VergeKnits Studio

Have Knits, Will Travel

2011-06-28T16:31:00.000-07:00

Have knits, will travel. Absolument! Denying a knitter her needles and yarns, especially while on vacation, is like taking caffeine out of coffee. Honestly, do people really drink that stuff?

I was in Paris recently and thought I'd share the following pics with my knitting peeps.

The following picture is entitled... "Sock Over Paris". Here we are on top of l'Arc de Triomphe. 284 steps up and we were triumphant!

Here I am knitting on the back steps of Sacre Coeur. How can you not get inspired in this beautiful city?!

Managed to talk my husband into visiting a couple of yarn shops. A search on the internet quickly provided several options. The following site was very useful in narrowing down my search - http://www.planetpurl.com/community/blogs/travel_paris/. I love when someone else does the work for you :)

A bientot!

Surrender Yer Yarn!

2011-04-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

This is a pattern I developed a while back. It's my pirate hat :)

SURRENDER YER YARN!

Chickadee!

2011-04-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

Just finished my "chickadee" hat from Colorwork Creations (see previous post). Don't know about you but I just LOVE Chickadees!

Book Picks

2011-01-17T14:37:00.000-08:00

I must admit to being overly obsessed with books... especially knitting books.

2 books I just added to my already obese library:

The Sock Club by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott is a MUST have for sock knitters. The patterns are creative, challenging and absolutely to dye for :)

Anyone who knows me will tell you how crazy I am for fairisle/colorworks designs. The following book contains a multitude of woodland inspired projects such as hats, mittens and gloves. I fell in love with the front cover hat pattern which I plan on knitting soon. Click here to check out Colorwork Creations by Susan Anderson-Freed.

Socks, Socks and More Socks!

2011-01-17T13:32:00.000-08:00

A few winter projects...

Quite the pair. The blue pair was knitted with 100% wool. The pattern, I took from the Favorite Socks book by Interweave Press and is called Merino Lace Socks (designed by Anne Woodbury. The design flows nicely down the heel which makes it perfect for clogs.

The other pair was knitted with Koigu kpppm. The pattern was taken from the same book and is called Waving Lace Socks (designed by Evelyn A. Clark).

The following pair displays a beautiful A symmetrical design. This particular design is called "kai-mei", named after a famous female physicist and can be found in Cookie A's Sock Innovation book.

In the works...

I'm currently working on this pair which pattern I took from Cookie A's Sock Innovation and is called "vilai". This pattern is both challenging and fun to knit.

Baaabs' Apron

2010-10-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

Baaabs, the Lantern Moon Scissor Holder Sheep, is sporting her new apron. Just received it today from Paradise Fibers. It is THE accessory for the fall. Now, I will always be able to find my cable needles; how great is that!

Bacchus Socks

2010-10-12T16:25:00.000-07:00

Just finished this cute pair. For this project, I followed Alice Bell's Bacchus Sock pattern from Interweave Knits Fall 2008 collection. The yarn is a Merino(70%)/Tussah silk(30%) blend from Paradise Fibers which was spun by yours truly. :) This was a fun pattern to knit. The inside of the leg is in a twisted rib pattern while the outside has a vine with bobbles for flowers. Tres cool!

Dye Day

2010-10-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

Had a fun day dyeing rovings. I achieved the colors by injecting dye solutions into the wool rather than dipping or soaking it. I think I will turn them into sock yarn.

Trixie, tired of waiting for me to come out and play, decided to take a nap ;)

Aran Knits

2010-08-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

Just finished my Aran Cardigan. For this one, I recycled wool from an old project. The pattern is from Hayfield's Favourite Aran Knits 2.

Pardon Me, I Didn't Knit That 4 You

2010-06-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUOgqefnt_I

Blueberry Jam Cardigan

2010-05-29T15:05:00.000-07:00

Just finished the Blueberry Jam Cardigan kit from Shelridge Farm (another wonderful Canadian yarn company). This 100% wool cardigan (worsted weight) is made up of 6 separate pieces: 2 front, 2 back and 2 sleeves. Also, as it's a slip pattern, only one color at a time. Here are some pics...

Now onto the next project... I have a beautiful Cotswool fleece which I have already washed, combed and spun. I'm thinking cables this time ;c)

Dave the Knitter

2010-04-24T13:58:00.000-07:00

I recently met Dave while visiting my friend Diana in Ottawa. She was hosting one of her regular Wednesday evenings knitter's group. She introduced me to Dave, a work colleague and more recently, a new knitter. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. Dave belongs to a "Toastmasters group" and was kind enough to, not only let me hear his latest speech (which won him a club level contest), but he let me tape it as well. Now bear in mind, I am a knitter/spinner, not a videographer ;c) Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

P.S. "Bear", the golden retriever featured in my previous post, makes an impromptu appearance near the end of the video.

