Jumping on the Pidge Bandwagon

At first I didn’t like the look of the "Pidge" kind of like, “you didn’t finish the scarf?” but after I saw it on a few woman at my LYS, (which I might add they knit or crochet them using the finest yarns with exquisite buttons) they looked elegant instead of looking like a dickey. OK, I jumped on the Pidge bandwagon, first finding the yummiest yarn...

At my LYS yesterday, I picked up 2 skeins of Mirasol Sluka yarn, this is 60% merino wool, 20% alpaca and 20% silk. This yarn is from Peru, check out the website and buy this yarn, it is so soft and a dream to work with. On to the project...big hook, big stitch, instant satisfaction!

Oh crappers, I thought I'd have enough yarn to do a simple single crochet edge around this quad cable plait, but looky here, I just couldn't get to the end. I finally ripped the edge and a few rows so I could get enough to re-edge it.

About 2 hours later, with some black velvet buttons, I have my first Pidge. I wear a lot of black and silver so this color is perfect for me. I wish you could feel this yarn, the softness, especially around your neck, is like eating a fine chocolate or drinking a fine Merlot. I'm turning into a yarn snob.

This chartreuse Pidge is a color I have NEVER used or have in my wardrobe. I like it with black. I don’t know what yarn this is, the yarn label was off this leftover skien from teaching at the Knit Out. I think it might be a Lion Brand yarn. Again, I added simple black velvet buttons.

Have you made a Pidge? What do you think, are they ugly like a dickey or do they have an air of elegance? I'm still on the fence, but I do LOVE my Marisol Sulka yarn, and I'm wearing it close to my heart!

Knit Out and Crochet 2008 - Day 2 Fashion Show

The Season's Best Fashion Show at the Knit Out and Crochet 2008 at the Mall of America was fantastic. The show was broken down into sections; Accessories, Felting, Afghans and Throws, Sweaters, Cardigans, Spring Preview, and Best of Kids and Teens.

Event though I took 80 pictures, I still didn't get all entries, and the pictures above I edited and didn't include all of them. I see a Vashti Braha design the Renaissance Tunic, how funky! Lisa Gentry had a design too, it is the elegant Copper Cabled Caplet from her book "I can't Believe I'm Chain Knitting." The stunning Safari Shawl is by Cari Clement and is from Embellished Crochet. (St. Martin's Press)

I think I'm going to try to figure out how to link each design to it's pattern or book. Stay tuned!

**Update to post**
Linking to the designs in the fashion show is somewhat fruitless. I will however, give you these two links, check them out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv5wfi8U4KQ
http://www.startribune.com/video/15703862.html

Knit Out and Crochet 2008 - Day 2 Blog Post

OK, I'm beaming ear to ear, here I am, face to face, shoulder to shoulder with THE Kim Werker. I love her, she is funny, cute, smart and cleaver. She hosted a kids fashion show, which she handled eloquently even when the kids stood at the end of the stage and wouldn't budge. Kim is the editor of Interweave Crochet magazine, founder of Crochet Me, and has a book out. WOW!

Kim Werker and Her Entourage - and one of them is Dawn, who I don't know but kinda know on-line and from Ravelry. Dawn is next to Kim. Dawn blogs at Crochet Compulsive.

Cari Clement of Caron is an amazing woman and I'm thrilled I had a chance to met her today. Cari regularly travels to Rwanda, the most densely populated country in Africa, to teach women to use donated knitting machines. Income from knitted goods helps them support their families. I told her I was a beginning designer, she gave me some design advice, her business card and I floated away from her booth, in awe of Cari Clement. If you ever have a chance to see her designs, she is amazing. Several of her designs were featured in today's fashion show. Her work with Rwanda Knits proves there are angels among us.

The Lion Brand booth was very popular, they had displays of all their yarn, they've expanded their line and discontinued some of the least popular yarns. I was impressed with their wide range of yarns; in yarn weight, texture, and color palette.

