Knitmenace

Vogue Nihon Year 2 has begun...

Well NV Year 2 is upon our little group.  We  are now four with a delightul added guest to the group.  We are starting with the Puffy Sleeve project.  For me it's a baby's dress for a very cute little girl called Katie.  So far so good.  I will post as soon as I've got a bit more to show.

What's new for me..  Well my precious little cat Meaghan passed away in August.  It was a really hard thing to do as she was 21 years old and have been through so much with me that I miss her greatly.  But I have now a new little kitty that has come to live us named very aptly Molly.  She loves unravelly toilet paper... dumping things into the toilet..... 

Here is a picture of Molly.  The Vet feels she is part Bengal but who knows.  Very curious thought.

I also lost my good friend Joyce this year to a Brain Tumor.  I was honoured to be asked to read the Eulogy.  Joyce faced her illness with grace and determination.  The world has lost a wonderful lady, wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.  Heaven has gained an angle. I miss you Joyce...

Things are going well for me.  I'm looking forwaard to the next year.

Catch you soon..

Allison

A Long Time..

Yes, it has been a long time since I've blogged.  It's been a crazy year. 

I'm almost complete Year 1 of Vogue Nihon.  Yahoo.  Year 2 begins next week. 

I'm also going back to work next week after an extended illness.  I'm really looking forward to that.  There is only so much TV that one can take.  I have completed numerous knitting projects.

My goal this year, from September onward, is to blog at least once per week.  I have lots more information to share which I will upload over the next few weeks.

Hope everyone is well.

.a

Madrona.... Yarn... Yarn... Fiber... Fiber...

Where do I start.  The weekend was absolutely awesome.  I met many new friends that share similar interests to myself. I also ran into old friends that I hadn't seen in ages.  All-in-all a great time. 

I arrived on Thursday morning, not sure of what to expect, but very excited.  I had finished my swatches for Catherine Lowe's "Couture Knitting Class" so I was ready to explore the Marketplace.  I had planned to purchase a drop spindle to start spinning but ended up with a wheel, a Lendrum - complete kit.  I'm abolutely hooked on spinning.  I had the great pleasure to sit with and be taught by two awesome teachers, Sarah Anderson from Snohomish and Trish Andersen from St. Helen's.   Not only did I learn from them but we had an awesome time of fellowship.    

Sarah is on the right-side of the picture and Trish on the left-side.  I' m hoping that I will be able to join them next month on Vashon Island at the Camp Burton retreat.  I know it will be and awesome time.

Friday was Catherine Lowe's Couture knitting class.  I learned alot about how I knit as well as swatching and blocking.  In my class a number of the Jean's Year 2 students from Seattle were in attendance as well as Karen from my class.  Meeting Joni, Scotty and all was a great experience as they understand where we are at in our Year 1 class.  If you get the chance to take a class with Catherine - do it! Her work is amazing.  She had a couple of her designs at the marketplace and they were gorgeous.

Friday night was Cat Bordhi's talk on the origins of knitting.  This was a thought provoking, funny session.  Stephani e Pearl McPhee held the bush while her compatriot played the wolf and the sheep..  Very funny..

Cat is a very unique and wonderfully creative person.  Her approach to sock construction is phenomenal.  Me who hates knitting socks with a passion is considering taking up the practise.  I purchased a couple of Cat's books and I think I might be ready. 

Saturday was spent spinning with Sarah and Trish.  The banquet was held on Saturday evening.  Elsbeth Lavold spoke after the dinner about her journey throught the world of viking designs and knitting.  She spoke about the meaning of the viking symbols and how they became part of her knitwear designs.

After dinner we moved to the lobby bar for drinks and fun.  Trish was knitting her hat which turned out great.  Check out the picture. The pink rim was removed in the final product.

Well it's now back to reality for me.  Homework - Homework and more homework.  I spent so much time spinning this weekend that I didn't get the Nihon Vogue stuff done for tommorrows class. So I'm knitting up a storm.  It's pathetic.. I'm knitting at stop lights and while the fellow fills the trucks gas tanks... 

Back to my knitting

Allison

What a great day!

The weather here in Vancouver is awesome this morning.  Very few clouds in the sky..  The only problem is humm..  I've gotta work.  Don't get me wrong I love my job.  Plus it pays for the knitting addiction... and the beading addiction... not to mention the stamping addiction.

