TEAM ALASKA KNITTERS

Mile 4 Muffin Stop-Iknitarod Update

2010-03-08T08:50:00.003-09:00

Took my knitting with me to watch the Iditarod Start in Anchorage at my friend's house, where she's hosted the Mile 4 Muffin Stop for may years. I posted some pictures at my blog, and there's a picture of me standing to the right of Karen Ramstead on the cover of the sports section of the ADN. I'm the lady in the red jacket, wearing a skhoop, holding a camera and, of course, her knitting bag. I'm such a geek.

I'll be posting another update about my knitting soon on my blog, as I have some good news. My copy of Elizabeth Zimmermann's book "Knittting Workshop" arrived in the mail on Saturday.

But now, I must do a little spring cleaning and then get a little exercise in, before getting either blogging or knitting done.

Another Challenge...

2010-03-04T00:14:00.000-09:00

So, how many of us are going through Olympic withdrawal?

Diana, the Iknitarod sounds like fun - mush, you huskies! I see the rules are to start March 6, with the start of the race in Anchorage, and then finish when they do - about 10 days to 2 weeks out. At least, with this one, if one can't keep up with the leader, one can always tag along with the red lantern musher.

Since I knit one argyle sock during the regular Olympics, I was thinking about knitting the mate during the Paralympics, which closes on March 21. That's about the same time frame as the Iknitarod. I'm going to keep posting here, and invite you all to do so, as well.

Here's a toast to more challenges!

Another Athletic Knit-along

2010-03-02T13:38:00.003-09:00

For those of you who enjoyed the Olympic Challenge, I've found another challenge that may interest my fellow Alaskan's. An Initarod. The group is on Ravelry and I'm planning on knitting my first Elizabeth Zimmermann project, the Baby Surprise Jacket (BSJ) for my son's guitar teacher's new baby girl. Heading over to Titlewave to see if I can find a used copy of her book, Knitting Workshop, so I not only have her pattern but learn some important sweater knitting skills.

Gold Medal Now Online

2010-03-01T13:28:00.002-09:00

Here's a link to Yarn Harlots site with information about the medal, etc.

Whew! Just Made it.

2010-03-01T00:07:00.003-09:00

My hands are toast! Two hats and two socks in two weeks. I can barely move my fingers.

Olympic Sock

2010-02-28T22:41:00.000-09:00

Phew! This sock was a photo finish!
I knit like crazy during the hockey game (intense!), sewed the instep to the gusset,

then knit down to the toe during the closing ceremony,

"kitchener stitched" the toe, and finished sewing the back seam as the flame went out.

Knitting one argyle sock was a good challenge and a doable goal for me for this Knitting Olympics. I'm looking forward to finishing the other sock soon, and wearing them in public.

Olympic Sweater

2010-02-28T18:45:00.005-09:00

Here it is....
My Olympic Eastlake sweater! Can't believe I finished in time.

Pattern: Eastlake by Norah Gaughan **Errata available!!**

Yarn: Dream in Color, Classy - Happy Forest

Needles: US 5 & US 7

Mods: Knit in round up past the eyelet row. The neckband extension of the front is a bit funky & far from perfect. If I were to knit this pattern again, I'd use short rows for the sleeve caps & redesign the top to omit the neckbands.

Can't wait to wear this out & about!

~ArcticKnitter

Project Two!

2010-02-28T16:40:00.003-09:00

Completed project two! This is one of those teapots that sits in its own cup, and it needed a cozy to keep my tea warm. This is supposed to be a pumpkin, and is kind of close. . .

Congratulations to everyone who participated!

Official End Time, Please?

2010-02-28T09:39:00.002-09:00

Firstly, what official end time for us here in alaska time zone?
sometime today, I know......
So , I had a bit of a false start, knitted a few inches and saw i was not where i thought i was in the chart, and so i waited until i could see KathyM, Master Knitting Instructor, to put me back on track.
I have hope that i can get within a few inches a done, depending on time left.

Either way I will post picture at the end.

kat

Regrouping to finish the Argyle Sock

2010-02-27T11:29:00.001-09:00

Congratulations to Choc and Kathy on achieving your Knitting Olympic goals!

I've realized that the last time I did this, I had a lot more time at my disposal. I feel like I've tripped while skating, but am regrouping and heading towards the finish line, anyway.

So, having gotten my pesky WORK out of the way, that's been getting in the way of knitting, I'm concentrating on just one sock. I've finished the leg, and am knitting the argyle part of the instep.

My goal is to get that done today - maybe by the end of the afternoon. Then this evening, I plan to work on the heel, then on to the rest of the sock. I think there's hope!

How are the rest of you doing?

Shawl progress

2010-02-26T23:56:00.002-09:00

I finished knitting the final row and bound off all 375 stitches about 90 minutes ago. The shawl soaked for a while and then I spread it on some beach towels on the rug downstairs. I'll take pictures tomorrow and then see if I can find someone to help me post evidence of the completed shawl. How are the rest of your projects coming?

Olympic Project Finished!

2010-02-24T18:58:00.001-09:00

Here is my Blocks baby blanket, completed! I enjoyed trying out the new stitches. This is usually something I can knit almost with my eyes closed, but not this time. I REALLY like the Norwegian purl stitch! I did the single crochet bind off, which looks a bit like the Old Norwegian cast on. And, it's finished just in time. The baby is due in 2 weeks.

Maybe I'll try to get that pair of sox finished as well. . .

One Hat Done-Other So Close (updated)

2010-02-22T16:19:00.004-09:00

Working hard on the duplicate stitch for the second, but all this knitting has aggravated my carpal tunnels. (Dramatic Olympic Sympathy Music in background) Will she be able to finish? Is she an Olympic Champion? Can she complete her Olympic Challenge? (cut to commercial)

Done with number two! Icing the wrist and back to the socks tomorrow.

Knitting is a Medal event!

2010-02-21T11:49:00.000-09:00

A quick reminder to all Team Alaska Knitters - if you want to receive a digital medal from the Stephanie Pearl McPhee (aka "The Yarn Harlot") at the end of the Olympics to put on your blog or website, please take a moment to fill out the form at her website. You'll also be able to see who else is signed up, world-wide.

Sock Progress!

2010-02-21T11:08:00.000-09:00

My life has been busy, this past week, so this is my first post. I had declared that I would knit just one argyle sock, but I'm so used to knitting two at a time that I went ahead and prepared for two. I'm using Dale Baby Ull in five colors. The pattern I'm using is by Connie Mallette, from the TKGA website.

As the opening ceremonies began (well done, eh?), I wound bobbins, then cast on, and knit the top ribbing - one color, easy! On the other hand setting the first pattern row is always hard for me, as it requires lots of counting, but I only had to frog and reknit one row on one sock. I didn't have as much time to knit over this past week as I'd hoped, but have made more progress over the weekend, while watching NBC's Olympic coverage in the evening.

I've learned how to change yarns without leaving holes (I only have one to fix later). However, keeping the gauge of the single color stitches the same as the other segments is challenging. I'll just keep at it until I finish this race!

Progress

2010-02-20T21:15:00.002-09:00

I have just finished knitting the 154th, and supposed final row, of the Charlotte's Web shawl. I have concerns about how big it will be after blocking so I have chosen a 6th color and will knit 32 more rows. There is not enough yarn left from all of the colors to make the fringe in all 5 colors, so I won't be doing the fringe. Now I have to figure out a different edging.

I have enjoyed looking at the pictures that have been posted on the blog, seeing the progress the rest of you are making.

Olympic Diversion: For a Worthy Cause

2010-02-20T09:07:00.004-09:00

Last night, my children's school had it's 4th annual Art Night Fundraiser for Malawi Children's Village. We have been able to raise enough money in to help build a new wing on one of the schools and, even more important, a girls bathroom, so that girls can get an education. Without one, the girls were too embarrassed to travel far from their home.

Every year I knit a few things for the auction, and manage to raise a little money for Malawi. I had a Peruvian Hat sell at the auction for $40.00, a few years ago and then got to watch the little boy who'd won it, wear it nearly every day.

This year, I decided to make a pair of felted mittens for the auction, but I was drawing a blank on what else to donate.

Then I saw Lindsey Vonn wearing the cutest hat while getting her Gold Medal. "Hey, I can do that hat!", I thought. This was on Thursday, though and the auction was Friday. Checked on Ravelry to see if anyone else had the same idea and posted the pattern. Nope. Not yet. I started examining the hat more closely from the picture and felt confident enough to go ahead and figure it out.

So Friday morning, while the kids and I got ready , I made a poster for the auction with Lindsey wearing the hat and stating that I would knit the hat over the weekend and have it ready for them by Monday am, and then placed it on one of the bidding tables at school.

I continued to check Ravelry for a pattern, which would save me a lot of time and one finally popped up for me to use by BelgianWaffleKnits. Hooray!

Even better news. The winning bid: $72.00 And, even better news, another parent offered to match the winning bid and have me knit another one. So, I'm raising $144.00 for Malawi Children's Village. Wow! Glad these are pretty easy hats to knit. Just hope I get them the right size for the two little down skiing girls, who idolize Lindsey Vonn and have dreams of being Olympic DH Stars themselves.

