Knits and Tats

My shawl is very close to being finished. I am working on 'Harvey' from the book Sock-Yarn Shawls, by Jen Lucas. This is my first attempt at making a lace shawl. I pulled out my first 3-4 starts, before I got the hang of it. Then I figured out how to read a simple chart and learned the value of a life line, all the while learning how to read the stitches on the needle. These lessons should be invaluable in improving my knitting. I have about 6 more rows of the lace pattern then the final border, after which will be the lesson in blocking.

Here is my progress (1/2 of the shawl):

Harvey

Sock-Yarn Shawls

Patons: Krory Socks FX 

Color:57210

I managed to complete several sets for earrings, and a pendant that I used for Christmas gifts. The ds count was the same but the threads were different and so was the final size. I used several size 20, Lizbeth Threads and some DMC Fil argent, Art. 285, the beads were seed beads from my stash.

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

The Knitting Bug

I can hardly believe the date of my last post to this blog. It didn't feel as if I had been away that long. I know I've worked on a few things since July. Maybe I can find the pictures and do a 2014 round up later this month.

Last month I was required to work some very long hours. When I got home there wasn't much energy left for creativity. I did manage to knit a few items. They will be used for birthday and Christmas gifts. Most of the patterns used were from Ravelry.

Purple: Mobius, Vanna's Choice, 145 Eggplant

Mulberry Mix: Hat POP! , by Kristy Vine, Red Heart Super Saver

White : basic beanie, Bernat Deniumstyle

Pink Hat: Red Sparkle Hat by Elena Chen, 

                       Scarf: The Big Easy Scarf by Lee Samsami Stein

Vanna's Choice, 101 Pink

The Mobius was an experiment. I wanted to use up some left over yarn from another hat I made, so I decided to try Cat Bordhi's Mobius Cast On. The other hat didn't make the photo shoot. It was hiding somewhere on the couch. The first row of the Mobius was a bit fiddly, but after that it was fun to watch it grow. For this first trial I simply knitted 4 rows then purled 4 rows until most of the yarn was gone then bound off. I have already added a few patterns to my wish list on Revelry, As soon as my new yarn arrives I will be deciding which one to try first. 

I used Silfoxes Tatting stitch count to make this set. I haven't gotten the beads just right but I am happy with them and will be making a few more.

Lizbeth size 20, Color 633

Seed beads from stash

I need to finish my ends and add some findings to make a pair of earrings and a pendant.

Next post I hope to share the shawl I am working on.

Thanks for hanging in with me and continuing to stop by,

Gwen

Earrings and Snowflakes

 I made 9 pairs of Marilee's earrings for Christmas gifts they were a huge hit.



Pattern: Floret - Marilee Rockley
Thread: Manuela sz 20 Color 034
Delica 11/0 beads Color 042



I have started 2013 making snowflakes, then I saw a picture of Marie's snowflake laden tree on Diane's blog. Now I'm more inspired to make this the year of  snowflakes. Not sure I will ever have a tree that beautiful but it will be fun working toward it. Hope to add some bling and do-dads also.

Pattern: Snowflake - Sharon's designing primer post Oct.2006
Thread: Flora sz 20 White


edited source

Back to School

Palmetto Tatter Tat Days 2012 have come and gone and I was fortunate to be able to attend. The event is hosted at The Georgia Baptist Convention Center in Toccoa, GA. While there I took 4 classes. Tat Days is always a lot of fun and this year was not different. I saw some friends from previous Tat Days and also made some new friends.Tat Day 2013 have been set for September 5-8. Hope to see you there.



I also signed up for Marilee Rockley's Tatting Class on Craftsy. Two of Marilee's passions are tatting and hand dyeing threads. She has a wonderful blog and Etsy shop. One of the projects from the Craftsy class is "Floret"- tatted earrings. I plan on using this pattern to tat some earrings for  Christmas presents. So far I have finished tatting one set and started another.  Just 7 more sets to go.




Pattern: Floret - Marilee Rockley
Thread: Manuela sz 20 Color 034
Delica 11/0 beads Color 042

Thanks for stopping by,
Gwen

Finished My First Set

Yes, I am happy to report that I have finished my first set of jewelry. Garnet and Grapes was one of the classes I took with Nina Libin at Palmetto Tatters, Tat Day 2010. It is not often that I take a class and finish the project in such a short space of time. I did struggle with the pendant a little and there is at least one join that I could have done a better job on, but I am happy with the results. Now to decide what outfit I will wear them with first.

Garnet and Grapes  Earrings and Pendant
Design: Nina Libin
Class Kit: (3 ply metallic thread with 3mm Garnet beads)







Thanks for stopping by,
 

More news from Tat Days

As I mentioned in my last post, my classes with Nina resulted in me completing 2 pairs of earrings and starting on the necklace from the 3rd class. I am very happy that I was able to accomplish so much in class. These are the pictures of my earrings that I took this past weekend.                                                                             

Design: Golden Leaves, Nina Libin
Class Kit (3 ply gold metallic thread, 11/0 seed beads)










Design: Garnet and Grapes, Nina Libin
Class Kit: (3 ply metallic thread, 3mm Garnet beads)






I guess I am in a jewelry mode. The theme for the 2010 Tat Days was 'Fall into Tatting'. Jane Eborall designed that logo for the event. The logo is one of several on their pattern CD for 2010. This weekend I made a pair of earrings using that pattern.

Design: Beady Leaves, Jane Eborall
Thread: Lizbeth sz 20 Falling Leaves
Beads: 11/0 Japanaese Delicas DB100







I will post pictures of the necklace when I make some more progress.

Thanks for stopping by,