tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233679422024-03-07T22:24:59.441-05:00I'd Rather Be Knitting At the BeachMusings on knitting and other things I loveJersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.comBlogger423125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-85896770880474053612015-04-14T22:37:00.000-04:002015-04-14T22:37:00.469-04:00First Spring Finished Object! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoc3yh1Ezg0hTAAhFtRG0kkMLwBV4qyDuLhFIEuaqJ6qpe9naMzgSJa4oHrWNDmMCkZa99CS36Dz27BajuKVaGJMznAo4qxZCA-cjazzZMO7b3O65KxNH9NM7_-GxbI3NNsTpgtQ/s1600/IMG_1616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoc3yh1Ezg0hTAAhFtRG0kkMLwBV4qyDuLhFIEuaqJ6qpe9naMzgSJa4oHrWNDmMCkZa99CS36Dz27BajuKVaGJMznAo4qxZCA-cjazzZMO7b3O65KxNH9NM7_-GxbI3NNsTpgtQ/s1600/IMG_1616.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a>Following that heavy poncho from my last post--which I HAVE worn in my chilly home office--I veered completely in the other direction and knit an airy, lacy silk scarf called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb/allegria">Allegria</a>, a beautiful pattern by Emma Fassio. I used the gorgeous <a href="http://habutextiles.com/A-1">Habu Silk</a> that was left over from my daughter's Ombre Tank Top, in the natural color, and I think it came out great. I was especially happy to take a few photos of it outside, and hopefully will get someone to take pics of it on me over the weekend.<br />
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This was a great introduction to using lace weight yarn, which I think I have only done one other time. I wasn't sure I liked it at first, but I got to love it, and it's certainly a nice change from all of the bulky things I knit all winter and that dominate my Etsy shop. I may now shop for some lace weight for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nuvem">Nuvem</a> shawl when I go on the <a href="https://njwoolwalk.wordpress.com/about-2/">NJ Wool Wal</a>k on Friday with one of my Panera knitting group friends.<br />
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Now that the scarf is done, I'm moving on to more stash-busting, and I'm determined to use up the 1900 yards of bright red <a href="http://brownsheep.com/yarns/cotton-fleece">Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece</a> that has been in my stash since 2008. I guess it's the oldest worsted in my stash. I had originally bought it for the Central Park Hoodie, but my taste has changed a bit (although I would like to make that sweater one day), and after some back and forth with a bunch of patterns, I've decided on the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-line-hoodie">A-line Hoodie</a> by Diane Soucy, from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knit-Red-Stitching-Womens-Health/dp/1936096420">Knit Red: Stitching for Women's Heart Health.</a> I've had this book for years and this sweater was one of the reasons I bought the book--but I've never knit one thing from it. So if I successfully complete this project, I will not only have used up a nice chunk of stash, but also used a book for the first time. Good for me!<br />
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Back to the Wool Walk, we're planning on going to about 6 shops on Friday--will report back!Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-2794893530721636202015-03-08T22:27:00.002-04:002015-03-08T22:27:49.320-04:00I Think I Made Winter Go Away......by finishing my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/penelope-poncho-2">Penelope Poncho</a>. This super-bulky poncho (or as my son commented, "You're knitting a <a href="http://www.mysnuggiestore.com/">Snuggie</a>!") was meant to be a stand-in for the blanket that I've been "wearing" in my drafty home office. I finished it today, just as the temperature skyrocketed to nearly 50 degrees--which feels like 80 degrees in comparison to the past 6 weeks or so.<br />
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The poncho was fun, easy and I think it looks nice. I think I'll still have some drafty days to wear it inside, but soon I may also be able to use it as outerwear in that transitional period between coat and light jacket.<br />
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I've also been making nice progress on my Manos <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/four-seasons-throws">Autumn Throw</a>, with the discipline that I work on it every Saturday at Knitting Group and continue with a few extra rows during the rest of the weekend. I hope to have it finished by next winter!<br />
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Now that the poncho is done, I'll cast on my second <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gap-tastic-cowl">GAP-tastic Cowl</a> to use up the yarn I had left from the Shalom Cardi. I still need to determine, based on where I am on that, what project I will take on our forthcoming trip to California. Two long flights with ample knitting time!<br />
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In foodie news, we had a wonderful dinner at <a href="http://www.qualityitalian.com/home.cfm">Quality Italian</a> in NYC this weekend while my son was home for spring break. Just as delicious the second time.<br />
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Tomorrow I will try my next crockpot recipe, a Creole Shrimp dish from <i><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/282882420318843217/">The Southern Bite</a></i>. Will report back on how it turns out!Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-57783681985500347852015-01-26T12:54:00.000-05:002015-01-26T12:54:26.079-05:00New Finished Object: Burberry Inspired CowlWhile waiting for the serious snow to come down tonight, I took some indoor pictures of my newest finished object, the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb/burberry-inspired-cowl-neck-scarf">Burberry Inspired Cowl</a>. It's knit out of one of my all-time favorite yarns, <a href="http://www.mistialpaca.com/yarns/collection/chunky/">Misti Alpaca Chunky</a>, in a color way that Misti calls "Chartreuse Melange," but I call a variation on olive green. Like the other cowl I made from this yarn, this one feels like a warm and luxurious hug around my neck!<br />
