You’d think it was Spring Fever that’s been fueling all the hurley burley happening here at Chez Chic the past week or so! Nay – I actually think once one gets that first powerful whiff of the crisp autumn air in one’s nostrils, anything can happen…
We’ve been busy cleaning the studio, the house, the car, anything that moves. The uncluttering opens the mind and lets the ideas take over those other places and fill them with something better.
There’s a few free days off next week from ye olde day job and I’ve been looking forward to getting something done I haven’t had a hand in for a long time.
I set my little portable table with my stockinette knitting machine up once again!
Even though I love knitting Stockinette sweaters (have 2 on the needles right now in DK weight yarn), this little contraption helps get to the finish line faster for some other wardrobe needfuls.
I’ve started a hoodie in charcoal grey worsted — to replace one that’s so shabby it doesn’t even leave the house anymore (my original LoTech Sweat). I am a real nester when I’m at home, especially in the cold months and this project is nothing more than what the Squirrels are doing outside: getting ready for Winter!
Although I kept track of my gauge and tensions on my pattern notes, I decided to take the time to check the working of the machine. Cleaned it, ran it through a few trial passes to unlodge any remaining dusties and then got to it.
Don’t these little pieces look rather amusing?
The white areas are scrap yarn — in machine knitting you use scrap yarn to cast on and knit a few rows as the “base” for your sweater before you start the actual pieces, then use it again to “hold” the end row in place. It acts as the ultimate provisional cast-on/off because you later remove it and finish that edge as you wish. I will be ribbing…
It took me several passes to get the confidence setting to restart the project so next week, it’s full speed ahead and the goal is to get all the sweater pieces finished and ready to be seamed and ribbed.
In the meantime, the little table is taking a little trip.
It will be part of the Chic Knits booth at the YarnCon show this Saturday!
Join us! We’ll be there in the Chic Knits’ booth with bells on, exhibiting alongside some of Chicagoland’s finest yarns, clothing, accessories and more…
Where:
YarnCon
Pulaski Park Fieldhouse
1419 W Blackhawk St
Chicago, IL 60622
When:
October 2, 2010
10am to 4pm
Wow, very cool! I wish I were closer to Chicago…wishing you great success at ths show!
Have a wonderful time at the show!
I’m a big fall-declutter-organizer too, get all nesty. You’ve inspired me to get going on that at home.
Oh how I wish I was going to Chicago! Have a great time!
Have fun at the show, Wish I could go!
ps.I’ve been wanting to get a knitting machine for that very reason.
Your knitting machine sounds like a great tool. Can you post some info on it (or point me to your archives if you’ve already done that)? Can you use it for lighter weight yarns?
Your studio looks lovely. Love the Cerisara!
Just look in the right hand column on this page. There is a category called “Machine Knitting”.
Also, you can always search the entire site using the Google box in the right hand column just below the category list.
I have a nosy question if you have time to answer it: Do you remember where you got your dress form and do you use it a lot? I think it would be one of those things that’d be great to have but am not sure. Thanks in advance—I love the patterns I’ve gotten from you. Very classy and timeless, which I think all knitting needs to be as long as it takes to do it.
My heart skipped a beat when I spied a knitting machine photo on your blog! Its great to know that you use one, too.