Benefits of knitting. . . more than just finished projects.

As I begin the steps towards opening a yarn and wine shop, I find that it's more than just enjoying time knitting with friends (and drinking wine): knitting or craft groups are so much more than just finishing projects. These groups are therapeutic, sociable, empowering, and healthy for our mental states. Knitting and such also has the elements of meditation--there is nothing so beneficial as knitting things out--we learned this by reading our favorite novels by Maggie Sefton. Being able to knit and think and clear our minds of everything but the simplicity of knitting and purling can be just what we need to figure out a problem, solve a conflict, solidify a dream.

I feel so blessed that I have met so many wonderful men and women through fiber--the kind you knit! :o) I am so excited to see what the future has to bring me and the customers who will become kindred spirits as we knit through life.

Scruffy Beard Pattern!

Using US10 needles and worsted weight yarn (I used Stitch Nation Alpaca), cast on 40 stitches.

Knit 3 rows
Row 4: Knit 15, bind off 10, Knit 15
Row 5: Knit 15, cast on 10, Knit 15
Rows 6-12: K2tog, knit to last 2 stitches, SSK each row
Rows 13-15: Knit across
Bind off loosely

Wrap yarn around palm of hand, then cut your loop so that you have multiple strands of yarn. Starting about 1 inch from the bottom of the beard, sew 5-6 strands of yarn onto beard (I ran a strand of yarn through the beard, place the strands, and then ran the strand through and tied the strands in the back--use whatever method you prefer). Repeat this every 1/2 inch or so along the bottom of the beard. Then, starting about an inch above this row, begin another row of "scruffiness". I staggered my bundles of yarn. I hadn't trimmed anything in the picture shown, but would recommend trimming it to make it look a little less scruffy!

My students at school are literally fighting over these!!

My first try at dying yarn!

I tried Kool-aid dying tonight on some lion brand fisherman's wool. It was my first time dying yarn, and I was a bit intimidated by the steps and processes of dying with natural ingredients. So, while shopping on www.knitpicks.com, I found the directions for dying with Kool-aid. It was easy, fun, and satisfying! What do you think??? :o)

The pictures show the small hank--approximately 40 yds--before dying, in the mason jar in the microwave during dying, and the beautiful results after dying! Can't wait to knit up the coffee sleeve with this!

Most Adorable Baby Hat Ever!!!!

This has become my most favorite baby gift knit this summer!!! Super fast and soooo cute!

Here is the pattern: http://cyberseams.com/article/105729/all_things_knitting/square_knitted_baby_hat_with_pom_poms.html

And few versions that I've made!!

Another one for the knitting side!

Suzy learned to do stripes!

Taking over the world...

Two more knitters created tonight!! I love seeing youngsters knitting! And they BOTH finished great hats tonight!!

Tuesday night knitting...it's catching! See you next week!

Pattern by Hanna!

http://instagr.am/p/MUm_VZMtrI/

Using size 10 needles and worsted weight yarn, cast on 150.

Knit 10 rows in garter stitch (knit each row).

Row 1: k10; *p10, k10* repeat until 10 st remain; k10

Row 2: k10; *k10, p10* repeat until 10 st remain; k10

Repeat rows 1 and 2 till desired length. Knit 10 rows in garter stitch, bind off loosely and weave ends!

Progress!

I'm really enjoying the look and feel of making this from Lion Brand Baby's First! Can't wait to finish!

New boy blankie!

Loved Allegra's cover pattern so much, I'm making it in baby's first cotton. Modifications: size 11 needles, cast on 87, knit 4 @ beg and end of each row instead of 8, knitted 5 rows at beginning too.

Finished blankie!!

Finally! Now to move on to the next project!!

My newest prodigy!

My tutoring student's first hat! So proud!

Success! A new knitter is here!

Our first Starbucks knit knite was a hit! Started a new knitter tonight and she's hooked! Caffeinated knitting rocks! Thanks for hosting us every Tuesday, parkway Starbucks!!

Cute set!!

Hat and bootie pattern from ravelry! Hat and booties
I just did garter stitch on the tops.

