Gearing up for Summer!

Just because the weather is getting warmer, it does not mean you have to stop knitting!  I like to switch to knitting with cotton and linen and their blends.  Even some silks.  I have some of my students working on their first sweaters, cotton tank tops.  It is a great way to start tackling shaping without having to worry about sleeves or a complicated collar. Why don't you try it?  Feel free to contact me for pattern suggestions, or if you want to take knitting or crochet classes.

That reminds me.  I am getting a crochet teaching certification, so I am going to start teaching crochet!  I have also published my first crochet pattern, Fluff Flops!  They are really easy, and are another great idea for a quick summer project.  It would be a fun activity for girl scouts or a gift for anyone who is still a girl at heart.

Feel free to join me for the $5 Yarn Night at Michael's on Laurens Rd.  It is on May 30th at 6:30 pm.  How is $5 Yarn Night different than a sit and stitch?  You get more support from a certified teacher! I am there to help you through any problems you are having in understanding a pattern, or doing a technique.  Come join us!

Will be posting again soon on my personal summer projects!

New Beginning Knitting Classes in Greenville

As some of you know, I am teaching beginning knitting classes at Furman and Michael's.  New classes at Furman for the Spring/Summer schedule will be announced on their Learning For You website on March 11th, and published in the Greenville Journal on March 15th.  Classes at Michael's happen every month!  So just take a look at either of these sources and sign up.  They fit all budgets and time needs.

Need Knitting Classes in Greenville SC?

If you are looking for knitting instruction, I am pleased to provide it! I specialize in teaching beginners, and I really enjoy doing so. Just contact me via this blog and we can get started.

I am also pleased to announce I will be teaching a basic Double Knitting Class at Wool Over Your Eyes in January.  I think the Clemson fans will like this headband sample that is the class project, but I have also charted out a big C for the Gamecock Fans, a snowflake, "Ho Ho" for Christmas, and a smiley face.  Be on the lookout for that class announcement.

You can also find me on Facebook at Yarngineer LLC.

Oh my....

Looks like blogger has a new interface, and it is very, very different. I am going to try to muddle my way through this until it becomes better looking.  It is also taking a lot longer to post things!

Going to post a pattern for the Beginning Knitting Part II class. The original inspiration pattern can be found on Raverly, and is linked below. Many thanks to Martina for allowing me to share her pattern. That is an important thing when it comes to intellectual property; be sure to give credit to those that you sourced from or were inspired by.

The Deuce Clutch

Adapted for Teaching Beginners by: Heather Weber

Original Inspiration Design: “Cosmetic Clutch ‘Christina’” by Martina Hees, © 2011, www.tichiro.net

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Techniques Used:

Cast on – Knitted Cast On or Long Tail Cast On

Knit, purl

Garter Stitch (knit or purl every row)

Stockinette Stitch (knit on right side; purl on wrong side)

Seed Stitch (alternating knit and purl stitches)

Two Row Buttonhole

K2TOG (knit two together)

SSK (slip, slip, knit)

PTBL (purl through the back loop)

Bind off

Seaming with Mattress Stitch

Weave in loose ends

Finished Size:

Yarn: 1 Skein of Worsted Weight 100% Wool, 100g/219 yds

Needles: US Size 7 circular, 24” or longer

Notions: Tapestry needle, Stitch markers, Button

Gauge: Horizontal gauge is 5 st/in on US Size 7 needles

Creating the Clutch Body:

CO 50 Stitches using Knitted or Long Tail Cast On.

Rows 1-5 (Garter Stitch rows): Knit.

Rows 6: Purl.

Seed stitch pattern:

Row 7: K1, *K1, P1 repeat from * until the last stitch, K1.

Row 8: P1, *P1, K1 repeat from * until the last stitch, P1.

Repeat seed stitch pattern until piece measures 5 inches from cast on edge (approximately 40 rows), ending in a wrong side row.  Purl one row, then knit one row to create a bottom fold for the purse.  Restart seed stitch pattern for another 5 inches from bottom fold, ending in a wrong side row.  Now purl 5 rows, knit one row.

Creating the Clutch Flap:

Restart your row numbering.  The clutch flap will be in stockinette stitch, with a garter stitch border.

