Updates....

Wow, it has been a long while since I have posted, I'm so sorry.  Guess I can blame it all on the holidays and life getting in the way of my posting.  Hope all had wonderful holidays!

I have been teaching each Sunday a small machine knitting group here in Las Vegas.  We meet at one members home, we use her casita for class where she keeps the machines set up.  We knit and talk about food and life!  Some are new machine knitters and some returning.  They are wonderful, very kind people and I adore them.

Seminar Updates
I am planning  to teach at The Finger Lakes seminar in upstate New York this September.  Will be nice to be back in the area, I owned 100 acres in the Cortland area (Pitcher NY) some years back, beautiful countryside and wonderful people.  Followed immediately by a few days of fun in Saint Cloud, Minnesota at Rocking Horse Farms to teach with Jason and Carole at their seminar.

Then a short break and planning to fly up to Glen Ellyn, Illinois October 8th and 9th to teach at the Interknit MK Club Seminar, Mary Slattery, contacted me and we still need to sort out all the details.

Finally, my buddy in Austin, Texas, Diana Sullivan, asked me to teach at their Knit Natters Seminar in spring of 2017.  It will be nice to spend more time with Diana, her friends and her great husband.

Details need to be finalized for all of the above.  Trying not to impose what I want to teach and have asked what their members would be interested in seeing and learning.  Knitting styles and interests seem to be regional and skill levels are varied.  Hopefully it will all work out well.

Latest Project/Learn By My Error
I had decided to re-knit the entrelac sweater I test knitted for Diana Sullivan.  This time in a softer yarn and in shades of grey from a deep to a silver grey.  It's a pleasure to knit and quite relaxing.  You start with the round yoke, knit up and attach the collar.  Here is where I went wrong last night.  Being tired and eyes heavy I pushed on (I am an experienced knitter right?), huge mistake.  I had the TV on listening to a talk show, the work phone was beeping texts and my dog wanted to play ball.  But I pressed on.  Today, after getting my internet modem changed out (no internet not a good thing) due to an upgrade my provider did as a favor (not).  I went to the studio to weave in some ends and start the sleeves/body.  Wow!  I made the collar and attached it last night (Diana does not instruct do it this way), I never reduced my tension settings.  Then to make matters worse I has also removed all my waste yarn.  The collar looks awful, so when my eyes and brain are not too tired I need to remove the collar and run a life line then attach a proper collar.

If you are new to machine knitting, know that even the most experienced of us make errors.  No big deal, it's only knitting and it can all be corrected!

When the sweater is done properly I'll post a photo or two.

I'll be back soon...be well.

Merry Christmas!

Feel Good Yarn Company....Silver Spun

Have you heard of "Feel Good Yarn Company" the home of Silver Spun Yarn?

What a terrific company and great yarn.  The founder, Laurie when developing Silver Spun Yarn didn't give up until she achieved what she was after.  The yarn is made from American sourced fibers and spun in North Carolina.  Silver Spun is a blend of cotton silver, nylon & spandex (see photo). Take a look at Laurie's Company and story here:  Feel Good Yarn Company

Look at the nice bag the yarn arrived in!

The yarn has a nice blend of fibers with a terrific hand (feels like cashmere).  When I emailed asking if they had any feedback from machine knitters, they hadn't.  I've been asked to test knit Silver Spun on the machine and offer my feedback.  I want to make socks with Silver Spun as the blend of silver is reportedly helpful for people with Diabetes and circulatory problems.

Did I mention the silver in the yarn allows the wearer to use their phones without having to take off gloves or mittens?  I tested this with the entire skein on my Smartphone, it works!  They offer free shipping on your first order too.

Once I knit the socks, I'll report back on how the yarn does on the knitting machine.

Great Scarf & Stitch Pattern

Take a drive over to Diana's blog and check out the simple yet great looking scarf she whips up.  I really like the easy lace sticth (2 row repeat).

Diana's Slanted Lace Scarf

Rocking Horse Farm Seminar This Month...Mary Anne Oger

My previous post I told you I regrettably had to cancel my being at the RHF seminar later this month (click here for RHF 2015 seminar info).  Jason has asked me to come up next year directly from the Finger Lakes Seminar I will be demonstrating at, I agreed.

