Where has the time gone? We had a wonderful visit with Alison, Eva, and Aidan. Need I say Grandma is tired? ;-)
While the kids were here, two new knitting books arrived in the mail. Did you know I love books? I became interested in Cast On, Bind Off after reading a Craftsy post. A search on Amazon showed that the book was selling for $40 - $45, more than I was willing to pay for this book. On a whim, I looked for the same book at Barnes & Noble... $15! I snapped it up right away. I probably will never get to most of the techniques presented in this book, but it is fun to read through.
Sequence Knitting caught my eye because of an email from a yarn shop. They were offering a three-hour workshop on sequence knitting for $50, and the author is going to be presenting a slide show and offer book signings on the same day. The shop is almost two hours away, and the book is $60. I decided I could figure out what it's all about on my own, thus justifying a $60 book purchase.
First let me say that this is a beautiful, heavy book, and I do not regret paying the price. That said, if you have a way to preview the book before purchasing, I would highly recommend it. I know this is a book I will use over and over again, but I hesitate encouraging anyone else to spend so much on a book sight unseen.
The cover of the book shows 13 scarves, all knitted using sequence knitting theory. The patterns are so simple, they all fit on one page! Grandson Aidan loves super soft, cuddly fabric. The book was calling to me, there was a huge ball of Bernat Baby Blanket close at hand, and I decided a quick knit was in order.
This is the first scarf pattern presented. I had about 4" knit the first day. The rest was knit yesterday while Dave was working on Alison's bathroom remodel. I could have finished it easily, but I was feeling a bit lazy yesterday. I have a feeling my grandchildren will be receiving super soft, super bulky scarves for Christmas this year!
Joelle is in search of a large bobbin shuttle for a Jan Stawasz piece she'd like to make in size 10. I happen to have a large bobbin shuttle made by Dave Stanbrough at Grizzly Mountain Arts! I happen to be a huge fan of Dave's tatting shuttles, drop spindles, picot gauges, etc. As you can see, this shuttle is quite large... 4" long...
about an inch high. I've never actually used it, but it sure is a beauty!
Kathy asked if I'd ever blogged about this particular shuttle. I'm not sure if I have in the past, but I have now! Thanks for asking, Kathy!
While the kids were here, two new knitting books arrived in the mail. Did you know I love books? I became interested in Cast On, Bind Off after reading a Craftsy post. A search on Amazon showed that the book was selling for $40 - $45, more than I was willing to pay for this book. On a whim, I looked for the same book at Barnes & Noble... $15! I snapped it up right away. I probably will never get to most of the techniques presented in this book, but it is fun to read through.
Sequence Knitting caught my eye because of an email from a yarn shop. They were offering a three-hour workshop on sequence knitting for $50, and the author is going to be presenting a slide show and offer book signings on the same day. The shop is almost two hours away, and the book is $60. I decided I could figure out what it's all about on my own, thus justifying a $60 book purchase.
First let me say that this is a beautiful, heavy book, and I do not regret paying the price. That said, if you have a way to preview the book before purchasing, I would highly recommend it. I know this is a book I will use over and over again, but I hesitate encouraging anyone else to spend so much on a book sight unseen.
The cover of the book shows 13 scarves, all knitted using sequence knitting theory. The patterns are so simple, they all fit on one page! Grandson Aidan loves super soft, cuddly fabric. The book was calling to me, there was a huge ball of Bernat Baby Blanket close at hand, and I decided a quick knit was in order.
This is the first scarf pattern presented. I had about 4" knit the first day. The rest was knit yesterday while Dave was working on Alison's bathroom remodel. I could have finished it easily, but I was feeling a bit lazy yesterday. I have a feeling my grandchildren will be receiving super soft, super bulky scarves for Christmas this year!
Joelle is in search of a large bobbin shuttle for a Jan Stawasz piece she'd like to make in size 10. I happen to have a large bobbin shuttle made by Dave Stanbrough at Grizzly Mountain Arts! I happen to be a huge fan of Dave's tatting shuttles, drop spindles, picot gauges, etc. As you can see, this shuttle is quite large... 4" long...
about an inch high. I've never actually used it, but it sure is a beauty!
Kathy asked if I'd ever blogged about this particular shuttle. I'm not sure if I have in the past, but I have now! Thanks for asking, Kathy!
Sequence knitting? Sounds interesting. That shuttle is huge! Is the bobbin extra big too?
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting! Yes, the shuttle and bobbin are huge! I've never thought to check and see how much thread could be wound on it. I guess I should!
DeleteFirst off those books look very nice and great subject matter too I can see where you could be using them all the time good find and buy!
ReplyDeleteAnd So glad I saw this shuttle I did not know that a wood one was made that big I think the Russians ones where a surprise to me when they came in the mail and these ones are too thanks for the preview and I can see where it is needed for larger thread! it takes the cake :) I am hoping Joelle will be glad to here this!
