New Place to Buy Yarn

Yep that's right!

Here is a picture of Stephen testing out the snowflake earflap hat in the shop.

http://jennyfishknits.blogspot.com/2016/01/snowflake-ear-flap-hat.html

 

I'm excited to share that Missouri Star Quilt Company is now selling yarn!

Okay so I'm a little more excited than the average person because I work at MSQC and I get to work with the yarn!

They have started out with a small selection of Lion Brand and Plymouth. However, I have a feeling it is going to grow. From the time I started knitting I have dreamed of owning a yarn store. I made business plans and contacted buyers, but it just didn't work out. Now I have the opportunity to work in a quilt shop that has yarn. It is (to quote my 19 year old son) "FANTASTIC".

https://www.missouriquiltco.com/content/visit-the-missouri-star-quilt-company

If you scroll down to the Primitive & Wool Section you will see the yarn in the picture!

This is so cool!

Also remember you can purchase the yarn online as well!

Snowflake Ear Flap Hat

Snowflake Ear Flap Hat

I have started a new blog: You can visit it at http://jennyfishknits.blogspot.com

Materials:

• 1 Ball of Worsted Merino Superwash Raisin Yarn 100g

https://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop/detail/43254/plymouth-yarn-company/-/worsted-merino-superwash-raisin-yarn-100g

• 1 Ball of Worsted Merino Superwash Cream Yarn 100g https://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop/detail/43252/plymouth-yarn-company/-/worsted-merino-superwash-creme-yarn-100g

• Size 4, 19” Circular needles or 5 dpn (this hat can be knitting using a longer circular cord and done in magic loop method)

• Stitch Markers

• Tapestry Needle

• Stitch Holder (or extra dpn)

Gauge:

24 stitches and 40 rounds = 4 inches

Earflaps: (make 2) MC

Cast on 4 stitches using cable cast on.

Rows 1 (RS) and 2: Knit

Row 3: K1,yo, knit to last st, yo, k1

Row 4 and 6: Knit

Row 5: Rep Row 3

Row 7: K1, yo, knit to last st, yo k1

Row 8: K3, p to last 3 sts, k3

Rep Rows 7-8 until there are 20 sts

Keeping first and last 3 sts in garter st (knit every row), and rem sts in St st (RS knit, WS purl), work even until earflap measures 2 ½ inches (4 rows). Place sts on Stitch Holder (or extra dpn).

Hat:

With MC Cast on 95 sts using Cable Cast On. Join without twisting, pm between first and last st. Marker will be the center back of hat.

Next rnd: K2 [P2, K2] 3 times (14 stitches), with RS facing you, place one earflap behind work. Working in P2, K2 rib, working 1 st from main needle and 1 earflap st tog until all earflap sts have been joined. Work in rib over next 28 sts, join 2nd earflap as for first, work in rib to end of rnd.

Work even in 2X2 rib for 1 ½ inches.

Next rnd: With CC knit 4 rnd, inc 5 stitches in the 4th round.

Start Pattern: (gray = main color, white = contrast color) Pattern Repeats 4 times around hat.

Start Rnd 9 at st 14 in pattern so that the center of the design will line up with the center of the back of hat.

On Rd 28 Decrease 12 st evenly

Decreasing Rounds start after grid:

Dec Rnd 1: Change to CC *K7, K2tog

Dec Rnd 2: Knit (and all even rounds)

Dec Rnd 3: *K6, K2tog

Dec Rnd 5: *K5, K2tog

Dec Rnd 7: *K4, K2tog

Dec Rnd 9: *K3, K2tog

Dec Rnd 11: *K2, K2tog

Dec Rnd 13: *K1, K2tog

Last rnd: *K2tog Cut yarn and using tapestry needle thread yarn through last remaining stitches. Weave in ends.

Braids:

Cut 6 strands of MC and 6 strands of CC 24 inches long. Using tapestry needle, thread one strand of mc and one cc color through end of ear flap 3 times on each flap. Divides strands into three groups and braid, tie in knot at end.

