Tag Archives: thrumbelina

You’re not the boss of me

Posted on November 12, 2024 | 9 comments

You know I love assigned pooling. And I love brioche. Test knitting is under way for my new shawlette.

I’m designing another shawlette using brioche and assigned pooling, and the pooling was starting to…pool! At the ends of the row, over and over again. This left a big center with no stars.

Highly annoying.

So I frogged back to where there were just two stars at each end, and then I skipped a bunch of yarn so that the next star would be in the middle of the row.

It took me two tries to get it right, so I’m glad I didn’t cut the yarn first. I’ll leave this big loop on the back until I’m fully committed.

I think of assigned pooling as a dance between the yarn’s suggestions and what I want. But ultimately I’m the boss. If we have a disagreement, I WIN. I make the rules for this game!

Have you tried assigned pooling? Who’s the boss of YOUR knitting?

Oh, one more thing!

I’m teaching Thrill of the Thrum, my Thrumbelina thrummed slippers, this Sunday at 2 pm at For Yarn’s Sake in Beaverton. Come learn how to make and knit fluffy thrums into your knitting! This is an in-person class, the better to get a feel for those squishy thrums. Register here.

9 Comments

Posted in Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged assigned pooling, Brioche knitting, thrumbelina, thrummed knitting

Classes, in person! and online

Posted on October 3, 2023 | 1 comment

Class at Hook and Needle Fiber, Vancouver WA

Over the past 4 years I’ve taught a lot on Zoom, and a little at select retreats and events. This past weekend, I taught in person at a local to me LYS, which is the first time since 2020. We had a good time with Petite Brioche! (I didn’t think to take a picture til after class, so not all 9 students are pictured, oops.)

I’ve just listed the followup to that class at Hook and Needle Fiber. It’s on Sunday Nov. 5 at 1:30 pm. We’ll be using my Brioche Pastiche pattern for a gentle introduction to brioche increases and decreases. Register here. Come knit with me!

I’m also teaching the Thrill of the Thrum in-person at For Yarn’s Sake in Beaverton OR on Sunday Oct. 22 at 1:30 pm. These ridiculously cozy Thrumbelina slippers are fun to make. Class is sold out, but check to see if there’s a waiting list.

I’m teaching at Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival in Albany OR on Oct. 13 and 14. Friday’s classes are Sheepy Steeky Coasters (your first steek!) and Assigned Color Pooling. Minerva Entrelac Cowl is Saturday morning’s class, and we may take a break in the middle of that one for the annular solar eclipse. Bring your eclipse glasses!

Not local to me? I’m also teaching for Virtual Vogue Knitting Live Oct. 27-29. I’ll be teaching slip stitch knitting (Slip Away Cowl), Brioche Pastiche, and syncopated brioche (Syncopation Shawl or Scarf), and giving a lecture: Blocking: It’s Magic! Registration opens tomorrow; you can preview classes today. Scroll down to find the right event; there’s a lot going on including registration for January’s big show, VKLive NYC.

It’s shaping up to be a fun month! Are you knitting more, now that it’s fall? Or spring, depending where you are? I knit year round, but I feel like fall is the beginning of the year. Birthday, school year, a chilly great awakening. What’s on your knitting bucket list for learning this year?

1 Comment

Posted in classes, events, Knit

Tagged Brioche Pastiche, for yarns sake, Hook and Needle Fiber, OFFF, Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival, thrumbelina, thrummed knitting, VKLive

Thrumbelina class, in person

Posted on September 18, 2023 | 2 comments

This is a correction: My Thrill of the Thrum class at For Yarn’s Sake is AT For Yarn’s Sake, not on Zoom! October 22, 1:30 pm Pacific. There’s one spot left; is it yours? Register here!

Thrums are such a tactile experience, they’re much better in person. We had decided that when setting up the class. And then I typed the wrong thing. Come knit WITH me!

2 Comments

Posted in classes, Knit

Tagged classes, thrill of the thrum, thrumbelina

Potpourri post, Autumn Scarf pattern sale

Posted on October 29, 2014 | 3 comments

A little of this, and a little of that.

My Autumn Scarf is now available from me through Ravelry downloads, as well as from Knit Picks. I’m pleased to have it available both ways, especially if you’re a knitter that likes to keep your pattern pdfs in your Ravelry library. And! From now through November 15, the Ravelry download is $1 off if you use the coupon code AUTUMN at checkout. That means it’s $3.99 instead of $4.99. I wore this pumpkin colored scarf yesterday with my basic black everything else, and felt perfectly ready for Halloween!