Got to get back to work!

Working, working

2010-02-17T15:52:00.003-09:00

Hello fellow Olympic knitters. Kathy from Valley SOCK here.

I'm working on this simple baby blanket as my challenge. Since it's not really difficult, I upped the ante by trying the Old Norwegian cast on, and am doing the Norwegian purl (those old Norwegians sure liked lots of twists and turns!). You can find both by Googling.

Look at the row of knit stitches between the stockinette and reverse stockinette blocks on the lower right - see how the row of stitches is loose and sloppy? Those in the know say that comes from going from a knit to a purl when you pick - too much yarn used, and it slips back into the knit stitch. Now look at the same sequence in the section above - the stitches are neater and tighter! Must be because the Norwegian purl twists a bit - not enough to create a twisted stitch, but enough to tighten up the stitches. I may become a convert! Thanks to Shawnalee for showing me the stitch.

I've got one problem, though. Can't knit AND watch ice skating at the same time. I've got to hurry or I'll never finish at this rate!

The Qualify Round....

2010-02-17T07:00:00.004-09:00

Monday Night..
chilling out in a snow
bank!!! Poised to
JUMP!

Sunday Nights
progress!

The Olympics is going fast! Knitting for me has been sparse.. off and on. I have tried to make the most of it. The opening ceremonies we're awesome. I was not able to watch at 6:30 as I was at my weekly knitting group (FridayNightKnit at theGrounds) .. we had a valentine knitting evening. But once home (11:00pm) I sat down to my DVR and started my "Casting On". Finally after 3 mis-starts... I was on a roll... when my yarn jump out of my lap and rolled across the floor. My puppy posed to jump, was in the "fetch" mod and pounced on the yarn..and after 45 minutes of untangling my yarn... (sigh) I went to bed. After this trail run, sunday evening I sat down in front of a roaring fire and relaxed. I started my cast on for the 4th time.....and skated across the finish line in record time... (after the 3rd time you finally get it... casting on 2 socks at once is Rocket Science). Of course I did all this under the playful eye of my pooch .. who was ready to pounce on any stray misfire! Monday night I finished the ribbing and started the pattern. Hoorah....

Happy Knitting
Linda

my Olympic Goal

2010-02-16T15:52:00.003-09:00

I have decided to complete a three-cable scarf.
It needs 14 inches added to it to make it 40inches and finished.

I also need to add skein & 1/2 to a huge-ish shawl to be ready to move to the next step, it is long boring sets of St st, so endurance is a key here.

My Own Opening Games Malfunctions

2010-02-13T14:55:00.003-09:00

Casting on began for me at 10:30pm, due to a schedule conflict with my Bunco group, of 6 years. I was not the only one in my group eager to get home to watch the opening games DVR'd at our homes. Because I was watching it recorded, I was able to fast-forward through lots and lots and lots of commercials, turning my knitting time from a 4.5 hours to only 2.5 hours of knitting time.

My favorite part, the Orca pod swimming across the stage. Amazing. And, I can't believe the athleticism of the First Nation dancers. They danced for at least 45 minutes as the athletes walked out. Over all, a real enjoyable opening games.

However, I did start to doze off a few times during the Olympic Committee's speeches, I managed to wake myself up so I could see who was going to be lighting the torch.

Sadly, while waiting to see if the malfunctioning torch would be light, my DVR recording ended. Too tired to go only to see it at that point, so waited til this am and turned on the TV that's in the living room, without cable, and there it was being shown on the USA sport channel.

My second malfunction: Coming home from X-country skiing this am (Jr. Nordic for the boys), slightly exhausted and light headed, reaching for my knitting so I could take a picture of my progress and pulling a needle out of one side of both socks. Take a careful look at the picture and you'll see that one side is sans-needles. I've managed to get these rather tightly knit, small loops back on, with some effort and will be getting back to knitting here quickly as I'm watching this afternoon.

Berry Season - Socks

2010-02-11T23:51:00.009-09:00

I've decided on a pair of socks.... Berry Season by Melissa Morgan-Oakes from her book 2-at-a-time Socks. I bought some hand dye yarn by Nancy Sopp (AlaskanNancy) called
"Alaska Wildflower" a self striping sock yarn - Cherry Tree Hill Supersock - 100% Superwash merino. I'll post a picture tomorrow.

Let the Knitting begin!

Happy knitting
Linda

Count Me In!

2010-02-09T19:46:00.002-09:00

I'm so excited to be a part of Team Alaska! Thanks to KnittingDiva for making me aware of Team Alaska. My plan is to knit Norah Gaughan's "Eastlake" sweater as my Knitting Olympics 2010 project. I'll use Dream in Color Classy in the "Happy Forest" colorway. It's always taken me so long to knit a sweater, so this will certainly be a challenge. Thanks for letting me join! Let the games begin! :0)

My Olympic Challenge

2010-02-08T20:46:00.002-09:00

Here's a link to my blog about my Olympic Challenge. Wasn't sure/couldn't remember if I'd been able to post in '06. Guess I can. Happy knitting!

Decision made

2010-02-06T20:53:00.002-09:00

I have finished the knitting on daughter Elizabeth's sweater, except for the collar and have decided to be selfish for my Olympic knitting. I'll be knitting the Charlotte's Web Shawl. This will be my first triangle shawl, first fringed item and I don't know how to crochet. The shawl calls for a crocheted edging to which the fringe is attached. One friend offered to teach me to crochet the edging, but she is leaving town Thursday so I'll see if I can find somebody else to teach me.

It's good to hear what the rest of you are going to be knitting.

Hi Knitters!

2010-02-06T13:30:00.003-09:00

Well, this will be one way for me to push myself beyond my knitting comfort zone! I'm somewhere between a beginner and an intermediate knitter; probably a little closer to a beginner.

I've chosen my pattern and yarn: a lacy cashmere scarf. I'm using the yarn suggested in the pattern. This scarf will be for my daughter in Georgia who wants a scarf to use as an accessory :) The pattern says Easy+ but has things like "yo," "k2tog," and "sk2p" that I haven't had much/or any experience with.

Valley SOCK team

2010-02-01T14:31:00.002-09:00

Hello fellow knitters! I'm encouraging all my Valley SOCK students past and present to join Team Alaska.

I am going to start and finish a baby blanket for a good friend who is having her first grandchild in March. I hope this will help me finish the blanket before the baby arrives!

Other Valley SOCK students, sign on and let us know what your project will be.

Rules Review

2010-01-14T01:29:00.001-09:00

As blog host, I should probably take a moment to review the "Knitting Olympics" rules. If you need a refresher, or haven't seen the original 2006 rules (which I assume apply this time around, too), click on the link on the right called "Knitting Olympics 2006". This will take you to Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's web page where they're all laid out.

The Team Alaska sub-rules are:
1. You must either live in, or be (fairly) recently from, Alaska.
2. You must knit. (This is a KNITTING Olympics, 'nuff said).
3. You must seek a higher plane of knitting, pushing yourself that one extra step further than ever.
4. You must TRY to finish this commitment.
5. You must not stress yourself beyond comeback.
6. You must remember this is FUN.
7. You will NOT win a car, boat or vacation to some far away resort.
8. You must cast on during the opening ceremonies, but may swatch before (training for your event)!

Potential Team Alaska members: if you comment to the blog, your email is not automatically attached. If you don't want to include your email in your comment, but would still like to provide it, so I can invite you to be a contributing member of the blog, then please do the following:
     Click on the "LindaY" link on the right.
     When my profile page comes up, click on email on the left under "contact".
     Send me an email that includes your email address and a message about your project.
If it all looks legit, I'll send you an invitation to be a contributor. After you respond back, you should be able to post!

Can't wait to start knitting!

Choosing a project

2010-01-11T23:41:00.000-09:00

Hi Choc! Thanks for being the first to post, and asking about projects. It sounds like you have some good ones to choose from.

Yes, I changed the heading to help get us in the mood for our next Olympic challenge. The Opening Ceremony is coming right up, at 6 p.m. February 12. Closing Ceremony is 5:30 p.m. February 28.

My life has been so busy that I haven't decided what to knit, yet, either. But I have a whole stash full of project ideas. Maybe an Argyle sock? I don't know if I can knit two in 17 days, but even one would be a challenge!

I hope all of you on Team Alaska are thinking about your challenging project, and will post your ideas, soon. Remember, your pre-Olympics training time can include practice swatches to check your gauge, and make sure you like your yarn and pattern!

2010 ravelympics

2010-01-06T11:10:00.002-09:00

Thanks to the person who updated the heading. Linda? I haven't decided what to knit this time, either a Charlotte's Web shawl or a sweater for daughter Elizabeth or a pair of socks for the boyfriend of another DD, or maybe a feather and fan scarf or 4.

What are the rest of you going to knit?

Choc

Picture of sweater

2008-12-05T21:22:00.002-09:00

Hi,

With some help I have a picture of my sweater. It was fun knitting with you all this summer, see you for the winter games in 2010.