Doggie Spins: Bear

2010-03-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, my friend Ross handed me 3 grocery bags full of Bear's fur to turn into yarn. Since this was such a large order, I had Bear's fur processed (into rovings) at Wellington Fibre Mill in Elora, ON (Canada). As Bear is a golden retriever, I had his fur blended with border leicester wool and a small amount of mohair to had a bit of luster. Once processed, the rovings weighed 789 grams (or 1.74 lbs) and looked beautiful. Ross' better half, Diana, who will be turning my yarn into knits decided on worsted and sock weights.

Here's a picture of what I have accomplished so far...

Go to QUICK LINKS (left side panel) for more doggies spins, knits, and tails

Sakiori II (Short Version)

2010-02-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

Above is my version of the Sakiori II (short version) vest which pattern I found in Interweave Folk Vests by Cheryl Oberle. This was a special order for a friend ;c) For this project, I used the Noro Silk Garden Yarn which I found suited the pattern quite well. I modified the pattern slightly and replaced the original ties with a button - which, by the way, is made from the branch of a deer antler; how cool is that!

Sockies

2010-01-24T12:41:00.000-08:00

The red socks were a special order. I used the "Cauchy" pattern by Cookie A. from the Sock Innovation book. I've since knitted many patterns from this book and would highly recommend it to all sock lovers.

The blue socks were a gift for my friend Pam who was kind enough to send me a picture ;c) The pattern is called "Waving Lace Socks" (Evelyn A. Clark) from Favorite Socks Book by Interweave Press. The yarn was made from hand dyed rovings which were spun by yours truly ;c)

Another awesome book is The Joy of Sox by Linda Kopp (Oct 2009) which features 30+ must knit designs.

Curiously Clever Clogs

2010-01-24T12:30:00.000-08:00

I knitted these during the holidays and used the lopi wool I had purchased during my last visit at Wellington Fibres (Elora, ON). The pattern I got from Stitch Diva Studios and is called "Curiously Clever Clogs".

The first photo is the before and after - how cool is that!

They are very comfortable and especially warm. I wear them all the time ;c)

Show and Tell

2010-01-24T12:18:00.000-08:00

I knitted this beautiful Debbie Bliss sweater (shawl collared pattern) using SRK Perth (70% Merino, 30% Acrylic). I've knitted this pattern twice before. I love following Debbie's pattern instructions - always clear and easy.

Shearing Day

2009-04-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was shearing day at Cindy's farm. It was a beautiful day for shearing. I got a beautiful brown merino (lamb) fleece which I can't wait to spin. Following are pics which I took during shearing...

I wanted to take this little guy home so badly - isn't he the cutest!

Harrowsmith Country Life April Issue

2009-03-15T18:58:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already done so, I would strongly suggest you pick up the latest issue of Harrowsmith Country Life magazine. In it, you will find an article by a friend, guild member, shepherdess extraordinaire, Cindy Osland. The article is entitled "Three Bags Full" and shows beautiful pictures of Cindy, her farm (which is situated North of Port Hope) and of course, her gorgeous sheep.

I plan on helping Cindy at her farm during sheering time and look forward to seeing her beautiful yarns and rovings at this year's Gathering which is held in Port Hope on Saturday, April 18th from 10am - 3:30pm at the Town Park Recreation Centre, 62 McCaul Street. Hope to see you there :c)

Note on the Gathering: The Gathering is a spinning/knitting (yearly) event which is organized by our 2 local guilds (the Great Pine Ridge Spinners & Weavers and the Northumberland Hooks & Needles). It's a fun day of knitting, spinning and shopping. This year, we are expecting 18 vendors selling everything from rovings, yarns, fleeces and accessories. (Note: As not all vendors accept credit cards you may want to bring some cash with ya). The door entry fee is $6 which includes a ticket to awesome door prizes. Also coffee and snacks are provided free of charge. Cindy Osland will also be in attendance to provide lunch for the non-lunch packers with her fresh BBQ Lamb or Beef Burgers - YUMMY! So be sure to bring your wheel and or knitting needles; it will be a fun filled day.

Latest Spins - Match Made Au Naturel!

2009-03-12T15:45:00.000-07:00

Plying, in my mind, is probably the most rewarding aspect of spinning. It's when everything comes together and your fingers just itch to start knitting. Working with hand painted/dyed fleece can be a lot of fun but lately I've been finding that plying a natural dark wool with bright hand painted/dyed wool just as rewarding. See it for yourself...

