Scoop Neck Cardigan

I finished the Scoop Neck Cardigan (finally) I had the knitting all finished on Saturday the 23rd and it took me two days to put it together. Because this is a reverse stockinette pattern, something in my brain kept telling me that the right side was the wrong side. I had the shoulder seams finished the sleeves sewn in and was getting ready to start the side seam when I realized I was stitching on the right (wrong) side. It was a real booger to get this taken apart because I did such a wonderful job weaving in the ends, I couldn't even find them. On Sunday, I started again, but this time I had my Sunday afternoon knitters visiting and about 1/2 way through the 2nd sleeve, I realized I'd done it again. After painfully tearing it apart again, I put it down and walked away. After everyone had left, I decided to give it one more go. I know it doesn't sound like it would be so hard, but it's like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time. Your brain takes over and does what it wants to do. Finally, the sleeves are in correct and I start seaming up the side, you're not going to even believe it if I tell you. The wrong side again!!!!!!! ARRRRGGGGHHH. So I threw it in my bowl, locked up and went home. Monday morning, I figure third times a charm. I'm all alone, I'm rested and ready to start the day. I pull out the cardigan and get my right (wrong) sides together and I was able to finish it up. All the threads on woven in and the buttons have been sewn on. I'm finished!

Friday night knit night was fun, there were about 8 people here for the evening. (Which is really about all my tiny space will handle.) We can drag in the folding chairs and shuffle some furniture around to accomodate more if it turns into something bigger next month.

Saturday was the 2nd session of our 1st beginners knit class. All the ladies came back (I really thought a couple would drop out). Two of them had finished knitting their scarves and were ready to bind off and start something new. One woman, Cheri, did a really good job, she bound off and added fringe to finish the scarf off. The second woman, Marth, started out with 20 stitches for about 4 inches and then grew to about 60 stitches which she continued to knit for about 8 inches then she remembered to start knitting 2 tog and got it back down to 20 stitches for the last 4 inches. She was going to rip it out, but instead we folded the widest section wrapped it around her neck and sewed a big button all the way through (since we didn't have a button hole). The yarn was stretchy enough that it will fit over her head easily. Here is her picture: This is Martha and her first knitted project.

I wish I would have gotten pictures of the entire group with their projects, but my batteries died on the camera after taking Martha's picture.

Louise knitted up a bright red scarf and was almost finished, she said she'd come back this Saturday, so I'll get her picture then. Cindy, a lifetime crocheter, did a good job on her scarf and has decided her next project will be the felted derby hat. Theresa, Betsy and Florence all ripped out their scarves and each returned with about 2 inches completed. Hopefully, they enjoyed themselves and continue with knitting.

Last night was my second beginners class, this isn't a very good picture, but you can tell they were having fun. (left to right: my sis Leigh, Ginger and Cheryl) Concentrating on what they were doing is Lynne and Shelley.

I only had 4 show up for the class last night, I was supposed to have 8. I think for my next class, I'm going to have them prepay and let them know that there are no returns, but they can reschedule for the next class if they aren't able to make it. If I had known that they 4 ladies weren't going to show, I could have called the list of people who wanted to take the class and were on the waiting list.

So, today is another day, Berroco Comfort is on the truck and should be arriving today. Unfortunately they are shipping it to my house instead of the shop. So, I won't be putting it on the shelves until tomorrow.

Friday Night Knit Night Tonight

I'm getting ready for my first official Friday night knit night. This has been a very busy week, so let me start at the beginning.


Saturday was our first beginners knitting class and it went really well, I'm anxious to see how their scarves have progressed this week. Hopefully, they will all return tomorrow for their lesson.


Monday, I started the Daylily Scoop Neck Cardigan. I had gotten 6 new colors of the yarn in and it wasn't moving at all. It's amazing what a sample will do, I had a lady come in yesterday and buy the yarn and pattern to make the same cardigan, then this morning I had 2 customers come in and both buy the yarn and patterns. I'm going to have to get busy knitting something else as soon as I finish the sleeves on the cardigan. This is the back and both front pieces completed. I'm making the size small which calls for 8 skeins, but I really think it's only going to take 6.