Here is Debra and I, we just met in-person but knew each other on-line. Debra has a design coming out in the spring issue of Interweave Crochet magazine and I can't wait to see it!!! Look for her and her designs, she's a doll! (and her husband's a "keeper"!)

Here is Bea and Sue from my Warm Up America Group. I didn't have a chance to visit too much, the line was long and I was going the opposite way. Our Warm Up America group meets the first Wed. of the month from 10am to 12noon at the Joanne's in Apple Valley.

Here is Shelly from the Minnesota Knitters Guild. I met Shelly last year on the 3K Cruise, she is really fun!
Here is Kmkat and Christy, I met Christy a few years back at a Stitch and Bitch meeting, and I just met Kmkat.

Well, I took 80 pictures today, I have a truck load to edit from the fashion show. I'm going to post those later, so stay tuned for the last post of this awesome event!

Knit Out and Crochet 2008 - Day 1 Blog Post

This is the huge banner in the rotunda at the Mall of America, the Knit Out and Crochet 2008 was in full swing at 10:30am when I arrived.

I wore my Stash Buster Coat. I received so many compliments, it felt great. Even Candi Jensen taped me on the shoulder and said she liked it, I introduced myself as a beginning designer, then she handed me her business card and said "email me". I'm thrilled beyond words!

Steven from the Yarn Garage and Cis from 3 Kittens. LOVE THEM BOTH!!!!

Vickie Howell adds flair and style to this event, she hosted an author's forum, and has a demo on Sunday. She is adorable. I didn't talk with her, but she graciously posed for a picture.

Brett Bara is the editor of Crochet Today magazine and also hosts podcasts, plus a TV show! I didn't talk with her either, but she posed for a picture.

I love Annie Modesitt. She co-authored a book with Drew Emborsky, The Crochet Dude, and I was on TV with Drew, a while back, so I'm within the 7 Degrees of Separation from Annie, plus we both live in the Twin Cities. Anyhow, I was in the back row of one of Annie's demos and hanging in the back I met her gracious husband Gerry and adorable kids. Hannah is beautiful, likes to read, and knits a bit.

This group of ladies waiting in line where so fun, they were here to cheer on a friend who was entered in the fastest knitting contest. I don't know any of these ladies, but they were a fun group.

Here is a picture of me and Margaret Hubert. I was so glad to have a moment with Margaret, she was on her way out of the event but was so sweet to stop and chat for a bit and pose for a picture. Margaret has a series of books out with Creative Publishing International, it is the Hooked series; Hooked Bags, Hooked Hats, and Hooked Scarves. Her latest is Plus Size Crochet, Fashions that Fit & Flatter. Margaret is also noted for her fantastic freeform work.

Here is a picture of Lisa Gentry and me. Lisa won the fastest Crochet contest, she is holding the Guinness Book of World Records title, and man she's FAST! Lisa has several super cool design for Moda Dea. Lisa has also developed a new thing called Chain Knitting, she is doing a demo of it tomorrow (Sunday Feb. 17th) at 3:30pm, sound cool!

Well, I missed the Fashion Show because I volunteered to teach crochet, and I missed the Show and Share part where anyone can get up and show off their stuff, and that was one of the main reasons why I wore my Stash Buster Coat, oh well. Tomorrow I'm going to try to see Kim Werker, see the Fashion Show, and I teach crochet for 2 hours. Another full day at the MOA, stay tuned for more!

Stove Pipe Hat

Stove Pipe Hat

Here is the latest hat from Knotty Generation. Historically the Stove Pipe Hat was tall with a flat top and a broad brim. My version of the Stove Pipe Hat is extra long for a little slouchy back which also provides the versatility of making a brim, for a more structured look.

The black yarn does not photograph well but looks cool. (at least I think so!) The pattern is "in testing" and should be available soon, for free, right here. Back to the editing room, cheers!

Classic Beret and Cable Scarf Pattern

$3.00