Knitting Daily : Spin-Off

Fill Your Calendar with Knitting Projects

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

I love calendars, especially wall calendars, and I spend a lot of time every year in the bookstore choosing something that will inspire me every day. It's a tough choice, too, because with wall calendars, you look at one photo for a whole month.

I've said before how lucky I am to have this job, and my luck knocked on the door last week in the form of the UPS gal, who handed me a package containing what will be my wall calendar for 2010. It's the new Spin-Off Calendar, and it's truly inspiring to someone who loves all things yarny. The photo at left is so beautiful, and that's just one of twelve!

(I can't believe we're coming up on 2010, though. It sounds so futuristic—I thought we'd all be flying around in spaceships by now!)

As I looked through my new calendar, I started thinking about my knitting and some of the projects that are in my queue. I thought it might be neat to plan my knitting for the year. I know some of this won't happen—we all have things that come up to disrupt our knitting plans (like cool new patterns we must knit now!)—but it was fun to look through my bookshelves and my Ravelry queue and schedule some projects.

A Year of Knitting, a.k.a. "Best Laid Plans"


Cabaret Raglan	Sculptured Lace Scarf	Soap Bubble Wrap	Bacchus Socks
Norah Gaughan	Kenny Chua	Connie Chang Chinchio	Alice Bell

I've had the Cabaret Raglan in my queue almost as long as I've had my Ravelry account. I love the simplicity of the Cabaret—it's a raglan pullover, but the eyelets and two-stitch cable patterns really dress it up. I think I'll tackle this in January and February.

The Sculptured Lace Scarf is something that I can knit at the same time as the Cabaret Raglan, because I like to have more than one project on the needles. I love the tight lace and cable pattern in this design.

The Soap Bubble Wrap is knit from a flax yarn but I have a linen blend linen in my stash that will be perfect. This warm-weather beauty will be a good knit for the spring months. For my alternate project, it's got to be the Bacchus Socks. There's an option for knitting these without the bobbles on the foot portion, which I think I'll do so I can wear them comfortably with shoes. These socks are just beautiful.


Tangled Yoke Cardigan	Harvey Kimono	Simply Marilyn	Side Slip Cloche
Eunny Jang	Louisa Harding	Debbie Bliss	Laura Irwin

I really like a cardigan, and the Tangled Yoke is a classic. At a gauge of six stitches to the inch, it's a nice, light cardigan that won't add bulk. I like the fabric that's produced when I knit on size 5 needles, and that's the needle size called for in this sweater. The cable pattern on the yoke draws the eye toward the face, too, which is a nice feature. This project will hit during the summer months, and while I don't like to knit with wool in the summer, I do like to have a new sweater to wear in the fall, so I'll have to deal with it, won't I?

My second summer project will be a Harvey Kimono. If you have a little one in your life, these darling kimonos couldn't be more perfect. They're so cute and they knit up fast. There's an option for a boy version or a girl version.

In September and October, I'm penciling in Simply Marilyn. This pullover is just that: simple. The big cable up the front and the cowl add a classic, cozy feel, and the larger gauge makes quick work of this sweater. It's so pretty in pink, too—or maybe I should do it in a soft blue since I already have two pink sweaters!

The second project for fall is the lovely Side Slip Cloche. There's a sample of this hat at my LYS and everyone who tries it on looks great—even me! It's a sophisticated hat that's fun to knit. My mom's been asking for one since she saw it on the cover of Boutique Knits last fall, so I'll put this on my holiday knitting list for October.

I'm not going to fill up my calendar for November and December, because I know there will be a bunch of last minute holiday knitting that I'll want to squeeze in. Plus, some of these projects will creep into later months, I'm sure.

So that's the plan, folks! Why don't you take a few minutes to put your projects on the calendar? It's really helped me set my knitting priorities, and I've had fun looking at the beautiful photos in my calendar, too.

Cheers,

Kathleen

P.S. Interweave has come out with three new calendars, so if you're a quilter or a papercrafter, there's something for you, too.

"Spin-Off" into the International Year of Natural Fibres

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:31:00 GMT

A note from Kathleen: There's so much going on in the knitting/yarn/fiber world lately, and we're all so lucky to have access to it through Interweave's various publications. Spin-Off magazine, for instance, is a wonderful resource for spinners, but as a knitter, I find several things of interest in each issue I see. There are some really neat features in the upcoming fall 2009 issue of Spin-Off (which will be on the shelves on September 15), so here's editor Amy Clarke Moore to give you a little preview of the exciting offerings in this unique, fiber-lovers' magazine, including an amazing declaration from the United Nations to honor natural fibers.

Spinning Off into the International Year of Natural Fibres

I've been the editor of Spin-Off since 2000—and so far I've worked on thirty-eight issues. Wow, has that time flown by!

Each issue, I think, "This is my favorite. Our readers are going to love this one." Well, this time, with the Fall 2009 issue, my feelings about the issue exceed that feeling by one hundred-fold. Maybe it is because it was so fun to come up with a concept for this one.

The United Nations has declared 2009 the International Year of Natural Fibres (IYNF) and Spin-Off magazine is all about natural fibers every issue, every year, every second (well, occasionally we talk about man-made fibers, but mostly we talk about natural fibers).

Once we jumped up and exclaimed, "Yes! Let's celebrate the IYNF! in the Fall 2009 issue of Spin-Off," we sat back down again—rather quickly with our hands on our chins—"Wait a sec. How do we celebrate natural fibers in a way that we haven't done before in every single issue, every single year since the magazine was born over thirty-three years ago?"

Then it hit us, we're all about making yarn from scratch, let's look at the very beginning of cultivating fiber—we'll investigate growing cotton, raising silkworms, and look into being owned by goats. We'll put out a call for entries by our readers and invite them to show us what they've made absolutely from scratch.

So even if you never pick up a spindle, as a fiber enthusiast you're bound to find something in this issue of Spin-Off that captivates your imagination.

Fall Leaves Shawl Project

You'll love the Fall Leaves Shawl project: six spinners/knitters made eleven stunning versions of the same lace shawl using different techniques for achieving color and texture in the shawl. At left are some samples of this beautiful shawl. You'll see even more samples of the shawl, plus get the pattern, in the fall issue of Spin-Off.

And there's yet another exciting knitting feature in this issue. . .

The Horseshoe Cap: Get into the Spin-Off Gallery!

Here's a pattern we're giving to members of our website: The Horseshoe Cap by Janet Wray (photo at right). We've invited spinners to spin and knit their own version of the Horseshoe Cap to submit to our Handspun Gallery for the Summer 2010 issue of Spin-Off. Guidelines are here. Join spinoffmagazine.com and receive the pattern free!

(When you join Spin-Off.com, you'll need to provide your email and a username. You'll get a confirmation email, then you'll log in to the site. When you're there, go back to this window, and click the free project link. Click on the green download arrow on the right and you'll get the free pattern.)

A note about the Horseshoe Cap pattern: Since this pattern is written for spinners, it starts off with "Finishing," which we knitters expect to see at the end of a pattern. In this case, the finishing section talks about finishing up the actual making of the yarn before starting the knitting process. So don't be alarmed—if you're using mill-spun yarn, just skip to the second paragraph under the "Finishing" heading and cast on.