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Hopefully this new addition to my winter wardrobe will be out playing in the snow tomorrow! Stay tuned.Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-52831272278373520022015-01-25T17:32:00.000-05:002015-01-25T17:32:27.260-05:00Cocooning with Knitting and the Slow CookerIt sounds like we will be getting a substantial amount of snow here in NJ tomorrow night into Tuesday. While I work from home so I can do my job regardless of the storm, the forecast has motivated me to stock up on comfort food and start some cozy knitting projects.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m20gNQ3dWWtBg8PkNpjeDRWjAmoeKRVN9tA3uRaGerhibJuGzHNoAcchu2MpxLxVf1Qo9LnYnk6C827S1lKclbrrAQCl4yg6shOAjoieL7Lvk1CIs_CFHx0yBXx5wi4_q6XhsQ/s1600/e235de17ac9bfca4fcf2327131b48124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m20gNQ3dWWtBg8PkNpjeDRWjAmoeKRVN9tA3uRaGerhibJuGzHNoAcchu2MpxLxVf1Qo9LnYnk6C827S1lKclbrrAQCl4yg6shOAjoieL7Lvk1CIs_CFHx0yBXx5wi4_q6XhsQ/s1600/e235de17ac9bfca4fcf2327131b48124.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
We bought a slow cooker last winter and I have fallen in love with it. There are so many healthy recipes and it's so easy! Even for someone who is not a great cook (me), I can make delicious meals that cook while I'm working upstairs all day. Last week I made a favorite, <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/46584177371394949/">Soy & Lime Chicken Wings</a>,<br />
and today I picked up a Pork Shoulder to make this <a href="https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/slow-cooker-pork-roast/">Slow Cooker Pork Roast.</a> I think it's going to be delicious!<br />
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As for knitting, I did start working on the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shalom-cardigan">Shalom Cardigan</a> using the "mystery" yarn I blogged about last week. The yarn feels great and I think this is going to knit up quickly. It's fairly mindless so I can take it with me to my book group this week (unless, of course, we are snowed out). But for my business trip to Chicago this coming weekend, I think I'll take my <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html">Monkey Socks</a>, which have been on my needles for ages as a back-up project. It would be nice to have another pair of socks to rotate in to my sock drawer during these cold, snowy days!Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-59458207799160971032015-01-18T21:26:00.000-05:002015-01-20T10:28:37.406-05:00Repurposing Yarn<a href="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/swatch-of-mystery-yarn.jpg?w=150" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Swatch of Mystery Yarn" border="0" class=" size-thumbnail wp-image-1568 alignleft" height="138" src="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/swatch-of-mystery-yarn.jpg?w=150" width="320" /></a><a href="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/swatch-of-mystery-yarn.jpg"><br /></a>I went to my first <a href="http://www.bakg.org/BAKG1/HomePage.html">Big Apple Knitters Guild </a>meeting last Saturday, to meet a friend who had been my classmate in the <a href="http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/">Craft Yarn Council's</a> <a href="http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/teach.html">Certified Instructor Program</a> at FIT in December.<br />
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The January BAKG meeting is always a yarn auction that benefits the Guild. Given the tremendous size of my stash, I sat and knit through 99% of the auction and didn't bid on anything, until a lonely bag of what looked like dark green and black variegated yarn came up at the end of the auction. No one seemed to want it, and I thought it was pretty, so I bid $3 and got it. My friend recommended that I reskein and wash the yarn, since it was wound into very tight balls and washing it would give it new life (and remove any trace of pets if there had been any in the previous yarn owner's home).<br />
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I went home that night and did just that, winding the yarn around my knees instead of getting out my wooden swift and ball winder. Lo and behold, I discovered that the yarn was actually a strand of dark green wool and a strand of black wool wound together:<img alt="FullSizeRender" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1561" height="32" src="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/fullsizerender.jpg?w=150" width="150" /><br />
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but some of the balls had a fuzzy, thin black strand instead of one that matched the thickness and characteristics of the dark green.<img alt="FullSizeRender" class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-1565" height="33" src="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/fullsizerender4.jpg?w=150" width="150" /><br />
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Once my skeins were washed and hung to dry, I studied them and decided to get rid of the fuzzy thin black and replace it with a comparable black yarn once I knew the yarn weight. When all were dry and beautifully rewound into cakes,<a href="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/mystery-yarn-wound-together.jpg?w=150" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Mystery Yarn Wound Together" border="0" class=" wp-image-1567 alignright" height="55" src="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/mystery-yarn-wound-together.jpg?w=150" width="58" /></a><br />
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I determined that each yarn was worsted weight, and held together, they made a bulky weight that watched to about 14 stitches/4" on #9 needles.<br />
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I have about 380 yards of the dark green/black combo, and another 338 yards of the dark green that will wait for a comparable black companion (I think <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Wool_of_the_Andes_Worsted_Yarn__D5420103.html">KnitPicks Wool of the Andes</a> will work just fine). And I've decided that the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shalom-cardigan">Shalom Cardigan</a> will look great knit up in this yarn. I'll probably order the KnitPicks yarn within the next week and hopefully cast on soon!<br />
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Some people may be wondering whether all of this work and analysis was worth it for a $3 bag of yarn, but I got a lot of satisfaction out of this whole process and learned a great deal. Besides, I think it's kind of cool to repurpose yarn that has its own mysterious history. I'll keep you posted as the story continues!<br />