I'm busily getting ready for Madrona.  Swatching and more swatching.  I'm really looking forward to meeting new people and catching up with old friends.

On the Vogue Nihon side - we have a two week break from classes now so hopefully we can all get caught up.  I'm loving the the classes and the techniques but sometimes I feel very overwhelmed with it all.

Have an awesome day..

Allison

Happy Monday!

Well it's back to the regular work schedule.  I'm so happy to be back to work.. enough shovelling and clearing drains for me.  We still have 3 foot snowbanks yet to melt.

I found a great site demonstrating Japanese Short Rows.  This technique for creating short rows is awesome.

I have finished my homework for this weeks Vogue Nihon course..  Yee Ha.  I'm beginning my swatches for my next couple of projects.

Have a great day!

Allison

Happy New Year

Well it's been far to long.  I've been knitting.. knitting.. knitting.  The Vogue Nihon Certifiaction course is alot of work but I'm loving all the new techniques I'm learning.  As well, I think my knitting has improved.

Project 1 is complete and ready to hand in. The project is a vest for my mom. It is made from Rowan Wool Cotton.  This is fast becoming one of my favorite yarns.

This is Project 2 - Top Down Raglan for my DBF.  The sweater is constructed topdown using a fairly complex calculation.  Well complex to me.  The sweater is made from Berroco Peruvia.  Nice yarn to work with but very WARM.

Well I'm off to start documenting.

My New Year's resolution is to keep the Blog up..

See you soon.

.a

Vogue Nihon - Level One Project 1

Well we are approaching the completion of our first project.  This week we will be adding the ribbing around the neck and sleeves.  I've done two sweaters so that I can solidify my techniques.... YES I'm a little crazy.  So far so good until tonight. My two vests are pictures here on the right.

We are working on our next sweater which is a Top Down Round Neck design.  I was going great guns on my second sweater... Thought I was finished but alas... a dropped stitch.. Not sure how that happened..  Looks like it happened on the weekend.  I was taking some pretty heavy drugs for my shoulder.... I separated it last Thursday... I probably shouldn't have been knitting.... not at good thing...

Also,  late but it is there now.. I've added the link for my Broomstick tutorial.  I apologize for the lateness of the upload.  Let me know if you have any problems.

That's it for now... catch you on the purl-side - Allison

What's on your needles?

I recently finished my lace scarf ...  it is in the process of being blocked..  actually it is sitting on my work table upstairs reminding me to get it blocked and finished.

I attended an awesome evening at 88 Stitches in Langley. We saw many different Mission Hills designs.  I purchased yarn for 3 sweaters... yup that would 3.  Anyways, I have started the Vera Jacket.  I completed the back last night.  It looks awesome.  I love the 1824 Cotton and the Wool.  This sweater is being made with the cotton in Ivory and Lemongrass as shown on the left.

I hope that everyone is doing well and is healthy..  Please try to smile and say hi to a stranger today.  It could make the world a happier place.

Catch you on the purl side..

Allison

Yes... it's been a while...

Well time just seems to get away from these days.  It's was really cold this weekend but it was sunny today.  Work still continues to be crazy and I'm finding that the longer hours are cutting into my knitting and blogging time.

Currently I'm working on Lace Scarves. I purchased some Kid Mohair from The Loom on Vancouver Island.  The pattern on the right is from the book 'Victorian Lace Today'.  I LOVE this book.  The scarf is taken from a pattern from the late 1800's... Cool.

My next project is another scarf but done in Sea Silk from Hand Maiden in the colourway Paris.  I will be doing another scarf from this book called Scarf with French Trellis.  I think it will look great.

On   another front, my DBF has purchased some property with a group of people on Lake Cowichan.   have included a new Photo Album that you can take a look at.   The area is beautiful..  Check Brando out swimming on the right. I can't believe he was swimming in Lake Cowichan in late March.  Brrrrr.

Well I will sign off... keep knitting..

Allison

An Update

sI have to admit that I have high hopes for my Blog.  Unfortunately life these days seems to always get in the way.  I'm working on a number of items that I must get pictures up.  I'm going to try to do this tonight.

I love the idea of blogging the time just seems to slip away.

I hope everyone is doing well.  I'm sending special wishes out to a good friend while she goes through radiation and chemo. Please hold her in your prayers for an awesome outcome.

Keep Stichin'

Allison