Finished Pinwheel Dishcloth!

Today I finally finished the last part of the pinwheel dishcloth. I've decided this has been a very good project for me to have worked on. I got to use my fine gauge (fg) sock loom from Decor Accents and used 17 pegs on the loom to make the six different wedges. The pattern was from Isela Phelps, and is in the current issue of Loom Knitters Circle online magazine for Summer 2008 on pages 26-29.

I finally learned how to do short rows, which is basically decreasing your stitches. I think this will also help me out when I start my first pair of socks.


Then I also learned the kitchener stitch, which was grafting the last row to the cast-on row.


We were also doing this as a loom along on the egroup "decoraccentsinc" and Isela made two videos for us to watch to help those who like having something visual to look at. You can find the videos on her website at Decor Accents and click on "Blog" and you will find them on that page.

Now that I'm done I'm going to join my group in the Monthly Loom-a-long on ravelry for August 2008. They are working on the Schooner Socks pattern from Loom Knitters Circle online magazine pg. 19-20. So far I just have the first two rows on my loom done. Plus I ordered the wrong loom (well maybe?), but I ordered the biggest efg sock loom, which is 80 peg and the pattern calls for 64 peg loom instead. But Isela said as long as my loom pegs could be divided by 4, I could adjust the pattern. Then I bought yarn at a yarn store in Des Moines and now I'm worried the owner might have steered me wrong. She said that the skein I bought would make 1 pair of socks (knitted) with enough extra left over to maybe make another sock. I'm just hoping it makes at least the one pair. But I'll tell you more about that next time and maybe have a picture or two to show you.

Sorry I take so long in between blogs...I need to start getting into a routine and at least once a week update my blog site and ravelry. First I'm going to have to figure out how to store pictures for each of these sites, without going over the "free" limit.

Need the link for the Blogiversary, don't you?!?

This is where you need to go for the Blogiversary...couldn't get the link to load earlier...don't know why. In fact I tried again at the beginning of this post and it still is not showing so you will have to copy and paste it in your url bar and then click go to go there...here it is: http://gettinitpegged.com
ja

Well I'm going to try and join in on the blogiversary for Bethany's blog at this is her first year anniversary for her blog! And I want to invited you to join her too...if you do, please leave my name (JackieA) on her comments so she'll know that you came because I invited you.

I have not only enjoyed reading her blog, but also many of her creative patterns that she has for sale and FREE for the knitting looms. Bethany does a great job explaining how to do the projects and if you are on her eloop on yahoo you can also join in on the loom-alongs with some of her patterns too!

Right now I am working on the arm chair caddy pattern and have finished the first 1/2 of it. It has been a little challenging...but seems to be working up good. Also this weekend I stocked up on yarn for the Braided Cable's Bag and the Spa Set which I hope to get started soon. She'll be doing the Spa Set next for her loom-along project, just in case you want to join in with the group.

Bethany has asked those of us who have blogs to do a little questionnaire and put it on our blog...with our answers (of course). Anyway I guess I'll give it a try...although I think some of these questions might need a longer answer then what I have time for tonight! You can also do this too on your blog or if you don't have one leave it in her comments. If you have a blog, let her know where to look for your answers and don't forget...I invited you to her P-A-R-T-Y! OH, before I forget she has PRIZES to GIVE-A-WAY if you are a participant.

So...let's party with Bethany! Here are the questions, I'll try to put my answers in a different colored font (but if it doesn't work...don't forget I'm still a newbie when it comes to blogging).

1. What was your age when you first discovered your love of yarn? What (or who) was it that introduced you to all that fibery goodness? I learned to knit when I was 9 yrs. old, but didn't stay with it too long. I made a few slippers then, that's about all though. Then when I had my first child I got a chance to join Master Yarn Council class on crocheting. At the time I didn't know how to crochet, and I was supposed to know all of the basic stitches, but I was lucky and had a very patient and caring teacher who let me join & learn anyway. So I've crocheted gifts, when I have had time for the last 20+ years. In October of 2006 I bought my first set of Knifty Knitter Round Looms and since then I have been "hooked on looming". I just love it!!!
   
