Yarns Storage: Part 2

kitchen scale

In the last article, we discussed some of the materials you'll want to have on hand to organize your stash for better storage and efficient stash dives.  You'll need the zipper bags for each skein or for groups of several skeins.  You'll need index cards, plastic bins or boxes or bags, and a kitchen scale that weighs in grams.  Bins are available at major department stores ($3-$15) as are kitchen scales ($18-$40).  Zipper bags are available at the grocer, or in a variety of sizes in large quantities on line.  (I find the online resources to be cheaper.)

Everyone knits differently, and works on different projects.  This will have an effect on the larger storage choices, but the smaller packaging I recommend will be the same.  The yarn needs to be clean and dry, and you need to bag it in dry circumstances (not on a rainy day near an open window!)  Lay out your bags, yarn, index cards, and a Sharpie marker.

Each individual skein or group of skeins in a particular dye lot needs to go into its own bag.  So if you have 4 skeins of Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Juniper colorway, they'll all go into the same plastic bag.  Or, if you have 2 full skeins and a partial skein of Bearfoot, they will also go in the same bag.  The total contents of each bag should be weighed on the kitchen scale.  The bag contents will be listed on an index card in large, bold writing as follows:

Mountain Colors Bearfoot


zip close bags

Juniper
426 grams total

If your stash is large, you'll want to squeeze all the air out of the bag before you close it.  Most skeins are almost 1/2 air!  Squeezing it out gives you more storage room.  (Don't worry, it bounces back after a few hours out of the bag.)  The purpose of the big printing on the index cards is that it's easier to read than a ball band, and gives you all the information in one place. 

Now, the question I'm always asked at this point is, "Why do we have to weigh everything?"  Because you can tell how much yardage you have by knowing the weight.  If your yarn gives you 200yds per 50g, you do the math and get 4yds per gram.  Now, however many grams are listed on the index cards multiplied by the number of yards per gram = how much yardage you have in your stash.  Exact yardage is great to know before you start a new project.  The pattern will tell you how much yarn it needs, and you know at a glance whether you have enough.

If you're on Ravelry, you don't need to do the math for your yardage.  The "Stash" function keeps track of it all for you.  And you don't need to look into your stash boxes, either.  Click on the yarn name in your "Stash" list, and you can locate a photo of the yarn!

Group yarns as you wish.  I choose to group by weight and by fiber.  Worsted cotton has a bin, worsted alpaca is in another, and worsted wools are in another.  (My stash is embarrassingly huge!)  Other people group by color, manufacturer, season, or whether it's machine or hand spun. 

Doing all of this takes some time.  You may not want to do it all in one sitting, or even one weekend.  But when you're finished, your stash will be compact, safe from pests, smells, and other contaminates, and neat.  What more can a knitter ask for?

A Change in the Weatther

The weather here in Buffalo NY is right on schedule.  Labor Day weekend brought daytime highs in the 60's F/low 20's C and lows in the 40s/single digits.  This tends to make two things happen in my mind: I crave heavier knitting projects and delight in the wools and tweeds that suddenly populate the knit shops, and I am thrilled with the sales!

It's a tough choice.  I tend to go stash diving at this time of year, and pull out some orphan yarn or some un-realized pattern, and then scour the shops looking for the answer to make these things whole.  Maybe my skein of mohair will mesh beautifully with some new silk/merino blend and become decadent gloves.  Maybe the pattern I can't get gauge on is just the thing for the linen yarn that's now on sale.  Maybe not.  The point is, I go in with a purpose or two, and find the process less overwhelming.  Otherwise, I want to take everything home. 

Another thing I find myself doing every year at this time is going through all my project bags and passing sentence: knit, purgatory (rarely), or rip.  I like to free up my needles.  Projects are no longer abandoned, but just gone.  Clearing the backlog feels good, no matter what the resolution.

I sort my needles, and make sure they're properly labeled and stored.  I sort my stash, and update and reorganize the labeling.  On rare occasions, I even update my inventories on Ravelry.  They are wonderful tools. 

This change in the weather is inspiring.  All of a sudden I have quite a bit of work to do!  If you need me, I'll be buried under my stash.

