Lindy's Knits & Laces

Master Knitter – Level IMaster Knitter – Level I

January 18, 2010 | Lindy | 0 Comments | 5:36 pm

I have always wanted to tackle the Master Level Knitting certifications through The Knitting Guild Association. Until this year, I have always talked myself out of doing so, because I thought the time commitment would be too much – given everything else in my busy life.

There is a knitter in my local guild that has completed the Master Knitter Level 1 and is working on Master Knitter Level 2. She was generous enough to share her project binder and talk with me about the process. So, this year – I took the plunge! I signed up for Master Knitter, Level 1 and have received my instructions. It requires knitting 16 different swatches of various knitting techniques and stitches, answering 17 questions, completing 1 knitted project and writing a 2-page report on the care of knitwear. I have a year to complete and I think I will be able to get it done. Knowing that I have someone locally to ask questions is a big plus.

I knitted my first swatch last Sunday evening. It took a little longer than I anticipated because I did some extra swatching to find the right size needle for the yarn I will be using for all my swatches. One down, 15 to go – my goal is to do one swatch per week, and answer the questions that pertain to that swatch. Wish me luck.

WIP: Baby Romper for New GrandsonWIP: Baby Romper for New Grandson

January 17, 2010 | Lindy | 0 Comment | 5:30 pm

My first grandson is due January 30. I have already knit a couple of items for this coming grandchild – but I want to knit a romper and matching cardigan for him as well. I’ve posted about the swatches for the cardigan, but not about the romper.

BabyRomper_Legs1

I am about 50% done with the romper. I am using Baby Ull (Dale of Norway) in a navy blue colorway. The legs were knit using size US 0 (2.00 mm) needles and then once joined together for the hip section, knit using US 1 (2.50 mm) needles. Tiny needles, lots of stitches. The pattern is #203 from Dale of Norway.

I doubt I will get this done before the baby arrives – but since I am knitting the 12 months size, it shouldn’t matter if I finish it after he comes home from the hospital.

Diaster in HaitiDiaster in Haiti

January 14, 2010 | Lindy | 0 Comment | 12:15 pm

I’m sure everyone has watched the tv coverage of the earthquake in Haiti with horror and a sense of “what can I do” to help. Like many, it seems the best action that I can take is to donate to one or more of the humanitarian organizations who are already speeding their way into Haiti to help.

There are so many organizations out there — and it becomes a challenge to know which ones are the best ones to support. After listening to the coverage today — two organizations struck me as: 1) already in place and, 2) focused on some of the most critical needs of the people in Haiti. Those two organizations are Doctors without Borders and the Salvation Army. These two organizations also tend to receive less donations than the Red Cross. Doctors without Borders are already working to serve the severely overwhelming need for medical care in Haiti and the Salvation Army is working to set up shelters and feed people in need.

So — I’ve gone online and donated to both Doctors without Borders and the Salvation Army. I know many others will also be donating to the organizations of their choice today. If you have not yet decided what organization will receive your donations — please check these two worthy organizations out. I’ve included links to their sites below.

Update on Progress with SFS Team-Knit SocksUpdate on Progress with SFS Team-Knit Socks

January 12, 2010 | Lindy | 0 Comment | 5:24 pm

SFS_TK_Heels1 I knitted the heel and had about half of the gussets done on these socks when I decided that I did NOT like the way the picked up stitches for the gussets looked. They weren’t tight enough and appeared to have small holes along the picked up edge. Frustrating, VERY frustrating – especially since these socks must be knit to very high standards. I don’t know if the problem is the way I picked up the stitches – or if I pulled the yarn too tight. I have found that the Regia Stretch yarn used for these socks can be overstretched – it is a very stretchy yarn.

I put the socks in “time out” over the Christmas holidays – just too stressful to deal with them given all the other demands of the season. Last week, I pulled them out, put in lifelines at the instep and the end of the heel turn and then frogged them back to the point where I need to pick up the gusset stitches. 🙁

I plan to tackle the picking up of the gusset stitches this week, paying special attention to how the stitches form as they are picked up…and trying to avoid overstretching the yarn…I will let you know how it goes.