Knitlist Digest     Wednesday, November 8 2000     Volume 2000 : Number 4203
 
 

In this issue of the KnitList Digest:

  Knit: Knitting is No Yoke           [Dorene Nowatzke ]
  Knit: Right to Knit                       [Wendy Levy ]
  Knit: Ribbing Is No Yoke - Thanks!  ["Susan Ahnberg"   Knit: Re: corn bags                     [Dawn Brocco ]
  Knit: Re: how to start knitting at borders               [MFRowley@aol.com]
  Knit: Re: Knitlist Digest V2000 #4190                  [Ashknitcas@aol.com]
  Knit: RICE bags                        ["Ron and Meli" ]
  Knit: Red Heart                     [Martha Skala ]
  Re: Knit: Re: corn bags        ["Ron MacKenzie" ]
  Knit: A Heartfelt Thanks & WIP Woes                    [wendy1257@home.com]
  Knit: Gold Thick Yarn for AFO                           [SWSOFTWAR@aol.com]
  Knit: Central Jersey Knit-In November15  [Staci Berger   Knit: Shawl Cardigan by Sandy Black     ["Lisa Collins" ]
  Knit: Afghan Help                    [Carol Adams ]
  Knit: The Day After                            ["Eileen B" ]
  Knit: Re: Kathleen's Hats/encouraging knitting  ["Rita T."   Knit: Knit - casting on            ["Sue Hulbert" ]
  Re: Knit: Afghan Help            [Claudia Krisniski ]
  Knit: Re: corn bags      [Laurels P Sessler ]
  Knit: Fallen in Love, Chart convert  ["Darcy Williams"   Knit: Lion Brand pattern query                    [TheMaurerFamily@aol.com]
  [none]                             [Alison Hyde ]
  Knit: Fiber Festival in TX              ["kris sudduth" ]
  Knit: Unger Fluffy yarn         ["Bennie-Ruth Dean" ]
  Knit: Jaggerspun Yarn                [Peggy Wileaver ]
  Knit: testing for fiber content     [Chris Craven ]
  Re: Knit: Re: corn bags                                  [AtAnchor@aol.com]
  Knit: "Moth-proofed" yarn question   ["Linda H. Wish"   Knit: shawl and sock questions          [Ann McDonald ]
  Knit: knitted from the neck down                        [DELTAYLOR@aol.com]
  Knit: FO for VK!                               [Joan ]
  Knit: Knitted Cowl Pattern          [Lisa Kovshoff ]
  Knit: Stress, Baby FOs, WIPs                        [Lisa.Macy@aventis.com]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 05:08:04 -0800 (PST)
From: Dorene Nowatzke
Subject: Knit: Knitting is No Yoke

I, too, am planning to knit this sweater for my
mother.  However, she is going through "the change"
and I would like to use a cotton yarn.  What yarns are
others using, and have there been any major obstacles
with the pattern?  I caught the discussion just
recently regarding some troubles with blocking.  I
would appreciate your input.

Dori Nowatzke
Fostoria, Ohio

"Where it's all knitting together..."

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Thousands of Stores.  Millions of Products.  All in one Place.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 08:54:34 -0500
From: Wendy Levy
Subject: Knit: Right to Knit

The following is taken from an article in our local free rag, Henrico
County Leader, written by Patty Kruszewski. It concerns a panel discussion
concerning a Proposed Hunting Amendment which was voted on yesterday.

Jeff Leitner (of the Fund for Animals) opened his remarks with a
tongue-in-cheek proposal for a "right to knit." "Knitting is a tradition,"
Leitner asserted. "It's part of our heritage. It makes a significant
contribution to the state economy--think of all that yarn!" He added drolly
that knitting was hardly an endangered activity, but deserved a
constitutional amendment nevertheless because "we'll feel so good if we
pass it."

Such a knitting-rights amendment, Leitner said pointedly, would be no more
absurd than the efforts of Right-to-Hunt backers, tinkering with a sacred
document "to enshrine a hobby, a recreational pursuit...They want to treat
the Constitution like a graffiti wall." . . .  "If this trivial amendment
passes," he warned, "it will make Virginia a laughingstock of the country."

Wendy

*************************
Wendy Levy
Admin. Assistant
Department of English
University of Richmond
VA 23173
(804)289-8287
mailto:wlevy@richmond.edu

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 06:24:30 -0800
From: "Susan Ahnberg"
Subject: Knit: Ribbing Is No Yoke - Thanks!

Thanks to Charlotte for a beautiful design and to this wonderful list for
your advice and encouragement!  I'm going to wet the sweater arms, take a
trip through the dryer, and if that doesn't work, CUT (after carefully
reading Charlotte's detailed instructions, because to me, cutting is a
horrifying thought!).

I know the reason for my sad tale is that I did not wash and block my swatch
before checking gauge.   If I had done that, I would have also known to
adjust for lengthening.

