We've Moved!!!

In an effort to make things simpler......and hopefully will make me post more.......
all knitting content will be on my "Main Blog" from now on!!

West End Designs

New Pattern!!

Whimsical Felted Cactus

(As seen in the Stitch and Bitch 2008

Page a Day Calendar)

This pattern was inspired by my many trips to Arizona. I instantly fell in love with the desert flora,

but being “gardening challenged” growing the real thing became impossible.

Now, no gardening care is necessary and I can still enjoy the beauty of the desert!!

Supplies:

Size 13 16” circular needle

Cascade 220 – 1 skein each of

Color #9407 and #9410 (heathered greens)

Color 4147 yellow (divided into two separate balls)

Stitch Marker

Yarn or tapestry needle

Polyester stuffing

Tropical silk flower (optional)

Decorative Pot

Toothpicks (optional)

Gauge : Not important for this project

Cast on 46 stitches with one strand of each of the green yarns. Entire cactus is worked with double strand throughout.

Place marker and join taking care to ensure stitches are not twisted.

Row 1-6 Knit

Row 7 ( begin increase rows)*K2 K in front and back repeat from * to end of round, ending in a K2 (61 stitches)

Row 8-12 Knit

Row 13 Repeat row 7 (81 stitches)

Row 14-17 Knit

Row 18 Repeat row 7 (108 stitches)

Row 19-22 Knit

Row 23 *K1 K in front and back repeat from * to end of round ending in a K1 (162 stitches)

Row 24 Knit

Row 25 (begin decrease rows) *K2 tog K1 repeat from * to end of round (108 stitches)

Row 26-28 Knit

Row 29 Repeat row 25 (72 stitches)

Row 30-33 Knit

Row 34 Repeat row 25 (48 stitches)

Drop darker green and attach yellow yarn, continuing to work in double strand throughout.

Row 35-38 knit

Drop lighter green and attach another strand of yellow, continuing to work in double strand throughout.

Switch to dpns if necessary

Row 39 K1 *SSK K5 K2tog repeat from * to end of round (38 stitches)

Row 40 Knit

Row 41 *SSK K3 K2 tog repeat from * to end of round. (28 stitches)

Row 42 Knit

Row 43 *SSK K1 K2tog repeat from * to end of round (18 stitches)

Row 44 K1 *SSK K2 tog repeat from * to one remaining stitch, K1(10 stitches)

Approximate finished dimensions (before felting) 16 inches (at widest point) by 14 inches. Dimensions do not have to be exact as each cactus will be unique.

Finishing:

Break yarn, attach tapestry needle and draw through remaining stitches to gather at top, pull tight and secure yarn.

To finish, felt by desired method until no stitch definition is seen. Manually shape and stuff with plastic shopping bags to maintain desired shape. Air dry.

Stuff dry cactus with polyester stuffing and sew bottom shut (stitching is not important here as this will be planted in the pot)

Add French knots in striped pattern down sides of “cactus” with yellow yarn, punch toothpicks through knots and into “cactus” for spines.

Do NOT use toothpicks in homes with children or climbing pets.

Attach flower to top (this can be omitted) and “plant” in decorative pot.

This pattern is for private use only. The pattern, images and products made from the pattern may not

be sold without the express written consent of the designer.

designsbykatie@hotmail.com

www.westenddesignsknits.blogspot.com

Inheritance

I have a new friend, and we will call her "I". You know I like using initials only, to protect the innocent, or not so innocent. "I" is a new knitter. A new knitter with an obsession or as I like to call it, a hungry dog on a bone. Her mother in law started her on the path, fueled in part by me. Then she signed up for a class, which leads me to today's subject...inherited projects.

So, her first real "project" is a baby sweater. A top down, no sew raglan. Ok, experienced knitters, easy enough, right??? Well, it is not the first project I would give someone. The teacher who is somewhat of a knitting snob and has taken a dislike to "I", says "Oh anyone can do this". In my kitchen, she repeated the collar portion at least 4 times....... And to make matters worse, she promised this sweater to someone. She has broken rule #1 for gift knitting, do not tell anyone you are making them something, or what the object is because you will ultimately hit a snafu.

It is now referred to as the F-in' yellow baby sweater from hell. I go to visit her at her office. The sweater is in the bag, and has now made it past the collar and working on the yoke. This is where the fun begins. "Can you fix this"?? Sure. Well, now it seems that I have to finish it. I took it home. It is all over. "I" waved the white flag of surrender and I must pick up the needles and continue to wage war with this yellow yarn. Today while we have knitting time in my kitchen, I will find her some new projects, while I work on the sweater. Pictures to follow.

I think I will introduce her today to the MDK Ball Band dihcloth. Hey if you are going to be obsessed, why not go all the way. You all know what fondness I have for those, right???

Cashmere Found!