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<a href="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_1488.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1488" class=" wp-image-1560 alignright" height="130" src="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/img_1488.jpg?w=126" width="111" /></a>P.S. I've been busy making several very warm knitted accessories, starting with my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb/neverending-story">Never-ending Story Cowl. </a>Will post details soon!Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-66770064134215419962014-12-29T15:52:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:02:46.790-05:002014 - A Transitional Year in ReviewWell, my assumption that my new job would give me more time to knit and to blog has not exactly panned out, but I feel the tide beginning to turn now, as we reach the end of the year.<br/><br/>In my annual knitting recap, according to <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb">Ravelry</a> I've completed 15 projects this year, and that doesn't count the pretty hefty amount of contract knitting I did all summer and through the fall, ending at the beginning of December. It also leaves out all of the knitted accessories I made for a craft show where I sold (or tried to sell!) items from my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SchoolSpiritKnits">Etsy shop</a>.<br/><br/><a href="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/img_1606.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-1557" src="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/img_1606.jpg?w=198" alt="IMG_1606" width="95" height="139" /></a><br/><br/>My 15 finished objects include: 3 scarves or cowls, 3 hats, 2 shawls, 2 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of fingerless gloves, 1 poncho, 1 tank top, and 1 Valentine's Day washcloth. I may finish another item--the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/neverending-story">Never-ending Story Cowl</a>, which I just started last night with yarn I bought two years ago (from two LYS's that have since gone out of business), and from one of my favorite go-to knitting books, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cowl-Girls-Necks-Carron-Collection/dp/1936096048">Cowlgirls</a>.<br/><br/>In early December I also completed the <a href="http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/teach.html">Craft Yarn Council's Certified Knitting Instructor program</a> over a weekend at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. It was a fabulous experience--I met great people and learned a lot, and I'm probably going to start teaching at my local public library after the New Year and see where we go from there. That motivated me to find a local knitting group, and I have been enjoying my Saturday mornings with the Union County Crafters in NJ. I would like to try to attend meetings of the Big Apple Knitting Guild in NYC with my CYC class friends; I think I'll be able to make that happen in 2015.<br/><br/>I will also pick up the contract knitting again, but need a bit more time to luxuriate in my own projects from deep stash that I love so much!<br/><br/>Wishing all of you a productive year filled with gratifying and relaxing knitting and crafting!Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-34622447041631381432014-09-06T16:11:00.000-04:002015-01-19T08:02:46.699-05:00Beginnings and Endings<p>When I last posted (which I thought was longer ago than it's been), I had hinted about a new job and even some knitting-related work. Well, all of that has come to fruition. Two weeks ago I left my full-time job of 17 years, and this week I started a new job where I will be working from home, selling advertising and marketing solutions to suppliers in the library industry. I'm really hoping that this will give me more time to relax and fit in my knitting and other crafty pursuits while remaining engaged in meaningful work. Will let you all know how it goes!</p><p>I had secured a once-weekly job at a LYS, but that is now on hold for a few months. I hope it does happen, as this is something I've always wanted to do. In the meantime, I've been doing quite a bit of contract knitting throughout the summer. It's fun and provides a very small extra income, but I want to make sure it doesn't overtake my time and preference to knit for myself, my family, and my Etsy customers. So that will be another variable to watch this fall.</p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/img_1613.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1550" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/img_1613.jpg?w=237" alt="IMG_1613" width="237" height="300" /></a></p><p>After finishing the contract knitting, I went back to the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb/braided-gem-socks">Braided Gem Socks </a>for my son. Finished last night, and they are beautiful. I love the pattern and the yarn, and I think they will keep him very warm when the cold Michigan winter inevitably arrives.</p><p>As soon as I bound off, I wound my next ball of sock yarn--a Socks That Rock Lightweight skein from the 2008 Rockin' Sock Club! After this one, I have one skein to go from that club. I can't believe it's taken me so long to get through it--I guess I've had other sock yarn skeins sneak in between. I'm going to make <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html">Cookie A's Monkeys </a>with this skein--I wasn't wild about the pattern that came with the yarn (a reason, along with my inability to keep up with the shipments, that I stopped renewing membership to this club), so I will do the Monkeys, a pattern I've been wanting to make for years.</p><p>To wind this yarn, I used my new and improved <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/accessories/Royal_Ball_Winder__D80667.html?gclid=CMi59bezzcACFSdp7AodcFMAdw">Royal Ball Winder</a>. I think I had had my old one for 30 years and it was just "tired." This new one works like a dream and the skein wound up in no time. A nice little treat for myself.</p><p>With college football and the NFL this weekend, I'll have lots of knitting time and can make a dent in my current projects before my next round of contract knitting kicks in.</p><p>Hope to be more frequent with the blog posts now that I have all of this free time....hahahaha!</p><p> </p><p> </p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-62206473251555710592014-06-08T18:11:00.000-04:002015-01-19T08:02:46.686-05:00Latest Shawl: My Hope Brightens Rough Times<img class="alignnone wp-image-1546" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_1606.jpg?w=198" alt="IMG_1606" width="157" height="238" /><br/><br/>Just finished the very fun-to-knit <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/my-hope">My Hope shawl,</a> designed by KnitGirlll <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/laura-linneman">Laura Linneman</a>. I sued some beautiful <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/schaefer-yarn-company-anne">Schaeffer Anne </a>yarn that I won several years ago (and sadly, is discontinued). I love the color combination--reds/pinks, coral, gold and bronzy brown. A group I wouldn't necessarily have put together but really liked.I just bought a summer dress in that coral color and this will look great with it.