Here's to a year full of fiber adventures!

—Amy Clarke Moore
Editor, Spin-Off

A Tight-Knit Community: All New Homespun Handknit

Kathleen Cubley — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite things about being a knitter is the community that we automatically belong to. I was in the airport recently and I saw a woman knitting at the same gate where I was waiting. I sat down next to her and we spent a nice half-hour talking about what we were knitting, favorite yarns and stores, and what our next projects were going to be. I love that instant kinship knitters feel for other knitters.

I have our new book All New Homespun Handknit in front of me, and I'm really appreciating the blend of community and tradition this book embodies. The original Homespun Handknit, edited by Interweave Press founder Linda Ligon, was in print for twenty years, and the editor of All New Homespun Handknit, Amy Clarke Moore, discovered it when she was in college. Amy is now the editor of Spin Off magazine and she was thrilled to put this new collection together.

That's the community part of this book. There are twenty-three designers represented in this book, all of whom are accomplished spinners, too, and twenty-five designs that span the knitting spectrum from hats to bags to shawls. These designers really understand how yarn works and they've put their precious handspun into the most fabulous patterns.

For the experienced knitter, Faina Letoutchaia presents the Old Garden Scarf, a stunning scarf that expertly combines a lace pattern with shaping to create a piece that actually fits around the shoulders without bunching up at the neck. I love it when brilliance meets beauty and they fall in love.

I also love the Spider Hat by Nancy Roberts (photo at right). Nancy designed this hat based on traditional Peruvian weaving patterns depicting spiders. This pattern uses the Fair Isle technique with a twist: you only use two colors of yarn at any one time, but one of the yarns is a variegated yarn, so the color changes are really impressive without being difficult to achieve. The top of the hat is a fabulous web--another beauty + brilliance match-up!

One thing to note is that you don't have to be a spinner to use this book to its fullest potential. Yarn weights are given for each project, which makes it easy for non-spinners to use yarn from their stashes or from their favorite yarn shops. One of my favorite features is a photo that shows each yarn used in the book, which is a great tool to use if you need to substitute yarns. (Added bonus: most projects use small amounts of yarn, so this is a good source of designs for those super-special-single-skeins of handspun yarn.)

There's also a nice list of fiber sources for handspun yarn. If you've never used handspun yarn before, please try it! You'll see what all the fuss is about when you knit up something with handspun--that extra something is the love and care that the spinner put into the yarn as it was being spun and dyed and packaged just for you.

This book has that same feeling: Amy put it together just for you, so ask for All New Homespun Handknit at your LYS or order it from the Interweave Store and start some new traditions with your knitting community!

Cheers,

Kathleen

(Interweave would like to express our gratitude to Lion Brand Yarns for graciously granting us permission to use the term "Homespun" in this book. "Homespun" is a registered trademark of Lion Brand Yarns.)

Weaving: The Perfect Stash-Buster

Kathleen Cubley — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:32:00 GMT

A note from Kathleen: When I was little, my across-the-street neighbor was a fabulous weaver. She had a huge studio set up in her house and I used to spend hours watching her create the most beautiful tapestries, scarves, bedspreads, tablecloths, and runners--you name it, she could weave fabric for it. Though I haven't gotten into weaving until VERY recently (read on), that childhood fascination never completely faded. I was at the Madrona Fiber Arts festival in Tacoma, Washington a couple of years ago, and one of the vendors was featuring this little table-top loom. The speed at which the weaver produced about five inches of fabric was staggering; for weeks I had visions of Christmas gifts dancing in my head. I didn't buy the loom then, but I've been thinking about it off and on ever since I saw it. And then when I was in the office the other day, Handwoven magazine was going to press and I caught a glimpse of the projects. I couldn’t wait to get back home, go through my stash, and go to my local weaving store to look at looms. Oh, and I asked Liz Gipson, the managing editor of Handwoven, to get you busting your stashes too, and to inspire you along the way. So here's Liz!

Why should knitters care one bit about weaving? Knitters are "loopy" people not "over-under" people. You knitters use two sticks to make cloth; we weavers use this thing called a loom that has all kinds of moving parts. Knitting yarns come in playful balls; weaving yarns come on intimidating cones.

There is a reason that knitters might want to take notice of weaving--it's faster than knitting. I know, I know, you say, "but what about all those threads that have to go in all those different places?" It is true that dressing that loom does take some time. (Doesn't "dressing" provide a wonderful mental picture--I think I'll put on the cobalt top with the chocolate brown skirt. Another term you have probably heard is "warping the loom," yet it doesn't bring up the same cozy mental image. Anyway, I digress.)

The first few times you play dress-up-the-loom are just like learning to cast on or to purl for the first time: you feel like you're all thumbs. After the loom is dressed, though, the cloth grows row by row, not stitch by stitch! Plus, the big movements of weaving provide your body a break from the small movements of knitting.

Best of all for you knitters, though, is that you can also think of weaving as stash reduction. We all need some help with that, right? We owe it to our families to keep the yarn to just the spare room. (And weaving is absolutely not cheating on your stash!) Weaving provides a home for all of those lovely single balls of yarn you just had to have.

If all of this isn't enough to get you motivated to learn more about weaving, knitting and weaving can be used together to produce fabulous pieces, such as the Rigid Heddle Woven Ruffle Pillow. Here are two clips from season 1 of Knitting Daily TV: in the first one you can see the ruffle pillow being created as I show you how to weave on a rigid-heddle loom--one of the simplest, most knitter-friendly looms on the market.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

In the second segment I demonstrate how to weave on a table loom, which offers all the advantages of a floor loom (and sometimes even more when it comes to treadling options) but takes up less space. Both looms are beginner-friendly options for new weavers.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

For lots of tips and tricks about weaving, download the handy brochure "Get Weaving!," get your hands on the bestselling Learning to Weave (for floor loom weavers) or Weaving Made Easy or Hands On Rigid Heddle Weaving (for rigid heddle weavers), and go find yourself a teacher (there are tips on how to do this on learntoweave.com). And, all of the instructions for the weaving projects seen in Knitting Daily TV episode 105 are available on the Spinning and Weaving Association's website.

Have fun!

Liz Gipson
Managing Editor, Handwoven magazine

P.S. Goat update! Last fall I introduced Knitting Daily readers to my four cashmere-bearing goat friends, Bella, Faith, Diva, and Zeus. I've just sent nearly two pounds of cashmere off to the mill to be dehaired and cleaned. Diva for the most part has stopped tormenting Bella, and Zeus has developed an unrequited crush on Diva. Faith as usual carries on in her quiet unassuming way. You can read more of their adventures (and mine) in the back-page essay of the Fall 2009 issue of Spin-Off, coming soon to your local yarn shop and to Interweavestore.com.

Liz Gipson is a spinner, weaver, and all-around fiberista. Her day job at Interweave is the Managing Editor of Handwoven and she's a co-host of Knitting Daily TV on public television, where she offers advice about fibers, yarn-making, dyeing, and yes, weaving.

We Ask the Editors: What Are You Proudest of Making?