Look what I found!!! FOUR skeins of worsted weight cashmere in a gorgeous deep purple. There is about 400+ yards. Now the question here is what should I make with it?? Any ideas??? Please leave a comment if you know of a great pattern for this beautiful yarn!!!
Dear B (thanks for your comment!), and the other inquiring cashmere knitters.....

While I would love to say that these balls of cashmere goodness rained down from the sky, I found them hidden in the bottom of one of my yarn "tubs" that we all have!!!! I have no idea WHY I purchased it or for what. Chances are I was sucked in by both the color and softness!!!

Another Hat!!!!

So when last we spoke, I confessed to my complete lack of concentration and the ability to follow a simple rib pattern. Well armed with a fresh skein of Lorna's Laces and my size 7 circulars, I started, and completed the ribbed hat!!! Lookee here:


I love this hat! No, I mean LOVE. Why?? Well Mark used to tell me I looked horrible in hats and honestly, after seeing a few photos of me on vacation, I do. But this hat looks, dare I say it, not bad.I have been running lately (mostly inside due to some lower leg injuries that occurred in days of yore) but sometimes I run the beach. And I do need a hat. Really now, it is windy and cold, and yet I refuse.

So if you are down in Hull, MA and you see a runner on the beach in black with one bad ass hat, and you think, that looks like the Irving Park colorway from Lorna's Laces, that would be me. And it wouldn't be so bad to stop me to say hi, I just might need a break!

Next up, mitts to match!!!

Pictures for YOU!!!!

And finally, we have my gift knitting from 2007.......I made all of this in such a short amount of time, I needed super quick knits with no concentration allowed. It was a rough Fall, to say the least!

First we have "Fetchings". Honestly this is one of my favorite patterns of all time!! Super quick and in my opinion, make the best gifts!! If you got a pair as a gift, wouldn't you be thrilled?? I paired them with matching earrings. These two are knitted using Mission Falls 1824 Wool (another favorite). Another pair was made in red pepper using Knitpicks Swish, but the photo did not do them justice!

Next up, we have the Ribbed Cap from 101 One Skein Wonders. This is an easy hat, very comfortable, minimal shaping and cute. Both were gifts. Well, let me rephrase that, one ended up gifted. The other had to be ripped out!!! I got to the decreases on the gray one and realized the rib was supposed to be K2 P2!!! Heh. See??? I told you I cannot concentrate!! Both were knitted in Cascade 220. This pattern might end up to be my old standby hat!

I saw this pattern on Mag Knits and knew I had to knit it. It's great! And easy 12 row repeat that looks more complicated than it is! Knit in Swish from Knitpicks in the Camel Heather colorway, this yarn blocked like a champ!!! I think this took me 4 days! I made this for a friend and he LOVED it.
Last but not least.... I learned a valuable lesson of practice what you preach. I purchased some time ago, Morehouse Merino to make the "leglets" from their free pattern section. This is a great stash buster, if you ask me! About 200 yards or so of worsted weight! Who doesn't have that in their stash??? And I just love the length, they can be worn "dancer style" slouch over the heels. Great for yoga! Well, little did I know that the 2 skeins were so very DIFFERENT. LOOK!!! I was shocked. I didn't alternate skeins and I paid the price. Well, now they are mine because I couldn't give them away like that, right?? I did love the wool, it was soft, squooshy and very warm! So I made another pair in Lorna's Laces in the Black Purl Colorway.....much better.

And right now I am making a ribbed cap for me, in Lorna's Laces Irving Park for my beach runs.....and so far I am using the correct rib!!! :) More later........ I promise to try to update at least once a week........

Can it really be over a month since I updated?? And yes, the pictures I promised are still in the camera. I will get to them this weekend!!! I am still finishing up some gifts....I am so behind this year!!

And thanks for all your kind compliments on my pattern featured in the Stitch and Bitch 2008 Page A Day Calendar!! I am February 1st!!! I still have yet to see it. My bookshop was out of them, and I am still waiting for my free copy, which should be here soon....I hope!!! For those of you who do not have it, I will be posting it as a freebie shortly!! And there is another freebie pattern in the works as well. My "goal this year" is to make a pattern each month and post it here. I am feeling much more creative these days!!!

Just a drive by update to let you know I am still here....and knitting......

Pictures this weekend, it's a promise!

Hello, tap tap, Anyone there???

Now really, it has been way too long. Does anyone still read this thing?? Honestly people, it has been very hard to blog these days, as I'm sure you understand. But I promise to get back int he groove. I miss talking about knitting. And have I been knitting, hell YES!!! And lots of knitting too. I will get pictures this week and post again. Some people are getting some nice knitting gifts soon. :) Could it be YOU???

Look for pictures soon......