Choc

Sweater finished

2008-09-27T19:24:00.002-08:00

I finished knitting my sweater last Sunday, the 21st, finished sewing the steeks down and blocked it the next day. When, or if, I figure out how to connect the digital camera to the computer, I'll post pictures.

Thanks to all of you for sharing your knitting and thanks to Linda for being our web mom.

Choc

Finally Finished My Olympics Project

2008-09-17T19:36:00.007-08:00

Just finished my hat and gloves in time to send to my niece, but forgot to get any pictures. Let's just say, I've been a little distracted with election stuff.....

A Winning Pair

2008-08-26T09:35:00.005-08:00

Spiral Socks - Finished

2008-08-26T05:00:00.005-08:00

Well teammates the Olympics ended and I finished my project (see picture of socks on and in front of the TV). I'm glad I picked a simple pattern. "Sprial Socks" by Kathy Meggit. The socks will be donated to The Knitters of the North's fall charity project. I could work at my own pace as I knew I would get involved in "watching" instead of "knitting and watching". LOL. You guys your projects are soooo much more than mine. I'm a little embarrassed. I've been reading about the new sock yarn (the square knit block from KnitPicks) that you dye yourself. What will they come up with next.

Thank you for sharing and thank you for letting me “Knit” along.

Until next time.
Happy Knitting Zing (Linda W in Anchorage)

Not yet finished

2008-08-25T21:07:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all of you who finished your knitted items!!!

As of the end of the Olympics last night I was about 4 inches away from the finishing of the body of my sweater and still have both sleeves to do, plus the neck and the necessary finishing. My new goal is to be done by the end of the Republican convention.

I do have a better sense of how much I can realistically knit in a givien time period and know that I need to pay attention to the number of stitches required by a project rather than the project itself. Can't wait for the Winter Olympics in 2010!

Choc

I'm home!!

2008-08-25T08:25:00.002-08:00

I arrived back in Alaska yesterday afternoon. As nice as the sun was down in California, it is so nice being back in the rain. The only sad thing is that I put my husband on a plane this morning and won't see him until Friday.

I signed up to knit 2 pairs of socks. I figured I could handle that while on "vacation". Oh, boy, was I wrong. I finished one pair, started the second, and proceeded to frog the second pair this morning because it was the wrong yarn for the pattern.

Thank you for letting this interloper from California knit for the team! :)

~barb

2008-08-25T07:26:00.003-08:00

Hi knitters, It has been a busy two weeks and I had some surprise company for the last 5 days - so I was having to sneak in my knitting to finish my Project.

I had seen a stitch pattern in a child's sock that I wanted to knit for myself - that was my project for the Olympics. I adapted an adult sock pattern to use this stitch - not too difficult in the end. I also had purchased sock yarn that was already knit into a flat piece called 'Flat Feet' produced by Conjoined Creations (www.conjoinedcreations.com). The flat knit piece was hand painted; some of the choices were quite garish but the ones I saw knitted up turned out beautifully. The idea behind the flat knit piece is that it is easy to travel with - no ball to roll off your lap. I was eager to knit up this yarn and didn't wait for a trip. I watched much too much TV on opening weekend - it was raining outside! - and nearly finished the first sock! The second one was a close call, but the ends were sewn in last night! As soon as I take a picture of them I will try to figure out how to attach it to a blog :-). Signing off with warm feet, Cathy

Silver Medal?

2008-08-24T22:53:00.003-08:00

I finished knitting the mittens, actually Friday night! I had hoped to wash and block them this weekend, but didn't quite get that far. Maybe that lands me a silver medal in the mitten medley? We're getting ready to have a new deck built on the house, so had a lot of clean-up to do over the past two days, which took precedence. Oh well, such is life. I can't believe this two weeks went by so fast - probably in part because it's summer, with so many things to do. I hope you all made significant progress on your projects...please post to let us all know how it went.

2008-08-24T14:16:00.002-08:00

This is Kathy MK reporting in. Yikes, tonight is the closing ceremony! I've got just about 8 rows, so will be starting soon, to finish in time - maybe I'll use their time, which is tomorrow, or is it yesterday? Anyway, I'm off to knit!

Checking in from California...

2008-08-22T06:40:00.003-08:00

Man, there are so many choices down here I'm overwhelmed. I miss Ketchikan!!!! I fly back on Sunday. I've done so much shopping that I have to pay for a second suitcase. I'm also mailing a box of stuff I don't want on the plane home today. Whoops.

I haven't been knitting much since being down here, but I did push myself to finish one pair of socks for the Ravelympics. :) I finished Bellatrix yesterday. I love how they turned out. I started Muscari yesterday, but I don't think it's going to be a fast knit. 91 stitches for size large socks on size 0 needles. Eeek. What was I thinking?

So, here's my Bellatrix. :)

Have a wonderful Alaska day! I know I said I wanted 100 degree temperatures, but today is supposed to be hot, hot, hot down here. I'm going to melt! I'm starting to look forward to the Ketchikan Liquid Sunshine!!

~barb

Progress so far

2008-08-21T00:16:00.003-08:00

Thanks for the pep talk, Linda.

My sweater is growing slowly, due to its being knit on 2.5 mm needles and my having a bit of a life. The body is being knit in the round and I am within 4 rows of the bottom of the armholes, 4 rounds of 324 stitches each. In the meantime, I am very happy with the colors I am using and if I take the time to figure out how to attach my camera to my computer by Sunday, I'll post some pictures.

I hope that the rest of you are progressing towards your goals and would enjoy seeing your results.

Choc

Courage!

2008-08-20T10:32:00.003-08:00

Now then, Team Alaska Knitters (especially those who are feeling stressed by the amount of time left, and where you are with your project) – pause for a moment and breathe deeply, release, and repeat 2 or 3 times. Feel better? I’m waxing rhapsodic for a minute here…

1. Remember, this is just the Olympic Trials (Ravelympics) for the 2010 Winter Knitting Olympics, which Stephanie Pearl-McPhee has said she will again organize.

2. Don’t freak out! You challenged yourself and set yourself a goal, which you’re doing your best to achieve. But remember that this is also a learning experience, in terms of how much you can knit in this period of time. It might turn out to be the “eyes are bigger than the stomach” for some of us – but then, we’ll know that, for planning for the “really big one” in 2010. Please do post and let us know how you’re doing, regardless - and don't worry about a picture, if you haven't had time to take one. You can always put that up later.

3. It’s summer! Most of us are juggling 50 different things going on in our lives, and have chosen to make knitting a higher priority during these two weeks than perhaps it’s been for months. So expect to have some “rest” periods (athletes have to have rest days – unless you’re Michael Phelps, when it might just be “rest minutes”). And then do your darndest when you can.

So, hang in there, take it a row at a time, and retain that sense of satisfaction that you ARE making progress.

I’ve been alternating knitting spurts with down time (like yesterday, when I had to work overtime well into the evening). I did make some progress last Saturday evening while knitting at a friend’s house and watching Constantina Tomescu Dita win the Women’s Marathon (age 38 – wow!), but then had no time for knitting on Sunday and Monday. Last night I was determined to knit just a little, so did one row, while watching the late news and a little of the BMX competition, just before hitting the hay. I’ll probably do the same tonight, although I’m looking at a little earlier bedtime! I think I can see light at the end of the tunnel, and am planning to pick up the knitting pace, at least a little, tomorrow evening.

One of my teachers used to say “Have courage!” when I’d wrestle with a problem in life that was affecting my study time. So I “en-courage” you all with your projects and wish you “Good Knitting”!

Sunday 8/17/08

2008-08-20T06:00:00.003-08:00

This is me..

Multi-tasking -

Camping,

watching the

Olympics,

and knitting

my spiral

socks....

you have

to look

really close to

see the socks!

It's summer

in Alaska!!!

We have to

make the

most of our

time!!!

I'm hanging in there - just barely....

2008-08-19T22:58:00.008-08:00

This is 2 days into the Olympics..
but after that well it has been slow
going for me. I've complete 6" on both
but man... there's just too much
going on.

Between swimming, volleyball, gymnastics I just can't concentrate and
stay at it. And then I look at the progress on this blog.... how do you guys do it.

What a cute hat, and even cuter model. And Linda your mitten medley is coming along beautifully (Is that a word??) I 've been staying up late watching and getting up early. I need a day just to lay in bed and KNIT.

Happy knitting everyone...and keep up the great job err knitting!
More later - Zing (LindaW)

My Olympic Progress

2008-08-19T20:19:00.004-08:00

Well, I finished my hat a few days ago. My 8 year old son, Ian, was nice enough to model it for me. Real men aren't afraid to wear pink!

I have had a few set back on the gloves. The pattern I'm using needed some modification for a 7 year old, as they were just too big. I'm working on the cuff on the first one.

Also, we got the call, yesterday, from our contractor that he was ready to start our kitchen, TODAY! Spent most of yesterday afternoon and evening packing up the kitchen. Hoping this "set back" will not prevent me from finishing the Olympics, like the Chinese hurdler.

