silk blends, acrylic blends, handpainted wool, angora, cotton, alpaca, and bamboo.



The project pictures are clear, close-up, and include photos of the backside of many of the projects which is something I think they should make mandatory for all pattern photos.  The lace patterns have both charts and written instructions so you can practice your chart reading if that is new to you.  And there is a very detailed back section on knitting techniques including how to use double point needles, increases and decreases, icord, kitchener stitch, how to do a mattress seam, put in a zipper and how to felt.  Everything you would need to know to do any of the projects is included.  I think this book, some needles and some of the featured yarn would be a great gift for anyone you know who’s got a lot of downtime due to medical treatments and doctor’s appointments, and for anyone who wants easy access to quick-to-knit accessories.  Lorna wanted to emphasize that the book is designed to inspire knitters to give in their own way.  It is not connected with any particular fund raising organization or charity. There’s an interesting list in the front of the book of all of the “colors” associated with different cancer awareness campaigns.  Did you know that the ribbon for male breast cancer, which occurs more than you’d expect, is half pink and half blue? 

Lorna will be our guest of honor at the January 16th Guild meeting and will treat us to her “trunk show” of all the knitted garments from the book before they go on national tour to knit shops across the country.  We’re first!  Refreshments will be served and books will be available for purchase.  And some of our own guild members were knitters for Lorna so you’ll be able to see which projects they knit for the book.



Look for Lorna soon on Daily Craft TV http://www.dailycrafttv.com/ where she’ll have 6 segments of classes featuring her fused lining purse class, lace edges, zippers, and knit flowers.  And if you’re feeling a little left out because you crochet, check out Crochet Pink by Janet Rehfeldt and you’ll feel right at home.  Congratulations, Lorna, on your wonderful new book.   

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Let's Make a Sock Yarn Blanket!

Sheila's Stunning Sock Yarn Blanket!

The July Tuesday Night Program was another fun filled night for the Stockinettes! The program agenda this month was learning how to make mitered squares to make a Sock Yarn Blanket.

The program night was led by Cindi Unmack. Cindi's very own Sock Yarn Blanket has inspired many other Stockinette Knitters to join the fun of knitting a Sock Yarn Blanket.

Here's what Michele C. had to say about the Program:

Tuesday evening’s program started with the “Great Wee Ball Swap”.

Everyone put their “wee balls” on the table, looked around, started pointing and the ooos and aaahs began. Who knew there were so many beautiful sock yarns to choose from; every color you can imagine. Everyone walked around the table selecting “wee balls” for their own projects and couldn’t wait to get started knitting them.

Cindi explained the concept of a mitered square, explained how to get started and everyone took off. After making two squares Cindi demonstrated how to pick up stitches and add in the third square. There was quite a bit of discussion on whether the blankets should have “innees” or “outees” but everyone knew what they wanted. By the end of the evening some ladies were already pulling out their sample squares and starting a “project.”

Cindi had patterns for other mitered square project (think slippers, socks and scarves).

It was an evening filled with fun and we can’t wait to see all those mitered square projects at the August meeting.

Thank you Michele for your fabulous report!

Close Knit Friends &
Sock Yarn Blanket Knitters!

Knitting a Sock Yarn Blanket "is fun and addictive" according to Sheila's Ravelry project page! Sheila and her fellow Stockinettes friends Kimberly and Michele all caught the Sock Yarn Blanket bug from Cindi Unmack a few years ago!

Thank you to Cindi Unmack for leading another fun filled Tuesday Night Program.

Special thanks to Michele C. for bringing her sock yarn blanket and for offering help teaching during the program.

Special thanks to Sandi Benward for bringing "wee yarn balls" donated by Babetta's Yarn & Gifts for everyone to take at the program night.

Sock Yarn Blanket

So are you ready to being your very own Sock Yarn Blanket now?

Cindi Unmack and the Stockinette Knitters were all inspired by Shelly Kang's Mitered Square Sock Yarn Blanket.

You can find the free pattern on Ravlery and read Shelly's tips "All About the Blankie" on her blog.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Knitting With Wire!

Knitting With Wire

Have you ever knit with wire? Yes, you can actually knit with wire. The Stockinettes learned all about knitting with wire at the June Program Night.

Beth Callahan (our very own talented bead knitter) taught the Knitting With Wire class. The Guild supplied all the wire and beads and the Stockinettes supplied all the fun!

Wire Beaded Bracelet

The project for the program night was to learn to make a wire beaded bracelet.

According to Stockinette Annemieke, it was a very interesting program and she really enjoyed it! She went on to say that Beth gave a wonderful introduction and was a thorough teacher.

Annemieke says this program was a great stepping off point for making more wire jewelry. She went home and immediately got on Ravelry to find more patterns and books for making wire jewelry.

