Entrelac Knitting

I have completed this cowl for a friend's birthday next month using the Entrelac knitting style.  The yarn is a new DK Indiecita colour (code 7757 deep blue) by Alpacayarns.co.nz . If you haven't seen their yarn range - check out their website.
To learn how to knit this technique, google "Entrelac Knitting".  There are several " you tube" videos and other sites that offer a free pattern.  Some I notice use six stitches in each block.  I have used eight.

 

Yesterday one of our regular customers who is a beautiful knitter showed us this shawl (below) she has just completed for a friend's birthday (lucky friend).  I happened to have my mobile in my pocket and with her permission photographed it.  Its made from two ply hand dyed yarn. She came in with it rapped in the towel she had blocked it on.  If you can, scroll into the photograph for detail of the lace work - you'll see how perfect her stitches are.



 

Its great when people bring their work into the shop - its like a "show en tell every day."

Four sided Kaleidoscope class - Coastal Quilters

Wow I had fun on Saturday in the Technology block at Plimmerton School with members of Coastal Quilters. Great class and relaxed atmosphere.
Check out these photographs.

To create more spin these blocks were
cut into triangles. 

These look far better on point and blocks will "pop" when surrounded by a
solid colour.



To reduce the strong red strip from over
powering this delicate print squares
were then sub-cut into triangles
thus reducing the strong red strip
and enhancing the elegant flowers.

 By double pinning the center seams (June Nixey tip) before sewing - each student had perfect seams.

Lee Ann Newton - Pinestream Quilting Club

Thursday last week we had the pleasure of hearing Lee Anne Newton talk about her stunning quilts and we were encourage to touch them.  They were breath taking and inspiring.
I do encourage you to visit her blog  lee-annnewton.blogspot.co.nz to read the stories behind these stunning pieces.

Happy stitching

Entrelac Knitting

This style of knitting is really cool and I have purchased patterns from both Knittingdaily.com and Craftsy knitting site.  Both were for scarfs.  I prefer to wear cowls at work as they do not get in the way.

My first trial cowl is made with a gorgeous hand dyed Malabrigo  merino (12ply) from Holland Yarns in Petone (NZ).  I have knitted it length wise with the ends stitched together.   Its colourful and cosy to wear.  It was a little baggy so I have folded it over and stitched on a button.

My second cowl is knitted in  Indiecita baby alpaca DK yarn.  Using a solid colour definitely enhances the knitting pattern.

This time I knitted the cowl width wise.  Entrelac knitting works in blocks of eight stitches so I cast on 96 stitches.  This gave me one firm and one loose edge which enables me to wear this cowl in several different ways.







firm edge on the top of this cowl - loose edge at bottom.

Firm edge is on my shoulders - loose edge around my throat opening to the center.



Firm edge on my shoulders - loose edge around
 my throat opening to one side.

Loose edge on my shoulders with firm
 edge around my throat.

 
   

close up of the Entrelac knitting.

I'm about to start my third piece for a friend.  This time the cowl will be a little longer with button holes.  I will knit it length wise.  Will post when its finished.

Happy stitching friends.

Meshwork update

This image was sent to me yesterday from a student who attended Saturday's class. I think she has the "bug".  For more inspirational patterns check out these meshwork books.  Unfortunately I have just heard today (3 September) that these books are no-longer in print - so if you do come across one of these books - make sure you buy them - maybe your only chance.


We did have a problem with the clover fusible tape and a couple of batiks.  Some batiks have a residue on the surface.  I'm pretty sure that this maybe the reason the fusible tape would not iron onto it.  I have also noticed this problem with fabrics containing a metallic or painted surface.

If using batiks for your meshwork then I recommend that you pre-wash them and do a test strip with your tape before cutting more strips.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Kapiti Quilting Club - Meshwork Class

Yesterday I had the pleasure of running a Meshwork class for the members of Kapiti Quilting Club.
They hold their club meetings a the Waikane Bridge Club and we were fortunate to use these wonderful facilities for our class.  Fantastic space, great light, warm and everyone had their own table to work from.

I have had Windows 7 installed and have lost the wonderful photo editor I usually use to trim down my photos and reduce their size.  So these pictures are large files and hopefully won't take to long to load onto your screens. 

Here is samples of yesterdays students work.

 

 

  Was a very enjoyable class and I look forward to maybe tutoring at this club in the future.  Thank you ladies, you were a pleasure to teach.

Happy meshing.

Another use for Clover Wonder Clips

I have been using these Wonder Clips for a year.  What a brilliant idea - no more pricking myself in the legs with pins pinned into my binding as I hand sew them down.

I have however just discovered (some of you probably already do this) another use for these wonderful clips.

To help me crotchet the front and back of my cushion together I used these clips to hold them in place. Wow - for the sides that may not have been totally the exact size, I was able to ease and hold in place - they don't slip like with pins.

Center is a hank of Misti Alpaca
Hand Paint Worsted.
The rust is Tekapo

That's another UFO finished.
Happy Stitching.