Staying up way to late at night, and missed a few of my favorites (I think), Sync swimming, and anything equestrian. Watched the women's marathon and that the winner was 38 years old. Loved that the announcers weren't even considering her as a serious contender at the beginning. What a great surprise! And, just want to add Dara Torres ROCKS!

Finally on Board.

2008-08-17T21:02:00.001-08:00

Hello team Alaska. I'm finally on and can say that I'm working diligently on my cotton shawl/poncho. Will post a pic as soon as I figure out how to!

Lovely Leicester Longwool...

2008-08-16T10:46:00.007-08:00

Wow, those Olympians are something else! Just finished watching the swimming races. Michael Phelps and his teammates are incredible, and Dara Tores is no slouch, herself.

Just a little P.S. to my earlier post – to mention where I got the Leicester (pronounced "Lester") Longwool that I’m using for my Selbuvotter mittens. The first two skeins were from the heirloom flock at Colonial Williamsburg, but when I needed more, I had to search the internet, as there was no more available from that small flock. Lisa at Cranberry Moon Farm in Massachusetts had exactly the right match, in wool from her flock, so I purchased another skein of the natural white from her. I love the Leicester Longwool. It’s not as soft as Merino, when knitting, but it has a beautiful lustrous sheen, and my understanding is that it will “bloom” and get softer when washed. I’m looking forward to getting to that point...

Happy Knitting!

Moving Along in the Mitten Medley

2008-08-14T20:59:00.005-08:00

There are sure some lovely things being knit for these Olympics! Socks, sweaters, mittens…

To catch up on my progress: I got up rather early Friday morning, frogged my previous work on my mittens while the athletes were walking into the Bird’s Nest, and then cast on again as the flame was being lit. What an amazing ceremony! Although I was disappointed to hear about the graphics “enhancement” of the fireworks, and the substitution of the young lip-syncher, it really couldn’t spoil the overall effect. The fireworks really made me think about how the Chinese were the ones who invented them!

Here’s what the mittens looked like prior to frogging:

Cait and I spent the weekend immersed in folk music from around the world, so didn’t watch much of the early Olympic athletic competitions, but we definitely got our dose of global diversity. Performers at the Edmonton Folk festival came from Africa, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, the UK, Denmark, the USA, and of course, Canada. And the Sparrow Quartet, with Bela Fleck, left for China immediately after the festival was over.

As we listened to this feast of music from all over the world, we worked on our own Olympic challenges. By the time I left Edmonton on Monday, I had finished the gauntlet cuffs of my mittens. Because I’m using a slightly thicker yarn, and larger needles than the original pattern calls for, I had to make some adjustments to the pattern, both in number of stitches and rows, and the graphics of the pattern design. I worked on this for the hand portion of the mittens while flying from Edmonton to Seattle. While waiting in Seattle for my next plane, I had an encouraging conversation with Cathy (so glad to hear that you’re a fellow adventurer into the realm of “personalizing” your knitted items!), so was ready to tackle the first part of the hands as I traveled to Anchorage.

I watched NBC’s Olympic coverage Tuesday night, both on TV (swimming), and on the internet (judo, and rowing), and managed to finish the thumb gussets and start the main part of the hands. So, as of early Wednesday morning, this is what they look like (back side left, palm side right):

I'm very happy about how my "mitten medley" is going, and will knit some more tonight while watching NBC again.

Surfing the wrong channel

2008-08-14T16:39:00.005-08:00

I thought I better check in......

Well I've been working everynight on the "Spiral Socks". I was hoping to "Knit 2 together on 2 circulars" but... I didn't have the right size circulars so I just bagged it and I'm knitting them both at the same time from the same ball ... on 2 sets of double points. I took pictures last night but my battery died. I will upload pictures tomorrow. I'm not as far a I hoped .. I've been under the weather so I'm not knitting as fast as I could. errr .....well I've been spending allot of time with the lap-top in bed with the socks and with ......Ravelry open and..... the T.V. tuned in to the Olympics. .... and all those pictueres on Ravelry keep calling ... "Look at me! Look at me!"
I hope to make a big dent tonight... if so I guess I'll have to take different pictures??

How about Michael Phelp... He makes it look sooooooooooo easy. (sigh)

Well Happy knitting
and Happy Olympic knitting
Linda W (Zing) in Anchorage

Day 2... (or is it 3???)

2008-08-10T09:31:00.002-08:00

Thank you so much Choc for inviting me over to watch the Opening Ceremonies! I had a great time!

I spent some time knitting in public yesterday. :) While I was under the dryer at the salon I knit a round on my socks, then I knit 2 more rounds at the library while they were having their celebration for the end of the summer reading program. :) Three more rounds on the leg then I can start my heel! These are knitting up really quick!

Have a great day! I'm spending my day doing laundry and getting my stuff ready for my trip!

~barb

Opening Games Knitting

2008-08-09T09:16:00.003-08:00

Wow, lot's going on at the Opening
Games. Made for difficult knitting. I had to frog a row several times. At the start, the ribbing went real fast, and I thought, maybe, I'd actually get the hat done by the end of the Ceremonies. Nope.

I may have to add another Olympic event to my Ravelympics
events.

I had to put the knitting down during the lighting of the Olympic Flame to watch the video following the final torch bearer. Very cool way to start the games. (For some reason, the Chinese didn't include any video of the human rights protests around the world, too bad.)

Hope to finish up the hat tonight while I watch Michael Phelps win gold!

A good day for knitting

2008-08-09T07:48:00.002-08:00

Barb and I met last night to watch the opening ceremonies, eat pizza, drink tea and start our projects. Barb had the cuff done and a start on the leg of her first sock before she left! :) I had only cast on and knit two rows of my sweater done by then. :( It was fun to meet another knitter and see her yarn and sock pattern.

Today is dreary looking, a good day for knitting. I'll head into the Bead and Yarn Shoppe a little later this morning to do some knitting with the knitters, beaders and other handcrafters who come in.

Choc

So, have you cast on yet???

2008-08-08T10:36:00.003-08:00

I haven't.

I need to kitchner the toe on the sock that's currently on the needle. And print my pattern. And wind my yarn into a ball.

Choc, I tried calling last night but didn't get through. I only tried once, then we got busy and by the time I looked at the clock it was after 10. I still want to come over. I have your phone number, I'll give you a call this evening.

So, what are you guys doing for the Ravelympics? I'm going to cast on for Bellatrix by Monkey Toes first. I bought some STR in the Tlingit colorway and I think it'll be perfect for this.

Have a great Friday!

~barb

Greetings from Ketchikan

2008-08-07T00:22:00.002-08:00

Hi all,

I looked through my stash and decided to knit a sweater. It will be the pattern by Ruth Sorensen that the Yarn Harlot knit last June. I knit it as a cardigan this winter/spring in the rainbow colorway and this time will try it as a pullover using Kauni yarn and the colorways EU and EP.

I plan to start knitting Friday evening when the start is shown on TV here. Barb, would you like to get together at your house or mine to watch the opening ceremonies and cast on? There is another knitter in Ketchikan who might like to join us.

Linda, thank you for updating this site and getting us going.

Please note that my email address has 25 right before the dot, otherwise the emails go to one of my daughters. She is pretty good about forwarding things to me but it is easier if email comes directly to me.

I'm looking forward to the next few weeks of concentrated knitting. Glad to be with you all.

Choc

Greetings from Edmonton

2008-08-05T16:09:00.004-08:00

Hello fellow Alaska knitters! Well, yes, technically I'm in Canada, but I'm Linda's daughter, born and raised in Anchorage, so I guess I qualify. I'm really excited to have an excuse to sit down and do some knitting. My summer has consisted of a lot more of this:And not a lot of time working on this:
My goal for this Olympics is to end my struggle with the sleeves for this little sweater and finish it! Since taking the above picture I have ripped out both sleeves, re-knit one of them, only to find that it is way to big, and I am going to have to rip it out at least halfway and re do it again (not to mention knitting the other sleeve). When I'm frustrated with a project and its 85 degrees outside, well...I'm sure you can guess what I choose to do.
My mom is visiting this weekend for the Edmonton Folk Festival, so we will miss the opening ceremonies, but we will be knitting away at the festival I'm sure.
I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else is working on!
Cait

The 3rd times the charm!

2008-08-05T15:49:00.013-08:00

Hello fellow knitters!!

Linda W. from Anchorage (alias "Zing") here!

I finally made it! On again off again.. I finally got it right! Just in time.

I plan on knitting a pair of "Spiral Rib Tube Socks". This is the KOTN 2008 Fall Charity Challenge. The pattern is by Kathy Meggitt, a member of the group! I'm going to challenge myself even more by knitting the pair on "2 circulars" at once. I will start on Friday night at "The Knitting Grounds" during our weekly (Friday Night Knit )http://fridaynightknit.blogspot.com/ . I'm planning on bringing a T.V. for all of us to watch the opening ceremony. If that doesn't work out I will have my laptop and we can "cyber-watch"! We've been able to log-on through the Kaladi Brother's hotspot! We've been surfing "Ravelry" and drooling over projects.