Rows 1, 3, 5: Knit.

Rows 2, 4, 6: K4, Purl until last 4 stitches, K4.

Next row (RS): K4, SSK knitwise, work until 6 stitches remain, K2TOG, K4. (48 stitches)

Next row (WS): K4, Purl until last 4 stitches, K4.

Repeat these two rows for a total of 13 times, ending with 24 stitches total on a WS row.

Button hole:

RS Row: K4, SSK, K5, bind off 3 stitches, work until 6 stitches remain, K2TOG, K4. (19 stitches)

WS Row: K4, P6, PTBL; turn work and using the knitted cast on, CO 3 stitches, twisting the stitch before placing it on the left needle; PTBL, P5, K4.  (22 stitches) You must twist these stitches in order to tighten up the stitches around the cast on.

Next row (RS): K4, SSK knitwise, work until 6 stitches remain, K2TOG, K4. (20 stitches)

Next row (WS): K4, Purl until last 4 stitches, K4.

Knit the next 5 rows.

BO all stitches loosely knitwise. With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, weave in

loose ends, or use them to seam up the sides of the clutch using the mattress stitch.  If desired, tidy the button hole using the button hole stitch.  Block clutch. Sew on Button.

I hope you all enjoy the free pattern!

Stitches, anyone?

If you are going, I hope to see you there! I am busily trying to get ready while also teaching and doing design work. Life is never boring! Please let me know if you are going, and I will try to find you!

Gaining Momentum

Wow, it has been one month since I last posted? Honestly, I meant to get on here sooner. I want to post on what I have learned about teaching lefties to knit. A sort of consolidation of resources on the subject, to help other teachers out there, and for helping lefties. I still have it on my to do list, so it will be coming soon. And I will keep updating it as I learn more on the subject.

We are in the midst of switching schools for Ryan, so I need to find other therapy options for him. He will be attending a typical school full time, as he is doing so much more there than his special needs school. And he is much happier there. That is keeping me pretty busy, with all of the appointments involved in making the switch. And I taught my first Beginning Knitting Class at Wool Over Your Eyes. I had so much fun teaching two new knitters, and I look forward to teaching the second installment of the class this weekend. A long with that, I am having to write some lesson plans and designs for future classes, so I am really tied up! Fitting in half an hour here, 15 minutes there. It is not easy being a working mom!

Watch for future classes on Knitting and Purling Back Backwards, and a Reversible Cable Receiving Blanket. I also plan on teaching Continental Knitting (making the switch from English), and a Top Down Sock in the Fall. If you have any class requests, please let me know!

Resurrection?

Just the word reminds me of home, Resurrection Bay. Anyway, such a beautiful sounding word and concept.

(noun) 3. The act of bringing back to practice, notice, or use; revival.

I hope to experience a revival of my soul, my joy and spirit in 2012. I am an optimist by nature; but even optimists get weighed down and can lose sight of the light when continually pummeled by life. It has been a crazy few years, and I am hoping to get back into some of my interests. To bring about a sense of balance and productivity. To find what else makes me happy again, and to move past some negative experiences of the last few years. To leave all that junk behind, I believe one needs to focus on being true to themselves, their values and principles, and extend the hand of love and friendship to those who deserve it. And to transcend those people and circumstances that try to pull you down.

My son Ryan went through genetic testing, and we were given a "suggested" diagnosis of Soto's Syndrome. Right now, he is the only one in the world with his specific genetic change, so the experts don't really know what the prognosis is. We have "fired" the doctors who are negative, because there is no room for "can't" or "won't" in our lives. I believe he is already proving them wrong. He has gone from barely talking this summer to speaking in 8 word long sentences this month. He is only 3 1/2, and has already been on the receiving end of discrimination from parents, kids, teachers, doctors, and strangers. So sad the way some people are. He is also severely allergic to peanuts, so we have to make several trips to the ER every year when he is exposed to it at school (despite the no nuts policies). Fortunately, he remains a sweet, smart, and kind child who posses the silliest, funniest little personality that I know. We expect that he will live a very full and productive life, graduating from school and picking a career that he loves. We will overcome any challenges, together.

