Random musings on Crazy for Ewe

Geometry Masters

2012-02-13T14:21:00.001-05:00

In the newsletter this week I talk about the new Berroco pattern book Geometry. Here's a quick look at all the patterns in the line. Just for fun I've linked each design to its mathematical namesake! You can see more photos, alternate views, and close-up details in the Geometry album on the Crazy for Ewe Facebook page here.

Monge

Zariski

Descartes

Navigating the blog

2012-02-08T12:25:00.000-05:00

I went on my daughter's Facebook page yesterday and she had implemented a new format - Timeline - or something like that. Suddenly everything looked different and it was hard for me to tell what was where. I was irritated and wished things were back the way they'd been. Then I thought about how I'd changed the blog format. Just sort of sprang it on you, didn't I? Sorry about that. All in all, I hear lots of positive comments about the pictures, but the new format has some drawbacks. It's harder to find a particular post or to look at posts by tag or to search for a particular word. Here's some help with all that.

First, you can choose to view the blog in a variety of formats. Right under the pink Crazy for Ewe header, there's a black menu bar. From this menu you can choose different ways to view the blog.

The first is Classic which gives you each post in its own page from most recent to oldest. Check out Classic view here. Personally, I find this to be the most cumbersome of all the views, but if you're new to the blog, it might be fun to just see and read everything from end to beginning.

The next option is Flipcard. This format still gives you lots of pictures, but it only displays the first picture in each post. When you hover over the picture, it flips over to show the date and the title of the post. It's fun, but the main benefit of the Flipcard format is that it allows you to view bog posts by label, date, or author. If you choose to view posts by label, it will group photos from recent posts by the labels I've assigned each post. The only downside is that it doesn't automatically display old posts. If you want to see all the older posts by label, use the scroll bar at the right of the screen to move down to the really old posts and then click label. This trick will give you a larger selection of posts by label - particularly helpful if you're looking for something you know is there but saw a while back - like an old pattern I might have posted a year or more ago.

Magazine is a format that's sort of a compromise between pictures and text. It displays the first photo and the first bit of the verbiage.

Like Flipcard, Mosaic displays the first picture in every post, only in Mosaic, the pictures are all different shapes and sizes. When you hover over a picture, the post title pops up. Click the photo for to go to the full post and all the photos in that post.

The view called Sidebar is my least favorite. It displays the current post in the center and recent posts on the left with a thumbnail and the title. It think it's hard to navigate because there's no quick way to get to the older posts.

The current default view is Snapshot. This view displays all of the pictures on all of the posts with the post title on the first picture. Click on any picture and you'll get the blog post where that picture appears. It's for people who just want to see all the pictures and maybe not look at the words at all.

Timeslide shows one picture, then a bit of text from the next posts then just the title of earlier posts. Not as many pictures.

Anyway, there are lots of ways to view the blog. I plan to change the default view just to see what works. I would be happy to hear which format you like best - but remember that regardless of what I choose as the default display, you can always choose your own favorite view and see the blog the way you like it.

Love that Lima

2012-02-08T10:17:00.001-05:00

I'm wearing my Paprika sweater today - it's officially my favorite new sweater of the year. I love the pattern, but I especially love the yarn, Lima. It's so soft and bouncy - you really have to try it. To entice you to give Lima a try, here's a free pattern for a cute scarf in several colors. In case that's not tempting enough, Come in this week and we'll give you 20% off 7 skeins or more of Lima - you gotta love that!

Photo courtesy of Rowan yarns

The retreat

2012-02-06T15:48:00.001-05:00

It was fun in Fredericksburg.We pretty much took up the entire lobby area Friday night happy hour!

I posted a bunch more pictures on the Crazy for Ewe Facebook page if you want to check them out. If you have pictures to share please send them to me, or post them on the Crazy for Ewe Facebook page yourself!