Let the games begin!!!
Happy Knitting Zing

Hello Fellow Team Alaska Knitters

2008-08-04T22:59:00.007-08:00

My name is Diana. I live in Anchorage with my husband and two sons, ages 8 and 10 years old. I've been knitting on and off since I was 10 years old. If you do the math, that's a little over 30 years. I was a finisher in the 2006 Knitting Olympics, thanks to Linda, and I'm looking forward to participating again.
Casting on Friday night will also coincide with our 18th anniversary since moving to Alaska. 18 years ago, Friday night, my husband (boyfriend at the time)and I, spent our first night in Alaska, at a campground somewhere between the border and Tok. While camping that first night, swatting away at the thick clouds of mosquitos, I saw my first float plane land and take off right on the lake we were camping at. Very cool to a girl born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Little did I know, that I'd soon live 2 miles from one of the most active float plane bases in the world, Lake Hood. My sons and I often take bike rides around Lake Hood and love to watch the planes take off and land as we bike.

The Ravelympic event I've entered is the Gift Knit Pentathalon. I'll be working on a hat/fingerless glove combo for one of my nieces, whose turning 7 in September. I've knit this for her mother (SIL, picture to left) and her sister, for both of their birthdays, so she's really looking forward to her set. They live in the SF Bay Area, so these hats and gloves are more for fashion then function. Here's a link to my project at the Ravelry site.

Enough about me, I'd love to hear what Olympic events are your favorites, who's your favorite athlete and what sport makes you pause and wonder "Is that really a sport?".

Looking forward to everyone's updates & happy knitting,

Diana

Hello from Ketchikan!

2008-08-04T08:09:00.003-08:00

Greetings fellow Team Mates!

I'm Barb and I currently hail from lovely Ketchikan, Alaska. I am a transplant to the fair state, my husband is in the US Coast Guard and the powers that be decided it was time for us to come North.

This year I am competing in the SockPut. I will be in California visiting friends, family, and attending a funeral from August 12 - 24, so I decided to knit 2 pairs of socks during the Ravelympics. I am also working on Summer of Socks '08 this year.

It is a sunny, beautiful morning here in Ketchikan. Hubby took the day off work today, so I have a feeling we're going to go hit a trail at some point.

Have a great day!

~barb

The Mitten Medley

2008-08-03T21:34:00.010-08:00

I've finally decided what to knit for the Knitting Olympic Trials (and the Ravelympics on Ravelry). I started some beautiful Selbuvotter mittens in purple and white, with Leicester Longwool, last November, and they just didn't go too well. The needle size I was using was really too small for the yarn, and they were feeling rather stiff because they were so tightly knit. So I'll be frogging this week in anticipation of re-casting on Friday. The photo with this post is what they looked like before frogging (sigh).

On the Ravelympics, people are being encouraged to start casting on during the actual time of the ceremonies in Beijing, which would be 4 a.m. Alaska time, 5 a.m. Pacific Time, and 6 a.m. Edmonton and New Mexico time (places where Team Alaska Knitters will be on Friday). Knitters who do that could get a little extra knitting time in before NBC actually broadcasts the ceremony in the U.S.A. on Friday. But to be fair, knitters who start then should also plan to be finished by the time the Beijing closing ceremony is done. I think I might just cast on Friday evening when the ceremony is broadcast on TV, even though I'll be in Edmonton, and may not actually be watching. When do the rest of you plan to cast on?

Count-Down to the Summer Knitting Olympic Trials

2008-07-01T22:13:00.005-08:00

Hi Team Alaska Knitters! The 2008 Summer Olympics are just around the corner. Of course, this provides an opportunity for all of us Team Alaska Knitters-In-Training for the 2010 Winter Knitting Olympics to challenge ourselves in the 2008 Summer Knitting Olympic Trials. As you know from the past 2006 Winter Knitting Olympics, Team Alaska is for Knitters who live in, or have lived in, Alaska, or have been formally designated an “honorary Alaskan”.

It’s just about time to choose a pattern and appropriate yarn, and get ready to cast on during the Opening Ceremony on August 8. As with the Winter Knitting Olympics, the goal is to do your best to finish your project by the Closing Ceremony on August 24, and have fun doing it! As these are “trials”, if you don’t finish, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, if you are one of those Team Alaska members who participated in the 2006 Knitting Olympics but didn’t finish your project by the closing ceremony, this could help you gauge the type of project that is best suited for you, in terms of time, when it comes to participating in the 2010 Knitting Olympics.

If you’re on the blog already, please post and let us know what you’re thinking of knitting. I haven’t decided yet, myself, but have some ideas - socks, a sweater, and Norwegian-style mittens are all possibilities for me. And if you have a friend who might like to join us in the "Trials", please have them email me (lfy AT acsalaska DOT net), as Team Alaska Knitters are by invitation. New members will be accepted only through August 7.
Linda
(ArcticPurl on Ravelry)

“Citius, Altius Fortius”!

Yes, I'm here, and inspired by Kathy

2006-10-14T00:42:00.000-08:00

Kathy, your post about sending in your Masters Level 1 work got me going again. And I haven't sent you my cap yet, because I decided to make at least one more, so it would be more worth your while to take them in! Anyway, I finished my 16th swatch two days ago, as well as most of the questions, having determined to make the most of the long weekend to just work hard on them. I figured that it would only take me about 45 minutes to knit a swatch if I could focus on it and not get distracted. Now I'm at the point of weaving in all the ends, blocking them, and writing the blocking essay. I hope to have mine sent in by the end of the month. And I've started carrying my knitting with me everywhere, so I can knit while in line at the post office or grocery store, or at stoplights (Elizabeth Zimmerman did it...). That way, I'll get the chemo caps done. Choc, did you start your swatches, as you hoped?

I went to the Yarn Expo here in Anchorage two weekends ago, which was great. Lots of classes were offered - I took a lace class, offered by Donna Druchunas, author of the new book "Arctic Lace" book about the Oomingmak cooperative, quiviut, and the Native knitters (mostly Yupik). It was very informative, and I'm looking forward to knitting some lace scarves and things. I highly recommend "Arctic Lace". It has patterns, as well as a section on designing your own lace patterns. I also took spindle spinning, and a class on making your own needles from dowels of different sizes and woods, which was very easy - you start by sharpening the ends in a pencil sharpener! And decorating the tops of the pairs of straight needles was a fun and creative activity!

Kathy, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, that all your Masters Level 1 work will be accepted the first time around ('cause it's apparently hard to do). I hope you'll post something about your results, as I'm sure it will be enlightening. I will post again when I send mine in.
Good knitting,
Linda

Is Anyone Out There?

2006-09-13T12:51:00.000-08:00

Hey Team,

I just wanted to let you know (and this is mostly for you, Choc) that I finally mailed the Chemo Caps to "Cancer Connection" here in Juneau. I finally admitted that I was only going to make one, for now, and that no one besides Choc was going to send any either. So I sent the three I had collected. If and when time allows, we can always send more.

On another note, I'm wondering how the Level I work is going for Linda and Choc. I mailed my Level I submission one week ago. I'm sure there will be stuff I'll have to "rework," but I'm glad to have gotten it in. The next decision will be if I immediately plunge into Level II, or not.

Choc, Thanks for being such a loyal visitor to Knitting Weather. (I'm back at work 4 days a week and I can see it's going to take a toll on the blogging. Hopefully I'll manage to post something every week or so.)

I hope everyone is well. I'd love to hear what everyone is up to knitwise, if you have the notion.

Take care,
k.

Checking In

2006-07-16T00:16:00.000-08:00

Hey Team-
It's been awhile so I thought I'd check in. I still have only the three chemo caps and I haven't yet delivered them to the folks here in Juneau. I've been wondering if any more are coming, and also hoping I could produce at least one more.

Tonight I decided it was time to dive back into TKGA Level I work and I'm wondering if anyone else has been working on their swatches. I was browsing around the message board at the TKGA site and it looks like instruction revisions are expected August 1st. I signed up on August 18th last year, so unless I really hustle, I may have to follow the new instructions. Hopefully the work I've done so far won't be for naught.

I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer. The long days are divine .. the rain a little less so. I guess I shouldn't complain though, as we had a lovely stretch of weather last week which coincided with a visit from my family.

k.

Chemo Cap Show and Tell

2006-06-25T10:08:00.000-08:00

The two fuzzy striped hats were made by Choc. They are wonderfully soft and stretchy and I love the colors! Choc, I'm assuming it's the same yarn and is striping differently because of the different sizes?? They don't seem that different in size and yet the stripes are totally different. Curious, isn't it? Mine (Choc has put me to shame, I've only knit one so far) is the pink girly one in the center.

I'm not normally a pink/girly kinda gal .. but it was fun to knit!

I won't rush to deliver these. Maybe some more will come trickling in .. and I'll try to knit up another as well.

Hope you're all well and happily knitting!
kathy

PS
I finally noticed that the smaller hat has the narrower stripes .. that doesn't make sense, does it? Choc, what gives?

Chemo hats

2006-06-22T23:13:00.000-08:00

Kathy,

I mailed two chemo hats to you today. Sorry it took me so long to get to the post office with the hats, they were finished 3 weeks ago.