2. If you could sit down with anyone in the world to have a little knit along, who would it be? I wish I could sit with my friends and family (and my internet friends as well)! So far my friends and family that are nearby like my craft and admire my work and enjoy any gifts they might receive, but none of them have been interested enough to start learning to loom too. I think it would be fun to be able to get together with someone and loom...once a week...or once a month. Just sharing in the craft together!
   
3. What is your favorite comfy place or position in which to work with yarn? We have a sectional couch that has a chaise lounge on one end...I like to sit with my feet up and my yarn and project all spread out.
   
4. Like our heroin in the story below, do you ever dream about soft fuzzy goodness? Or how to do a particular technique you’d never thought of while awake? I've dreamed before that I won some contest and didn't know what my winnings were going to be. Then the next thing I knew...a bunch of people showed up in my house (like DIY network) and they made me my own craft room...all organized and stocked for my two favorite crafts...Loom Knitting and Scrapbooking! I was in seventh heaven...and all the yarn was included for any project that I had saved on my computer.
   
5. What type of loomer/knitter/crocheter are you? Loomer -- Intermediate/ Knitter--Beginner/ Crocheter--Adv. Beginner Do you like long involved projects, or quickies full of fast satisfaction?A little of both. I love making afghans and seeing the completed project and thanks for the gift afterwards. But I also enjoy making quickies, especially when you want to make something for a friend or family, but you don't have alot of time to do it.
   
6. Have you ever guiltily postponed dinner due to your involvement with a project? Isn't that what happens when you get involved with crafts?
   
7. What is your ultimate goal in your yarn life? I would like to be able to give friends and family all gifts made by me at the same time....not years or months apart!
   
8. Do you have a favorite snack you like to munch while working with yarn? If I have some...I like M & M's (plain or peanut)...yum!
   
9. What is your all time most favorite yarn tool/accessory that you absolutely could not live without? My blue handled pick that dh bought for me in the tool section.
   
10. What is your favorite movie? It's hard to pick a favorite...I love all kinds of movies, just watched "Last Holiday" with Queen Latifah (sp) and it's one of my favorite that she is in...showing we CAN do it...
    
11. What is your favorite book as an adult Like movies I LOVE BOOKS! I love all kinds of mystery books: The Cat Who...books/ Cookie Mysteries/Agathe Christie, etc... …and what was yours as a child? I've always loved to read I liked many books when I was younger: Myth's about Ancient Gods/Sherlock Holmes/ Edgar Allen Poe/ Little House on the Prairie, etc...
    
12. What are you working on right now with your yarn? Right now I'm working on Bethany's pattern for the Arm Chair Caddy, I'm about 1/2 done.
    
13. Is there a special project that you’ve been just dying for someone (or yourself) to design? So far there is nothing else I can think of...the possibilities of all the patterns that are already are out there from Bethany, Isela, Robin, Graciea, etc... I can't keep up with what I'd like to do now! There is always a new pattern...that I want to do it too! ;o)
    
14. Did someone invite you to join in on the party today? Bethany, herself invited me to join her party...so I didn't want to miss out! Happy Blogiversary Bethany at on your FIRST YEAR!

Well Bethany I hope you and others enjoyed my answers...you made me think too much for the end of the day. Especially since I've been out of town and just got home! Hope you had a fun day!
JackieA

Mother's Day has come & gone...

Well Mother's Day has past...but I thought I'd share what a nice day I had!

I got up early with my hubby and we had homemade cinnamon rolls (which I had bought at the Farmer's Market). They were delicious! ;o)

Then when my daughter got up...she wished me a "Happy Mother's Day" and offered me my cute little gift! I just love Teddy Bears! I've enjoyed looking at it...through out the day since then.

Then I got ready and went to church at Cornerstone Church in Chillicothe. They had such a nice service Sunday...besides the uplifting music in the beginning...they recognized the graduating Seniors in the church with a Bible and the Youth Pastor's wife sang a song just for them "I Hope You Dance" and Kaylee D. did a lyrical dance along with it. Stan gave such an uplifting sermon as well about "not worrying"...which I think is hard for all of us mom's not to do...can't seem to help it sometimes, it was called "Faith Mom" (you can listen to the audio if you'd like). Also they took up a special offering for those who are suffering in Myanmer for cyclone relief, you can also give online from their website if you are interested. After church I called hubby to see what I needed to do...he said, "Come home!"