<br/><br/>For the beaded bind-off, I used beautiful beads bought at <a href="http://www.earthfaire.com/">EarthFaire</a>--just enough color and glitz and the gold beads with coral insides look like they were made for the yarn. Also bought the <a href="http://earthfaire.com/verna-beadle-needle-straight-08mm-10mm-p-6371.html">Beadle Needle</a> which made the beading fun and easy! Highly recommend!<br/><br/>I enjoyed the knitting of this project very much, once I got the hang of the Indian Cross Stitch--used Knit and Tonic’s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWrqNLuBxUk">video tutorial</a> and her way of doing it rather than the way it was written in the pattern--much easier.<br/>I also switched from Signature Needles to <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/needles/Nickel_Plated_Knitting_Needles__L300305.html">KnitPicks Nickel Plated</a>--the join on the fancy Signatures was acting as a stopper that made it hard for me to move the yarn along during the cross-stitch sections. Worked much better after the switch to the inexpensive, but almost always reliable for me, KnitPicks.<br/><br/><a href="https://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_1609.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-1547" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/img_1609.jpg?w=262" alt="IMG_1609" width="205" height="235" /></a>The colors of the yarn and the rhythmic nature of the project have soothed me through a few tough weeks; work continues to be a challenge--but I may see the end in sight in the form of a new chapter on the career front. Hopefully by the time I post again after finishing my next project (either socks for my son or a tank top for my daughter), I'll have good news to report. I even plan on having my new career path include knitting.Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-3230475697498253362014-04-12T16:56:00.000-04:002015-01-19T08:02:46.632-05:00Transitions<p>As winter has FINALLY turned to spring, my husband and I have just returned from a fantastic trip to Spain, where we enjoyed some time with our daughter who is studying in Seville this semester, and spent some time alone in Madrid at the end of the trip. Spain did not disappoint on this, our third trip to the country. The food continues to get better, the people are warm and friendly, and the breadth of history never ceases to amaze.</p><p>My daughter couldn't wait to point out a yarn shop she's seen in her neighborhood--but alas, when we walked by, it was siesta time</p><p>and the shop was closed. I probably saved <a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_1079.jpg"><img id="i-1517" class=" wp-image alignleft" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_1079.jpg?w=650" alt="Image" width="209" height="276" /></a><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_1541.jpg"><img id="i-1521" class=" wp-image alignleft" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_1541.jpg?w=470" alt="Image" width="205" height="270" /></a>myself some money--but was somewhat surprised when it dawned on me that I hadn't researched yarn shops in Spain before we left--something I usually do before any trip! I think I was too caught up in figuring out which projects I'd take with me!</p><p>I finished two projects on the trip--another striped cowl to replace the one I sold in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/schoolspiritknits">Etsy </a>shop just prior to our leaving, and a pair of socks, the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb/sweet-tart-anklet">Sweet Tart Anklets </a>(I made mine longer than anklets) that I've been working on as a secondary (or tertiary) project for a year! They are very springy and they may go to my daughter when she gets home.<a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/yarma_medium2.jpg"><img id="i-1525" class="wp-image alignright" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/yarma_medium2.jpg?w=630" alt="Image" width="147" height="147" /></a> They were made from sock stash--a while different category--from a years-ago Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock club. ALMOST done with those skeins!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I also worked on the <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/17140.aspx">Riding to Avalon</a> hoodie that I had started as part of my project to use my oldest stash and work forward. The yarn was Ella Rae Silkience in a beautiful pink shade--I had bought it in 2008! Needless to say, the design I was going to make with it doesn't interest me anymore, and nothing--including the hoodie that I worked on throughout two excellent movies on the plane ride home--worked. The hoodie ended up being too big, and I was making the smallest size and using the smallest needles possible without making the fabric stiff. So I decided to sell the yarn. That was a very liberating feeling--sometimes a purchase just isn't meant to be, and if the yarn goes to a good home, all the better! </p><p>Today I started fresh by winding the NEXT item in my stash--that is a skein of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/schaefer-yarn-company-anne">Schaefer Anne </a>(also discontinued), that I believe I won around 2008-2009. It's a beautiful melange of earthy colors--bronze, gold, and a pinky coral. I'm going to cast on the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/my-hope">My Hope shawl, </a>by Laura Linneman, and have ordered beautiful gold/pink beads from my favorite bead purveyor, <a href="http://www.earthfaire.com/">Earthfaire</a>, for the beaded bind-off.</p><p>I'm looking forward to casting this on with the new Signature needles I ordered to reward myself for winning my office's March Madness pool!</p><p>In the meantime, I'm working on the project I left home, the <a href="http://dancingleaffarm.myshopify.com/collections/patterns/products/wrap-me-up-buttercup-rectangle-version-pattern">Wrap Me up, Buttercup! </a>shawl from <a href="http://dancingleaffarm.myshopify.com/">Dancing Leaf Farms</a>. The goal of sneaking this project in is to finish something that I bought at last year's Maryland Sheep & Wool before this year's event comes around. I would like to go again with my sisters, but I may have a conflict with my kids' comings and goings around that time. We'll see. The shawl is a ton of fun--six individual yarns alternate to make a great-looking pattern--this will be a show-stopper once it's done. Easy stitches and no shaping (it's a big rectangle), so good mindless TV knitting.</p><p> </p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-64410572794126310172014-03-06T00:28:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:02:46.610-05:00I Love My Poncho!