Saturday, November 14, 2009
Next meeting
We will not be having a December meeting so the next one will be on January 13th.
Club Challenge
For the new season Elaine has suggested that we all knit a Cardigan in time for the May meeting. It can be any type and for any size. It can be open or have buttons, buttonholes or loops, a zip or even ties. It could be lace, woven, stocking stitch, felted, one colour or multi-coloured. The only stipulation is that the majority of it is knitted on the machine and that it opens at the front (or it would be a sweater).
Follow this space to see our efforts!
Club Challenge
For the new season Elaine has suggested that we all knit a Cardigan in time for the May meeting. It can be any type and for any size. It can be open or have buttons, buttonholes or loops, a zip or even ties. It could be lace, woven, stocking stitch, felted, one colour or multi-coloured. The only stipulation is that the majority of it is knitted on the machine and that it opens at the front (or it would be a sweater).
Follow this space to see our efforts!
Raglan shapings
This month Elaine brought some samples of different ways of shaping raglans for us to look at and discuss. Now raglans are coming back into fashion it is very appropriate. Even an otherwise totally plain sweater can be made interesting by featuring the raglan joins in different and interesting ways.
This is an interesting way of emphasising a seam in a Fair Isle pattern. The contrast strip is knitted as a cord. One side of the seam is picked up (right side facing) then the cord is added, making sure it is not twisted. The 2nd side is placed onto the same needles (right side down) and then they are all cast off together. Very simple when you know how.
This sample shows two variations of cable stitches used to decorate the raglan.
This sample shows an interesting edge stitch. It can be used on the edge or as part of a join. Although this is a straight seam it would be equally effective used with a raglan seam.
This interesting effect is made by decreasing 7 stitches away from the edge, then 6 the next time, then 5, then 4 etc. After the decrease 2 stitchew from the edge the whole process starts again. It is very effective but only works where the decreases are an even 2 rows apart for the whole raglan.
This design is made using twists rather than cables and although this is a sample pattern it can just as easily be used along a raglan insead of small cables. Two stitches are taken onto a transfer hook then twisted round and returned to the machine the other way round. It is easier to return them using a second transfer tool. The only difficulty is remembering which way round they were twisted.
This is another sample where a fancy stitch that is usually used as an edging is put between two sections to make a decorative seam.
This is an interesting way of emphasising a seam in a Fair Isle pattern. The contrast strip is knitted as a cord. One side of the seam is picked up (right side facing) then the cord is added, making sure it is not twisted. The 2nd side is placed onto the same needles (right side down) and then they are all cast off together. Very simple when you know how.
This sample shows two variations of cable stitches used to decorate the raglan.
This sample shows an interesting edge stitch. It can be used on the edge or as part of a join. Although this is a straight seam it would be equally effective used with a raglan seam.This interesting effect is made by decreasing 7 stitches away from the edge, then 6 the next time, then 5, then 4 etc. After the decrease 2 stitchew from the edge the whole process starts again. It is very effective but only works where the decreases are an even 2 rows apart for the whole raglan.
This design is made using twists rather than cables and although this is a sample pattern it can just as easily be used along a raglan insead of small cables. Two stitches are taken onto a transfer hook then twisted round and returned to the machine the other way round. It is easier to return them using a second transfer tool. The only difficulty is remembering which way round they were twisted.This is another sample where a fancy stitch that is usually used as an edging is put between two sections to make a decorative seam.
Bands and Buttonloops
Last month we looked at a way of making a very neat front band for a cardigan. It comes from the book Alter it - Button it - Zip it by Mary Anne Oger. Elaine did this sample so that we could see exactly how it would look when finished.
November Show and Tell
Janice and Janet seem to be the only members who had machine knitting to show.
Janet has a new Grandson and has been using up some of her wool stash knitting a variety of hat for him. Unfortunately we can't look at all of them because some are already in use. It is a very good way to practice different techniques and use up small quantities of yarn at the same time.
A close up of the stitch used for the sweater. It is a variation of the traditional argyll pattern usually done as Fair Isle or intarsia. It makes a very suitable men's design and, as usual Janice has finished it off beautifully.Thursday, November 12, 2009
Holiday Knitting
Margaret and Brenda have been away and since it is not easy to pack a knitting machine they have been hand knitting instead. They regularly run a stall full of hand made articles, sewn as well as hand and machine knitted. The money is all donated to several charities.
These are just a few of the things they have made this month.
Any toddler would look cute in this matching green jacket and hat and would be very warm as well.
A selection of the smaller items ready for their Christmas Fair Stall.
This yarn would be impossible to knit on a machine and wasn't very easy by hand but makes a very attractive scarf
Any toddler would look cute in this matching green jacket and hat and would be very warm as well.
A selection of the smaller items ready for their Christmas Fair Stall.
This yarn would be impossible to knit on a machine and wasn't very easy by hand but makes a very attractive scarfMore Baby Garments
Janice is another skilled hand knitter. These tiny baby cardigans were knitted and handed over to Margaret and Brenda to add to their charity stall. 
She also made this unusual cape for a newborn which being in green could be used by a boy or a girl.
She also made this unusual cape for a newborn which being in green could be used by a boy or a girl.