So I had a nice surprise when I got home. Brian had made omelet's for lunch...I just love omelet's...with cheese, tomatoes, green onions and bacon...yum..mm..mm (making me hungry again!), plus we had a little extra crispy bacon and cottage cheese & tomatoes. After lunch my daughter picked up all the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen for me. It was so nice not to have to fix lunch, or clean it up!

I relaxed some in the afternoon...watching TV and knitting on my loom. I finally finished up the scarf and a hat to match it. Here's a picture of it on my styrofoam head. I used the Knifty Knitter pink long loom for the scarf, then the hat I used a homemade loom that Kirk made me that is the same size as the green round Knifty Knitter loom, except my pegs are closer gauge then the Knifty Knitter.

Later in the afternoon our son called and wished me a "Happy Mother's Day" too. Too bad he couldn't come for a visit, but maybe another time. Later that evening dear hubby took me to Applebee's for supper. I had the Shrimp 'N Parmesan Sirloin... I had soo much good food Sunday I was about to bust! ha! ha! What a nice Mother's Day!

Now I'm starting on my third block for the afghan...I'm a little slow, but have been busy other things this week. I using black for my yarn this time, so hopefully it will show the design well...we'll just have to wait and see when I have more of it done.

Happy looming...have a good day! Hope you had a Happy Mother's Day too!

Still trying to keep up on looming projects...

I know, it's been a few weeks again since I've wrote anything. It just seems hard to sit and tell you everything that I think you might be interested in. As you can see I found a cute outfit to go with the bonnet I made. Hopefully it will all fit her! Plus I kind of slowed down some on my looming projects, because I couldn't find supplies! How disappointing it is to go to the local Walmart store and find out they don't have any purse handles, can't find elastic thread, and even sport weight yarn is very limited. I would think that since they now carry the Provo Craft Knifty Knitter looms and accessories/booklets that they would carry more of the actual items you need to do the different projects that they have...not even thinking about the other projects that are out there too.

This last week Isela Phelps announced her new book will be coming out soon, and you could order an advance copy, and she (the author) would sign it for you too. So knowing I just don't hardly have any looming books or patterns (ha! ha! ;o) ) I just had to order myself one. You can check it out on her webpage too if they still have some in stock. The name of the book is: No-Needle - Loom Knitting Pattern Book (38 Easy No-Needle Designs For All Loom Knitters). This is a follow-up to her wonderful "Loom Knitting Primer". Then I continued to look at her new updated website and noticed that they are now selling the keepsake looms (which is a small loom/keychain they had originally made for a big craft show they went to earlier this spring), many of us loomers begged them to make more and sell them! So I guess they listened to their customers...again.

As you know I finally finished looming my Aspen Baguette, but until this weekend I hadn't been able to find purse handles to finish the project up. Luckily dh decided we needed to look for parts in the city...so we ended up going and spending the night. Unfortunately we called and went to several places looking for a gasket for his truck, but never was able to find the right one. At least he was able to get one on order by Monday...so as soon as he got everything back together he has been in the field trying to get caught up. But he was so nice and took me to a couple of craft stores, where I finally found some purse handles and some sock/sport weight yarn. But wouldn't you know it, I forgot to look for the elastic thread...so maybe next time. Plus I got some quarter print pieces of cloth for my liner...and if I measured right they should work and maybe even be a little more then I need, but for a $1.49 each I thought I would try them. I am not much on sewing...so we'll see if my sewing machine will let me sew up a liner for my bag.

I've decided if I can get this pattern and liner, etc... down good---I can then make some more in different colors for friends/family for gifts. Or at least some of the other patterns I have for purses will be easier to follow, now that I've learned how to do cables.