It was good to read of your trip and look at the yarn you purchased.

Glad you made it safely home.

Choc

TKGA Level I

2006-05-31T01:53:00.000-08:00

Kathy and Linda,

Tuesday's mail brought my Level I packet! My knitting goal for Tuesday evening was to finish the sleeves of the sweater I have on the needles so I have done that but did take some time to look very briefly at the information. Today, Wednesday, I'll go shopping for a notebook and the clear pockets for my finished swatches.

What type of yarn are you using for your swatches? I am so excited! It's 2 A.M. and I am not sleepy.

Choc

Level One, Here We Come!

2006-05-31T01:07:00.000-08:00

Wow, lots of knitters doing Masters Level One!
I’ve been so busy knitting other things, that I only have two swatches done. And I'm only doing Level 1, not II. But Kathy, I agree with you, it seems pretty straightforward. There’s a Masters Group in Anchorage that meets on the first Saturday of each month, for people who are working on one or another level. One of the women who passed Level 1 donated her Level 1 notebook to the Guild library, which is great to have as a resource. I’ve been to two meetings, have looked through the notebook, and have had my swatches critiqued by the people who passed Level 1, so I’m feeling much more comfortable about knitting the swatches. A trick that I learned about checking your tension, on stockinette stitch, is to hold your swatch up to the window or a light, and look at the back of your work. If you can see “gulleys” between rows, your tension is not even, and your swatch will probably not pass muster. In my case, my purling is looser than my knitting, but I found that knitting “Eastern European” style takes care of it – purling by catching the yarn going down, rather than up, if that makes sense. It twists the stitch a little, so that when knitting back, the stitches must be knit through the back to look flat. Not great if one is decreasing and doing SSK, as you have to untwist the stitches first, then knit them together, but it has helped solve my tension problems. I guess I’d better start working on more swatches!

I finished my chemo cap, and hope someone at Cancer Connection finds it to their liking! Kathy, I’ll send it to you in the next couple of days. I had hoped to post a photo, but don't see the icon for adding a photo, today. Hmmm...

If people are looking for a project to follow chemo caps, we might consider knitting something for Lisa in Albuquerque, Team Alaska’s “honorary” Alaskan, as she’s expecting, with her new family addition due in August!

TKGA-Master Knitter Program

2006-05-28T08:37:00.000-08:00

Hey Choc (and Linda and anyone else interested in the Master Knitter Program),

I'm so delighted you've just joined up. It'll inspire me to get done if I know you're working on it too! And fun to have someone bounce ideas/questions off of. The first level knitting has been very straightforward so far. I've just been distracted by other projects. I haven't actually tackled the questions yet, but I've been thinking about working on them. Anyway, once you get started let's keep in touch about it.

Linda, aren't you on Level II?

kathy

Chemo Cap News

2006-05-25T09:58:00.000-08:00

Hey Knitters-

I finally touched base with a woman at "Cancer Connection" here in Juneau. They would welcome any and all hats we want to knit. I asked, but she didn't offer any guidelines for the hats. Comfort and easy to care for are the attributes I'm going to strive for. When asked, she did say that while they have some hats for women, they don't have any for children. I told her we'd probably make a variety and I'd be back in touch when I have something to deliver.

I'd say that frees us to make whatever we want - and not to fret 'cause whatever we make is sure to fit someone! (Ahh, my kind of stress-free knitting!)

We're going to be traveling a bit in June and I have some other things on my needles right now, but I'll try and get a hat or two going in the next several weeks.

more soon-
k.

Hats Delivered

2006-05-16T19:08:00.001-08:00

Today I delivered our 7 preemie hats to the hospital's maternity ward. They were gratefully accepted and Katrina, the Charge Nurse, was very impressed with the wonderfulness of our hats. She oohed and awed a lot. Group, we did well!

Choc

2006-05-16T19:08:00.000-08:00

Completed Preemie Hats

2006-05-07T23:17:00.000-08:00

I finally finished two little hats, and will send them to you ASAP, Choc. My next project will be a chemo cap, to send to Kathy in Juneau.

Here are the dragon socks that were distracting me. I blocked them before sewing up the backs, so you can see the design better. This was my first attempt at intarsia: 76 yarn ends per sock to weave in when finished! Argyles should be easy after this!

Happy Knitting,
Linda

Hats

2006-05-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

Kathy,

Your hats arrived here safely yesterday. They are even more beautiful in the flesh than on the blog. Thanks for your contribution.

Choc

Preemie Hats

2006-05-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

I have put each of my hats into its own ziplock style baggie with a copy of the washing
and drying directions for the yarn that I used. That may be overkill but I remember being a bit mindless at the births of my kids and they were fullterm. The address to mail your completed preemie hats to is Choc Schafer, 1415 Millar Street, Ketchikan, 99901.

Choc

Hat update

2006-04-30T20:12:00.000-08:00

Greetings-
I made another hat this week. I was worried the first was too small, now I'm worried the second is too big (are you starting to figure me out?). But I'll send 'em both to Choc tomorrow and hope that there is some baby in Ketchikan with a cold and appropriately sized head.

I left a message with the Cancer Wellness folks in Juneau. My husband took a return call from a woman who's name he didn't catch and who was headed out of town, but she was enthusiastic and positive about receiving hats from us. So I think you can safely start knitting assured that I will find a good home for any chemo caps you might knit. Do we want to extend the deadline for these, or is everyone up for getting them done in May??

Thanks to you all for your lovely and supportive sweater comments.

Take care-
k.

Preemie Hat Project

2006-04-15T12:25:00.000-08:00

Hey Team AK-
I finally finished my sweater (I hope you don't mind indulging me, I had to show someone) and began a preemie hat last night. I finished it this morning. What a fun quick project. I've never knit a hat specifically for a preemie before (and my babies had such BIG heads) does this look on target to you? Choc, will you publish the address to which we should mail our hats?

I hope to have info to post soon about a chemo hat project. Also wanted to mention that the Dulaan Project (http://www.fireprojects.org/) is only accepting donations until July 1. There is also Afghans for Afghans (http://www.afghansforafghans.org/) if everyone is interested in an international project. Let me know what you're all thinking - and knitting. I'd love to see photos of other projects.

Hope everyone is well-
kathy

Charity Knitting: Hat patterns for babies

2006-04-03T22:27:00.000-08:00

Hi Team Alaska,
Sorry not to have posted this earlier, but I've been under the weather for the past week.

Here is an "enormous list of baby hats that can be made for charity knitting" that Jennifer of the Boulder Hand Knitters Guild compiled from the internet (thank you Jennifer!). Not all of them are for preemies, but can be adjusted. I find that, with a pattern for sport or worsted weight yarn, if I use lighter weight yarn and smaller needles, I can easily turn a 0-3 month size hat into a preemie hat. If the hat is for fingering weight, already, then an adjustment of number of stitches and rows would be in order.

The Basic Knit Hat Pattern from "Touching Little Lives" is a good one to start with, and gives an idea of how big to make them. It has small and medium preemie sizes, and newborn. "Baby's First Hat" is a nice lacey one, "Baby Tart" is darling, but has bobbles, so is probably not good for a preemie, Also, "About.com" has free patterns, some of which are specifically for preemies. Check out this blog: http://larissmix.typepad.com/stitch_marker/knitting_hats/index.html/. She has lots of cute baby hats. I made "Lilly's Hat" and used size 3 needles and Jamie baby yarn, and it came out perfectly for a preemie. Another that I made during the Knitting Olympics is the spiral hat listed at the bottom (using 54 sts, size 3 needles, Jamie Baby yarn).

Regarding sizes - I didn't measure the finished sizes of the ones that I made for the KOs, but you can visually compare the size of the four preemie hats with the one 6-9 month hat in the photo that I took and posted.
Happy Knitting!