Whim

2008-12-27T16:34:00.000-08:00

I recently purchased 4.1 oz (or 116 g) of hand dyed Merino roving from the Yarn Wench and managed to spin out a cool 370 yards (or 338 metres) from it in sock weight. The colors are absolutely yummy!

Knotty or Knice ?

2008-12-14T16:18:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season and time is running out - for spinning and knitting, for last minute gifts, for pulling your hair out and just hopes it fits ;c)

In the spirit of the season, I just finished a pair of sock from Interweave Knits' Fall Issue - Knotty or Knice. For this project, I used my own handspun yarn and I must say, I'm quite pleased with the end product :c)

The Fibre Artists Collective

2008-11-09T11:19:00.000-08:00

I have been terribly busy lately with "last minute" preparations for an upcoming Fibre show. The show, "Touchable - A Celebration of Fibre to Art", is a juried show and sale which is to take place this coming Friday, November 14 (4-8pm) and Saturday, November 15 (noon-6pm) at the Nights of Columbus Hall (which is situated right behind Capitol Theatre (Elias Street) in Port Hope). Time is running out and I've been working like a mad woman squeezing every minute of the day spinning, knitting and felting. The following pics are just a few items I have just finished. Lots more to be included. I hope you can come and visit me at the show. I will be sharing a booth with Mara Lusis of WasteKnot Designs, who is a formidable fibre artist. There will be lots for everyone to see and touch. Check out the Collective's website for further details: www.fibreartscollective.com.

Catch the Wave - Finished!

2008-11-09T11:15:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of the completed project. Beautiful, n'est-ce pas?

Catch the Wave

2008-09-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

Interweave's Summer 2008 Spin Off issue prominently displays on its front page a stunning scarf designed by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer of Destrehan, Louisiana. The pattern (p.86) is entitled Morning Surf. As you know, I'm no surfer, but I had just the perfect yarn (hand dyed by yours truly) to catch this wave. The pattern is very easy and shows off the colors beautifully. Can't wait to try it with my hand spun warn.

Doggie Spins

2008-08-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

Meet Zeus. Zeus is a beautiful smooth-coat (short haired) Saint Bernard which I recently had the pleasure to spin. Now, Zeus' hair was rather short to work with - no worries, just added some extra spins. It turned out to be an awesome oatmeal color. I blended Zeus' hair with Marty's - a beautiful ram from one of my friend's farm North of Port Hope, ON. Zeus' mom is very excited and can't wait to turn this yarn into a memento fit for a God. Below are some pics of the end product.

Here's a picture of Marty, the ram who made the wool contribution. Thankfully, my friend Cindy is a wonderful shepherd
and was able to point him out so I could take his picture. Isn't he a cutie :c)

Interested in getting your pet's brushings turned into yarn? If so, don't hesitate to contact me at julie.verge@cogeco.ca.

The Great Felting Experiment (from fibers) Part Deux

2008-08-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

For my second felting experiment, I decided to make a shower mat. Using the same technique as before but using more material the experiment was a great success.

UFO, Finally Finished

2008-07-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

It's funny how you get so excited when you first start a project; the yarn is oh so amazing and the pattern is just what you had been looking for. Finally, it's all coming together. And then, out of no where, something else peeks your curiosity; a new yarn, a new fiber. At first you resist; no, I will turn my back, be strong and complete my project. Yeah right, you are we kidding. In to the UFO (UnFinished Object) box it goes and on to the newest thing. Well, I started this sweater about 2 years ago - yikes! I even got the front and back completed. I can't even remember why I left it unfinished. Thankfully I had made a few good notes on where I left off and just finished it yesterday. The pattern and yarn is from Shelridge Farms and I'm quite pleased with the result. So that's one UFO down, many more where that one came from :c)

All Is Blue

2008-06-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

All is blue and dye days are here to stay. What fun I had transforming these skeins. This was for a custom order and I'm told will be knitted into a sweater. Can't wait to see the final product.

Sea Breeze

2008-06-09T07:26:00.001-07:00

Here's my latest spin. I call this one Sea Breeze and it's for sale! 329 Metres or 360 Yards (155 g), hand dyed, DK weight; enough for a pair of socks or a beautiful scarf :c) For further information, just email me julie.verge@cogeco.ca.

Shearing Days

2008-05-24T15:40:00.000-07:00

The warmer weather is slowly coming in just in time for shearing. Went out this week to help out at a friends farm. 150+ sheep received their haircut. What a wonderful way to view the fleece first hand. This farm has various breeds and cross-breeds which makes it all the more interesting.

First the haircut.

Then, on to the skirting of the fleece. That's where we remove what's not usable such as larger flakes of vegetation and whatever cannot be processed at the mill; oh, did I mention "pooh"!