Susan in Los Gatos
(who will always wash and block her swatches)

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 09:34:42 -0400
From: Dawn Brocco
Subject: Knit: Re: corn bags

I think you're supposed to use feed corn, not pop corn! And i saw a tidbit
on a show about making those bags and they did nothing special to the corn,
but not to fill the bags too snugle, the corn bag should be able to drape
over a shoulder well.
Happy Knitting!
Dawn Brocco
in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York State
dbdesign@ulster.net
http://www.dawnbrocco.com
original handknitting patterns, yarns and soon to be published,
"Heels and Toes Gazette", my "socks only"  newsletter with patterns,
reviews, and gobs of knitting info.

> Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 03:51:07 -0700 (MST)
> To: knitlist-digest@kniton.com
> Subject: Knitlist Digest V2000 #4202
>
> Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2000 10:46:00 -0600
> From: BJ Heeke
> Subject: Re: Knit: Knit Q:  How do you prepare corn (grain) for those warmer
> bags?
>
> Sue,
> I have one that has flax seed in it that was scented with Lavender. Flax seed
> might
> work better than the corn, and wouldn't it pop if heated up too long?
>
> BJ
> - --

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 09:37:05 EST
From: MFRowley@aol.com
Subject: Knit: Re: how to start knitting at borders

Susan,
I work at a Borders in the St.Louis area, and we have a knitters group that
meets every month. The way to get started is to contact the Community
Relations person, and they will get you going. There is no fee for space, and
at our store, we provide a pot of coffee and put a few tables together. I am
the only knitter that works there, and I work on the meeting day, so they are
nice enough to schedule me for non-specific work during the hour of the
meeting, so I can pop in and out to say hello and do show and tell. And I
will be teaching a beadknitting class there this month, for which Borders has
scheduled me for an 'event', which means Borders is paying me to teach a
knitting class. Cool! And the woman who does the magazines always makes sure
she opens all her boxes before they leave in case a new knitting magazine
comes in. And if bargain knitting books come in, the bargains person will
keep them aside till the meeting. It is a really nice venue for knitters,
they make us feel very welcome, and it is a real treat in my work day to be
able to talk 'knit'!
Good luck,
Marian near St.Louis

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 09:39:18 EST
From: Ashknitcas@aol.com
Subject: Knit: Re: Knitlist Digest V2000 #4190

In a message dated 10/31/2000 8:03:42 PM Eastern Standard Time,
owner-knitlist-digest@kniton.com writes:

<< From: "j bickers"
 Subject: Knit: Charlotte's Web Shawl--pattern error?  and a FO
 
 Hello, knitfriends:
 
 I am finally starting on the Charlotte's Web shawl for me in Koigu yarns.
 Since I have realized that looking at the pattern the way it is written will
 make me go blind, I decided to type it into my computer in an easier to read
 format.  (Pattern designers, please note:  Life is easier for knitters if
 each row starts on a new line, preferably with a space in between rows,
 rather than all crammed together).  ANYHOO, I noticed what I am 99% sure is
 an error in Row 19.  Shouldn't it be k5 rather than k6 before and after the
 lace repeats?  If someone has done the pattern, please let me know. >>
 

I started this shawl and have no idea what went wrong.  I'd love to see how
you do with it.

Susan Ashland Crowson
Where the babies come faster than FO's

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 09:46:39 -0500
From: "Ron and Meli"
Subject: Knit: RICE bags

Now that cold weather is coming, the kids have located their rice bags.
Although I have one that is made from a hand towel, the kids have tube socks
filled 2/3 full with plain old white rice.  We pop them in the microwave and
it's out to the car to keep them warm until the car heats up on cold
mornings.   *I* use mine instead of a heating pad for my sore shoulders.
Much safer!  Can be reused indefinitely (or until sock/towel gets dirty).
It is nice to add some lavender to it, too.

Meli

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 10:17:40 -0500
From: Martha Skala
Subject: Knit: Red Heart

Good Morning All,
I have been working on a GORGEOUS Sirdar cardigan for DSIL but heard
yesterday thru the vine that she's put on major weight so this won't
fit.  It's just too pretty to give anyway just to hang in a closet so I
decided to try some of the new RH Soft and whip her up a quick Top-Down.
I should be able to do that between now and Christmas.
Here's the problem.  I can't access the site from my server.  It comes
up FORBIDDEN and I'd like to know the gauge on that yarn.  Have any of
you used it and what do you think of it?  I won't be getting to the
store til tomorrow and patience is non-existent for me.
Thanks,
Martha

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 10:24:04 -0500
From: "Ron MacKenzie"
Subject: Re: Knit: Re: corn bags

My sister has been making these bags (sewing them from fabric, not knitting)
for several years.  The corn you use is critical.  It must be WHOLE kernel
feed corn.  The last time I bought a bag it was mislabeled and turned out to
be cracked corn.  That stuff was awful !!!  It really smells bad when
heated.  Needless to say, I used very little of it and fed the rest to the
birds.  Be sure you get WHOLE kernel corn !!  The corn bags are wonderful
for the purpose intended.

