New website

Ebay has increased its Store fees and commission percentage once again, on Feb 15th, 2005. I've made a decision to close my store. It's simply not affordable anymore for a small time seller like me.

I also opened a new website, SuanKnits.com. It's very plain right now, but easy to navigate (I hope!). This is where I will sell my patterns, handpainted yarns and wool rovings and offer more free patterns. I do plan to offer kits in the near future.

Goodbye, Ebay!

Well, maybe not. I still plan on auctioning off some of my stash.

Here are my replies to my 2 day shawl entry:

Kimberly: I do agree with you. I would be crying too, having had to start over. But I didn't have time to cry--lol! I'd be wasting a few precious hours, he, he.

The yarn used was fingering weight Gems Merino yarn that Handjive Knits sells. She dyes them using natural plant dyes. The color used for the bottom of the shawl was a mishap color which worked out pretty well for the end product.

And, thank you also, Vera and Rebecca, for the other comments. This is not something I normally do, finish something big in 2 days' time. I usually take my time and savor the experience . That's a nicer way of saying,I'm a procrastinator. I have the startitis syndrome. I also suffer from Second Sock Syndrome.

I needed a week to recover from Stitches West. I found myself buying spinning fiber like cashmere and a lot less yarn. I have never spun cashmere before and wanted to experience it. Qiviut was another fiber I wanted to try but wayyy to expensive for my budget (what budget??).

It was a wonderful experience , as usual, and wished I could have stayed for another day and wished I had more money to spend, he, he.

Two-day Shawl

This is the picture of the unblocked shawl that I finished in 2 days. My dear friend, Darlene Hayes, of Hand Jive Knits has requested me to knit a lace shawl for her to be worn in the fashion show at Stitches West 2005 in Santa Clara. And, we had 6 days to get it finished. She gave it to me on Thursday afternoon, to be picked up on Wednesday.

I had doubts that I will finish in time but according to Darlene, she can also use it for display in her booth in its unfinished state. Well, so, okay.

Sunday morning, after knitting 75% of the shawl, I realized that there was a huge mistake and there is no way I can rip it back because I did NOT use a lifeline. You see, I'm also testing the pattern. I just about died.

I had to start over, from the beginning. With total acceptance of my impending doom, I started over, Sunday morning.

Well, I finished the shawl on Tuesday morning. I really did. I now know I'm capable of finishing big projects if I put my mind to it. Suffice to say, I impressed my dear friend, got generously paid for my efforts, and sent Darlene happily along to her long drive to Santa Clara.

woo hooo!

I'm heading to Stitches West tomorrow.

I have been too lazy to make a blog entry... or maybe just too busy finishing some stuff. Stitches West is almost here and I can feel the excitement in my bones. There are some rovings I want to buy from Carolina Homespun but will wait 'til I get there.

I've been delving into bead knitting. Currently knitting a beaded lacy scarf from a Swallow Hill pattern and I like it. Heartstrings Fiberarts has tons of neat beaded patterns and Elann carries most of them. The Knittingzone is another online store that sells Jackie E-S' patterns.

And of course I can't have just one project at a time. I'm crocheting Lily Chin's Top down Mock Faroese shawl for West Valley Alpacas. The Crochet Guild Convention will be held in Oakland, CA in July and Pat will have a booth. I have been "commissioned" to design some crochet patterns for her using alpaca yarns.

And tonight, I have decided to join the local Knitting Guild. It's about time, I think. I've been wishy-washy long enough and I can't use the excuse of the long drive, can't leave the kids with hubby or missing my favorite Thursday shows. Egad! I will miss some of my shows!!

Well, so, okay, I can tape them.

Diamante

I am really addicted to lace: socks, shawls, scarves, mitts (where else can you incorporate lace??). If I can knit a lace sweater, I would. Will I finish it? Probably not.

This new sock pattern in very stretchy. The string of diamonds is flanked on each side by purled ribs. The red one, which my hubby says is very sexy (arghh), was knitted with Gems Merino Pearl by Louet (fingering). This yarn feels like Koigu and comes in solid colors. By the way, the one pair of Koigu socks I have is still going strong, no holes. Everytime I throw it in the washer and dryer, it shrinks a little but stretches back to normal size.