KD Sandi — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:55:00 GMT

Do you ever wonder what the experts are proudest of making? I thought it might be fun to know what the editors of Interweave Knits, PieceWork, Interweave Crochet, and Spin-Off thought were their finest craft pieces--so I asked them to share the best of the work of their hands with us.

The one knit I'm most proud of is the Rambling Rose Cardigan from Interweave Knits Winter 2006. In a DK weight with lace inserts, raglan shaping, and a long silhouette, it wasn't a quick knit, but I enjoyed the knitting so much I finished it in about a month's time. The yarn is a wool/cashmere blend from Karabella, the fit is very slinky, and I worked the sweater all in one color, unlike the original that uses intarsia for a two-color look. It's a wardrobe staple for me!

--Lisa Shroyer
Senior Editor, Interweave Knits

As long-time Knitting Daily readers know, sometimes it takes me a long time to finish a project (update: I did finish the sweater for my Dad after only twelve years). So, the fact that it only took me two years to spin, design, and knit this domino sweater for my daughter Hannah gives me great relief. Here’s a picture of Hannah shortly after I finished it in January 2009. The spinning was a piece of cake, it was the knitting that took me a long, long time. The pattern will be in the All New Homespun, Handknit book that will be available this fall from Interweave.

-- Amy Clarke Moore
Editor, Spin-Off

I first started writing about crafts at the urging of Weta Ray Clark, the Home editor at The News & Observer in Raleigh, NC. She kept nudging and cajoling until I said yes. It was the best idea I never had, that brainstorm of Weta's. Meeting and reporting on crafters was the best fun ever.

So when Weta fell ill with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, I did what I know best: bring together crafters to make a blanket for Weta, whose treatments left her chilled even on the hottest Carolina days. I asked the newspaper's resident knitters and crocheters to make a strip of fabric 36 inches long. As anyone who has coordinated a blanket knows, everyone has her own tools for measuring, not all related to actual inches. So when the strips came in all sorts of crazy lengths, I laid them out and pondered. Initially, I attempted to make a merry blanket with edgy variable ends; it was quite terrible, soothing to neither eye nor soul. I pulled the strips apart, then kept nudging and cajoling until the strips lined up at the ends. I crocheted them together with various bright yarns, then added a deep crocheted ruffle, to create a bright confection of love.

Weta is no longer with us, but it is because of her that I am with you. I am glad to have helped transform the blanket from a wish to a warmth. It's what crafters do best.

-- Marcy Smith
Editor, Interweave Crochet

My mom was a very skilled and avid knitter. Regardless of what she was working on, she would stop to knit something for me—usually a new Fair Isle to match my latest ski clothes. But one day, I knew it was time, and I asked her to teach me. Although she was a very patient teacher, her eyebrows did raise when I announced that my first complete project would be a red cashmere scarf for my then boyfriend (it worked; he’s now my husband!). She wrote out a pattern, I bought the yarn and needles, and set off. Months and months passed; the planned Christmas gift was now to be a birthday gift; no wait, next Christmas! I finally finished it about two weeks before Christmas and promptly shipped it off to Mom for her to repair the numerous dropped stitches (I hadn’t given her enough time to teach me that part!). As usual, Mom worked wonders; Bob received his handknitted scarf, which he still wears. Of the handmade things I’ve made, I love this scarf the best—thank you, Mom!

--Jeane Hutchins
Editor, PieceWork

What things have you knitted that have made you the most proud? Leave a comment in our Forums--and maybe even upload a photo to the Reader's Gallery!

Thanks to our editors for sharing their proudest moments with us. We're all thrilled to bring good patterns and techniques to you so you can share in crafting and make something you're proud of, too. Need some more inspiration? This week, we have a special offer for those of you who wish to subscribe to all our fiber craft magazines. If you already subscribe to any of these magazines, we'll simply tag on a year to your subscription. We'll continue to supply patterns and information we're proud of and hope you'll continue to create.

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? I had to rip back a half-row of stars on the Star Light, Star Bright baby blankie because I dropped a yarn-over or three somewheres...all of a sudden, the stars were leaning a little bit too much to the left! So now I have a proper lifeline installed, as well as extra stitch markers. Onwards!

Video and Step-by-Step Tutorials: Inserting Thrums

KD Sandi — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:54:00 GMT

Now that we know what thrums are, and how to make them, we're ready to insert them into our mittens!

The method is different depending on whether you are crocheting your mittens or knitting them.

Crochet Instructions

Marlaina Bird, the designer of the Thrummed Mittens in the Winter 2009 issue of Interweave Crochet, made a handy little video to show you exactly how thrums are done in Crochet Land.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

If you have trouble watching the video above, click here to view it.

Knitting Instructions

I, Sandi Wiseheart, she of the cold fingers and mitten lust, have worked up a step-by-step photo tutorial for all you knitting fans out there. The pattern I am using is Jennifer Appleby's Thrummed Mittens pattern from our online store. (Making this tutorial was a good excuse to get started on my own pair of thrummed mittens, since Marlaina's crocheted ones have to be returned now that I've had a chance to study them.)

View my step-by-step photo tutorial

I hope you've enjoyed our week on "stuffed mitten making." I just love reaching inside these mittens and finding lots of tiny little sheep fluffs waiting for my poor cold hands. May your fingers and thumbs never shiver!

-- Sandi

Links to Thrummed Mitten patterns

For knitters:
Thrummed Mittens by Jennifer Appleby
available in the pattern store

Thrummed Mittens by Rita Buchanan
Spin-Off, Winter 2001 (Subscribe here)

For crocheters:
Thrummed Mittens by Marlaina Bird
Interweave Crochet, Winter 2008 (Subscribe here)

This week's free pattern: Mittens Interrupted

Maybe thrums aren't your thing, but you still want a pair of easy, fun-to-make warm mittens. How about this pair by Interweave Knits editor Eunny Jang? With only two pattern rows, a simple slip-stitch pattern, and no hand shaping, you'll be tossing snowballs in no time.

Download Eunny Jang's Mittens Interrupted

Coming Soon—A New Online Community for Spinners!
An Invitation from Amy Clarke Moore, editor of Spin-Off magazine

Hi Knitting Daily—are you a spinner or always dreamed of becoming one? We’re working on the perfect place just for you—the Spin-Off website. We’re totally making it over with reader forums, spinning photos and videos, free how-to articles and projects, and much, much more. Stay tuned—we’ll be sending an invitation to come visit it soon! -- Amy

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? I have finished one thrummed mitten! I used Jennifer Appleby's Thrummed Mittens pattern and the magic loop method, and these are the cutest, warmest mittens ever. One down, one more to go...