Thank you Beth for another fun filled and fascinating program night!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

1,000 Fabulous Knit Hats

1,000 Fabulous Knit Hats
by Annie Modesitt

Hot off the Press!

This just in from Stockinette Terry Morris aka The Sailing Knitter:

It's here! The new book by Annie Modesitt is now on Amazon.com Take a peek inside the book at the Contributors pages...see all the Camellia City Stockinettes Guild members!

Whooo hoooo! I see: Lorna Miser, Sandi Benward, Beth Callahan and me, Terry Morris. I can't wait to get my hands on this book and see all the beautiful and fun hats.

Congratulations ladies for having your hats
published in Annie's new book!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Sock Club!

Hot off the press...

Sock Club

Congratulations to our very own Stockinette Terry Morris. She has two sock patterns published in the newly published book Sock Club. Two of her original original designs are in the book: Cozy Cable Socks and Beaded Lattice Socks.

You can follow Terry's knitting adventures on the high seas by reading her blog Sailing Knitter. Terry and her husband sold their house and possessions in 2006 and now call a 50' Gulfstar Sailmaster home. Talk about adventuresome!

Terry is a well loved and long standing member of the Camellia City Stockinettes. Be sure to check out her book and blog!

Happy Sailing Terry and again Congratulations!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

September Monthly Challenge

Hoodie Scarf

Fall and winter will eventually make their way to sunny Sacramento. This month's Camellia City Stockinette Monthly Challenge is sure to get you ready for the fall and winter seasons!

Member Michele Carotti is challenging all Stockinettes to make the Hoodie Scarf pattern by Diana Gates. According to the pattern the skill level is beginner so we hope to see lots of Hoodie Scarves at our October Meeting's Show and Tell.

Michele says she got her inspiration for this challenge pattern last year. She wanted to do a hoodie scarf and began a search on Ravelry. When she found the Hoodie Scarf pattern that she really liked she knew it would be perfect for a Guild Monthly Challenge. She plans on making quite a few more this year for Christmas gifts.

Michele also mentioned that Sheila Igoe even made matching mittens to match her Hoodie Scarf. Great idea girls!

(You can find the Hoodie Scarf as a free pattern on Ravelry

or just click on the Hoodie Scarf link in this post and you will be directed to the pattern.)

Monday, August 17, 2009

Knit One Below!

(k1b) Knit One Below

One of the best parts of being a Camellia City Stockinette is the camaraderie of fabulous knitters. Our guild is filled with many experienced and talented knitters eager to share their knitting knowledge. One such knitter is Sandra Benward.

Stockinette Teacher Sandra Benward

Sandra was the instructor for (K1B) Knit One Below at our August Tuesday Night Program. Sandra has mastered the (K1B) stitch and shared her knowledge with a classroom full of eager Stockinette knitters.

Sandi helping out Pat P.

Sandi ventured around the classroom and made sure that all Stockinettes new and experienced understood the (K1B) stitch. This unique stitch creates columns of color in your knitting.

Stockinette Pat P. said "she really had a good time at the August meeting and this was her first Stockinette program and she loved it."

The Stockinettes in Deep Concentration!

Each Stockinette who attended the workshop received a free Inside-Outside Scarf pattern from the book Knit One Below by Elise Duvekot. You can also check out the book Knit One Below from our lending library!

An added bonus came from a Stockinette that we don't see much these days because she does her knitting on the high seas. Yes that would be, our very own, Terry Morris who is also known as The Sailing Knitter. Terry generously supplied the class attendees with a scarf, hat and fingerless glove pattern for the (K1B) stitch. Thank you Terry!

Sandi helping Marie as Lisa knits on!

Every Stockinette that attended was thrilled to learn this new stitch. Stockinette Lisa S. said "I'm really glad I came. It's a great technique and I can't wait to make a scarf!"

Thank you to Camellia City Stockinettes Sandra and Terry for contributing to this program's success.

We hope to see you at next month's Tuesday Night Program with another fabulous Stockinette knitter/teacher...Beth Callahan. Beth will be teaching us how to make a felted fall Cornucopia with felted corn, etc. Talk about knitting fun for fall!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

August Monthly Challenge

Ice Queen by Rosemary Hill

Member Linda Greene is challenging all Camellia City Stockinettes in August to knit up Ice Queen designed by Rosemary Hill. Ice Queen is a lace pattern designed by Rosemary (also known as Romi) in one skein of Rowan's Kidsilk Haze. It is a free pattern on Knitty.

Ice Queen Cowl

Ice Queen is a very clever pattern that Romi designed. It can be worn two ways, as a cowl or as a lacy head wrap, too. The pattern is rated Tangy on Knitty which means it is suitable for most knitters.

Ice Queen is a feather and fan pattern with a picot bind off. There are two versions of the pattern to knit, one with stockinette or and the other with garter.

Are you up for the August challenge? We can't wait to see all the completed versions of Ice Queen at our September meeting!

