Knitters' Frolic

  Last weekend Yarns Plus participated in the Downtown Knit Collective's annual show which also included workshops.  We had a great time introducing the knitting world to Tencel.  We were able to display a beautiful Estonian lace shawl knit by Reet Triefeldt using our 2/10 variegated Tencel.  We also had several socks on display knit with our new 3/5 variegated Tencel.  I was fortunate to be able to take part in a full day workshop on Sunday with Sally Melville.  She went through a lot of basics that us self-taught knitters just aren't aware of--various cast-ons and cast-offs, seaming, picking up stitches along selvedges to add trims in a way that won't leave any holes, bobbles, buttonholes, and so much more.  She had many gorgeous knit pieces to generously share with us.  Her work is so inspiring and not always complex. I would highly recommend her knitting books.  Sally's instructions are always very detailed and clear.  I am planning one of her tops in her first book, "The Knit Stitch".  All the patterns in this book are simply knit in the garter stitch.  I think I can handle that.  I am first going to dye some leftover silk noil tomorrow and then I will knit that up along with some tencel to give it a little zip. This will be my first ever knitting beyond scarves.  I am still working on the sample black silk lacey sleeve I'm designing to add to a woven jacket.  More about that later. Happy knitting!!