Groove

2012-02-06T15:08:00.001-05:00

Mary finished up the gorgeous Groove last week, and we took it outside for a photo shoot. It's a very cool pattern by Stephen West, and it's free on Knitty.

Mary selected two shades of the Acadia, different from the ones he used in the original, to show you how it would look in a different palette.

I love that you can style it so many different ways - here it is like a big scarf

or like a capelet

or almost like an easy-fitting cardi

It takes just two skeins each of two different colors - come get yours today and you'll have a perfect little something to throw over your shoulders this spring

Red Tweed done

2012-02-06T14:53:00.003-05:00

It lives in the La Plata shop right now, so please go by and try it on. I made the size 40 and 3/4 sleeves. After the collar was knit and sewn on I added a little chain stitch around the back of the neck which makes the collar pop. If I had it to do again, I would shape the shoulders in two rows since it has set in sleeves. This little mod would make the back hang better, I think. Should have known, but just didn't think that hard about it Even so, I do love it!

Coquille

2012-02-02T08:18:00.001-05:00

Just received our order of Noro Silk Garden Sock. Yes, I know, Noro had discontinued that yarn, but then they got smart and brought it back. The Noro powers that be realized that knitters LOVE Silk Garden Sock - not for socks - but for lots of other cool projects like Spectra and this fabulous little confection, Coquille. This one by Grinnifer is exceptionally lovely.

Photo courtesy of Grinnifer; used by permission

Get the free pattern on Knitty - short rows give Coquille that cute little ruffled edge. Love it. Check out all the gorgeous examples of Coquille on Ravelry here. Curious about the new colors of Silk Garden Sock? Here they are!

The redcoat is coming

2012-01-30T21:53:00.002-05:00

Finished knitting the collar today. It's not hard, but the pattern is anything but clear. What they want you to do is pick up stitches for the collar starting just inside the front border bands - in other words, begin with the right front where the neckline begins to curve, go across the back and then down the left front. In the size I made, I began and ended about 10 stitches away from the edge of each front border band.

When your stitches are all picked up, you'll work two rows of garter stitch, increasing 10 stitches across the second row. Then, working in your double seed stitch pattern, increase two stitches at the beginning of every row, and work these new stitches into your double seed stitch pattern as you go. You end up with a collar that looks like this.

You'll turn that collar edge toward the center to your front border bands like so, and stitch them in place. This design gives the jacket a nice stand up collar in the back and less bulk at the front.

If I get the newsletter done before 11, I'll seam mine tonight. Unfortunately, I think it's supposed to be something like 70 degrees tomorrow, so I probably won't be wearing it until the weather gets back to normal for January.

Nicole's Saroyan

2012-01-28T02:41:00.000-05:00

Nicole brought in her finished Saroyan Friday morning. She loved the one Denise had made into a large shawl and wanted to make a similar wrap. Using one strand of Rowan Wool Cotton and one strand of Rowan Kidsilk Haze on a size 9 needles. She increased to 12 increase leaves, worked 10 leaf sections straight and then did 12 leaf decrease sections. This will all make sense if you read the original Saroyan pattern.

Here's a closeup of the gorgeous fabric.

Oops - a success!

2012-01-27T14:12:00.002-05:00

We debuted Oops! Part I -- Reading Your Knitting last week in Leonardtown. What a fun class! Both novice and experienced knitters learned lots.

Gorgeous Graham

2012-01-27T11:48:00.002-05:00

Amy B. stopped by this morning with her beautiful new baby, Graham, born the day after Christmas. Doesn't she look fabulous!

And here's the star of the show - so sweet - just a month old. Thank you, Amy for letting Ginni and me get our baby fix.

Another fab Knit Noro Accessory by Mary

2012-01-26T22:10:00.002-05:00

I swear, she's a machine. Mary has finished another gorgeous project from the Knit Noro Accessories book. This is the diamond shawl. Modular construction, double decreases, and a cute little crocheted fringe. Silk Garden. Love it. You will too.