What to Knit Holiday 2012 2 - Scarves

If your holiday knitting includes scarves, you're not the only one.  How do you make a scarf special?  Choose the right pattern for your recipient, and choose the right yarn for your pattern.  All patterns are free, and photos are from Ravelry.com.


This kerchief, called the Age of Brass and Steam by Orange Flower, can be knit light and ethereal, or thick and cozy, depending on the gender and needs of the giftee!


The Noro Striped Scarf by Jared Flood is a quick knit in two balls of color-pooling yarn. The effect is charming, and the length can be easily modified for an adult or child.

One of the most popular patterns of the last decade is Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's One Row Scarf.  This scarf is fully reversible, and there's only one row of pattern to remember!  It's a fast knit in worsted on US 8's.  By varying needle and yarn weight, you can make this as delicate or as burly as you like.

Is there a special child in your life?  Do they love stories of kings and queens and dragons?  The Fiery Dragon Scarf by Brooke Hanna, is nothing short of delightful.  This is an easy knit, with only minimal shaping, making it quick while still being impressive.


Need a lighter scarf in the same creative department?  Try the Monty the Python scarf by Rowan Martindale.  Made on US 9's, it's fast and adorable!

If none of these work for you, remember that most yarn manufacturers offer between dozens and thousands of free patterns on their websites.  Dig through your stash, choose your yarn, and then turn to the manufacturer for the pattern that will make you and your loved ones happy.  Good luck!


 

Charity Hats 2013 KAL

I've made a commitment to myself that I'm going to knit at least one hat per month for 2013 and donate each one to charity.  I don't know whether they'll all go to the same charity or different ones, but I'll post something each month about where they're going.

I used to be much better about charity knitting, and have let it take a back seat to my crazy life and schedule.  In the karmic circle of life, I'm no longer putting out the benevolent energy and example I want to receive, and that needs to change.  Others have been, and are, there for me in my times of need, and I want to, as they say, "Pay it forward."

To that end, I've been designing a simple hat that will be my first charity hat of 2013.  I'll publish the pattern here and on Ravelry, so if you'd like to join in, you can.  A few folks have generously offered to design hats for other months, and I think the variety will be fun.

If you wish to submit an original design for this project, please note: I will need a copy of the completed pattern with a photo of the completed object included by the 15th of the month BEFORE your hat is to appear in the blog.  This KAL has been mentioned on our Facebook page, and on Twitter, and your name will be featured for the month of your pattern being knit. 

I will create a Ravelry group, and I encourage you to participate there.  Invite your friends.  Use up your stash in a way that serves your community.  I look forward to it!

Seriously, Olympic Commitee...

Okay, friends, buckle up.  If you haven't seen this controversy, you won't believe it when you do.  Ready?

Ravelry pattern and pic

The US Olympic Committee is asking Ravelry.com to "cease and desist" the Ravelympics.  It hit the fan today.  (See the short version on Gawker here.)  The Ravelympics involve knitting enthusiasts knitting particular challenges while watching the Olympics.  Yup.  Knitting.  In front of the TV.  It's a big problem to the USOC.  Okay, not the knitting per se - associating the Olympics with the knitting.  To paraphrase a very long legal note, it "demeans" the efforts and nobility of the Olympic athlete's efforts.

I don't get it either.  The USOC sent a lengthy set of "demands" (my word, not theirs) to the dear sweet folks at Ravelry, the 4 volunteer types who support an international knitting community of millions (yep, with an "M") with a website that serves as the international knitting water cooler.  Millions of pattern notes, yarn specs, patterns in whole, words of encouragement, yarn exchanges, needle and hook exchanges, etc., take place on Ravelry every day.  Of these, a remote fraction are involved in the Ravelympics.  Fewer than 30 interactions per day. 

Ravelry pattern and pic

I should make it known that some time ago I was an employee of the USOC. Though I love and support the Olympic movement, I can say unequivically, these dudes are without humor.  So much of the work of the IOC and USOC revolves around keeping things fair, and the incessant focus on rules sometimes makes the athletic nerds myopic.  The larger view is somewhat foggy to the rules people.