The cream colored sock is Kroy yarn, which I love also. The yarn is very versatile and oh so affordable. Wash and wear, baby!

I am so looking forward to Stitches West (Feb 11-13) which will be held in Santa Clara, CA, this year. A blasted 4 hour drive for me. ROAD TRIP!

Hubby is driving and we're bringing the kids. He'll drop me off at the Convention and he'll take the kids to the MEGA mall, only a few miles away. I promise to call them when I'm done shopping, he, he.

Climbing Vines

My latest pattern for 2005. I used 2 skeins of Misti Int'l Baby Alpaca yarn, worsted weight. Heavenly soft yarn and wonderful to work with. Each skeins has 109 yards, 50 gms, and very affordable at $5.95 per skein. I find myself working more and more with Alpaca.



I'm finishing up the pattern and will get it typed up in the next few days. I'm knitting up samples for Pat at West Valley Alpacas. She's bringing my patterns to Stitches West in Santa Clara, CA in February. I am very excited because this means exposure!

Some upcoming patterns:
1. Diamante Lace Socks
2. Lace Fingerless mitts (no name yet).
3. A sock pattern for Tongue River Farm

I have been emailing Susan Mongold at Tongue River Farm and she's very excited about the designs I've planned for her Icelandic sock yarns. These are wonderful yarns that are strong yet soft. Here's her website. Go for a visit.

Last December 10th, 2004 was our 10th Wedding Anniversary and I wanted to get something to commemorate the occasion. Joel gave me a Golding Ring Spindle, exquisite in design. This spindle is named the Tsunami, where the intricate design resembles ocean waves. It is memorable in more ways than one.


This is a 10" Beka Rigid Heddle loom, also called a "toy" loom, that I got for Christmas for myself. I've always wanted to learn to weave with a rigid heddle and this one is affordable enough to learn from. I enjoyed weaving immensely; it uses up an unbelievably small amount of yarn, like, for a scarf, and very gratifying since you finish the project really quickly. What I don't like is warping the loom.


Here is the scarf I wove two nights later.

I was admiring Mary's loot from her last trip to NY and all I can say is, "You did good, girl, you did good!". You can see her yarn adventures here. So, Mary, did you like New York? (he, he).

I myself am not a city person. I live in the suburbs and would love to live in the country, a farm, or a ranch, where I can raise my kids and some sheep.

I worked in San Francisco, at the Transamerica Pyramid, for 4 years and hated it. The morning rush, the evening rush, fighting for a seat in the train, cars everywhere, men on bikes, people walking 8 blocks, one way, to get to work (that was me!), walking with high heels for 8 blocks (until I learned that I can wear tennis shoes with my suit--yeck-- ugly picture).

Anyhoo, I'm glad that was over.

I'm teaching myself to weave with a rigid heddle loom and I can see another addiction coming. Pictures to follow.

I'm a Christmas kind of girl

I was watching a show last night on the PAX network called "Faith Under Fire. Somehow, there was a mention of being politically correct when it comes to the Christmas season, and how people greet each other "Happy Holidays" and "Season's Greetings" instead of how it should be, "Merry Christmas". December 25 is when my Savior was born. It's Christmas! I use no other greeting except Merry Christmas! It doesn't diminish other people's religions and how they celebrate their holidays. Christmas is my holiday as a Christian and that's how I prefer to call it.

People are so afraid of offending other people of different faith but I'm sure they will understand. In fact, they have their own holidays and we respect them by greeting them their way.

One note: Before Arnold became Governor of California, Gray Davis used to call the Christmas tree at the Capitol, the "Holiday Tree". Aww, come on. It is a Christmas tree. This year, Gov Arnold brought back the "Christmas Tree".

No knitting content today. Maybe tomorrow.

I'm done with scarves! Finally! Final count is 36 eyelash scarves just this month. Dani made a valid comment-- knitting by request can suck the fun out of it--lol! The good thing is I got paid for them, enough to buy more yarns or deposit into my kids' college fund.

