Katinka Knits

New Year, New Blog Location

2010-01-09T17:35:00.003-07:00

All of a sudden, I've decided to relocate my blog to Wordpress. There are a few features not available with Blogger that may or may not be available there... we shall see... There isn't anything there yet, but the new address will be:

katinkaknits.wordpress.com

For the Love of Chocolate and iPhone at the same time...

2010-01-09T00:10:00.003-07:00

This little late night post is inspired by a YouTube video I just saw. As many of you know, I am a fan of almost anything chocolate, and have been for as long as I can remember.

More recently, I have acquired an iPhone, as have many of my friends and family.

A week or so ago, I made a batch of chocolate-covered graham crackers which turned out better than I could have expected, so I've been thinking about and looking for other things I could cover with chocolate.

Now, if you all are thinking, "Oh, no, she's not going to cover her iPhone in melted chocolate," indeed, I have not lost my mind. What I came across was a video showing how to make a chocolate replica of an iPhone for those of you who do like chocolate, and are coveting an iPhone, or for those who just can't get enough of the one you already have.

So for your viewing pleasure...

Here is a link to the YouTube video!

Still Scratching My Head...

2010-01-02T14:07:00.001-07:00

In my last post, I wrote about searching for the cross bars for the roof rack on my car. I never did find them, but in the meantime, my sister decided to rent a car, so I was able to transport my equipment and too much other stuff inside my car.

The Search

2009-12-01T12:26:00.003-07:00

I have a longer more "Yarn House" relevant post, but at the moment I'm wracking my brain, as I try and try to remember where I've stashed the cross-bars for my car rack. You see, my sister and her family are coming in a couple of weeks to go skiing. I will meet them in Steamboat Springs and they will all come back to Fort Collins with me. They will be renting equipment, but I will be traveling with telemark and cross-country skis, which will not fit in the car with all of the people, so I must decide how to transport those skis.

I have a Yakima rack, that I could put on the car, but it is getting old, and would be cumbersome for me to get on the top of my car by myself. As a result, I thought I'd look into a simple, and inexpensive ski rack that would fit onto the factory installed rack on my car. As I was preparing to order such a rack today online, I thought I should look to see if the cross-bars for the factory rack are actually on the car, and lo and behold they are not.

No problem, I thought. Surely, they are in the basement or the garage and won't be too difficult to find, so I went outside and downstairs to search, with no immediate luck. Hmm? Ah, I thought. They must be in one of the 2 storage units I rent (I can't wait for the basement of my new house to be available to store the things that are in those storage units), so I set out on a trip to the storage units. After not finding the cross-bars in the first, I looked in the second and still no luck. So now, I'm in a quandry and seriously hoping that I didn't just throw them away!

There is really only one more place to look - inside the Rocket Box that is leaning against the wall of my garage. If I don't find them there, I guess I will be left with using the old Yakima Rack, and still wondering what happened to the cross-bars! Very odd!

No Blog Posts, but the "Yarn House" Progresses!

2009-11-06T00:28:00.004-07:00

Despite not having posted in a little while, I have been paying a little bit of attention to documenting the "Yarn House" construction next door. (And it is great to be next door!) I've taken some photos, and have taken a lot of video from inside my house. The video requires some more processing, but I have created a slide show of the photos I've taken up thru the basement slab. The slide show includes photos taken of the house since I purchased it in 2008 and yesterday (Nov 5, 2009). It is about 6 minutes long, and does include some text, so here it is:

Yarn House Progress - November 5, 2009 from Lynn D on Vimeo.

I do intend to write a post soon describing the story of this property - at least under my ownership - since it has been pointed-out that the information I've shared here is a little spotty and disconnected! ;)

An Artistic Aside

2009-10-29T14:22:00.002-06:00

Since the Yarn House construction is on hold, while we're buried in snow, I thought I'd share something completely different. I stumbled across this video animation, when I should have been doing something else - like laundry. I find it intriguing and fascinating! So enjoy...

COMBO a collaborative animation by Blu and David Ellis (2 times loop) from blu on Vimeo.

Construction Archaeology

2009-10-26T18:29:00.005-06:00

Even while digging around near a structure that has been in place since the 1930s, it's possible to find remnants of history. This little tin of shoe polish was discovered in the yard of the "Yarn House" between the time that the house was demolished and the completion of the new excavation...When I mentioned finding this to two different women I know, both ask about the color and when I told them it was "Ox Blood", they both said, "Oh, that's the color we used on our shoes." (I could add, "back in the day," but I remember having a pair of penny loafers when I was in elementary school that were also this color, so I'd be "dating" myself.) But oh, the things that spark those memories!

Meet Ima Clutz...

2009-10-22T16:51:00.007-06:00

See what I did to my hand last night? Actually, I scraped and bruised the back of this hand and the palm of the other hand, bruised several places on my legs, and scraped some other places on my arms, but this hand is the worst.

The story behind these injuries isn't very exciting. In fact, it's sort of embarrassing! I could say that I fell off my bike, but in fact, this happened walking (yes, WALKING) between my house and that of my friend who lives around the corner. I was carrying 2 circular knitting needles, wearing an old comfy pair of Birkenstocks, and may have had my hands (or one of my hands) in my pockets, and I caught my toe on a piece of the old sidewalk that had been lifted by the root of a tree. (At least I can blame darkness.) I went flying and the knitting needles went flying, and I evidently landed on the back of this hand and the palm of the other, and after landing, I was heard swearing in front of the home of a very nice neighbor.

After picking myself up, I found one of the circular needles but had to use the mini-flashlight on my key chain to find the other, which had flown ahead.

Since I live so close, I had gone home to find the needles, so I could help one of my friends with the collar of a children's sweater than was too tight to go over the child's head. Quite a price to pay!

Out of Order Yarn House Update

2009-10-20T10:55:00.004-06:00

After the Yarn House was demolished and before the excavation of the foundation began, I did take a few photos of the outlines that were staked and spray-painted on ground. It is hard to tell much from these photos.

The excavation extended beyond these lines in every direction, so much of the site is a huge hole. I will post more soon, especially regarding Master Knitter Level 1 progress, and other knitting-related projects.

