A KNITTER"S GARDEN

Sunday, December 1, 2013

CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE OF CHESTER

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY...TOWN OF CHESTER HOSTING OUR ANNUAL FAIR... CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE...This Year it falls on December 7 and 8...the Vestry, belonging to the Church at the top of the Hill, holds a Wonderful Fair on Saturday from 9 to 2...Bittersweet Blessings Gift Shop (10 to 5) and A Knitter's Garden Yarn Shop (10 to 4) have a Fair on Both weekend Days...Saturday and Sunday...Lots of Awesome Handmade and Crafty Gifts to be found at all three Locations...Everyone will find a Treasure or two!!!
A KNITTER'S GARDEN is again asking one of a few donations from our Patrons this year...Would you bring a Non-Perishable Food Item/Small Grocery Gift Card/Hat/ Mittens...All are going to Our Local Food Pantry/Church for distribution during these tough times....I also Collect "Yarn You Won't Need" for an additional Charity..."Neighbors Helping Newborns". Yarn for seniors to knit with or other baby items can be dropped off here ALL YEAR LONG! Call me for a list of needs.
For More Information on Our Christmas Weekend, please call me... Joanne@887-8550...
A Knitter's Garden will give out a raffle ticket for every purchase towards our "Not Knit Related Door Prize"! Cider and Goodies will also be available.

Please Swing By Chester and Grab Some Cheer!! Hope To See You!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Sweater Class at the Garden...

As most know, I teach at Salem HS on Tuesday nights. I have been asked by a few to do the same class at AKG as well. This semester, we are making the sweater you see below. The pattern is written to be made in 5 pieces, I have re-worked it into a bottom up sweater with attached sleeves...NO SEWING NEEDED!!
So far, I have 4 interested.....I will be holding classes here on Wednesday Evenings for
2 hours @ $20 an evening...The class will be 4 weeks long, more if needed.
After a deposit ($20) to insure us both of your interest, it's your choice to pay in full or weekly but you must attend for 4 consecutive weeks in order to get the sweater completed. Everyone knits at a different speed, more often than others, etc. I am also knitting the sweater again, I love the fit, style and have received many compliments.

*****The pattern, $5 additional, done with WW yarn, 1000 to 1200 yds, depending on size, #8 & #9 circular needles @ 32", waste yarn or stitch holders and a few st markers. Two or three are using "AKG Yarn" which is a light WW...we will be doing a swatch before we get started...As always, check your current stash for sufficient yardage or visit AKG before we begin classes to order/purchase sufficient yarn. Give a call should you want to join us. Class starts Weds, Sept 18 at 6:30....Hope to See You Here!!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

WINTER PROJECTS....

I was sitting here finishing up a baby blanket last night when I realized I haven't been a good girl!! No posts in Quite a long time....So Here I am to try to rectify the situation...

LINED MITTENS AND HAT...SO WARM!!

I have been working on a pattern for LINED MITTENS...I have knitted 4 mittens so far. Each with improvements. I think I have finally perfected it. Mitten #1 with WW yarn in Wool...TOASTY! But much to BIG. Mitten #2 with Bravo, 100% Acrylic in a DK weight...Also Toasty..Much better fit, still wide. #3, My best FIT yet...My Girls Yarn(5 Star...2 sheep, 3 bunnies blended) for the Liner and Bravo for the Outside...Very Pleased with this Outcome! GREAT FIT...Size Medium.

Yesterday, I casted on a Pair with my shop's most Popular Yarns (Universal Classic Worsted & Tapestry)and the Most Comfortable Fit...Let's see what happens...I'll keep up updated...promise!

Now to the HAT.....It is a pattern I purchased from Bruce at "The Spotted Sheep". He wrote the pattern and I am selling it here at my shop. I can honestly say, it is the BEST written pattern I have used in a LONG time. Very Clear...No Errors and none of..."repeat this row or that row" Everything is written out...NO QUESSING!!! The Sample is knitted with Our Josie's fiber that has been Blended with Danny the Alapaca.....So Lovely! The Variaged is Marble DK. The hat is a Lined Hat also...Totally Reversible. I wore it today in the mini Blizzard to do errands and go to breakfast w/my guy. I was TOASTY warm...I NEVER wear hats, I'll be Donning this one!!!

Our Annual Retreat is coming up and I am planning to have Kits put together for both projects...Patterns will also be available separately.