Allegra's cover pattern!

emmafassioknitting
For some reason I got an error on the link. This should work!

Blankie progress!

Using vintage yarn from Spain and the beautiful Allegra's cover pattern. Close to the 1/4th mark. I had to take out 4 rows because I got off a bit, but I love it!

New Knitting Group!

Come join us at the Parkway Starbucks in Salem/Keizer from 5-7 pm every Tuesday starting June 26th!! Supplies provided, or bring your favorite project!

Cabled Boot Toppers

Cabled Boot Toppers

Using a bulky-weight yarn (4-5), and size 8 needles, CO 46 stitches (sized small; for larger sizes, increase cast-on by 16 stitches (to keep ribbing pattern) for larger sizes. I have only test-knitted for size small.)

Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 2 ½ inches. Knit 3 rows in stockinette stitch, ending with a knit row.

Begin cable pattern. From Leisure Arts Beginner’s Guide Knit Stitches & Easy Projects, page 13, Tight Braid Cable. Repeat the pattern in this way: K5, cable pattern for 10 stitches*, Repeat to * to end of row. Continue for five sets of cable pattern (4 rows in each set of pattern). Bind off all stitches. Block.

Diagonal Stripe Baby Blanket

Diagonal Baby Blanket

Using a super bulky (6) yarn and size 13 US needles, cast on three stitches.

Set-up rows:

Row 1: Knit all 

Row 2: K 1, Kfb, K1 (4 stitches on needles) 

Row 3: K2, Kfb, K1 (5 stitches on needles)

Row 4: k2, Kfb, K2 (6 stitches)

Row 5: K2, Kfb, K3 (7 stitches)

Image is after set-up rows, and first rows 1-5 in pattern. 

Begin pattern:

Rows 1-5:

Odd rows: K3, YO, K to end

Even rows: K3, YO, P to last 3 stitches remaining, K3 (stockinette in the body of the blanket)

Rows 6-10:

Even rows: K3, YO, K to end (this will start a stockinette stitch section going the opposite direction to give the striping effect)

Odd rows: K3, YO, P to last 3 stitches, K3

You will now be starting back at row 1 of the pattern with a knit row. This starts stockinette on a new side.

Image is after 1 set of rows 1-10, and a set of rows 1-5

Repeat these sections, alternating to create striping. When you’ve reached the ½-way mark (your decision—I used one full skein of 60m length yarn and when I started the second skein, I started my decrease), begin the decreasing pattern:

Rows 1-5:

Odd rows: K2, K2tog, YO, K2tog, either K or P to end of row (remember: always K3 for the last 3 stitches in each row)(depending on what section you are starting on)

Even rows: K2, K2tog, YO, K2tog, do the opposite (K or P) to end of row (always knitting the last 3 stitches in each row)

Continue until five stitches remain. To create a nice corner, when binding off, BO1, K2, BO2tog, BO to end. (to BO2tog, knit over 2 stitches to have 3 on your right-hand needle. Instead of picking up one stitch to pass over for BO, pick up both bottom stitches and pass them over, leaving one stitch on the needle. Finish binding off.)

Finish off by weaving ends and blocking.
(c) Ranada Young 2012

Oregon State Beavers chart! (Finally!)

Use this chart for fingerless gloves, hats, etc! Enjoy!!

Oregon State Chart

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©Ranada Young, 2011

Duck Gloves Pattern WITH CORRECT NEEDLE SIZE

Oregon Duck Fingerless Gloves

With size 10 needles and worsted weight yarn, cast on 28.

Work in k2,p2 ribbing pattern across for 5 rows, ending with a WS row. On next row (RS), begin stockinette pattern for 16 rows. Then, on RS, begin chart pattern.

After chart, resume stockinette in MC for 5 rows, ending on a RS row. On WS, work two rows of accent color in stockinette, then 2 rows in MC, and 2 rows in accent color. K one row, P one row and repeat ribbing, casting off in pattern. Sew up open side, leaving thumb hole just below stripes.

Chart for RIGHT-HAND GLOVE: (blank squares are in MC, X’s in accent color)  

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Chart for LEFT-HANDED GLOVE:

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©Ranada Young, 2011