Warm Fuzzy Knits

Yarn & Math

2008-06-07T20:32:00.000-07:00

Math was never my favorite subject in school. In fact there was one math class in college I had to repeat because I failed it the first time. So maybe it's surprising how much I love knitting given the amount of math involved.

My husband emailed me this interesting article about knitting and math today. Enjoy!

~ Christina

Sweet & Easy Baby Quilt Class

2008-03-22T11:24:00.001-07:00

For my Birthday this year my sister Lissa gave me a "Sweet & Easy Baby Quilt Class" at Bobbin's Nest Studio (thanks Lis!).

The class was two sessions that were about 2 hours each. There are only two students so that we got lots of individual attention. Rita, the instructor was very patient and really knowledgeable. Plus I LOVE the sock monkey and polka dot fabric that I purchased at Bobbin's Nest Studio for the project.

To summarize: I had a blast, I learned a lot, and I have a cute new baby quilt that I made. So cool. I can't wait to make my next one!

~ Christina

Demand The Yarn Harlot Comes to the Bay Area

2008-03-02T20:02:00.000-08:00

I missed the last two times that the Yarn Harlot (aka Stephanie Pearl-McPhee) came to the area for a book tour. Now when I actually think I could make it to an event she isn't coming here...at least not yet. I found a post on Ravelry that links to a "Demand" sight where you can "demand" that Stephanie come to your town. So if you want to try and get her here, visit this site http://eventful.com/demand/D0-001-001443191-4 and click "Demand" on the top right of the screen.

~ Christina

The House That Yarn Built

2008-03-01T11:16:00.000-08:00

Bogie posted about a great charity organization and I wanted to share the details with you as well (Thanks Bogie!).

Make It Right welcomes groups and organizations who are willing to work together in raising money to sponsor an entire home for those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Christy is heading up a drive for The House that Yarn Built, a fund that the fiber faithful are contributing to build a NOLA house. If you contribute to The House that Yarn built, you can be eligible for:

- Fabulous fibery prizes that Christy will be giving away, generously donated for the cause. Once you've donated, send your name to Christy (christy@thehousethatyarnbuilt.com) to be entered in her drawing.

- A gift basket that Jenny and Nicole (Stash & Burn) put together when they shopped at the Stitches West Marketplace. Once you've donated, let Jenny and Nicole know in an email (stashandburn@gmail.com) with the subject heading: The House that Yarn Built and you'll be in their drawing. The deadline for the Stash & Burn drawing is March 18th.

Ready to donate? Go to Make It Right 9, click on "Click here to donate", then click the "Make Donation" button. Make sure you choose team "The House that Yarn Built" in the dropdown menu of the donation form.

~ Christina

Stitches West 2008

2008-02-27T19:57:00.000-08:00

I missed Stitches West 2007 because my son was only a couple of weeks old. So I was really looking forward to the event this year. My husband even agreed to watch our son the whole weekend as a Birthday present for me.

After picking-up my badge I made it to the Ravelry meet-up for about 45 minutes on Thursday night. It was so great to see so many knitting friends that I've missed this past year.

My plan was to then come back on Saturday to walk the market and then to work in the KnitWhits/Bobbin's Nest Studio booth at 1pm and then to head over to the shop for the Yarn Release Party that night.

On Friday night I came down with a really bad case of the flu. Chills, fever, achy body, pounding head, the works. I was so bummed. I stayed in bed all day on Saturday, coming out to eat, drink and blow my nose.

On Sunday I decided I just had to go to the Market for an hour. I really wanted some yarn from Brooks Farm and I couldn't wait another year. I barely remember stumbling around the show floor, but my purchases are evidence that I was indeed there.

Brooks Farm Duet in 23 & 25; Brooks Farm Primero in 160; Koigu KPM in 1113 & 4000; Koigu KPPPM in 325; buttons from "Buttons!"

Hopefully I'll get to go next year?