I've got some pics from my last visit to West Valley Alpacas:

These alpacas were so gentle and shy that even my kids were able to pet them.


Here are some of the yarns they offer and the beautiful diplays up on top.


The blue and gold socks are mine, prominently displayed. Pat Meade, the owner, called me a local Sacramento designer. I was able to answer some questions while I was there, not only on knitting but also on spinning.

Of course, I went home with yarns and some fiber.

To those people who read my blog, you might remember that I have been commissioned to knit those eyelash scarves. I am so SICK AND TIRED of knitting these scarves. I might have knitted about 30 of them so far and after this last batch, I don't want to see any more eyelash yarns or size 19 needles again. Bleckgh....

I admit they are so mindless that you can knit them while watching CSI. I long to go back to knitting my lace socks and scarves. I miss those teeny tiny needles and super skinny yarns. And the challenge of lace!

Speaking of yarns, I got the hemp/wool yarns I ordered from Rachel Greene. This yarn has lots of possibilites, specially for socks. She says they get softer the more you wash them. It's 55% hemp and 45% wool, sport weight.

I have 3 more designs in the making, a lace sock pattern and 2 lace scarves. I'm at the point of even considering knitting a sweater just to get away from these eyelash scarves. argh...

During our last Thanksgiving party with my in-laws, I brought some of my knitted eyelash scarves and was able to sell some of them. Two of my sisters-in-law brought theirs to work to show them off. As a result, I got several orders for Christmas giving. That's really exciting. Much as I like knitting lace scarves more, these eyelash yarns knit up quick.

One more yarn store is carrying my patterns! West Valley Alpacasin Esparto, CA is having a Holiday Sale this weekend, Dec 4-5. Pat ordered several copies of my pattern just in time for the sale.

Happily knitting scarves, I sign off.

The Design Process

Two new designs finished, as scheduled! I love designing and creating new patterns. I find it exciting , rewarding and very involved. I can say that I owe a lot to Mary McCall, who got me seriously started when I began pattern testing for her. And there's Jonelle Raffino of Southwest Trading Co, Darlene Hayes of Hand Jive Knits and Myrna Stahman, author of the lace knitting book, Stahman Shawls and Scarves, who, by the way, has an upcoming book, Variations, still in the publishing stage.

You start by having this idea in your head, a picture of what you want to do. Pencil and paper comes in handy. Pull out your knitting and crocheting reference books, pattern stitches, research some more, then graph it out. Yes, I do graph them out! This is how I picture the design, how it will turn out.

Then, I go search for yarn. This is where it pays to have a huge stash. Whether it be lace or texture, you search for the right colorway, the right thickness, the right needle. Grab the needle and start knitting.
Oh, and take lots of notes.

The tedious process comes next, putting your idea into paper or on your computer. Having speedy fingers help a lot, and having the right software. Type it up, print it out, and knit it again, using your written directions. This is where you find errors and glitches, and make the necessary corrections.

This may not work for others. Each one has his or her own unique process and this is how I do mine. Now. to more fun stuff. Pictures!


A crocheted bag, done in one piece, from the bottom up. I used Reynolds Saucy worsted cotton yarn, 2 skeins, approximately 300 yards.




Snakes and Ladders socks, a simple knit and purl combination, no cables. It works well with self-striping yarns like Regia.

Patterns now available on my my website.

You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting
and do it all the time. While finishing a piece
is the plan, you still love the process, and
can't imagine a day going by without giving
some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation
involves leaving ample space for the stash and
supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn
ends and you begin.
http://marniemaclean.com


What Kind of Knitter Are You?
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How true, specially the vacation part--lol!

Thank you to my crochet and knitting sisters for your comments and congratulations on my new venture. I was so antsy that I started a new crochet bag pattern and a textured sock pattern geared towards self- patterning yarns. I have too many of that and knitting them with plain stockinette stitch is just too boring. I love texture and lace.

I had to go back to Rumpels to exchange a Lorna's Laces skein. The yarn has cuts! This is the second time this has happened to me. And I was so careful untying the knot. Yes, I untie knots, you know, those knots that hold the skeins together? I don't cut them, for fear of cutting thru the yarn. And I still get cuts. Luckily, Linda can return them to Lorna's.