Edited to add that these photos were taken on October 13, 2009

Yarn House Mini Update

2009-10-16T10:18:00.005-06:00

There is a little to report since I last posted about the progress on the Yarn House. The final "hoop" has been surmounted! Phew!

The house was demolished on October 1, and the new foundation excavation is progressing as I write this. I video taped the demolition and some of the excavation and am in the process of editing the first video. In the meantime, here are two slide shows of still photos. The first is a compilation of photos I took on the day of the demolition.

Yarn House Demolition from Lynn D on Vimeo.

The second combines the photos I've taken from the front of the house (including a shot taken after the demolition was complete. (By the way, at first look, this video looks black, but there really are photos. ;) )

Yarn House Evolution from Lynn D on Vimeo.

It's Snowing!!!

2009-10-08T09:47:00.001-06:00

First snow!

(Hope to add photo and more later!)

Uncovering local history

2009-09-30T18:54:00.001-06:00

This is just a quick post to share a photo I took the other day as I was passing what has been City Drug for many years - until very recently. I'm going to look around for pics, but I believe the sign for City Drug was covering the bank sign engraved in the building's stone facade.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Edited to add: Here is a link to photos of City Drug that I found on Flicker. I think it's interesting that the building's character is completely transformed by the removal of the drug store and it's "false front."

Yarn House Demolition Date Set!!!

2009-09-28T20:20:00.002-06:00

The Yarn House is coming down on Thursday, October 1, 2009, starting first thing in the morning, which probably means 8 a.m. If you're in the neighborhood, I plan to be there video taping the process, so stop by to say, "hi!" Here's a little slide show farewell to the little house:

In anticipation of demolition... from Lynn D on Vimeo.

Oh! It's my blogaversary!

2009-09-25T14:23:00.004-06:00

I can't believe I've been at this blog for a year! Wow! Happy Day to me!

This cloud was made from my blog on www.Wordle.net

Yarn House Progress Inches Along

2009-09-25T14:17:00.004-06:00

The hoop I mentioned in a previous post still needs to be overcome, but other progress is happening. Contractor S surveyed the corners of the property yesterday, and the gas company is disconnecting the gas and removing the old meter today, so there was big "equipment" in the yard! And this is what they left... (the meter was behind the yellow pipe and yellow flag against the house and it is gone, tho not obvious in the photo).

More blocking and finishing and hemming and hawing...

2009-09-23T17:35:00.007-06:00

I've been knitting and finishing things like crazy since the weather has started to turn to fall, and I'm waiting for the final hurdle in the preparation for the Yarn house to come down.

Now that kids are back in school, our little Master Knitter support group is back to trying to get ourselves to complete the swatches and questions and reports for our respective courses. I have yet to complete Level 1 and K is working on Level 2. We met a week or so ago, and for me knowing that we are meeting, prompts me to do some preparation during the day before we get together. Last week, I blocked 6 of the 16 swatches. (At the beginning of the summer, I blocked the first 9.) I thought I would be able to block all of the remaining swatches, but realized that I had not sewn in the ends of the 2-color swatch, nor had I finished the hat, so that is what I ended up working on during our meeting.
Of course, after we meet, I put the Master Knitter project aside until the next time we get together - no wonder it's taking me years to complete this! ;)

Since the blocking board was out and I found this scarf in a plastic bag in the bathroom, I thought I'd finish it as well. Being cashmere, I'm almost afraid to touch it, but it is quite yummy, now that it's off the blocking board.

This is the...
I'm My Own "Best Friend Scarf"
Pattern: Best Friend Scarf
Yarn: Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 6-ply

...and here's a detail... So lovely!

Now, for the "hemming and hawing" part...

When I worked at the first of the 2 LYSs where I've worked, I started knitting a gansey sweater from a pattern in Jamieson's Shetland Knitting Book 2. It's absolutely gorgeous yarn, and I think I've done a good job on the pattern so far, altho it should not be the "form-fitting" pullover that it is! It's been set aside for so long, tho that I've been considering ripping it out to make something more modern.

When I first started thinking about what else I might make from this yarn, I didn't realize how much of the sweater I'd actually completed, so when I pulled it out again, I thought maybe I should finish this, but other projects needed to be finished first and I put it away again.

While this sweater is packed away, I forget about all of the cables and the work that I've already put into it and convince myself again to rip it out! (I even have a new pattern picked out.) But I pulled it out again today, since I'm in the midst of finishing something else, and again, I don't know! What to do? What to do?

Can you help me decide? Here are some photos of the sweater pinned on my dress-maker's dummy, which does have a more "solid" figure than I do. Please let me know what you think!

Some FINALLY Finished Projects

2009-09-13T13:37:00.004-06:00

So I've finished a few knitted things lately, which you can see on Ravelry, too (just click on the project name below each picture).

First is a set of matching items: hat...Zee Bee for Eee
Pattern: Zeebee by schmeebot
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend

scarf...
Pretty Diagonal
Pattern: Noro Scarf (two-tone diagonal garter stitch) by Susanne Pietrzak
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend

...fingerless mittens...Striped Garter Mitts
Pattern: Pinstripe Mitts by Lykkefanten
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend

These are intended as a gift, and I think that the recipient does not read my blog! I hope the recipient does not read my blog!

Then, as the weather's been turning toward fall here, I was reminded that for several years in a row, I've told myself that I was going to finish this sweater. I did actually finish it last August, but there was something wrong with the sleeves, so I ripped them out, recalculated and re-knit them. So here it is in its truly final form! I even wore it today, altho it was a little too warm for today's weather!

Modified Red Fletcher
Pattern: Fletcher from Noro: Simply by Jane Ellison
Yarns: Cascade 220 Quatro & Lambspun of Colorado Twin Peaks

One hoop down...

2009-09-10T20:07:00.003-06:00

I was nervous enough about the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting this morning (among other things) that I only slept about 3 hours last night, but I did make it to the meeting (in the appropriate attire. LOL!)

Ours was the 4th item on the docket of 4 items, so my nervousness continued for the 2 hours before my variance was addressed.

