THE YARNWINDER

Old and New Patterns

2011-11-17T14:39:00.000-05:00

As a store owner I have frequently been approached to buyold publications from customers dealing with the closing of a knitter’s estate.On most occasions the goodies were simply given to me to do with as I pleased. Of course I still have most of what was given tome in my possession. Since I closed mystore/studio and on several occasions, I have tried to weed out magazines Iknow I will never read or use for design inspiration.

Today I reviewed a Fall-Winter 1962 and Spring-Summer 1963Vogue. With the exception of photography, styling, poses and fifty years,nothing has changed. The garments have avery contemporary appeal, especially for corporate professionals; but what haschanged are construction techniques.

For example this cape from the 1965 Reynolds Knitting Patterns Vol 41 is knittedin pieces (Back, 2 Left Front Panels, and 2 Right Front Panels, 2Pockets). The finishing is asfollows: Block pieces tomeasurements. Cut lining to correspondwith each piece, allow 1” for seams and 2” for darts at each shoulder. Sew side and shoulder seams . . .

It continues with sewing instructions that we just don’t seein today's knitting magazines. I have to admit the garments from these old publications, have an attractive tailored quality.

This pattern, minus the lining, could very easily be adaptedto circular construction.

The Oat Collection

2011-10-02T14:11:00.000-04:00

THE OAT COLLECTION was designed for Kelmscott Irish Oatmeal Yarn many years ago. Unfortunately the yarn was discontinued when Kelmscott Rare Breeds Foundation disbanded. I still have 20 skeins (maybe more) if anyone is interested. Of course the patterns are still available (any bulky yarn can be substituted).

2011-05-17T11:36:00.001-04:00

ROBYN’S WRAP

One size fits all. Robyn’s garter stitch wrap measures 24” around at neckline, 43” around at hemline, and 17” from neckline to hemline.

Materials: 2 Balls Mohair (50 grams each) approximately 400 yards

US #10.5 24” circular needle

Gauge: 2.75 sts x 4.5 rws = 1” using a US #10.5

Instructions: Starting from the hemline, with #10.5 circular needle cast on 120

stitches, place a marker to indicate the beginning and the end of rounds.

Join for circular knitting in garter stitch:

Round 1: Purl all stitches

Round 2: Knit all stitches

Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until your work measures 9” from the beginning.

Shaping: At 9” (staying in pattern) begin reductions:

First reduction: Decrease 6 stitches evenly spaced in this round as follows:

(k18, k2 tog) repeat to the end of the round. 114 stitches remain.

Continue in garter stitch pattern.

At 10” (staying in pattern) work another round of decreases:

(k17, k2 tog) repeat to end. 108 stitches remain. Continue work in

pattern.

At 11”: (k16, k2 tog) repeat to end. 102 stitches remain. Work pattern.

At 12”: (k15, k2 tog) repeat to end. 96 stitches remain. Work pattern.

At 13”: (k14, k2 tog) repeat to end. 90 stitches remain. Work pattern.

At 14”: (k13, k2 tog) repeat to end. 84 stitches remain. Work pattern.

At 15”: (k12, k2 tog) repeat to end. 78 stitches remain. Work pattern.

At 16”: (k11, k2 tog) repeat to end. 72 stitches remain. Work pattern

until wrap measures 17” from beginning.

Knitting complete, bind off.

YARNWINDER PUBLICATIONS http://theyarnwinder.blogspot.com

2011-03-26T15:00:00.005-04:00

Dental floss threaders make handy needle threaders.

This is another project in progress. It too was started several years ago. When finished it will be a 6.5 x 6.5 pin cushion. I'm using Persian yarn doubled on an 8 mesh canvas. The geometric design was copied from the corner of an Oriental rug.

Project Complete

2011-03-23T15:58:00.003-04:00

Almost Done

2011-02-14T19:18:00.007-05:00

Okay, I started this pair of socks back in 2007 while visiting family in Minnesota and Chicago. Sock projects are great for traveling; the yarn and needles can easily be stuffed in a purse. And working on them while waiting for a delayed flight can help ease the angst of traveling.

Just a few more inches before I graft the toe. I used my pattern, a basic and easy sock pattern, that I wrote for my knitting students at Boston Center for Adult Education in the 80s.

There is nothing original about the pattern draft except that I used a Vogue Knitting 3-column format (which I have always found to be logical and easy to follow); and I clearly identified the type of heel used for the heel flap. To match a gauge of 4.5 sts to the inch with a 4.25mm needle, I used 2 strands of a fingering weight cotton/wool/poly blended yarn. If you think you'd like to use my pattern, it is available for $3.50. Email your request to me at yarnwinder@hotmail.com

John Whiteside Adjusts Truss Rod

2011-01-18T20:36:00.001-05:00

Services Traded

2011-01-18T18:45:00.010-05:00

In this photo John Whiteside was showing me two pieces of wood to use for the sides of a guitar that he would be building in the near future. As I was listening and snapping photos, I couldn't help but notice the frayed neckband of the Icelandic sweater he was wearing. After John adjusted the truss rod in the neck of my Mango Wood Ukulele, which was the reason for my visit to his Fremont workshop; I offered to repair the neckband, waistband and cuffs of his favorite sweater. You can see how nicely it came out in this after shot. Fortunately I had a ball of Lopi yarn very close to the original color.

Hot Day for a Photo Shoot

2010-07-11T11:47:00.011-04:00

It was a hot day to be wearing berets but we had allot of fun. So far I have orders from three stores. I hope my hands hold up.