The List:
http://people.delphiforums.com/knit_chat/knitchat/patterns/babybonnet.htm Garter Lace Baby Bonnet -- uses worsted weight
http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/freeKnittingPatternAnnaHat.asp Anna's Angel Hat Pattern (from Jimmy Bean)-- uses worsted weight
http://www.knitlist.com/96gift/giftapplehat.htm Apple Hat (from Knitlist) -- uses worsted weight
http://www.magknits.com/Jan06/patterns/bee.htm Baby Bee Hat and Bootees (from Magknits) -- uses worsted weight
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kbs-babyHat.html Baby Hat (from Lion) -- uses DK weight
http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns/baby_pixiehat.html Baby Pixie Hat (from Crystal Palace) -- uses sportweight ??
http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/leaf-edge-baby-hat.htm Baby Hat with Leaf Edging (from Knitlist) -- uses fingering weight
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kvs-babyHat.html Bulky Velvetspun Hat (from Lion) -- uses super bulky
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/PATTbabytart.html Baby Tart (from Knitty) -- uses light worsted
http://www.geocities.com/crotiques/babyfirsthat.htm Baby's First Hat (newborn) -- uses worsted
http://www.touchinglittlelives.org/knithatpat.html Basic Preemie Hat -- uses sportweight/ DK/ worsted weight
http://www.thegarterbelt.com/em_beatrixhat.html Beginner's Fair Isle Hat -- uses fingering weight (PDF)
http://freddyknits.blogspot.com/2005/03/beginners-fair-isle-baby-hat-free.html (Another) Beginner's Fair Isle Hat -- uses DK/worsted weight
http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/1445260.html Bunny Beanie -- uses heavy worsted/ or lighter
http://www.sweetstitch.com/projects/cablehatpattern.html Cabled Hat Pattern -- uses dk weight (optional fur trim)
http://sarahpeasley.com/freepatterns/cameronscap.pdf Cameron's Cap (from Sarah Peasley) -- uses worsted, with earflaps (PDF)
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/holbabyeasterhat.htm Easter Egg Hat (from Barbara Breiter) -- uses worsted, zig-zag pattern
http://www.crafts-beautiful.com/projects/?view=view&ID=223 Debbie Bliss Hat (from Crafts Magazine) -- uses sportweight, straight needles
http://www.kerriesplace.co.uk/newbornhats.html Four Newborn Hats (from Kerrie's Place) -- ranges from heavy worsted to DK
http://www.p2designs.com/pdfs/ptn-froggyHat.pdf Froggy Hat/Bottees (from p2designs) -- dk weight (PDF) -- Preemies to older -- (super cute!)
http://www.p2designs.com/pdfs/ptn-duckyHat.pdf Just Ducky (from p2designs) -- dk weight (PDF ) Preemies to older -- (super cute!)
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/lace-beanie.html Lace Baby Beanie (from Bev's Country Cottage) -- baby yarn -- preemie/newborn
http://larissmix.typepad.com/stitch_marker/2005/09/a_little_hat.html Little Ruffled Edge Hat -- worsted SUPER CUTE!!
http://www.3gcs.com/adcock/free%20patterns/Shell%20Lace%20Baby%20Bonnets.htm Little Shell Lace Baby Bonnet -- worsted to sportweight (preemies)
http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTmissdashwood.html Miss Dashwood Baby Hat with Ties (from Knitty) -- worsted weight
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/babynewhat.htm Newborn Baby Hat -- worsted weight
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/babypetalhat.htm Petal Baby Hat -- worsted weight
http://www.p2designs.com/pdfs/ptn-HatPoppy.pdf Pretty as a Poppy Hat (from p2designs) -- sockweight to dk weight (small preemie to older) (PDF)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/my_pages/babywear/hkp/012.shtml Pull-on Baby Hat -- worsted weight, straight needles (easy!)
http://www.minidata.co.nz/major/freepatt/patt03.htm Spiral Rib Hat -- dk weight
http://www.geocities.com/blossomknitwear/superquickbabybonnet Super Quick Baby Bonnet -- worsted weight
http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns/iceland_babyhat.html Tri-Corner Baby Hat -- chunky weight

Charity Knitting Thoughts

2006-03-22T22:00:00.000-09:00

Choc, Kathy, Erin, and I have found a variety of charity knitting possibilities (see post from 3/10/06). Over the weekend, I came up with a thought: Since we have knitters in several communities, perhaps we should set up a challenge in which we knit things for different communities/charities. Like preemie hats for the Ketchikan hospital in April (and send them to Ketchikan Choc to distribute), hospice hats for chemo patients in Juneau in May (and send them to Kathy), squares for the Keep America Warm Project in June (and send them to Erin to put together), items of your choice for the Dulaan project in July (and send them to Kathy,or just send in). We could make up a schedule that would take us through the end of 2006, if you’d like.

What do you think? My experience with a preemie hat is that it takes me about 4 hours to make one from start to totally complete, with ends sewn in. A pretty small amount of time out of a month, really. I think the other projects would also be equally short to do. We have 15 people on this team, so if almost everyone made just one hat, we’d have over a dozen to contribute! We could post photos, and if someone didn’t have time to contribute one month, they could always make something for another month.

Please comment, and perhaps we can get this going for April. Or even March – there are still 1 1/2 weeks left in this month, which would be enough time for me to knit a preemie hat.

I’ve been knitting hemp bath mitts in the past few weeks. I found a very nice weight of hemp, in four colors, at a fiber shop (The Rookery) on Shelikov Avenue in Kodiak (I was in Kodiak a couple of weeks ago on business), They’ve been turning out really well, and take so little “yarn” that I’ll probably be making them for everyone in my family for birthdays this year…I bought 8 hanks, and each one is enough for at least three mitts…

Oh, one more charity project that I just heard about: The Recycled Lamb, a fiber shop in Lakewood, CO is sponsoring knitters (i.e., supplying the yarn) to make "individually hand-painted, grown and milled in Colorado alpaca shawls which will sell for between $75.00 and $100.00 each" (they'll be auctioned off) with ALL proceeds going to Race for the Cure (Komen foundation). They need to be knit by Labor Day, in September.

Good knitting, and let's hear your thoughts about how we should move on!
Linda

Yarn shopping report

2006-03-14T20:56:00.000-09:00

The first shop we visited was the one on Queen Anne hill. It was great. The staff was very helpful and friendly. They also gave us the names of 3 other shops to visit. DD decided that she wanted me to make her a sweater that she saw in the shop but didn't want it in any of the colors available in that shop. The second stop was at the shop on First Avenue, in Belltown. The staff there was helpful too but not as friendly. Then it was off to Weaving Works at 4717 Brooklyn Avenue Northeast in the U district. Again the staff was helpful and the yarn yummy. The fourth shop was Acorn Street Yarn at 2818 Northeast 55th Street. Helpful staff, great yarn and a variety of knitting books. DD decided that the best colored yarn for her sweater was at this shop. The last yarn shop we visited was Fiber Gallery at 7000 greenwood Avenue North. The staff here was again helpful and friendly. I got my yarn for a hooded, cable pullover sweater here. I would go back to all of these stores again to look for yarn or just to enjoy the beauty of all that yarn.

New Challenges for Team Alaska

2006-03-09T23:00:00.000-09:00

Here are three possibilities for charity knitting that we could consider, to do as a team.

1. Kathy in Juneau commented... I was very interested in the Dulaan Project which Stephanie mentioned in her blog on Friday. This project distributes hats, mittens, socks, neck gaitors, scarves and sweaters for all ages from babies to adults - especially for children ages 2-10, in Mongolia. http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2005/03/03/kens_dulaan_hat.html and http://www.fireprojects.org/dulaan.htm. We could gather our knitted items together and send them as a group – perhaps by June or July?

2. Erin commented…There is one called Warm Up America that knits/crochets blankets for those who may need them. The organization encourages people participating to donate to local organizations. http://www.warmupamerica.com/home.html The object is to knit 7 inch squares to make into a blanket, using any pattern you like. If we did this as a team, one of us could collect the squares and sew/knit it together before donating it. I can imagine that we’d probably want to set a date by which to complete our squares.

3. And I found this one: www.ptyarn.com/longestline.html "Opal Sock Yarn is sponsoring a project to knit the longest laundry line of baby socks in the world. The project began January 20 and ends April 30, 2006. Knit only baby socks, any size, in any brand of wool, please no acrylic. Enter as many pairs as you like. The socks will be donated by Tutto GmbH of Germany to charity organizations there. There is Opal sock yarn as prizes for the three people who knit the most socks, and some special items as well. However, you must be a member of the OpalChatters mailing list to qualify for a PRIZE. Prizes will not be awarded to non-members. Mail socks to PT Yarn, PO Box 2784, Brookings, OR 97415, Attn: Baby Socks. Socks must reach them by April 30."

Has anyone else run across any other charities that sound good? What do you think of these? Only the third one has an imposed deadline.

Another thing that we could consider doing is a “one gift a month” challenge, to help those of us who like to give knitted holiday gifts avoid the last minute December rush! This sounds good to me. I think I could even do this, plus a charity project, if I keep the gifts small (hemp bath mitts!)

Yarn stores

2006-03-08T12:35:00.000-09:00

I am going to be in Seattle this weekend. Do any of you have ideas of good places to look for yarn in that area? I'll probably have enough time to go as far north as Everett, as far south as South Center and as far east as Bellevue and Kirkland. Thanks for your thoughts.

Choc

Team Training for the next Olympics?

2006-03-05T20:08:00.000-09:00

I’m back from Kodiak, and think it’s great that at least some of our group would like to keep the Team Alaska blog open. There should be lots of possibilities for charity knitting, or team knit-alongs. We should be able to keep things going until the next Summer Olympics, at least. I’m going to research some charity possibilities, and will post what I find out, soon. Do any of you have any particular ideas? In the meantime, I hope that some of you who haven’t had a chance to post photos of your finished Knitting Olympics projects will have a chance to do so, and show us what they look like.

While I was in Kodiak, I knit another baby hat, for another friend’s daughter, and some leg warmers for myself. Of course, I still only currently need one, but the big boot-cast comes off March 21, and I’m looking forward to wearing two leg warmers, and celebrating! For now it’s back to “dragon” socks for my grandson, which I’ll try to finish before his birthday next month. I designed the dragon graphic for the socks myself, and will knit it in intaglio – only my second project in that technique.

