Itineris

Karen's Itineris Shawl is attracting a lot of attention. It uses 2 skeins of sock yarn, a solid and a multicoloured self-striping yarn.

 

 

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/itineris

 

 Karen has used Zauberball

 

 

 

..... and Cascade Heritage sock yarn.

 



 

 

She is offering an Itineris class this summer. 

Class	Itineris Shawl:   (Karen) Two, 2 hour classes – $40 + supplies.
Date & Time	Tuesday evenings: July 7 & 21: 6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. Check your schedule carefully as the classes have an extra week between them to allow for independent knitting time.
Description	This is an ideal beginner shawl. It is also perfect for those who want a relaxed summer knitting project with some colour play. “Itineris (Latin for voyage) is a modern triangular wrap with a unique construction. The shawl is made up of three sections: a large triangle, a rectangular extension, and a smaller triangle to finish. The knitting will take you different routes while a graphic stripe sequence forms intersecting pathways along the side. Knit all in Garter Stitch with patterns and shaping that are easy to memorize, Itineris is a fun knit that results in a striking finished piece”. Pattern is by Hilary Smith Callis. As long as you are comfortable with knitting and can count to 6, you will be able to handle this class.
Prerequisites	You need to know how to cast on, knit and to count to 6.
	      We usually have a good selection of Zauberball available, a new order has just arrived, it is one of our favorite yarns Beth



It Is No Longer Your Grandmother's Crochet

For some reason, crochet seems to lend itself pretty easily to some outrageously ugly stuff.



 

And when you thought it could not get any worse, crochet with eyelash yarn.

 

 

 

Ugly Christmas Sweaters have become popular but I am not sure this crafter intended to create an ugly sweater, it just turned out that way.

 

 

When you have this kind of figure, you can almost pull it off. 

 

 

Most of us remember the crochet from the 60's which was truly awful.

 

 

 



But if you spend a little bit of time on Ravelry, you might be surprised at some of the interesting and fashionable designs available today.

Summer Cotton Market Bag

 

FREE PATTERN on Classic Elite Website 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/provence-summer-string-bag

 

 

 

FREE PATTERN on Classic Elite Website http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/WebLetter/344/Issue344.php
Crocheted in linen and cotton Bella Lino.

Hanging monsters is not free but sooo cute. I am thinking of making a couple as outdoor plant hangers.

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hanging-monster-baskets

Granny Squares have come a long way.
 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-lambent-light-of-morning-10-and-12-block

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quarter-sunflower-square

 

One way to update a lot of crochet designs is to ditch the awful 60's colours. 

 

 

https://thegreendragonfly.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/top-down-crochet-cardigan/

 

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cascading-stylish-shawl

 

There are a whole series of designs on Ravelry made with a design called African Flower.

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/african-flower-hexagon-crochet-tutorial

 This baby blank has adjusted the basic Flower square to look like owls.

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/african-flower-owl

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owl-obsession

 

There are many shawls and scarves, again, updating older designs with beautiful new hand painted yarns.

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/yes-yes-shawl

 

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/windowpane-scarf-3

 

Toys.....

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jam-made-pussy-cat

 

  Cowls

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baylie-bear-cowl

 

Lace Tops

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/galactic-orbits-top

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/99-21-top

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tribe-3

 

 

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/feather-and-fan-scarf-10

 

More Monsters, this time embellishing a blanket.

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/monster-lovey-blanket

 

Churchmouse has updated a couple of classic designs. Check out their website for some very attractive crochet designs. http://www.churchmouseyarns.com/

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vintage-crocheted-blanket

 

Mesh style crochet lends itself to weaving in other colours to create  plaid.

 

 

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/event-plaid

 

And finally, crochet offers many gorgeous blanket and afghan designs, again, the key is often updating the classic pattern with fresh new contemporary colours.

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-crochet-ripple-baby-blanket

 

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saras-granny-stripe-blanket

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/circles-in-squares-throw

 

 

 If you don't crochet, maybe this will tempt you to learn. Check our classes, Karen is offering several crochet classes this summer.

 

Beth

 

Cancun Boxy Lace Top

Trending on Ravelry as #1 Hot Right Now pattern is the

Cancun Boxy Lace Top

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cancun-boxy-lace-top

Gabriela & I both spotted it a couple of weeks ago and thought it would be a great summer project. The original was a crop top, but very easy to adjust the length; even make it longer as a beach cover up.

Gabriela is working on one in Cascade Pima cotton and is offering a class later this summer. 

Class	Cancun boxy lace top   (G) 2 two hour classes $40 plus project supplies; Free Pattern
Date & Time	Thursday 1:00-3:00; July 9, 23
Description	This lace-sampler top is knit in two simple rectangles from the bottom up & seamed at the shoulders & sides to create the boxy shape.A great first lace project worked in Dk weight yarn. You will learn four different lace patterns and drop stitches on purpose! It only takes 500 yards to make the crop top or twice that amount to make a longer beach cover-up.
Prerequisites	Advanced beginner, good basic knitting skills
	Beth

My Garden





I spent some time this past weekend working on my garden. My garden does double duty. It is my garden retreat to read, knit or just relax. It is also a hangout for a clowder of local feral cats. ( I know that term for a group of cats, thanks to Big Bang. Some of you may remember the episode where Sheldon began to collect cats to compensate for missing Amy when they briefly broke up)

 

I do have some nice flowers.

 But I am more amused and entertained with all the places my various outdoor felines choose to nap or hide.

The picture is a little blurry, but yes that is couple of grey kittens in the storm candle holder.

 

It all started with this beauty now named Meredith Grey Cat. A neighbour appears to have moved away and just left her behind; by accident or on purpose, I don't know. I wasn't sure what to do but began to occasionally put out food for her. She was soon coming around almost every day. When I realized she was pregnant for the second time, I couldn't stand it any more. By that time, we had become friends, she would let me pet her and would come when she saw me putting out food. With no struggle at all, I scooped her up, took her to the vet for a check up and she has been with me ever since. That litter resulted in 5 beautiful kittens. I found homes for 4 and kept one. But the previous litter has resulted in an ever increasing clowder of cats in my neighbourhood. I have been trapping and surrendering them to the OSPCA. So if any of you are looking for kittens or young cats, I know there are some pretty cute ones available.

 

 

Since her inclusion in our family, she has tried to make herself helpful. She enjoys assisting with blocking. 

 

But mostly, she just snuggles and looks cute.

Beth