Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Teddy Bear Pinwheel

I have had a lot of requests for this pattern so here it is

Pinwheel Teddy Bear Sweater

Small amount of Worsted Weight yarn in 3 colours. I used elann Peruvian Highland Wool

A – Bisque
B – Irish Moss
C - Spiced Wine

5.5 mm ( US 9) double pointed needles.

5.5 mm (US 9) circular needles 40 cm and 60 cm (16” ).

Stitch marker.

2 stitch holders.

Scrap yarn.
Gauge: 18 st. and 24 rows = 10cm / 4" on 5.5mm (US 9) needles.

Directions:
Using 5.5mm double-pointed needles and first colour (natural) cast on 8 st. Place 2 sts. on the 1st needle, 4 sts on the 2nd needle, and 2 sts on the 3rd needle.

R1: Join in a round being careful not to twist the stitches. Knit into the front and the back of each stitch -16 st. on round, mark the beginning of the round with a stitch marker and move this up every round.

R2 and all even number rounds: Knit.

R3: yo, K2repeat to end of round, (6 sts on 1st needle; 12 sts on 2nd needle; 6 sts on 3rd needle).

R5: K3 yo, repeat to end of round. (8 sts on 1st needle; 16 sts on 2nd needle; 8 sts on 3rd needle).

R7: K4 yo, repeat to end of round. (10 sts on 1st needle; 20 sts on 2nd needle; 10 sts on 3rd needle).

R9: K5 yo, repeat to end of round. (12 sts on 1st needle; 24 sts on 2nd needle; 12 sts on 3rd needle). Change second colour B (Sage) on round 9.

Change to circular needles when you need to.

Continue increasing in this manner, changing colour every 9 rounds.
Continue until you have 9 st. between increases.

Next Round: knit the first set of 10 stitches, place the second set of 10 stitches on a holder, cast on 10 stitches using a provisional cast on - see below for provisional cast on instructions (this will be the sleeve later), continue knitting 4 more sets of 10 stitches , slip the next 10 stitches on a holder, cast on 10 stitches using a provisional cast on, knit the last 10 stitches.

Continue in pattern increasing and changing colour every 9th round until you have 15 stitches in each section.

Provisional cast on:
Using a crochet hook, a knitting needle, and a contrasting colour yarn, make a slip knot.

Put the crochet hook through the slip knot and hold in front of needle.

Bring yarn around the needle, from left over top of needle behind the needle then over the hook and make a stitch (the yarn around the needle is the stitch).

Repeat this until 10 stitches on the needle.

These stitches will become the other half of the armhole when needed and you continue knitting on these for the round sweater.
The Edge:

Change to colour B and knit 1 round

Next round, Knit into the front and back of every st.

Next round purl

Cast off
Sleeves:
With colour B and 5.5mm double pointed needles, pick up the 10 stitches from each side of the armhole (20 sts for each sleeve). Place a marker at the beginning of the round. Knit 10 rounds

Next round, Knit into the front and back of every st.

Next round purl

Cast off.
Sew in the ends.

Saturday, May 07, 2011

What Next

I have had a lot of people ask me what will I do next.  The answer is I don't know. It has been a little over a month since we closed the store. It took us 2 weeks to move out of the store and clean it ready for the next tenant and then the twins were born. That was a big event. So I haven't had much time to think about What next. For now I am going to get my yard looking good, knit and weave for all of my grand kids and enjoy the summer off. One of the reasons We closed the store was I realized I hadn't had a holiday except yarn shows in 6 years so I think I will take a long overdue holiday this summer.
I miss the store a bit and I am left with the world's largest stash, which I may use up if I live to be 180.
The one thing I don't understand and I have heard other people who retire say this too " I don't know how I had time to work"

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Twins arrived

Robert Allan Mackie
Hannah Adrian Mackie

Zyan William Zamisky

Meika Layne Shaflik and her new puppy Rocky
So sorry I am late with this post - the twins arrived safely on April 19 mid afternoon. They were each 6 pounds and 19" long. They are very sweet. There names are Hannah Adrain and Robert Allan Mackie. They stayed in hospital for a few days to get the feeding sorted out and now are home, happy, healthy and gaining weight. I didn't get near as much time with them as  wanted to but will see them soon again.
Above are pictures of all our grandchildren. I feel so blessed.

Friday, April 01, 2011

Fun Knits is closed and 1 last sale

We closed the store last night for good. The sale went amazing and I think every knitter on Quadra has enough yarn to do them a while.
We are heading to Naniamo today for one last show. The Vancouver Island Weavers and Spinners are having a retreat this weekend in Naniamo at the Grand Hotel  - 4898 Rutherford Road - There will be 4 vendors selling at the market and it is open to the public on Saturday afternoon 10 - 12 and 1-3. Everything in our booth will be 50% off. We still have lots of sock yarn, undyed yarn, a few philospher Sweater kits and some Louet sweater kits. Some books, needles and notions. Lots of Briggs and Little, Tempo and Tempo chunky all 50% off
If you are in the area come by for some great yarn bargains.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Sale 50% off everything

We just got back from Fibres West and sold loads of yarn but we have tons left. The store is still quite full and the selection is great. So shop early for the best selection. We are closing for good March 31.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Fibres West March 18-19

We are packed up and heading to Fibres West in Abbotsford. We are taking a huge amount of yarn, fleece, books and notions with us. Everything will be 30% off for the weekend since we are closing the store. We have so much sock yarn to sell so if you knit socks you don't want to miss this sale.
Hope to see you there.
Since we have most of the store with us, we are closing the store until next Tuesday March 22. The sale will continue in store until it is all gone or the end of March.