Tips For Making Thrums

KD Sandi — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:11:00 GMT

On Monday, I showed you two fabulous pairs of thrummed mittens--one crocheted, from the Winter 2008 issue of Interweave Crochet, and one knitted, originally published in Interweave Knits Winter 2006 and now available in our pattern store. I even turned one of the mittens inside out so you could see those magical little fluffy bits of woolly fleece that, when worked into your mittens, give you a superb layer of insulation against winter cold. Of course, mittens are not the only garment where you can use thrums. Hats, slippers, even a jacket--the key is to make sure the garment itself is loose enough so that when you add thrums, there is room for all that fluffiness inside.
Tips for Working with Unspun Fluff (Roving) 1. Roving comes in long thick bands. Tear off a length (about ten inches) by holding your hands a couple inches apart and gently tugging until the fibers separate.
2. Peel off strips lengthwise. Start by peeling them in half lengthwise, then split the halves themselves into thirds, or whatever seems to work best for your roving. The goal is to get strips that are slightly thicker than the yarn you are using for the project.
3. Take each thin strip and starting at one end, with your hands a couple inches apart, gently tug the fibers lengthwise to "draw out" the strip. You want the fibers to slip past each other enough to make the strip thinner and longer, but not so much that the strip comes apart. Repeat for the whole length of the strip.
4. Tear the strip into short lengths--about four inches. 5. For each thrum, fold the ends into the center so that a loop forms at each end.
6. Hold the middle of the thrum between thumb and forefinger and gently roll--you're felting the middle so the thrum holds together where it will be on the needle (or hook).
7. Toss the thrum in a plastic food container with a lid and go make another one! That's it. Easy!
If you have never seen unspun roving before, go on over to your local yarn shop and ask to look at some. Roving is interesting stuff--because of course, it's where yarn comes from! It comes in a rainbow of colors and as many different types of fibers as there are sheep. Once again, though, I must warn you: Handling roving to make thrums is a gateway drug. Once you start with the thrums, it's just a short distance from there to a spindle or a spinning wheel. And making your own yarn--that gets to be a pretty powerful addiction once you've tried it.
	On Friday, we'll show you how to get the thrums into your mittens! Marlaina Bird, designer of the crochet version of Thrummed Mittens, will show us how to do this using a crochet hook, and I will show you how to do it with knitting needles.
Links to Thrummed Mitten patterns For knitters: Thrummed Mittens by Jennifer Appleby available in the pattern store Thrummed Mittens by Rita Buchanan Spin-Off, Winter 2001 (Subscribe here) For crocheters: Thrummed Mittens by Marlaina Bird Interweave Crochet, Winter 2008 (Subscribe here)
Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily. What's on Sandi's needles? I finished a quick hat over the weekend; and am one-quarter the way through a pair of mittens. (My sister's Central Park Hoodie is on hold temporarily. My sister lives in Chicago, so she totally understands and doesn't mind waiting until the mittens are done.)

What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

KD Sandi — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:42:00 GMT

I have become quite obsessed lately with having warm hands up here in the land of single-digit-temps and multi-digit-snowfalls. I bought a pair of thinsulate gloves, but a half-block of dog walking finds me pulling my fingers into the palm section of the gloves because my fingers aren't warm enough out there all by themselves.

What I really need are mittens. WARM, totally toasty mittens. I've begun scouring through all my patterns to come up with Warm Mitten Candidates. I was thinking I could line a pair, or even felt a pair. But then a colleague at Interweave sent me the actual mittens Marlaina Bird made for the Winter 2008 issue of Interweave Crochet. (If you don’t subscribe, you’re missing out on making these. Subscribe now.) Within two minutes after opening the box, my little hands were singing with warm delight.

Thrums, people. The answer to cold hands and truly warm mittens is THRUMS.

What is a thrum and why is it in my mittens?

"Thrum" originally referred to the short lengths of waste yarn leftover after woven cloth was cut off the loom. In the spirit of necessary thriftiness, craftspeople would find a variety of uses for these thrums--stuffing pillows and mattresses, and after a while, knitting them into mittens and hats to provide an extra layer of warmth.

Each thrum, or short length of yarn, would be worked together with the main knitting yarn as a single stitch, with the ends of the thrum left hanging inside the mitten to provide insulation. Lovely! Except that people soon discovered that the yarny thrums could catch on fingers, and even fray.

The second type of thrum works much better, and has been a tradition for generations in the chilly-but-gorgeous environs of Newfoundland and Labrador up here in Canada. This type of thrum is actually roving, or unspun sheep's wool, separated into wisps, which are then knit into the stitches along with the working yarn as before. The ends of the fleece form little poufy pillows inside your mittens, and your fingers start thanking you the minute a pair of thrummed mittens is on your hands.

Basically, you're making a sheepskin for the inside of your mittens. With the wide variety of dyed wool roving available these days, you can choose a rainbow of colors from which to make your thrums. (You can purchase unspun roving at many local yarn shops; or take a trip to your local fibre festival!)

How do you make a thrum? And then how do you get it inside your mittens?

The technique of thrumming lends itself beautifully to both knitting and crochet. Since I cannot be the only person in the entire world with cold hands this time of year, here's what we're going to do the rest of this week:

On Wednesday, we'll learn how to handle the roving and make thrums. (Fair warning: Handling roving to make thrums is a gateway drug. Once you start with the thrums, it's just a short distance to a spindle or a spinning wheel. Just sayin'.)

On Friday, we'll show you how to get the thrums into your mittens! Marlaina herself will show us how to do this using a crochet hook, and I will show you how to do it with knitting needles.

And along the way, we'll have links to nifty thrummed mitten patterns (both knitted and crocheted) so you can make your own hands toasty and warm.

Because I gotta tell ya, there is nothing quite like reaching inside one's mittens and finding lots of tiny little sheepy fluffs waiting for one's poor cold hands.

-- Sandi

Links to Thrummed Mitten patterns

For knitters:
Thrummed Mittens by Jennifer Appleby
available in the pattern store

Thrummed Mittens by Rita Buchanan
Spin-Off, Winter 2001 (Subscribe here)

For crocheters:
Thrummed Mittens by Marlaina Bird
Interweave Crochet, Winter 2008 (Subscribe here)

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? I finished a quick hat over the weekend; and am one-quarter the way through a pair of mittens. (My sister's Central Park Hoodie is on hold temporarily. My sister lives in Chicago, so she totally understands and doesn't mind waiting until the mittens are done.)

Plan A Finishing Party!

KD Sandi — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:26:00 GMT

Note from Sandi: My boss is a knitter. (How many folks get to say that?) She also used to own a local yarn shop. She has also worked on Interweave Knits magazine in some capacity since the very beginning--now she is our publisher! (She's also a weaver and a crocheter and a spinner. Does she sleep? I don't think so.) All of this means she has lots of interesting stories to tell, so I keep dropping hints: "Marilyn, any time you'd like to write a post for Knitting Daily..." Last month, she started telling stories about the finishing parties she used to have at her yarn shop, and I thought you would like to hear them, too.

So: Here's Marilyn Murphy, publisher of all things fiber-y here at Interweave.

“Oh I am SO close to finishing _________.” “I’ll just wrap the yarn and the pattern and give ______ that this year with promises for completion next year.” C’mon. You’ve said these words or at least have thought them.

Years ago, I owned a great LYS in Chicago, the Weaving Workshop, and I have many fond memories of the holiday time. It was always a mix of the good and the bad. Good in that the shop was always bustling--last-minute gift purchases, buying yarn to start something over the holidays, desperate customers wanting their projects finished, or people wanting something custom made to gift to a loved one. Bad in that we never had time to make or finish our own gifts because we were the elves.

