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Design Your Own Shawl Class: Two Student FOs
Friday, February 12th, 2010
In my online “Design Your Own Shawl” class, I guide the students through the shawl design process, give them the basic structure, tools to create their patterns and charts, and they do the designing themselves. Each student ends up with a complete pattern.
This one is by Jennifer Hansen of Knitting Like Crazy blog fame. (Here’s her shawl blog post.) Jen’s shawl came out beautifully! I love the way that her stitch patterns work together and create a wonderful flow from top to bottom.
Here’s a closeup of Jen’s border stitch pattern:
I just love it! I can't tell you how cool it is to see such a wonderful, professional finished student project!
The second FO from class is by Gina Kanouse, who writes the awesome Brownie Knits blog. (Here are her shawl blog posts 1, 2.)
Gina’s shawl is a real standout, in that Gina used just one stitch pattern, but she used it so effectively! It’s just strikingly beautiful.
Gina’s pattern is already available in her Etsy shop!
Gina teaches classes at Stitches and Scones in Westfield, IN, and will be teaching several upcoming classes on her “Gina Shawl!”
Go Gina!
And, here are Mazie and I with “our” finished shawlette from class:
It’s both of ours, because she definitely made appearances in this class! Mazie is a great helper, with blocking, making videos, and just all-around making things interesting.
You’ll see several more finished projects from this class! We are all working at different paces, and doing different things with varying levels of difficulty…so the FO photos will keep trickling in. I’m SO impressed with my students!
Here are just a few student reviews of the class:
From Paula: The class is superb. It is giving me the skills I need to share and possibly sell my patterns. Each step of the process is carefully outlined. The videos and handouts have been right on target. Stefanie has done a great job of simplifying a complicated process. I highly recommend the class to anyone interested in designing and marketing patterns.
From Gina: The Design Your Own Shawl class was fabulous! The videos and handouts are highly informative, and Stefanie was supportive and encouraging throughout the process. The inspiration provided by the class, instructor, and other students will leave your head spinning with new ideas and you will LOVE it. I left this class with a pattern in hand, a design I adore, and lots of new friends. I will be taking many more classes from Stefanie via the site.
From Stephanie: It has been an awesome class. I would keep telling my friends that I was taking an on-line shawl design class and they really couldn’t understand my enthusiasm. I spent hours and hours pouring over stitch books and lace patterns. I even had my sock pattern books out for patttern inspiration. But after lots of swatching and thnking and learning, I closed all the books up and charted out my own design using the free KnitChart software that Stefanie linked us to. The whole class was well organized with lots of hand-outs and videos. We had scheduled chats each week. I am hoping to take my design and make it in several weights of yarn. I know each one will be different. I am sort of a production person. I was even thinking tonight that it would make a great blanket knitted in the round. And an easy top-down raglan also! I now have more new internet knitting friends. I will be checking their blogs and web-sites to keep in touch. Thanks again Stefanie. Can’t really believe your will be having your second child in less than 2 weeks. Keep us posted.
From Judy: This is my 3rd on-line class with Stefanie and I’ve loved it! I’ve learned a lot about combining stitch patterns that I can envision using in other projects besides shawls. I’ve also simply learned how to build on my skills! Designing for me has always been intimidating as I consider myself mainly “left-brained”; but I’ve learned that this process can be logical, too. So, this class has helped me be a more fearless knitter and I commend Stefanie for that aspect of it. As always, her classes are exciting and interactive (live chats, forums), informative (handouts), and very visual (videos). I always feel like I’m being welcomed into Stefanie’s home during her videos and I just love that her little daughter Mazie makes an appearance once in awhile. The whole experience besides being informative, is also very personal and friendly, and as a knitter I really value that. I look forward to more classes, Stefanie!
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A teensy bit more nesting…
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
I scraped some time together this weekend to do a little bit more nesting.
I worked on my black and white quilt:
And made a clutter-hider curtain for my studio closet:
And a valance for the window:
There’s so much more I’d like to do, if it wasn’t for work and sleepiness. Trying to get a few last-minute patterns written and samples knit in these last few days. All of the sewing is late-night / early morning pregnancy insomnia crafting. It’s really strange: I’m tired all day, and then at about 10pm I totally wake up and can’t get comfortable and end up at the sewing machine. I don’t really have the brainpower at that time for math (pattern writing) but I can stitch straight lines!
And look…it’s 1:45 am right NOW and I didn’t even realize it!
OFF TO BED!!
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Designing our own shawls
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
My online Design Your Own Shawl Class started this week, and I’m having a great time!
So far, we’ve drawn out basic sketches of our shawls:
And I’ve decided on which yarn I’ll use (Cascade 109). I’m using a bulky because I want what I’m doing to show up in the class videos, and because I love the look of “blown up” big lace on big needles!
We’re currently in the process of choosing stitch patterns, swatching, and getting ready to chart our lace!
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Self-Guided classes are now ready for signup.
Friday, January 15th, 2010
Hi Everyone!
