Hot weather calls for "holier" knitting...

...Knitting thats full of holes that is, hopefully intentional ones!

I'm getting a jump on lace month, a well deserved jump, as I am knitting more than one project for our June KAL. I've had the lace ribbon scarf on my needles for a week or so now; its dead simple and fun to knit! I really enjoy working on it in the store, where the hustle-bustle environment leaves me little remaining brain power for concentrating on complex lace. I am using just one skein of Hand Maiden sea silk (I THINK the colour is renaissance, what do you think?), which is not long enough to make the proper sized scarf. I removed one lace repeat, and I'm just going to knit until the ball is gone! The idea of an 80 inch scarf (this is the length given in the pattern) was nice until I held a tape measure out to 80 inches, and it reached all the way across the room. I pictured my self ten years from now, still churning this never-ending scarf off my needles; knitted scarf piled on the floor, and wrapped around my neck. Aggh! I can't use that much scarf!
This simple, yet effective lace pattern is a quick and easy knit; and thankfully its east to customize its width and length too!



Just yesterday, I cast on for our advanced KAL project, Laminaria. This shawl has been in my project queue ever since I first saw it in the spring 2008 issue of Knitty. I'm psyched about knitting this piece, but have little to report thus far as I've only knit a few rows...take a look at the progress...

Isn't it cute? I chose to knit this project is Malabrigo Lace. This is my first time knitting with this yarn; a silly fact, considering that I am the happy owner of 9 skeins of the stuff! It was just one of those yarns that I new I loved before I'd even used it, and thats shaping up to be true!

More updates on my lacy endeavors soon. Thanks for checking in!

Emily

You're already at the blog, so...

I just wanted to share these posters that I worked so hard on. I realized that they direct the observer to this blog...so just ignore that part!

June is fast approaching, and we're finishing up some little details for our summer KAL. The Flikr group is up and running as well. Drop by to post photos of your knitted items (summer KAL-related and otherwise). Hope to see you there!

June is Lace Month!

the projects are as follows...

Beginner:
Lace Ribbon Scarf by Veronik Avery. A great way to introduce yourself to the wonders of lace knitting, this scarf is knit out of a fingering weight yarn and features a subtle zig-zag achieved through undulating columns of yarnovers. Lace repeats are short and easy to memorize, you’ll have a beautiful scarf before you know it!
The sample pictured is still in progress, and looking great so far!










Intermediate:
Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark. This small triangular shawl can be knit from just 400 m of lace weight yarn…or sock yarn of course! It features a simple repeat in the main body, that flows into an elaborate border edge. The small size of this shawl makes it quite manageable to knit, and the triangular shape adds interest to the knitting process as it grows and gradually takes its shape!






Advanced:
Laminaria by Elizabeth Freeman
Based on traditional Estonian Lace stitches, this shawl will challenge and inspire you! There are two size options, so those who are timid about taking on a large project can still knit the pattern with a slightly smaller commitment of time. The Shawl Pictured was knit from 2 skeins of Malabrigo lace by our friend and wonder-knitter, Angela. She customized its size to be somewhere in between the large and small sizes provided in the pattern.











If you are interested in the Summer Knitting Club, drop by the store to register. Its completely free to join!

Our first meeting will be around two weeks into June, a final date will be posted shortly.

Emily

2008 Summer Knitting Club

In preparation for another busy summer of travel and trips to the cottage the Naked Sheep plans to help you stay connected with the knitting world as well as the community of Beaches knitters (non-beachers welcome too of course!)

The Summer Knitting Club is a KAL (knitalong) that will run from June to August of 2008. Each month we will select a beginner, intermediate and advanced knitting project and post them right here, on our blog. No matter where your busy life takes you this summer, be sure to bring your KAL project with you.
Don’t forget to take pictures and make notes on your work because the purpose of a KAL is to share your experience knitting a project with others who are knitting the same thing.
To share your notes post a comment on our blog or visit our Flikr group to share photos and check out other people’s projects.
For those of you who may be remaining in the city over the summer, we will hold meetings at the shop every 2 weeks to discuss our progress, and chatter about knitting news as usual.
Emily and Sarah will be happy to help you select yarn and get started with your project, and as usual you are welcome to bring it by the shop if you’re having trouble with anything.
When you purchase your materials you are automatically entered in our draw for some great prizes!

Stay tuned for more information about the Summer Knitting Club!

New Class Schedule

As promised, our new class schedule is ready, and its shaping up to be a rip-roaring good time!

Class listings are posted on our website , as always, if you need more information do not hesitate to give us a call at the store, or drop in for more info.
This session we are offering:

• Down and Dirty Knitting for Newbies
• New Knitter Project Class
• Sock Workshop
• Finishing Workshop
• Mom and Me

If you are having trouble fitting a class into your schedule, we will be happy to arrange a private lesson for you, just give us a call at 416.691.6320

As usual, I cannot resist the temptation to show you what I've been knitting...

Above are my third pair of Coriolis (or should I say Corioli?) from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways For Sock Knitters. Granted, all three pairs are children's sizes, but I cast on for an adult pair yesterday! For the pair pictured above I used Nature's Palette fingering sock, which is a beautiful almost-solid hand dye. The subtle colour variation in this yarn gives great stitch definition, and looks excellent knit into Coriolis. Currently, we have a great selection of Nature's Palette in the store!