Not a baaaaaaad day at all :c)

All Is Green :c)

2008-05-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

It's Raining Again - More Time For Spinning!

2008-05-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Eucalan: A Whole New Spin On Laundry

2008-05-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

Eucalan is a product which I proudly carry. For those of you not familiar with this brand, Eucalan is a Canadian company which is owned and operated out of Paris, Ontario. Established in 1989, Eucalan is well known throughout the knitting/spinning community as "the" soap for delicate wash - with no rinsing needed to boot! It is totally environment friendly: it is non-toxic, fully biodegradeable, phosphate free, petrochemical free, contains natural lanolin enriched formula - a great eco-friendly alternative to dry cleaning.

Eucalan is also fantastic for bathing dogs and other animals and because of its natural ingredients (Eucalyptus and Lavender) it contains natural flea inhibitors... how cool is that!

Check out the new scents at Eucalan! Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Lavender and Natural, Unscented.

The 500 ml bottles - $12.00 (tax incl. in price)
Place your order today by contacting me at julie.verge@cogeco.ca

April Showers Bring May Rovings?

2008-05-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and I''m loving it! The gazebo is finally up and I've been spinning like a mad woman. My hand spun socks (from Kerry's beautiful rovings) are flying off the shelves. I'm currently taking orders for spun yarns (DK weight) and/or knitted socks (all in these beautiful hand-dyed rovings) for Christmas already, so if you're interested don't hesitate to get in touch with me at julie.verge@cogeco.ca.

Here are my new colors... simply yummy! Just can't wait to spin them all.

Spinning Tales

2008-04-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some latest spins from Kerry's hand dyed rovings; perfect for knitting socks :c)

Louet's Newest Wheel - Julia

2008-04-24T15:29:00.001-07:00

Louet’s newest arrival, Julia, is now available and it is literally flying off shelves. This wheel was made available at the end of March and had sold out. The second orders are expected in May.

This is Victoria's big sister (bobbins, flyer and the Scotch tension are the same as on the Victoria). As most of you know, I own and absolutely love my Victoria. Not only is it small in size and practically weightless, it folds up in a flash and comes with an awesome carrying case.

Now, the best way to describe this wheel is a Victoria version of the S51DT. Bobbins, flyer and the Scotch tension are the same as on the Victoria. There are four ratios: from 6:1 up to 19:1. An optional high speed set, which is also the same set as the Victoria uses, provides an extra 27:1 ratio and make it easier to treadle the 19:1 on the Julia. A removable insert provides two orifice sizes (12mm and 8mm). All rotating parts run on ball bearings for smooth operation, while the unit itself is constructed out of beech and birch plywood, smoothly lacquered.

The optional stand-alone Lazy Kate comes with an adjustable brake for the three bobbins it holds.  As an introductory special, the Julia is being delivered with a FREE stand-alone Lazy Kate, and 1 additional bobbin (for a total of four). Wheels are made of laminated hardwood with a "birch" exterior finish.

This offer will be available until May, 2008, or while supplies last.

The base with treadles can be easily disassembled from the upright with the main wheel (unit does not fold) for easy transportation.

If you are interested in obtaining this gem, please don't hesitate to contact me at julie.verge@cogeco.ca.

The Great Felting Experiment (from fibers)

2008-04-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased beautiful Border Leicester fleece and thought I would try experimenting with felting from fibers. The objective was to create a mat of some sort. Just to be different, I thought I would try to make a circular shaped one. Here's how I did it.

A bamboo blind would have been better for fulling the fiber but since I didn't have one on hand, I used an old sheet of bubble wrap I had kept from our last move. I began by placing a layer of raw fleece haphazardly onto the bubble wrap - removing all vegetation from the fleece.

Then, I placed about 3 layers of combed fiber (border leicester) on top of the raw fleece over lapping each sections of combed fleece. Once completed, I sprayed with hot hot water and soap (I used Dawn dish soap) in preparation for fulling.

Rolling such a large piece proved easier than I had thought. As you can tell from the (third) picture, I should of placed additional raw fleece on the edge of the mat. The combed fleece flattened out like pizza dough which spread across the edge of the raw fleece. Not to worry, I added raw fleece to the edges on my second roll :c)

Finally, the finished experiment...

Matching Pair

2008-03-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

It's a set! Just finished the mitts a couple of days ago. I had to modify the pattern slightly; cast on 28 sts instead of 24 - but it all turned out well. Just in time for spring... which is coming soon... right??!!

Sally Melville's Canadian Winter Hat

2008-03-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

Just couldn't wait to try out my new yarn. This easy peasy hat pattern is from Sally Melville's The Knitting Experience Book 2: The Purl Stitch - The Canadian Winter Hat (and Mitts). I'm hoping to have the mitts knitted shortly :c) stay tuned.

