Week's Review

 

 

I have now gathered all of my supplies  for TKGA Master Knitter level 1 program. My swatches will be knit using Cascade 220 in white (I have to ball the skeins this weekend), and my mittens will be knit using Cascade 220 Superwash in blue with a black stripe on Knitter's Pride Karbonz size 3.75mm dpns. (I love these needles, btw. )

 

 



I also have my 2inch, three ring binder, sheet protectors, dividers, and swatch tags purchased from Staples for my Master Level 1 Knitter submission. I am hoping to cast on Swatch #1 this weekend.

I have made arrangements to join Hunterdon County's Knitting Guild, and am going to my first meeting next Friday, June 21st. They have Master Knitter, level 3 members.

 

 

I have made good progress on my Plymouth mitered corner baby blanket. As you can see it's a square, worked on the diagonal. I am a bit more than half done, will have to weave in the ends, add a garter stitch edge and block it - but am pleased with what I've accomplished this week. This is knit on number 7 circs, using Plymouth Encore. I am liking this blanket more and more as I knit.

 

 

 

I have also managed to add approximately 12 inches of stockinette stitch to my Plymouth Heart Baby Carriage Blanket, from that stitch marker to the needles. This is also knit on number 7 circs, using Jojoland Invention. Once again, I've discovered that knitting with a variegated colored yarn does not yield the same results that I envisioned when first casting on. For some reason I am always sucked in by color, but am left dis-satisfied with end results. I will finish this blanket, but it's not my favorite. it has been good exercise in trying to keep my stockinette stitches even.

 

I have also gathered some articles for my research paper on The Blocking and Care of Knitted Fabric, which is to be at minimum two, single spaced pages and no more than four.

 

So, all in all - it's been a fairly productive week  :) 

On my Way to the Masters

 

 

I have two projects on the needles, both of which are baby blankets. I have a baby coming into my life in October, as my daughter's brother-in-law is expecting. Whenever my family or friends are expecting a baby, my knitting needles come out. It's like an automatic needle-jerk response. Every baby that comes into my life needs a hand knit blanket, where prayers, dreams and wishes are woven into each stitch. The above blanket is an extremely simple knit. The pattern is from Plymouth Yarn Company, designed by Lainie Hering, called "Heart Carriage Blanket." Knit on US size 7&8 circular needles, (24 inch or longer), I'm using Jojoland Invention, which is a machine washable 80% acrylic/ 20% wool blend, in colorway: 007, dye lot 207. I'm loving the fabric that's falling off the needles, as it feels super soft.

 

 

 



 

The second project above is my first attempt at a miter-cornered blanket, which reminds me of leaves and Mother Nature. It's another Plymouth Yarn Company pattern, simply called "Mitered Baby Afghan." Again, it's knit on US size 7 & 8 circular needles, (24inch or longer), using Encore Worsted, which is a machine washable acrylic yarn. The designer is not mentioned on this Encore Worsted #1484 pattern. I am using Encore Worsted, for this project, in three colorways: white (0208, dyelot 48544), a rose ( 9408, dyelot 45583) and a green ( 0462, dyelot 45583). I love knitting each square directly onto the blanket. The blanket is assembled on the diagonal.

 

And the biggest project I'm undertaking is not even on the needles, but involves them - I've applied to TKGA Master Hand Knitting Program, Level 1. It's a year long project of personal and national recognition for the craft that I dearly love. It involves submitting a notebook to a national committee of Master Level 3 knitters who will critique my work. The notebook includes a cover letter, 16 swatches, answers to questions, a research report w/ references, and a completed project. I am given a year to complete the notebook. The directions are very specific, right down to the spacing and font size of your written words. The written work is as important as my knitted work. My research project topic is "Blocking and Care of Hand Knits," minimum of two single spaced pages but no more than four. My assigned project is a two colored mitten knitted in the round. Yikes, what a challenge! But I'm totally up for it.

 

So, I'm on my way to the Masters - I'm happy to have you join me, stay tuned