Ron MacKenzie in Lancaster, Ohio

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Dawn Brocco
To:
Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2000 8:34 AM
Subject: Knit: Re: corn bags
 

> I think you're supposed to use feed corn, not pop corn! And i saw a tidbit
> on a show about making those bags and they did nothing special to the
corn,
> but not to fill the bags too snugle, the corn bag should be able to drape
> over a shoulder well.
> Happy Knitting!
> Dawn Brocco
> in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York State
> dbdesign@ulster.net
> http://www.dawnbrocco.com
> original handknitting patterns, yarns and soon to be published,
> "Heels and Toes Gazette", my "socks only"  newsletter with patterns,
> reviews, and gobs of knitting info.
>
> > Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 03:51:07 -0700 (MST)
> > To: knitlist-digest@kniton.com
> > Subject: Knitlist Digest V2000 #4202
> >
> > Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2000 10:46:00 -0600
> > From: BJ Heeke
> > Subject: Re: Knit: Knit Q:  How do you prepare corn (grain) for those
warmer
> > bags?
> >
> > Sue,
> > I have one that has flax seed in it that was scented with Lavender. Flax
seed
> > might
> > work better than the corn, and wouldn't it pop if heated up too long?

> >
> > BJ
> > - --
>
>

------------------------------

Date: Wed,  8 Nov 2000 07:28:40 -0800
From: wendy1257@home.com
Subject: Knit: A Heartfelt Thanks & WIP Woes

Knitters All:

BIG THANK YOU!

I have been overwhelmed with emails of sympathy, commiseration,
and support from you people since I told the list of the loss
of my beloved cat and the defection of my now-former SO last
week. Thank you one and all . . . this has really meant a lot
to me. I've tried to respond to each one personally, but if I
missed you, please know that it was not intentional!

(Along the lines of "things can't get worse but they did" my
73-year-old mother fell down the steps Sunday night and her ankle
now looks like a jigsaw puzzle. I spent the day at the hospital
with her yesterday while they tried to put it back together again
. . . time will tel how successful they were.)

WIP WOES

Heres' how distracted I've been: I was knitting along on the
last sleeve of Dale of Norway Sirdal Monday night and was a few
inches from the end when I discovered, to my horror, that way
down near the cuff I'd left out a 6 row pattern. It pained me
to do so, but I frogged that puppy back a good 12 inches and
resumed. Now, I NEVER do stuff like this, so it was very humbling!

So Sirdal's gonna take a few days longer than I expected . .
 .

Wendy in Alexandria VA
who'd rather be knitting!

http://www.wendyjohnson.net
 

- -----
Sent using MailStart.com ( http://MailStart.Com/welcome.html )
The FREE way to access your mailbox via any web browser, anywhere!

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 10:41:57 EST
From: SWSOFTWAR@aol.com
Subject: Knit: Gold Thick Yarn for AFO

AFO - my first!
Thank goodness my son changed his mind about being Harry Potter for
Halloween.  I did finish the sweater part as all of you advised and DH says
it looks great!

Since I made it in Lion Brand Thick and Quick, finding appropriate Gold yarn
to duplicate stitch the lion has been really difficult.  I keep looking in
all the holiday sections for gold giftwrap yarn to no avail.
I have tried doubling/tripling and quadrupling thinner yarn and it just looks
messy or stupid.

This is my first sweater ever and I want to finish it.
Please look in your stashes to see if you have anything
that would work.  Or if you know of a yarn that fits this description, please
write and let me know what to buy.  I do not need a whole lot - probably only
part of a skein of gold extra bulky yarn.

Thanks for all your help.

Susan Mann
NYC

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 10:49:58 -0500
From: Staci Berger
Subject: Knit: Central Jersey Knit-In November15

Hi all.  This is your friendly Central Jersey Knit In reminder... We had a
great time last month... lots of returning folks as well as news faces!

This month, we'll KNIT IN on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 7-9ish PM. We meet at
Chapter One Books, located on the North side of Raritan Avenue (also Route
27) between 1st & 2nd Avenues in Highland Park, NJ.   Our usual meeting
schedule for the third Wednesday of the month will resume through the fall
(except for Holiday interference, etc.)

If you've never met up with us, the Knit-In is a loosely (!) organized
group of folks who live and/or work in the area and like to knit and drink
coffee & tea.  Knitters (and handicrafters of all kinds, really) are
welcome to join us!