A little background: The yarn house property is a portion of a lot that was subdivided a long time ago. It is located in the most restrictive zoning district in the city, which is historic. As I understand it, the lot minimum required lot size in this area is 6000 square feet, and the "Yarn House" property is only 5850 square feet. As the code reads, the only thing that could be done on this lot would be to build a house on the same foot print as the existing home. So we were asking for the lot size requirement to be reduced by 150 square feet.

There was another petitioner who also owns a sub-standard sized lot - even smaller than that of the "Yarn House." They were asking to build a larger house than the one I have planned, and they did not come prepared with the actual plans for their property. That variance request was approved with some contingencies, but not with a unanimous vote.

Mine was unanimously approved without much discussion, and the City Planning representative even mentioned that he had used my plans as an example for the other small property, as proof that one would not have to build as large a house as they are wanting to build. Both the architect and contractor I'm working with are very familiar with process, and had submitted a full set of plans for this review, in addition to having already applied for demolition and building permits. These factors seemed to help as did the fact that I had shown the scale model with many of my neighbors - one of whom wrote a letter in support of the project.

I am indeed relieved and expect to sleep tonight! There is just one more hoop...

Zoning Board of Appeals

2009-09-09T17:03:00.004-06:00

Tomorrow morning, the yarn house property will be one of the issues addressed at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. I am excited and nervous, and looking forward to jumping this hoop. We are applying for a variance because the ratio of house to property that I am planning exceeds the city regulations by a small amount.

Many of the neighbors I know, have seen the scale model of the planned house, and have been encouraging and enthusiastic, and today, I received a very nice letter to take with me to the meeting from one neighbor stating her support. In addition to neighbors' support in spirit, I will have the company and support of the architect who designed the new house and the contractor who will build it, in whom I have the greatest confidence.

... and yet I remain nervous - mostly about waking up in time to make the meeting and in thinking about what I should wear! ;)

Missing Step

2009-09-06T10:56:00.007-06:00

I realized as I was reviewing my blog that I had neglected to post a video of the very first step of the yarn house destruction process. This shows the removal of one of the two spruce trees on the property. The tree was too close to the existing house and would have been in the way of the new house's porch, so I had it removed.

When I scheduled the removal, I didn't know that the sound of the chain-saws in the morning would be emotional for me. I'd delayed the fate of this tree once, and felt very sad when I heard those saws on the last day of April.

Spruce Tree Comes Down from Lynn D on Vimeo.

Post-Asbestos at the Yarn House

2009-09-04T16:35:00.007-06:00

It's about time for another update on the "Yarn House." It was "under wraps" during the removal of asbestos in the drywall mud, and sadly, I did not get a photo of it with the big asbestos warning sign taped to the front.

Since the post-removal, sampling came back clean, the house was quickly unwrapped, and left with a pile of - ahem - trash in the front yard.

This house is in a part of town, where a sight like this could be frowned upon, so we spent a little while yesterday afternoon moving the pile back inside the house, where it can be part of the demolition that will happen in the next few weeks (fingers crossed).

For various planning and zoning reasons, we are applying for a variance to build the house as it's planned, so we'll be attending a meeting for this purpose on September 10, so keep your positive thoughts headed in the direction of me and the Yarn House.

By removing the "nastiness" (which wasn't really very nasty), the floors and walls and ceiling were uncovered, revealing walls constructed of dense cardboard, and wood floors. The interior wall in the living room was covered with a charming vintage pine-motif wallpaper...

... with very realistic looking pine cones! (Very Colorado, indeed!)

This linoleum floor was uncovered in one of the bedrooms.

And the ceiling in the bathroom looks reminiscent of a painting by Vincent Van Gogh.

At Long Last Serendipity Strikes Again!

2009-08-21T21:58:00.007-06:00

It's getting late and I'm overtired, so I'm going to keep this short, but I wanted to announce that I've finally completed Katinka Knits' Serendipity Backpack Knitting Pattern.
This is knitted using 1 strand of Noro Shinano held together with 1 strand of Classic Elite Premier. Unfortunately, Noro Shinano has been discontinued, but can be found in a few places online. In addition, I have put together some kits with Shinano I picked up when I realized it was being discontinued. They can be found in my Etsy shop: katinkaknits.etsy.com.

The pattern is available on Ravelry at this link, if you are a Ravelry member, or on Etsy at this one.

This is a new version of the pattern, and has been test-knitted and reviewed by a Raveler (ldpaulson) who I found in the Testing Pool group on Ravelry. I am sincerely grateful for her help and suggestions!!

This is more Exciting!

2009-08-18T19:03:00.006-06:00

There are several exciting things happening!

First, I'm hosting a Loulie Belle Jewelry sale at my house on Thursday, August 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. I hope if you see this post you can make it to my house to see what she has. Here's a link to her Etsy Shop. I'm a big fan of her jewelry, and she made me a lovely set before I went to Cape Cod for my family reunion at the end of July. Below is a selection of some of the jewelry I have from Loulie Belle.

Second, the "yarn house" is nearing demolition. I've removed all of the yarn, and fabric that was living there, and on Friday, August 21, preparations will begin for the removal of asbestos. So this...

...will become this...
Finally, I'm getting ready to release a new pattern, after working on it - on and off - for about 7 years! No, I'm not kidding - 7 years! One of the yarns has been discontinued, but I had the foresight to purchase some of the yarn online to put some kits together before it was all gone.

I will keep you posted on the publication of this on Ravelry, Payloadz and Etsy.

What can happen when you don't understand your equipment...

2009-08-09T14:53:00.002-06:00

I've been home from vacation for a week, and decided to look at the videos that I still needed to transfer from my video camera to my computer. After looking at them a few times with a bit of confusion, I realized that when I thought the camera was on, it was actually not, and when I thought the camera was off, it was on. As a result, the video I captured was more a slice of everyday conversation, with very strange bits of video imagery.

Unfortunately, this faux pas meant that I did not capture very much of the flying of the home made kite that several nephews put together. Ah well, prepare to be underwhelmed!
This is not kite flying!!!

Not Kite Flying July 2009 from Lynn D on Vimeo.