Dear Knitting Blog Readers,

Well, it is my 100th post and I was so hoping to publish pictures and patterns and all kinds of fun yarny goodness, but my husband died suddenly on Monday. If you read my other blog you know this, if not and you keep checking back thinking I have either forgotten how to type and/or knit, no. This is not what I wanted my 100th post to be, but it is, so I will be back, after all knitting is good therapy, right??? Until then, knit on.

My husband loved to make fun on my knitting. In a nice way of course. ::wink:: and always interupted me while I was counting stitches or doing that all important lace row. So if you see me knitting in public someplace in the Boston area, please feel free to interrupt me!! Ha ha!!! Secretly I always thought he wanted to learn to knit!

Check this out!

Look out, it's pictures!!

First up, my "Fetching" gloves. Keep in mind they need a wee bit of blocking! Like I have said before, I LOVE this yarn and finally ordered another skein in purple ("Wisterious" to be exact!)! You know at 250 yds, I bet I could make two pairs out of one skein! I did take another picture of them on my hand, but I didn't like how my hand looked. (Note: now that fall is here I really should use hand cream more!!!) I'll retake it soon!!
Next here is the Noni pattern I just had to have!!! I ordered the whole ball of wax from kpixie. (This is a wonderful web shop! Jessica and Missa have a great selection and ship faster than lightening!) Yarn, feet, handles, zipper and pattern. Now I think it needs some pig piggie fabric for a lining, don't you think! I can't wait to start it! If it come out nice, my friend wants one too! I just might be making an entire pig family!
Ok, well that is all I have to say today! I better get going and start cooking supper. Somehow I don't think Mark would like a big bowl of yarn for dinner....or would he??? :)

Ancient Whorls!

I cannot believe I completely forgot to post this picture!! My poor husband can't go anywhere without being reminded of knitting. One day, he WILL knit. I keep trying to get him to learn, I think it will be relaxing for him, and hey you have a built in yarn shop and teacher, what more could you want?

So check this out! Remember I went to Philly last weekend? This was in the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Whorls from the 8th CENTURY BCE from Rome! Isn't that cool????? When I pointed it out, he just said "Oh God, more knitting!!", and stood quietly while I took SEVERAL images, just in case one of them did not come out! Ha ha!


I did take a picture of my Fetching Mitts but I think I need another one. I'm still experimenting with finding a good place in the new house for photos! Maybe tomorrow!

Bank on this.

Well, finally got the knitting "mojo" working again, thanks in part to dishcloths. Come on, ya know you love 'em!!! So Lynnea, you were right!!! :)

I had hoped to show you a cool dishcloth picture with my new kitchen as a backdrop, AND the new "Fetching" gloves made for me on my trip to Philly (Thank you again Amy for the wonderful "Dream In Color" yarn you sent. It is beautiful, the perfect color and my new obsession!!! If you have never knit with this yarn, it is awesome ladies!!!), BUT it is POURING outside. I can't complain we need the rain badly, but it is too dark for photos!

I do have a picture though. I was surfing the other day and found this:
I NEED this!!! Isn't it funny????

And the "evil" ladies (no they are really not evil, but they do tempt you with yarn!) at Blue Moon Fiber Arts, have NEW sock yarn coming out on November 5th. Now see, you really do need a bank to save your yarn pennies in!!!

The Slump

Well my friends, I am in a knitting slump. I can't seem to concentrate, and tried to knit the "litte arrowhead lace" from the Penobscot scarf from Interweave about 3 times. It's an easy four row repeat but apparently it has overloaded the circuits in my brain! My friend Lynnea suggested dishcloths because they always pull her out of slump, so I might make a few more. The Sugar and Cream cotton was on sale last week and I picked up some of the new self striping and tweed! To keep you entertained while I fight back with new yarn and a new project, check this out! (Ok, it is for the knitting content! Holy Knit One Purl Two Batman!! And she has a knitting needle in her hand (looks like a size 11 to me!!)

A Finished Project. Can You Believe It???

Ok, faithful readers, at least I hope you still stop by here to read my blog, here is proof I have been knitting. Naturally it is not much, but here is my completed dog sweater. Or as I call it Dog Sweater Version 1.0.
The Book: Dogs in Knits by Judith L Swartz
The Pattern : Basic Knitted Dog Sweater
The Yarn: Ella Rae Classic in Mauve
The Needles: Size 7 Bamboo

I did a slight modification to the pattern by adding a crochet edge around the arm openings and bottom. (Hence the Version 1.0) It was an easy knit and this pattern is the perfect jump off point for a whole wardrobe of funky dog wear! For the next one, I will use smaller needles, for more stitch definition and a tighter ribbing. I will also decrease the size of the back, it is a tad long and gets caught in her curly pug tail. There were no complaints from the recipient however, and she was very willing to sit for the fitting!!

I have made other goodies too, but I need to get pictures of them. I just wanted to let you know I still knit and not just by yarn!!!