<p>I bought the yarn for the <a href="http://www.churchmouseyarns.com/products/easy-folded-poncho-pattern#.UxgFyM6wWhw">Easy Folded Poncho</a> back in November, but several projects for kids, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/schoolspiritknits">my Etsy shop</a>, etc. got ahead of this in line. Since it's a warm garment made from <a href="http://www.fiberfarm.com/2012/09/introducing-herriot-2">luscious 100% Alpaca</a> from Juniper Moon Farms, AND it has a generous cowl neck, I wanted to finish it while the weather was still cold so I could appreciate its warmth. Well, Mother Nature has cooperated and it's still below freezing here in NJ. I finished the poncho, including knitting and blocking the cowl, earlier this week, and am now ready to wear it into NYC for dinner and a show tonight!</p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/img_1041-copy.jpg"><img class=" wp-image" id="i-1488" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/img_1041-copy.jpg?w=650" width="200" height="389" /></a></p><p>Since this project included 50 inches of stockinette, I thought I'd use it as an opportunity to try a bunch of different needles. Here is a quick synopsis of my thoughts on each (all were size 6 and none seemed to change the gauge of my work):</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.signatureneedlearts.com/"><strong>Signature Needles</strong></a>--I ordered the 5" stiletto tips. These were my absolute favorite (and the most expensive!). I love them so much that I ordered another pair in size 7 and hope to start collecting them in different sizes. These are truly the Rolls Royce of knitting needles!</li><li><a href="http://www.hiyahiyanorthamerica.com/"><strong>HiyaHiya Sharps</strong></a>--Love these as well. Nice, sharp tips, very light and flexible cord that would be amazing for Magic Looping. As these are at a much better price point than the Signatures, I may think about getting a full set.</li><li><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Needles/Caspian_Needles_and_Cables__L300344.html"><strong>KnitPicks Caspians</strong></a>--I have three KnitPicks Interchangeable sets already, but I fell in love with these green wood tips and green cord when I saw them online. The tips are sharp and work as well if not better than my other KnitPicks needles. Again, I might ponder a full set, just because!</li><li><a href="http://www.knitterspride.com/Materialwise-Details.asp?id=16&mcid=1"><strong>Knitter's Pride Karbonz</strong></a>--While these are great needles--perhaps a lower-priced version of Signatures--they didn't seem worth the price for me vs. any of the others I tried. I will try them on another project and see if I change my mind and want to add these to my collection in greater quantity. The one plus of these over Signatures is that the cords work for any Knitter's Pride needles, as well as for KnitPicks needles, so you get a very nice, high quality needle without having to invest in separate cords like you do with the Signatures.</li></ul><p>Finally, I ordered one set of <a href="http://www.dyakcraft.com/"><strong>DyakCraft</strong> </a>Darn Pretty wood needles, but alas, after several weeks, they still have not arrived. If I like them when they eventually get here, I think my best bet is to buy a set from someone on Ravelry, rather than wait the year for my own set. But then again, I have so many needles that I COULD wait....will decide when my sample arrives--hopefully within the next few weeks.</p><p>Now that I've worn the poncho, I'm ready for spring!</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-31350746582058888262014-02-09T21:19:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:02:46.538-05:00The Boyfriend Scarf<p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_1026.jpg"><img class=" wp-image" id="i-1473" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/img_1026.jpg?w=650" width="193" height="193" /></a></p><p>I know there is that superstition that a girl shouldn't knit a sweater for her boyfriend before they're officially a couple, but I don't think it applies to 1)the girl's mother knitting for the boyfriend and 2) a scarf rather than a sweater! At least I hope not, because I just finished a gorgeous scarf for my daughter's boyfriend, which I will add to a package of gifts she left for me to send to him while she is studying abroad in Europe this semester.</p><p>I am so happy with this scarf. The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christians-scarf">Christian's Scarf </a>by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/agnes-kutas-knitwear-design">Agnes Kutas-Keresztes</a>. There is a matching hat pattern on Ravelry also (both are free!). This was a wonderful, rhythmic pattern that was fun, easy and looks fantastic--no curling, just the right amount of texture. The Cascade 220 Superwash that I used was the perfect yarn--softened up with soaking (and a little spin through the dryer after blocking), very durable and just the right weight. My daughter chose the very rich, not quite black shade called Jet. I definitely want to make this scarf again. Can't wait to see how the boyfriend likes it--I will mail it in a few weeks.</p><p>Another very successful part of this project was the use of the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Inspinknity">Inspinity Premium Blocking wires.</a> I bought these a few years ago and they are fantastic. The set comes with a number of different lengths; they are very flexible (almost like threading a needle in and out of the rows and produce a beautiful result. I highly recommend them!</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-91944765759495972442014-01-25T14:56:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:02:46.520-05:00Hand Knits Are a Bright Spot in a Cold Winter<p>It's been unusually cold here in NJ as well as throughout the US, as I don't have to tell most of you. I was struck the other night, when I mustered all of my motivation to walk out the door in sub-10-degree-weather and a foot of snow and drive to my book group meeting. When I walked in, our hostess asked me to take my boots off at the door, and when I walked into the meeting, where some of my fellow readers are also knitters, I was greeted with admiration about the number of hand-knits I wore and carried:</p><ul><li>a hand-knit, mohair sweater (knit pre-Ravelry, so no photos or links!)</li><li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb/spring-forward">hand-knit socks</a></li><li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/loop-of-luxury">a hand-knit cowl </a>and matching mitts from one of my favorite cold-weather yarns, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/JerseyShoreDeb/stash/hand-paint-chunky">Misti Alpaca Chunky</a></li><li>and I carried a hand-knit, felted bag, which contained my current WIP, a beautiful men's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb/christians-scarf">scarf</a> for my daughter's boyfriend</li></ul><p>It struck me that, although I hate the cold, it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to wear so many of my knits at once and to know that they are the best antidote to being cold. My husband and daughter have been wearing their hand-knit socks every day during this cold spell, and my son, braving his first winter at college in Michigan, is grateful for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb/textured-triple-stripe-scarf">bulky scar</a>f and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb/jesse">hat </a>I made him.