Chunky lacy Noro-y

2012-01-24T21:55:00.000-05:00

Mary knit up this chunky lace scarf from the Knit Noro Accessories book as soon as it arrived. She chose my favorite colorway of Kogorashi, which is a super soft blend of silk and wool. With three skeins, it's a nice long piece that you can wear lots of ways. I like it in this sort of Celtic knot style

but it's equally cute wrapped as a cowl.

The designer, Tanis Gray, (or whoever did the styling for the photo shoot) did a generous loop around the neck and gave it a loose tie in the front - also very nice. Isn't it amazing what professional lighting can do for a photograph!

I love every design in this book - did I mention that? This is one of the cool projects we'll be doing Thursday afternoons - both shops. Starts February 9th.

Gap-tastic Cowl

2012-01-18T22:29:00.003-05:00

We've had lots of fun with this giant cowl. It's is a free pattern on Ravelry - basically you're casting 131 or so stitches onto a size 11 circular needle and working it in the round in seed stitch until it's about 18" deep. Ginni taught her granddaughter and daughter-in-law to knit over the holiday, and here they are wearing them.

Ginni knit this one for the shop, but I've worn every day this week. It really does keep you nice an warm - you don't notice how warm until you take it off! Two skeins of Ushya and a size 11 needle.

Mary whipped this one up using Drift - she made it the full width as directed in the pattern. It' super luxurious, and I managed to wear it several times last week.

Nicole knit one in Noro Kogarashi. She made it a bit narrower than the pattern calls for so that it wouldn't be so bunchy around her neck. It looks great doubled

or worn long and scarf-like.

If you're interested in knitting one of these for yourself, join us Thursday afternoons at either shop. We'll be working on this project for the next couple of weeks. It's fun and fast and chic!

Friday's finished projects

2012-01-18T07:49:00.000-05:00

Carol was in wearing her gorgeous Boston Jacket worked in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool XL. She was all styled up with the jacket and a wrap, looking ever so fabulous and nonchalant.

Ginni finished her version of Nimbus, the free pattern for Peruvia Quick from Berroco. Ginni's version is longer and she's added a cable up each front panel. Come try it on - we'll be doing a knit-along on this jacket starting Tuesday the 24th in the afternoon - come join us.

Barbara Bershon was in with the sweet little Miss Bea sweater she's doing in Rowan Wool Cotton.

I'm so impressed with Barbara's intarsia work. You can see that there's no pulling or puckering, and best of all...no holes!

The lovely Violet was in (this might have been Thursday) with her beautiful jacket worked in Berroco Remix. Love the button detail on the front...

...and on the cuff. Great job, Violet

Ann looks great in her Lois jacket. She likes it so much that she's doing another one in gray. Looks just perfect on her, don't you think!

Great job, ladies. You all look stunning!

Cassi's wrap

2012-01-17T11:21:00.002-05:00

Adorable Cassie finished this wrap and came in last Wednesday night to pick out a shawl pin for it.
Isn't it cute! The pattern is Grey Owl Cowl, and it's free. You can get it through Ravelry here or go directly to the designer's site here. It's worked on a size 15 needles, so it would be perfect in Drift, or Ushya. A fabulous quick knit!

January First Friday project nearly complete!

2012-01-17T08:42:00.003-05:00

The back has been finished and ready to block for some time.

I have 8 more rows to do on the fronts then it'll be ready to bind off for the neckline

Sleeves are ready for blocking.

Really looking forward to wearing this one.

Intarsia lace scarf

2012-01-13T19:11:00.002-05:00

Finally received my second shipment of the fab new book Knit Noro Accessories. There are so many cool patterns in this book - I love them all. One of our fav's is the Intarsia Lace Scarf, which Sandy has been working up in Silk Garden.

The pattern calls for just one skein of Silk Garden divided into three sections, but this approach makes a really small scarf. We think it would look much better three times longer, so Sandy's pulled three skeins of Silk Garden. You can choose three different colors, or three skeins of the same color and just start them in different places. Either way, it's a gorgeous project. See...