Holler if you have questions, or would like to be removed from the mailing
list.  Sorry if you're getting this twice...Hope to see Wednesday.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 08:02:45 -0800
From: "Lisa Collins"
Subject: Knit: Shawl Cardigan by Sandy Black

Hi Knitting Friends:

I'm writing to request your assistance in locating a particular cardigan
pattern by designer Sandy Black.  It's a trompe l'oeil design that looks
like a black intarsia shawl over a beige cabled cardigan.  The bottom half
is done in beige cables, and then the top half switches over to the
black/multicolour intarsia with tassels on the bottom of the "shawl".  It
looks beautiful in the photograph that I saw yesterday, and a challenge to
knit, but alas, there was no indication as to where I might find the
pattern.

I'd love to find the pattern, and I'd also really appreciate feedback from
anyone out there who has knit this sweater.

Thanks for your collective wisdom.
Lisa Collins
lisa-mc@home.com

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 10:03:24 -0600
From: Carol Adams
Subject: Knit: Afghan Help

Hello, everyone. I am new to the list and consider myself only perhaps an
advanced beginner, so I think all you guys are awesome!  I have been
lurking for about a week, and intended to lurk longer, but find myself in
need of your help. My  husband and I have two young friends who are
planning a small wedding in January.  They have never been married before.
 She just turned 30 and he is 38.  After reading in yesterday's postings
about someone who made an off-white afghan for a wedding gift, I thought --
Eureka!  That's it!  I would love to make one, too.  I have a phone call in
to the couple to ask about colors, etc., for the new home, but I am looking
for a pattern, now.  I don't have a lot of time so something that's fast
would be great!  They are planning to wed in January! Yikes!  Maybe it's
too ambitious of a project, but I really would like to do this for them.
Can anyone out there help me? I would really appreciate it! Thanks. Carol
in IL

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 08:47:10 -0800
From: "Eileen B"
Subject: Knit: The Day After

Dear Friends:

Well, what an evening it was, eh?

Baby Sweater
==========
Unfortunately, I have a very sore finger that makes both knitting and typing
pretty uncomfortable.  However, it did mean I could finally, while watching
election returns, get most of the buttons on the EZ Baby Surprise Sweater
with epaulets.  I just have a couple to go and then it's DONE DONE DONE.

Hint from DM:  if you are sewing buttons on with thread instead of yarn, use
DMC embroidery floss.  There are something like 400 colors, you're bound to
find a color that matches!  I found the most perfect buttery yellow to go
with the Lion Brand Microspun I'm using. It's *invisible* when put up next
to my yarn.

Matching Binky Hat - I frogged bits of this so many times, I really feel I
made the hat at least twice. I couldn't find a smaller size circular for the
rolled brim, so I decreased 10% of the stitches.  I still need to finish the
points, but I need my little decorations for the points before I start that.
And a binky, of course!

I'll do pix of both when the points are done!

Other projects
==========
I think my new ADD meds will seriously decrease the number of new projects.
I imagine this is a good thing; I have no experience with NOT starting new
projects.

I have a couple other things on the needles, when I do knit, which isn't
much lately:

Scarf out of Trendsetter Wild Stuff. This is obviously not a cold-weather
scarf, but something very fun and colorful.  I don't have the label handy,
but it's very autumn, teal and rust and gold and green. Words fail me. I'm
just knitting about 30 stitches in garter. Every other row, I increase on
one end, decrease on the other, so I have a lovely diagonal and it goes
quickly. My only concern is, I didn't weigh the yarn, and I've wound it into
a ball. How do I know when I'm halfway there to start the increases and
decreases in the other direction?  I know,  a McMorran balance. I'm thinking
about it - there may be one in my future.  If that doesn't pan out, Woodland
Woolworks is only 50 miles from here, and would be a nice diversion.  I
could just knit til the end, buy another hank and go again, but at $44 per
hank, that's an expensive scarf.  I just want something to dress my up
decreasing self, something I can wear at all the different sizes I'm going
to go through.

Speaking of decreasing, I'm down 8.5 lbs from my all-time high. The fit of
clothes is changing, even at my size (I'm quite fluffy).  I have a
lightweight sweater tunic, that goes halfway to my knees now (which used to
really struggle over my, er, bum), and the sleeves are REALLY long. All that
after less than 10 lbs. Hard to believe, but I'll take it!

I started another scarf several weeks ago in Jameson and Smith, smoky
lavendar in a feather and fan. Maybe for me, don't know yet.

NonOKC - Kitty Related
=================
The name game is finally over for the kitten we adopted in August.  He's
been called all different things, some of which can't be repeated here
. We even had an election, the night before that other election.
Joey, because he spends so much time on his hind legs, with forelegs
dangling down.  He looks like a little kangaroo.  I think his formal name
should be something like Kangaroo Jones, with Joey for short.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=91998&a=8043016&p=31681602
 

Eileen
mailto:ebax@pcez.com
Knitting photos at
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=91998

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 12:05:15 EST
From: "Rita T."
Subject: Knit: Re: Kathleen's Hats/encouraging knitting

Greetings Knitters:   I hope some of you checked out Kathleen's preemie
hats, they are so cute.  Thanks Kathleen for sharing the Christmas light
pattern.  I'm going to use it on the next childs hat I make.  I've been
inspired by the designs shown on your photopoint page.  I appreciate all the
inspiration I get from this list and love hearing about the knit charity
events people attend.
 

