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Thursday, October 6, 2005

Can I put my hand in your Pocket?

One of the reasons I’m so into Fusion Knitting (machine & hand knitting combined in the same garment), is that it can be a both a time saver and a mother of invention..


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One of the differences between hand and machine knitting is that you always start machine knitting with a provisional cast-on.

That leaves live stitches at the bottom of your piece – you unzip the waste yarn and put the stitches back on the needle to finish by binding off or maybe something MORE….

Apres knitting, but before finishing, I decided I wanted some *Purse Pockets* on my Scoop du Jour. QUE? I hate carrying a purse!!!

No Problem! I attached my yarn to the WS of the piece, purled one row then knit about 4" of sts from the front edge.

Using another piece of yarn (from the outside of my ball) I did a long tail cast-on (cuz I like the look) to replace the next 4 or so inches.

I used a contrasting color of scrap yarn to bind-off the corresponding body stitches to be worked later for the pocket lining.

Then I finished the row and continued working the front ribbing to the bottom of the piece.

 

The pocket *front* was done when the ribbing was done, but now it needed a lining.

That was what those reserved stitches were for – an interior *pocket* that would be sewn down after it was knit.

I decided to save some time and do it on the machine…

You unzip the waste yarn from the reserved stitches, then hang them on the hooks, attaching some little weights to balance the load.

Then you KNIT!

I made my pocket about 4" x 4" (it looks much longer here because of the weights…)

 

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my little Purse Pocket !~

Almost hidden, but at the ready just big enough to carry a lipstick, bus pass and $$$…

…see all entries here in the Complete Notes: Barny Yarny…

…read all entries about Machine Knitting HERE

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Tuesday, October 4, 2005

Back in the days of yore, before those wedding bells broke up that ole-gang-oh-mine, we used to gather at a place on the avenue. Every Sunday night (to this day), there was a Poetry Slam. Here you would find writers, new and old, upfront and sometimes in your face, reading their work, giving their unique mental morsels a turn on the micwaves. Adding a Voice to their page gave us a new dimension, and most always a wonderful peek into the real deal behind the words. It was MAGIC…

Hearing Stephanie Pearl-McPhee read Saturday at Arcadia Knitting brought me right back to that place – where the Words come alive and Speak to the listener, touching them personally, tickling them with meaning and delight!

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I got to the shop after it was LOADED with folks.

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Wall-to-wall knitters bright with smiles,
(that’s the lovely Melody, middle front),

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spellbound by the wickedly funny stories and
jokes that were buzzing all around.

WE, a whole Building FULL of Knitters just soaked it up
and wanted more.

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Those of us with Muggle (non-knitting) friends can appreciate the opportunity to mingle and bond with those that share the Fever! I had a great time catching up with Emily or catching a buzz, enjoying ALL the hand knits (especially Melissa’s Clapotis – see the 30th, WOW!), talking to friends old and new – charmed by Franklin and awed by Karen…

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Check out Karen’s tres cool Shrug – so Pretty!

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Stephanie signed my book and referenced CHIC but I ask you, on the Left, the Harlot, in hand-knit socks with International Rock Star BOOTS or Moi, on the Right (picture snapped by the wonderful Laura) in loafers and tighty whities (eeek!)…

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And these, on another Harlot fan, could sum it up:
the whole day just knocked my Boots OFF!
Magique, Magique!!!

A HUGE shout-out and thanks to Marcy Neth (from Stitch’n’Bitch Nation fame) for later taking us all to the restaurant – and Franklin for sharing the El on the way home – Merci Beaucoup!!!