FO Project Sharing

2009-07-16T19:44:00.006-06:00

There's been a request from one of my many ( 2 ) readers that I share projects here, and I have just finished uploading photos of two very recently completed things. The first is a sewing project:

My Lotus Cami
Pattern: Amy Butler Lotus Tunic & Cami
Fabric: Some unknown cotton from my stash
Size: L (14-16) 39" bust

Modifications:

I adjusted the bust after sewing the princess seams by taking them in further at the top, before attaching the sleeves. As a result, I needed to adjust the facing, too.

I placed the buttons and buttonholes as described in the pattern at the line at the center of the back, which I marked at 1" from the center edges of the backs. The buttons could probably be adjusted for a better fit. It is a little loose at the top and a little tight in the middle.

In general, tho, I'm very pleased!

The other project that I have to share is a knitting project...

My Pink Colette
Pattern: Colette from Twist Collective by Fiber Fiend/Margit Sage
Yarn: Classic Elite, Premiere

If you're a member of Ravelry, you can find the details of my project here. I have not yet written out the modifications I made, but I do intend to do so fairly soon.

Again, I am very pleased!

I've already worn both of these garments and I have to say that I am even more in love with the hand of the Premiere after wearing. It might just be the most comfortable thing I've ever knitted!

Post-Squam Mirror Lake Visit

2009-07-14T20:15:00.007-06:00

Okay, I'm not consistent about posting and I tend to jump from topic to topic, because that's the way my life is right now. So... in that spirit, I'm writing this post as a distraction from things I should be doing to prepare to travel yet again!

After the festivities came to an end for the Squam Art Workshops, my aunt and uncle came to RDC to meet me. They showed me around the camps and gave me a bit more of the family history while we visited various cabins where people stayed over the years. And I learned that my dad and uncle - who are/were twins - didn't spend much time there, since they went to work at the camp where my mom had been a camper since she was 3 years old. (BTW, that's my mom and dad met when they were both counselors at the, now defunct, Camp Red Fox... how romanitic is that?)

Anyway, I'm sorry to say that I didn't do a very good job of documenting my aunt and uncle's tour of Rockywold-Deephaven, so there are no pictures and I neglected to write down anything I was told.

After leaving RDC, we stopped to hike to the top of Rattlesnake Mountain (that's not the same kind of mountain as Mount Evans, or Pikes Peak.) From the top, we had a beautiful view of Squam Lake and some of the other glacially formed lakes in the area, as well as the people who were enjoying the hike, and the view, and the day!
After the hike, we continued on toward G & D's place on Mirror Lake, stopping for lunch and then at the country store. The flowers blooming around their place were lovely, and I couldn't help following in my dad's photographic footsteps by trying to capture some of the blooms at least a little bit artistically.And finally, the water and a few other architectural items caught my eye.

Best Intentions...

2009-07-07T12:50:00.006-06:00

After returning from Squam Lake and other eastern US family visits, I intended at least one other post-Squam post, but I seem to have been quickly absorbed into my real life again - for better or worse.

For now, I'm going to provide a list of the things I'd like to write about:

Post-Squam visit in Mirror Lake/Wolfeboro, NH
Post-Squam visit in Concord, MA
House demolition preparation (including selling & discarding appliances, making room in my house for the yarn from the "Yarn House")
Sewing projects and sewing pattern database for my iPhone!
Knitting projects
Family Reunion anticipation - the good, the bad, and the ugly (and the drama)!
Family History documentation
Mosquitos, gnats, fruit flies, spiders and wasps - oh my!
AND Rain!

There are also many pictures to go along with all of this topics.

Oh, and I've decided to try to sell some of the excess in my life in various places:

Books @ Amazon Marketplace
Sewing Patterns @ Main Street Mall Online
Blank Journals @ Bonanzle
AND of course, you already know about Katinka Knits' stitch markers and patterns @ Etsy

Post-Squam Withdrawl!! (Part II)

2009-06-16T13:56:00.015-06:00

More than a week since leaving Squam Lake, Rockywold-Deephaven, and my fellow SAW compatriots, I'm still processing and figuring out what's next!

First, a little history... part of P's and my correspondance has been sharing with each other info we each find about knitting conferences, workshops and retreats that we can day-dream about. Back in February, P led me in the direction of Squam Art Workshops (that was just about the time that it was mentioned on Ravelry's blog). It looked beautiful, but it took a little while for me to make a connection with the place where my uncle, aunt and cousin had spent some time, while K was growning up. But once the ball got rolling, and I started to ask questions, I realized that the family connections to Squam Lake and Rockywold-Deephaven Camps went even further. Because of that, I decided that I just HAD to go to SAW in June. AND how wonderful that P was able to come to! (BTW, have I mentioned that I love camp?)

So... there we were...

After leaving Boston a little late, partly because of our unintentional detour in finding the Avis car rental place, P and I made it to RDC too late for registration and dinner, but just in time to catch the end of the "Welcome" presentation for Squam Art Workshops, after which we set out to find our respective cabins. I was hoping to be able to make it to the bonfire at which Jonatha Brooke performed, but we got all turned around on the dirt roads of the camp, and a little flustered as we lost any remaining sunlight. So, sadly, we missed the bonfire. Fortunately, tho, we did both get situated in our respective cabins and didn't spend the night wandering around in the woods! P shared a small, quiet cabin on the lake with 2 other women, and I had a room to myself in a larger cabin, with 7 others - all wonderful and fun. :D

My first day of classes was spent with Sally Melville - first in Creativity Class and then in Knit to Flatter and Fit. I found these classes inspiring and enlightening. I very much enjoyed Sally's philosophy and experience, as well as her positive energy.

During the second day, I took Combination Knitting with Annie Modesitt, which is helpful to know if I ever need to help one of my students to even-out the differences in tension between their knit and purl rows. (My knitting actually looked worse using the technique than it did when I came into the class, so I probably won't be using it on a regular basis.) It is, however, very useful for ribbing and I loved learning to knit cables without a cable needle.

I didn't sign up for a class on the afternoon of the second day, and I intended to explore the camp a bit or to go for a hike, but after lunch, I never made it beyond the porch of the cabin, where I found Alex and Lisa. So far, I hadn't done much of my own knitting, so I sat down in a rocking chair to work on a sock and just enjoy the scenery and the company.