I'm swatching with some lopi from stash, it's so old that the label says
it's Patons Lopi, anyone remember that?  I'm trying to get my Mom back into
knitting and I'm hoping this will work.  I have a jacket pattern that my Mom
saw and declared she should start knitting again.  I know she doesn't want
to go out and buy yarn so I invaded my stash and found this lopi in just the
right colors (I hope)so I've been swatching with it to see if it's going to
work.  I'm worried my Mom will get discouraged too easily so I'm babying her

It seems to be coming out okay, but I can't say that I like this pattern
myself, not the knitting or the look of it. It uses 3 colors, one main and 2
contrast, at a certain point in the pattern you have to go down 7 rows and
pick up a stitch and purl it together with the one already on the needle,
you do this twice, then purl 8 do it again etc.   This makes a very odd
fabric, kind of ugly I think.  My husband thought it looked awesome so I'm
hoping my Mom aggrees and just can't wait to start!!

Sincerely Rita
_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at
http://profiles.msn.com.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 09:05:20 -0800
From: "Sue Hulbert"
Subject: Knit: Knit - casting on

Hi Knitters - while reading the article in IK about the various ways of
casting on, I must confess that I have never learned the long tail method.
When I was just learning, at about age 4, I discovered the backward loop
method and thought it was quite fast and easy, but there was always a long
loop of yarn after the first row.  I do know a very good knitter who always
uses this method.  But my mother told me that I must do it right and taught
me the knitted on method.  This is still the method I use the most although
I use the cable cast on quite a lot.  I have never been able to get the hang
of the long tail way.

Speaking of IK, there were a couple of articles printed in white on a dark
background.  While this may be a design element, I wish the various
magazines would realize that this is very difficult to read.  White on a
pastel background is impossible.
 

Sue of Snohomish

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 11:42:35 -0500
From: Claudia Krisniski
Subject: Re: Knit: Afghan Help

Hi Carol

I am crawling off my couch (recovering from pneumonia)to write in about this
marvelous afghan that I have been recuperating under. It is very easy, very
fast, but not cheap to make. It was and continues to be one of the nicest things
I do for myself by crawling under it when I am cold and cranky, and I can't
imagine it not being appreciated by a newly wedded couple.

It's not a real pattern, because it is so easy:

Seed stitch afghan

1 set flex needles #13 or 15
1000 yards mohair (bulky) La Gran
1000 yards wool (bulky worsted) Lamb's Pride Worsted

gauge knitting with 1 strand of EACH yarn held together: 2 sts=1"

With 2 strands held together throughout, cast on 77  sts LOOSELY!!!!!!!
(cast on over both needles held together if your cast on edges tend to be
tight).  Work in seed stitch as follows:
Pattern Row : *k1,p1* repeat directions between ** across row ending k1.
Repeat Pattern Row until afghan measures 54” , or until you have 3 yards of your
yarn left* Bind off loosely in knit.

Hope this helps :)

Claudia...cough...at Countrywool
http://www.countrywool.com/
 

Carol Adams wrote:
>wedding gift, I thought --
> Eureka!  That's it!  I would love to make one, too.  I have a phone call in
> to the couple to ask about colors, etc., for the new home, but I am looking
> for a pattern, now.  I don't have a lot of time so something that's fast
> would be great!  They are planning to wed in January! Yikes!  Maybe it's
> too ambitious of a project, but I really would like to do this for them.
> Can anyone out there help me? I would really appreciate it! Thanks. Carol
> in IL

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 11:07:15 -0700 (MST)
From: Laurels P Sessler
Subject: Knit: Re: corn bags

I'm wondering if anyone has made these warmer bags with anything other
than corn--beans, lentils, rice, other seeds...?  I was thinking that
basmati rice, for instance, would smell heavenly when heated.  What
problems does one need to anticipate when considering "filler"?  Are there
some things that would cook too much, for example?

