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Sliding into Spring greetings –
Our Spring in Southern Louisiana is already starting to take off. The weeds that are popping up everywhere in my lawn and gardens are telling me so. Whereas in some parts of the country, recent snow blizzards and chilling cold still prevail. Hey you guys – that's why I live in the South! Well, it doesn't make for as many opportunities to wear handknitted warm sweaters, but I guess at my age, that I will take the trade-off, lol.
So with warmer weather and the approach of 'greening' everywhere, I invite you to check out the featured patterns for St. Patrick's Day, Easter and Springtime (see the Handy Links sidebar for Featured Patterns to Get Ready for Spring link). While you are there looking later, be sure not to miss the new Shamrock Beaded Bracelet and the cute Knitted Bunny.
A new category to browse on the HeartStrings website is the "I Hate to Purl" Collection. Read on for more about this.
And of course, I have the results for the Heart Socks Kit Contest to share with you, and another installment of Q&A Skill Spotlight.
Cheers!
Jackie E-S / HeartStrings FiberArts
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Heart Socks Kit Contest – How did you do?
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I want to thank all of you who took the time to enter the recent contest for the Heart Socks Kit. I hope you had fun and learned a bit in the process, too. I'll announce the winner in just a little bit. But first, how did you do with the answers?
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I received mostly correct answers, but there were more than the usual number of incorrect answers turned in. So I wanted to take this opportunity to elaborate a bit.
- To make the delightful heart-patterned anklets with scalloped leg edging as shown in the picture, you can follow the originally published Heart Socks pattern instructions as given except for doing what? OMIT THE RIBBING ROUNDS.
If you went to the website and browsed for the Heart Socks, you can actually see the beginning of the instructions for making the sock by downloading the Sample Cover Page (it's free). Did you happen to do that? If not, don't take my word for it – you can check it out for yourself by going to the Heart Socks catalog webpage and scrolling toward the bottom of the page.
Now, follow along with me in those instructions. You will start by casting on the number of stitches stated (64). Then skip over instructions for doing the ribbing rounds. Then you start the lace pattern portion of the sock, in which the very first round has you decrease stitches. The reason for casting on more stitches initially is to assure your cuff edge has enough elasticity and length along the greater distance of the ups and downs of the scalloped edge. Neat, hey?!
- Speaking of hearts, what is the name of the popular HeartStrings scarf pattern with lace hearts that is part of the Love and Friendship Design Collection? THINKING OF YOU SCARF
OK, guys – In the question itself, I gave you a hint that it was a SCARF pattern, right? As I said, I had mostly correct answers. But there were also answers for the Cascading Hearts Faroese SHAWL and the All-Over Lace Faroese SHAWL, and even one for the Sweet Valentine SOCKS. If you were one of those, you know who you are, lol. And that is fine because it amused me that you probably like hearts as much as I do, so you probably got side-tracked by looking at your favorite types of projects.
And now to announce the contest winner ... Congratulations Beverly Foyce! Beverly's prize is a
Heart Socks Kit with pattern and all the high quality yarn needed for making a pair of Heart Socks in either the original ribbed cuff style of Heart Socks or the anklet style with scalloped leg edging. Since I am later than I wanted to be for getting this newsletter out, I have already contacted Beverly and she selected the Deep Red for her yarn color. I still have a bit of this color remaining, as well as a few other colors in case you wanted to purchase your own kit.
Thanks again to everyone for playing. I am swamped with taxes, traveling, etc. right now, so won't be able to put together another contest for this next go around. But I will be keeping in mind to have another in the near future.
Q&A Skill Spotlight - Will Circular Needles Work for Making This Blanket?
QUESTION —
I am hoping to adapt the Elegantly Simple Baby Blanket to a full size, about 48" x 60" to donate to the Baddeck Rest Home. To make the 45" x 45" baby blanket you advise 4.5mm needles. Would that be regular length needles? I'm wondering if 240 stitches, or more for an adult size, would fit on a needle. I have never used circular needles and I'm wondering if they'd work on this pattern.
ANSWER —
When there will be many stitches, I like to work with circular needle even if just working back and forth as in this blanket. You’d knit from one needle point to the other with a circular needle just like you’d use straight needles. The only difference is that stitches will remain on the cable of the circular needle between the points.
There’s an additional benefit in using a circular needle for work like this in that the weight of the blanket remains in the center of your lap rather than hanging off the end of one needle or the other. It's a lot less tiring than holding up the weight of the blanket. Try it – I bet you will like it!
If you have a question about a knitting technique or a skill you'd like to improve, please email me and I will consider it for one of the upcoming Q&A Skill Spotlights.
The "I Hate to Purl" Collection
Do you have a huge dislike of purling and are looking for patterns where you can just work away in knit stitch only?
I had an inquiry this week that prompted me to do a tally of the current HeartStrings patterns that are "no purl". It was actually more than I realized! Since I had the list put together, I wanted to share it with any of you that might find it helpful.
The new Design Collection is aptly called "I Hate to Purl". Patterns in the I Hate to Purl Collection either just use garter stitch knitted flat, or are constructed circularly and use only the knit stitch. Enjoy!
Note: There are a few projects included in the listing that use very little purl; hardly a reason to avoid these otherwise great all-knit-stitch patterns. I've noted those exceptions, just in case you want to avoid them nevertheless.
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It certainly has been nice to take some time away from taxes, etc. to "chat" with you. Thank you for your patronage. Wishing you lots of time to knit and enjoy life.
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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