This year I am honored to have been replaced by Mary Anne Oger!  See post here when I recently test knit for her "Man Friend Hoodie" - that's a great project, think about making one or more for the cool weather approaching!

I had a list of subjects and MAO has taken on the "Tuck Lace Rib" topic I was showcasing.  MAO does this well, REALLY well.  If you can make it to RHF and include MAO in your itinerary please do so.  She is an excellent teacher, thanks Mary Anne for jumping in for me.

Mary Anne also has a nice blog, go pay her a visit here.

I was worried Jason and Carole would be upset as it was short notice to get an event reorganized.  They couldn't be nice or any more understanding.  Great folks indeed.

Tomorrow (Sunday), I will be attending the Las Vegas Machine Knitters meeting for the first time.  Being organized through "meet-up" and look forward to it.  Some beginners and that's always fun and invigorating to help others through things.

Apologies, Apologies!

A quick post to apologize...

If you are attending the Rocking Horse Farms seminar this month in St. Cloud MN., unfortunately, I wont be able to make it.  Work beckons resulting in a scheduling conflict.  I was so looking forward to it, had the curriculum ready, airline tickets and etc. all arranged.  Last evening I had to email Jason Wurst and let him know.  Have not heard back from him, hope he isn't too annoyed (he's a good guy)!  Good news is I am participating as an instructor in next years Finger Lakes seminar!

Another apology, I never stated why my whitening formula (below post) is "better."  After some emails I thought I would let you know.  This is easier as you just dump it all in a blender, whiz it up and go!  Also, using the hair lightner creates less "bloating/swelling" after the whitener rests and starts working.

Now for Lynne who emailed asking about the whitener and was honest enough to say she found it hard to read the posts as the font color on the black background made it difficult.  Yes Lynne, I was looking for a bit of pizazz but not at the cost of losing any of you!  Thanks for letting me know.  Better I hope?

I am excited to find out there is a "Meet Up Group" here in Las Vegas for machine knitters!  The first meeting is this coming Sunday and I look forward to meeting the folks & exchange ideas. Thus far 16 members and hoping this will be a "regular club" for Las Vegas machine knitters.

Have you checked out Diana Sullivan's recent blog post?  Diana had mentioned to me in the past these wonderful ribber wires Helen Griffith sells (and some really reasonable yarns).  Check out Diana's post here and then go pay Helen a visit!

Reminder cooler weather is fast approaching as are the holiday's, time to start planning and knitting!

Updated Whitening Formula

I have used this on knitting machines, garter carriages, needle pushers, transfer and latch tools and they all come out like they were when they were  made.  All you need is a few basic ingredients and sunshine.  Just remember to remove the plastic items from the machine and or whatever it is attached too as this is meant only for plastic that has been discolored/yellowed from exposure to UV light.  This will not harm stainless steel but will oxidize reactive metals i.e. aluminum, tin, lead and etc.

If you need more information, advice and or encouragement please don't hesitate to email me.  I really like helping people rejuvenate their precious knitting machines to a brand new condition.

WHITENING FORMULA

1 - Cup 40 Volume Clear Hair Peroxide (purchase at a beauty supply )

1 - Tablespoon Xanthan Gum powder (Wal-Mart Super Center has it in the baking aisle) - used by folks who avoid gluten, a thickening agent that does not need heat

½ - Teaspoon Glycerin (again Wal-Mart or pharmacy in the vitamin area) - this is optional - it is used to help the solution "stick" to the plastic

½-1 - Teaspoon powdered hair lightner - I have used Basic White (Clairol) and Blondor (Wella) - both available in a beauty supply - they are sold in single use packets which will last a long time as so little is used, any brand will work

In a blender, pour in all of the above, blend for approximately 5- 10 seconds.  The mixture is done.  It wont harm the metal blade in the blender as they are stainless steel.