</p><p>I even made a sale of a warm, bulky hat in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/schoolspiritknits">Etsy shop</a>! This makes me want to drop everything and knit 24/7 (so does the fact that I don't want to go outside!) This makes me even more determined to do something to make knitting more of a part of my life--and find a work solution that will allow me to devote more time to this craft that I love so much. I hope 2014 will be the year that I finally make it happen.</p><p>Stay warm, everyone!</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-71366276351978455572014-01-01T11:52:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:02:46.448-05:00Happy 2014!<p>It's been a little while since I've posted--I've been enjoying time with my children who are home from college, and have been putting regularly scheduled knitting projects on hold to make them some warm slippers to take back to school. Their friends are next. I really take a lot of pleasure in knitting for my kids and their friends--they appreciate the items and I feel like I'm enveloping them in love and warmth.</p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/yarma_medium2.jpg"><img id="i-1445" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/yarma_medium2.jpg?w=630" width="247" height="247" /></a></p><p>In perusing my Ravelry projects page, it looks like I completed 16 projects in 2013--including an afghan for my son to take to college, several scarves and cowls, and a sweater for my daughter. I also knit several projects that were sold in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/schoolspiritknits">Etsy shop,</a> although I would have liked the number of projects sold to be higher than it was.</p><p>For 2014, I am committed to taking some Craftsy classes and hopefully the <a href="http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/teach.html">Craft Yarn Council Certified Instructors program</a> so I can begin to realize my goal of incorporating knitting into my next career stage. I had hoped to take the leap in 2013, and to devote more time to preparing over the holidays, but it just hasn't happened yet. I'm not giving up--I'll use this forum to keep me on goal and I'm committed to reporting to you, my readers, about my progress. Help me stay motivated to realize my dream if you can!</p><p>Wishing a Happy, Healthy, productive and peaceful new year to all.</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-47462613625815141582013-12-08T22:41:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:02:46.439-05:00Activity!<p>Have been working hard on many fronts--my "day job," my personal knitting (I'm participating in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/2-knit-lit-chicks-podcast/2765589/1-25">2 KnitLit Chicks Poncho Comeback KAL</a>; I'm making the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-folded-poncho">Easy Folded Poncho</a> pattern with the that I bought a few weeks ago. Using luscious Juniper Moon Farm Herriott (100% alpaca). I've had several "false starts" until I think I arrived at the dimensions that will fit my small frame and the seed stitch edging that will keep me from going crazy with severely rolling edges.</p><p>Then, just got several new orders in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SchoolSpiritKnits">Etsy shop</a> from a dear friend. I'm hoping this will be the start of a busy holiday season and maybe my "new direction" will be able to begin. Stay tuned.</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-54950120965654132462013-12-01T18:06:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:02:46.369-05:00Soft, Lacy Cowl<p><img id="i-1423" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/img_0969.jpg?w=650" width="245" height="246" /></p><p>Yesterday I finished the <a href="http://library.ravelry.com/galzanne/259393/Garland_Cowl_2013_-_Updated_Version.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJNNSUP6J3RN4WZYQ&Expires=1385939203&Signature=jmtcujNoq6txRgP5DDSRzQYEC4g%3D">Garland Cowl,</a> which was the winner in a long inner decision-making process regarding what I should make with my one skein of the luscious and soft <a href="https://www.tessyarns.com/">Tess Designer Yarn's</a> Cultivated Silk and Wool, in a beautiful blue-green. I had a moment of panic when the cowl, even when fully blocked, was about 31" long -- this after the pattern said it should be 60" long! The good news is that after that good blocking, the cowl hanks about to my waist when not doubled around my neck, and I am able to double it if I wish. I think I'll wear it to work tomorrow!</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-23663804805096788112013-11-29T18:32:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:02:46.358-05:00So Much to Be Thankful For<p>We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with dear friends yesterday. We'll be sorry to see them go when they move across country soon, but we know we will stay in touch.</p><p>Prior to the day(s) of cooking, preparation and finally eating, I had completed a knitting project for each of my children. Thankfully, both of them flew home without delay during a nasty Nor'easter and on the busiest travel week of the year. They modeled their knitwear yesterday before we sat down to eat and both seemed genuinely happy with their finished object. <a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_0958.jpg"><img id="i-1417" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_0958.jpg?w=650" width="228" height="302" /></a></p><p> </p><p>I'm pleased with <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb/estelle-pullover">my daughter's sweater</a>, the <a href="http://stockinette.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/estelle-pullover-ized/">Estelle Pullover</a>--she tried it on Tuesday night and I made some notations about where it needed to be slightly bigger; I then blocked it and it fits PERFECTLY. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JerseyShoreDeb/textured-triple-stripe-scarf">My son's scarf</a>, the Textured Triple Stripe Scarf from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/60-Quick-Knits-Scarves-Collection/dp/1933027975">60 Quick Knits,</a> is long, particularly since I knit it in bulky instead of worsted and didn't do my calculations exactly right--but he likes the warmth of it looped around his neck and it looks great on him.