A few weeks ago, the owner of Knitters Dream in Pennsylvania featured my Thrumbelina slipper pattern at her grand re-opening of her shop. She used her angora roving, which is a 50% angora rabbit/ 50% merino roving. Doesn’t that sound like a heavenly combination? And they turned out so nicely, too!

I taught intro to stranded colorwork at Stash in Corvallis on Saturday. We had a lot of fun, and all students are well on their way to a beautiful cowl.

The class and program list for the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat in Tacoma was posted yesterday. I’m planning to go again this year; how about you? Mark your calendar for November 18, which is when registration goes live!

And here’s one more retreat that is calling my name. It’s new this year, the History Unwound Retreat in Colonial Williamsburg, VA. History plus textiles? Right up my alley. Could I possibly make it to both of these retreats?

3 Comments

Posted in events, Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged autumn scarf, knitting retreats, thrumbelina

Never too late…

Posted on January 30, 2014 | 5 comments

to learn a new thing! This is my first ever granny square. Crocheted!

I used to crochet a long time ago, but my only project was a ripple afghan I made for DH when we were dating, back in the Dark Ages. All acrylic, shades of cream and brown.

I’ve been reading the Rose City Yarn Crawl threads on Ravelry, and Laurinda Reddig, designer of the Crochet-ALong shawlette, says that if you can crochet a granny square, you can crochet her shawlette.

I’m still not convinced. The granny square was easy to figure out. I clearly don’t know which way I’m going with the shawlette. Lucky for me, I’ll see her Friday at For Yarn’s Sake in Beaverton at their KAL/CAL group, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Knitted Wit (Lorajean, dyer of my project yarn and so much more) will be there, too. Come see us!

I had a great time at the Knitting Bee last Sunday. It’s really fun to knit with other knitters (and crocheters), and the most inspiring and intimidating thing? Seeing all these people knitting MY PATTERN. So far, they seem to like it! I really love seeing all the different color combinations, too. Check them out on Ravelry!

Other knitting? The office peeps from Lantern Moon came over last night to cast on for the Thrumbelina KAL. We have new thrummers! I finished my first slipper, and have just started the second. It’s not too late to join us. And the pattern is still on sale for 25% off through the end of January. That’s tomorrow!

What’s on your needles? You know what’s on mine!

5 Comments

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

Tagged granny square, kal, rose city yarn crawl, thrumbelina

Thrumbelina pattern sale…

Posted on January 21, 2014 | Comments Off

because…I forgot to do this before the KAL began! I’ve been a little distracted by the Rose City Yarn Crawl MKAL. Sorry.

Anyway, the Thrumbelina pattern is on sale for 25% off ($4.50 instead of $6) through the end of January. I hope you’ll join the KAL, too! Click here to purchase through Ravelry.

KAL discussion is through my Ravelry group. Come join in!

If you purchased Thrumbelina through Ravelry during the month of January, I’ll be contacting you with a special offer to make up for the missed sale price.

Ready…set…thrum!

Comments Off on Thrumbelina pattern sale…

Posted in KAL

Tagged kal, thrumbelina

Thrumbelina KAL begins today!

Posted on January 21, 2014 | Comments Off

We’re casting on for a Thrumbelina KnitALong today! This KAL is not a mystery KAL. All the information you need is in the pattern. We’re sharing questions, tips, progress…

Before you cast on, you should read through your pattern for information on how to thrum. You can also watch my thrumming video on youtube.

I just made an extra tutorial on a tip for continental style knitters.

Just remember, it’s important to make sure your working yarn wraps around the thrum, rather than coming up underneath it.

Edited to add: The Thrumbelina pattern is on sale for 25% off ($4.50 instead of $6) through the end of January. Click here to purchase through Ravelry. I meant to do this earlier, but I forgot! If you purchased this pattern during the month of January, I’ll be contacting you.

Who’s casting on with me? Come join the discussion in my Ravelry group!

Don’t worry; I’m still knitting the Rose City Yarn Crawl Mystery Shawlette KAL. But I’m caught up until the next clue comes out on Friday.

Knit on!

Comments Off on Thrumbelina KAL begins today!

Posted in KAL, Knit, tutorial

Tagged kal, pdxknitterati, ravelry, thrumbelina, thrummed knitting, thrums

KAL color musings

Posted on January 16, 2014 | 4 comments

The Rose City Yarn Crawl MKAL kicks off tomorrow morning. Here’s my new yarn…

I’m using Knitted Wit Single Fingering, Tugboat and Clematis. I was going to use the paler color for the sky (MC), and the darker color for the roses, but…

What if the darker color is the sky at night, and the roses are white roses that look blue in the moonlight?

If I turn it around that way, the dark color would be the MC, and the MC is slightly predominant, and I LOVE this deep purplish blue/bluish purple…

Guess I’ll have to decide by tomorrow!

