Knit-Inn 2011

This weekend I went to my most favorite event of the year, the SC Knitting Guild's 2011 Knit-Inn. The Knit-Inn occurs on the first weekend in February and entails classes, fun activities and of course lots of knitting. I look forward to catching up with friends from past Knit-Inns and making new ones. This year there were over 179 participants registered by Friday.


Lou's sock yarn Granny Square afghan

An original Bohous sweater at Show & Share

Kim and other guild members knitting in the lobby

Deborah teaching a cast on class
The variety and number of classes increases each year and this years offerings weren't disappointing. I took 3 classes and I'm always amazed when someone says that I don't need to take classes. There are lots of things that I still have to learn where knitting is concerned and at $5.00-$10.00 per class you can't go wrong.

I got some impromptu spinning lessons from Linda of the Rock Hill area knitting guild. She owns a shop in the area and I'll be traveling that way later in the spring for some hands on spinning lessons. She tested my wheel, a Majacraft Little Gem, and said that it is in excellent shape. I've had this wheel since 2004 and I am so looking forward to finally learning how to use it again. I was just starting to spin when I had my neck problems and eventual surgery and this is the first time I've had someone available to help me get started again.

I had a great time and of course mom was right there hanging out and having a good time herself. I think everyone would be shocked if I journeyed up there without her especially Fort Mill knitting buds Lou and Lori. I returned home exhausted and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Knit-Inn 2010 Part II

One of the best things about a knit-in is the endless parade of handknits. I captured a few that caught my attention. Ellen's scarf while not complicated was beautiful and draped wonderfully. It is Phiaro from Knitscene Winter 2007/Spring 2008.



Elisa was there with her winning Mr. Spock sock monkey. She won the Knit Picks sock monkey contest and was steeking her Fair Isle vest that was the prize. I've been waiting for her to post the finished vest.




She's only been knitting for two years and her work is beautiful. I love fearless knitters.

My memory fails me but the photos don't. There was a knitter from Georgia who had a gorgeous Estonia shawl. She wouldn't let me photograph it on her. The nupps were worked separately while knitting using white against a green background.




I finished my lone project purchased at the Knit-Inn.



Specs:
Pattern: Garter Stitch Loop-Through Scarf from 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders
Yarn: Karabella Aurora 8
Needles: 4 US Rosewood straights and dpn's
Size: One size
Started: 2/6/2010 Finished:2/10/2010
Mods: The pattern uses sportweight but this worked up beautifully in worsted.

Knit Inn

WooHoo! I had a great time at the SC Knitting Guild's annual Knit Inn in Greenville, SC. Even though I didn't get in any of my classes I had a great time hanging out with knitting friends from previous years and making new friends. There was close to 200 women in attendance including Lynn from Minnesota who used to live in Columbia. I got to hang out with knit buds Lou and Lori from the Rock Hill area, saw Teresa aka Yargineer with her sweet little man, Deborah and Gail and a host of other knitters.

In the evenings we went to dinner with little bro' Byron and I must recommend City Range. The food was delicious and the service quick and excellent. We also hit PF Changs a usual stop for us on the knitting weekend.

I didn't make many purchases this year. I bought sock yarn and one beaded scarf kit from the vendors on site, Yes Yarn and Northwood Fiber and Farm. I was looking forward to purchasing some hand-dyedfrom Teri at Northwood, but sadly she didn't have any available.


I finished two sweaters. I finally got the buttons sewn on Mr. Greenjeans.


Specs:
Pattern: Mr. Greenjeans by Amy Swenson - Knitty Fall 2007
Yarn: Noro Silver Thaw 12
Needles: 7 & 8 Holtz & Stein circulars
Size: Large
Started: November 22, 2008 Finished: February 6, 2009

I made the sweater much longer than the pattern called for. I also extended the buttons a little further above the vee since the placement wasn't all that flattering on me and made the sleeves long. The sweater was finished for almost a full 2 months before I ordered the woolwash and blocked it. I've worn it and it is very warm and comfortable.

Seamed the Belted Wrap Jacket.




Specs:
Pattern: Belted Wrap Jacket by Shirley Paden - Interweave Knits Winter 2005
Yarn: Tebe Extrafine Merino by Filati Italian Collection
Needles: 6 & 7 Holtz & Stein circulars
Size: XL
Started: November 2007 Finished: February 7, 2009

I completed the back in November '07 and it rested until October '08. I had all the pieces completed in November '08 and didn't pick it up again until I blocked it the end of January '09. It was a pleasure to knit and I plan to make it again in a cranberry color using the same yarn.

I also started knitting one of the Kureyon sock skeins. I'm knitting a pair of plain toe-up socks for mom. The colors are a little funky but I'm going to match them as much as I can. My original plan was to knit it as it was skeined until I realized that I could match most of the repeats. I have enough to match the foot and leg but not the ribbing which will be hidden anyway.


There was a big surprise waiting for me when I got home today.


I ordered some Kauni and undyed Trekking from Astrid's Dutch Obsessions on Jan. 30th. I was expecting it to take a few weeks and the package arrived today. I'm waiting on a shipment of the Rainbow Kauni from a stateside store. It's currently backordered but when it arrives I'll be making the famous Kauni sweater in the rainbow and/or the pastel I ordered from Astrid.

I recently subscribed to Knitcircus magazine after seeing the Rosepole design by Elizabeth Morrison in Kauni Effektgarn. The jury is out as to which color I'll use. So big plans ahead with lots of finer gauge knitting. In the meantime I'll be finishing and clearing out other projects to make room for the new stash.

Greenville Knit Inn

Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy!!!

Yesterday I could barely stand to keep my eyes open and did manage to sneak a quick nap in late yesterday afternoon. The Knit Inn was great. It was nice to see the knitters that I met last year, especially Lou from Rock Hill. I hung out during the day with Deborah, Gail , Anita, mom and Heather aka Yargineer with her cute baby pooch. I also made some new knitting friends and hope that we will be able to stay in touch and get together during the year.

The hotel was nice and the guest Happy Hour from 5:30-7:00 was even better. It was a hoot to see all these knitters show up with projects in tow and drink cards in hand. We had dinner at PF Chang on Saturday. I missed going to the restaurant that was in the hotel when we were in Vegas. The reservation service is a joke, but the food was delicious.

I was waitlisted for two of the classes I registered for. The Shawl Design class was informative and I came away with some good info which will help me with future designs. The instructor was Lainey Haule who was president of the guild last year. I was surprised how many people remembered me from last year and happy to see them again.

There were only three vendors, but two of them managed to separate me from a good bit of my funds. This year the guild invited a basket maker, Roy Greene. He had some beautiful handmade baskets and I quickly picked up two of them. The larger basket was used to carry my working project during the remainder of the Knit Inn.


The others were knitting vendors, however, my purchases all came from North Woods Farm Fiber and Yarn out of Campobello. I purchased several skeins of sock yarn and several addi Turbo Lace needles.


I've long wanted to try the Schaefer Anne and the Noro Kureyon Sock. All the Noro was the same color, but since this is probably the closest I'll be to it for a while I picked up a skein anyway.


I purchased two skeins of the North Woods Farm Superwash Merino Sock yarn. One because it reminded me of stonewash blue jeans and the other just because.

Twelve skeins of the new Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet sock yarn. At $5.99/skein I just couldn't pass it up.

I also won a very nice door prize. 10 skeins of K1C2 Meringue.


Waiting for me when I got home was the package from Herrschners. The Twilleys Freedom Spirit in Natural and Passion for the Guimauve hat by Woolly Wormhead.


What a great way for a trip to end.