Until Next Time...and I promise it won't be Months! "Keep Those Needles Clicking" Joanne

Monday, September 3, 2012

Starry Starry Night Shawl/Scarf

STARRY STARRY NIGHT SHAWL OR SCARF

36" OR 44" AROUND SHOULDERS

........Here are two pictures of the Shawl/Scarf I am working on and planning to hold classes in October. I have almost finished knitting the first 250 yard skein of Panda Mania Sox Yarn from Done Roving. I am using 2 40" circular needles rather than only one using the Magic Loop method. I started w/ML but when you pull your Loop to turn around, there is a much greater chance of loose stitches. So I have found it easier and more efficient to use 2 circs. It is still pretty hard to stretch it out enough for you to really see the pattern well. Plus it truly will need to be blocked to get the full beauty of the piece.

As I stated previously, the class is a 2 hour session, the first on October 13th, with a repeat Class on October 20th, both Saturdays from 11 to 1:00, shop opens at 10 for PREP..... the cost is $45 which includes the $7 pattern...We have a large selection of Sox Yarns for your choosing and plenty of #6 or #7 x 40" Circular Needles. You will need 2 in different colors, materials, whatever, so you can distinguish one from the other. I am also working on a small Sample for your viewing, to futher understand the method...Not difficult but not for a novice knitter. Please Call and Sign Up Soon since I am only accepting 5 students for each class. I do not want anyone to feel they aren't getting a "Fair" piece of me!! Shop Hours...W-Th-F-S 10 to 4....887-8550

You may visit the website www.naturespeakknits.com to see the Sarry Starry Night for yourself

You'll Love It, I'm sure................Joanne

It has been a Wonderful Summer here at AKG. Lots of time to refleck, clean shop, regroup...a much needed reprisal of time. Now, refreshed and Ready to go forward...Here is "Twinkle" knitted into the Squiggle Scarf, pattern free when yarn purchased.

Our Icelandic Charlie Brown's Beautifully Spun and Hand Dyed Yarn. Knitted into a Great Sloochy Hat, Kits Available. Below is a shot of the Yarn Drying in the Sun on my gigantic clothes rack....Love Seeing Hanks of Spun Yarn......

This is a great example of Our Newest Local Yarn from Maine...Done Roving is the company, Great Website. I have written this pattern specifically for this Thick Thin Specially Spun Yarn...Pattern Free w/Purchase of this Yarn.

I must admit, I have not taken any pictures of their Sox Yarn or the Magnificent Scarf I am knitting with it...I want it a bit bigger before I present it...Those who have seen it here at the shop, Can't wait for the class.... October 13th and 20th...Space Limited..2 hour Class $45 plus yarn and needles...5 students Only....Class will be repeated...the following week.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Chester's Farmers Market...TONIGHT!!!!

I am very happy to announce I have been accepted to vend at the Chester's Farmers Market!
Since I have our Sheep and Bunny Fiber spun into yarn, it is Truly a NH Made Product!!!

This Market will be held 3 times this summer...the third Thursday of June...July...August in front of the Congregational Baptist Church in the Center of Town. Market Time is 5 to 8pm
.

Introducing another Knitter's Garden Original Pattern....

Charlie Brown's Striped Hat.

A Challenge but Fun to Knit with 4 Colors at Once!!

A hot Sunday letting all Charie's yarn dry on my Antique drying rack.

We qualify for the Farmer's Market because our animals live in Chester, eat in Chester, get Shorn in Chester, their fiber is driven to a Sallie's Fen, Alpaca Farm, in Barrington, NH, to be processed and spun into the most Fabulous Yarn!!!! To TOP it off...I had my Custom Dyer, Jen of Seacoast Handpainted Yarns, of Raymond, NH, dye up our Icelandic Sheep, Charlie Brown's yarn into 3 Very Vintage Colors and I have written a Special Pattern for the most comfy hat...

Everything has been incorporated into a great Kit with it's own project bag! They are available, as of today, at the Farmers Market and at A Knitter's Garden. The kit includes enough yarn in 3 colors, plus Natural and my Newest Hat Pattern all in it's own Project Bag to complete One Hat for a very reasonable price of $30. All you need is your needles and a stitch marker!!!

Hope you can stop by either AKG or the Farmer's Market...
See You There...