Southern Tier
SPIN A YARN
Home
Current Newsletter
Knitting to Share
Member Shops

Join Us
Knitting Links
Needles and Skeins Board

The Southern Tier Needles and Skeins Knitting Guild
PO Box 175
Binghamton, NY 13903-0175

Contact Needles and Skeins

   MARCH NEWSLETTER
 
March 2010                 NEEDLES AND SKEINS News

MEETING
Thursday, March 11, 2010
9:15–11:30
Vestal Public Library
 
Embellishment Program

The March  program will be some ideas on embellishing your bags; pattern suggestions were handed out in February.  The final project will be shown at the "Old Bag Tea Party” in June.
 
There will be four different sessions, with groups rotating to each session:  Dorothy Bosket will be doing I-cord, Kitsie Demeree will be doing flowers, Janet Ievins will be doing beading, and Pat Crockett will  be doing needle felting.

Homework for I-Cord session: With any yarn of your choice and suitable size needles, cast on 15 sts. Work st st or garter st for 3 or 4 inches. Bind off loosely. Bring with you, yarn in contrasting color from swatch, 2 double pointed needles of suitable size for your yarn and scissors.
 
Homework for Flower Embellishments:  Bring a small amount of either DK or worsted weight yarn and appropriate needles.  Double pointed sock needles work well as we will be working on a small number of stitches.  We will make a simple flower-like sample.
 
Homework for Beaded Embellishment:  We will look at 2 methods--try either or both.
Method 1 materials needed:  a small swatch of your knitting beads w/a hole large enough to hold a double strand of your yarn a crochet hook or latchhook that fits into your bead.
Method 2 materials needed:  the same small swatch beads w/a hole too small for your yarn, strung onto a fine, durable thread, such as nylon, cotton or silk.  This thread should match or be harmonious w/your yarn as it will be held and knitted w/your yarn.

 
 
Dicey Knitting

In January we had a fun time using dicey knitting to start a Chaos scarf.  The following is the pattern for the next four rows that were “rolled” at the February meeting.  The instructions for the next segment of the scarf will be handed out at the March meeting.


Row 1: K5(border),Sl 1, p2tog, K4, SSK, K3, Sl1, Cable 2x2L (sl2 to CN and hold in FRONT, K2, K2 from CN), paired double decrease (SSK,then K2tog) P6 ,Sl 1, K2tog, K5 (border).
 
Row 2&4: K5, Purl 30, K5.
 
Row 3:K5 (border) K1, yo, K5, Kfb (knit into front and back of next stitch), K8, CDI (center double increase-k1, p1, k1- in same stitch), K6, K2tog, K2, k5 (border)
 
Continue with this pattern for 4-6 inches.
 
Thank you Mary Anne Lynch for the use of the Dicey Knitting for the Chaos Scarf!

 
Military Knitted Items

If anyone has knitted items for the Armed Forces, please bring them to the meeting.  As long as there are items coming in, we will collect them and send them on to our troops.
 
March Aran Square

Patterns for the March Aran Square will be handed out at the meeting.
 
 
April Program

The Program Committee is looking for people who can darn and repair knitting.  If you know how to do this, please get  in touch with Theresa Brom.  You can talk to her at the meeting, email her theresabrom@yahoo.com, or call 771-4004.

Suitable Seams

One of our favorite teachers, Judy Pascale, will be with us on May 13 to do a program on Suitable Seams.  This will be an extended meeting 9:15am to 2:00pm.  Bring a bag lunch; coffee and tea will be provided.  Following is a class description as well as the homework.  
Class Description:  This class will present a variety of techniques to seam together sections of a garment.  Emphasis is on producing a smooth, nearly invisible transition, a trick accomplished by selecting the most appropriate seaming process to join particular stitch patterns and to determine the precise location to insert the sewing needle for optimum results.  Ultimately, the goal is to create the illusion that the garment was created in one continuous piece.
 
(Using a split marker or piece of yarn, mark the top of swatch at bind off edge.)

Homework:
 All swatches:  
1) Yarn: 4 or 5 stitches per inch to be able to see seam area clearly.
2) Use a non-textured light color yarn.
3) Needle size recommended on the label either on straights or 24" circular
Cast on 16 stitches.  Leave yarn attached from cast on row for seaming on samples (a-e).  Work for 13 rows. Bind off.  Make two of each of the following:
 
a) k1, p1 rib
b) Stockinette Stitch
**Note: a) and b) can be one continuous piece

c) Reversed Stockinette Stitch
d) Seed Stitch
e) Garter Stitch
 
 1) Cast on 12 stitches.  Knit back.  Work 4 rows in stockinette stitch.  Leave live stitches on needle.  Make two.
 2) Cast on 12 stitches.  Knit back.  Work 4 rows in stockinette stitch.  Bind off.  Make two.
 Bring small quantity of yarn in a contrasting color and yarn used for swatches for seaming.