Mrs. Crosby Loves to Play - Review

I received a sample hank of Mrs. Crosby Loves to Play - Train Case in Spangled Cotinga the other day and was told to test it out.

First of all I'm super excited to have the chance to test a yarn for the first time! HA!

I love the color way. The hand dyed semi solid Spangled Cotinga is a cool ice blue color and really speaks to me. I can envision a nice pair of gloves for the winter out of this icy blue Merino, Nylon and Viscose blend. But I had to rein myself in and actually knit a test swatch.

The recommended needle size for this yarn is a US 1.

I used a US 3, and I am very happy with the airiness of the fabric. I would recommend wooden needles due to the fact the yarn was very slippery and I needed a little more grip then what I got with metal needles. But, that is personal preference and nothing against the yarn.

All in all, I love the yarn. I love the color way and am very happy with the fabric. I envision so many projects with this yarn. I can't wait to get started with a project! This yarn left me very inspired and excited to find the perfect pattern for a nice pair of winter gloves, or a scarf, maybe even a matching tam or shawl...

Oh so many ideas are floating around in my creative head!

Below No Show Socks

Please follow this Blog for more exciting new patterns to come!

Below No Show Sock

 

Materials:
1 Ball of Sock weight yarn approximately 3 oz.

5 Size 2US double pointed needles (this can be done using 4)

5 Size 00US double pointed needles (this can be done using 4)
Size G Hook and waste yarn

Cast On 33 stitches for each sock.

Using a provisional cast-on, cast on 33 stitches (this will be half the circumference of the sock).

Provisional Cast-On:
Using waste yarn, crochet a chain that is a few chain stitches longer than the number of knit stitches you need. Knit into the spine of the back side of the chain, 33 stitches.

Purl back across stitches.

Row 1: Sl 1, K until last St. WYF Sl the last St as if to P.

Row 2: Wrap the yarn loosely around the first St and Sl as if to P, P across to 1 before the last St, WYF Sl last St.

Repeat Row 1 & 2, 9 more times.

Your Toe is now half way done.

With right side facing you. This will be a knit row, you will now begin incorporating your wraps and closing up the holes to form the cup for the toe of the sock. If you prefer a narrow toe, continue with Row 1 & 2. If you want a more square toe do less of Row 1 & 2. The working stitches in the middle will determine the width of the point of the sock.

Row 1: K across middle St to the first wrapped stitch. Use the tip of your needle to pick up the wrap from the back side of fabric and place it on the left needle and knit it together with the St. WYF, Wrap the next stitch (so that it now has two wraps) Sl next St then turn.

Row 2: Sl the first (double-wrapped) St and P across to the first unworked, wrapped St. Pick up the wrap from the back of the fabric and P it together with the St. Wrap the next St and turn.

Continue until you have worked all the stitches and you once again have 33 working stitches.

Unzipping the Provisional Cast-On:

Insert the tip of your needle into the stitch you knit up from the Provisional Cast-On. Then undue the tail of your waste yarn by pushing in back through the last loop and unzip the chain slowly as you pick up the live stitches from your Cast-On.

You now have a total of 66 stitches.

Knit in the round.

Top of the Foot
Round 1: K all Sts.

Repeat the established pattern for 1 inch.

Bind off 33 St. K33

Bottom of Foot:
Row 1: Sl 1, P32
Row 2: Sl 1, K32
Row 3: Sl 1, P32

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 until you are 1 inch from heel of the desired length.

Turning the Heel:
With the Bottom of the Foot facing you, you will begin the heel.

Row 1: Sl 1, K until last St. WYF Sl the last St as if to P.
Row 2: Wrap the yarn loosely around the first St and Sl as if to P, P across to 1 before the last St, WYF Sl last St.

Repeat Row 1 & 2, 4 more times.

Your Heel is now half way done.
With right side facing you. This will be a knit row, you will now begin incorporating your wraps and closing up the holes to form the cup for the heel of the sock.