BTW, have I mentioned that I love everything about camp?! - from living in a cabin with other wonderful creative people, to eating in a dining hall, to taking classes, to walking on dirt trails, to sitting by the lake and listening to the loons!

My last class was supposed to be Block Printing, but when I saw that I would need a piece of glass and tried to figure out how I was going to get one from Colorado to New Hampshire in one piece, I asked Elizabeth if I could change to Beth Brown-Reinsel's Swedish Twined Mitten Class. P was in the class as well as one of her cabin-mates, and someone else from Colorado. There was a lot to absorb, and a bit of knitting to do, but it was a delightful way and place to spend the last day of classes.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mixture of artisans and media represented at SAW... Sometimes, I think that because knitting a garment involves a certain amount of math, we knitters can seem more like "stodgy" engineers in the presence of very creative spirits, and in this experience, I found the creative diversity truly freeing and energizing!

Have I mentioned that I LOVE camp!?

The evening programs were equally wonderful, and the Squam Art Fair and Ravelry Party on the last night was terrific - tho a little bittersweet as I could definitely feel that things were coming to a close. A small group of us went out to dinner at the Corner House Inn in Sandwich, which was very nice. I do continue to wonder - even though I thoroughly enjoyed that dinner and the company there - what and who I might have missed at the potluck at Squam Lake. I had trouble deciding at the time, which choice to make and I'm still not sure. Since I'm usually Very decisive, that kind of ongoing dilemma, especially in retrospect, is unusual for me.

SAW ended with breakfast and everyone packing to leave on Sunday morning, and it was sad to say "goodbye" to the people and the place and the experience.

I had no idea until we neared the end of our stay at Squam Lake during SAW, just how much I needed this time for myself! I'm so grateful to Elizabeth, and everyone else who helped make this happen, to P for letting me know about it in the first place, to Casey and Jess and Ravelry for helping to sponsor things, to the gracious instructors, and to everyone who participated and helped to make it the wonderous and magical adventure it was!

I Love Camp!

Post-Squam Lake Withdrawl! (Part I)

2009-06-11T20:06:00.007-06:00

What a wonderful few weeks I've had!! I'll be relating it in parts, starting with the first "leg" of my trip, in this post.

I left Colorado in a downpour last week, and that delayed my flight from DIA, which caused me to run thru the Minneapolis airport to make my connection.

P (who I'd met on Ravelry and communicated with for more than a year) was waiting for me at the baggage claim having arrived from London only shortly before my flight landed in Boston. We successfully made our way by T to Copley Square, where we found our charming boutique hotel - the Charlesmark - nestled between two restaurants.

The following day, we visited the more historic section of the Boston Public Library and made our way along part of the Freedom Trail after a lovely lunch at Tealuxe.

After a bit of an unintentional detour, we found the rental car that took us to Rockywold-Deephaven Camps on Squam Lake in New Hampshire.

End of May - Already!!!

2009-05-30T17:17:00.003-06:00

Yikes, I've been feeling lately, as if there are too many opportunities for "getting lost" online and my plan is to spend more time outside, working on actual projects, or enjoying my friends and family.

I am excited to be going to Squam Lake next week for a creative workshop weekend (you can see more info at (the Squam Art Workshops website). It's an opportunity to surround myself with creative people, in a setting that I hear is beautiful. In addition, the camp that is hosting the workshops is located on Squam Lake - the setting of the movie "On Golden Pond," and it's a place where several generations of my family have spent time - vacationing and/or working. I have never been there, and my father who spent a little time there in his late teens/early 20s, passed away 20 some years ago, so perhaps it's a way to reconnect with him and his side of the family. In any case I am looking forward to it, and to meeting some new people.

New Stitch Markers!

2009-05-11T19:39:00.003-06:00

I've just listed 8 new stitch markers on Etsy... Here's a mosaic with multiple pics of each...
Note: By clicking on the picture, you'll link to my Katinka Knits' Etsy Shop! Thanks for looking!

Periodic Weather Update

2009-04-17T12:37:00.003-06:00

Okay, so it's snowing AGAIN! This time it's very wet and slushy and started with heavy rain all day yesterday! Here's the view that I've shared before... and no I won't be wearing my pretty red shoes today! Perhaps, I'll finish the FLS instead!

New Shoes and Bobmas Eve!

2009-04-10T16:46:00.005-06:00

I will celebrate Bobmas (April 11) Eve by knitting with a new group and feeling great about my new shoes! It's been some time since I've bought some cute, red, girlie shoes, and I actually managed to photograph them (from very odd angles - most of these have been rotated completely, since I took them myself while I was wearing the shoes... I give you my new red shoes...

Who knew?

2009-04-06T18:18:00.006-06:00

Yesterday afternoon, I listed a pattern for a hat on Ravelry. It's a very basic ribbed hat, made using Crystal Palace Iceland Print yarn. Before I logged off the computer last night, the pattern had been downloaded more than 80 times. When I logged on this morning there were 20 more downloads, and now... the total number of downloads is up to 130! I am astounded! So now, I think I'd better post it here and see if I can figure out how to link a .pdf file!!!
Personally, I don't think the hat is overwhelmingly unique or original, but I wanted the decreases at the top to create a specific look, so maybe that's the draw! Who knows?

You can find all of the free, downloadable, Katinka Knits' patterns at this link!

2009-04-03T13:31:00.004-06:00

One week and a day after the blizzard I wrote about earlier, we have this! It definitely feels like spring now, but there are predictions of snow coming again - tomorrow?

Knitting Inspiration

2009-04-01T17:29:00.007-06:00

I love bookstores and books, and therefore you can often find me in such an establishment, looking at newly released tomes - whether they are full of knitting patterns or good stories.

Several weeks ago, I was in one of those stores with places to sit in overstuffed chairs and read, and saw the young man pictured here.
I was not really interested in what he was reading, that he seemed to be texting at the same time, nor that he was chewing tobacco. What I really wanted to know was if I could duplicate the hat he was wearing.

Everyday, I discover another reason that an iPhone is a great investment, and on this occasion it's camera was just the right tool to document that hat! I'm thinking worsted weight, merino wool...

Late March 2009 Blizzard!