  

Sticky Buns

At the February meeting, Helga Mcshane shared with us some delicious sticky buns.  They were so good that her recipe was requested, so I thought it would be fun to include it  in this month’s Newsletter.  Thank you Helga!

2 loaves frozen white bread dough
raisins
nuts, chopped
˝ cup butter
2 tablesppons milk
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 package non-instant vanilla pudding (3 oz.)
1 cup brown sugar
 
Thaw bread slightly; cut each loaf into 8 pieces (16 pieces total).  Grease a 9X13 pan.  Put raisins and nuts on bottom of the pan, then put dough on top.
 
In a pan, melt 1 stick of butter, add 2T milk, 2t cinnamon, 1 pkg. vanilla pudding and 1 cup brown sugar.  Don’t bring to a boil – just dissolve sugar in mixture.  Pour over dough.
 
Cover with wax paper and keep in refrigerator overnight.  In the morning, let rise about 30 minutes.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes; remove from oven and invert onto oven proof platter.

 

Bags from February Meeting

http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/moette/moette.html

http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/pdf/ProvenceDiagonalBag.pdf

 http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/bagdrawstring.htm

 

November Square

October Square

Suggestion Box
Do you have any ideas to share with the Guild? Suggestions, questions, criticisms? We want to hear them all. A suggestion box will be on the Welcome Table at all meetings. Please feel free to give the Board your feedback (anonymously if your choose). We can't make the Guild better unless we know what you want.

Help Table
There is a Help Table at the back of the room at each meeting. If you have a question about a knitting project, this is the place to go. The table is “open” from 9 until 9:15 before the meeting, during the break, and after the meeting.

Bad Weather Policy

If the Vestal School District closes school due to bad weather, the meeting is canceled.
Check www.wbng.com/closings to get a list of up to date school closings


November Square
Saxon Braid

Gauge: 5 st/inch, 6 rows/inch on size 8 needles. (I used Encore yarn)
Finished size after blocking: 10" X 10"

Abbreviations:
C4B—Slip (Sl) 2 stitches to cable needle (CN); hold in back. K2 from left needle. K2  from CN
            C4F—Sl 2 st onto CN and hold in front. K2 from left needle. K2  from CN
            T3B—Sl 1 st onto CN and hold in back. K2 from left needle. P1 from CN
            T3F—Sl 2 st onto CN and hold in front. P1 from left needle. K2 from CN
            T4B—Sl 2 st onto CN and hold in back. K2 from left needle. P2 from CN
            T4F—Sl 2 st onto CN and hold in front. P2 from left needle. K2 from CN
 
General Notes: Border is in garter stitch (knit all rows). Stitches between border and cables are reverse stockinette (purl on right side [RS], knit on wrong side [WS]). Saxon Braid is 24 stitches across, with a 16-row repeat. I suggest placing markers (PM) between stitches 13 and 14 and 36 and 37.
 
Instructions:
Bottom border:  Cast on 50 stitches and knit next 4 rows.
Pattern:
            Row 1: (WS) K13, PM, K2, P4, (K4, P4) twice, K2, PM, K13
            Row 2: (RS) K4, P9, P2, C4B, (P4, C4B) twice, P2, P9, K4
            Row 3: K13, P1, T3B, (T4F, T4B) twice, K2, K13
            Row 4: K4, P9, P1, T3B, (T3F, T4B) twice, T3F, P1, P9, K4
            Row 5: K13, K1, P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2, K1, K13
            Row 6: K4, P9, T3B, P3, C4F, P4, C4B, P3, T3F, P9, K4
            Row 7: K13, P2, K4, (P4, K4) twice, P2, K13
            Row 8: K4, P9, K2, P3, T3B, T4F, T4B, T3F, P3, K2, P9, K4
            Row 9: K13, (P2, K3) twice, P4, (k3, p2) twice, K13
            Row 10: K4, P9, (K2, P3) twice, C4B, (p3, K3) twice, P9, K4
            Row 11: K13, (P2, K3) twice, P4, (K3, P2) twice, K13
            Row 12: K4, P9, K2, P3, T3F, T4B, T4F, T3B, P3, K2, P9, K4
            Row 13: K13, P2, K4, (P4, K4) twice, P2, K13
            Row 14: K4, P9, T3F, P3, C4F, P4, C4B, T3B, P9, K4
            Row 15: K13, K1, P2,  K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2, K1, K13
            Row 16: K4, P9, P1, T3F, (T4B, T4F) twice, T3B, P1, P9, K4
 
            Repeat Rows 1–16 for pattern until piece measures 9 inches. Knit last 4 rows and bind off.
 