We'll be offering a class on this for those of you who have never worked intarsia or lace - join us.

How 'bout those sheep!

2012-01-13T18:31:00.000-05:00

Sandy just emailed me this fun video. I think the real credit should go to those incredible border collies. If you listen carefully you can hear the whistle commands from the shepherds to the dogs. Too much fun!

The retreat is taking shape

2012-01-07T17:28:00.002-05:00

The knitting retreat is taking shape. We'll be staying at the brand new Courtyard Marriott in Fredricksburg, VA. It's a beautiful facility in the heart of the downtown shopping, dining, and art area. check it out on this cool video. There are tons of things to do, and in developing our first retreat, I’ve tried to strike a balance between planned activities and free time. We'll have a deluxe breakfast for you Saturday morning, followed by a finishing workshop. Saturday afternoon, I've arranged a special wine tasting with our group's particular tastes in mind. There's a hot Latin jazz dance band playing Friday night at Bistro Bethem that should be really great. We'll have a lovely Sunday brunch in the morning, and we can finish up our finishing. The rest of the day is free for you to do whatever you like. You can spend it knitting, shopping, or touring the town.   We'll have our own dedicated meeting space in the hotel all day Saturday and Sunday, so you will be welcome to hang out there any time as well.

There are several very nice restaurants in town, as well as in the hotel. I've prepared a list of top rated restaurants (including a terrific vegetarian place) and links to their sites, so you can check them out. I'll be posting that to the blog tomorrow. Most of the better restaurants recommend reservations, so if you want to be sure to get in to a particular restaurant, you'll want to call and make reservations. I've included my restaurant plans for Friday and Saturday night, and if you would like to join me, just let me know, and I'll be happy to make a group reservation.

Remember, that this is your retreat. You can participate in as many or as few of the planned activities, events and meet-ups as you like. Just know that they are there for you if you want to . However you choose to spend your time, it’s going to be a wonderful weekend full of fun and friendship.

Here’s the agenda

Friday, February 3rd

3:30 Check in

6:00 Meet in the atrium – enjoy a glass of wine or soda in the lounge area before dinner.

7:30    Dinner - I have made reservations at Bistro Bethem. Let me know if you want to join me.

10:00 Live band Sabor Afrocubano at Bistro Bethem

This band hot offers a hot and spicy mix of cha-cha, rumba, salsa and jazz original and 'Latinized' standard jazz tunes to satisfy your appetite whether you are a jazz lover or Salsa/Latin dancer. There's music and dancing until 1 a.m.

Saturday, February 4th

8:00-10:00 Sunrise Breakfast Buffet in the Kenmore Room

Menu
Assorted Chilled Fruit Juices
Fresh Sliced Seasonal Fruit with Berries
Oatmeal Served with Brown Sugar and Raisins
Croissants, Muffins and Bagels
Sweet Butter, Fruit Preserves, Cream Cheese
Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs
Smoked Bacon and Country Sausage
Breakfast Potatoes
French Toast with Warm Maple Syrup
Coffee and Tea

10:00-12:00 Finishing Workshop in the Kenmore Room

Bring a project that needs to be finished - we'll have the tools and the expertise to help you with blocking, seaming, picking up, whatever. I'll have several blocking boards on hand for you to use, as well as a small hand steamer to ready your garment pieces for perfect finishing.

3:30-5:30 Wine Tasting at Total Wine

Join us for a fun and relaxing introduction to some interesting new wines specially chosen to complement knit night foods. I've asked our host to offer a selection of delicious, affordable wine's that will suit a variety of palates - whether you like a dry red, or a nice Riesling. We'll get a discount on any wine tasted that day!

6:30 Meet in the atrium – enjoy a glass of wine or soda in the lounge area before dinner.