Will Spring Ever Come...

2008-03-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe Easter is just around the corner. This has been a long winter with record snow falls. Let's hope Spring will be warm and dry ;c)

I've been busy spinning and knitting as usual and have created these Celtic Fingerless Mitts with the yarn I had spun from my last post. I shall post the pattern soon.

This past Friday was our guild's spin day hosted by Kerry and of course, I couldn't help purchasing more hand dyed rovings from her. The colors are spectacular.

The top skein was plied back on itself while the bottom one was plied with brown wool. Cool, n'est-ce pas?

Kerry's Brilliant Colors

2008-02-26T16:04:00.000-08:00

My friend Kerry is simply brilliant when it comes to blending and dying. I recently purchased one of her magnificent hand-dyed rovings and spun some today. The colors are to dye for!

To check out Kerry's blog - see favorite links

Leftover Cuties

2008-02-11T20:49:00.001-08:00

Found this wonderful pattern for baby socks and made a couple of pair out of leftover sock yarn. Easy, fun eyelet pattern. Found this pattern on Pickin' and Throwin' blog. This blog offers lots of cool free patterns.

Note: The pattern recommended 2.0 mm dbp; I used 2.25 mm. I also used my Tofutsie sock yarn which is made of 50% Superwash Wool, 25% soysilk Fibers, 22.5% Cotton, and 2.5% Chitin (Chitin is fiber from Shrimp and Crab Shells! and is naturally antibacterial - how cool is that!). By the way, I carry Tofutsie ($16+pst) check out the colors at Soysilk. This yarn has amazing meterage - 425m per ball! That's a pair of sock for you and a couple of pair (plus) for baby.

501 Blues

2008-02-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

The weather was simply awful yesterday so I decided to have myself a dye day. Took some plain merino and created a dye bath using Gaywool indigo. As I was looking for a variation in color I soaked the yarn several times to obtain the desired shade. I call it my "501 Blues".

Trixie's New Coat

2008-02-03T15:07:00.000-08:00

Just finished Trixie's sweater! Hand spun and knitted with lots of love for our little Trixie who does not like the cold weather.

Just a little spoiled don't you think? :c)

Post Dye

2008-01-10T12:59:00.000-08:00

Well, Heidi wasn't kidding when she told me it had taken her FOREVER to turn her long skeins (self patterning yarn - see dye day) into manageable ones. It took a while to get the job done but I am very pleased with the results; it was well worth it ;c)

As I was clipping the yarn bits I had used to secure the skeins during the dye and noted that the dye did not penetrate as well. This created a neat "design" feature which I think I will used next time I dye. It reminds me a bit of tie dye. Something to keep in mind.

Dye Day

2008-01-05T16:30:00.000-08:00

My friend Heidi and I decided it was time to have a "Dye Day". So, on Friday we gathered some rovings, fleeces, and yarn and plunged ourselves into colors. We thought it would be fun to create our own self patterning sock yarn. To accomplish this, we created extra long rovings by setting 2 chairs apart - way apart. As this was our first attempt, we thought 3 colors would be more manageable.

For the colors, we used a concoction of Louet dyes. Heidi was kind enough to bring her array of colors along. Pots were boiling, kitchen was steaming, fan was humming, we were two color witches mixing and soaking our yarns into magical potions.

Results were to dye for :c) just kidding. Not bad for our first attempt at self patterning. (Heidi's result on picture directly below, mine - last photo)

Scandinavian Inspired

2008-01-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

Recently, the Spinning Guild I belong to had to relocate its library to a more suitable place which meant having to sort through years of periodicals and decide which ones to keep and which ones to recycle. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a few issues of "Spin-Off" magazine (a brainchild of Interweave Press) which contained beautiful patterns, one of which caught my eyes. I love to work fair-isle and these Scandanavian-Inspired mittens was just the project I was looking for. The pattern itself needed a few adjustments but I think they turned out pretty good :c)

I just love perusing old issues; you just never know - a pattern that didn't quite suit a few years ago may just be what I'm looking for. The only problem ... I get over inspired and don't know where to start. But it's all good!

Dog Knits

2007-12-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

Tri-colored dog hair is the most interesting to spin; you just never know what you're gonna get :c) I've been fortunate to have found a groomer who saves dog brushings for me so I can play around with various dog breed hair.

Here's an interesting blend... This is my friend Renay, who spends a lot of time at a nearby vet. office. She is very sweet and because her hair isn't uniform in color, it produces a grey yarn which is slightly highlighted with bits of gold and white. Very nice!

William Street Socks - Finished!