Wow - fast response! And great photos of the shuttle! I don't believe you've shown it 'up close' before!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I now have more questions! Did you request Dave of Grizzly Mountain Arts to make it, or did he show it as an 'experimental' one and you (wisely) grabbed it up for your collection? Of course the quality of his work is superb
The bobbin seems quite unusual, Is it plastic and made commercially, or hand made of wood? And did you get at least one extra bobbin? This shuttle is definitely one of a kind, and totally unique. It would be interesting to know how much thread it can hold! . Thanks for showing it - and for that quick reply!!
I'm sure you'll be busy with more scarves! Great color! The term Sequential Knitting is new to me! I'll have to check it out!
Your wish is my command! ;-)
DeleteThe bobbins look like plastic but feel like wood, and the shuttle came with three of them. I just wound 15 yards of size 10 thread on one of the bobbins, so I'm pleased with the amount of thread it holds. I believe this shuttle was an eBay listing, and I always do my best to snap up Dave's shuttles whenever I can!
I was just going to read to my husband the comment I sent to you, and you had - again - already answered it!
ReplyDeleteI'm even more impressed that Dave probably custom made those bobbins! I assumed he did make them because they are so unusual, and I know he has the skill, but I would think they are tricky! And he made three! You were very sharp to notice and acquire this shuttle, and i'm sure he knows how much you treasure it! I'm glad it's in your care and in your spectacular collection!
Have a nice evening! Thanks, again, for the info!
The shuttle is Pretty large :-)
ReplyDeleteAbout Sequence Knitting ... forgive my bluntness, but when I read about it on Google, it seemed like a very fancy way of basic knitting (probably not lace, because it says "fabric") ! For the little that is given, garter, stockinette, moss, etc stitches, All qualify for sequence knitting !
The book & presentation might be unique & interesting, but the technique doesn't seem any different from the usual K, P, arranged in various repeatable segments. That's what we Always do when we knit a pattern, isn't it ?
I may be wrong, coz I haven't seen the book - first time I've heard this term, as well.
I thought the same thing at first, but after reading an interview with the author and several book reviews, I realized there was more to this book. The author breaks down the patterns in a way that makes it easier for me to understand. The illustrations are fabulous, and her description of the math involved with these patterns makes me want to sit and read. For me, it's like the difference between tatting patterns written in a traditional way and visual patterns such as Mary Konior's. Give me the visual any day!
DeleteWill keep an eye out for this book, Diane. Sometimes it is not all about the pattern(s); it is also the joy one gets in understanding concepts, unique perspectives, etc. Thanks for sharing this :-)
DeleteSequence knitting is a new term to me too, you'll have to tell us more! I imagine the shuttle would be a bit awkward to work with until you got used to it, but it sure holds a good lot of thread.
ReplyDeleteOh my, that is one large shuttle and bobbin. Good to know that there are some big shuttle available.
ReplyDeletebtw, I, too, ordered that book from Barnes and Noble. I was watching a t.v. show and the person knitting was talking about the various ways to cast on and bind off -- personally, I only know ONE way to cast on and ONE way to bind off. When i was on-line I saw 2 books w/same title and chose the one you have in photo --- glad you like the book. For me, it was a choice without much knowledge
ReplyDeleteI knew there was more than one way to cast on and bind off, but I've never had a reference book like this before. I'm sure I'll ignore many of the techniques, but it's nice to know there are options!
DeleteI had to come over to this post again because I didn't comment on the Cast On and Bind Off book.
DeleteWithout going into detail about these things, I mostly use the 'cable cast on' method (don't know why it's called that) which gives a nice tight edge. But with socks I start with a waste-chain cast on, above the ankle, then knit the sock down to the toe, then pick up stitches on the waste-chain cast-on and knit the cuff of the sock 'up' so I can make it whatever length I want and bind it off loosely so it isn't tight on the calf.
As for binding off, to me the only way to bind off is to use a crochet hook. With the knitting needles you are actually doing a simple chain - in other words you are crocheting the edge, and the crochet hook is so much faster! You can keep a 'ribbing' effect also, using the crochet hook to go into the stitches as if you were knitting or purling. And I don't bind off shoulders of sweaters individually - I bind the front and back off together - again using a crochet hook. This gives you a perfect seam..
Just wanted to throw in some of my 'tricks', which I learned during my Knitting Guild days - although I did use a crochet hook for binding off way back in the '60s!
Cable cast on is my favorite! It's the one I use most of the time. I do remember binding off with a crochet hook years ago, but I had forgotten about it. I'll have to give it a try again!
DeleteHere is a quick video of the crocheted bind-off. I know you'll recall how easy it is when you view it!
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzJyuPt1JuA
It always fascinates me how many knitters 'fear' crocheting, and vice-versa. It's so helpful to know both! OK - I'll let you get back to your busy life now! It's been fun 'chatting' with you!