Sewing Expo coming soon!

Stop on by the Sewing Expo February 26 thru March 1st at the Puyallup Fairgrounds (WA).
Fibers Etc. (booth #181, #182) will have most of my patterns on hand and my models will be there on display as well. It's the largest sewing expo in the US (I think anyway). There will be several knitting booths amongst the quilting booths. Here's the website for more information:
http://www.sewexpo.com

Free pattern

I fell upon this old pattern that I created at least 4 years ago. I saw a similiar necktie in a magazine and re-created it using leftover bulky alpaca. Now that neckwarmers are in, I thought I should re-print this pattern in hopes of helping fellow knitters use up their leftover stash.

Winter Necktie
Level: Advanced Beginning Knitting
Sizes: Adult - one size fits all
Yarn: Baby Alpaca Grande (110 yds)
1 skein (solid necktie), 2 skeins (striped)
Needle: US # 10 needles (3 needles)
Measurements: 4” wide X 34” long
Stitches used: Garter stitch (knit both right and wrong sides)
Gauge: 3 sts = 1” (12 sts = 10 cm)
Special Notes:
Increases: All increases will be made on the second stitch of each side of the necktie. All increases will be done on the wrong side of the necktie on color A only.
Color Changes: Colors will be noted as (A) -grey and (B) - red. Wrap the yarn to be used on the next row in front of the yarn just used for a finished edge. After knitting 1 stitch, give both yarns a slight tug to avoid a loose finished edge.
Decreases: All decreases will be done on the first and last two stitches of that row (K2tog, K to last 2 stitches of the row, K2tog). All decreases will be done on the right side of the necktie on color A only.
Necktie Loop: Before beginning project, cut off 2 ½ yards of both colors for the knit loop and set aside.
K2tog: Pick up two stitches at the same time with the right needle and knit them off together, thus decreasing 1 stitch.
M1: Make one stitch. With the needle tip, lift the strand between last stitch knit and next stitch on the left hand needle and knit into back of it.

Striped Necktie:
With color A, Cast On 4 stitches.
Row 1: (color A) K4
Row 2: (A) K1, M1, K2, M1, K1 (6 sts)
Row 3: (B) K6
Row 4: (B) K6
Row 5: (A) K6
Row 6: (A) M2 sts as noted in special notes (8 sts)
Following the pattern above, increase to 16 sts. Increase only on the wrong side of color A with no changes to color B.
At 16 sts., begin decrease on Color A: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog. Decrease only on the right side of color A with no changes to color B. Repeat decreases until 8 sts remain. Approx. 6” from beg.
Loop:
K1, M1 (transferring ALL new stitches onto an extra needle), K1,M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1). There should be 8 original stitches on original needle and 8 newly made stitches on the third needle. This will make the loop. While keeping with the striped pattern, garter stitch the 8 sts for 2”, ending on a color A. With the precut yarn, repeat the same procedure for the 8 new stitches. To enclose the loop, parallel the needles, knit the front and back first stitch together with color B. Continue knitting front and back stitches together, thus ending with the original 8 stitches. Wrong side, with color B, K8.
Neck: (approx. 15” between loops)
With color A, begin increase as done previously to 16 sts. At 16 sts, k for 10 - 10 ½” with no increases or decreases.
Begin decrease as done previously (necktie will be approx. 21 ½” long) until there are 8 sts. remaining. K8 for 2” with no increases or decreases and matching with loop length and width. A loop is not made at this end.
Begin increase as done previously to 16 sts.
Begin decrease as done previously to 4 sts and ending with color A. Bind off remaining 4 sts.

Solid Necktie:
Follow above pattern, using one color of yarn only. Increase and decrease as instructed. If embellishing is desired, sew on a button for appearances only on top part of loop.

Jamieson Stocking Cap

Found my camera -

This is the child's fair isle Stocking cap up close. I'm just about ready to crown the adolescent hat - which I think I'm going finish it in some jester tips - you know, the court jester 3 points. Funky hats are in.

I'm really happy with this yarn and the bold colors. It's exactly how I envisioned it and that doesn't always happen. I even have alot of left over yarn so may even work up some leg warmers in the same style....wouldn't that be cute.

Madrona Fiber Arts

Madrona Fiber Arts is just around the corner. Madrona Fiber Arts is a 4-day knitting paradise retreat in Tacoma, WA where top knitters and designers come together and overtake the Hotel Murano. Go to www.madronafiberarts.com for details. In addition to the classes and demos, there are over 40 yarn shop booths all carrying the newest and latest yarns and patterns. Two Swans Yarns has a booth every year carrying the Jamieson's yarns out of England. This year, she has asked me to design a hat using her yarn. I'm creating some fair isle hats using these bright/bold colors. The hats come in 3 sizes and in 3 cap variations. I'm just finishing the first one...and will post pictures as soon as I can find my camera. Yikes...time is running out...