2007-12-22T12:01:00.000-08:00

Just finished Pam's socks a few days ago. I'm very pleased with the results and will no longer shy away from "toe-up" sock patterns. It was so easy, I now wonder why I took so long to try it out.

I used my sock stretchers to block my work; the cable pattern (which by the way, is a 5/5 cross) draws in quite a bit at the in-step (around the ankle) and I wanted it a little bit looser. The stretchers did a fantastic job.

Christmas is just in a couple of days and there's much to be done - it's madness, I say! I've been spinning more than usual, probably because the sound of my wheel turning relaxes me. Who knows.

Back from Holidays

2007-12-18T16:05:00.000-08:00

December has so far been busy busy. I had been so preoccupied with going away down South the first week of December (Mexico holiday) that I forgot how close Christmas was, YIKES! We returned a week later to cold and snow. Talk about reality shock. But whether I'm ready or not, Christmas is still going to come.

Interweaves' issue of Spin-Off will be out on December 27th and I can't wait. Looks like it's gonna be another great issue. Check it out!

Toe Up Socks

2007-11-27T19:07:00.000-08:00

If you're a knitter you must receive the "Knitting Daily" newsletter from Interweave Knits. If not, you should... it's a great way to learn new techniques, meet designers, new yarns, new books, etc. Most importantly, you get to preview and download free patterns. It's easy to sign up; go to www.knittingdaily.com. I was recently inspired by one of those free patterns: William Street Socks. My friend Pam loves wool socks and I thought this pattern would be perfect for the Romni I had just spun. Even though I have been knitting for years, this was my very first attempt at knitting socks from the toe up. It was easier that I had thought and no grafting; how cool is that!

Pam came over for a visit the other day and tried it on for size and I must say, it looks great. The cabling at the top of the foot adds thickness and will keep her toes warm (I hope) this winter. I'm sure this pattern would look great on mittens too!

One question remains... now that I knit toe up, does that mean I'm a"bi-sockual" knitter? ;c)

Introducing Louet North America

2007-11-22T15:18:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to announce that I now offer Louet products to my customers. Louet offers wonderful products for knitters, spinners and weavers. Here's an excerpt from their website. Check it out!

Extraordinary fibers, fantastic colors, wonderful patterns and a company dedicated to providing you the best possible service. From hand knitting to spinning and weaving, Louet North America is committed to offering outstanding products and services. Being sensitive to environmental issues we focus on using the best of traditional and contemporary techniques, in order to produce the highest quality products we have come to be known for in the past 30 years.

Golden Retriever Mitts

2007-11-21T20:05:00.000-08:00

As I am typing this post I can hear the rain, which is now ice, clicking on the windows. Winter is definitely trying to make an appearance. Great time to spin and knit!

Spent Tuesday at my friend Kerry's farm/studio which is located just on the outskirts of Codrington (about 40 mins or so from Baltimore). Kerry is a master spinner, rug hooker, knitter, etc. (it's a long list, she is so talented) extraordinaire. It's hard not to get inspired by her work (see favorite links - Kerry Burke). She was kind enough to help me out with the blending of Golden Retriever hair with some Border Leicester fleece. Christmas is coming (yikes!) and I've been getting requests for dog hair mittens. The Border Leicester blended beautifully with the dog hair. Kerry is presenting on fiber blending at our next guild meeting and I can't wait. I must say, dog hair produces a lot of "fluff" material in the air during processing which can turn knitting into bouts of sneezing fits. Very similar to angora but oh so worth it. I put the foot to the wheel this morning and created these mitts from it.

Displaying Your UFOs

2007-11-19T10:37:00.000-08:00

UFOs are commonly known in the knitting world as UnFinished knitted Objects. Nobody's perfect, we all have those little demons hiding in the closet, under our knitting chair or in storage. You all know what I'm talking about. I personally have a HUGE bin I hide downstairs for rainy days which never seem to come. Sometimes we are too quick to jump on another project and we slowly forget what we had been working on in the first place. Solution: hang it!

Has she gone mad, you say? Nope, not yet anyways. A few years ago, I started working on the "Great American Afghan" which was a cumulation of a 5-part series in the Knitter's Magazine which ran over an entire year. It contained 25 various patterns each created by a different designer. Squares varied in difficulty and I highly recommend it to any knitter who needs a challenge or simply wants to improve their skills. I knitted a few squares during the summer months but Fall came along and other projects called to me and it ended up in my UFO bin. About a year ago, while sorting through yarns I came across my little squares. I had forgotten how pretty and unique the designs were. Lightening struck! Why not frame them and display them as they truly are... beautiful! So I visited a local craft shop and got myself a few shadow boxes which I placed prominently just above our bed. Not only pretty, it provides me with daily inspiration. Not a bad idea, n'est-ce pas?