Just in case you need help with your garter tab cast on, I made a video just for you. (youtube link)

Hope to see locals at Twisted for the cast on party, Friday January 17, 5-8 p.m.!

Also, the winners of the Thrumbelina patterns are…

Lucinda and jrbecca! I’ll be sending patterns along through Ravelry shortly. The Thrumbelina KAL begins on Tuesday, January 21. Pop over to the Ravelry discussion and tell me what yarn/fiber combo you’re planning! Here’s mine. This is Knitted Wit Merino single ply in Winter’s Night, and her merino fiber in Turks and Caicos.

(Gee, I wonder what my favorite color is?) Are you ready to cast on? I am, and I am!

4 Comments

Posted in giveaways, KAL, Knit, pattern design, ravelry, tutorial, yarn

Tagged cast on party, garter tab cast on, kal, rcycmkal, thrumbelina, twisted

Recess 24/7 this weekend

Posted on January 14, 2014 | 5 comments

I was going over my upcoming weekend with DH, and he turned to me and said, “Your life is like 24/7 recess!” Well, it is a pretty sweet extended weekend I’ve got lined up. Knitting, music, celebration…

Friday is the RCYC MKAL cast on party at Twisted, 5 to 8 p.m. Refreshments and prizes! Come knit with me!

Saturday I’m teaching Tink Drop Frog, how to fix mistakes at Twisted, from 1-3. I love teaching this class; it’s very empowering to new-ish knitters. There’s still space in class, if you want to register.

My baby turns 21 on Saturday, too. Where did the time go?

Sunday I’m singing with my music besties (The Pie Birds, aka the Divas) in church. Monday, even more of us (The Day Old Pastries) are singing at this MLK Day Remembrance and lunch packing event. The NE Portland Backpack Program provides weekend lunch sacks for children at risk for hunger who don’t have the school lunch program on the weekend. During the 2012-2013 school year we are providing about 5,000 weekend lunch sacks (11,000 lunches) to 164 children at four locations. Come sing with us, and pack lunches with us! The event is free, but bring a can of chili to donate. We’ll be at Maranatha Church, NE 12th Ave between Skidmore and Mason in Portland, from 1-3 p.m. Details here.

Tuesday, the Thrumbelina KAL begins! Two more days to enter to win a copy of the Thrumbelina pattern. Check out the blog post for details.

And now the moment you’ve been waiting for: The winner of this lovely Knitted Wit single fingering yarn (silver lining and madge)

is…Samantha from Eugene! Go check out her blog here. Congratulations, Samantha!

I hope you’re with me for part or all of this weekend fun, in person or via the interwebs! Looking forward to it all.

5 Comments

Posted in Day Old Pastries, events, giveaways, KAL, Knit, music, yarn

Tagged backpack lunch program, Day Old Pastries, giveaway winner, kal, NE Portland Backpack Program, NEPDX, rcycmkal, rose city yarn crawl, thrumbelina

Thrumbelina KAL, and a winner

Posted on January 10, 2014 | 17 comments

Just in case you need more fun knitting this month, I’m having a Thrumbelina KAL beginning January 21.

My good friends at Lantern Moon are having their spring retreat at Timberline Lodge this year, and as part of their goodie bag they are sending Thrumbelina kits to their participants for a pre-retreat KAL. The lucky retreat participants will have cozy toes in a gorgeous setting in April. I can’t go, but I’ll have cozy toes here at home, and so can you.

This is a great introduction to thrumming. What’s thrumming? Working bits of wool into your knitting as you go. So cushy! I had a thrumming class at Twisted last Monday. Look at all the squishy fiber on the table. Thanks for thrumming with me!

I’m coordinating the KAL through my PDXKnitterati Ravelry group; join the group and it will be in your Ravelry forums. I’m giving away two copies of the Thrumbelina pattern before the KAL begins; leave a comment on this post by January 15 if you’d like a chance to win.

Speaking of winners, I have a winner of the Under 100 Knit Collection from Knit Picks ebook. It’s Laura, who commented on December 30. Laura, I’ll be in touch! Thank you all for playing along; I loved learning about your favorite 2013 knits.

Still knitting like a madwoman clearing the needles for upcoming KALs! And still dreaming of Lempster, but I don’t think I can do it. I have a design due soon, and I should do that first. Not a bad problem to have, though.

Don’t forget to leave a comment to win a copy of Thrumbelina!

17 Comments

Posted in KAL, Knit, ravelry

Tagged contest, contest winners, kal, lantern moon, PDXKnitterati Ravelry, rcycmkal, thrumbelina