30 Pounds Of Free Yarn & The Buttonhole Challenge

30lbs Of FreeYarn:

Last night after work, I found a big box at my front door.  I was expecting it but was too tired (and HOT- this is Las Vegas) to open it and "get involved."  So, decided to wait until tonight to do so.

The photo below is the 30 pounds of yarn packed in the box.  There is some GREAT yarn here - "Velveen and Mohair" some of my favorites!

30lbs Of Free Yarn

Now where to store it all?  I still have two-(2) cones of yarn being shipped and should be here soon.  A big THANK YOU to the wonderful person who sent me the free yarn.  Now I have a promise to live up to and start making good use of it including knitting for charities.

The Buttonhole...CHALLENGE:

I have another baby sweater all done with the exception of the button hole bands (Tamm @ T7).  I don't want a ribbed band which would essentially hide the button holes (we've done those).  So, I plan to knit the bands directly on the edges of the sweater.  I have used my tried and true - transfer two-(2) stitches to each adjacent needle, knit one-(1) row then e-wrap the loops the carriage just made (by turning the stitches 180 deg, hang claw weight), then continue knitting.  That just isn't fine enough or should I say tailored enough for my liking.  I have used it over and over and the ribbed band methods too.  Just searching for a better way.  Most of what I have done or have seen just isn't hitting me with"this is it!"

So, if you have a great, new or different method of making a neat, slim and tailored buttonhole, let me know!  No rush, mother not even close to labor and boy or girl is not known (what side to make the buttonholes).

Thanks and knit on...

Machine Knit Baby's Raglan Sweater & MORE Yarn...

The baby Raglan Pullover I had made was completed (no UFO on this), seamed and washed this weekend.  I rarely block items, usually wash them and dry in the method suggested for the yarn used.  This one was acrylic so into a little mild detergent and in the dryer it went.  Here is the finished project:

Baby Cardigan - Size 6 Months

Amazing how the stitches "puff" up and fill in once washed.  I like this as it is perfect for a boy or girl.

Now for MORE yarn.  Last year I built a knitting studio in my home; plenty of room for a bulky and standard knitting machine to always be set-up, complete with granite counter tops, many size drawers, bins for yarns, closet lined on one side with peg board to hang my knitting gadgets, shelves in the closet for more knitting paraphernalia, well, you get the idea.  To totally dedicate this as a knitting studio, I made color copies of knitting publications and had them framed for the walls.  No mistaking what this room is!

When it was completed I had more than enough space for all of the different yarns and even drawers for the end of skeins or leftovers for waste yarn.  I was organized.  Being the "Neat Nik" (as Diana Sullivan lovingly referred to me as) I was happy as could be and quite proud of my studio.

Then...it hit.  Yarn, lots of it.  What am I thinking or was I?  Sales here and there, buying some online, I had recently had 10 lbs of it sent to me free (a gift) AND now another 30 lbs of free yarn on it's way not to mention the additional Yeoman yarn I just ordered.

Needless to say I am out of room and it's making me nuts!  So as I was trying to organize things to make room, I found a large box in the closet with 4 huge cones of 2/24.  Eeeeeekkk!

So, considering myself lucky (thinking positive here), I have decided to take charge and knit away.  Have another two-(2) expecting mothers I could whip up some baby items for (although not a lot of yarn used for those projects) and then there is charity.

Not having a family narrows down who you can knit for.  So, since I love the rhythmic sound and feel of the knitting machines & the creative outlet I have decided to keep at it then give it away.  Why not?  it is such a great feeling when others appreciate what you are doing for them.  How nice to know you are keeping someone warmer at night when it's chilly (yes it gets chilly here in Las Vegas during our "2" seasons of hot & cold).  Then there is always knitting for the US Troops.  I have a box ready to send off as I speak.

I had to ramble (sorry) and maybe you too will think about using up your excess yarn to knit for a charity.

And, what's hanging on your needles....?

Transfer Carriage - Set Free!

I am currently knitting a button down cardigan for a 6 month old.  As I knit the ribbing I heard some yelling, "LET ME OUT!"  I looked around and the yelling was coming from the cabinets in my knitting studio...

Then, it hit me, it was my Transfer Carriage yelling at me!  I opened the drawer and saw this:

Brother Transfer Carriage

So I quickly opened the box took the poor thing out and put it to use!  The yelling stopped.

Brother Transfer Carriage

What was I "not" thinking the hundreds of times I had to transfer from rib to main bed knitting??? They are really very easy to use, here's how I did it for 1X1 ribbing:

1. Removed all weights just leaving the ribber comb attached.

2. Brought out all MB needles to B position (working position) including three extra needles on each end.

3. Transferred one-(1) end ribber stitch manually to the MB.

4. Placed the carriage on the right hand side, lever in left hand corner down (check the manual as different needle selections require this lever to be up), you can see the lever in the photo above; then slid it across the beds.  All stitches transferred to the MB.

5. Removed the Transfer Carriage and gave a gently tug on the cast on comb to seat all the stitches on the MB needles.  Slid back the empty MB needles before I started MB knitting.

Done!

Easy, I will never lock up the Transfer Carriage again, well, I'll put it away until I need to transfer again!  Give it a go, you'll be so glad you did!

Just wish they made these for the 9mm machines...

Beautiful Top At Art Machines

I really like this top Anna has made. A summer classic in style with just enough edge design without being too much.

Check it out!      ANNA'S KNIT TOP

Vanda's Blog!

Vanda, who lives in Italy has a great blog and she does some beautiful machine knitting. She contacted me this past week and asked if she could post links and pictures on my method for whitening knitting machines. I was flattered and of course I said yes. Scroll through her blog: "My world of wool and..."

 VANDA'S BLOG

10 Pounds Of Yarn - FREE!

Wow, there are some really nice people out there.  Today, I got home and there was a box at my door.  I had ordered some replacement fine knit bars from "Leanneco" over on eBay last week.  They sent the yarn to me just because they are nice, 10 lbs of it.  The message from them was "I know you will make something nice!"  Leanneco, I promise I will.  And to top it off they did not charge me for the shipping.

So, now my wheels are turning, what can I whip up with that mohair...then there is the gold which will be perfect trim for the Christmas Stockings I am already planning...or maybe the silver...my mind never stops.

A B I G Thank you!  And please visit their eBay store when you need items for your knitting machines, again, not affiliated with them in any way; just darn good service!  100% positive feedback with nearly 3,000 transactions!

Here's the link to their eBay store:

LEANNECO KNITTING