Some thoughts on color knitting and Slip Stitch Colors Workshop coming up!

I love the look of using different colors in a project but find some color techniques, such as intarsia and Fair Isle so time consuming, fiddly at times, and usually requiring quiet concentration time (something of which I have way too little of these days!).

This wonderful pattern for a jacket “painted” around the bottom with a New England village was one of the few intarsia designs that I actually took the time to make and really do love it!

Here is my student, Ebbie’s example of Fair Isle knitting. Isn’t it pretty?

Although I have used stripes as a way to bring color into my knitting, sometimes that doesn't seem quite challenging enough.

So, when I discovered slip stitch color knitting it was the perfect match for me and life "hectic". I believe it is the easiest way to make a beautiful color work design and…it looks very complicated to do. But it's not since you are only using one color per row but creating lovely motifs by slipping certain stitches and knitting other stitches. After designing and making several sweaters using the slip stitch color technique I decided to plan a workshop for the technique. I have given it several times over the years and think it's time to do it again!

Here is the information about the upcoming workshop:

Slip Stitch Colors Workshop

Learn a fun and easy way to add color to your knitting!

9 Slipstitch patterns will be covered as you make a lovely scarf.

5 classes

Time and Dates

AM: Monday April 12, April 26, May 10, May 24, June 14 – 11 a.m.-12:30

Cost: $50 for the 5 classes

In the workshop, you will be making the scarf in 2 pieces and will learn 2 new stitches each class.

I have received several requests for an evening class and if I get enough interest I will set up one for Wednesday evenings (on the dates that the Rowdy Group" [they named themselves that, it's who they are and love being! ] does not meet. ) In other words every other Wednesday evening beginning mid April.

Please email me at notesfromknitclass@gmail.com if you want to sign up or to get more information.

Knit away dear students while you enjoy spring's colorful arrival,

Mary

Mitered Fun

This week I gave 2 Mitered Square Workshops. For the class I designed a little purse (shown above) made of 2 mitered squares to teach mitered square basics. Each person received a key ring to attach to their little purse. They had a choice of a button loop closure (shown below) or a flap (like the one above). I have attached one of mine to my everyday purse to carry lactaid tablets in. Students had other ideas such as carrying a decaf tea bag in case the restaurant where you're eating doesn't have decaf tea. Or, clip it to your jacket zipper and carry a key when you're out walking or jogging.


In trying to find some YouTube videos of mitered squares to put here on the blog for you to watch, not only did YouTube come up with knitting videos but also carpentry videos...so knitters, we share the "mitered square" with woodworkers!

Mitered Square knitting is sometimes called Modular knitting. And, you might ask who "invented" modular knitting and thus mitered squares? Well, a woman named Virginia Woods Bellamy invented a type of knitting in the 1940s. Where did I find this information? On "the girl from auntie's wonderful website:

http://www.girlfromauntie.com/journal/index.php/2005/so-who-invented-modular-knitting/

She has an interesting history of Virginia Woods Bellamy and Modular knitting.







Here are some "scenes" from the workshops. Everyone left with one square finished and had at least started the 2nd square. Some left with the little purse almost finished.
I think everyone had a good time and learned a new technique. It's so much fun introducing knitters to new ways to take their "knitting path".

I also designed a scarf of mitered squares and a cap for my students to get more mitered square practice.



The cap is a variation of Holly's cap at
http://www.hjsstudio.com/miter.html#hat .
She has a great tutorial and all kinds of information on her website.

And, here's a picture of the scarf.










Well, that's enough "mitering" for today. I have some more pictures and ideas which I'll post soon.