2009-03-26T11:22:00.004-06:00

This is the view from my front porch today! When I woke up at 4:30 a.m., the trees had a light dusting, and the road was wet! But now look! The lack of clarity in the photo is due to snow blowing! Everything that was scheduled in my life for today has been canceled, so I think I'll make some tea and stay inside and knit!

Katinka Knits' Etsy Shop Update - Part 2

2009-03-04T18:57:00.003-07:00

Here are some of the stitch markers that I've just listed in my Etsy shop.

Katinka Knits' Etsy Shop Update - Part 1

2009-03-04T18:55:00.002-07:00

Here is a selection of photos for the kits that are now in my Etsy Shop...

Etsy Shop Updated!!! FINALLY!

2009-03-04T18:44:00.002-07:00

After being a relatively absent Etsy "shopkeeper" for quite a while, I - all of a sudden - decided to add some things back into the shop. So now there are kits, and new stitch markers, in addition to Katinka Knits' patterns.

Patterns on Parade!

2009-02-15T21:14:00.005-07:00

I went for a walk, today, and it being a lovely, sunny, winter day, I passed a number of people who were also out enjoying the weather. As I headed back toward my house, I passed a group of people - 2 couples, several children and a dog or two. As I passed them, I realized that I recognized the hat worn by one of the women - I even turned back to look after I'd passed them. It was a knit from a pattern that I designed in 2004 when I was still working at Lambspun of Colorado... The March Through May Hat!

Perhaps it's time for me to make another one of these myself!*When this young woman modeled this, I believe that she was still in high school and now she's finished college.*

Note: If you are interested in this pattern, please contact Lambspun of Colorado at 1-800-558-5262

Bad Blogger!!!

2009-01-29T21:49:00.004-07:00

... have I written that before? I can always find many things I'd rather do, or that just suck up my time! I shall hide my face now...
... well, I couldn't find the photo I wanted, but I did find this WeeMe that I haven't seen in a while.

Holiday Neglect!

2008-12-23T16:47:00.013-07:00

I've been a neglectful blogger! And since last I wrote, I believe that my mother has visited, participated in a local artisan fair with me, and returned home again. We had a big snow while she was here and I informed her that she may not come to visit in the winter again, since during her last visit, two years ago, there was a blizzard that produced about 24" of snow in less than 24 hours, leaving us stranded inside together for the rest of her visit. (During this visit, I had not scheduled for shoveling in the midst of craft fair preparation!)

Since my mom's departure, the weather has been bitterly cold, and I came down with a cold, which I seem to be succeeding at keeping at bay. And of course, I've been finishing the odds and ends of holiday preparations. The cold (weather and illness) has kept me from venturing very far from home, and I'm definitely feeling the need for some exercise! (Perhaps I should open the Christmas gift from my sister, which was delivered from Amazon.com the other day. I actually wondered what I'd ordered, so I looked at the paperwork where I saw not only a note from my sister, but also a listing the contents of the box - an elliptical trainer. My sister is exceedingly generous and unusual in her gift-giving! ;) )

In the cold weather, my cats - one of whom is a little brighter than the other - do both seem wise enough to seek out the warmest spots in the house. Here are pictures of the spots they have chosen lately. (Note: the proximity to the heat register, behind the base of the bookshelf in my office, and the mess made while trying to reach the cozy blanket in the closet of the guest bedroom.)
Smoke is also not shy about asking for attention as you will see below!
Finally, I leave you with some photos of our downtown at night during the holiday season. I'm very much a fan of the lights!

Too much to do, Too little time...

2008-12-02T13:05:00.003-07:00

I have plenty to do, and I shouldn't be playing on the computer, but I just found this and thought I'd share.... Enjoy!

Gifties of Goodies!

2008-11-22T13:03:00.004-07:00

I am the lucky and undeserving recipient of this package from Green Pea. As you can see in the photo, it was essential that I try the Penguins, immediately!!! The Pea has an uncanny knack for knowing exactly the types of sweet things I will gobble up in no time! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I also realized that I did not comment on the in home craft show I participated in last weekend. It was quite an eclectic mix of artisans. It was quite a nice time, and I felt fortunate that many of the people who came thru were people I had invited at the last minute. I believe that the biggest attraction was Loulie Belle's Jewelry. She's a wonderful young woman who I met at a home sale hosted by a friend several years ago. I convinced her to open an Etsy shop and she, in turn, invited me to participate in the home sale at her neighbor's house last Saturday.

The most successful part of the sale for me was trading Katinka Knits knitting kits and patterns for jewelry that will be gifts for women in my family. I also purchased a bracelet and earrings for myself, which I wore for the first time yesterday. Unfortunately, I promptly lost one of the earrings in my travels. I'm grateful that Loulie Belle will make me a replacement!

It's a New Hat...

2008-11-09T12:26:00.012-07:00

I've been finishing knitting projects like mad, lately, especially items that I'm designing. I'm participating in two holiday artisan events, and for next weekend, I'd like to have some new patterns prepared. The first new hat pattern that I've designed and written is for the hat pictured here.As someone with short hair, I always feel as if I need a little more bulk around my face than is provided by beenie style hats, so here is Sigrun modeling my latest creation! The pattern will be available on Payloadz, Etsy, and Ravelry very soon!

ETA:
Payloadz Link:
Ravelry Link:
To purchase on Etsy, Click HERE for Katinka Knits' Patterns

It's a New Day...

2008-11-08T14:21:00.007-07:00

Well, we did it! Barack Obama will be the next US President. Personally, I'm excited, as are many of my friends, neighbors, family and fellow countrymen (and I hear that the optimistic sentiment is prevalent around the world).

There does still seem to be a vast division between those of us who are happy and proud, and those who never imagined the possibility of this man being elected. I've noticed considerable anger and depression among some of those who were vying for John McCain. It's interesting to me that some even sound like "spoiled brats," or "sore losers." Our electoral process may not be perfect, but the numbers do show who we as a country chose to lead us at this time.

It's also interesting that during the campaign process I heard threats from people on both sides, that they were going to move to Canada, if the candidate for the opposing party won. Regardless of their political affiliation, people have decided that living in Canada would be better than living in this country under a President with whom they don't agree.... Just something to ponder.

