Ring in the New Year with some much deserved "Knit for Me Time." You probably wrote your New Year's Resolutions, but have you planned your knitting goals for 2010? Get more enjoyment from knitting this year by taking a moment to plan broadening your knitting circle while sharpening your knitting skills.
As you know Ravelry.com is a place for fiber artists to keep track of their yarn, tools & patterns as well as a source of inspiration. But it offers you even more, its a global community of fiber artists with whom you can communicate with as often as you wish.
If you're already a member please join my group, Sandrasingh.com and if you're not a member, make joining Ravelry your first knitting goal. My Ravelry group is hosting 9 KALs, you're sure to find at least one project you'll want to knit along with a new skill you want to learn. Joining a KAL lets you knit a project at your own pace in the company of like minded knitters. Fellow knitters are happy to help you select the perfect yarn and answer any technique questions you may have. At the end you have a new garment, learned a new technique and have made new knitting friends!
In This Issue: Improve Your Lace Skills / Learn to Knit a Hat, Scarf or Mittens / Knit Socks "Toe Up" or "Top Down" / Learn to Knit In The Round / Knit Your First Garment /
Improve Your Lace Skills
Goals: Learn to knit lace or improve your skills, read a chart, knit from the center out, knit a circular or triangular shawl.
To many knitters creating a lace garment is a right of passage that often seems like a mystery. But its simply a matter of learning basic increase and decrease stitches and repeating a sequence, so make 2010 your Year of Lace! If you're just starting Jean Clement's, of "Desert Rose Designs," Pamper Yourself Spa Collection is a wonderful introduction. This practical and pretty set is knit with one skein of Schaefer Yarn's Susan, and includes a Hand Towel, Face Cloth and Soap Sack all featuring an unique eyelet pattern. The Face Cloth and Soap Sack are creatively worked in the round from center to border.
With just a little lace knitting experience you can knit the gorgeous, intoxicating Desert Rose Shawl by Renee Leverington of "Goddess Knits." Its classic triangular construction will be a comfortable knit for those with lace experience and a rewarding challenge for those looking to delve into the world of lace. Its knit with one hank of The Alpaca Yarn Company's lace weight yarn Suri Elegance. This charted pattern consists of two identical sections worked together with a dividing stitch and garter edge stitches.
Or if a circular shawl is more your style and you want to knit with a slightly thicker fingering weight yarn create Schaefer's splendid Anne Murphy's Lace by Chris Carroll. Its charted and knit in the round from the center out with 2 or 3 skeins of Schaefer's Anne yarn. Complete one of these projects and you'll feel like you can knit anything!
Learn to Knit a Hat, Scarf or Mittens
Goals: Learn increases and decreases, the slip stitch technique, cabling, how to read a chart and how to knit a hat, scarf or pair of mittens.
Hats, scarves and mittens are considered knitting staples, they're often quick knits, perfect for gifting and can be worked in yarn of any fiber or weight.
Isabella, by Kirsten Kapur of "Through The Loops," is a hat, scarf and mittens knit in Malabrigo Merino Worsted. Each is knit in a simple pattern with a stunning result, the color work at the borders of each piece is deceptively simple, there is no carrying two colors in the same row. The stitch pattern is created by slipping stitches and then knitting the carries together a few rows later, even the more complex looking body of each piece is worked this way. There is no cabling involved, the intricate looking pattern work is really just slipped stitches! And use that skein of luxury yarn you've been saving to knit Gardiner Yarn Works' very special Midnight Lace Scarf. Its adorned with a cables and lace pattern that is charted and is an easy knit for an Intermediate or Advanced Beginner.
Knit Socks "Toe Up" or "Top Down"
Goals: Learn how to knit a pair of socks from the "toe up" or "top down," cabling, how to read a chart and Judy's Magic Cast-On technique.
Many knitters have a love affair with knitting socks. Learn what all the fuss is about in 2010 and knit yourself a pair. The delightfully cabled, Tangled Vine Socks, by Chrissy Gardiner of "Gardiner Yarn Works" are knit with one skein of Malabrigo's Sock. The unique leafy cable design gives you an opportunity to learn cabling and the pattern allows you to choose the direction you prefer to knit, "top down" or "toe up." Then choose a foot to start with, the socks are a mirror image with right and left feet. An illustrated tutorial is included for Judy's Magic Cast-On and the cable pattern is both charted and written.
Learn to Knit In The Round
Goals: Learn to knit in the round, follow a simple lace pattern and read a chart.
Once mastered knitting in the round opens up a world of knitting opportunities such as hats, socks & cowls. Fickleknitter Design's sophisticated Versacowl is knit in the round and completely seamless, making it ideal to learn this technique. It also features a simple, charted lace pattern and is well suited for a first time lace project. It knits up in
Knit Your First Garment
Goals: Learn how to knit and finish a fitted garment, knit seamlessly in the round, pick up stitches to add sleeves and a collar, knit a button hole and learn how knit a rib and cable pattern.
If your goal is to move beyond accessories this year and complete a garment Lisa Ellis Designs' fitted Super Bulky Winter Vest is the perfect starter garment. This vest knits up in a matter of hours with no seaming and minimal finishing. The pattern includes two style options, an open front and a closed front. Its knit in Cascade Yarns' chunky
Mr Greenjeans is a free cardigan pattern from knitty that is also knit seamlessly in the round. You pick up stitches to add the sleeves and shawl collar, plus knit a button hole, it makes a great first time sweater project for an Advanced Beginner. Its knit in Schaefer's 100% merino wool yarn, Miss Priss.
Have another project in mind for 2010? Feel free to start your own KAL & invite your knitting friends! And to get you started on your project take 10% Off your next yarn purchase, offer is good for yarn that is Not On Sale, use
Coupon Code: KAL01. All the best in 2010 and I look forward to seeing you in my Ravelry group, Sandrasingh.com
1 comment:
I will finally finish the sweater I started last winter, I knit a few rows and then I grab my socks project. Sock knitting is so satisfying, the project is finished fast and you end up with an original pair os socks.
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