Granite State Knit-In

2010-05-02T13:12:00.009-04:00

THE GRANITE STATE KNIT-IN is coming up soon . . .

Saturday June 5, 2010

Loon Mountain

Lincoln, New Hampshire

The Knit-In Committee has planned another great day of classes, venders, raffles, speakers, good food and a beautiful view of Loon Mountain from the ski lodge.

This year THE YARNWINDER donated back issues of Rowan Knitting Magazines and an assortment of Rowan's Designer books.

If you'd like to attend the Knit In, know more about the 21 classes offered, contact:

Donna Mosco

603-434-4148

dsm113@comcast.net

JAEGER PATTERN BOOKLET

2010-04-29T13:32:00.005-04:00

JAEGER HANDKNITS JBO4

$9.99 postage not included

To order: yarnwinder@gmail.com

Nine designs for babies and toddlers

This adorable redhead is wearing Design #3 Bonnie

Louet Drum Carder

2010-04-12T15:47:00.008-04:00

Used Louet Drum Carder

Sold

$135.00

Thank you all for your interest. Stay tuned for

more good things at very low prices.

Rowan Cotton Beret

2010-03-08T14:41:00.004-05:00

Busy, busy, busy. This morning I worked on a layout for a new beret knitting pattern and handknit tag. Plan to attend some retail buyer's markets this fall to sell my finished works. Here's my niece wearing one of my universal berets. Bill has not taken his off since I gave it to him a couple of months ago.

Still Knitting Hats

2010-02-09T14:13:00.005-05:00

Yes, I am still knitting hats. I have not taken count of all the berets I've knit over the last couple of months, I'm certain it's over 20 hats - each featuring an ODD ball of yarn.

Along with Christmas cards to friends and family, this year, was a hat casually stuffed in a big envelope. Here's a photo of Blake, our six-month-old nephew, wearing an extra fine merino skull cap. Thanks Stacy and Doug for sending photos.

The Move

2009-12-09T09:48:00.003-05:00

Still sorting through boxes and boxes of yarns, books, and accessories - a major project for sure. Four weeks ago I made the final move from Bedford and it will take several more weeks to get organized. The whole thing would go much faster if I wasn't distracted by all the goodies I discover in each box. . . yes, yes, yes, beautiful yarns I've been hoarding for years. For example this wonderful discontinued Maria yarn by Adrienne Vittadini. I used my very easy skull cap pattern, 108 stitches with a US #10.5. It took just one ball and it's light weight and NOT SCRATCHY.

If you'd like to knit it, just let me know. I have navy blue, black, and forest green. It's a blended yarn of merino wool, acrylic and lycra which gives it great memory and shape.

Rug Repair

2009-10-14T15:10:00.002-04:00

One of these days I'll get this thing finished.

Inventory

2009-09-18T11:55:00.003-04:00

More and more of THE YARNWINDER inventory is available at A Knitters Garden in Chester. Joanne has posted a really nice announcement on her blog. Thanks Joanne, I hope knitters will take advantage of great yarn so reasonably priced.

http://aknittersgarden.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html

A Knitter's Garden

2009-07-30T13:33:00.008-04:00

I'm pleased to say A Knitter's Garden, Chester, NH, is taking most of my inventory from my Bedford Studio. Wow,

THE YARNWINDER visits A Knitter's Garden

September 9, 2009 is our official announcement date but I just have to talk about it now. Besides selling yarn, needles, books, patterns . . .Joanne sells fresh eggs. How wonderful is that?

http://aknittersgarden.blogspot.com/2009/01/look-what-bob-and-i-created-this-season.html

SPINNING DESIGNER YARNS

2009-07-23T12:12:00.006-04:00

Spinning Designer Yarns by Diane Varney

Interweave Press 1987

New Collectible $10.

Sweater Wizard Software

2009-06-11T12:02:00.004-04:00

This program has been wonderful, I've used it many times to help customers with pattern substitutions--wow, what a time saver. Plus it has so many options for a knitwear designer to explore. Carol Wulster, software publisher, has a very supportive Yahoo group, if you need help. And yes, it does work with Vista.

One copy left of Sweater Wizard Software

Sale price $55.

Sold July 12, 2009

Thanks Sara

Read more about it: http://www.yarnwinder.com/accessories.htm#software

Four Rigid Heddle Looms

2009-06-01T12:19:00.005-04:00

I've had several opportunities to sell the four cherry-rigid-heddle looms still in my inventory; but I always thought I would warp each and display them on a wall. The idea came to me when an interior decorator bought two warped looms (a store display) for a country house she was commissioned to decorate. I loved the idea of four looms illustrating different works in progress. There's only one problem, I just don't have the wall space to accommodate the project. Yup, it may be time to sell the four looms and their stands. If anyone is interested, please let me know.

The Move Is Scheduled

2009-05-25T10:52:00.002-04:00

The move is scheduled for July. Before I begin the laborious task of dismantling and packing, I plan to take detailed photos of my Bedford studio/store (photo below). After all these years, I'm a little sad and nostalgic. Over the next couple of months, I'll post photos from past events and inventory I can not possibly accommodate at my new location. Anything for sale will be below wholesale cost, for example: Inox knitting needles. I'll post them tomorrow.

2009-05-24T17:55:00.000-04:00

"The lyf so short, the crafte so long to lerne." - Geoffrey Chaucer