</p><p>Wish I had them home longer, but in general, life is very good today!</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-76584720500208412652013-11-22T00:25:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:02:46.304-05:00I Gave In to Temptation<p>Walking down the street today, on my way to the train station to go into New York City for a lunch meeting....I passed <a href="http://summit.tipsfromtown.com/2013/02/24/wool-grace/#.Uo7pGycnUTY">Wool & Grace</a>, a yarn store that I heard about from a friend but have not had the chance to visit since it's been open about a year now. After a successful meeting, I rewarded myself with a visit to the shop, where I found lovely yarns and had a great discussion with shop owner Cathy. </p><p>I wasn't going to buy yarn, although I wanted to buy something. But when I saw the <a href="http://www.churchmouseyarns.com/collections/churchmouse-classics-patterns/products/easy-folded-poncho-pattern#.Uo7qHycnUTY">Easy Folded Poncho</a> (by Churchmouse Yarn & Tea) on a mannequin, and I felt that Eileen Fisher vibe from both the style and color of this garment, I had to have it.</p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_0934.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1403" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_0934.jpg?w=650" width="159" height="159" /></a></p><p>The yarn is <a href="http://www.fiberfarm.com/2012/09/introducing-herriot-2">Juniper Moon Farm He</a><a href="http://www.fiberfarm.com/2012/09/introducing-herriot-2">rriott, </a>100% baby alpaca, so it's incredibly soft and will be very warm. Yet anothertem added to my bursting stash. But I felt so good when I walked out of the store!</p><p>Now more projects will have to take a back seat as I itch to cast this on...but first, my son's scarf! 10 LONG rows to go!</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-45203116287089026042013-11-19T21:57:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:02:46.294-05:00Team Spirit!<p>I got the chance to go see my family's beloved Pittsburgh Steelers this past Sunday! My husband, who is from Pittsburgh, usually takes our son to a game once a year, but since my son is now away at college, I got the nod! It suddenly dawned on me that with an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SchoolSpiritKnits">Etsy shop </a>full of school spirit-themed items, I was going to a Steelers game without anything knitted in Steelers Black and Gold!</p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_0923.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0923" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_0923.jpg?w=237" width="151" height="191" /></a>I quickly remedied that by knitting a Steelers headband while my husband drove to Pittsburgh. It was warm and cozy and looked great at the stadium. And of course, it was good luck--the Steelers had a great come-from-behind win, 37-27! GO STEELERS!</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-10897724191259991162013-11-14T00:57:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:02:46.240-05:00Serious Knitting for A Cold Winter!<p>With both of my children at school in Michigan, I feel the need to keep them warm from afar. I am happy to report that I finished my daughter's sweater, the fabulous <a href="http://stockinette.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/estelle-pullover-ized/">Estelle Pullover</a> by Linden Down. I am going to wait until she comes home for Thanksgiving to block it--she may want it a little longer and perhaps a little wider (not so form-fitting). I have been trying it on as I go (thank goodness for T<a href="http://www.machineknittingtodyefor.com/index.php/supplies-33/supplies-35/88-trytubing">ry-It-On-Tubing</a>!) and it fits me great--I will probably make another one for me. We are almost the same size, so I think with a little blocking it will be perfect on her too. <a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_09151.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1385" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/img_09151.jpg?w=650" width="355" height="211" /></a></p><p>The Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted is Superwash, so it should have a lot of give/growth during blocking.</p><p>Next up, in between a few <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SchoolSpiritKnits">Etsy shop</a> orders I've gotten, is a nice warm scarf for my son, who is experiencing the Michigan winter for the first time (and it came early this year!). I found a great pattern in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/60-Quick-Knits-Scarves-Collection/dp/1933027975">Cathy Carron's 60 Quick Knits</a>, and I'm altering it to use bulky yarn, which I use almost exclusively for my shop items. We have a long car trip coming up this weekend, so I should be able to make good headway on that and have it ready for him for Thanksgiving too.</p><p>Nice to know that maternal instinct can be satisfied through knitting--I know they've always got a little bit of Mom's love wrapped around them.</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-30185429945867371372013-11-07T23:32:00.000-05:002015-01-19T08:03:57.759-05:00Moving Toward Completions<p>I am making great headway on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/estelle-pullover">Estelle Pullover</a> for my daughter. I want to finish by the time she comes home for Thanksgiving break. So far, this is a great pattern--I want to make one for myself after I finish this one (just like the last sweater I made for her!)</p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/estelle.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1367" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/estelle.jpg?w=578" width="326" height="355" /></a></p><p>I was very careful to take lots of measurement checks during sleeve #1, as I had read a lot of Ravelry comments about the sleeves being tight. Now that I have the measurements down, sleeve #2 is flying. I had set a goal of 20 rounds per week, and I've already done 36 rounds for this week with three days left! I may just finish next week. The ChiaoGoo circulars are great, but it is hard to manipulate the small size for the sleeve as the cord is very inflexible. On sleeve #1, I switched to DPN's about half way through and I think I'll do that again. I hadn't used DPN's in a long time, as I usually favor Magic Loop. It's kind of nice to go back to my circular knitting roots!</p><p>In the meantime, however, I got another order in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SchoolSpiritKnits">Etsy shop</a> today, thanks to a dear friend who let her friend know that I was selling University of Michigan-themed hand knits. Trying to do initiate a number of different advertising campaigns--on Etsy, on Ravelry, and on Google. So far, the word of mouth method is working the best! But time will tell.