~ Christina

Amazing Crochet Art

2007-11-29T19:10:00.000-08:00

A friend sent me a link to these really great crochet pieces. I think the hamburger is my favorite, but the hot dog is a close second.

~ Christina

Riley's Elephant

2007-11-27T20:30:00.000-08:00

In anticipation of my nephew Riley's arrival I knit him a stuffed elephant.

My sister started having contractions and dilating at just 32 weeks so she's been in the hospital on strict bed rest for the last two weeks. This photos was taken on the hospital chair/bed my brother-in-law has been sleeping on (poor guy).

The pattern is from "Last Minute Knitted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson. I used two different colored strands (colors #s: 8400 & 4002) of Cascade 220 held together. I modified the pattern by making each section longer/taller as I wanted to felt it when I was done and I know felted knitting shrinks more heightwise. I also decided to knit a red scarf instead of a kerchief - also in Cascade 220 (color #: 9404). I used size 7 bamboo needles for all of the pieces. I'm not thrilled with how the arms look (you knit them seperately and then sew them on afterwards). I think if I were to knit this again I'd knit the arms directly onto the body. I'd also make the ears a lot smaller.

Hopefully Riley loves it!

~ Christina

Bobbin's Nest Studio

2007-11-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

A new sewing, knitting, crochet and embroidery retail store offering classes, packages, parties, and studio time has opened in Santa Clara.

Bobbin's Nest Studio
1171 Homestead Road, Suite 130
Santa Clara, California 95050
408.246.1121
www.bobbinsnest.com
Hours: Open: Tuesday- Saturday 11-7pm, Closed: Sunday and Monday

I've been by several times already and I love the ambiance of the store and the friendliness of the staff. My sister was looking for some yarn for a baby blanket and they spent over 15 minutes helping her pick out the perfect yarn (which included going to the back for over 16 balls of yarn several times - it was hard to make a decision). On another trip I took a seamstress friend with me and she bought this hard-to-find fabric she's been looking for. And of course I've purchased some great yarn for a few new secret projects I'm working on.

This Saturday at 11am they're opening the "Sewing Salon/Knitting Lounge" where sewing machines will be set up and ready for use! For $20/ hour you will be able to rent a sewing machine, use the cutting table, have access to their space and tools. As part of the opening of the salon/lounge they'll have "how-to" demos, a knitting guru on hand for one-on-one help and Jordana of Jordana Paige knitting bags will be there signing her bags from 1-3pm.

They're also starting a new weekly event called "Saturday Craft Brunch" that will be held every Saturday from 11-1pm. They'll have quiche, mimosas, scones, coffee and tea. What a great idea! I'm going to go by this Saturday and check it out. Hopefully I'll see you there!

~ Christina

Knitting & Tatoos

2007-09-06T23:03:00.001-07:00

I just came across an interesting article on Newsweek about microtrends, knitting and tatoos. A quote:

The fastest growing group of knitters are teens and twentysomethings...The microsurge in knitting among teens? It represents a turning away from the prevalent online obsession of most young Americans. “People are looking for new outlets of self-expression,” says Penn. “There is a premium on individuality that is rapidly rising.”

To read the whole article visit: Tatoos & Knitting.

~ Christina

Kyle's First Handknit Sweater

2007-05-20T14:31:00.001-07:00

I've been meaning to post about this for weeks now, but I'm finding that getting things done with an infant in the house can be challenging.

Anyhow, while I was pregnant with Kyle I knit him a pullover sweater. The pattern is the Children's Placket-Neck Pullover from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I used Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport. It's a 100% Superwash Wool and I used the Georgetown (152) color. About half-way through the project I found out that there was a pattern correction on the designers website, so I fudged my way through the original and corrected version of the pattern. But it was still a really easy knit and other then the pooling on the sleeves (which was the same on each sleeve, just reversed) I'm really happy with it.

We Put Kyle in it on the ride home from the hospital as he was born in January and it was a little cold that day. The sweater was too big for him then and I didn't get any great photos because I was still trying to figure out how to hold him much less take an unblurry, detail shot of a sweater he was wearing! Skip ahead to mid-April when we had a couple of chilly days and I got my opportunity to try it on him again.