Wellington Fibres

2007-11-15T10:18:00.000-08:00

Hooray! Just received a shipment of Mystery Fibres from Wellington Fibres (see my favorite links) and it is absolutely gorgeous. The colors are to dye for :c) It's always rewarding spinning blended rovings. This particular blend is made up of wool, mohair, and alpaca and is a dream to spin.

Cotton Candy

2007-11-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

Dyeing fleece is one of my favourite things to do. Although it can be messy at times, the end product makes it worth the while. It's always fun to play with various color combinations and as Forrest Gump would say: "..it's like a box of chocolate - you never know what you gonna get". Which brings me to my latest project dying Border Leceister Fleece using nothing but Koolaid and liquid food dyes.

The liquid food dyes gave me the Blue and Green and Koolaid the Red, Orange, and Purple (Cherry, Orange, and Berries). The colors were too bold for my taste, so I decided to blend them using English Carding Combs and the Cotton Candy Color was born. Amazing, n'est-ce pas?

Border Leicester

2007-11-04T18:24:00.000-08:00

I visited a friend from the spinning guild who operates a Border Leicester farm North of Port Hope last weekend. The sheep have recently been sheered which explains the picture :c) Purchased a bag of fleece and I've been busy combing a spinning ever since. It's a lovely fiber to work with - light and soft when combed.

The Border Leicester is described as one of the old British long wool breeds which was imported from England to Canada in the mid-nineteenth century and, with the Oxford, became the dominant breed of the early Canadian Sheep Industry. It is a medium-sized sheep with a thick fleece, proud stature and Roman nose. The fleece quality is long, strong and lustrous. Staple length is 15-20 cm... not baaaaaaad :c)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2007-10-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

Halloween is already here the temperature couldn't be better (16C) for gobblers and goblins alike.

I was invited to a retired teacher's luncheon yesterday to display my knits and spins and hopefully inspire others to join the madness. It was a fun event and I even got to do some spinning :c) The roving for this skein was given to me and what a treasure it turned out to be! I called this one my Bumbleberry skein - the colors are simply delightful.

Pipi Longstocking Celtic Braided Socks

2007-10-26T16:22:00.000-07:00

I named this pair "Pipi Longstocking Celtic Braided Socks" because the customer who requested these wanted them knee high (16 inches to ankle). I was so pleased with the result that I may just have to knit myself a pair. The color is perfect and compliments any jeans skirt, long or short, as well as jeans. Long socks are high in demand this season and I must say, it's about time we get to show off our knits! I have just ordered some Louet Indigo dye and plan to do a batch of Merino in that color, perhaps next week... so stay tuned. :c)

English Style Combs

2007-10-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

Wonderful spinner's guild meeting last night. All about using different types of combs. I borrowed the Guild's English style combs and went to work on some Border Leicester that was given to me at the meeting. :c)

Quick history: English Style Combs were the standard of the combing indutry from the Middle Ages until the late industrial revolution. Combing was the last aspect of wool processing to become mechanized.

Here are some photos of my little experiment. I must say, I was extremely impressed with the rovings produced by the combs. A little time consuming (as opposed to using a drum carder) but well worth it.

2007-10-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

Coming out tomorrow is "Son of Stitch and Bitch" by Debbie Stoller. If it's anything like her other books (Stitch and Bitch, Stitch and Bitch Nation and Stitch and Bitch Crochet, as well as her yearly calendar), it may be worth a look! Here's the description, taken from Amazon.ca.

Book Description: Debbie Stoller knows that at least half the projects women knit are intended for the men in their lives. She also knows that knitting for a boyfriend or husband or father is full of pitfalls. The answer Son of Stitch 'N Bitch, the hip, smart knitter's guide to knitting for men.

A "knitting superstar" (San Francisco Chronicle) and author of the New York Times bestselling Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook and other Stitch 'N Bitch books, Debbie Stoller combines fashion savvy with uncommon knitting sense. Here's how to get the right sweater measurement (because size definitely matters)—and why never to bring him along to pick out the yarn. Why "what's your favorite color" is a dangerous question—and how you can't go wrong with luxury yarns for even the most rugged of boyfriends. Best of all, here are 45 edgy, hipster patterns that are guy-vetted and approved, many designed by male master-knitters or women with men as design partners. Here's the Night & Day double-sided Brooklyn Bridge scarf. The Biker Boy sweater with a patch on the shoulder to protect against messenger bag wear and tear. Lucky Socks—think rat pack at the casino. Skull Isle Cap & Mitts. The Ernie sweater. Hangover Helpers—stuffed plush "beermeister" and "whiskey bottle" pillows. The Retropolitan Cardigan, with a geek-chic take on Mr. Rogers. Plus Man Hands (fingerless gloves), a Hackie Sack Hoodie, Pinup Girl Illusion scarf (oh, behave!), and more.

