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Springtime greetings –
Spring! Each day as I look at weather reports around the country, I wonder if it really is here! It's been almost 3 weeks since the first official day of spring, the Vernal Equinox. But are we really past the last freeze of the year? Are the buds on the trees and flowers going to make it, and is the weather soon going to be nice enough so that we can spend time outside soaking up the sunshine?
This issue of Knitterly News brings you "Pet the Bunnies", another installment of Q&A Skill Spotlight, and a new contest! As you take a few moments to read the newsletter, I hope you will celebrate the moment and let go of the stress that consumes too much of our lives. Then pause to appreciate some time with your knitting and welcome spring with a song in your heart.
All the best to you for a joyful spring,
Jackie E-S / HeartStrings FiberArts
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Pet the Bunnies
If you haven't already discovered the complimentary pattern on my website for how to knit a bunny from a swatch, here's a fun and easy gift to make for Easter (or actually anytime).
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They'll love that you made it yourself. And no one can resist petting the bunnies!
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Enjoy the pattern for free with the download link on the Knitted Bunny page of the HeartStringsFiberArts.com website.
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The bunnies are multiplying! On Ravelry, there already are over 500 projects posted for this pattern. So there are lots of ideas and inspiration for making your own uniquely creative bunny.
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You yourself can
Cast On at Ravelry to add to the growing number. Have fun!
Q&A: Knitters ask ... ?
If someone asked, chances are someone else has the same question. Here are two questions and answers for this month's Q&A Skill Spotlight.
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QUESTION about substituting circular knitting methods for double point needles —
I notice that the Country Girl Socks pattern calls for putting the stitches on double point needles. I always knit two socks at a time on two circular needles. I've only been knitting for about a year and a half, and still consider myself a new knitter. I'm not very good at looking at a pattern and telling if it will work well with my method of sock knitting. Can you tell me if the Country Girl pattern will work well done on two circulars rather than on dpn's?
ANSWER —
Yes, you can use two circulars rather than dpn's. You can arrange the sts on your circular needles however you prefer. Wherever there might be reference to a particular dpn, just use markers to indicate which stitches would have 'belonged' to that dpn.
In years before you started knitting (and during which the Country Girl Socks pattern was first published), it was common to write instructions for knitting socks in terms of using double point needles (although undoubtedly some people used circular needle methods before they became popularized in more recent years). By using the tip above, you substitute circular methods (either two circulars, or even one circular) for patterns written for double point needles. An additional tip is to use different colored markers to indicate the start of the stitches that 'belong' to a particular dpn as written in the instructions.
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QUESTION about what percentage to expect lace to increase in size after blocked —
I'm knitting a lace stole using Zephyr silk/wool and 3 mm needles. My question is how much can I expect the stole to increase in size when I block it? I would like the stole to be no longer than about 65 inches. I need to know when to end. Is it a general rule of thumb that a piece of lace will typically increase in size by 25% after blocking?
ANSWER —
That 25% is a very rough guesstimate because there are too many variables in density of lace stitches, required amount of tension to get the openness and drape you desire, degree of elasticity in the type of fiber(s) and the twist of the yarn, etc.
The 25% figure is probably good enough as a rough planning tool for a project whose size doesn't really matter much. For a project where you want more exact results, you can still use the 25% as a rough guesstimate for initial planning. But be sure to then do a test gauge swatch, recording the width and length measurements of the swatch BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER blocked as intended for the finished item. Comparing the after to the before measurements will give you the percentage increase to factor for your completed project in both width and length.
It sounds like you had not done a test gauge before and after blocking, but you could do that now and know for sure. If you really, really just can't bring yourself to do a separate nice-sized test swatch, then perhaps my article on Blocking in Progress will help.
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That's all for this time. More next month. Remember, if you are interested in having your knitting question considered for one of the upcoming Skill Spotlight Q&A's, you may email me anytime.
New Contest! – Springtime Inspirations
Are you ready for another fun contest? The theme of this month's contest is the inspiration behind each of two of HeartStrings' popular sock pattern designs. The prize is a complete kit valued at $27 to make a pair of Rainy Day Socks. Kit includes printed pattern and 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in color Whitewater.
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Here are the details of how to enter for a chance to win!
It's simple — just email me the correct answers to both of the easy questions below by April 30, 2009 to be entered into the contest to win the kit to make Rainy Day Socks.
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Answers can be found on the HeartStrings FiberArts website if you don't know them already (but if in doubt, check to make sure so your entry will be valid) –
- Catherine Wingate designed the stitch pattern in the Rainy Day Socks to be reminiscent of what?
- What popular Easter-time sweet treat inspired the name for the Mixed Jelly Beans Socks?
Tip: If you are having trouble finding the information, use the search feature (upper right hand corner of each webpage) at the HeartStringsFiberArts.com website to find key words or terms.
Prize drawing will be made on May 1, 2009 for all entrants with correct answers. Announcement of winner will be made shortly after that. Have fun and good luck in winning!
Meantime, I welcome you to also check out other featured patterns for springtime knitting in the Springtime Spotlight collection.
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Thanks again for subscribing to the HeartStrings Knitterly Newsletter, and for your continued interest and support. 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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