Laurels of Boulder

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 13:18:16 -0500
From: "Darcy Williams"
Subject: Knit: Fallen in Love, Chart convert

~~~Fallen in Love~~~
I have fallen in love.  Her name is St. Brigid.  She's from AS Aran
Knitting.  I need serious help.  Never before has a sweater attracted me so
much.  I usually stick to socks and the like.  I look at each pattern chart
and think I can handle them individually, but I'm afraid that dealing with
everything at once will overwhelm me.  I'd classify myself as an
intermediate knitter with some cabling experience who is an exceptionally
fast learner.  I know several listers have made this sweater and I'm looking
for your opinion.  I know you don't know me personally, but....Do you think
I could handle it?  Do you think it might be difficult enough that I get
frustrated and bored and stop working on it?  Would you recommend using a
yarn substitution or looking for AS heather?  Anything else?  TIA

~~~Chart Convert~~~
I have totally switched over from preferring written instructions to not
being able to stand them.  I used charts to make my shawl this summer, and
now I'm so frustrated when a pattern doesn't use charts.  I never would have
attempted a chart without the List--Thanks everyone!

Knit On...
Darcy in VA--praying for and dreading the end of the semester
dawill@mail.wm.edu

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 13:58:10 EST
From: TheMaurerFamily@aol.com
Subject: Knit: Lion Brand pattern query

Hi knitters!

I'm knitting up the "Knitted Flattering Sweater Jacket," a free pattern from
Lion Brand yarn, posted on the KnitU website.

Right now, I'm about an inch into the back. I'm using Lion Brand's Homespun
is the color shown on the model. Williamsburg #321. Very nice.

I just noticed in the pattern, however, that the number of stitches used for
the cast-on on the back is the same number as for EACH the right front and
the left front.

In other words, I'm knitting the medium size, which says "with larger
needles, cast on 69 sts" for the back. Then the Right Front instructions say
"with larger needles, cast on 69 sts." (Left Front is worked "as for Right
Front," reversing shaping.)

Does that make sense to you? I'm concerned that the right front (and left
front) will both be waaaaaaay wide if I cast on the same number.

Also, I've read through the instructions for the right front, and I'm
confused as to how the pocket is made. After five inches of seed st from the
bottom, the pocket is shaped thusly in a thuslike manner:

"Next row, bind off first 12 sts loosely, cont to end of row. Then you dec 1
st at end of row and then dec 1 st at dec edge every row 10 times. Then you
work even  until front measures 11 inches from beginning, then the neck is
shaped. ...  At the same time, when piece meas 21 inches from beg, shape
armhole..."

I'm stumped. How is the pocket made? I don't see where you go back to pick up
sts to make the back side of the pocket. It all appears to be one piece of
knitting.

Anyone familiar with this pattern or care to look at it off the KnitU site?
It really has me stumped.

Drats,

Susan, stumped in Raleigh, NC

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 14:03:58 -0500 (EST)
From: Alison Hyde
Subject: [none]

I'm doing much better today, which is a great relief.  The concussion seems
to finally be beginning to subside; I am much less dizzy today.  Many, many
thanks to all who wrote.  It really helped.

I have five brothers and sisters, and we take turns each year as to which
we're giving to for Christmas.  Having made afghans the last three years, my
sister Anne made it clear it was her turn this year for me to make her one.
I made the mistake of asking what color(s) she wanted.  She said navy blue,
or mostly blue.  Maybe some green, maybe a little rose in it, and she
described her living room in Atlanta.

I've been gradually reducing my stash--the kids were complaining about not
being able to get to the games in the toy closet because it has bags of yarn
nearly to the ceiling--but both my brothers had gotten navy blue afghans,
and I no longer had enough to make another one.  Then the car crash last
week, which although I'm feeling better, my car is toast and I haven't yet
wrestled with insurance over a rental--haven't been able to drive anyway....
Well, it's been about six years since I went on a Kaffe Fassette craze and
made two coats and umpteen sweaters in a zillion shades of mohair.  I
checked, and lo and behold, I have about three dozen+ shades of the stuff in
mostly blues and some bluey greens to make another afghan, Kaffe-style.
This will wipe me out of blue and green mohair, but that's okay.  I've only
gotten a few inches done, but it's gorgeous already, with 28 color changes
going across the row in a Big Diamonds-type pattern.  I knew someday I'd go
back to that mohair;  I'll have to tell Anne it's all her fault.  I've got
lots of earthy tones of it left to work with after her project; they would
look good on my living room furniture.  Hmmmm.  If I can put down the
lacemaking long enough, might happen, we'll see.  But meantime,
circumstances have pushed me into making what I really wanted to do anyway,
if I'd only been willing to admit it to myself beforehand: make a really
smashing multicolor afghan that would be so perfect in the house of someone
who is a successful watercolor artist.  Which Anne is.  Even the fiber
choice goes well with her paint choice.  This is so cool, I can't wait to
see it finished.

(Do I detect the slightest whiff of sisterly artistic competition?  Oh, no,
certainly not!....At 40 and 41, we've long since outgrown that, right?!!) :P

- --Alison Hyde, handspinner@artlover.com in Palo Alto, California

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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 13:12:09 -0600
From: "kris sudduth"
Subject: Knit: Fiber Festival in TX

ya'll come on down for the Kid and Ewe & Llama's Too Fiber Festival being
held this weekend in Johnson City (south central) Texas!
http://www.kidandewe.com
they have a web site this year..so please take a look and mosey on over and
enjoy the fiber filled booths...the sheep to shawl competition....critters
to look at...new gadgets to check out....and a wonderful group of people
from all the assorted email list that get to put faces with names!!!