It barely fit him! I couldn't believe how much he had grown in such a short time. Not to mention how big his belly was. Maybe horizontal stripes aren't a good look for him. :)

~ Christina

My Soldier

2007-03-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

My sister turned me on to this great website "My Soldier" that hooks civilians up with soldiers as pen pals. I'm not in support of the war in Iraq, but I am in support of the soldiers. The website has a link to some neat care package themes as well as a "Starter Kit" that includes a list of items that you can and can't send. And since March is Women's History Month the organization is offering a special opportunity to participate in a program called "Her Story". This program, unlike the regular My Soldier pen pal program is "...tailored to those groups or individuals who want to send some support without making a continuing commitment."

My sister has adopted a soldier and I'm planning to adopt one as well. Maybe you should too? Hopefully the letters and packages we send will brighten someone's day. Because hey, the world needs a little brightening.

~ Christina

Feather & Fan Shawl

2007-03-19T17:30:00.000-07:00

Last March (wow, a whole year has gone by) I posted about some of my purchases at Stitches West. One of them being a hank of Primero from Brooks Farm, which is 500 yards of two ply, sport weight, 100% Kid Mohair. Shortly after that post I started a Feather & Fan shawl from Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle using the Primero. The plan was to knit it to wear for my sister's wedding in Baja in May (I thought the feather and fan pattern kinda looked like waves and of course the blue yarn would add to that effect).

I started by knitting a swatch (crazy I know!) to see if I liked the pattern with the yarn and needles I was using. I then wet it and pinned it down to block it. I liked the way it turned out, so I made a few calculation based on the gauge I was getting to determine how many stitches I would need, and I cast on.

It was hard to see the pattern while I was knitting it as the stitches were bunched up on the needles. Plus lace just looks like a garbled mess until you block it. In any case I was making progress and diligently knit on it in the evenings in front of the TV. As the wedding date approached I was getting a bit nervous about finishing on time. I decided that I would bring the project with me and try and finish it as we vacationed in baja the week before the wedding. Unfortunately there were a few things my sister needed help with that week so I never got to finish the shawl. Fortunately the weather was beautiful and I didn't need the shawl.

Once I got home the shawl sat on the needles for a few of months before I picked it back up again. By that time I was pregnant and I wasn't in the mood to knit the first trimester of my pregnancy. However I finally finished it just before going on maternity leave. Now all I have left to do is block it (given I can find the time to do that in between Kyle's naps). I can't wait to see how it turned out!

~ Christina

Kyle John Nyquist Has Arrived!

2007-02-04T16:54:00.001-08:00

Kyle was born on Saturday, January 27 at 11:05pm. He weighed 6lbs, 11oz and was 18.5".

We brought Kyle home on Monday and have spent the week getting to know him and learning how to be parents. Once things settle down a bit and we get into a groove (will that ever happen?) I hope to post some of the knitting I completed before Kyle arrived.

~ Christina

Baby Knits

2006-10-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

So I promise this blog won't become all about babies, but baby knits are what I have been working on lately...when I have the energy to knit.

I decided to start with a manageable project: baby socks and a hat. I did some searching online and found a baby sock pattern I liked. It's the North Country Cotton Baby Socks pattern. I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn in color 608 that I bought from Three Dog Knit in Tahoe City. For the hat I just used an infant hat I had as a base for size and made up the pattern as I went along.

Baby Cashmerino Purple Sock and Hat Set

They look a bit big to me, so maybe they'll fit him when he's 6 months? Then again I won't how how big he is until after he's born!

I really like working with this yarn, so I went back and bought some more in color 204 to make another set. I'll post photos of it once I'm done.

~ Christina

Baby Boy

2006-09-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, sorry I haven't posted in forever. But I have a good excuse...I'm pregnant! (At least that sounded like a good excuse when I first typed it.) I'm due at the end of January so I'm just past the half-way mark.