The enthusiasm of knitters involved in the Ravelympics is no threat to the general understanding of what the Olympics stand for.  Sale-a-thons and Dance-a-thons will never confuse the public with the 26.2 mile foot race.  Nanny-gate and Watergate will never both be considered to be Woodward and Bernstein's landmark achievement.  And a dude in a Manning jersey throwing a football in the parking lot of a stadum will never be a threat to the talent or effort of either Manning brother.

Toungue-in-cheek tributes are a huge part of the American experience.  This is why you can be married by Elvis in Las Vegas, and why you will always be able to buy your child superhero undies.  T-shirts with great abs and Halloween masks of Nixon are silly, and yet to my knowledge, neither the buff guys at the beach nor Nixon have ever sued.

BTW, the USOC would like to request the various designers and publishers of Olympics tribute patterns remove any reference to the Olympics and/or any depiction of the Olympic rings from the patterns.  ALL of them.  I assume this does not bar NEW Olympic tribute patterns.  Hint hint.

I am completely unaware of any push on the part of the OC of the UK to stop the enthusiastic knitting of Olympic athlete tributes.  In fact, you can buy a book of patterns to knit Olympic athletes in a variety of European outlets.  It's called "Olympknits".  Why is it that the USOC has no understanding of the difference between support and a threat?  I don't know.  Ask them.  719-632-5551.

Wacky Happy Knitting Dance

I admit it.  I have a wacky little dance that spontaneously takes over my body when really cool stuff happens to me, usually knitting related.  It involves a little squealing, jumping, and twisting, followed by a belly laugh.  It is a dance well-suited to an elf in a Disney musical.  I am not a small person in any of my many dimensions, so in the rare instance where my little dance is witnessed, it is usually met with laughter and pointing.  And snide comments for a couple of days.  (Which is fine, because I still have some sort of knitting victory.)  I feel comfortable telling you this because I AM NOT ALONE!

I was embarrassed when I did it when I met Jill Draper.  Her mother totally filled the room with her laughter.  I was embarrassed when I did it when I met Clara Parkes, but at least she didn't see it.  (Not that I know of.)  But then, I met someone who did it when they met me.



Celine Barbeau, knitwear teacher and designer extraordinaire.

I was in a little knitting and fiber crafting shop in Montreal called Effiloche.  I met a thin, petite, beautiful woman with a ton of energy named Celine.  As we spoke, it became apparent that our knitting lives have been oddly parallel, hers in Canada, mine in the States.  She mentioned, "And do you have to check Ravelry every morning, noon, and then before bed every night?"

"Of course!  That's perfectly normal." I said.

My DH, not a Ravelry member or fiber artist of any kind, said,"I can't sleep if I haven't checked it.  And if I get up at night to pee, I have to check it again!"

Because she is seriously addicted to knitting and design, Celine ignored this.  "And when you see the favorites and projects on one of your original patterns starting to climb - "

I interrupted, "I know!  When the first one passes 100 - "

And then it happened.  She bopped into my exact  wacky happy knitting dance.  I grinned.  It's rare that you find your exact twin in any way, let alone in your spontaneous delight dance.

"Look, Dave!  I'm not the only one!"  I cried to my DH.   I couldn't have been happier.  I jumped into my own wacky happy knitting dance, and we jumped and twisted together for a moment in complete understanding.  Thankfully, my husband did not photograph us.  You'll have to see it for yourself.

Celine is cool.  She's a designer, teacher, and author.  More about her, the shop, and Celine's book in the next post.

Lo-Cal Easter Bunny - Free Pattern!

Here's a new, free bunny pattern for those not into candy.  (You know, babies, toothless people, diabetics...)  It's available on Ravelry, and the free pattern link is here.  This may be the best bunny pattern I've seen, in that it is realistic, cute, and not too difficult.  Try it!  And be sure to post a nice comment to Sara Kellner on her terrific pattern!