I applied to the surfaces of the plastic using latex gloves (hair peroxide is a much stronger version of the one we use on minor cuts) and a silicone pastry brush. Once all areas were well covered, I either placed them in a zip-lock bag or wrapped them in kitchen plastic wrap (to repent drying). Now for the important step...place in the sun! The UV rays that caused the yellowing will now act as the catalyst to remove the yellowing. After an hour in the sun, the difference was incredible. I check for "dry" spots and reapplied if needed. The "whitening" process took 2- 4 hours depending on how yellow the piece was. The items can also be placed under a UV light indoors, not a black light.  When all of the yellow is gone wash the plastic in a mild dish detergent, rinse and dry well.

Note:  For areas on carriage covers and etc. that are "set-in" to the beige/white plastic, (usually these are tan, grey or other color) I cover those with blue painters tape then apply the whitener.

Don't Let This Happen To You

Hi, it's been too long, hope everyone is having a nice summer.

Recently, a friend here in Las Vegas (a machine knitter) had her friend from Los Angeles drop off two-(2) knitting machines for me to help her sell and two-(2) others are mine to keep if I wanted them.  The ones she is looking to sell (due to moving out of the country) are a Brother 260 & Brother 930.  These machines purchased from a rather well known dealer in the Los Angeles area.  I've heard "things" about this dealer and had a not so good experience myself a few years back (another story).

She ordered the machines and did not open them.  She decided to weave instead, ordered looms and never went back to machine knitting (she was returning to machine knitting).

When I picked them up I too did not open them, I got them home and this is what I found on the 260:

Yellowed and dirty

You can see the original "white" is under the row counter

More filth 

When I took off the tool compartment cover, it too was white inside

Rusted

The timing belt will only move about three inches before it jams, rust all over the machine inside and out (even the carriage is rusted), dirt everywhere (but that is an easy fix).

So, being the clean freak that I am, I took it apart, washed what could be and whitened the plastic,  The transfer tool is now rustless (first rusted one I have seen).  The plastic pieces, buttons, knobs and etc. are all back to their original color.  I am working on the timing belt issue.

During the process of whitening I have changed my recipe and I find it works so much better.  If you need to whiten your machine I can email you the whitening update along with instructions.  I doubt I can get this working the way it should due to all the rusted areas & the timing belt jamming issue.

Please, buy only from a reputable dealer.  There are many honest and trustworthy folks in the machine knitting community.  Know what you are buying before you hand over your money!

I am preparing to teach at the Carole's Country Knits at Rocking Horse Farm seminar on 09/18 & 09/19.  I have also been asked to participate in next years Finger Lakes seminar.  If you are in the area stop by, the more the merrier!

Fully Lined Mittens

The very nice machine knitter in Germany, Kirsten, who asked me to test knit her multi layered mittens has the pattern available for a digital download at her Etsy shop.

The mittens are knit "sew as you go."  The fit was great and even nicer after I washed and dried them (machine wash & dry).  This mitten pattern is intended for sock yarn.  I used up some of the oddments I had.  One can knit in any stitch pattern, fairisle or weaving as it is a single bed pattern.

Kirsten's Blog

Please stop by and take a look.  I really like her color choices and style.  Also, please visit her YouTube channel.

More Test Knitting, Preparing For A Seminar & Hollywood Calls Again

Just off the heels of test knitting for Mary Anne Oger (great to work with her!), I received an email from a machine knitter/blogger in Germany asking if I would test knit.

I like a challenge and really love test knitting so of course I said yes.  The pattern is for a single bed fully lined mitten.  Kirsten sent me the pattern and off I went.  All done in sock yarn (I used my odds and ends).  Great pattern and well written.  The mitten is much like Diana Sullivan's "Footnotes" (I was honored to test knit for Diana) but, a bit different.  There are endless possibilities for patterning or color work one could incorporate in this mitten.

As soon as the pattern is available I will post the information here.  Kirsten has recently started a very nice blog, stop by and visit:

Kirsten's Blog

As I mentioned a few months ago, I will be teaching at Rocking Horse Farms (RHF) in September.  Starting to get my information together and so look forward to a trip to Minnesota where I can see some lush greenery!

Also, I was just contacted by a major movie production company  in Los Angeles asking if I would accept a commission to knit sweaters for an A list actor (very famous) that would be used in an upcoming film.  I promised to get back to them as need to decide if I want to take on that project.  Exciting to say the least!