Anyhow, getting ready for baby boy has kept me busy. I have found a little time to knit lately. Once I can get my act together and take some photos I'll post about it.

Thanks for your patience. :)

~ Christina

Stitches West 2006 Recap

2006-03-08T15:14:00.000-08:00

Better late than never, right? So I know I'm almost a month late with my Stitches West 2006 recap, but here it goes anyways.

The Thursday night of Stitches they hold a Market Preview for those who are attending Stitches classes. I was supposed to meet a few knitting friends for dinner before heading over to the Market Preview but a business meeting in SF ran long so I missed dinner (so sad). I got to the Santa Clara Convention Center where Stitches was being held about 20 minutes before the Market opened so I went and picked-up my vendor badge (from Stitch Diva Studios) and headed in to see if Jen needed any last minute help setting up.

I ran into Larissa from Offhand Designs in the SDS booth and since Jen didn't need any help Larissa and I decided to walk the floor and check out the vendors before the mad rush started. We ran into several people we usually see at the TNNA shows along with many local shop owners and knitters/bloggers. It was so much fun catching up with everyone as well as meeting new people (Larissa seems to know everyone!). I didn't buy anything just yet, I wanted to see what would still be on my mind when I came back on Saturday.

I didn't go to Stitches on Friday because I had to work (yuck!).

Saturday morning from 8:30am to 11:30am I had a Crochet for Knitters class with Edie Eckman. Our homework prior to arriving to class was to knit at least 4" x 4" square in stockinette stitch in a smooth worsted weight yarn and block it. I used some bright teal Cascade 220 I had laying around.

Crochet for Knitters Class Swatch

Edie then taught us how to single crochet onto the edge of the swatch, how to turn a corner in crochet and how to double crochet. Lastly she taught us how to start a crochet piece. Her handout was very detailed and pretty good. I'm glad I took the class.

After class I went to the Market and ended up buying this really cool sock dying kit I had seen Thursday night. Basically the vendor, Machine Knitting to Dye For, uses a knitting machine to knit stockinette stitch, then you can dye a pattern onto the "swatch", and rip it out and reknit with it.

Sock Yarn Dye Kit

She includes a pattern for socks and instructions on how to place the dye so the socks will be self striping. I'm excited to try it.

I also purchased two hanks from Brooks Farm. One of Primero, which is 500 yards of two ply, sport weight, 100% Kid Mohair. The sheen on this yarn is just amazing. I'm going to try and knit a shawl with it to wear over my bridesmaids dress for my sister's wedding reception.

Brooks Farm Primero & Duet Yarn

The second is a hank of Duet, which is 500 yards of two ply, DK weight 55% kid mohair and 45% fine wool. I just fell in love with the color. I'm not sure what it will be. Maybe a shawl as well.

On Sunday I invited my Mom to join me at the Stitches Market before I headed to my afternoon class. She had so much fun looking at all of the yarn, especially the hand painted ribbon. The only purchase I made that day was the Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls book by Martha Waterman.

Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls by Martha Waterman

Just before I headed off to my 1:30pm class we stopped by the main stage for the big prize drawing. (Plus I still needed to finish my homework for class!) Janis over at knitflix was the big winner and if anyone deserved to win she did. She's an amazing knitter.

My Sunday afternoon class was Not Over 'Til It's Finished again with Edie Eckman. The homework for this class was to knit two - I'll call them "sweater fronts" for lack of a better term - following a specific pattern Edie dictated. Again I used cascade 200, this time in a bright orange color. Then during the class Edie told us how to block them, pick-up stitches, weave in ends and she showed us a near invisible seam technique.

Finishing Class Swatch - Front & Back

The main focus on the class was planning ahead. How finishing starts way before you pick-up your knitting needles. I'm glad I took the class, and I learned a lot, but I wish we had been shown more. Many times Edie just said "do x" without showing us how.

After class I met up with Tina Whitmore of KnitWhits and we grabbed a bite to eat and gabbed about knitting. It was a great weekend and I'm already looking forward to Stitches West 2007!