7:30 Dinner - I have made reservations at Ristorante Renato. Let me know if you would like to join me.

Sunday, February 5th

9:00 a.m. Sunday Brunch

Assorted Chilled Fruit Juices
Fresh Sliced Seasonal Fruit with Berries
Croissants, Danishes, Muffins and Bagels
Sweet Butter, Fruit Preserves, Cream Cheese
Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs
Smoked Bacon and Country Sausage
Breakfast Potatoes
Pancakes, Plain and Blueberry
with Warm Maple Syrup
Fruit, Cheese and Cracker Platter
Fresh Shrimp Cocktail
Smoked Salmon
Assorted quiches

12 p.m. Check out

Bring your bags to your car or to the Kenmore Room and hang out and knit as long as you like.

The cost for the weekend is $190 per person, assuming two people per room. If you have a roommate preference, please let me know. To register, please submit a non-refundable deposit of $75 by January 18th. We'll need the balance by January 31st. Call either La Plata (240-349-2853) or Leonardtown (301-475-2744) to register.

Zest

2012-01-02T20:15:00.003-05:00

Photo courtesy of Fern Knits

Here's a brand new pattern on Ravelry that I think you'll love - Zest! It's everything we like in a sweater - worked in the round, great size range, flattering waist shaping. Plus it has an interesting all-over lace pattern that's fully charted, so there's no guess work.

Photo courtesy of Fern Knits

The pattern calls for a light weight yarn - like beautiful Madeline Tosh Pashmina or Prism Saki worked at a gauge of 20 stitches/4 inches in pattern for a lovely drapey fabric. Yum.

Fabulous and fitting

2011-12-31T21:51:00.000-05:00

Friday morning my dear Susan was in with lots of show and tell. The most spectacular was this Estonian Lace shawl in Art Yarns Silk Mohair that she worked for her lovely and famous grandmother, Bel Kaufman.

This would not be TV knitting; in fact, it is the very definition of black box knitting.

Very, very nice, Susan. Your grandmother is definitely worth it.

Save the Date

2011-12-30T22:55:00.000-05:00

It's official! Crazy for Ewe is holding its first annual knitting retreat February 3rd through February 5th. We’ll be at the new Marriot Courtyard in downtown Fredricksburg for a weekend of knitting, friendship, and fun.

We selected Fredricksburg because it’s a beautiful historic town with lots of great little shops and restaurants, and it’s just far enough away for our first retreat. It will be about $190 for the two nights, assuming two to a room. The more people who sign up, the better rate we can get.

Some retreats are highly organized affairs with celebrity teachers, classes, and lots of scheduled activities. For our first retreat, I decided to keep it much more relaxed. We'll be together for breakfast, but we'll be on our own to explore the town, visit with friends, and of course, knit.

More fab finished projects

2011-12-30T17:34:00.000-05:00

Thursday in La Plata Duffy was in with her Tessa Vest - been finished, but now blocked and ready to wear. Fits perfectly.

Glenda was in with her one row repeat scarf in gorgeous Chadwick . She found the perfect Moving Mud closure to complement it.

Robinette also came in with her One Row Repeat scarf. Isn't it amazing how different the exact same stitch pattern can look with just a change in fiber. Robinette chose Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend and a strand of Kid Silk Haze. So yummy!

In case you're interested, the stitch pattern for both scarves is *knit 2, k1 through the back loop, p1* k2. You'll cast on a multiple of 4 stitches plus stitches. So, choose 14 (4x3+2) or 34 (4x8+2) or 42 (4x10+2). Every row is the same, so no matter where you stop, you're always on row 1. I LOVE this pattern.

New Year's Eve hours

2011-12-29T09:15:00.000-05:00

We will be open until 2 p.m. Saturday, New Year's Eve so that you can come get something fun to knit while you watch the ball drop in Times Square. On the other hand, if you'll be partying through the wee hours of the new year, perhaps you'll want something cozy to work on while you recuperate Sunday.