Yang Yang, the Lover.

When I first met Yangie, she was this shy, reclusive tortoise kitten, a true ugly duckling trying to avoid any person contact by clinging to the deep recesses of her cage. I only noticed her on my way out of the room that was filled with cats and kittens, waiting to be adopted. I remember stopping in my tracks thinking that this was a kitten desperately in need of loving. And what originally was supposed to be a trip to pick out one kitten to adopt turned into a multiple kitten adoption.

Meet Yangie today....

                         My little ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan.

If ever there was a reason to adopt a kitten, this loving cat is the personification of it. She snuggles up to my side to reward me with all her affection and unquestioning trust, it simply lifts one's spirit.
She no longer is timid and reserved but playful and confident. Yet, while Coco has the airs of a prima donna sometimes, this kitty is a real earth mother cat.

Meet my knitting buddies!

Knitting does not have to be a solitary experience. I do not have to leave my home to enjoy companionship during my knitting time. I am please to introduce you to my "home group".

Along comes Coco... 

Years ago, after a particularly difficult time of illness and loss, I visited a shelter and just wanted to look at the animals available for adoption to lift my spirits. And then I saw her face, this cute, cuddly, gray face, with a nose dusted in white. I have to say, it was love at first sight!
We have gone through many life experiences together since, including moves, trips, and yes, unravelled yarnballs. For some reason, Coco seems to simply enjoy just cuddling up next to me whenever I get down to knitting. The repetitions of the needle clicks seem to put her totally at ease. But when she is awake, her eyes follow every movement of the needles and yarn, occasionally trying to reach for it herself, as if she was totally ready to take up my favorite pastime too.

Tomorrow I will introduce you to the others in the "group"!

 It all begins at the beginning....

 

Open Cast On

In knitting a garment there are many different ways to get started.
And sometimes it is necessary to have a cast on that will remain "open", meaning that there is not a truly fixed cast on, the stitches remain "open" so that later one can either knit in the opposite direction or can adjoin a separate piece in stitch stitch.

The easiest way to accomplish this is by creating as many chain stitches with a thick crochet hook as are needed later in knitted stitches. Then create the knitting part by looping through the chain stitches of the crochet chain.
At the end of the chain stitches the yarn is simply cut off, later on (as seen in the second picture below) simply unravel the chain stitches and then pick up the loops of the knit stitches with your needle to continue knitting in the opposite direction.

Long-tail Cast On

The most common and also most versatile cast on method is the long-tail cast on. It creates a smooth and even, as well as elastic border, suitable for all different kinds of garments.


This is the look of the end result of this particular cast on method.

Here are the individual steps to create it:

1. What gives this method its name is the fact you have to make sure to have enough yarn dangle to work the full width of the knit piece you want to cast on, typically that means at least 3 times the width of the knit piece.
Make an initial slip knot to start, then use 2 needles for the cast on to make it easier to start knitting the rows later.

2. Follow the diagram below to show placement of yarn over fingers and loop creation.

 

Additional Tips:

This particular cast on method has two distinctly different looks depending on which side you view.
The first row is actually the cast on row, Rside, and the reverse side, Wside, is the first row of actual knitting. The very bottom of the Rside appears as small knots, similar to the appearance of purl stitches, whereas the bottom of the Wside has a smooth appearance, most of the time better suited for whatever you are knitting. So start your work on the Wside of the cast on if you prefer the smoother look. 

Rside                             Wside

Happy knitting!

Summerheat and Knitting do go together!

I know this might be counter-intuitive for most people, who think of knitting as a cool weather sport, but knitting in the summer is just as appropriate and fulfilling as in the fall or winter time.
I think of summer time knitting as my time to experiment with new materials and new colors, creating fashions with minimal cash outlay and maximum impact. I forget about the warm wools and cashmere and alpaca, and instead focus on bamboo, linen, cotton, modal fibers, which are available in just about any color of the rainbow. What in the fall or winter might be a glaring faux pas as a color selection, in the bright sunshine of summer hits just the right note.

Who said that cardigans have to be boring?
This three button front closure cardigan has lots of summer appeal. A bright summertime turquoise color, a peek-a-boo button treatment, cables and open stitch treatment that allow the showcasing of the knitter's expertise.   

This is the perfect little T-shirt for any occasion in a sunshine yellow
that simply brightens the day. The short sleeves are set in as Raglan sleeves and end at the most flattering length for just about any body type.
I love this little T and knitted it in any color imaginable, including some simple bright white cotton yarn to wear under suits, if necessary. This little T-shirt is such a staple in anyone's wardrobe that there are never too many!
And since it is knit in stockinette stitch this can be a great afternoon undertaking by the pool or beach, where other stitch patterns might prove to be too complicated.

               A bright apple green V-neck with many different open stitch
               patterns makes this sweater perfect for even the hottest day!
               This sweater does require patience and a higher level of expertise
               from the knitter though, so it is definitely not for the novice.


And when all else is finished and there are some remnants of yarn of all kind of colors left over, along comes the perfect solution for this conundrum. A patchwork cardigan that will all by itself create a fashion rainbow.

 Spring is in the air....

I am so looking forward to the coming season. Away from the cold and 
dreariness of winter, snow and blah....
Here are some of the items to look forward to, with special attention to details, details, details, and then there is this wonderful panoply of colors, from tangerine, to unexpected turquoise, to sunshine yellow.
Hope to see you on Etsy!

  

 Feminine Nautical

Blossom