~ Christina

Related Posts:
October 26 Stitches West Classes

Fun Socks Completed!

2006-03-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

I finally finished the Meilenweit Fun Socks for my sister a few weeks ago. We celebrated her Birthday on Friday night, so I gave them to her then along with her Birthday presents. It felt great to finally have them done and they are officially the first FO for 2006.

Meilenweit Fun Socks, FO 2006-01

On Wednesday I finished another long overdue WIP. I'll post about it with photos sometime this week!

~ Christina

Related Posts:
June 21 Bad Travel Karma & TNNA Review
July 14 Fun Socks Update
July 26 Fun Sock 01 Finished
December 16 So Close

I Caught the Clapotis Bug

2006-03-01T16:50:00.000-08:00

I really like the pattern (it's free from Knitty) and the yarn I'm using has been really great to knit with...but the name...Clapotis...it sounds like a very unpleasant disease.

I started my Clapotis while on vacation in Hawaii. I had already wound a couple of hanks of the Artyarns Supermerino yarn and had it, the pattern, and the right size needles, just sitting in a bag. So when it was time to run out the door to the airport it was an easy project to grab and go.

It's worked from corner to corner, with kfb increases (knit in the front and then into the back of the same stitch) on the end of each row. I'm almost at the point where I'll drop the stitches at each marker, which is where it will start to look more like the photo on Knitty).

Clapotis in Artyarns Supermerino - almost at the end of Section 2 of the pattern.

I'm a bit bummed about the pooling of the yarn in places, but not enough to do anything about it (like working from two hanks of yarn at the same time). I just have to think of it as an organic piece that will tell me what it's going to look like.

I think I can do that. Maybe.

~ Christina

Related Posts:
May 30 CommuKNITy Yarn Purchase

Winter TNNA 2006

2006-02-28T20:55:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'm finally getting around to posting about my trip to TNNA in San Diego this January. I went to help my friend the very talented Tina Whitmore of KnitWhits. Her booth was on the corner this year so that allowed her to display her kits and designs on the isle as well as in the booth.

Tina Whitmore in the KnitWhits Booth at TNNA in San Diego, January 2006

The big sellers were two of Tina's new purse designs: Marit & Elyse. The shops really liked the fact that the Marit purse handles were included in the kit.

Marit, Elyse Seafoam & Elyse Salsa from KnitWhits

My favorite part of the trip, other then spending several days surrounded by yarn and knitting, was spending time with other vendor friends. Jennifer Hansen from Stitch Diva Studios, and her trusty sidekick Stephanie Ryan were there with funky and fun new patterns. Seeing her great crochet patterns made me want to learn to crochet. Larisa Flint Snydal from Offhand Designs was there with some cool new bag designs. I really liked the shape of her new "Eve" bag. And Nadine Curtis from Be Sweet was showing off her luscious yarn. She had a throw she called "Heaven & Hell" that was beautiful. It's made from Baby Mohair and one side is brushed so it's really soft, while the other is left along and is curly and a bit scratchy.

Tina, Jen, Me & Steph at TNNA in San Diego, January 2006

Friday was set-up day and coincidentally there was an Action Sports event happening on the other side of the convention center that day. That sparked my memory that my Brother-in-Law Ryan said he was heading to San Diego in January...maybe it was the same time I was there? It was and so he came by Thursday and he and I and his girlfriend and Tina walked to the nearby Gaslamp Quarter for lunch. Then it was back to booth set-up. At the end of the day we got a visit from a goofy Jen.

Jennifer Hansen goofing off with Tina Whitmore's Flore Hat

Saturday was the first day the show floor was open and we were busy taking orders and talking with store owners. That night Tina and I went to dinner at a so-so Thai restaurant with Larissa.