I believe that Obama will work very hard with the help of all who are willing to step up to the challenge of assisting in the process. I also believe that he is inclusive and capable of unifying this country again, but we need to move beyond the divisiveness of the campaign.

will.i.am (front man for the Black Eyed Peas) debuted a new song and video right after the election: It's a New Day, as was true with Yes We Can this is a song that stirs emotions.

2008-11-02T00:25:00.004-06:00

I've been remiss about posting anything here. I'd like to say that I've been busy with outdoor activities, but this is not the case. I've been crazed with knitting projects, and preparing for the upcoming Harmony House artisan fair, and being nervous about the 2008 presidential election. Perhaps I should open the bottle of wine in the picture to help me relax a bit! :)

Speaking of this photo. I've been meaning to post about my "Gurgle Pot." This fish shaped pitcher was a house-warming gift given to me during a party revealing the big remodeling project that was completed in 2007. Pouring water from this pitcher makes a delightful gurgling sound, which you can hear if you follow the link above. A friend who owns a local bath and body shop sells them.

Barack Obama Rally

2008-10-26T18:33:00.005-06:00

Since I live in a "swing state" the Presidential candidates are paying a lot of attention to us here. At the beginning of the week, I suspect that I saw Sarah Palin's motorcade on the way to and from Loveland, as I was driving to and from Denver.

Not being able to get to sleep on Wednesday night, I decided to complete my mail-in ballot, which I delivered to the Courthouse, polling place on Thursday morning. So I Voted! (In Colorado, we have the option to vote early until October 31.)

At the end of the week, we learned that Barack Obama was going to speak in Fort Collins at CSU (Colorado State University) on Sunday (today). A friend and I almost simultaneously thought of asking each other if we wanted to go. The rally was to be outside and the gates were to open at 1:30 p.m. and Obama was to begin speaking at 3:30 p.m. Colleen and I walked from my house and arrived in line at about 12:30 p.m. passing friends, acquaintances, and many strangers who were also on their way in the same direction.

A volunteer estimated that there were approximately 20,000 people ahead of us in line and by the time we entered the Oval, we heard a total estimate of 50,000 people standing in line. I took some photos with my cell phone, which are not very good, and I haven't figured out how to send them to my computer, so I'm sorry for the lack of "eye candy" in this post.

This was a truly exciting, energizing, and inspirational experience. The feeling of the crowd was completely positive and enthusiastic, and Obama is a wonderful speaker.

ETA: Here's a link to an AP article about the rally today!

Pretty Package!

2008-10-16T17:58:00.008-06:00

Today, I found this in my mailbox - all the way from The Skein Queen in England:
I ordered this at something like 3 a.m. in the US, and am glad to say that my sleep cycle has been much more normal since then!

As usual, the contents were beautifully wrapped (altho the colors of my photos are a little off)...
I'm so excited about the two skeins of yarn enclosed within:
Plushness in Frog Face:

Plushness in Oasis:I will not be "breaking into" these skeins in the very near future (I promise!!!), since there is a birthday gift to complete before the end of October, and a few things to finish and photograph before the Harmony House Annual Holiday Artisan Fair at the beginning of December.

Sigrun, Holiday Hat 2008

2008-10-15T17:05:00.004-06:00

The holiday hat named after Sigrun, the mannequin, is now available for purchase on both Etsy and Ravelry, in addition to being available directly from Payloadz. Here is a button to purchase from Ravelry, where both Ravelry and I get a little more benefit from the sale :):

You can reach Katinka Knits' Etsy shop by clicking on the Etsy image in the sidebar to the right!

New Pattern Revealed

2008-10-14T17:12:00.010-06:00

My house looks as if a Tasmanian Devil went to town inside, over the weekend. More accurately, I've been in a creative frenzy, and indeed, this hat was knitted, the pattern written, and photos taken in record time. First, here are two photos of newly baptized, Sigrun, so stoically modeling this hat.This is the very unimaginatively titled: "Holiday Hat 2008 Knitting Pattern"

It is a three-colored, stranded-colorwork, knit hat decorated with tree and ribbon motifs and braided edging.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Finished Measurements: Fits 21-22” head

Yarn:
Color A: 1 ball Brown Sheep Lambs’ Pride Worsted 85% Wool, 15% Mohair 190 yds/113 gm ball, Cranberry Swirl #M250

Color B: 1 ball Brown Sheep Lambs’ Pride Worsted 85% Wool, 15% Mohair 190 yds/113 gm ball, White Frost #M11

Color C: 1 ball Brown Sheep Lambs’ Pride Worsted 85% Wool, 15% Mohair 190 yds/113 gm ball, Forest Shadows #M210

Needles:
US Size 7 (4.5 mm) - 16” or 20” circular needle (or size necessary to obtain gauge)
US Size 7 (4.5 mm) - double pointed needles

Other Supplies:
Stitch marker
Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4”/10 cm

The pattern is currently available on Payloadz for immediate download by clicking on the button below:

Coming soon: Availability on Etsy and Ravelry

Why I don't bake very often!!!

2008-10-13T22:08:00.004-06:00

I have no self-control when it comes to baked goods - especially those of the sweet variety! I was doing very well with salads, and light meals and fruits and veggies, until the last week or so, and the aforementioned brownies have put me over the edge! Despite the fact that it is already 10 p.m., I'm heading out the door for a brief and brisk walk in the cold night air. This will give me a chance to not only get my blood moving a little bit, but to break-out some knitted accessories - well loved and cozy scarf, hat and mittens.

I've also finished a pattern tonight that I plan to post on Ravelry, Payloadz, and Etsy tomorrow. Before I reveal that hat and pattern, I thought I'd ask for some help with a name for my mannequin head whose face looks quite severe in the photos of the hat... Here she is! Can you help with an appropriate name?

The search goes on...

2008-10-11T20:09:00.005-06:00

I'm always in search of the best brownie recipe, as I remember the brownies that my grandmother used to make when she was alive. So tonight, I decided to bake for the first time in years. And no, I did not find the recipe I was looking for, although the brownies do look tasty!

Can you guess what this is?