My store was located on a very busy street with tons of walk by traffic, located near the "L" (that’s Chicago speak for the elevated train). Because our windows caught the attention of hundreds of people daily, we enticed even the non-maker into the store, just in case they wanted to buy a finished item or had someone special on their holiday list. Books, accessories, equipment, sweaters, yarns, classes--all became gifts.

One year, we were so backed up on finishing, had our own gifts to finish, and we had many customers needing some cheering on as well, that we invited them to come for a finishing “all-nighter.” Videos were just becoming popular and we rented movies, had appetizers and pizza, and, of course, wine. We didn’t make it all night but we did work to the wee hours of the morning, but most importantly we had fun, encouraged each other, and completed our projects. I made multiple hats (in those days I could knit one on a size 8 needle in an hour). Kathy worked on her Fair Isle snowflake sweater. (She only worked on this sweater at holiday time. And, Kathy, if you’re reading this, let us know if ever finished it?) Judy seamed together many a sweater. Well, you get the idea.

We had other finishing parties over the years. One year a friend was having an exhibit of her knitwear designs--incredible intarsia sweaters that had a TON of ends. Two days before all the sweaters had to be sent off to the gallery, it was time to call in for reinforcements. She promised us food and wine and our knitting group showed up. We had our blunt needles in hand and, as a group that night, we wove in all the dangly threads and the art wear was ready for blocking.

At Interweave, we are working on finishing all those projects during our weekly craft lunch right now. Craft lunch is scheduled every Wednesday, but this month, it’s all about finishing things in time. I’m knitting a vest for my niece (the first one, the Shadowy Vest, is featured in Holiday Gifts; the pattern is a free download). I have one more to make after this one is complete so three of my nieces/nephews will have matching vests. Amy Clarke Moore, editor of Spin-Off, is knitting the sweater for her dad that she wrote about in her Knitting Daily post The Ten-Year-Sweater. We’re really cheering her on to complete it this year. Liz Gipson, co-host of Knitting Daily TV, is using a knitting bag from Interweave Knits as a flat pattern for her felted woven fabric and is gifting it to her “hm” ( I can’t reveal that). Liz Good, assistant editor of Fiberarts, is knitting a sweater for herself—imagine that. And Rebecca Daniels, assistant editor of Interweave Knits, is quickly knitting a project for PieceWork but by next week she’ll be thick into a project for an upcoming issue of Knits. This Wednesday, we’ll be back crafting together and as the day ticks ever closer, we may have to ramp it up to more than once a week.

So if you need some cheering on, and cheering up, plan your own finishing party. And know that there are many of us encouraging you on as well.

-- Marilyn Murphy
President and Publisher (Fiber Group)
Interweave Press

Finishing Techniques

Need a reminder how to do the mattress stitch? Don't know how to sew in a zipper? Forgotten how to make a pom-pom? Here are some helpful links to finishing techniques to help you through the last stages of your Christmas knitting:

Three-needle bind-off
Mattress stitch seam
Whipstitch
Sewing in a zipper
Backstitch seam
I-cord
Kitchener stitch
Sewn bind-off
Blocking
Pom-poms

And if the worst happens a week before Christmas....Ripping Out Without Ripping Your Hair Out.

Twelve days until Christmas...Need a quick gift idea? No problem!

Knitting Daily is here to help. Well. OK. I can't knit your projects for you, and I can't weave in your ends. But this nifty little website I work for here has lots of last-minute holiday knitting (and crocheting!) gift patterns for you:

Christmas Stockings eBook: Well, I suppose you could GIVE someone this ebook if they are a knitter. But what about knitting them a stocking out of this ebook instead? Seven great patterns. One nifty price!

Take a look at the Gifts & Whimsies section of our pattern store for more ideas. Something for everyone. Felted slippers (those are knitted; here are some crocheted slippers), neckties for the men in your life, dolls, dog sweaters, warm mittens, shopping totes--heck, there's so much in there I can't list it all. Go take a look and you're sure to find something nifty to knit or crochet.

And free stuff! We have free stuff!

A Litte Something Special: Five knitted ornament patterns from the Interweave staff

Crochet Gift eBook: Free and fun and fab, with five fast gifts for your family! (Whew!)

The Shadowy Vest: Marilyn is pictured above working on an entire trio of these!

Check out the Knitting Daily Free Pattern Library for more good (free) stuff!

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles this week? The Leaf and Nupp Shawl from Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush. I'm obsessed. I am done with 15 (now nearly 16!) out of the 21 repeats I want to do to make the scarf long enough; then I have the four-sided border to complete. What do you think? Can I finish this scarf in time for Christmas?

More Winter 2008 Galleries!

KD Sandi — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:25:00 GMT

Wow! I just finished reading some of the many comments you all have left on the Galleries posted on Monday, and I'm really thrilled with what you came up with. What was fascinating to me was how consistent your answers were! Here's what you all said for the individual Gallery Gal gallery photos:

Annie's Gallery: The consensus was that the Printed Silk Cardigan (from Knits Sping 2008) was the most flattering, although the Dainty Stripes Pullover from the current Knits Winter 2008 came in a close second.

Debbie's Gallery: Everyone agreed, hands down, that the Braided Pullover (from Knits Fall 2008) was the best style and silhouette for her. As for sweaters in the current issue, you were split between voting for the Victoria Yoke Pullover on her and the Manchester Jacket.

Meghan's Gallery: Again, your votes were split here. You loved how she rocked the Ropes and Picots Cardigan, but also loved how the Victoria Yoke Pullover rocked her!

Today's New Galleries!

Here are three new sweater galleries from Interweave Knits Winter 2008, featuring the same sweater worn by different women:

Manchester Jacket by Alice Halbeisen

Victoria Yoke Pullover by Jennifer Lang

Dainty Pinstripes Pullover by Emilee Mooney

And here are three new Gallery Gal galleries featuring the same woman wearing different sweaters:

Bonnie's Gallery

Toni's Gallery

Stefanie's Gallery

The galleries presented in Monday's post were:

Blooming Cardigan Gallery
Ropes and Picots Cardigan Gallery
Climbing Vines Pullover Gallery

Debbie's Gallery
Meghan's Gallery
Annie's Gallery

Which sweater style is best for your body type?

As I said on Monday, the point of this week's galleries is to see which style of sweater looks best on which body type. Since we are only looking at body shapes and types, there are no measurements included. Why? Because you could be a really large-framed woman and have the same shape as petite Annie; you could be tiny and have curves like mine!

As you look at these Gallery photos, consider the elements of the sweaters and how they play up--or play down--the different attributes of each model. Does one sweater show off a pretty waistline? Does another sweater add curves to a straight silhouette? And so on.

For each woman, leave a comment letting us know which sweater you think is best for her body type--and why! Hopefully, this will help you to find the sweater that is best for YOU.

-- Sandi

Want to see more of the beautiful sweaters from Interweave Knits Winter 2008?

View the Knits Winter Preview, with pattern information, bonus photos from the magazine photoshoot, and more!

Give the gift of Knits!