Submissions and submission

One of the fun-ish things about being a knitwear designer is the submission of patterns/samples to yarn companies and publishing outlets.  Once you release your pattern to one of these, you have to wait for the submit-ee to get back to you before you publish it or submit it anywhere else.  (Rules are rules.) And no matter when the pattern was requested, (or manuscript, for that matter) the submit-ees seem to take their sweet time about letting you know how they're going to use your work and when they plan to pay you for it.  When they like your work, it's great.  When it's not for them, it's heartbreaking.

I have submissions out to several outlets including print and yarn companies, and at this point am amazed at how much knitting and designing I've done this year that I can't show anybody because of all the exclusivity rules.  (Even a Ravelry post is out of the question.)

All of this comes to mind because I made yet another submission yesterday, and to my surprise, was not greeted by an email about its acceptance first thing this morning.  (Patience is a virtue I do not possess.)  In fact,  I didn't receive any word at all. That's standard.  They'll talk to me when they're good and ready.  However, I don't have to like waiting.

I'm trying to be mellow about this.  Every time I add to the list of projects out in the world waiting to be accepted or rejected, it gets a little harder.  I'm aiming to be peaceful and accept what comes.  But seriously, I'd rather be accepting acceptances.

Winter Olympic Hat Pattern

It's a chilly morning here in Buffalo, NY.  Of course, it's to be expected, but since I missed almost 6 weeks of summer with my son at the Cleveland Clinic, in my head it's still the beginning of August!

Well, the son is home.  There's lots of medical attention in his future, but we're back in Buffalo as our home base.  And so, as I went out on the porch with my morning coffee today, I realized that it's time to start knitting fall and winter things so they'll be finished by the time the snow flies.  This is definitely a mixed blessing.  I love winter knits, but still miss the idea of summer evenings on the porch knitting up tees and shawls and other warm weather wear.

I sorted through some of my favorite winter patterns, and it cheered me up entirely.  So much cool stuff, so little time!  Take this hat.  It's a version of the Ralph Lauren-designed US Winter Olympic Team 2010 hat, designed by Helena Bristow (www.cleverknits.com) and shared free of charge.  It's so much fun!  There is plenty of detail, including little American flags on the band, reindeer and pine trees on the main, and mountains and snowflakes on the top.  It's challenging enough to be interesting without being obnoxiously fussy.  You have to be a Ravelry member to get this pattern, and if you're not already a member this is an excellent reason to join.  (Ravelry is also FREE!)  Goodbye until next March, spring and summer knits.  I'll be okay after all.

Freebie Friday- 5 Shawls

Hi everyone, Colleen here again!  I spoke with Elisabeth earlier today and though her son is still in critical condition, he is off sedation and responding to familiar voices.  I could hear some definite relief in her voice, and that was music to my ears.  As soon as the medical update was over, she asked how her shawl is coming along.  I guess it’s rather cold in the hospital!

In keeping with tradition, I present you with my version of Freebie Friday.  Since I’m working on a triangular shawl in worsted weight, I trolled Ravelry for similar shawls.  All of the patterns seem to be rather adaptable to different gauges and offer options for changing the size to suit your needs.  Here are 5 for you to consider…

1: Fuzzy Bottom by Joyce Fassbender

This triangular shawlette is worked from the center back to the bottom edge.  The pattern suggests finishing off the shawl with a small amount (40 yards) of a different yarn, perfect for that small ball of luxury yarn or a little bit of leftover stash yarn. 

2. The Stay-Put Shawl by Jen Reilly

This is a formula to create a shawl to work with your particular needs.  It is worked from the center back to the bottom edge and can be stopped anywhere- great for those of us who like to use up every last scrap of yarn!

3. SuperSimple Scandinavian Style Shawl by Sarah Howard

This is a basic recipe for a Scandinavian-style shawl.  Jump on this one quickly, because the designer has noted that it will eventually be released as a more detailed paid pattern.

4. Arrowhead Lace Shawl by DragonWing Arts

This shawl is worked from the bottom up and can easily be adapted to any gauge.  This one in particular looks like a great summer shawl.

5. Harvest Colors Shoulder Shawl by Lidia Tsymbal

This shawl uses a simple lace pattern to highlight the color changes of variegated yarn.  It also includes directions for a crocheted bobble trim if you’re the bobble-y type!
 