I finally finished the sweater I was designing for Hayden. I thought it was going to be huge on him, but it actually turned out really cute and he still has room to grow into it for next winter also.

I made a pair of Alice's Fingerless Mitts for Chelsea. (I didn't really follow the directions, in fact I kinda did my own thing all the way around). Here they are: well here is one of them, it's almost impossible to take a picture of your own hand. I used Knit One Crochet Too's Geologee for the mitts. Chelsea thinks they are too long and wants me to make another pair, so I guess these are going to be mine.

My next project is going to be a lace shawl using Fino (Alpaca with a Twist). I've started looking on Ravelry for a lace pattern that will be challenging for my mind, but not so crazy that if I put it down to help a customer that I'm lost forever.

I got my picture in the newspaper again! This time in the Oologah Lake Reader. Carolyn Estes wrote a great story about the shop and I've had many calls from our neighbors in Oologah.

Tuesday, I had a group of ladies come by for a knitting lesson. It was alot of fun, I had 3 of the 4 knitting within 30 minutes. I'm curious to find out if the 4th lady is still trying or if she has given up. Maybe she'll come back in a day or two and show me her progress.

Last night, one of my first students, Amy brought her home school mom's for a Mother's Night Out. They arrived around 6:30pm, picked out yarn and needles and were ready for their lesson. I'm so glad my sister was here to help out. There were 8 women, luckily three of the women had knitted as children or teens and just needed a little help back on the bicycle and they were off and knitting. Leigh helped 2 of the ladies and I helped the other 2. They invited us to join the circle and before you knew it we were all sharing our life stories with each other. The evening ended around 10:30pm and they were all so excited and ready to plan their next knitting night out. By the time everyone left and I balanced the cash register, I was exhausted. I guess I didn't think about the 12-14 hour days that would go into running a business. But I wouldn't trade it for any other job right now. Benefits and a paycheck would be nice, but I'm hoping that will come in a year or two.

I just need to gear up for tonight, I'm hoping that my first Friday night knit night will be a success. Wish me luck!

T

The article from the Claremore Progress

I want to thank Joy Hampton and the Claremore Daily Progress for allowing me to post the article from the paper. I thought it was an excellent story, but I might be a little bias. I wasn't able to get the pictures, but here's the story. Enjoy!

A place to Unwind...
Women share winter yarns, avoid unraveling during times of stress