Kris Sudduth   (Pedal Pushers sheep to shawl team)
BlackCloud Acres  ~~  Kemp, TX
mailto:sudduth@tvec.net
http://blackcloudacres.homestead.com

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 11:27:42 PST
From: "Bennie-Ruth Dean"
Subject: Knit: Unger Fluffy yarn

Hi Lister,

I was given a tremendous amount of Unger Fluffy yarn, in every conceivable
color.  It really looks like pretty stuff, but I don't have much experience
with the fuzzies. It's an all synthetic, and fuzzy - and I was wondering if
any of you have had any experience with it. If so :  Does it pill?, is the
needle size on the label the optimum size?, what kind of projects have you
used it on?  I know it will make sweaters, but I'd hate to spend the time on
it, if washing, etc. will turn it into a matted mess.  It was a well
intentioned gift, so all info will be appreciated - repond off list, if it
looks like no one else is interested.  All of your input will really be
appreciated.

Thanks again
Bennie-Ruth

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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 11:31:28 -0800 (PST)
From: Peggy Wileaver
Subject: Knit: Jaggerspun Yarn

I was told I could buy Jaggerspun yarn wholesale from their website.  Does
anyone have the url for them?  busy felting hats, etc.

thanks
Peggy
Champaign, IL

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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 13:33:48 -0800
From: Chris Craven
Subject: Knit: testing for fiber content

Can someone please review the simple tests for determining fiber
content of unlabeled yarn?  I found a huge cone of yarn at Value
Village for $% but I'm not sure if it's wool or what.  Thanks!

Chris Craven, exhausted from a long night of election madness in
Washington state.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 16:52:24 EST
From: AtAnchor@aol.com
Subject: Re: Knit: Re: corn bags

In a message dated 11/08/2000 1:15:58 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Laurels.Sessler@Colorado.EDU writes:

<< I'm wondering if anyone has made these warmer bags with anything other
 than corn--beans, lentils, rice, other seeds...?  >>

Most of the time, I use rice, it has a high moisture content, so I get nice,
moist heat.  I often add dried herbs or flowers to add a nice scent.  I
really like lavender, and is said to be quite relaxing.  I also have a cherry
pit pillow that I love.  It gives moist heat, has a terrific scent, and the
cherry pits make a gentle noise as they move and hit each other.  I've been
told that cherry pit pillows have been popular in the Netherlands for many
generations.

Susan

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 17:04:43 -0500
From: "Linda H. Wish"
Subject: Knit: "Moth-proofed" yarn question

Some of my older wool-ly yarns say "moth-proofed" or words to that effect.
I looked up "mothproof[ed]" in my mega-Oxford dictionary and all it said
was 'treated with chemicals repellant to moths' or something to that
effect. Well, duh, I didn't need to haul out the dictionary to figure that
out. My question is why none (or few????) -current- yarns say that they
have been moth-proofed. Have the chemicals been found to be harmful? Banned
by the EPA? The manufacturers just didn't spend the money on safety tests
to register the chemicals with the EPA, as now required? If they are/were
deemed unsafe, (1) what is the hazard (fetuses only, degradation of yarn,
cancer, liver damage, what?) and how severe or definite is the hazard?  (2)
do the chemicals degrade either with time or with washing? Toxicologists,
long-time LYSOs or designers. . . anyone else know? TIA, Linda in Atlanta,
longing for a Stitches Atlanta, mailto:orchidwish@home.com  (I sent this to
knitu several days ago and haven't seen it there)

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 14:11:17 -0800 (PST)
From: Ann McDonald
Subject: Knit: shawl and sock questions

A couple of questions - has anyone made the "Cats Paw"
shawl shown on the WoolyWest flier?  Any comments?
Skill level? I was thinking that making one in
Shetland jumperweight would make a nice one for my
grandmother.  Not too delicat in that but still lacy.
How about the other shawls there?

Another question - I was looking at the Socks^3 book
and saw several bed socks/house socks done in double
knitting.  But interestingly, they use slightly
different styles of double knitting.  And completely
different methods of turning the heel in double
knitting.  I was thinking of making up a pair in
worsted weight just to see how it worked, but I don't
have a pattern specific to that weight.  My WAGuess
for it would be to cast on 80 stitches and use 7s or
8s.  Anyone got a better feel for that?

I made up a knitlist blue sockie while waiting in a
doc's office for an hour.  That was kinda fun!  I
attached it to my quilt guild's name tag, so now I
have a quilting/knitting name tag! LOL!

