Sunday, May 31, 2009

One of my titles at The Tangled Web (other than Assistant Yarn Detangler, Executive Pattern Decoder, Chief Stitch Picker-Upper) is Executive Director of Educational Programs. Ha ha - not really, but if I ever look for another job, that's going on my resume. In reality, I'm in charge of choosing and organizing classes and Knit-Alongs at the store. It is a wonderful and endlessly fascinating job, but after 7 years sometimes Mary and I just stare blankly at each other and have no ideas at all.

We had a moment like this the other day and finally Mary, in her brilliant way, said, "Go downstairs and look through the old magazines, Maybe we have 6 [class limit] copies of something." This was a great idea. We had 6 copies of last winter's Interweave Knits (how can that be?). So I went home and pulled out my copy and got knitting.

First this, Harvard Square Cap by Sean Kelly, in Cascade 128:

This was an interesting pattern - the swirls are made by carrying a 2nd color and picking it up in a left twist every 5 stitches. Look at the top:

Neat, eh? This would be a great class - quick project with an interesting TWIST! Get it?

I also made this, Handsome Mittens by Cheryl Niamath in Berroco Peruvia (one of my all-time favorite yarns, I have dozens of skeins lying around, so this was a perfect use-up for two.):
[oops - picture coming!]

The interesting texture is because they're worked in reverse stockinette - purled every row. I could have worked them inside out so I could have knit every row, but I thought for once I'd actually follow the ding-dang pattern. These would also make a good class because they're quick and fairly interesting (it's weird to purl every row and you change colors every row), but I'll probably choose the hat because it looks more interesting in a picture. I adore these mittens though.

I also want to bring in more crochet classes, which Lucia teaches. These are more problematic, since I don't crochet really well, but I am so taken with amigurumi animals these days that I bought a pattern, pulled out a crochet hook and some yarn and got going. Here is the result, Tiny Acorn by Anna Paula Rimoli:

Aaaaaggghhhh!! That face! So cute!! It actually needs to be worked on a smaller hook so that it looks not so, uh, crocheted. But it's a good start. And if I could do it, anyone could.

I'm still chugging along on the Lady Eleanor Stole, but had to take a break because I ran out of yarn and am waiting for more to arrive. Fwiw, learning to knit and purl backwards is one of the most useful things I've ever learned. If you ever take on an entrelac project, dear reader, I strongly urge you to figure it out - it's not hard, but it's so weird I think it must be great for your brain.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Luise said...

I hope to follow your advice when I undertake my first entrelac project -- I love the result.
In the meantime, an OT qy: Do you have any feelings pro or con interleague play? (I grew up a Pirates' fan, have followed the Red Sox for the 40+ years I've lived in Cambridge. Keep an eye on the Pirates, though.) To my mind, the AL and the NL play very different games. This does not seem to bother MLB. Does it bother you? Just wondering.

1:35 PM  
Blogger CurlyGirl said...

Heeeeeeeee!!!!! I LOVE the wee acorn!!!

(verif. word? diankers!)

9:12 PM  
Blogger diana said...

Luise - great question! I don't like inter-league play - I liked when you didn't see American League teams until the playoffs - it was more mystical! There's part of me that thinks it's kind of cool when the Phillies get to DH, but I love the NL game, with all the crazy machinations around the pitcher batting. What I do love is the Wild Card! I think that was one of the smartest moves baseball has ever made. Keeps more teams (and more fans) involved till the end of the season. And, hey, go Red Sox!

CG - I bought amigurumi eyes on etsy and will re-photograph. I kind of love him the way he is too, though....

12:27 PM  

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