On the knitting side of things, I have been too busy to knit much for myself, as having a special needs child consumes a lot of time, driving to therapies, schools, and endless appointments. At the end of the day it is a challenge just to keep a household running, and get my own physical therapy and exercise done. Many nights I just don't have the energy to knit. However, I have been teaching mommies to knit on and off for about three years. It has been a lot of fun teaching others, and to see some of them stay with and have it bring a sense of balance to their lives. Having a goal of teaching them has kept me involved, and I learn a lot through teaching others.

I have also been fortunate enough to be offered the chance to teach at Greenville's newest yarn store, Wool Over Your Eyes. I am so excited at this opportunity, and hope that I can rise to the challenge and do a great job. I will be teaching beginning knitting and first baby sweater classes this Spring. If you are interested, refer to their website or message me for more information.

I will be heading to Stitches South this Spring? What about you? Will I see you there? What have you been up to? Please leave a comment and let Ryan and I know!

Ryan's First

Here is a pic from Ryan's first birthday. You can see he is doing well and is growing up nicely! Still has some torticolis that gets worse and better, but not yet completely away yet.

Thanks to Jen for the nice comment on my last post. It is great to hear good stories. Our neurologist is such a piece of work. You would think Ryan has two years to live due to the hypotonia. Jen, is your friend's hypotonia a symptom of any larger disorder, or is that the only problem her son has? I keep praying this is a stand alone condition for him. Ryan is very kinesthetic, so I don't imagine he won't be able to keep up with the other boys, either.

Yesterday, I died some sock yarn at Northwoods. It turned out beautifully, and I received many compliments on it. When I can bring it in from drying, I will take pics and post. Who knows, maybe someday I will let out my color sense and become an indie dyer, too.

The latest...

(As you can see, I originally started writing this post in May! I am only getting back to posting it now. Thanks to Ryan's busy medical and birthday schedule, and lack of internet.)

Stitches South was great. I took classes with JC Briar of STR fame, and Beth Brown-Reinsel.



Traditional Knitted Gansey - Beth Brown-Reinsel

Great class and instructor. Friendly, works the room well, shows you all of the techniques needed to do your own gansey and makes sure you can do them before you leave (as long as you are willing to try). Would take a class from her again. Good handouts.
Sock Design - JC Briar

JC has a dry sense of humor, but I think we all joked around enough to where we felt more comfortable. She is a great instructor also, showing you new techniques and making sure you can do them as well. She is really good at building up your confidence so that you feel that you can be a designer, too. She is a self-proclaimed tech junkie, and loves sharing her knowledge with others, so she is a great instructor for those who aren’t afraid to take on the technical side of knitting. Good handouts.



I have waited to post until I had the latest good news about the last round of testing on Ryan. All of his bloodwork, urine tests, MRI and CT Scans show that he has no known disorders. The neurologist says we just hope now that he grows and develops well despite his hypotonia. So far, he has done just that, meeting milestones on time or ahead of time. He is quite a determined little guy, so happy and smart. I just pray that he continues to have a great life. It is just a shame that we have had to wait 8 months to find out that he is probably fine. It has been a huge emotional rollercoaster this entire year, and I would not wish it on anyone. However, the next step is to visit the geneticist for more testing. When will this end? I just ask that my friends who pray to please include Ryan in their prayers. We keep praying that he is healthy and will live a productive life. That his challenges won't be too great that he can't overcome them.

Hello? Is anyone there?

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted. I have been pretty busy. I spent a couple of weekends teaching mommies in my mommies group how to knit. That was interesting, but good. I have such a demand for the class that I will probably be teaching knitting for the rest of the year! It is a little tough of a schedule though, as I host it in my home. So it keeps me busy with the weekly freak out of, "OMG! People are coming!" cleaning.

We are on an emotional rollercoaster with Ryan's medical status for months now. Whether there is something serious going on with him or not. Some doctors and therapists think he is fine; others do not. Every time we think he is okay, we get news that we might have to worry. He seems fine and normal, but the doctors want to do more testing. Granted, it took us six freakin' months to even get in to see a Neurologist. Now we have to wait another 6 weeks for an MRI? My husband flipped. Please don't ask what it is about, because even we don't really know until testing is done.

Leaving for Stitches South today. I hope I see you all there.