Sunday was another busy day in the booth and that night we went to a super yummy dinner at Island Prime. I had one of the best filet mignon steaks I've ever had and I ordered Risotto as a side dish. You order your meat, and then you pick a sauce, a rub, a compound butter or a mustard. Then you can also choose a side dish that the table can share. It was right on the harbor so there is an amazing view of downtown. I guess the owner is some celebrity chef - Deborah Scott. I'm definitely going back to that restaurant the next time I'm in San Diego.

Monday was the last day for the show, and after working the booth for the day we tore everything down and packed up. I flew home that night (I learned that day that my Mom was in the hospital).

When I got home Tina sent me a box of yarn as a Thank You. Lucky me! Included were ten balls each of Cascade 220 Superwash in colors 831, 847, 824, Cascade Pastaza in color 27 and Di've in color 32011. I think I'll use the Superwash for some baby projects I have on my to-do list. The Pastaza and Di've will probably become sweaters for me.

Cascade Superwash, Pastaza & Di've

All-in-all it was a great trip. I'm looking forward to the East Coast show in June!

~ Christina

Did You Miss Me?

2006-02-21T08:32:00.000-08:00

(Even if you didn't, just say you did, OK?)

Sorry I've been absent for so long. My Mom was in the hospital and I've been dealing with that. Everything is going to be OK, so now I can focus on blogging again. I have lots to say and show. :) But first I'll start with this Meme that Mel tagged me with:

Four jobs in your life:
1. Sales Associate at President Tuxedo
2. Speaker Coordinator at Mactivity
3. Event Coordinator at SEMI
4. Co-Owner and Client Liaison at Nyquist Design

Four movies you could watch over and over:
1. Happy Gilmore
2. American Pie
3. Clueless
4. Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. Amazing Race
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. Desperate Housewives
4. West Wing

Four places you have lived:
1. San Jose, CA
2. San Luis Obispo, CA
3. San Francisco, CA
4. Los Gatos, CA

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Turkey
2. Australia
3. Czech Republic
4. Costa Rica

Four websites you visit daily:
1. Bloglines
2. Google
3. LinkedIn
4. Nyquist Design

Four of your favorite foods:
1. Ice Cream
2. Yellow Curry Chicken
3. Chicken Tikka Masala
4. Guacamole & Chips

Four places you'd rather be right now:
1. In Baja under the palapa
2. Getting a body treatment at a spa
3. Sitting in a café knitting w/friends
4. Snuggled up on the couch watching TV with Ian

Four favorite types of yarn:
1. Manos del Uraguay
2. ArtYarns Supermerino
3. Karabella Aurora 8
4. Cascade 220

Four bloggers I'm tagging:
1. Nancy
2. Julia
3. Nathania
4. SequinK

~ Christina

Back from Hawaii...Off to TNNA

2006-01-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

We just got back from an amazing trip to Hawaii (see my family blog for photos and details) and now I'm of to TNNA in San Diego to help my friend Tina in the KnitWhits booth. I hope to have knitting to report and photos to show when I get back.

~ Christina

Aloha

2005-12-31T19:33:00.000-08:00

And Happy New Year! I hope your 2006 is filled with excitement, growth and happiness. We're off to Hawaii.

We're going to try and post about our Hawaiian adventures on our family blog - http://nyquist.blogspot.com. Check it out if you're so inclined. Ta ta for now!

~ Christina

Happy Holidays!

2005-12-25T22:33:00.000-08:00

To those of you who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas! I hope your day was filled with love and happiness.

~ Christina

So Close...

2005-12-16T16:19:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to get these Meilenweit Fun Socks done by Christmas, but the progress has been so slow. I keep getting distracted by other projects.

Meilenweit Fun Socks in Progress. Towards the bottom of the photo you can see a cool stitch marker Zoot gave me. I'm using it to mark the beginning of the round.

I'm past the gusset shaping and just have to knit about 2.5" more and then I can start decreasing for the toe. Nine more days until Christmas. I just might make it.

~ Christina

Related Posts:
June 21 Bad Travel Karma & TNNA Review
July 14 Fun Socks Update
July 26 Fun Sock 01 Finished