Sunday, March 06, 2011

Grand son #1 arrived


This is the newest member to our family. Zyan William Zamisky born March 5 at 9:39am. He weighs 8 and 1/2 pounds and is 21 and 1/4 inches long. Isn't he just perfect. We are extremely pleased to announce that Mom, Dad, Meika and Zyan are all doing fine. I can't wait to spend some quality time with this little guy. I think he looks a lot like his Dad.
Now we are awaiting the twins safe arrive in late April or early May. Nothing like spring babies.

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Fun Knits is Closing

Linda and I have decided we are both retiring from selling yarn. We have had fun over the last few years but know it is time to move on. We are having a great sale in store.

 Sale 30 % off everything - some yarns as much as 50% off

 All of the product will be taken off the internet as it will be too hard to manage accurate inventory counts. For internet customers please call the store for purchases 1-250-285-275. We will throw in a bonus for all orders over $75 - free shipping.

This month we are going to Fibres West March 18 -19 so the store will be closed while we are away as we will be taking most of the stock with us. We will be closed March 16- 20. This will be a great sale at Fibres West so if you are planning to attend don't miss our booth. 30 -50% off.

So come in or phone soon for best selection as the yarn will sell quickly at these prices.

As for the Sally Melville retreat  Sept 29 - Oct 2 . This is still happening and we look forward to seeing all of you who are coming. We do still have a few spaces left in this retreat.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Tea Towel Exchange on Ravelry

I participated in a tea towel exchnge on Ravelry. I made 7 towels and sent 6 of them to Sandra who organized this for Jane Stafford. Then I received 6 tea towels plus the one of my own I kept. So I know have 7 great tea towels. This was a fun exchange and I learned a lot about weaving as usual.
The towels I wove were tartan.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Yarn Kabobs Anyone

So what do you do with stray needles and yarn laying around and you don't know how to knit very well. Meika my 5 year old grand daughter has a solution. She made yarn kabobs. I thought I would share this so if anyone is really bored and tired of knitting they could try this. She had a great time making them

Meika proudly showing her 2 finished yarn kabobs

Meika making yarn kabobs

4 finished yarn kabobs

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Very Fun Baby Knitting





I am having a lot of fun knitting baby sweaters. I knit this little sweater using a free pattern from Knitting Pure and Simple. I knit with 10 different colours of Malabrigo worsted yarn in random Fair Isle that I made up as I knit. This sweater is for Megan and Zach's baby who is due early March. We don't know if the baby is a boy or a girl but this sweater will suit either sex. The little store teddy bear is modelling it for the pictures. The close up pictures of the patterns show the colour more accurate.

Next I will knit sweaters for the twins a boy and girl. I talked to my son last night so I got an idea of what they would like for sweaters.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Store Winter Hours

Linda and I decided that we will have winter hours for the store. It is cold,dark and even snowy today so we think these hours will be great for us and for our customers. More knitting time.
 So until end of March we will be open
Tues - 10 - 4 - opening at the usual time to accomodate the spinners group
Wed - Sat 11 - 4pm
Shelley

Friday, January 07, 2011

Pink Ocean


Finished my pink ocean ripple wrap, and I do so love it. Sweatermaker Island Hues Lace, my own pattern (free on our website). Used about 575 metres, for a finished length of 72 inches after blocking.



Tuesday, January 04, 2011

A New Year and some New Knitting


Do you make resolutions? I don't make sweeping resolutions as a general rule, but when it comes to knitting I do have some goals for this year.

1. Freeform knitting. I am hugely inspired by Jane Thornley, and would like to complete some freeform knitting this year.

2. Knit a sweater for myself. Both of my guys have gotten sweaters in the last year, it's my turn for a nice new sweater.

3. A pair of socks a month. I was inspired by the Yarn Harlot's self-imposed sock club in 2010, and will be trying something similar (although I may not have 12 pairs worth of sock yarn in my stash). I always give my mum socks at Christmas, and it would be great to have some pairs already put aside.

4. Finish my blanket! Again, both of my guys have blankets that I knitted, and I have been working on mine for two years. Mr. Kate even had the audacity to mention he might be due for a new one!

In the meantime, I am continuing to knit up a storm, currently working on fingerless mitts (found a great free pattern from Ravelry - Camp Out Fingerless Mitts), the first pair of 2011 socks and my Ocean Ripple in Pink. I so love Sweatermaker Island Hues Lace!


What are your goals in knitting/fibre this year?