2008-10-11T16:09:00.004-06:00

I finally remembered during daylight hours to take a few photos of this item, before I do the final finishing. The colors may be a little off due to the overcast sky! It truly feels like fall today, and I've had many indoor things to keep me occupied.

New Needles!

2008-10-09T16:32:00.011-06:00

It's not that I'm in need of any new knitting tools, supplies or yarn! But I've been eying Signature needles for a while, and this week, I could resist no longer, so I ordered a partial set, thinking that I might share with my mom. The needles arrived today, and I don't know if I can share! (The thought of exclaiming "Mine!" keeps running through my head.) They're very pretty, and I'm excited to try them, although I certainly don't need to start a new project. Here is a photo of their prettiness...
Upon closer inspection of the tips, I found this (and I'm sorry for the slightly poor quality of the photo):These tips are different lengths, although both appear to be middy points, which is what I ordered. Not wanting to deal with the hassle of sending anything back, I'm tempted to live with this difference. These are fairly expensive needles, however, so what would you do?

Very Early Morning Ramblings...

2008-10-03T02:21:00.007-06:00

This week (and maybe for the next 3), I've given myself an assignment to get to sleep at a decent hour. As you may notice, I'm failing tonight/this morning. I could say that it was the Palin - Biden Vice Presidential Nominees' debate, but this is not the case.

I watched the debate with a friend, her husband and a friend of theirs who I've met before. After watching the debate, we got into a discussion - or perhaps argument is more accurate. I was the only one of the 4 of us not drinking Scotch. My friend's husband was notably "affected," and started directing his contention my way, which made me clam up! He accused me of interrupting him which may have been true, but no more than anyone else was, AND no more than he was interrupting anyone else. My friend and I were of the same opinion and both trying to ask him questions and attempting to point out that his view was "black and white," when we could both see shades of "gray."

I was getting tired of the contentious atmosphere and just getting tired "period," and at the same time, I could tell that my friend was fading too. I whispered to her that I was going to go home, and she whispered back that she would walk me to the door on her way to her bedroom. As we moved, my friend's husband jumped up and practically grabbed my hand to lead me across their porch which is in the midst of being constructed. It was precarious, but I'm quite capable and was feeling quite balanced in comparison to his "tipsiness" (or should I say "tippiness" ;] ). At the edge of the porch, he jumped down, still holding my hand, urging me to follow. There were no steps, and the drop was about 3' and I'm a mere 5'4", so it seemed at little too far to jump (or fall), so I hesitated. And that was when the whole thing took a slightly more disturbing turn... my friend's husband grabbed me (and I mean all of me!) I told him not to, but that plea landed on deaf ears, and he stumbled as he tried to put me down on the ground - Very gallant, I'm sure - however, before he let me go, he grabbed my backside for one last squeeze... (Excuse me!), and all of this happened as my friend was standing in the doorway telling him not to hurt her friend!

And now, I'm quite irritated! What's with the unappealing and unwanted attention? I did not need anything else to think about as I try to go to sleep - after all, I hear that there's a financial crisis and the broohaha about that, an election coming up, etc. etc.

Perhaps it will help to share a picture I took of the front of my house this morning (oops, yesterday morning)! We're truly having lovely fall weather, and I hope for enough sleep to be able to enjoy some of it tomorrow!

Pardon me, I had to add this...

2008-10-01T18:46:00.004-06:00

This video is too funny! Presented by the Mason-Dixon Knitting Gals!

Missed it!

2008-10-01T16:00:00.007-06:00

I was saved from spending money and adding to my yarn stash by having a knitting lesson to teach, just when the Skein Queen was listing her latest batch of new yarns in her Etsy shop. I'm both disappointed and relieved, and amused that the one color that remained when I did have a chance to look was pink. It's my favorite color, but not one my SIL is fond of, and I was in search of yarn to make a gift for her to rival the gift I'm making for my brother for Christmas...

...this looks more like a snake than a lizard, but truly, it is based on the Lizard Ridge Afghan pattern from the Fall 2006 Knitty. I'm using Noro Silk Garden and Alpaca, and am very pleased with the result so far. It will be very very long, so I hope the brother can tolerate that!

Leaning Forward...

2008-09-27T13:53:00.003-06:00

Just a little thought for the day... from the book Lean Forward Into Your Life by Mary Anne Radmacher...

"Lean forward into your life... catch the best bits and the finest wind. Just tip your feathers in flight a wee bit and see how dramatically that small lean can change your life."

In Praise of Craig's List...

2008-09-26T11:14:00.003-06:00

The kayak is no more - at least in my life and garage! It no longer presents a tempting prospect for the pigeons roosting in the rafters! Selling the kayak is a first step in cleaning-out in an effort to evict those pigeons, and make room for my car... an ongoing decluttering project.

Obama's News Conference about the Financial Crisis...

2008-09-25T12:00:00.003-06:00

I watched this earlier and thought it important to share...

2008 US Presidential Election and Commitment...

2008-09-24T18:25:00.009-06:00

My politics are clear from the avatar I've chosen to use on both Facebook and Ravelry, and since I've linked to my Ravelry profile in the sidebar of this new blog, they may well be obvious here, as well.

It was interesting to realize that choosing to publicize my beliefs in this way made me a little anxious. Generally, I believe that one's political beliefs are a very personal thing and that politics is one of those topics that is "touchy" to talk about, but even if I've kept my political beliefs close to the vest in the past, I usually do have quite strong and distinct inclinations. I just do not usually choose to share them, especially when I know that the people I'm in conversation with have completely different ideas.

The 2008 US Presidential election seems to have inspired me to be slightly more open and clear about my leanings - to anyone and everyone. So despite my apparent fear of commitment, here it is...

I Believe in Barak Obama and Joe Biden and that our country needs the kind of change they (and we) will bring to the Executive Branch of our government. I am choosing to think positively between now and November 4, and won't allow myself to be dominated by a fear of the alternative.

Now that I've expressed my opinion, let me say that more than believing in any one person or party, I believe in our political process and make this request of every US Citizen who is now registered to vote... On November 4th (or before for those of us with the ability to vote by mail-in ballot), regardless of your politics, go to the polls (or fill out that mail-in ballot), and make sure your voice is heard by voting!