Crochet Guild meeting tonight.

Moi, a Designer?

Today, I went to Rumpelstiltskin (LYS here in Sacramento) to see if Linda (the owner) would be interested in selling some of my patterns in her store. I tried not to have any expectations, came prepared for rejection, but still a little shaky with excitement.

She bought my patterns! How cool is that? I brought my knitted samples with me, as well as half a dozen of each pattern already printed. She's one cool lady. She even asked me if I would be willing to sell the sample scarf I knitted if anyone wants to buy it and gave me a rather good price for it. She said that my asking price was $20 too low, he, he.

After learning that I crochet too, she suggested that I design some purse patterns for the store, using her yarns. Apparently, it's in huge demand. I went home with yarns and my head filled with some of my patterns waiting to be written down.

This is one great, fulfilling feeling. I have been crocheting for so long and knitting socks for so long, that I know I will be able to make this work.

Crochet Fantasy

I have gotten comments from my fellow crocheters that Crochet Fantasy will no longer be published? When did that happen? I read the Dec 2004 issue and there was no mention at all. I just renewed several months ago for another year. I know I said that I won't be renewing (I still stick to that decision) but it's sad to see another crochet magazine go. I guess not a lot of people are into crocheting garments, like what Crochet Fantasy offers.

The other crochet magazine, Crochet!, doesn't do anything to me either. Too many weird new stuff, too bland.

For some reason, I like Crochet World. It has toys in it, some cute doilies, some cute little easy and fast stuff to crochet. It has variety.

I take back what I say about Vogue Knitting (VK). After reading the latest issue, I found some stuff that I might knit one of these days. It has purses and a cute lacy poncho. I'm afraid the knitting and crocheting fashion industry is getting overrun by poncho patterns! argh.....

I'm for old fashioned lace shawls, socks, and purses. Lots of purses, felted or not.

New sock design

I finished another lace sock pattern, "Ribbons and Lace". I used Gems Merino Pearl fingering yarn in Terra Cotta color, using US size 0 dpns.

The heel is Eye of Partridge pattern which I thought looked really nice, a change from my old boring Sl1, K1 heel pattern.

It is now available for sale on my WEBSITE.

Subscription Pile up

I hate to admit it but I am oversubscribed with knitting magazines and I have to cut down. Here are some of the ones I won't be renewing:

1. Vogue Knitting - too vogue for my taste. I don't think I'll be knitting any of its patterns soon.

2. Inknitters - I love this magazine for the techniques but the patterns have been changing and they don't look very attractive anymore. I like the modular patterns it contains though. Well, I have to think about this one.

3. Cast On - aughh. Some of the patterns are very unattractive, although it comes with membership to TKGA.

4. Creative Knitting - way too many fun fur scarf patterns.

5. Knit 'N Style - too many errors and incomplete instructions.

6. Crochet Fantasy - going downhill. The last issue was horrible. Same color scheme using bulky yarns, oversized coats, yada, yada, yada.

These are the ones I'm keeping:

1. Spinoff
2. Interweave Knits
3. Knitters
4. FCEK

This should be good enough. I hope I stay focused.

Joann's

A brand spanking new and HUGE Joann's Fabrics store re-opened here in Elk Grove, CA after being in a bad location for years. It's now located in a newly built strip mall. Well, I was there last night and went home happy happy happy!

It's way larger than Michael's, and has more yarns than Michael's and Walmart's combined. Prices are very good too! And of course it has a ton of fabrics PLUS many other crafts, just like Michael's. And I think it also carries ALL the knitting and crochet magazines. A little bit low on Knitting books though, not like my favorite LYS, Rumpelstiltskin.

Joann's also carries their own line of yarns called "Sensations". Right now, it has 4 or 5 different types of scarf yarns, the fun fur variety. It has Lion Brand, Coats and Clark, Patons, and Bernat yarns and threads. Yes, I sound like an AD but can't help it. We need more yarn stores in Sacramento!