Swift and Ball Winder!

This makes life a lot easier!

Sure is an interesting and uncomplicated

Swift - Skeiner .

www.paradisefibers.net

ordered on the 8th and received the 12th via UPS!

The worst part of buying  toys is the waiting, so 

when I received this in 4 days I was pleased 

and quickly assembled the swift, connected the

Ball Winder and started balling up my

yarn. No mess up, works smoothly

Ravelry subject of Vernena's Knitting on the Internet 101

Ravelry.com receives a positive critique in Verena's first English speaking knitting Summer 2008 magazine!  Europe's top knit magazine is acknowledging the knitting and crocheting community we know as Ravelry, "which may have truly revolutionized the way knitters use the Internet" they tell their readers. A glowing report on our new community, and the article goes on to recognize Jessica and Casey's all encompassing site. We all share the glow. Congratulations, and while  they are praised,  we are blessed.

Verena Knitting Summer 2008

Europe's top knit magazine Verena knitting Summer 2008 was laying on the table at my LYS, ABC's of Creative Pursuits, the cover shows a beautiful summer, short sleeve, scoop neck, orange-red cotton sweater.  This is the first issue published for the English speaking knitter.  OMG the patterns are original and don't seem a rendition of some other pattern.  The styles are the difference between the W store and the B stores.  This magazine even has children patterns for boys and girls.  I bought the magazine and took it home, filled a tall glass of sun tea and ice cubes then sat down to study the pics and then did a read of a couple patterns to see if I could follow the directions.  I called the 888 number and paid for my subscription and they are going to delay my first issue to be Fall 2008, so I won't get a duplicate of the "S 2008 issue.  

You need to see this publication you won't believe the value until you see all the patterns and the colorful pictures of models posing in the charmers. 

Halter top with strap

While cruising the Ravelry.com site, a community of knitters and crocheters,  I saw a darling baby bib that talented Designer Dehbiknits posted in her projects. As I studied the bib, with a thick strap, attached at one side, and fastened on the opposite side with a button and buttonhole connection I invisioned a halter top.  I don't have anymore babies in my life, all the grandkids are grown past the bib stage, six grandkids being girls, so when I looked at the bib, I  invisioned a halter top, with that  fashionable strap, which, for modesty's sake, would hold up the top. Not having a pattern, and being at a kindergarten level of learning and knowledge, in my knitting experience, I CO 149 st and used a seed stitch for the first 1", which is the bottom of the tube. I continued knitting, using a circular needle, in a st st.  I have communicated with Dehbiknits, who has an interesting blog, http://dehbi.wordpress.com about using her pattern to develope a top pattern for my granddaughters, and she was delighted.  

I wanted a 100% cotton yarn,  and decided that Red Heart Carefree Cotton, a blend of 51% cotton/49% acrylic (pink).  I swatched, first with Lion Brand Cottom Ease 50/50 blend (smoke lavender), and proceeded with the Red Heart.  The seed stitch, using the Lion Brand, was not as "sharp" and pointy as with the Red Heart.  I also, did a swatch using Louisa Harding's Nautical Cotton 100% cotton (grape-magenta) and my preference would be this gorgeous yarn, but the price is almost double the Red Heart.  The cotton/acrylic blend would dry faster than the other, so this is the choice of this knitter.  The Harding cotton will be used for me...