Why I love the Internet and Why I Need a Laptop

Ok, here's the deal.

I knit. I love to knit.

When you are knitting you are first creating something, most of the time for someone else.

My niece Mallory taught me the basics, knit and purl, I must admit I got the knit right off, but I think she had to teach me purl at least 10 times before it stuck.

Then I took a few classes which increased my confidence and taught me how to read "Greek" a.k.a knitting patterns and terms.

Being self employed I don't have a lot of time to run to my local LYS. Though Amy at Red Purl is brilliant with her "working women" hours.

Enter the Internet....if you are stuck on a knitting term and the graphic isn't enough, more than likely you will find a video on YouTube showing you how to do it!

Even better...you can e-mail a designer of a pattern to ask a question.

I did this for the 1st time though I hated to impose.

While working the Aran Isle Slippers I just could not get how to decrease and keep the seed stitch true. I knew it had to be simple, I just could not see it. (it was so, so obvious).

I bit the bullet and emailed Jennifer Lang the designer of these wonderful slippers, and she was so kind to answer me promptly and set me straight on the obvious answer. Thank you Jennifer.

Now I would not do this often, can you only imagine as a designer getting tons of emails asking questions? I can see how this could snowball!
But, I sure appreciated Jennifer's help, she was so kind.

This is why I love the Internet!

And why I need a Laptop with wireless high speed, so in the middle of the night during a knitting marathon I can log on and get the answer if I need it.

Aran Isle Slippers

Aran Isle Slippers in the Holiday Interweave Knits Magazine.

I am thinking perfect for Christmas giving.
I am thinking I want a pair for myself.
Second thought....I don't like my feet to be hot.
Gift Giving it will be.

Emileigh's Runway Debut!

Emileigh wearing Deanna Ansara’s Avante Garde garment

My niece Emileigh was in her 1st runway show this past weekend.
She modeled for 5 Designers of the House of Moda.
The Designers are all student designers of Western Michigan University.
The show was far from amateur, these designers put countless hours and effort into not only their designs, but the overall look of the show.

Emileigh received first hand knowledge of what goes into a fashion show, lots of hurry up and wait, and then pure chaos!

Great Job Em!

She had a great time and I know she enjoyed all the designers she worked with.

Turn A Square

a pattern from Brooklyn Tweed and the inspiring Jared Flood.

I have now worked several patterns from Brooklyn Tweed and love the ease and perfection of his patterns, I still feel as if I am a fairly novice knitter and Jared's patterns make sense.

Patterns still throw me sometimes, I want to begin this dress, and looking at the photo



it seems straightforward, reading the pattern though, confusion sets in.

It will still be my next big project.

Back to the Caps, these are wonderful for gift giving for they only take a few hours to stitch, I love the jogless striping, thanks Jared for the hint, and that the 4 raglan decreases make a square pattern.

Double Cap Revisited

Keanee's Double Cap

Worked flat as stated in pattern.
Hated having to seam this as you can tell I just don't do it well.

Keanee was by far the hardest model I ever tried to take a photo of.
This child just does not stop moving.
We all blame his mother for she drank caffeine through out the pregnancy.

Let this be a warning to all expectant mothers!

I miss seeing Keanee though, he is at daycare all day, not like his house cat brother Ian.

Click on photo to enlarge and check out Keanee's eyelashes, why do cute little boys always end up with these?