Before I came to work for Interweave, a dear friend of mine gave me a wonderful Christmas gift--subscriptions to three Interweave magazines! I remember being so touched that this friend had gone to all the trouble to find out what magazines were out there, and to research the best ones (seriously, that's what he told me, he "researched the best ones")! Which magazines did he gift me with that holiday season? Spin-Off, Handwoven, and Beadwork--because I already had a subscription to Interweave Knits!).

If there's a knitter in your life, give them the gift of great knitting patterns and informative articles about all aspects of knitting--give them the gift of a subscription to Interweave Knits. And for the other crafters around you, check out the entire family of Interweave magazines--from crocheting to painting and drawing, from quilting to beading and jewelry making, there's something there for everyone who loves to create beautiful things.

Sandi Wiseheart is the founding editor of Knitting Daily. She is now the author of the popular Knitting Daily blog: What's on Sandi's Needles.

Knit Cardigan Patterns From Knitting Daily: 7 FREE Knitting Patterns

Every knitter has dreamed of the perfect cardigan pattern that he or she might knit some day. From a cozy cable knit to luminous lace, this free ebook will be your dream come true. This is a wonderful and varied collection of cardigans-which is one of the most important pieces in your wardrobe. You'll want to make every one of these knit cardigan patterns, so download your free eBook now and get started (and don’t forget to tell a friend so they can enjoy their own copy!).

Download Your Free eBook Today

They're Here! The Knits Winter 2008 Galleries: Part One

KD Sandi — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:17:00 GMT

Yes, it's that time again: Time for the Knitting Daily Galleries!

Each time a new issue of Interweave Knits comes out, a group of us in the Interweave offices gather to try on some of the wonderful garments from the magazine, and we take photos to help you see how the sweaters look on different women with different body types.

Here are three of the garments from Interweave Knits Winter 2008, worn by seven women from Interweave:

Blooming Cardigan by Sarah Hoadley

Climbing Vines Pullover by Joëlle Meier Rioux

Ropes and Picots Cardigan by Laura Grutzeck

Which sweater is best for your body type?

Let's say that you want to knit a sweater. Let's say that since you are clearly a person of extremely good taste, with a refined sense of style and beauty, you want to knit a sweater out of our new Winter 2008 issue of Interweave Knits.

And let's say that right now, you're not in the mood to make a bazillion adjustments and tweaks to a pattern to make it flatter you. Sure, you can make those adjustments, because you've been reading Knitting Daily and you have the Waist Shaping Calculator and the Bust Dart Worksheet and you know how to use them.

But not this time. This time, you just want to knit, more or less straight from the pattern. (A little length adjustment at cuff or hem is fine, you think; but no bust darts or anything like that.)

So. Which pattern from the Winter Knits 2008 issue would you choose, and how would you go about choosing it?

This week's post are here to help you do that, with the help of six lovely Gallery Gals and yours truly. We're going to take a look at body types, and what kind of sweater is flattering for which type "straight out of the box," so to speak--straight from the magazine, no major adjustments (other than size or length) needed.

So this time, the sweater fits everyone in our Galleries, but it fits each of our Gallery Gals a bit differently due to her personal body type; each sweater of course also looks different on each woman due to her individual style.

My question to you is: Which sweater is best for which body type? All of the sweaters are beautiful; all of our Gallery Gals are also beautiful, each in their own way. But if each of our Gallery Gals--Toni, Annie, Debbie, Stefanie, and two new additions, the lovely Bonnie and the amazing Meghan--wanted to choose the most flattering sweater for their body type, which one would you tell them to knit?

And which one would YOU knit for yourself, based on your own body type?

Body type and fashion are tough to teach in words. Therefore, I've cooked up something special this time for you: I've made pages for individual Gallery Gals, showing one woman wearing many sweaters, with comments as to what each style plays up--and plays down--for that woman. Here are three for today:

Debbie's Gallery

Meghan's Gallery

Annie's Gallery

Pages for other gals will be posted on Wednesday. Each woman's page includes a few garments from past Galleries (if available) as well as the new sweaters, so you can compare a range of styles for each woman.

Note that we're only looking at body shapes and types this week; so no measurements. You could be a really large-framed woman and have the same shape as petite Annie; you could be tiny and have curves like mine!

For each woman, leave a comment letting us know which sweater you think is best for her body type--and why! Hopefully, this will help you to find the sweater that is best for YOU.

-- Sandi

Want to see more of the beautiful sweaters from Interweave Knits Winter 2008?

View the Knits Winter Preview, with pattern information, bonus photos from the magazine photoshoot, and more!

Give the gift of Knits!

Before I came to work for Interweave, a dear friend of mine gave me a wonderful Christmas gift--subscriptions to three Interweave magazines! I remember being so touched that this friend had gone to all the trouble to find out what magazines were out there, and to research the best ones (seriously, that's what he told me, he "researched the best ones"! Which magazines did he gift me with that holiday season? Spin-Off, Handwoven, and Beadwork--because I already had a subscription to Interweave Knits!).

If there's a knitter in your life, give them the gift of great knitting patterns and informative articles about all aspects of knitting--give them the gift of a subscription to Interweave Knits. And for the other crafters around you, check out the entire family of Interweave magazines--from crocheting to painting and drawing, from quilting to beading and jewelry making, there's something there for everyone who loves to create beautiful things.

Sandi Wiseheart is the founding editor of Knitting Daily. She is now the author of the popular Knitting Daily blog: What's on Sandi's Needles.

Knit Cardigan Patterns From Knitting Daily: 7 FREE Knitting Patterns

Download Your Free eBook Today

Sandi's Lace Lifeline Tips (and a free lace project!)

KD Sandi — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:22:00 GMT

I've been promising photos of my version of the Leaf and Nupp Shawl, a pattern out of Interweave's new lace knitting book, Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush. (Want more info about this nifty book? Go here!) So: Photos! I'm more than half-done with the center section; the four-sided border will be added after the center is done.

I initially began this project for the post with Eunny's video on provisional cast-ons, and then I decided to practice a few nupps after watching the Knitting Daily TV video with Nancy Bush on making nupps, because that looked like fun, and so of course I had to knit the first few pattern repeats to GET to the nupps...right?

And then I had to knit a little more, because the pattern was indeed pretty darn fun. And then I wanted to see if I could improve on my first nupps and make BETTER nupps. So I did a little more.

Note that I never made a gauge swatch--because the project started out as sort of one big gauge swatch! The result? My gauge is smaller than the one specified in the pattern, so that my shawl is coming out narrower and shorter than the one in the book. I'm making it longer by adding additional pattern repeats to the center section...which is great, except that more pattern repeats means more border stitches to pick up around the edges. I estimate that my border will have over 1,400 stitches in it...yikes. I was contemplating making the shawl wider by adding more border rounds...but at more than 1,400 stitches per round, I might have to contemplate that idea just a bit longer.

As I knit the center section, I started throwing in lifelines at the end of each repeat, out of habit mostly. (I still wasn't admitting to myself that this was a Real Project for some reason.) Because there are so many pattern repeats for this long-and-lovely shawl, I'm using a lot of lifelines--and here's a few new things I am learning along the way.

Sandi's Lace Lifeline Tips

1. Thread the needle through the live stitches on your knitting needle, instead of trying to pick out stitches in a row already worked.

