Poconos Knitting Retreat

For all those who love knitting and could use some time away from any distractions, check out the knitting retreat sponsored by Kraemer yarns. It is on their web site kraemeryarns.com. Maybe we can meet in the Poconos this fall. I love their yarns and it will be nice to have a chance to learn new skills and try my hand at dying and spinning. I hope to see you there.

Lace

My knitter's block is a memory, quickly fading as I make lace borders. They don't have to have a reason to be. They are beautiful on their own. I look at plain blouses or sweaters and see how much prettier they will look with a bit of lace at the collar and cuffs. Lace on top of the ribbed cuff of socks or gloves changes a utilitarian necessity into a charming fashion accessory.

Every culture has unique knits. They can be made from wool, silk, cotton or angora and bamboo. Some people knit them; others make them by tatting or knotting thread-like lace weight yarn. My grandmother made crochet lace that was the envy of the women in her neighborhood.

This fall I am attending a knitting retreat in the Poconos. I have listed the lace making class and the tatting class as my two most desired classes, although I am sure the hand dying and the learn-to-spin classes will challenge and invigorate me.

What am I going to do with the knitted borders I make? I am posting them on etsy as a made to order product. Buy a plain cardigan or tee-shirt and I will make a lace trim for you in the fiber that suits you best. Buy a blouse or an antique brooch and I will fashion a set of lace cuffs for your blouse and a choker for the brooch.

Squares of lace make a blouse beautiful. Look me up and try a bit of froth.

Knitter's Block

I have knitter's block. Knitter's block is the inability to see the garment or pattern in the yarns around you. I have heard of the condition but never suffered from it before. I tried to start four projects but nothing seemed to work. I reviewed the knitting books I have in my library--no inspiration from the lace or cable patterns. I held different weight yarns and tried to envision what a finished garment would look like if they became lace or a stockinette sweater or summer shawl. Nothing! No one I know is in need of a knitted or crocheted garment. I can usually think of a project that would appeal to someone on etsy. Not even a fleeting thought. Knitting needles feel heavy in my hands and the ideas I have for spring and summer colors seem tired and over used.

I think it is time for something new. My son-in-law is helping me make videos of knitting techniques for me to share with all of you. The first one will be a segment on styles of casting on. I am also working on demonstrations of starting socks from the toe up and the from the cuff down. If there is a special technique you would like to see demonstrated, let me know. I will post directions and make a video when my son-in-law has time.

In the meantime I will put my needles in their case and organize my yarn. The fiber will speak to me when the time is right. Sharing my experience will have to do in the meantime.

Warmth in the Winter

My son-in-law is restoring a Victorian Queen Anne house inn which I plan to open a B&B with a small gift shop on the ground floor. In keeping with the age of the house and the antique furnishings, I am using period patterns to make knitted and crocheted coverlets and bedspreads for the guest rooms and for sale in the shop. The floral patterns and intricate yarn over lace work pieces are lovely to look at. The patterns are not always easy to follow. Like period recipes the directions are sometimes idiosyncratic. I have yet to find the Mrs. Beaton of needlework to give a standard set of abbreviations and directions to these antique instructions.

I envision a group of women sitting in a parlor or a country kitchen showing each other how to turn string into a blanket or coverlet to keep their children warm and beautify their homes. I imagine they show their young daughters how to make a doily that will one day be a piece of lace in a larger tablecloth or coverlet. What better way to prepare your child to make the scarves and sweaters her own children will need than to have her make the table runners and place mats with scraps of left over yarn? What a practical outlet for the creative spirit inside these craftswomen.

I envy them. I am trying to develop patterns of my own, and I am finding the design of a pattern that fits the measurements I need is not as easy as deciphering the patterns of that long ago era.
So far I am a poor follower rather than an innovator, but I am getting closer to my own patterns with every row I copy from them. Even if I never devise a pattern of my own that meets their standard I shall have had the pleasure of their company through their work and their directions. It is a privilege to share a bit of their world while working towards my own goal of covering the tables and beds of my B&B.

Sanquhar Classic Knits

While doing research on two and three color knitting I discovered Sanquhar knitting. It is from the southern part of Scotland and looks very elvish. It is not quite Norwegian and not quite Fair Isle, but it is beautiful. The patterns are based on squares. Each square is outlined in a darker color and inside the individual squares are a set of geometric shapes in the dark color on a light background. The shapes compliment each other and there is usually a ten row repeat of the patterns. The odd number squares exchange patterns with the even numbered squares back and forth for the length of the piece. These patterns are not for the faint of heart or easily frustrated. Once you master the repeats you can let up your guard some, but it requires close attention for the patterns to be true. I strongly recommend you start them when it is quiet and you are at the top of your game mentally. Sanquhar knitting is a great warm-up for the NYT Sunday puzzle or a hidden object game. You definitely need a row counter and rings to separate the pattern repeats. It is as good as any meditation technique. When I am learning a pattern the whole world fades away and only the colors on the grid come into focus. After thirty minutes I have to take a break or the pattern becomes too hard to follow.

I have a set of socks on the needles now and I shall post them on etsy as soon as they are finished. Sanquhar knits are also great for gloves and scarves. Be careful how tightly you carry the colors. If you pull them too tight the stretch will be gone from the knit. If you don't keep an even tension you will find the individual stitches are not even and that gives you an uneven pattern.

So far the best wool for me has been Peruvian fingering weight wool, but I think it would be a good idea for a less experienced knitter to start on large needles with worsted weight yarn and make a Sanquhar lap robe or scarf. A triangle shawl might also be a good way to start.