I’ve decided to open up self-guided versions of both the Upcycled Tshirt Yarn Class and the Fitted Raglan Shawl Class. These classes have both been taught several times, and all of the material has been tried and tested and is ready for you to use.
The self-guided format means that you will be able to sign up at any time and have access to the class materials for 4 weeks from your date of signup. Within 24 hours of your registration (usually with minutes) you’ll be invited to the class, where you’ll find all of the video, handouts, patterns, etc. You’ll then be able to work through the materials at your own pace. This means that there’s no set date that the class will start, you simply sign up when you are ready to begin.
The differences between this setup and the way that my classes are normally taught are that we won’t have scheduled chat times, and you will be taking the class along with other people who may be at any stage of the class (since people will go in and out of class according to the date that they sign up.) You won’t necessarily be working with others at the same time, and won’t necessarily interact with your fellow classmates (unless you choose to.)
You will still be able to contact me with any questions / concerns, and I’ll answer within 24 hours.
Because my interaction with the classes will be less than usual, the cost of the class will be lowered by $10 / class. If you’ve been considering trying a class but were concerned about the cost or about the timing of the class fitting in with your schedule, this may be a great way for you to sample a class with less commitment.
(Our baby is due to be born on February 15, so I’m taking a brief hiatus from actively teaching after the Winter Session of classes ends. Spring Session will begin in March. If you’ve signed up to be a member of my knitting studio site, I’ll send you an email with spring class topics and dates as soon as I feel comfortable setting those in stone.)
Fitted Raglan Shawl Class (Self-guided version)
The class will be taught using a combination of pre-recorded video and PDF handouts. There is also a forum, in which you can ask questions at any time and meet others who are working through the same class, but may be at a different point in the material.
You will receive: a PDF copy of the knitting pattern, as well as additional PDF handouts with further explanation and instruction as to how to read lace knitting charts and work lace stitches, how to incorporate lace stitches into raglan - style increases, and more.
Materials: (Feel free to make substitutions!)
SockWeight Shawl, pictured in colors “Autumn Wine” (2 sk.) and“Rockwell” (1 sk.):
3 skeins Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock [80% Superwash Wool, 20% Nylon, 215 yds. / 2 oz.]
DK Weight Shawl, pictured in color “Mirth”:
3 skeins Lorna’s Laces Green Line DK [100% organic merino wool, 145 yds. / 2 oz.]
Worsted Weight Shawl, pictured in colors “Chagrin” (1 sk.) and “Courage” (1 sk.):
2 skeins Lorna’s Laces Green Line Worsted [100% organic merino wool, 210 yds. / 4 oz.]
Needles:
Sock Weight Shawl: US 5 / 3.75mm
DK Weight Shawl: US 7 / 4.5mm
Worsted Weight Shawl: US 10 / 8mm
SYLLABUS:
WEEK 1: Introduction to lace knitting and Lace Chart 1
–How to read lace charts
– How to cast on a garter stitch insert
–Lace chart 1 row by row video instruction
WEEK 2: Lace Chart 2 and working with color
– Lace chart 2 row by row video instruction
– Color Theory: Which colors work together and why
– How to effectively change from one color to another in this project.
WEEK 3: Lace Chart 3 and Finishing
– Lace chart 3 video instruction
– Finishing and weaving in ends in lace
– blocking
WEEK 4: Knitting time! Use this week to watch the videos,
ask questions, and generally finish up.
Sign up today, start class tomorrow!
Class Fee for self-guided version:
$35 for four weeks’ access to the class materials.
UP - cycled T-shirt yarn class (Self-Guided Version)
Learn to turn unwanted old (or new) t-shirts into a beautiful yarn that resembles expensive woven cotton tube-type yarns. I will show you how to create different weights of yarn, and to add effects to
the yarn while you’re making it.
You will receive: A PDF booklet of four knitting patterns (click on More Photos under the mosaic above to see more examples of class projects,) as well as additional PDF handouts with further
explanation and instruction as to how to create yarn from T-shirts, how to dye cotton yarn using natural and commercial dyes, and more.
SYLLABUS:
Week 1 of the class will teach you to turn those old Tshirts, jersey bed sheets, or yardages of Tshirt-type fabric into yarn
Week 2 of the class will be “Dye Class.” You’ll learn how to use natural dyes like tea and coffee to give your yarn an organic, earthy feel. We’ll also see how to use commercial dyes like Rit and
Dylon to add gorgeous bright color to the yarn and create special looks like self-striping and variegated yarns.
Week 3 of class will focus on projects for your yarns. Once you’ve created your t-shirt yarn, you’ve effectively RE-cycled your t-shirts, but our goal is to UPcycle. I’ll give you four patterns (leaf-shaped face cloths, lace wrap, lace triangle scarf, and lace shrug)
that will use your new t-shirt yarn to its best advantage. I’ll even go one step further and show you how to package your knits into gorgeous gifts that any friend or relative would love to receive.
Week 4 of the class will be time for you to knit your projects and ask any additional questions, watch the videos, and generally finish up.