2. Turn your knitting over so that you are threading from right to left across the back of your knitting. Lots of purl bumps make it easier to see the stitches. Also, if the thread runs through the back of each loop, there is plenty of room in the front loop when you are knitting the next row.

3. Do NOT thread the lifeline through your stitch markers! (Ask me how I learned this.) Thread your needle through the last stitch right before the marker, bring the lifeline around across the outside of the marker, and then thread your needle through the next stitch after the marker.

4. Place a lifeline in the last row of each pattern repeat as an easy way to count repeats.

5. Use a thin, smooth yarn--such as a cotton crochet thread--so that the lifeline will pull out easily when you are done. I've heard of many knitters who use unwaxed dental floss...clever and inexpensive.

6. Cut the lifeline long enough so that it won't pull out at either end when you spread the stitches out.

7. Secure the ends by tying each one around a stitch marker to help keep them in place. (You can see this in the detail photo of my scarf.)

8. If The Worst happens and you have to rip back: Take the knitting off your needle, and carefully rip back to the row BEFORE the lifeline. Then slowly rip back a few stitches at a time as you put the live "lifeline stitches" back on the needle, using the lifeline to guide where your needle ought to go. Count stitches as you put them back on, and insert stitch markers as needed. Once everything is back on the needle, re-count just to be sure, and then off you go!

If you have more tips for lace knitting, leave them in the comments so we can all learn from each other's experiences.

Oh, and by the way: The shawl became a Real Project once my mom saw it while I was visiting her in Chicago last month. She wanted to know who it was for; I told her it was "just for fun," so it wasn't really for anyone just yet. She frowned, and I realized that I had given the Wrong Answer. I thought a bit, and said, "Maybe Liz (one of my sisters) would like it?" The Motherly Frown deepened. Finally, I got the point. "Oh. Wait. This is for YOU, Mom!" Big Motherly Smile, and we all burst into laughter now that I had finally answered her question correctly.

Happy Weekend Knitting!

-- Sandi

Hankering for something lacy, but don't have the time to commit to a scarf? How about a pair of lovely fingerless mitts? Download this free pattern for the Wild and Warm Guanaco and Vicuña Lacy Fingerless Gloves and you'll be all set for a little lacy treat for yourself or to stuff into someone's stocking. The instructions give plenty of detailed information for using either your own guanaco*/vicuña** handspun yarn, or any commercial laceweight yarn you fall in love with at your local yarn shop!

Download the free pattern for the Wild and Warm Lacy Fingerless Gloves

* A Guanaco is a camelid, relative to the llama and alpaca. It's a native of the high Andes mountains in South America; and grows to be about 4 feet tall. The fiber of a guanaco is incredibly soft and warm, and is considered a luxury fiber. However, a guanaco can run at speeds up to 35 mph, so you have to catch it first!

** A Vicuña is another camelid. Its fiber is reputed to be the finest in the world, which led to its near extinction in the last century. Vicuñas are protected now in their native South America. Alpacas are close relatives; there is a mixed breed called "paco-vicuña" raised by a few breeders here in North America.

Learn more about spinning guanaco and vicuña fibers in the Winter 2008 issue of Spin-Off magazine.

Sandi Wiseheart is the founding editor of Knitting Daily. She is now the author of the popular Knitting Daily blog: What's on Sandi's Needles.

Knitting Lace: Knitting Daily Presents 7 Free Knitted Lace Patterns

Are you addicted to lace knitting? Or maybe you've admired some of the gorgeous knitted lace patterns out there and want to give lace knitting a try? Here are seven of Interweave's top knitted lace patterns, gathered together in one FREE ebook for you.

Whether you are a first time lace knitter, or a seasoned expert, you'll enjoy the timeless beauty of knitting lace. Get these stunning projects that will continue to inspire, and be loved for generations to come. You'll want to make every one of these lace patterns, so download your free eBook now and get started (and don't forget to tell a friend so they can enjoy their own copy!)

Download Your Free Lace Patterns Today

LIVE from SOAR!

KD Sandi — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:13:00 GMT

Ready for some Friday fun? Stefanie Berganini, assistant editor of Spin-Off magazine, sent us some video and photos live from SOAR , Interweave's Spin-Off Autumn Retreat.

Ever wonder what goes on at a fiber retreat? Stef's video "blogumentary" takes you into the classrooms to see the teachers in action; into the gathering rooms where participants from all over the world share what they are learning, and more!

SOAR is going on this weekend in the Poconos in Pennsylvania. Workshops and classes are full; but if you are in the area, you can attend the SOAR Market (Friday, Oct 10: 4 PM to 6 PM and 7 PM to 9 PM; Saturday, Oct 11: 10 AM to 5 PM), wander through the gallery of handmade items, and attend author book signings by such notables as Deb Menz, Judith MacKenzie McCuin, Maggie Casey, Vivian Hoxbro, and Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. (Get more information on Market hours and book signings.)

--Sandi

LIVE FROM SOAR!

by Stefanie Berganini

I started working at Interweave about 8 months ago as the Assistant Editor of Spin-Off magazine. Within a couple of weeks, however, my job had grown to encompass many other exciting projects, including working on several other magazines and helping to plan this year's Spin-Off Autumn Retreat (SOAR). I had never been to (or even heard of, to be honest) SOAR before, but working on it has been great, and being here as a member of the SOAR staff is even better. The SOAR participants are incredibly friendly and welcoming, the classes are amazing (I wish I could take one!), the fall weather is beautiful and the changing leaves are inspiring new creative ideas. I was asked to keep a video diary of my first time experience here to share with others who aren't quite sure what all this SOAR-mania is about. Here are some photos and videos of my experience over the first half of the week:

(Please visit the site to view this media)

View the SOAR 2008 Photo Gallery!

FEATURED FREE PATTERN: Shadowy Vest by Marilyn Murphy

In honor of the beauty of yarn, and the fun you have with color and texture, today's featured free pattern is the Shadowy Vest from Knits Gifts 2008. This simple vest plays with a pretty yarn to create a casual, comfortable, wearable work of art. Be sure to take a look at the rest of the irresistible line-up of projects in our new holiday issue, Knits Gifts 2008, which you can buy online or directly from your local yarn shop.

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? I finished a pair of socks last night. The shoulder seams on the Camisa need to be redone, and they are vexing me. I am stepping back to do some creative problem solving on this...

SOAR: A place to learn, make friends....and shop!

KD Sandi — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:22:00 GMT

A magical event happens in our Interweave family each fall--somewhere in a beautiful setting, rooms begin to fill with puffs of alpaca, wool, and silk; spinning wheels sprout as though from nowhere, and everywhere, everywhere, you hear the click of knitting needles and the joyful voices of knitters showing off lace shawls, incredible socks, fabulous sweaters. The experts come to share their craft (Nancy Bush, Abby Franquemont, Maggie Casey, Judith MacKenzie McCuin, to name just a few); the beginners come to learn and play and make new friends.

