Monday, December 10, 2012

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.

Friday, July 20, 2012

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.

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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!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

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!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

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!

Monday, February 27, 2012

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!