By JOY HAMPTON
jhampton@claremoreprogress.com

If the cold weather and holiday stresses are getting you down, there’s a new place to unwind in Nemar Shopping Center in Claremore.
Teresa Harmon dreamed Unwind yarn shop into existence. It is a place where friends old and new can gather with their yarn in a unique community of knitters and crocheters.
Harmon had been unwilling to quit her full-time job with benefits to follow her dream of having a yarn shop. Fate intervened when she was laid off after 10 years on the job. A merger of two branches of the company where she was employed made her position obsolete.
“I was no longer needed,” said Harmon.
In a move as bold as some of the modern yarn colors she uses to create her many pieces of functional artwork, Harmon sunk her 401 K into starting a yarn store in Claremore. It’s not the first, Harmon says there was another years ago, but it’s the first yarn store in Claremore in many, many years.
“I sunk it all in here,” she said, and gestured at the comfy sofa and chairs, shelves of yarn, and walls of needles and other accessories. “I decided, it’s now or never.”
The yarn store opened Dec. 1 and has already become a haven for a small group of women who are ready and willing to welcome more into their fold.
Pam Cantwell loves the soft fibers, colorful projects and friendship of other knitters and crocheters.
“I come to hang out and knit and buy yarn,” said Cantwell and she loops a strand of hot pink yarn over her bamboo needles. “It becomes an addiction but it’s a fun addiction. I learned to knit about five years ago. Ever since, I’ve been going crazy at it.”
She said she likes to sit, knit, talk and unwind.
Which is, of course, the point, said Harmon.
Lynn Emanuel said she was excited to find the new store. She is rediscovering her talent for crochet. During her college years, Emanuel inherited her grandmother’s crochet items and became very involved in creating all types of projects.
“They used to call me Grandma in college because I crocheted so much,” said Emanuel.
Then, when her children came along, she found her hands too full for the crochet hook and put it down.
For a time, that old love was forgotten.
Now with her children nearly grown, Emanuel is rediscovering her lost art. And she’s also learning to knit, courtesy of Harmon who offers private and public lessons as well as tidbits of free casual advice for anyone who happens along and stays to knit.
Harmon said Emanuel’s story is a common one. Often modern women learn to knit or crochet then put it aside when life gets busy. Many are carrying on the tradition of their grandmothers, but with new, modern yarns and accessories that have revolutionized the art.
“My grandmother taught me to cast on stitches when I was three,” said Harmon. “I would cast on and take them off again.
“When I was five, she let me have two needle. I actually started knitting. At 12, I taught myself to crochet. I thought it was faster. I made baby blankets and booties and gave them to the neighbors. It was all squares.”
Harmon has always enjoyed giving her handmade products away. She says that way two people get to share in the pleasure, herself in making the project, and the recipient of her gift.
“I quit after my kids were born,” said Harmon.
Then one day she was visiting her mother in Colorado. There were knitting needles with a project started on them.
“I picked them up and just started knitting,” she said.
It turned out there was a local yarn shop in the area and her mother was taking lessons. Harmon and her sister Leigh Ann Bump rushed to the store and bought yarn.
“We became completely addicted to knitting,” said Harmon.
“My friend Terry got me excited about it again,” said Emanuel.
Harmon said the best thing about knitting and crocheting is the friendly, helpful people.
Cantwell adds that it’s therapeutic.
“It’s like a quilting bee, bringing people together,” said Emanuel.
Some days women stop by and just hang out and knit or crochet, said Harmon. On Friday evenings, she reopens the store at 7 p.m. Women bring snacks and show up in comfy clothes like sweats or even pajamas. They knit and swap stories and advice until they’re tired and go home.
“It’s almost like a slumber party but we don’t sleep here,” laughed Harmon.
Cantwell is working on a baby blanket.
“The minute I found out I was going to be a grandmother, I came right up here and bought yarn and started,” she said.
Harmon said there was a knitting revival in 2004.
“It’s not just grandmas,” she said. “I’ve got college age girls that come in here. I hear all the stories.”
Unwind Yarn Shop is modeled after the one in Colorado that inspired Harmon to pick up her art again, Edla’s Yarn Shop.
Harmon and Bump met Edla after their mother told them about the yarn shop. They still visit her regularly.
“Now she’s our Aunt Edla,” said Bump.
Edla is originally from the Faroe Islands, an island group that lies between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean about half the distance between Scotland and Iceland. Growing up in the cold farming community, female children like Edla were required to knit a sweater sleeve a day.
“They could knit while playing kickball,” said Harmon.
Knitting, the sisters believe, is in Edla’s blood. Her yarn shop inspired Harmon to create a place of peace, harmony and knitting all her own in Claremore.
Many of the yarns carried by Harmon at Unwind Yarn Shop are all natural fibers such as wool, alpaca, and cotton.
Acrylic blends are machine washable and available in a wide array of styles, textures, and colors. Some yarns are extremely soft. Some have sparkle.
Very soft, skinny thread on tiny needles is used to make socks.
Sock knitting has become popular and many want the best, softest yarns available for their feet, said Harmon. A yarn made from bamboo keeps feet from sweating, while a variety of stylish variegated colors allow the knitter to create argyle socks or socks with stripes.
Knitting and crocheting can be a solitary pastime, but it can also be about community, said Harmon. A barn raising quilt is made of different colored patches. The idea is for each person to contribute a different square, each of a designated size, to the project. The squares are then blocked and sewn together.
A traveling scarf is also a group project. Harmon has created her fair share of them with friends across the country she met online. Each knitter in the group starts a scarf then mails it to the next person on the list. Each contributes a stripe or block to the scarf. When finished, each participant has a multicolor scarf made by several people.
Harmon said she is grateful to have the opportunity to make her dream a reality. She hopes her yarn shop can be a place for people to come together and unwind from the stresses of life. She also wants to pass on her art to a new generation of knitters and crocheters.