This magical event is called the Spin-Off Autumn Retreat, or SOAR for short. This year, SOAR runs Sunday to Sunday, October 5 through Oct 12, in the gorgeous Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania. There are workshops--just as one example: Nancy Bush, author of Knitted Lace of Estonia, teaches you all you need to know to make an Estonian lace shawl, and if you want to make one from handspun, Judith MacKenzie McCuin, author of the upcoming book The Intentional Spinner, is there to show you how. You can also take an amazing workshop in color from Vivian Hoxbro--her class includes knitting your own color wheel! Plus, there are retreats and meals and late nights spent sitting with other knitters and spinners...

Perhaps you can hear a tinge of lust in my voice. Yes, definitely a tinge...I'd love to be there, surrounded by people like Vivian Hoxbro and Deb Menz, learning things I can only now dream about from the people who know the subjects best.

However, as you read this, SOAR 2008 is already about halfway over. So why on earth would I torture you with visions of this fabulous event if you can't attend?

Well, you CAN still attend this year's SOAR event! If you happen to be the area, even though the workshops and classes are full, there's still the SOAR Market, people. There's booths, and vendors, and fibers, and yarns, and tools, and SHOPPING to be had there. (Suddenly, there's this run on Google, with thousands of knitters trying to figure out just how far away Pennsylvania and the Pocono Manor is. Why not? Who wouldn't want to attend a fun fiber market?)

The SOAR Market, located in the Terrace Ballroom at The Inn at Pocono Manor, is open to the public as follows:

Thursday, Oct. 9: 10 AM to 4 PM
Friday, Oct 10: 4 PM to 6 PM, 7 PM to 9 PM
Saturday, Oct 11: 10 AM to 5 PM

Also, in the Stone Lobby, open the same hours as the Market, will be:

A trunk show from The Center of Traditional Textiles in Cuzco, Peru.
Demonstrations on spinning alpaca fiber from the Suri Network.
A wonderful gallery of work by SOAR participants.

And as if that were not enough....there will be book signings by some of the hottest authors around on Friday evening:

Stephanie Pearl McPhee
Maggie Casey (Start Spinning)
Deb Menz (Colorworks, Color in Spinning)
Vivian Hoxbro (Knit to be Square, Shadow Knitting, Domino Knitting)
Judith MacKenzie McCuin ( The Intentional Spinner)
Galina Khmelva (The Gossamer Webs Design Collection)
Nilda Callanaupa Alvarez (Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands)

And of course, if you cannot attend even the Market this time...there's always next year: SOAR 2009.

You can purchase any of the above books from our Interweave online store--but try your local yarn shop first.

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? Hm. I have run into an interesting adjustment issue in the Camisa...I am puzzling it out and will report shortly. Meanwhile, there's a quick hat for Nicholas and a pair of socks for myself that I am trying to get done before the first dip below freezing happens here!

Love The Yarn You're With

KD Sandi — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:10:00 GMT

Note from Sandi: In the U.S., it is National Spinning and Weaving Week (October 4-10). Since every one of the lovely yarns we use is made by a spinner (somewhere...), I asked spinner and weaver Liz Gipson (yes, she of the cashmere goats!) to come back and talk to us about how to substitute a yarn you love for the one specified in the pattern. Liz talks about spinning her own yarn, but the wraps per inch method she describes here can be used with any yarn in your stash, or on the shelves of your local yarn shop. Heeeerree's Liz!

To celebrate Spinning and Weaving Week, Sandi picked a present for you—a free scarf pattern—and then challenged me to spin yarn for a handspun version. Her selection is a knitted ribbed scarf with a crocheted edging adapted by Ann Budd from Weldon's Practical Needlework for Piecework magazine.

Unlike a shaped garment, a scarf is pretty forgiving. I suspect that most of you who are reading this post knit better then you spin. Rather than worry about creating (or finding) a yarn that fits the pattern, why not adapt the pattern to fit the yarn?

To put this concept to the test, I set myself a little challenge. I didn't look at the pattern specifics just snuck a peak of the photo to get a feel of the project. Then I proceeded to pluck a luscious medium brown Alpaca top (top=combed fiber) from my stash and got to work. I set about spinning with nothing in mind other than spending a sunny afternoon on my back porch—periodically "chatting" with the goats. They bleat and I say something in reply. Then the cat chimes in. . . The result was 5 ounces of yarn or 187 yards. Now the million dollar question: What size needles do I need?

Wraps per Inch

There is no way around it--you are going to have to knit a swatch. You could guess what needles size to use, but I'm pretty sure you won't be as happy with the results.

How to determine wraps per inch: To judge the approximate weight of your yarn, wrap it around the space of an inch using a ruler or an inch gauge. The strands should be touching, but not overlapping. Don’t pull the yarn too tightly when you wrap. You want the yarn to be relaxed so that it will be a good measure of how it will act in the knitted cloth.

Years ago Spin-Off magazine compiled this extraordinarily handy chart for plain yarns. These numbers are compiled from a number of sources and from the experience of the editors, none of which precisely agree! Use them as rough estimates only.

Yarn Style	Wraps per Inch	Gauge stitches/inch	Needle size US	Needle size Metric
Lace	18+	8+	00–2	2–3 mm
Fingering	16	6–8	2–4	2.75–3.5mm
Sport	14	5–6 1/2	4–6	3.5–4.5 mm
Worsted	12	4–5	7–9	4.5–6
Bulky	10	3–4	10–11	6–7.5
Very Bulky	8 or fewer	2–3	13–15	8–9mm

My yarn measures 13 wraps per inch, placing it in the worsted to sport range. By using the chart I surmised that a good starting place would be to use either a size 6 or 7 needle. I started with a 7 and knitted, washed, and blocked a 4-inch stockinette swatch. I concluded that the hand--the feel of the fabric--was a little stiff so I moved to a larger needle. The dark brown scarf-in-progress (top photo) is made using a size 8 needle. It was perfect. How ironic is it that the pattern calls for this needle size!

But wait, my yarn did not produce the same gauge—isn't yarn fickle! This is probably because my yarn is much denser than the yarn in the pattern. I could either decided to cast on few stitches or follow the pattern exactly or to create a wider scarf. I went with the latter.

In Summary: Spin; Measure w.p.i (wraps per inch); Swatch; Swatch again; Start knitting!

A Final Note: Every knitter who wants to spin has to get Ann Budd's The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns. You will simply never have to fret that your yarn won't work in any of these patterns. Ann's clever system is based on the same philosophy above—if you can't create the yarn you need, love the yarn you make.

--Liz Gipson
past managing editor of Spin-Off magazine
co-host of Knitting Daily TV

YARN SUBSTITUTION TIP FOR KNITTERS (those who aren't spinners!)

You can use the wraps per inch method with yarns you already have in your stash to help you determine needle size, gauge, and yarn "weight." In the back of each issue of Interweave Knits (as well as Interweave Crochet) is a page called Sources for Supplies that lists the wraps per inch information for the yarn specified in the pattern. You can compare this number to the wraps per inch of yarns you have on hand--or that beautiful yarn you couldn't resist buying at your local yarn shop--as an aid in yarn substitution.

Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Knitting Daily.

What's on Sandi's needles? Still seaming, seaming. I am stitching up the Camisa, and weaving in the ends. And yes, even I have to rip out a seam a time or two until I am satisfied with the way it looks. I had to rip the side seam three times....