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Treat-or-Treat Contest Drawing

Are you ready for another fun contest? Before I give you the details on the new contest, let me make sure I have told everyone who the winner of the Spring Inspirations contest was. Everyone seemed to have fun with this one, and most people got the answers right, too! See, I told you the answers were easy. But there could be only one winner, and that was (ta! da!) Kaye in Lexington, Kentucky. The answers to the contest questions were —

1. Catherine Wingate designed the stitch pattern in the Rainy Day Socks to be reminiscent of what? FALLING RAINDROPS
   
   
2. What popular Easter-time sweet treat inspired the name for the Mixed Jelly Beans Socks? JELLY BEANS

Now onto some more fun. Since this is the month for Halloween, I thought it appropriate to do a Treat-or-Treat Contest. Notice, there are no tricks this time, lol. Here are the questions to answer for a chance to win a Beaded Skulls complete kit to make a set of wristlets and matching socks. Kit includes printed pattern, 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in color Charcoal, and top quality Miyuki Japanese Rose-lined Crystal AB seed beads just like the model in the picture.

Answers can be found on the HeartStrings FiberArts website if you don't know them already (if in doubt, check to make sure so your contest entry will be valid) –

1. What is the title of the pattern shown in this picture?
   
   
2. What technique is used to make the wristlets and sock cuffs?

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 questions above by Tuesday, October 20, 2009 to be entered into the contest.

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 Wednesday, October 21, 2009 for all entrants with correct answers and the winner will be notified so I can get your mailing address. Announcement of winner will be made in the next newsletter. Have fun and good luck in winning!

Highlights of New Stuff

There are lots of new things at HeartStrings since I last wrote, including new patterns to entice and inspire you, and expanded website features to make the most out of your visit. Here are some highlights —

New Patterns

W33 Sweet Melody Vest

H55 Filigree Lace-edged Baby Blanket

S02 Beaded Faux Argyle Socks

H61 Lace and Cables Scarf

H60 Put on the Glitz Shrug

H64 Lace Starlight Stole

New Website Features

• Beaded Patterns Only webpage listing

  On your next visit to the HeartStringsFiberArts.com website, click on the "Beaded Patterns Only" link in the side navigation menu, or click here now.

• Cast on at Ravelry

  Each individual pattern webpage on the site now has a handy link to Ravelry to get ideas of what yarns that others have used, etc. You can also add the pattern to your project queue/wish list right then! Just look for

  Cast on or +Queue at

Q&A: Knitters ask ... ?

If someone asked, chances are someone else has the same question. For this month's Q&A Skill Spotlight, I give some thoughts on how knitting gauge correlates to Ends Per Inch (EPI), a designation that is often used to describe the thickness of yarns/threads ordinarily used for weaving.

QUESTION —

I'm wondering if you know of a handy chart that translates EPI or 8/2 type measurements of yarn into knitting terms. I can deal with WPI, but am not familiar with weavers numbering systems, which I'm assuming this is? It sounds like pretty tiny stiff, but compared to what?

ANSWER —

EPI stands for ends per inch. This indicates the 'sett', or spacing of the warp threads when weaving (i.e. the threads that run the length of the woven fabric). If you extend your thinking, knitting essentially has 2 ends in each knit stitch (i.e. the 2 sides of the stockinette stitch, and these provide the vertical element of design in knit patterns; this is equivalent to 'warp' in weaving). It just so happens that these 'ends' are connected by a loop at the top (i.e. the purl bump that gives the horizontal element of design in knit patterns; this is equivalent to 'weft' in weaving). But the sides of the knit stitches are basically the equivalent of the warp threads in weaving, so it is pretty easy to translate EPI sett to knit gauge as a first 'guesstimate'. My method is to simply divide the EPI by 2 (since there are 2 ends per knit stitch).

Without getting bogged down in types of woven fabric, let me an example using typical 8/2 setts:

• Sett of 18 EPI to produce even-weave fabric --> 18 / 2 = 9 sts per inch in stockinette stitch such as fabric intended for a sweater or similar garment.
• Sett of 24 epi to produce twill fabric --> 24 / 2 = 12 st per inch for a firm, hard-wearing fabric such as for socks.

So yes, as you can see, 8/2 yarn/thread is comparatively tiny stuff! Probably, you would usually knit with two or more strands held together rather than attempting such a small gauge. (but believe me, there are some who are known to do it)

For fabric produced in lace knitting, of course we usually are looking at looser gauges than in regular stockinette sweater fabric, and that will depend upon the openess, drape, etc. that you want. For 8/2 thread, I've made successful projects in anything from about 7 to 4.5 sts/inch over blocked lace patterns. Lace is so versatile and I think this one of the reasons I especially never grow tired of exploring the options.

That's all for this newsletter before it gets even longer! But I'll be back again with more next time. I am developing a new tutorial that I plan to have ready in a couple of weeks. So watch for another edition soon of HeartStrings newsletter with a time-limited coupon to view the tutorial for 100% off the purchase price (i.e. free for you, but it won't last forever so don't tarry too long). 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.

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.