Kelley Petkun's Blog – October 2009 Archive (13)

Wow! Friday! - Blending Baking and Knitting

The last few months I have rediscovered that joy of baking! And, I love cupcakes! I "borrowed" these delectable photos from one of my baking heroines - Joy the Baker.

After weeks of cupcake baking obsession, can you… Continue

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 30, 2009 at 12:36pm — 4 Comments

Knit Buddy Winner! - Log Cabin Washcloths using Simply Cotton

The winner from last week's Knit Buddy drawing is Redeemed. Congratulations!!!

We will be sending you one ball each of Marshmallow, Malted Milk, Ginger and Toffee colors of Simply Cotton Worsted. Enjoy!

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 29, 2009 at 3:13pm — 6 Comments

CLiC Tuesday - Hurrah!

I had forgotten how energizing it is once you have joined the sleeves of a sweater with the body! My cardigan is now my constant knitting companion! Remember, it is football season so I have lots of time to knit! :)

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 27, 2009 at 10:06am — 8 Comments

Knitting angora love for my feet!

As you know, I went a bit crazy at the Sock Summit this summer! I am industriously knitting my way through the collection of yarns I could not resist!

Gail Smith from Windsor Farms Rabbitry is an evil woman! Her booth at Sock Summit had skeins and skeins of lovely angora yarns just hanging around begging to be pet. But, that is just the bait to draw you into… Continue

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 25, 2009 at 9:45am — 12 Comments

Wow! Friday! New sock knitting videos!

I'm ready to show you how to knit the heel flap, make the heel turn, pick up the gusset stitches, decrease the gusset and then head on down the foot! Next week I will show you how to decrease for the toe and do the Kitchener stitch. There are 6 videos in this segment because I wanted to be sure I presented everything in a clear, and empowering, way.

Just like I did with the first videos, I am going to start a discussion for each video in our… Continue

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 23, 2009 at 9:00am — 9 Comments

Sometimes a knitter just needs something Simple! and a Knit Buddy!

I grabbed a few extra balls of Simply Cotton Worsted from our office stash a few days ago. I was determined to knit up a couple of washcloths for myself. I wandered around in Ravelry and found a few examples based on my beloved Log Cabin garter stitch pattern. Who knew that the… Continue

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 22, 2009 at 9:30am — 146 Comments

Jon is home safe from Iraq! - There are no words!

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 20, 2009 at 1:15pm — 17 Comments

CLiC Tuesday - So close!

Five more inches and I will be able to join body and sleeves!! That is quite an incentive!!

Thanks to a staff meeting this morning I was able to finish the second sleeve up through the increases. Now all I have is simple knitting around and around for the last five inches. I have to say that the windy, rainy weather we are having today is ideal for knitting. I started my day knitting by the fire since I didn't have my computer at… Continue

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 13, 2009 at 3:55pm — 6 Comments

A culinary break from my fiber immersion

As you know, I am a huge fan of The Splendid Table. I woke up early on Sunday, began my fiber immersion day (more about that later) and listened to old episodes of The Splendid Table. Several weeks ago I listening to Lynn talking with Sally Schneider. Sally was explaining that souffles are actually easy to make. I used her recipe/guidelines and made a lovely… Continue

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 12, 2009 at 6:16am — 3 Comments

Wow! Friday!!

I've decided that Friday should be an inspirational seque into the weekend! Check out this spectacular project at Painted Threads!

Just what I need to keep in mind as I do some of my fall cleaning!! When I find little bits of yarn and fiber I can set them aside for felted balls! That and the audio book of… Continue

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 9, 2009 at 6:25am — 4 Comments

New knitting rule!!

Have one pair of socks in progress at a time!

Last weekend I finished off the second pair of Ric Rac Socks from The Little Box of Socks. After that I took a critical look at the two pair of socks that had been languishing in my knitting pile. I made myself be honest about why I had been leaving them sitting for so long. It turned out… Continue

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 8, 2009 at 10:29am — 7 Comments

Jane Austen disappointment

My first introduction to Emma by Jane Austen was the movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow. I was disappointed in the characters - none of whom I liked. I assumed it was the interpretation of the director.

When I discovered Juliet Stevenson narrating Sense and Sensibility beautifully, I thought she would be the one to help me appreciate Emma. Juliet reads the story well but she can't make me like any of the characters. When I am reading a… Continue

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 7, 2009 at 11:45am — 9 Comments

Know anyone who wants to learn to knit socks?

In an attempt to justify my current sock knitting I've decided to recruit more sock knitters. If everyone knits socks then my behavior will become the norm.

This is the first of five videos in the first segment of the sock knitting videos. These five videos will get a new sock knitter up to casting on and working the leg. My plan is to follow up with the second segment to work the heel flap, heel turn, picking up the heel flap stitches and… Continue

Added by Kelley Petkun on October 2, 2009 at 1:09pm — 24 Comments