By the way, did everyone email the gold2006 address, and receive your Certificate of Participation for the Knitting Olympics? If not, let me know, and I can email it to you.
Good knitting,
Linda

Olympic Music To Our Ears

2006-03-01T21:59:00.000-09:00

Congratulations Everyone, and yes, each of you (whether you finished or not) should individually send an email ASAP to:
gold2006@yarnharlot.ca

Stephanie says:
“This is an address set to auto-respond, so no live human will read your email. (Sorry) but every Olympian (finisher or not) who sends an email will be placed in the draw for the donated prizes. If you are part of a team, please send an individual email for each member of your team. I'll be drawing the prizes on Friday, so get your name in before then.”

Everyone should also read Stephanie’s Yarn Harlot blog, as soon as possible. In addition to being able to download your gold medals, she has written an inspirational thankyou to everyone who participated. She also has a special message to knitters who did not finish, which you must read!

And if you go to the Library page, and scroll to the bottom, under Media coverage you’ll find Catherine Hollingsworth’s article in the Anchorage Daily News.

I want to make note of one of our Knitting Olympians who does not have an internet connection, but faithfully finished her project before the Closing Ceremony. Betty N. made socks, which she will donate to charity, and figured out that it took her 57 hours and a little over 30 minutes! (I’m writing while in Kodiak on a business trip, and don’t have my notes from our conversation so don’t remember the exact number of minutes!)

This has been such a fun thing to do! I’m definitely looking forward to the Summer Olympics in 2006. In the meantime, should we keep this blog open, and discuss suggestions for another challenge?
Linda

It's Been Grand!

2006-02-28T10:38:00.000-09:00

Hey Team-

Have you seen this article in the Anchorage Daily news? http://www.adn.com/life/story/7488231p-7398352c.html

And has everyone read the Yarn Harlot's blog today? Inspirational. Linda, should we each post to Stephanie's blog individually, or are you going to send a team entry? (I just don't want to duplicate anything you might do.)

This has been so much fun, I hate to see it end. Linda, thanks so much for your work getting (and keeping) Team Alaska off the ground.

kathy (in Juneau)

Hanging My Head in Shame

2006-02-27T14:23:00.000-09:00

Well, I tried, but try as I might, I just couldn't finish before the closing ceremonies were over (well, really, before I went to bed which was well before the end of the closing ceremonies). Although I got off to a great start, I think I started too quickly. I finished the first sock but just couldn't get past the toe of the second. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the challenge and did something that I didn't know that I could do. After all, isn' t that what the olympics is all about.

Photo Finish!

2006-02-27T10:52:00.000-09:00

I finished my Olympic Knitting with a couple hours to spare last night, but for a while there it was looking close! So without further ado, here she is:

Pattern: My own
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver, only 1 and a half skiens!
Needles: US 8
Notes: Ribbing was done on same size needles because I couldn't find my smaller ones and didn't want to loose time going to get some. I think it's worked out, but it would look more polished with smaller gauge for the ribbing.
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, I like it better with a collared shirt underneath because the back of the collar sticks up a bit. For my first sweater I think it's a success!

Picture success...

2006-02-27T08:57:00.000-09:00

Finally got the pictures of the Beau sweater imported! Here it is:

Dismount

2006-02-27T08:39:00.000-09:00

Posting a little late, but - I finished with just 10 minutes to spare. The Beau sweater turned out most beautiful. Unfortunately, my camera is behavinhg poorly and I can't import the photos. (grumble, grumble). I was a bit nervous as it got down to the closing ceremonies that I wasn't going to make it, and then it happened. I was blocking. And it was done. Hurray! TEAM ALASKA Rocks!

Do, do, do, do, do, do, do (Hum the Olympic Theme)

2006-02-26T08:24:00.000-09:00

Hurray! Another gold medal finish for Team Alaska! The shawl neck cardigan is complete. It took a late night training session but another Olympian has achieved her dream. Thanks for letting me join the team and for sharing all your hard work and fun stories!

Lisa W.

Another Gold Medal For Team AK

2006-02-25T22:21:00.000-09:00

Hey Fellow AK Olympians-

I flew back to Juneau this morning after being at a conference in Florida all week. I was a bit concerned during the week as I had fallen behind the pace I set for sock #1. I knit between sessions and at night in my room with the "Other Olympics" for company and managed to finish the knitting while waiting at SEA-TAC early this morning. After I got home I just had to kitchener the toe of #2 and then block 'em.

So I guess I earned my gold medal. Bob Costas hasn't been by yet to interview me, but when he asks, I'll tell him that it's really not about the gold. It's about being part of this incredible thing that Stephanie Pearl-McPhee got going. I have enjoyed being part of team Alaska so much!!

kathy

Finished

2006-02-25T09:37:00.000-09:00

I made it! I was starting to worry about finishing in time, so I turned it up a few gears near the end, just like Chad but without the snide comments to the Dutch, and was done by the time Bob Costas made he's closing remarks for the evening. I really enjoyed watching the Gala, though it wasn't quite as fun as the years that Elvis Stoyka (?) was participating. I'm going to try and finish up on a pair of socks I had been working on before I joined Team Alaska during the closing games. Diana

Almost there!

2006-02-25T05:44:00.000-09:00

While on our trip to Arizona, I finished the two baby hats for friends that recenty had twins.

As you can see my kitty was pretty excited to see me and to help take the photo of the beanies!

Today I will hopefully pick-up and (here is the hopeful part) finish the short-rows collar on the baby cardigan. It'll be a squeaker!

Thanks for all the posts and photos! I am inspiried by the Dale beanie and booties. I too am intersted in some pattern swapping. All the patterns I've been using have been coming from the Baby Knits for Beginners, by Debbie Bliss (1570762481). This is a great little book for simple patterns that can be modified per your imagination.

Thanks all, off to my short rows!

Two More Knitters Cross the Finish Line!

2006-02-24T22:59:00.000-09:00

I will admit, I got a little distracted, knitting mittens and booties to go with the Dale hat, and watching Olympics (a lot of excitement out there), but here is my progress photo. I’ve crossed my finish line, and completed the five hats that I planned to do, plus one extra preemie hat. Hurray!

I saw Cathy’s flamingo at her house the other day, finished and fabulous, gracing her TV as we watched Olympics with Knitting Olympian Cait, and some other folks. Cait and I knit and Cathy quilted. I hope you’ll have a chance to post a photo, Cathy! Choc, your sweater sounds great, glad to hear that you got it sewn up again. Anyone else finished? It sounds like lots of people are getting very close.
Linda

Sharing your pattern sources

2006-02-24T12:38:00.000-09:00

Everyone is doing such great projects! I'm wondering about the patterns that you are all using. Thanks, Diana

Finished again

2006-02-23T22:29:00.000-09:00

Tonight I undid the uneven side seam and resewed it so my patterns match front to back and my sweater is done. I have enjoyed sharing our experinces during the KO. It's been good to have a group to share ups and downs with. It's good to know that there are so many other knitters out there.

Choc

2006-02-22T14:44:00.000-09:00

I finished sewing my sweater together on Sunday and wore it to work Monday. But when I looked carefully at the left side seam the pattern on the front did not match up with the pattern on the back. Augh! I will have to undo the lower half of the seam so I am not finished. As tink is when we unknit, is wes when we unsew?

Hope the rest of you have no problems matching your patterns and that you are all finished by the time the torch goes out on Sunday.

Choc

A Little Update

2006-02-21T23:44:00.000-09:00

I finished the Dale baby cap last night, and blocked it this morning. Still have to sew the folded over edge to the inside, but will do that tomorrow. I started the matching mittens today and completed one. They have little picot edges, and will have a tie around the wrist. Will post a photo of all the hats when the Dale hat is completely done. The finish line is in sight!

Update from a Lower48 Contingent

2006-02-21T17:02:00.000-09:00

Hi TEAM ALASKA!
I'm lovin' all your updates and pictures!

The Beau Sweater is coming along well. (Pictures will come soon! I promise!) I have the front and the back done. And am working on the sleeves. I'm knitting both sleeves at once. This is a new strategy for me, but I'm hoping by only having to do the sleeves once I won't get burnt out as fast. Do others of you do both sleeves at once? (two sleeves using two skeins on one needle) My goal is to finish the sleeves by Thursday night. ...must knit faster...

On another note - today I got "Needled to death" from the library. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Go TEAM ALASKA Go!!!

Going for the Gold!

2006-02-21T09:17:00.000-09:00

Here's my progress on the sweater so far. I think I'm a little over half done! I get feeling a little frantic every time I look at that counter on the Yarn Harlot's page but I think I'm gonna make it! I have two more inches of regular stockinette stitch before three inches of ribbing on the bottom and then the sleeves. I've decided to make them short sleeves, so I think the goal is attainable! I got a pretty good bit of knitting in last night while enjoying the last of the ice dancing. I'm so glad the Americans did well! They were just great! Now I think I just need to keep up my momentum to get it done!