An Answer!!!!

An update:

I finally got an answer via email, late last night. 125 yds. There. That wasn't so hard, was it??? No apology, just a "best regards" and that's it. Why couldn't that have been done in the first place? Sigh. But I got the answer I needed.

Sorry guys if I seem to be crabbing quite a bit on this blog. I really am not that way. It's the move. (yah, that's it, the move!) If I can make it though the next week, I'm golden and will be back to my obsessively knitting self in no time flat!!! Thanks to everyone for their emails and support! Especially, Amy who offered her complaint writing skills! I may take you up on that offer someday girlfriend!

And now, back to knitting dishcloths for my new kitchen!! One week from today, I will be in the new house!!! :) Now that's a reason to smile!

Well, burst my bubble, why don't ya??

So as I was packing up my yarn (I hope the moving guys have good strong backs, ha ha!) I noticed that the most wonderful pashmina that I was so EXCITED to get from School Products had no label. I decided to email them right away before the yarn was gone, to get the yardage. A nice thing to know if you are making something.

Here is my email:

"Hi! I was in your store last weekend and purchased some pashmina (pink) and
I didn't write down the yardage. It was $6.50 per hank. Could you please
tell me what it is so I can plan my project?? Thank you!"

And here is the response:

Please look for the yardage on our web-site www.schoolproducts.com but the price is $15, if you paid only $6.50, you were charged wrong, sorry.

Now I am not dumb, by any means. I checked the website FIRST and there is NOTHING on there, much less any item similar priced at $15. It was the ONLY pashmina in the shop. I am disgusted and PISSED. I spent over $300 that day and when I surrendered my charge card, they could NOT have been NICER. Now, my request is not the unreasonable. And it is NOT MY PROBLEM if you under charged me. That is a hazard of business. It happened at my old job several times and the price must be honored, period. No matter how wrong it was. As a business you suck it up or lose business asking for the $$ back.

So ladies, if you are in NYC, may I suggest shopping at one of the other MANY knit shops in NYC, like Purl Soho. You may pay a bit more, but the customer service will be there when you leave town.

Anyone have a yardstick handy????

And the saga continues.....

So I just "spoke" with the owner via email who was a bit "nicer" when I said I would be shopping elsewhere and stated that she has "excellent" customer service. HA!!! She told me to call the shop in the morning. Hmmm. No apology. Do you think I will ever get the answer? Do YOU live in Manhattan??? If you go there, would you check for me??

Thank you NSFY Pal!!!

Well, two posts in the SAME week, write this down!! Ha ha!! actually I am up early, updating my site and the blogs and I just thought I would send a "public" shout out to my "No Sheep For You" secret pal!! Well, she's not so secret anymore and we finally had the big reveal!!! Thank you Phara for all the little goodies and the yarn!!! I love it all!! And guess what she is an interior designer!! I just might be needing her services soon with the new house!! Phara, will you do a trade for yarn??? :)

I'll try to get some pictures of the works in progress now. Funny, I was at the hair salon (getting my roots touched up) and knitting and I wondered why I was getting a weird look. I usually knit in there and don't get looks. Then I figured it out! The front placket for Gillie's sweater looks surprisingly like a pair of thong underwear!!! ROTFL!!!! I wonder if they think I am knitting my own undies now!!! Bwhahahahaha!!!

Yarny Goodness

So here is my loot from School Products!!! I LOVE that place. I labeled most of it on the picture. The cone in the middle is 1.6 POUNDS of super wash sport weight merino!!! And I also got a LARGE helping of yak which is so unbelievably soft in a nice cream color that didn't make the picture!!!

And just in case you were wondering what I am going to make with all this....I don't know!! I will be accepting suggestions!!! I really want to make something special with the pashmina. I think there is about 150 yds each on the skein. Maybe gloves????

I finally finished the back to Gillie's new dog sweater and started the front panel this morning. And I even started a new Chevron scarf in my favorite yarn, Cider Moon!

AWOL. or My excuse for lack of blogging.

Sorry it has been so long without a post!!! I just wanted to put something down here that says, I have been knitting but after all I am moving and I have been in NYC over the weekend so that is my excuse. Either like it, or don't. Anyway, I have pictures. Of cashmere. From School Products. Lots of cashmere. LOTS.

I'll post them soon.

Inspiration

Well, after my felted cactus gained a spot in the coveted "Stitch and Bitch"Calendar for 2008, I have been thinking of making more knitted sculpture. Knitting=art after all, well to me. I stumbled upon this while surfing. Click on it. I dare ya. It will take your breath away.

Now I have always LOVED the sea, after all I don't live that far from it, and it fascinates me. But even if you don't care for it, I dare ya to say it is not amazing!!!

PS. Started a dog sweater today. I'm tired of the scarves (finally!).