Row 1: K across middle St to the first wrapped stitch. Use the tip of your needle to pick up the wrap from the back side of fabric and place it on the left needle and knit it together with the St. WYF, Wrap the next stitch (so that it now has two wraps) Sl next St then turn.

Row 2: Sl the first (double-wrapped) St and P across to the first unworked, wrapped St. Pick up the wrap from the back of the fabric and P it together with the St. Wrap the next St and turn.

Continue until you have worked all the stitches and you once again have 33 working stitches.

Bind off all stitches.

Edging:

Using Size 00US Dpns, pick up all stitches around the inside of the sock.
spread stitches evenly among Dpns.

I-Cord Bind Off Edging:

K3, Sl knitted 3 St back to left needle Purlwise.
K2, K2TBL, Sl 3 St back to left needle Purlwise.

Continue until you have the last 3 stitches. Then K3TBL pulling through.

Weave in ends.

Optional:
Using elastic beading wire and beading needle you can run a line through the I-Cord. This will give some gather.

You can use a little a dab of silicone under the edging at the heel to help keep the sock in place. I used E6000 glue and a wet finger to form it into an oval. The glue holds up well in the washer and dryer and gives enough grab to keep the back of the sock in place while having shoes on.


It can happen!

It can happen...

In all the rush to pack up our firework tent after the 4th of July my second set of socks disappeared. I have a firm belief they are in the trailer waiting until next year when we unpack. So... With that being said its time for me to dig out another pair of needles and accoutrements and start something new.

I rummaged through all may cubbies and hiding holes and I was amazed to find a sweater I started almost two years ago. Even more amazed I'd forgot about it. I pulled it out to find I was at the end and all I had to do was bind off and block. What the heck!! I can only chalk that up to pregnancy brain. I casted off and now I have a lucky pair of needles to use to start a new project.

I've finally had time to read the Summer 2015 Interweave Knits magazine and found a headband I wanted to try and knit. I grabbed a ball of purple yarn and threw it all in a plastic shopping bag as I headed out the door to go to our cabin for the weekend.

I'm here now and I'm not sure how much knitting I'm going to get done. Our cabin was hit by high winds and flash flooding and we have a lot of clean up. Basically what was the gravel road leading to our cabin is now up against our porch. A green mold has covered all fabric surface and dirt and dust is every place.

My only salvation is I know I have a 2 hour ride home on Sunday. That is prime knitting time.

I Visted My Yarn Room this Morning

Oh Boy! I went downstairs to do the laundry and was side tracked by my messy, very messy yarn room. The poor room has been neglected lately due to the fact I have been working on so many different things. So I took a little time, and dug through some things and found a couple of UFO that I had totally forgot about. One was a scarf that I started maybe 3 years ago, I have no idea what the pattern was, but after taking a look I think I can make it into a cowl and call it good. I found a baby blanket that was started by another lady, then given to me to finish about 2 years ago. It's a simple pattern that I think I can pick up and finish. I found others that I had no idea what I was doing. Those will be frogged or donated to the trash man. I can't believe that I have let my knitting room go so bad. I am totally embarrassed at the stage of disarray. But, I don't have time to really dig in and get it shaped up. So I will be adding that to my to do list, for this fall. Yep, I said Fall. Only because I have so many other things on my plate that I won't have time until September or October. UGH!!

I had an idea for decoration at the yarn shop and I decided to give it a try and see how it would work out. I purchased a blow up beach ball for a $1 and the Dollar store and found some red yarn. I begun wrapping the yarn around the beach ball to form a huge ball of yarn. I had it almost covered when I ran out.... Well, as I was working in my yarn room I looked and looked for another bit of red yarn. To my surprise I have no red yarn in my stash! What the heck! But I did find 2 skeins of orange. So I think I will try again and just make it orange. But I really want red, I may have to go buy some red yarn to finish this project.

