Knitting for Yarnhouse

Lately, I've been working on some handknitted projects to be displayed at Yarnhouse Knits in the NoDa district of Charlotte.

I offered my services to the yarnshop owner about a month ago, telling him that my summers are usually slow. He gave me five projects to work on, asking me to finish them as soon as possible.

Little did I know that my piano and knitting students would not slow down that much this summer! Ha! So, now, I'm trying to juggle lessons and knitting all at the same time.

So far, I've finishing knitting a Market Bag, using Cascade Ultra Pima cotton yarn. So soft!


And now, I'm knitting a dreamy, frothy, beautiful French Scarf, using two different mohair yarns. "La Salute" by Louisa Harding, and "Curly Mohair" by Universal Yarn.

First Knitting Lessons Went Well :)

Today, I taught two knitting students, and it went very well!

One thing took me by surprise: One of the students is left-handed! I've never tried left-handed knitting before, but we figured it out. It took a LOT of thought for me to understand it and show the correct steps.

When the lesson was over, they both knew how to cast on, do the knit stitch, and how to bind off. We made a tiny napkin ring for them to keep, and got started making Hula Hand Puppets. I gave them enough yarn to finish the hand puppets this week. I was happy to hear the left-handed student tell her mom that I was a good teacher. Yay!

This afternoon, I spent a couple hours looking for left-handed knitting videos online. I found some great ones!

Cast on and Knit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v00r6CJs48o

Cast on and Knit Continental: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxWtcFuQGHI

Purl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHQg0kGZU7I

Purl Continental: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmdEhuveBqo

Drop Stitch Scarf: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pK54VjHTwM


So, now I am practicing knitting left-handed. I've cast on and knit 3 rows so far, and now my brain feels different! I'm an old dog, but I'm learning new tricks now. :)

Teaching Kids to Knit

This week, I'll be teaching knitting lessons to some smart girls I know. They are excited, and so am I! For the past few months, I've been reading books, watching videos, and searching online for everything about teaching kids to knit. I've also been gathering all the supplies and yarn I'll need, and printing out copies of free beginner knitting patterns. Now, I'm knitting samples of some of the designs, so my students will see what the finished items should look like.


All of my research was worth it. I found LOTS of knitting patterns that are perfect for beginning knitters. Here are the patterns I'll be sharing for the first lesson. We won't be making all of them, of course. But, I will give them copies of the printed out patterns, because they will have all the skills they need to make any of them after just one lesson! :)


Beginner Knitting Patterns:

Ponytail Scrunchie

Headband

Bean Bag

Simple Ball

Can Cozy

Hula Hand Puppet

Thick Washcloth



And if any of my students learn simple shaping and the purl stitch, I'll share these designs with them as well:

Cosmetic Bag

Seed Stitch Headband

Quick Knit Potholder


I hope the class goes well!

Reversible Baby Hat

This month, I needed to make a fast baby gift. So, I looked on the Bernat website, and found a free pattern called "Cottontots Bear Hat". I had some Cottontots yarn in my stash, so I got to work.

After just a few hours, I was halfway finished.


The next day, I added the blue yarn, and all my knitting was complete.


Now, I have TWO hats in one! (I decided to leave off the bear ears.)




Next up on the Bernat Blog, I'm making the Satin Lace Edge Cardigan.

I'm really having fun knitting things for Bernat yarn. :)

Marabou Trim Yarn

Marabou Trim Yarn
Originally uploaded by Shandeh

Take a look at this lovely marabou trim. It's included in the Sweaterkits Marabou Felted Purse kit. You can buy the kit at Yarnhouse Knits in Charlotte, NC.

I just love the way the marabou trim moves with the slightest breeze.

Knitting for Yarnhouse

Last week, I went to Yarnhouse Knits in Charlotte, NC to meet with the shop owner. I had told him that I would be happy to knit some samples over the summer for him. My piano students are few and far between in the summer months, so I have some time available for more knitting. He promptly agreed, and had 5 projects ready for me to make! Cool.... :)

I have just started working on the market bag he wants. I love the yarn. Cascade Ultra Pima cotton. Very soft and easy to knit!


When I finish that, I think I'll start the next bag he wants me to make. It's a beautiful kit for a Marabou Felted Purse.


I just love the way the marabou trim moves with the slightest breeze. So soft and elegant!

My Daily Schedule

Another day....

I usually start each day by popping my thyroid pill in my mouth, with a swig of water. Then, I turn on my computer, update the antivirus stuff, and put on a kettle of water for tea. While the water comes to a boil, I check my email, and all the rest of my usual internet spots: Knitting Help, Facebook, the Bernat Blog, eBay, Ravelry, and Flickr. In the midst of surfing the net, my teapot whistles, and I make a cup of tea (or two).

When an hour of waiting has passed after taking my thyroid pill, I have breakfast at my computer, while playing solitaire or one of my favorite video games. Recently, I've enjoyed playing "seek & find" games like Women's Murder Club or Peril at End House. I should really get the "Dream Day" games - they would be fun.

After breakfast, I turn off the computer and head to the craft room to knit. Sometimes I will watch tv as I knit, but most of the time I knit in silence. It's just nice to relax and listen to the birds singing outside...and feel my even breathing as I knit stitch after stitch.

Sometimes as I knit, my arms or hands will start to ache a little. So, I'll set down my project and browse a knitting book or magazine. It's so inspiring to see what others are knitting or crocheting in their part of the world. Soon, I am back to knitting again, sometimes humming a tune as I work. I'll think of all the things I need to take care of....or about what I wish I could do. I imagine what life would be like if I could afford a large house: a room for each of my crafting pursuits. One room for knitting and crocheting. Another room for storing all the yarn. A different room for spinning yarn, filled with roving and fleeces. And a sewing room, with patterns and fabrics, and a large sewing table.

Wow....that would be nice. :)

Soon, I realize that it's time for lunch. So, I get to the end of my row, mark my spot in the pattern, and put everything in a basket for later.

My body aches as I stand from my knitting chair, so I stretch and groan a while until I'm able to move freely. Then, I head down the hall for a bite to eat. After lunch, I'm getting drowsy....so I take a nap, setting my alarm to allow time to get ready to teach piano lessons.

When all of my piano students have been taught, my day is almost over. Time to eat dinner, maybe knit some more....talk to my hubby, grab a quick hug or kiss. Then, we each put on our CPAP masks and collapse in bed. I usually play a game on my little pink Nintendo DS, and get more and more relaxed as I listen to the even breathing of my husband behind me. Occasionally, I fall asleep with the game still running in my hands......

Most of the time, I cannot sleep through the night. So, I sneak out of bed at about 2 AM, and go back to the craft room again. This is when I actually do my best knitting....when the rest of the world is asleep. I like to watch Forensic Files or whatever interesting show I find on PBS, Nat Geo, or the History Channel. If nothing is on, I'll watch a DVD or video in our collection.

When I hear my husband's alarm, I go down the hall to make his coffee. Then I finish up my row of knitting, put everything away, and snuggle with my hubby for a while. It usually takes him about 20 minutes to wake up completely, after hitting his snooze about 3 or 4 times. So, I lay in his arms, resting for a while. It's the only quiet time we ever have together. When he finally gets up, I make his coffee, and maybe toast a bagel for him. Then, I kiss him goodbye, turn off the coffeepot, turn off all the lights, and go to sleep for a few hours.

And I always look forward to waking up again, so I can knit some more.....