Encyclopedia of Needlework

05 Wednesday Dec 2007

Posted by Katherine in Favorite Things, Knitting, Knitting Sites

Once we discover how to appreciate the timeless values in our daily experiences,
we can enjoy the best things in life.
[Jerome K. Jerome]

Forty years ago, a beau of mine gave me a gift—The Complete Encyclopedia of Needlework by Thérèse de Dillmont. I have no idea where he is now, but the book has been within reach of my chair ever since. Over the years, I’ve worked my way through it chapter by chapter and have taught myself almost everything in it. If I could own only one book in addition to my mama’s Bible, this would be my pick. The image above from the book shows how I cast on for socks. My cousin, Marilyn, sent me a link this morning to a site that offers the whole book online. Here it is: ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NEEDLEWORK By Thérèse de Dillmont. Enjoy.

Needles

29 Thursday Nov 2007

Posted by Katherine in Knitting, Knitting Sites

≈ 5 Comments

One of the Internet’s strengths is its ability to help consumers
find the right needle in a digital haystack of data.
[Jared Sandberg]

Wouldn’t you think I’d have every size of knitting needle after all of these years? Wrong. My grandson has already out-grown the red Wallaby I knit for him for this Christmas so I’m rapidly knitting a larger one. I’ll post a photo when I’m finished. I’ve worked up to the underarm on #5 circular needles but, when I started the sleeves, I discovered I have no #5 double-points. I also have no local yarn shop. I searched the internet and ordered a set of needles from The Local Needle in Florida. I received an email from them that they had mailed it the same day. Wow. Somebody knows knitters and their needs.

Simple Sock

10 Friday Aug 2007

Posted by Katherine in Free Pattern, Knitting, Knitting Sites

≈ 4 Comments

Turn your wounds into wisdom.
[Oprah Winfrey]

It happened yesterday on her way to the yarn shop—my friend took a misstep and fractured a bone in her foot. Not knowing it was fractured, she went on to the shop where she was cared for with an ice pack while she received a knitting lesson and the concern of new friends. Later, after she returned home from an urgent care center, she emailed me that one silver lining to her injury is that she now has a good excuse to sit and knit.

In case you need a dose of caregiving along with new yarn, here’s a LINK to the website of the shop she visited — Yarntiques in Johnson City, TN.

Meanwhile, instead of sending her a get-well card, I’m posting this LINK to another free PDF pattern that other folks might like too (even if you don’t have a good excuse to just sit and knit). I designed this to use when I teach sock workshop classes. It includes the basics of sock knitting and the non-stop heel in a quick-to-knit project. To make it even simpler, you can choose to knit stockinette instead of the k3, p1 ribbing. This will fit a small child.

Knitter’s Treat

13 Saturday Jan 2007

Posted by Katherine in Knitting Sites

≈ 1 Comment

One of the very nicest things about life
is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing
and devote our attention to eating.
[Luciano Pavarotti]

209 Main

The town of Monticello is tucked into the south-central edge of Wisconsin. The Dining Room at 209 Main sits in the middle of town, and offers four-star cuisine in a charming setting. It also offers textile exhibits that warm the walls with color and texture. The photos above are part of their current offering. Ruth Sybers and Rhoda Braunschweig are the creative forces behind these displays. Six years ago, I was honored to have some of my knitting included in the display.

Ruth also has a business, Knitter’s Treat, LLC, that sponsors knitting workshops by designers and teachers from all over the world, and sells associated patterns, books, a bit of yarn and Vivian Hoxbro kits. I’m thrilled to announce that Ruth will now offer my new CD book for sale.

This LINK takes you to their main page. Select their link to the current textile display for more information and photos.

Up and Running

11 Thursday Jan 2007

Posted by Katherine in Knitting Sites

≈ 2 Comments

Stop the car quick, I see a yarn store.

january

Oh, joy, oh, joy! I now have three retailers selling my new CD sock pattern book, … and a time to knit stockings.

The Cass Street Depot is our local yarn shop in Fort Wayne, IN. Sandy Hall at The Depot encouraged me to design socks from the beginning. One of the patterns in the book is the Cass Street Stocking. It imitates the stripes on a railroad engineer’s overalls with a splash of bandana decoration around the ankle. Thank you, Sandy, for the encouragement and for being the first to carry my book.

Wooly West is Nancy Bush’s mail-order business. Nancy is well known for her delightful knitting books, her expert teaching, and the beautiful yarns she offers for sale. I am honored that she is including my sock book in her inventory. Thank you, Nancy.

Cheryl Dawson of Nestucca Bay Yarns is also carrying my new CD book in her internet store. She carries patterns designed by Jolene Treace as well. Thank you Cheryl.

Knitting Ganseys

03 Wednesday Jan 2007

Posted by Katherine in Knitting Sites, Review

≈ 2 Comments

Must be a gansey year! People are talking about them on blogs, there are gansey workshops online, and I’m ready to start one myself!
[Nancy J]

Beth Brown-Reinsel wrote the book, Knitting Ganseys. It is clear, concise, and fun to work through. This was my mother’s favorite knitting book, and, considering she was a knitter for close to 90 years, that is saying a lot. There are other really good books about Ganseys, but I found this to be the most practical when you have yarn and needles in hand.

Knitting Traditions I was inspired by this book when I designed the sock for the workshop that you can find links to in the column at the left. Although I have used Gansey yarn for many of my projects, I’ve found that most smooth, firm yarns can be used — the lighter the color, the more you can see the textured effects. I have used cotton, but my current favorite is Cascade 220. It shows texture well and blocks beautifully.