Update on Baby G, He is 8 and a half months old now. He is pulling up and just started getting the courage to let go and stand for a split second before he plops down on his bottom. He is also teething something awful right now. Along with all that, he has broke out in a horrible diaper rash. We are doing everything we can think of to clear it up. My little guy just hasn't been that happy this week.

As far as the yarn shop, I don't have much news on it. But I do have my eyes on this sweet girl that works in the quilt shop. She is a knitter too. We talked the other day and she really wants to come work in the yarn shop. I think I will see if I can snag her from the main shop to work with me. I love her personality and she has tremendous knitting knowledge. She has been knitting almost all her life. She was taught by her mother and is very much in the know of the young knitters. So I am crossing my fingers that Mary can help out in the yarn shop when it opens. I've also got my eye on a couple other ladies at the quilt shop. Nicole, I've worked with her a few times and she is very detail ordinated and once she is set on a task she gets it done. The other thing I love about Nicole, is her smile. She comes off a little shy at first, but when she smiles her face really warms up. The other young lady is Sara, however, Sara doesn't want to learn to knit and she is fitting in very well at the main quilt shop and does an amazing job. As much I would love to work with her, because she lifts my spirits every time I'm around her, I don't think it will happen.

It is exciting to visit with people about the soon to open yarn shop. It's crazy how many quilters are knitters and the are all super excited that soon we will have yarn available. I've received nothing but positive feedback from our shoppers. I'm crossing my fingers that this shop will take off like a rocket! I can't wait to find a group of knitters to share ideas with. Maybe, if we have enough local knitters we can start a knitting group one night a month.

What's on my Needles?
Well, right now I'm working on a new sock pattern. I've already titled it Big Foot. My husband has a size 13 foot and wants a pair of socks. I'm working out the numbers and trying to find a pattern that is interesting to knit but plain enough for a guy to like enough to wear them.

I've got ideas in the back of my head for an apron, revisiting my towel toper, and I might attempt another sweater.

I don't know about sweaters. I've made a few and they have all had stories of their own on how they turned out. But I have this fear in my gut about making fitted garments... To me, Socks are safe and easy. Sweaters are Mount Everest!

Baby, Fireworks, Yarn Patterns and Quilt Shop

Yep my plate is full right now.

First off, Baby G is turning 9 months soon and I need to get him in for his check up. He is teething and not sleeping well, thus, I am not sleeping well.

Next week our tent will be set and product delivered for our firework tent. My husband runs it, but I help with pricing, inventory control, scheduling, payroll, running to the store and breaking him so he can go home to rest and take a shower. This year the tent is setting a week earlier than normal. So instead of two weeks, we are looking at three full weeks of life under the big top. If you have never worked a firework tent, you have no idea how hard it is. I'll just leave it at that...

I've also been working on some knitting designs. A simple dish cloth and not so simple socks. I want to get a bunch together and see if I can get them published. That is a dream that I really hope comes true. Next I plan on making a pattern for a baby blanket, re-working my hat design and towel topper. When I'm done I want to have around 10 designs to package.

I'm also working at the Quilt Shop while working on everything else. It has been a blast! Recently I've had the opportunity to spread my wings a little and work in a couple of the small shops. It's been so fun! I can't tell you how many quilters I have ran into that are also knitters! They all seem very excited for the yarn shop to open.

So as of right now, I've got a check up for Baby G, Fireworks for 3 weeks, the yarn shop opening, then a small surgery for Baby G in August. Next thing I know summer will be over...

Oh and my poor garden! I didn't pick all my radishes soon enough and they went to seed. I picked a couple of turnips today and made turnip fries as a snack (yummy). Only one Cauliflower plant made it and the Broccoli looks really sad. Carrots look ok and the yellow squash has blooms. I thing most of the corn got washed away. Nothing else really made it. I think one tomato plant has got a couple of fruits on it. But this year the rain and flooding has not helped the garden grow.

So it's 2am, Baby G is finally sleeping and I need to be up in 3 and half hours to get ready for work... Wish me luck!