Knits from Fido

2007-10-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

Dog hair spinning and knitting is a service I offer. At first, I get the "are you serious" look but when people realize the benefits of knitting with dog hair, they quickly change their minds. What a great way of having a memento from Fido. So, stop your vacuums and start brushing :c) From Great Pyrenees to Beagles, you'll be amazed at what can be done.

Although it's history is sketchy, evidence of dog hair spinning can be found in prehistoric Scandinavia and among many North American Indian tribes such as the Navajos. In fact, dog hair has more luxurious characteristics than wool. It produces a "fuzz" which is similar to properties found in alpaca and even angora.

Harvesting pet hair can easily be achieved with a high end stainless steel comb (rounded tip) or a slicker brush (which has short, angled metal bristles); these work well on all types of coats and won't damage the hair. Hair can simply be stored in a brown paper bag. It's a great way of reducing hair bunnies on floors, furniture and carpets. It can also be turned into a fun project for the kids. How much is enough? Well if you want to have mittens let's say, you may just need a few ounces, much more for a sweater. It all depends on what you're looking for. Just remember more is always better. ;c)

For more information, don't hesitate to contact me at: julie.verge@cogeco.ca

2007-10-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

Just finished this little number about a week ago. This sweater (size 2) will be heading to England very shortly just in time for Christmas. Hard to believe the holidays are just about here, yikes! For most knitters, there is never enough time.

Today, I'm getting ready for a presentation I will be giving tonight at our Northumberland Hooks and needles guild meeting, in Port Hope, on Yarn Substitution. It's been a while since I have presented in front of a group so I plan to picture them with nothing but knitting needles hehehe! Just kidding :c) It should be fun; they're an awesome group. Like everything, I find that planning plays an key role in yarn substitution. From who will be wearing the garment to knitting the gauge swatch, the more time you spend on preparation the less headaches you will have down the road. It's like substituting an ingredient in a baking recipe. If you do your homework right, it may work to your advantage. As they say... if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. We spend to much money, time and energy knitting a beautiful garment it's a real shame when you have to give a sweater to someone else just because it fits them. Been there, done that!

2007-10-16T13:59:00.001-07:00

Another skein, say it isn't so!

Just finished Diana's order a couple of days ago. She will be creating a beautiful shawl for her mother-in-law. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Charity Knitting

2007-10-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

It's always rewarding to knit for a good cause. One of my favorite is ICROSS CANADA. ICROSS CANADA helps the poorest of the poor in Africa and throughout the World.

The project is simple. A knitted comfort doll. It's easy to knit and brings so much hope to children. Most of them having nothing to call their own.

ICROSS CANADA uses these African comfort dolls to keep the medical vials, syringes and breakables safe during the journey from Canada to Kenya. Once the medical supplies are unloaded, the dolls are given to HIV/AIDS orphans and to the families of the poorest of the poor.

What a great way to help those in needs. It's also a great way of lowering left over yarn supplies :c)

Please visit ICROSS Canada's Website at: www.icross.ca. There you will find photos of children and see the smile a simple doll can bring. The doll pattern is posted at this site. Unfortunately the posting isn't quite clear. I have reworked this pattern and if you wish to obtain a copy of it please email me at: julie.verge@cogeco.ca

2007-10-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

Interweave knits - Holiday Gifts 2007 is almost here - October 16th is the release date. I'm so excited. I've already previewed the patterns. Lots of great ideas for gifts - especially the ones that will be from me to me :c) Here's the link for those who are interested: http://www.interweaveknits.com/holiday/holidaygifts/. For those who subscribe to the magazine, just keep in mind that this issue will not count as a subscription mailout and therefore has to be purchased separately.

The weather is finally cooling down which means I'll be getting lots of spinning and knitting done. I'm currently working on a pair of Celtic Braided socks with and elastic band at the top. This is a special order for knee high socks that are to stay up and not fall down in a high winter or rubber boot. I found the best way to incorporate the elastic was to weave or wrap it through as I was knitting stockinette stitches. I opted against wrapping on the purls as the elastic would be visible on the "good" side. It gives it a neat appearance (from the inside) - the picture shows the 'wrong' side of the sock. This was achieved with a clear elastic; a darker one could of been used as well. I also plan to reinforce the foot by adding a nylon thread to the yarn (same color as yarn).

Hand Spun Yarns

2007-10-11T13:39:00.001-07:00

Here are some of my latest hand spun yarns.

Some Yummy Alpaca which my friend Diana purchased for me on her trip to the East coast. Thanks Diana! Also some mystery fibres from Wellington Fibres.