The class will be taught using a combination of pre-recorded video and PDF handouts. There is also a forum, in which you can ask questions at any time and meet other students who may be at a different point in the class.
Class Fee for self-guided version:
$35 for four weeks’ access to the class materials
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Happy Birthday, Mazie!
Monday, January 11th, 2010
My baby is TWO today!
Yesterday she got her first haircut!
It FEELS like yesterday that she came home from the hospital!
Happy birthday, Big Girl!
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Soaker time in the city! Runnin’ wild and lookin’ pretty!
Thursday, January 7th, 2010
Well. It’s the point of New Baby Prep in which I knit soakers. We cloth diaper our babies, and that means that we need barrier layers. In the old days, our parents used my mom calls “plastic pants” or “rubber pants.” These are bloomery-looking panites made out of plastic that go on over cloth diapers to keep whatever is coming out of the diaper from leaking out and getting all over everything.
Today’s cloth diaperers use a variety of barrier layers in place of these plastic pants. We’ve sought alternatives because the plastic pants don’t breathe, which isn’t good for baby’s skin. They also can be very tight at the elastic, which typically isn’t adjustable. Some materials that work great as barrier layers are:
PUL (polyurethane laminate fabric) which is normal fabric with a thin, breathable layer of poly adhered to it.
Polar Fleece which for some reason is very waterproof while still being breathable and not absorbing any moisture. I like this material because it’s easy to stitch up a bunch of little covers or pants in very little time.
Hankdnit wool classic, pretty, and really just wonderful. Wool can be up to 60% saturated with water and still not leak! When coated with lanolin (by a quick soak in “Lanisoh” dissolved in water) it is virtually waterproof.
Wool fabric commonly used as suiting material, this fabric has all of the properties of handknit wool while remaining relatively lightweight and easy to sew. Best with it contains a little stretch fiber as well. (I have not made any soakers using this fabric.)
Felted wool either handknit and felted or storebought as fabric or thrifted sweaters and then felted. Great because it can just be cut and sewn and tends to be thicker and more waterproof than straight-up handknit wool fabric and thus more waterproof. But also more stiff. Good for overnight use!
I made a bunch of soakers (above) for Mazie, many of which I donated to an organization that provides clean, used cloth diapering supplies to lower-income families. Now, it’s time to get started on New Baby’s stash.
I’m winding up some really soft Damask Rose Malabrigo worsted and plan to get started today at my Dr. appointment. Photos soon!
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Simple Knitted Bodice…Preggo Version!
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
So, when my friend Kathryn moved to England, she left me a mostly-finished Simple Knitted Bodice that she had started. She thought the color didn’t work for her. I’m a purple fanatic, so of course I was elated to be gifted with the partially finished sweater and yarn.
I finished it just before our trip to Iowa over Christmas.
Mods: Ended the sleeves just after the raglan join, only did one purl ridge for the neckline trim, and extended the body by about 6 or 7 inches. I didn’t adjust the body shaping at all, just blocked it to be more blousy at the belly.
If I was making this from the start for myself, I’d have lowered the lace detail to actually be under the bust…but I think I could block it to be lower if I was really perfectionistic about that. I also assume that it will be under the bust after the baby’s born and my body’s back to normal.
Next year, when I don’t need a maternity sweater, I’ll just re-block it to be slimmer in front. Well, cross your fingers for me that I’ll be able to say that, anyway!
I’m trying not to gain as much weight with this baby, but I’m no Heidi Klum. (Heidi did a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 6 weeks after the birth of her last baby.)
Here I was at about 31 weeks:
Yes, there is something on my shirt…that area tends to collect things. String, food, whatever I bump into.
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A GREAT online class review from Knitty!
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
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Little Houses Ornaments and Kits on Etsy
Friday, December 11th, 2009
My sister is a very talented crafter, and has recently launched a line of Christmas ornaments and kits on Etsy.
Here’s what she says:
The kits are packaged in cute fabric bags with ribbon drawstrings. They are attractive enough to give as gifts as-is (or you can make them and give finished ornaments as gifts). Each kit includes an instruction booklet with progress photos and step-by-step instructions. I also include everything you need except for needles. You get pre-cut felt pieces, embroidery floss, a hanging loop, a handful of stuffing (and beads for the Christmas House kits).
It takes about 2 to 4 hours to make each ornament, depending on how quickly you sew, and how detailed your ornament is.
She also sells patterns for cute little animals like this owl:
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Mazie and I were in a car accident on Friday…
Monday, December 7th, 2009
On Friday, Mazie and I were out doing some errands and were rear-ended at a stoplight.
I started going into premature labor (at only 28 weeks of pregnancy) and was admitted to the hospital. Mazie was also admitted for observation. Mazie was released later Friday evening, and I was kept until very late Friday night.
I did go into labor, with contractions every 2 minutes. They were able to stop the contractions with a shot (I didn’t make note of WHAT) at about 9pm, and I stayed for a few more hours for observation / fetal monitoring.
I’m happy to report that we are all ok.
This accident really made me think about how all of our lives could be changed in a second.
We are VERY lucky.