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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 17:39:55 EST
From: DELTAYLOR@aol.com
Subject: Knit: knitted from the neck down

I am in need of some help from you knowledgeable people on the knitlist.  I
want to start another raglan sweater that I found on the net last year.  I
can't find it now.  Does anyone know where it went?  It is started at the
neck flat and then joins to knit the front and shoulders and back in the
round.  I just finished the one I started from the pattern but, I can't
remember how to start the back.  If anyone can help me I would greatly
appreciate it.
Thank you all, and I enjoy reading the list every day.

Dianne in Chattanooga

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 08:58:26 -0800
From: Joan
Subject: Knit: FO for VK!

Hi all,

  I just finished my first design to be incuded in Vogue Knitting
Magazine!

I've had two pieces included in the Knitting-on-the-Go books, but this
is a first for the magazine. It's something of a milestone, as I've
subscribed to them since the early 80's with out a moments' lapse and
made it something of a goal four years ago when I began knit designing
to have a design in VK.
  This will be in the '01 summer issue and is a leafy beach dress for
the 2 to 6 year old set in a cotton/nylon yarn called "Frosting" by
K1C2.

  Speaking of Vk, I am in love with Shirley Paden's lacy little black
party sweater of kid mohair in the current issue. Now if i can just talk
my mom into knitting it for me...(Fat chance!!)

  Speeding along on a project for Knitnet and their "Plain Brown
Wrapper" issue due out in Feb. I am sworn to secrecy as to the contents
of this issue and what I am making for it, but I will say that it is
right up my alley! Fun!

 Joan McGowan
 joanmac@whiteliesdesigns.com
 http://www.whiteliesdesigns.com - Three New Designs!! Come and have a
look!

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 08 Nov 2000 15:14:33 -0800
From: Lisa Kovshoff
Subject: Knit: Knitted Cowl Pattern

November 8/2000

Hi,

I'm looking for a knitted cowl pattern. There was one in a Vogue Magazine
from the late 80's - can anyone help me out?

Thanks.

Lisa
Knitwits Designs Wool Shoppe
Roberts Creek, B.C.
knitwits@uniserve.com

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 18:40:02 -0500
From: Lisa.Macy@aventis.com
Subject: Knit: Stress, Baby FOs, WIPs

Dear All:

- ---Stress---
The last few weeks have been very stressful for me. That's why I haven't
posted. My DFIL passed away in mid-October from pancreatic cancer. It was
expected, but it was much too soon. The weekend before he passed away (at
home), my DMIL (his wife) had a massive heart attack and had to have
angioplasty. Thankfully, I knitted through all this, in the Cardiac Care
waiting room and while sitting with my DFIL. In addition to these stresses,
my DH is sick. He has Hirschsprung's disease. (I only mention this in case
someone out there knows anything about it--I'd appreciate hearing from you
privately.) He will probably be having some kind of procedure in the next
few weeks. I expect to be knitting through it, too. (Unfortunately, last
week, when my DH had to go to the emergency room, I didn't have any knitting
with me--how awful!)

After all the KIP-ing, you'd think someone would notice, right? The main
person who did was my 7 yo DN, Breanna. When she saw that I was making a
baby blanket, she asked, "Is that for me?" I told her that she was too old
for baby blankets, but she didn't buy it. Of course, I gave it to her, and
she wore it proudly every day like a mini-shawl. It's nice when your
knitting is appreciated.

- ---Baby FOs---
My "baby care package" for my DSis finally got mailed today. Her first baby
(she's only 40) is due next week! I made her two baby blankets (one is the
Little Lambs blanket from the Vogue Baby Blankets book), two washcloths, two
burp pads, and a 5HBS in bright orange. My DBIL is a big Tennessee fan.
(Judy S. will understand.) I hope she will actually use all these instead of
putting them away as keepsakes. (I've had a couple of friends do that.)

- ---WIPs---
I'm trying to finish an afghan for my DSis for Christmas. I started it way
back before she was pregnant. I thought I'd be finished by now. I'm using my
favorite yarn--Encore-- and a pattern from the 7-Day Afghan Book.

I'm also working on dish towels and wash cloths to put into Thanksgiving
baskets that we're putting together at church. They're for Hurricane Floyd
victims. It's been over a year since all the flooding, and some people still
aren't back in their houses and are having trouble making ends meet.

I need to ignore the startitis that is bothering me and finish some things.
I made a pillow cover from a Plymouth Encore book, and I need to sew it
together. I also made a vest from a Leisure Arts leaflet that just needs
sewing side seams and picking up and knitting armhole ribbing. I'd
appreciate any encouragement!

Thanks for listening/reading!
Lisa Macy
lisa.macy@aventis.com
"The smallest action is greater than the grandest intention."

------------------------------

End of Knitlist Digest V2000 #4203
**********************************

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