(All photographs by Rosemary Hill/Designs by Romi)

Friday, June 26, 2009

Mrs. Beeton

Stockinette Lisette D.'s Mrs. Beetons

June Monthly Challenge

Mrs. Beeton the adorable Victorian style gauntlets by Brenda Dayne is the monthly challenge for June. Stockinette Lizette H. has challenged the Stockinettes to whip up a pair of Mrs. Beeton's by our next Guild meeting on Thursday, July 2, 2009.

Mrs. Beeton is a free pattern on Knitty.com.


Nina's Mrs. Beetons


How many Mrs. Beetons can you make?

Stockinette Nina R. loves to use up her stash and knit Mrs. Beeton's for gifts. What a great idea!

Stockinette Lisette D. was thrilled this is the June challenge project. She faved the pattern on Ravelry over a year and a half ago.

Nearly 600 members on Raverly have made Mrs. Beetons. It's not to late to start this monthly challenge if you haven't already. This project only requires 4 to 18 yards of luxury yarns and can be whipped up in a day or two...so you still have time!

Don't forget to bring your Mrs. Beeton's to the July Guild meeting next week for all to see. It will also be "Trash to Treasure" at the July meeting so be sure not to miss it!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Design Your Own Neck Warmer!

Anne is Pretty in Pink!

Design your own Neck Warmer

The Stockinettes Monthly Challenge for May was to "Design Your Own Neck Warmer".

The challenge was from Elizabeth R. to design a neck warmer of your own liking and design. Many Stockinettes joined in on this fun project.

Here are a few photos of the neck warmers which were modeled by the knitters at the June Guild meeting:

Beth's Neck Warmer

Beth's Purple Neck Warmer had beautiful details!

Nina's Neck Warmer

Nina did a lovely lace neck warmer in a pretty pale green.

Diane's Neck Warmer

Diane knit a cozy neck warmer in varying shades of blue.


May Monthly Challenge

The Monthly Challenge is a really fun way to complete a challenge project between guild meetings. Are you joining the challenge each month or sitting on the side lines?

We would love to have more members enjoy this fun part of our meetings!

Are you up for the challenge!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Yarn Shop Hop 2009!

Yarn Shop Hop 2009!
(Adorable Afghan Square by Stockinette, Kimberly!)

Attention all knitters... Yarn Shop Hop 2009 is here! There are 15 fabulous yarn stores participating this year and five shopping days to shop. Here are the details:

The 2009 Yarn Shop Hop starts on Wednesday June 3rd and runs through Sunday June 7, 2009.

Pick up your Yarn Shop Hop Passport at the first yarn shop you visit. Get your Passport stamped at every yarn shop you visit. Turn in your Passport at the last yarn shop you visit to be entered into the Yarn Shop Hop Drawing. If you visit all 15 Yarn Shops you are entered into the Grand Prize Drawing worth $750.00!

Be sure to turn in your Passport even if it's incomplete. There is another drawing for those shoppers that made the valiant effort to get out and shop as many stores as they could!

As an added bonus...each yarn shop will be having it's own Shop Hop specials and prizes. Some shops are even having canned food drives. Check with the stores for details.

Cascade 220 Yarn

All knitters love Cascade 220 yarn! This year each yarn shop is offering a special one skein purchase of Cascade 220 yarn for a special price $4.65!

Free Square Afghan Patterns
(Heart afghan square by Kimberly)

With your special Cascade 220 yarn purchase, you will also receive a free 12" square afghan pattern. Buy a skein at each shop and collect all 15 square patterns to make the 2009 Shop Hop Afghan. What a fun idea!

Kimberly's Sampler Afghan

Check out this gorgeous completed Sampler Afghan by our very own Stockinette, Kimberly. Kimberly used square patterns from the various Great American Afghan books. Kimberly said her afghan project "was really fun". She used Cascade 220 Superwash and said "knitting with the yarn was a dream!"

Kimberly knit on average 3 to 4 squares a month for her afghan. According to Kimberly, it would be easy to knit 1 or 2 squares a month with the Shop Hop's free patterns. She says "it really gives you a sense of accomplishment to finish a few squares rather than think about an entire afghan". She also says "don't worry about the seaming"....it 's not that difficult." She says "sit down at a table and just do it!"

Great job Kimberly! Ravelry members can check out her project details on her projects page on Ravelry.

Here are the participating Yarn Shops in the Valley and Sierra's:

Auburn Needleworks, Babetta's Yarn & Gifts, Fibers, Filati Fine Yarns,
Knitique, Knit-Witz Yarn Boutique, Lake Tahoe Yarn Company, Lofty Lou's, Meadow Farm, Reynold's Knittin' Pretty Yarn Shop, Rumpelstiltskin, Sierra Knitting Co., The Knitting Room, The Urban Sheep and The Yarn Shop.

Let's all get out this week and "shop 'till we drop"!