NOTE:  Braid pattern and abbreviations from 99 Knit Stitches, published by Leisure Arts.


October Square

Materials: Plymouth Encore worsted weight (75% acrylic, 25% wool), Size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles, Cable needle, Stitch markers
Gauge: 5 sts = 1"
Finished measurement of square = 10" X 10"
Bibliography:
The Harmony Guide to Aran Knitting, Lyric Books Limited, 1991. Charts and diagrams reprinted with permission from Interweave Press.
Abbreviations and symbols:
CO = cast on, BO = bind off, K = knit, P = purl, PM = place marker, Sl = slip, St = stitch
  C4R (cable 4 right) = sl next st onto cable needle and hold at back of work, K3, K st on cable
  T4L (twist 4 left) = sl next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, P1 from left-hand needle, K the 3 on the cable needle
  T4R (twist 4 right) = sl next st onto cable needle and hold at back of work, K next 3 sts from left-hand Needle, P st on cable needle
C6B (cable 6 back) = sl 3 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, K next 3 sts on left-hand needle, K the 3 sts on cable needle
K on right side rows P on right side rows K on wrong side rows P on wrong side rows

Pattern stitches:
Right side cable over 4 stitches (RSC)
Row 1 (right side): K4
Row 2: P4
Row 3: Slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, K next 2 sts from left-hand needle, K sts from cable needle
Row 4: P 4
Repeat these 4 rows

Left side cable over 4 stitches (LSC)
Row 1 (right side): K 4
Row 2: P 4
Row 3: Slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, K next 2 sts from left-hand needle, K sts from cable needle
Row 4: P 4
Repeat these 4 rows

Center panel of 16 sts on a background of reverse St st.
Row 1 (right side):
P4, C4R, T4L, P4
Row 2: K4, P3, K1, P4, K4
Row 3: P3, C4R, P1, K1, T4L, P3
Row 4: K3, P3, K1, P1, K1, P4, K3
Row 5: P2, C4R, [P1,K1] twice, T4L, P2
Row 6: K2, P3, K1, [P1, K1] twice, P4, K2
Row 7: P1, C4R, [P1, K1] 3 times, T4L, P1
Row 8: K1, P3, K1, [P1, K1] 3 times, P4, K1

Row 9: C4R, [P1, K1] 4 times, T4L
Row 10: P3, K1, [P1, K1] 4 times, P4
Row 11: T4L, [K1, P1] 4 times, T4R
Row 12: Same as Row 8
Row 13: P1, T4L, [K1, P1] 3 times, T4R, P1
Row 14: Same as Row 6

Row 15: P2, T4L, [K1, P1] twice, T4R, P2
Row 16:
Same as Row 4
Row 17: P3, T4L, K1, P1, T4R, P3
Row 18: Same as Row 2
Row 19: P4, T4L, T4R, P4
Row 20: K5, P6, K5
Row 21: P5, C6B, P5
Row 22: K5, P6, K5
Repeat these 22 rows

Aran Square Pattern:
CO 50 sts. (Note: I prefer knitted on CO because the stitches are easy to pick up when sewing squares together) K 6 rows in garter st (K every row)
Row 7 (right side):
K4, PM, P5, PM, RSC (row 1), PM, P4, Center Panel (row 1), PM, P4, PM, LSC (row 1), PM, P5, PM, K4
Row 8:
Slipping markers, K4, K5, P4 (row 2 of LSC), K4, row 2 of Center Panel, K4, P4 (row 2 of RSC), K5, K4
Row 9:
K4 (K these 4 sts every row), P5 (P these 5 sts on right side rows and K on wrong side rows), work row 3 of RSC, P4 (P these 4 sts on right side rows and K on wrong side rows), row 3 of Center Panel, P4 (P these 4 sts on right side rows and K on wrong side rows), work row 3 of LSC, P5 (P these 5 sts on right side rows and K on wrong side rows), K 4 (K these 4 sts every row)
Row 10:
K4, K5, P4 ( row 4 of RSC), K4, row 4 of Center Panel, K4, P4 (row 4 of LSC), K5, K4
Continue in pattern until you have completed 68 rows.
K 6 rows in garter st. BO. 74 rows total.