The links I provided are all to the Ravelry project pages.  The first four shawls are all published as free Ravelry downloads.  Here is a separate link to the designer’s blog post for the Harvest Colors Shoulder Shawl.  Maybe some of you will decide to knit a “hug” for someone close to you- I’d love to hear about it!

Classic Elite Yarn Lovers

I started a group on Ravelry today for the lovers of CEY.  Different from the only other CEY group, this group is NOT limited to Classic Elite patterns, it's open to all projects.  If you love their yarns, Jill Eaton, Verde, Classic Elite, Twinkle, and St. Denis, drop by and let us know what's on your mind!

Pattern Hunger

Every time the season changes, I find myself hungry for a new crop of patterns to play with.  I dig through my magazine back issues, hit the bookstore for this season's new book offerings, design a bit of my own, and sketch what I see out in the world that strikes me as new and interesting. 

The thing that always sucks me in, though, is an internet search for new patterns.  I don't know where you look, so I've listed a few of my favorites here.

Ravelry.com is cool for a thousand reasons, including that you can search free or paid patterns, yarn weight, size, gender, specific yarn brand and type, and more.  By far the largest pattern collection available, it lists patterns from books, magazines, blogs, websites, flyers, and more.  You can scan photos of the completed projects made by Ravelry members in a variety of yarns in a variety of colors.  Pattern notes from real knitters can guide you around the occassional pattern typo or confusing directions.

Knitting Pattern Central is a site filled with free knitting patterns.  They are primarily new, original patterns sourced from blogs, but there are also patterns from yarn manufacturers' web sites.

Patternfish is a webstore with knitting and crochet patterns available starting at $3 US, and more.  The cool thing about it is that there is a distinct number of patterns that are exclusive to this site.  Always good if you're on the hunt for something you've never seen before.

Etsy is a webstore which contains a wide variety of hand-crafted items.  Some are tools for crafters, like buttons, patterns and knitting needles.  Other items include jewelry, home decor, clothing, and furnishings.  This site works for me because it's a quick way to survey trends in hand-crafting across many disciplines at once.  There are loads of exclusives, and the selection grows and evolves every day.  Prices vary widely, as does content. 

eBay.  Really.  It's a great resource for out-of-print and international knitting books.  It's also great for vintage tools, patterns, and new-never-used kits from days gone by.  I scored a Christmas Stocking kit from the early 60's with pattern and yarn for $18 last year, and I still treasure it.  Vintage patterns are great for inspirations for color, construction and silhouette. In fashion everything old comes back in some new form, and working a vintage pattern in a modern yarn in a modern color is often just the thing to satisfy my pattern hunger. 

Knitpicks has a large selection of patterns and kits, and the pattern pages clearly indicate which ones are new.  If you're trolling for the very latest, that's a big help!  Featuring garments, home decor, whimsies and toys, there's plenty of variety. 

Jimmybeanswool has a nice variety, good photos, and offers the ability to shop by best selling and/or new. 

I hope you find a bunch of great patterns this season.  Where do you hunt for them?  Let me know.  I'll be happy to share.  (Unless you want to keep your best sources to yourself!)

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have finished the design for the mittens to be knit on US 2 or 3 needles.  I haven't made a sample, but the design is drawn to the scale that I knit to with some Cascade Cash Vero DK on little needles.  It's surprisingly fun to design at that scale!  Colorwork in small stitch sizes allows for shapes that just won't work up on larger stitches.  Be patient!  When I've knit good chunk of sample, I'll let you know.

I'm also working on the charity project.  Thanks for all of you who have sent emails, posted on Ravelry, or sent PMs.  I'm in the process of selecting the second charity we will donate to.  The first charity mitten pattern sample is coming along nicely, but I'm making a few adjustments along the way to make it as easy as possible to make.  This pattern will contain a bonus pattern, too.  I'm doing a retro-styled tribute to the organization in a simple mitten pattern.  The bonus should be finished tonight or tomorrow.