</p><p>On my way to a meeting tomorrow that may yield some clearer direction about my career and my ability to focus more on my knitting. Fingers crossed.</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-21061033550201775312013-10-27T14:07:00.000-04:002015-01-19T08:02:46.231-05:00Favorite New Stretchy Bind-Off<p>I have been experimenting with various cast-ons and bind-offs since I've been doing so many accessories for my shop. Many of these items (headbands, some of my hats, fingerless mitts) need stretchy cast-ons and/or bind-offs. Since I've gotten the excellent book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cast-Bind-Off-Step-Step/dp/1603427244">Cast On, Bind Off, 54 Step by Step Methods</a>, by Leslie Ann Bestor of WEBS, I've found a treasure trove of methods to try.</p><p>The winner today: The Lace Bind Off (aka Russian, Purl Two Together) which I used for my latest headband.</p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/bind-off.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1355" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/bind-off.jpg?w=630" width="312" height="312" /></a></p><p>It doesn't leave a gap between the last row of knitting and the bind-off, as some of these methods do. Instead, it leaves a nice, neat, but stretchy finished edge. It's also quick and easy. I'll continue to try and report on other techniques!</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-49377803831315604752013-10-26T14:25:00.000-04:002015-01-19T08:02:46.177-05:00Getting Serious<p>Last weekend was the trunk show at my daughter's sorority. While I only sold a few items in person, I did generate some interest in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SchoolSpiritKnits">Etsy site</a>. I think if I had had more inventory there, I would have done better.</p><p>I'm determined to make my shop work! So today I took the plunge and signed up for some Google advertising as well as some promoted advertising on Etsy. We'll see what happens and I'll take it from there. Also posted the newest item that I sold at the trunk show, knit in a few days this week and sent off this morning.</p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_14931.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1346" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_14931.jpg?w=429" width="216" height="251" /></a></p><p>I'm liking the colorful backgrounds. One of the things on my list is a photography class, perhaps <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Shoot-It-A-Product-Photography-Primer/90">this one </a>offered on Craftsy.com.</p><p>I'm looking forward to documenting my journey as an independent crafter here on my blog--come along for the ride (and all suggestions welcome!</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-65099325865488631282013-10-12T15:03:00.000-04:002015-01-19T08:02:46.160-05:00Getting Ready for the Trunk Show!<p>Next weekend I'll be testing the waters for <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SchoolSpiritKnits?">my online business, SchoolSpirit Knits on Etsy,</a> at my daughter's sorority trunk show at the University of Michigan. I worked on photographing some of my new knits today and posted them on a variety of social media. What do you think?</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_1481.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1333" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_1481.jpg?w=328" /></a></p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_1483.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1330" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_1483.jpg?w=347" /></a></p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_1487.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1331" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_1487.jpg?w=344" /></a></p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-80207877145513210412013-10-04T16:57:00.000-04:002015-01-19T08:02:46.081-05:00Science Proves What We Know: Knitting and Reading Are Good for Us!<p>I was thrilled to read the results of a study conducted by researchers at The New School for Social Research and published in the journal <em>Science. </em>As <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/03/i-know-how-youre-feeling-i-read-chekhov/?hpw">The New York Times</a> reported,<br />"[the researchers found] that after reading literary fiction, as opposed to popular fiction or serious nonfiction, people performed better on tests measuring empathy, social perception and emotional intelligence — skills that come in especially handy when you are trying to read someone’s body language or gauge what they might be thinking.</p><p>The researchers say the reason is that literary fiction often leaves more to the imagination, encouraging readers to make inferences about characters and be sensitive to emotional nuance and complexity."</p><p>I love knowing that there is a scientific reason to read wonderful literature.</p><p>Similarly, some studies have shown that knitting is an important stress reliever--and are formalizing it through programs such as <a href="http://www.projectknitwell.org/Home.html">Project KnitWell,</a> an organization based in Washington, DC hospitals that brings knitting to those in stressful situations.</p><p>As knitting and reading are my two greatest passions, I think I can pursue both this weekend without guilt. After all, it's good for me and those around me. I urge you to do the same!</p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23367942.post-36152438986804617472013-10-04T00:25:00.000-04:002015-01-19T08:02:46.073-05:00Taking the Plunge<p>My daughter has asked me to participate in her sorority fundraiser by selling my knitted items in her school colors. I've done this in the past and attempted to turn this into a business--or at least part of a business. This time, I think I'm really going to go for it. I've put some items in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SchoolSpiritKnits">Etsy shop</a> and will take special orders at the event. Being overwhelmed with orders is exactly the problem I want to have.</p><p>Take a look at my shop and see what you think. Any feedback, tips, social media strategies, etc. are most welcome!</p><p><a href="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/schoolspiritknits-banner.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1311" alt="Image" src="http://ratherbeknitting.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/schoolspiritknits-banner.jpg?w=650" /></a></p>Jersey Shore Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00930114031410850867noreply@blogger.com0