Tag Archives: Aloha KAL

Oregon coast weekend, symmetry, and more

Posted on May 6, 2014 | 4 comments

I went to the coast for a retreat this weekend. It rained torrentially, except for about an hour after dinner on Friday. I hadn’t been to the beach in Gearhart before, so I took a quick walk to see what there was to see…

a gorgeous sunset

Tillamook Head, to the south

Interestingly textured seaweed

And these very interesting things. They look like tubes of tapioca. I had never seen them before, so I put the picture up on Facebook and appealed to the power of the interwebs. The answer came back quickly, from the 9 year old daughter of a friend. (Concidentally, the very same kiddo who was the recipient of the Gryffindor sweater that needed a new home a few months ago.)

They’re squid egg sacs. More info here, if you’d like. I love science…

We did a little cardboard loom weaving on retreat.

My piece says a lot about me. I like symmetry. I like a plan. I’m currently designing a knit piece, and symmetry plays a lot into what I find appealing. Is this the sign of a tidy mind? It’s not a sign of a tidy house!

My friend’s piece was a lot more free-form than mine. That says a lot about her, too. The fact that there’s room for both in this group? That says a lot about the world!

There were 15 of us; the Lodge can house up to 26. If you’re looking for a group getaway spot on the Oregon Coast, I highly recommend The Lodge at Gearheart’s Little Beach. It overlooks an inlet, but beach access is a short walk down the road.

Another week of the Aloha KAL done, and it’s time to pick the next winner. This week’s prize?

These totally fun wine glass coasters. Very aloha! It’s not to late to join the KAL. I’m guessing it will run at least 2 more weeks. More info here.

How was your weekend? I frogged a design prototype, and figured out how to make it better. Symmetrically, of course…

4 Comments

Posted in KAL, Other craftiness, travel

Tagged Aloha KAL, Gearhart, Oregon Coast, squid eggs, sunset, weaving

Purling back backwards tutorial

Posted on April 29, 2014 | 8 comments

I’m working the knitted on border of my Aloha Shawlette for the Aloha knit-along. The border is 4 to 6 stitches wide, and it’s tedious to turn my work after every row. The solution? Purling back backwards. You can do it, too.

Edited to add: Some people call this knitting back backwards, or KBB. I’ve seen it referred to both ways. For me, what I think of as knitting back backwards would result in garter stitch. I’ve never done garter stitch with this non-turning technique, but it’s possible, too. I just haven’t needed it yet.

I’m almost done with the shawlette; this is a quick and easy knit! But it’s not to late to join the KAL. You can be part of the chat and prize drawings through my Ravelry group. I’ve just drawn the first prize winner; JBTCat will be getting these fishy stitch markers.

You can make stitch markers like these, too; check out my tutorial here.

There are a few more prizes in store, including yarn and a mystery fun thing. Come join the fun!

8 Comments

Posted in KAL, Knit, Other craftiness, ravelry, tutorial

Tagged Aloha KAL, kbb, knitting back backwards, purling back backwards, stitch markers, tutorial

Doomsday Knits patterns available

Posted on April 26, 2014 | 4 comments

The patterns from Doomsday Knits are now available individually! That means you can knit Thrumviator, solo.

Here’s the Ravelry link.

In other knit news, the Aloha KAL is progressing quite nicely. If you’re knitting along, be sure to post a picture in the progress pic thread by tomorrow (Sunday) night for a chance to win a prize in the first drawing. Progress can be as simple as the yarn you purchased, all the way through a finished object! I’ll pick a winner on Monday morning. The progress pic thread is here.

I’m through the second shellflower lei, which is the last one for the small version of this shawlette.

And this is incredibly late notice, but I’m teaching a class on the Sophie’s Rose Shawlette at For Yarn’s Sake this afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. There’s still room in the class, if you want to come by and walk through the construction of this piece.

I’ll be knitting all weekend, and watching our Portland Trailblazers’ playoff game against the Houston Rockets. Yes, I’m a fair weather fan, and have no idea what’s going on. The last 5 minutes of last night’s game were pretty exciting, though. How about you? Big weekend plans?

4 Comments

Posted in KAL, Knit

Tagged Aloha KAL, doomsday knits, Thrumviator

Trillium season, and knitting

Posted on April 9, 2014 | 12 comments

I’ve spent the past week continuing the big studio project, purging what used to be the kids’ closet. Twenty years of kids’ schoolwork…buh-bye. Rock and magnet collections? Gone! The best stuff went to friends’ kids, so that was fun to curate. Now it’s time to get back to work.

But first, a walk in the park…Forest Park. I went on a hike there yesterday with friends. It’s 5,157 acres inside the city of Portland, which makes it the largest urban forest in the United States. I’d never been there before, and I’m a native Portlander!

It’s trillium season in the Pacific Northwest.

These are one of my favorite wildflowers.

Oxalis

Fiddlehead ferns

Salmonberry

I have no idea what these are.

I love these fungi taking over this log.

Now I’m back to my knitting, working on a design to use the leftover yarn from my Aloha Shawl. And planning the Aloha Shawlette and Shawl KAL! Sharon (Stitchjones) and I are excited to be working on this KAL together. You can use her gorgeous Pai Mei Sock yarn in Rainbow Shave Ice and Warm Sand, or you can use your own yarn. The pattern is still $2 off through April 10; use the coupon code ALOHA to purchase. And swing by the KAL thread on Ravelry!

Is it spring in your neck of the woods yet?

12 Comments

Posted in KAL, Knit, pattern design, travel

Tagged Aloha KAL, Forest Park, trilliums

Aloha Shawlette KAL

Posted on April 4, 2014 | 1 comment

Aloha! Sharon Spence (Stitchjones) and I are planning a KAL for Aloha; would you like to knit along with us? Easy breezy knitting, and I think we’ll have some prizes, too. I’ll set the KAL up in my Ravelry group; conversation is easier there than on the blog. Those of you who participated in my Rose City Yarn Crawl KAL know that I love a good KAL! If you’re not a member of Ravelry, you should join. It’s a free membership, and there are lots of wonderful resources there.

You can choose to knit the smaller shawlette

or the larger shawl.

Sharon Spence (Stitchjones) is taking orders for yarn for this KAL; orders are due by next Thursday, April 10 so you can have yarn in hand for the cast on Monday, April 21. You are also welcome to use your own yarn. But hey, it’s Rainbow Shave Ice!

I’m extending the $2 off sale on the pattern through April 10, to coordinate with the yarn order deadline for Stitchjones. Use the coupon code ALOHA at checkout for the discount.

Most of the knitting for this is very relaxed, and relaxing! Stockinette and garter stitch and the spirit of aloha. You could even knit it at a knit night. The pattern progresses at a nice pace, and the lacy parts come at just the right time to pique your interest.

Is a knit-on border new to you? It was new to me, and it was fun! I like learning a new skill through a project, and this one was easier than I thought. Why did I wait so long?

Are you in? Please say yes! Get your supplies ready, and we’ll cast on April 21!

1 Comment

Posted in KAL, Knit, yarn

Tagged Aloha KAL, rainbow shave ice, Stitchjones