My calendar is starting to fill in with teaching events and knitting conferences and festivals. Thanks for the updates and invitations.  I love being invited to teach or speak, and always look forward to meeting more knitters.  There are always such creative people with such wonderful ideas at these things!  We knitters are a pretty cool bunch, I must say.

Thank you again for all the support and ideas and updates.  You guys rock!

A Spring Baby Sweater

It's been a long time since I've featured baby clothes.  I've been too focused on the Mitten Project!  Sorry!  It's time to remedy that.  This sweater, Baby Pullover-Cardigan, is by Claudia Olson.  It's about the most joyful baby sweater I've seen in ages!  The combo of the pattern and the colorway combine for a fabulous effect.  And Ms. Olson is generous enough to offer this patten, and several others, free of charge.  (Thank you very much!)

This sweater can be knit as a cardi or as a pullover, and changing the colorway makes it a pretty versatile piece if you're into a more subdued palette. (Seriously, though, it's fun to find a variegated yarn based on the most common colors in your child's wardrobe.  Then they can wear it with everything, and it doesn't have to be a neutral solid.)  Knit side to side, it makes an easy project for even a very new knitter.  If you haven't knit a garment side to side, try it!  It offers very cool design possibilities.

As every mom knows, finding a spring sweater that your child doesn't want to play with or take off is a real coup.  That makes the fact hat this can be a pullover or a cardi a huge benefit.  (Pullovers are much harder to take off!)  If you choose to make it, let Claudia know on Ravelry.  I'm sure she'd enjoy seeing your photos!

Works in Progress, Free Patterns

This is a good week; a little headway on the Mr. Mittens (using the recently posted Manly Mitts pattern in a heavy worsted), a little work on the Reversible Brioche Rib scarf, and a little work on My Socks.  On top of that I've completed writing two patterns, and posted lots of charts (this week's free patterns) on the Cloths/Squares page and on Ravelry. Still not on Ravelry?  Once you open an account you can roam tens of thousands of free patterns, see what other knitters are up to, and so much more!  Climb aboard.  If you'd like, ask a current Raveller for help. (Like me!)

The My Socks represent my ongoing infatuation with Nichole Sock Yarn by Schaeffer.  This stuff is a pleasure to knit up, wear, and even to wash!  It dries pretty quickly, too.  I know I'll have to branch out beyond this stuff some day, but Buffalo winters beg for cozy, cheerful socks, and this yarn is the magical weight between dress socks and too heavy.  (I know for a fact that this yarn is seeing other people, and I see them in public from time to time.  As long as I get to keep these socks as souvenirs of our relationship, I'll tolerate it.)

The Reversible Brioche Rib is a lovely, meditative process.  Since you work each row twice, once in each color, it's slower going than it appears.  It isn't like trudging through quicksand, though; more like choosing to meander on a walk.  I knit on this project less than I'd like, and it ends up feeling like the midnight ice cream snack a dieter sneaks! (I've owed the Mr. a pair of mittens for a long time.) There need to be more knitting hours in the day!  With a big final on the horizon for school, it'll probably be another week or so until I get back to 2-3 hours of knitting per evening.  I really feel like a kid waiting for summer vacation.  COME ON!

Thankful

As a knitter, there are many things I'm very thankful for:

Alpaca, mercerized cotton, and superwash wool!

All the knitters for hundreds of years who have figured out the details of this craft and have written them down for me to understand.  (I would never have thought of this on my own!)

My LYS community, who keep me sane (ish), inspired, and plied with baked goods and yarn.

Knitting bloggers and Ravelry, who help me feel less alone when I can't write a pattern I like, or when I have to frog hours of work.  It's nice to know the "big kids" have these problems, too.

MaryAnn, Colleen, and Cecile, for our close-knit friendships.  I'd love you even if you didn't knit, but the knitting is so cool!

My family, who have loyally worn my work, no matter how strange or ill-fitting it may be.  They have heard "I'm almost finished with my row - I'll be right there" a million times, and only rarely roll their eyes.

All of you who read this.  Thanks for your comments, contributions, and talks in virtual and real life.  It's been a real enhancement to my knitting experience to hear from you.  Thank you.