Serta Sheep at Florida Knitting Shop

Frank & Melanie Orlando

My New Kitchen - Finally Completed

Knitting Links

Discovered several links today of note:
Knitting Pro - contains articles on knitting terminology, processes, etc., patterns and other knitting site connnections
Knitters Review - contains reviews of yarns, events, polls, ads for yarn sales
The Knitting Guild Association's web site

Zig Zag Bag

On Saturday, October 28, 2006, Knitters Kove hosted a two hour class on Zig Zag Bags. By controlling the tension of the yarn knitting in the round, one can get variegated yarn stitches to stack resulting in a "zig zag" pattern. This is done by discovering the repeat pattern of a variegated yarn, using a crochet provisional cast on, place enough stitches on the needle to return to the beginning color of the dye pattern, and continuing around tightening tension to move to the left and loosening tension to move the colors to the right.

Experimenting with this technique, thickness of yarn, needle size and number of stitches can result in some gorgeous patterns.

Winter Park - Knitters' Kove Retreat

This past weekend, October 20-22, 2006, was spent with a dozen fellow knitters at the Vasquez Lodge in Winter Park. The weather was cooperative -- cold, snowing and just perfect to sit by a fire, knit and enjoy warm conversation.

On Saturday the group treked to Lonesome Stone wow-ing over the coloration varieties, size differences and gentle demeanor of both the alpacas and Great Pyrennes who protect them like family.


We wandered through the factory and store, visiting with the owners who described the spinning and dying processes used for the numerous types of yarn produced. After all the verbal and visual tantalization, we dutifully succumbed to purchasing alpaca and mohair yarns to gratefully add to our growing stash of yarns. Knowing that on the day we pull out the fiber acquired on that afternoon, we will remember the quiet solitude, docile alpacas and intriguing moments spent in Fraser, Colorado.

Our Canadian Friends, Brenda & Steve

September 2006

Dave and Susan along with sweetheart, Allie. Enjoying the Colorado Fall colors and sunshine.

The Gourmet Yarn Company, Oklahoma City, OK

9638 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, (405) 286-3737.

The LYS of Oklahoma City, located in a brick shopping center on North May Avenue, a very short distance from I-44, certainly lives up to the name “gourmet” with delights of all kinds. A wide selection of novelties, synthetics, import and domestic wools greeted the eyes upon entering the well organized shop. Shop displays featured basic to complex cabled scarves, sweaters, purses and patterns for each.

Melissa and Margaret, the knowledgeable and friendly staff and owner, respectively, helped me select an appropriate skill level cable pattern to use for Plymouth Yarn Co.’s bulky Alpaca yarn in a gray mist. They created a homey and welcoming environment for friend and newcomer alike. As a result of their enthusiasm, the Thursday afternoon group, the “Black Sheep,” has grown to an average of 20 members who come to the shop, to sit, knit, visit and experiment with new yarns.

Volumes of single patterns, magazines and books are easily located and available for perusing or purchasing as well as the latest Maggie Sexton or Debbie Macomber knitting novel. If you ever are in Oklahoma City, this shop merits a visit. Plan to spend Thursday afternoon with the Black Sheep and pleasantly while away the hours visiting with the local “yarn” enthusiasts.

A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting, Cat Bordhi

Book Review

The beginning illustration of this second book by Cat Bordhi explains the mystery of a moebius using a paper design. From that basis, the author goes on to demonstrate the moebius cast-on which the reader can then use to make scarves, baskets, and sling bags with decorative stitch design handles.

One unique pattern in the book which I plan to try was one for a felted needle cozy that is placed on a wooden spoon handle, twisted and then left to dry resulting in a twirled appearance when finished.