One thing for sure, you can find any activity you wish for here in Prescott. I never find myself bored without something to tackle.
2008 is my Spinning and Knitting year. The year began with a bang learning Creative Knitting through a Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild class and now I am learning how to read a knitting pattern. They look quit intimidating.
This is the beginning of my Symphony Jacket. It isn't to late to jump into this class. Seater Day is every other Thursday at The Fiber Shop here in Prescott.
I am using nearly all of my Hand Spun Yarns in this project. My Raggedy Ro Hand Spun is perfect for this sweater.
The pattern is from Chris Bylsma Designs and the class is taught by local fiber artist Kirstin Hansen. This came about by a visit I made my sister, Patricia Brockert during one of her knitting group times. I got the pattern as a gift from her. You can find this pattern and many others at The Fiber Shop.
I will keep my blog posted with the progress of this project.
Yesterday was my first day of this class. I learned how to knit cast on and the pattern requires knit and purl which actually turns out to be easy to do. Taking the yarn from back to front created my first mistakes and then of course dropping and adding stitches. Now, don't ask me how I added some but I did. It took me a bit of class to finally get the stitch count down correctly. I have to admit that I did take out much of what I started in class. I got home and I knew if I didn't set down and get it right that I would end up back at the shop tomorrow. I counted that I had 9 extra stitches. Now I didn't start out with 9 extra. After taking row by row I found my mistakes and corrected them. I am on my way as you see in the photo.
Before leaving Sweater Class, I paid for my fun new addi NATURA knitting needles. They are from skacel and made in Germany. "The addi needle made from bamboo with the natural touch has a very soft cord with smooth transfer. They won't snag. The metric size is stamped on the cord and the yarn slides easily", writes skacel. These circular needles are wonderful to work with. The cord don't get in the way of knitting and you do not need to put the cord into boiling water to straighten them before using. What a dream. These needles are not cheap so this is a little at a time purchase. Buy one a month and complete your collection.