I also finished up the 2nd block for the Afghan Project 2008. It is a basket-weave design, and really shows up well with a solid color. It is also made with the red round Knifty Knitter (31 pegs) loom, and you work the project as a flat knit, instead of working in the round. I now need to get caught up and do the 3rd block...before they start the next block!!! I think part of the reason I keep dragging my feet is I can't decided which yarn to use, or what color...I have to "think" about it too much. I had originally thought I would just use yarn from my scrap basket, but I'm little unsure when I pick up one of my balls of yarn if I have enough to make the square. Plus you need to use 2 strands of worsted weight yarn and it's easier to just use a skein...pulling from both ends instead of finding two balls the same color. (sometimes I only have one ball of a color).

made...it was pretty loose and I made the miI also have been making a new scarf for my daughter...since she got the first scarf I everstake of using different types of yarn together. Or maybe it just doesn't hold up well in so many washings. I'm using the pink long Knifty Knitter loom/board and doing the Ponto 1 stitch, which you can find at Analu Tear Manual. I took a picture today, I just finished one skein of the Red Heart Super Saver yarn - Zebra is the color. It is a variegated black/grays and white. I don't know if she has decided on fringe yet or just leaving it plain at the end. This is a very easy stitch to work on the board looms...and as you can see it gives a nice even type of garter stitch. I think the scarf will take almost 2 skeins, to get the longer length that she likes...so I still have a little way to go yet, before it's finished.

Another rainy day...

Here is the finished bonnet...front and back and side ways...
One of these days I will figure out how to move these pictures around, where I want them. Until then I guess you'll just have to bear with me. The bonnet worked up real nice, and the yarn is soft. Plus since it's cooling off again here in Missouri, maybe their little girl will get some use out of it. Brian said it is supposed to get down to the 30's tonight...brrr! In fact I guess all weekend it is going to be chilly. I guess we got spoiled, we had about three days of 60's and 70's...which I wish it would've stayed that way...especially since it's almost May!



I also got my purse (Aspen Baguette) tightened up better on the cable stitches. Isela said I probably should've used 2 strands of the yarn instead of one...for it to have been comparable to the yarn the pattern called for. Plus we both think I should've tighten the stitches while I was working the row better. But I will tighten them, and then knot them...and since I'm going to have a liner I'll just leave them loose (since it will be covered up anyway. But I didn't get a chance to go shopping in town today, so I'll have to wait and pick up some handles maybe tomorrow and maybe some material for the liner as well.

Poor hubby may have to help me again with my sewing machine. The last time I used it...the tension was way off and we had trouble adjusting it. Plus I'm no seamstress...ask anyone in my family, they'll tell you...keep Jackie away from the sewing machine! LOL ;oP

I really need to start on my other blocks for the Project Afghan 2008, that we are doing in Loom Class. So I guess I'll leave you for now.

Finished looming my bag today...

Well I finally finished looming the Aspen Baguette and binded it off the loom...using the basic bind off like Isela Phelps video shows. But I messed up and didn't check on my handles that I have on hand...they are the wrong kind, just handles. I need to have the D-shaped purse handles instead. So I guess I'll wait until I have a chance to go to town and get some. Until then I need to figure out exactly how to tighten up my cables...they are too loose I think. In the patterns pictures it doesn't look like you have any loose, it just looks like knitting wrapped around knitting. I guess I'll have to experiment with the crochet hook tonight and see if I can tighten them to look better.

Also it only took 1 skein of Paton Shetland Chunky Tweeds, which was 85g/3 oz (it is 72% acrylic/ 25% wool/ and 3% Viscose...approx. 123 yds.) The color I used was called Biscuit Beige (it has flecks of blue and brown in it).

Also I forgot to mention that last week when we went to the city I was able to pick up a copy of Simply Knitting (printed in England) at Barnes & Noble. So I got a free pattern counter with my magazine too. It was a little pricey, since I don't really needle knit, but it had an article about sock yarn...which I found interesting. And who knows...maybe I'll figure out how to convert a pattern or two to the loom. It cost $10 .... so I don't know if I'll buy another one, although the next one is supposed to come with a neat yarn holder (with 3 holes), it's called a Yarn Tidy Bag...supposed to help keep your yarn tangle-free. Or maybe I should re-learn to needle knit too...nah! ;o)

Appreciate any hints you might have for me with my cables. Happy Looming!
JA