Mini-Me

The Stuff Of Legends

First and foremost, let me categorically state that I did NOT make this vest.  All due credit for this magnificent work of art goes to my friend Cheryl.  While the color work alone is impressive,  what makes this piece truly awe-inspiring (in my humble opinion)  is the technique used in its construction:  Steeking.  This vest was knit circularly in one piece and then cut to create the V-neck and armholes.  Yes, you heard me correctly folks, SHE CUT HER KNITTING – WITH SISSORS!    Yikes!  We will talk more about this in a moment.

I first met Cheryl last year, shortly after the shop opened.  She was a regular attendee of our social stitching periods.  I remember first seeing her work on this piece, and I asked the question that everyone else did;  “What are you making?  A bag?”.  It sure looked like a bag since it was basically a large tube, and because of the stunning color work – it  would have made a really fantastic bag.  However, Cheryl stated that it was to be a vest and that she had been working on it for many years.  I thought about this silently for a moment and came to the conclusion that she must be working the vest in the round up to the armholes, and then she would divide her work for each front half and the back.  Apparently, I’m not as smart as I thought I was because Cheryl proceeded to describe the little known technique of “steeking”.  I had never heard of it, and most knitter’s I have spoken to may have heard murmurings of this mysterious  process, but never knew anyone who has actually done it.   You can find a great description of it here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steek

Looking back on that day, when Cheryl announced she would eventually subject all of that beautiful color work (that took her years to complete!) to her scissors, every chin in the room hit the floor!  I could almost see all of those “thought bubbles” (you know, from cartoons) above everyone’s heads:  “Cuckoo, Cuckoo” , “Crazy Lady Alert!”, “Whaddaya NUTS?”!   We were all atwitter about this scary proposition, and someone told me that the legendary Elizabeth Zimmerman had commented on this technique in one of her books.  Allegedly she stated that after performing the steek (doing the actual cutting) the person should lay down in a darkened quiet room – presumably to contemplate the implications and ramifications of  committing this heinous crime upon your knitting!   

A month or so ago, Cheryl told us that she was getting close in her pattern and it would soon be time to make the cuts.  I practically begged her to let me sell tickets to this event, but alas she choose to do the dirty deed recently at home in her own quiet way.   Whether or not there were any mind altering substances involved while she steeled herself to actually do it, she won’t say!

Obviously this technique is not for the faint of heart, and it requires much courage and faith.  Now before you go running off to hack up your knitting, you should know that there are special stitches and procedures that must be put in place in preparation of steeking.  Please at least do some preliminary research and practice with waste yarn first! 

In closing, I salute Cheryl for her tenacity and bravery and for serving as a wonderful inspiration to us mere mortals.  I want to be just like her when I grow up!

Angel is Heavenly

Last night Beth debuted her completed Angel Mohair Shawl made for her upcoming class (later this month).  When she pulled that baby out of her project bag we all literally GASPED in delight! Then, we  lined up and anxiously awaited our turn to get our hands on this delicious confection!  I’m laughing now just thinking about it – we all had the same exact involuntary reaction:  We said “OOOHHHH” when we saw it, and then “AAAHHH” when we touched it and wrapped it around ourselves!  Ha-Ha!

I’ve never been a fan of mohair (merely looking at was enough to make me itchy all over!), but all that changed the moment I touched Angel, Debbie Bliss’ newest yarn.  Super Kid Mohair blended with Silk = YUM!  I tried the shawl on this morning, and it’s almost magical – Light as a feather while snuggly warm at the same time!  I love the juxtaposition!  It felt like I was wearing a delicate hug given by…………well, “Angel” wings. 

Happy Birthday to Us!

On February 19, 2011 we celebrated our one year anniversary.   Oh boy, did we celebrate and I am just now starting to feel recovered!  Haha!  Thankfully “my girls” (Beth & Becky) were here to lend a hand, and I think it’s safe to say that a good time was had by all.  I suspect there were many happy knitters and crocheters walking around this week and for that I’m glad!  I wonder how many shoppers went home that day and rolled around in all their yarn! Come on, I know the thought has at least crossed your minds – Go for it!

I wanted to thank everyone for making our first year so memorable, and with your continued support, I promise you many more years of yarny goodness!

                Happy Knit & Crochet!    Nina

Congratulations Beth!

Our very own Beth Knox can now add Master Crocheter to her already impressive list of credentials!  Recently, Beth earned her Master’s Certificate in Advanced Crochet Techniques by the Crochet Guild Of America (CGOA) and she has joined the ranks of elite professional level crocheters such as Lily Chin, Doris Chan and Drew Emborsky (aka The Crochet Dude) – to name a few!  We are so proud of her and pleased that she calls Juniper Place Yarns “home”.  What this means for you, dear friends, is that when you take a crochet class at the shop, you can rest assured knowing that you are being taught by a Master Crocheter!  Our girl definitely knows her way around a crochet hook!

Kudos to Beth for your achievement!

First Afghan - Progress!

After much ado and getting all psyched up,  I finally started my very first afghan a few weeks ago, and I am really enjoying it.  Making it in strips is so much more digestible for me!  Each "round" of the strip is different, so i don't get bored doing the same thing each round.  You can't really tell in the pictures below, but my colors are a super light blue and dark teal.  I'm also using a "join as you go" method to avoid having the sew the strips together.  I'm committed to try to get at least one strip done every week, and I have 4 done already - YAY!   I'm already planning my next one ;-)

Kindle Kozy

My husband and I got each other Kindles for Christmas and we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!  Being the complete geek that I am, the first thing I thought of was to make a cover for it.  I browsed the patterns on Ravelry but didn't really like what I was finding, so I set about designing my own.  I used a bulky weight cotton for maximum thickness and softness to protect my wonderful new toy.  Here's the pattern:

Kindle Kozy

By Nina Haldeman for Juniper Place Yarns

Materials

1 skein Tabali by Ester Bitran (Bulky weight cotton)

Size I hook

1 large button

Notes

Piece measures approximately 4.5 inches wide, but WILL STRETCH to fit! 

Directions

13 foundation sc

Row 1:  Ch3, 2 dc in first sc, skip 2, sc in next, skip 2, 4 dc in next.  skip 2, sc in next, skip 2 and end with 3dc in last sc. Turn

Row 2:  Ch1, sc in first st, *skip 2 dc, 4dc in sc, skip 2dc, sc IN SPACE BETWEEN the 2^nd and 3^rd dc of the group, skip 2 dc, 4dc in sc, skip 2dc, sc in top of turning ch. Turn

Row 3:  Ch3, 2 dc in first sc, *skip 2dc, sc IN SPACE BETWEEN the 2^nd and 3^rd dc of the group. skip 2 dc*,  4dc in sc, repeat from * to * once and end with 3dc in last sc.  Turn

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until piece measures 18 inches long,  ending with a Row 2.

Last Row (Button Hole row):  Ch1, sc into next 4 sts, ch3, skip 3 stitches (you should be skipping the 1dc, 1sc & 1dc in center of row), sc in last 4 sts.  Fasten off.

Finishing:  Fold beginning row edge up to form a 6.5 inch pocket, leaving the top edge Whipstitch side seams.  Sew button on.