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Hi –
Let's celebrate HeartStrings' 100th issue of Knitterly News! Yes, it was 99 issues ago that I began HeartStrings Knitterly News. In some ways it seems like ages ago, and in other ways it seems like hardly any time at all. I hope I'll be able to bring you another 100 issues of helpful articles and knitterly inspiration.
Today was the drawing for the Bella's Beads Win-a-Kit Contest. Yes, we have a winner and I'll let you know about that in just a moment. I want to thank everyone for their participation. So many people wrote in and said they had fun with this, and I did, too! So let's do it again, ok? Read on in the newsletter about how to enter HeartStrings next win-a-kit contest drawing.
In this issue I also continue the Q&A series with a feature article about a circular center start technique that you might find helpful to add to your knitting bag of tricks. Enjoy!
Jackie E-S / HeartStrings FiberArts
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Attention Newcomers - If you are receiving this newsletter from someone else and would
like to start receiving your own issues, I welcome you to sign up at my website
http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/e-news.shtm
And the winner is ...
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I want to thank all of you who took the time to enter the Bella's Beads Kit contest. I enjoyed hearing from you, and some of you even wrote in with your personal experiences and remembrances.
The correct answers were —
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Bella's Beads as featured in the Nov 2008 issue of Creative Knitting
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- Bella's Beads Cloche was inspired by the movie "Agatha".
- Bella Abzug was the politician after whom Bella's Beads is named.
And now for the announcement that everyone is awaiting. Ta! Da! ... The contest winner is ... JUDITH LIGOSKY
Congratulations Judith! Please contact me so I can be sure to ship your Bella's Beads Cloche Hat Kit to the correct address.
Thanks again to everyone for their participation. Lots of people wrote in that they had fun with this (and I did, too), so let's have more fun and do it again! For those who unfortunately did not win this time, this gives you another chance to win a prize. Read on in the newsletter for HeartStrings next win-a-kit contest drawing.
There are also a limited number of close-out kits and yarn/bead paks for Bella's Beads Cloche available to purchase through Shopatron if interested.
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Complete Kit (includes yarn, beads, supplemental thread and pattern)
- or if you already have the pattern,
Yarn/Bead Pak (includes yarn, beads, supplemental thread only; no pattern)
Q&A: Easy Circular Center Start?
Q: From Glenda Clemmons —
Jackie, I always read all of the newsletter and visit your website often. I've become quite obsessed with knitting lace! For your question and answer: I would LOVE an easier way to start a round piece than trying to hold 6 or 8 stitches on 3 double pointed needles. Right now I'm figuring out the number of stitches for the 3rd or 4th round and start with a crocheted ring and by the second round have the number of stitches (usually 12-20) for the 3rd or 4th round. Most of the time this works well, but it does feel like cheating a bit. Any suggestions would be appreciated. And thanks again for all the hard work you put in on the newsletter.
A: Never feel that you are 'cheating'. If it works for you, that is the most important thing. As a suggestion, you might find this easy circular start technique helpful to add to your knitting bag of tricks.
I suggest you practice with heavier weight yarn than you might typically think of using for knitting lace.
- To begin: Make a slip knot and put it on one of your double point needles as the first cast-on stitch. Then cast on 5 more stitches to the same needle. (i.e. you now have a total of 6 stitches on the needle) I know you are going to ask —: No, it doesn't really matter what type of cast on. I usually use long tail cast on for this, but you could alternatively use your favorite knitted-on cast on.
- Foundation row: Using a 2nd double point needle, turn and purl across the 6 stitches.
- Increase row: Still using only two double point needles, turn and work as follows — [yarn over, knit 1] 6 times. You now have a total of 12 stitches on one of your double point needles. Note: this row replaces the first increase round on typical 6-section doily patterns.
- Lasso the cast on stitches: Beginning with the cast-on stitch the furthest from the cast-on yarn tail, pull tail through lower loop of each cast-on stitch using either a threaded tapestry needle or crochet hook.
- Distribute stitches on three of your double point needles. (i.e. 4 stitches on each needle) Arrange double point needles for circular knitting. Mark beginning of round.
- Plain round: With your 4th double point needle, knit the 12 stitches.
- Cinch 'em up: Pull cast-on tail to close circle snugly. Do not cut the yarn end yet as it will be easier to see if there is any need to tidy up the center after the knitting of the item has been completed. Now you are ready to proceed with your next increase round of the typical doily pattern.
Note: For doily patterns with other than 6 sections, just adjust for the correspondingly different stitch counts.
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If you enjoy having a project that you can work as your practice piece, let me suggest Lace Doily Beret. The above circular center start is used in this beret and can help you practice for actual doilies you might want to make later in lighter weight threads and smaller needles.
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December Win-a-Kit Contest
It sounded like lots of you had fun with the Bella's Beads Win-a-Kit Contest. There could be only one winner for that contest, but it doesn't mean we can't have another. So let's do it! Here's the scoop on how to enter and what you can win ...
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It's simple — just email me the correct answers to both these questions by December 15, 2008 to be entered into the contest to win a kit for Sock Therapy. Kit includes yarn, 'chocolate' ribbon and pattern.
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Answers can be found on the HeartStrings FiberArts website.
- For which month of The Sock Calendar was Sock Therapy featured?
- For whom did Catherine Wingate suggest you first make these socks?
Tip: If you are having trouble finding the information, use the search feature (upper right hand corner of each webpage) at the website to find key words or terms.
Prize drawing will be made on December 16, 2008 for all entrants with correct answers. Announcement will be made shortly after that. Have fun and good luck in winning!
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That's all for now. Until the next newsletter when I 'c' you — Warm regards and happy knitting,
p.s. Your thank you donation will be used to help me continue to provide you free educational resources and newsletters.
Please do not feel any obligation ... each person knows what they are capable of and is in their heart to do. Even an occasional donation, whether small or large, is very much appreciated.
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HeartStrings FiberArts / Jackie E-S Design Collections
From the classic to the uniquely appealing for today's modern knitter.
Skill-building, comprehensive instructions to advance the art of knitting.
Yarn-generic patterns for your creative freedom.
Featuring innovative designs for Knitted Lace and Beaded Knitting based on tradition in updated techniques.
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