Big Apple Knitting Guild Retreat Weekend

This past weekend, May 30-June 1, there was the BAKG Retreat Weekend at the St. Ignatius Retreat House on Searington Road. This Knitting Retreat consisted of three days -- Friday and Sunday 3 hours and Saturday 6 hours, and there were a variety of classes being taught. I took a 12 hour class given by Judy Pascale in composition of a sweater, and she taught so many things, it's difficult to state them all. What especially stands out in my mind are the seam closures she taught us. We learned to sew seams composed of stockinette stitch, reverse stockinette, moss, seed, garter -- you name it, we learned to do it -- invisibly. And Judy ... she has endless energy and a generous nature. And seemed to have more patience than anyone I've come in contact with in so long. The class was fantastic. I can't wait to learn what they will have next year at their Knitting Retreat, or where it will be held.

Above are photographs of the house of the Retreat House. It is simply awe-inspiring. The grounds are fantastic and there is a calm, cool feeling about the building.

Check out Judy's website. judypascale.com and you will not be disappointed. I am still trying to get all the information she taught into some sort of order -- and think I'll have to discuss this with the other 4 women from the Long Island Guild who joined me in this class so we can compare notes. Hopefully what I can't remember, they can, and vice versa.

Tonight was the Pot Luck Dinner at the Long Island Guild. I was totally surprised -- this was the first one I was at -- since last year I was in Florida. Well ... everything was simply delicious. And there were no duplicates either. YUM ... something else to look forward to.

Jaxon and his Blanket

WOW ... will you look at this handsome guy! And, of course, he's using the blanket I gave his Mom to give to him. It's great getting this kind of recognition Barbara. Thanks.

Now we'd like the two of them to come to Panera's Knitting. He's so good looking, and we definitely need some men to join us there.

SPOT's Blogspot

Hi. This is Spot. Can you imagine? Alice finally made a yellow slicker for me -- and the rain stops. Too little, too late. I am therefore going to stop the elves from doing her knitting for her when she's napping. That'll show her.

If my photo is a little out of focus, it's because I had to take it myself, with one of those little timers, and (as you no doubt know) I have no fingers.

Alison's Sweater

I guess it's ok for me to put Alison's sweater on here, since she doesn't read her mother-in-law's blog. The sweater is on the cover of the current Creative Knitting. It was made from Dive Perrinca yarn. This yarn is 50% cotton, 38% Acrylic and 12% Viscose. It is very soft and cool -- and I think it will be perfect to wear in Florida. It should be beautiful with her pretty blue eyes, which is why I chose this color.

The sweater took me 6 days to knit ... and about four days to put together, crochet around the armholes and neck, and with some extra yarn I made a scarf to match the lace on the bottom of the garment. Looking at the photo I see I should block this thing before shipping it out. I will do that tomorrow -- and take another photo of it then. Also the color isn't very good in this photo -- and I will try to improve that as well.

Will someone tell me why I hate putting the finishing touches on these things? I would be much more productive if it weren't for this failing.

Hope everyone is having a marvelous Memorial Day Weekend. Mine has been, and will remain quiet -- with lots of knitting time. Now that Ali's sweater is finished, I will be working on my homework for the Judy Pascale class I'll be taking with the BAKG next weekend.

Karen III's Socks

About a year ago Karen III gave me sock yarn enough to make a pair.

Last night I gave her the socks. BOY ... what a response! She absolutely loved them, and said she would be wearing them today. We'll see -- I'm going to sneak into her office and check things out! If she's not wearing them ... I'm going to have to think of a suitable punishment.

And now I have to get back to work on my other OTK projects ...

Remember ... SABLE ... Stash Accumulations Beyond Life Expectancy.

(Acronym supplied by Karen III)

Butterfly Shawl, Swirl Shawl, and Order of Projects

Well ... after exactly three weeks ... I finally finished the shawl -- well, all but the beads, which are to be crocheted onto the lower 2 sides of the triangle. I will be doing that, but decided to postpone that final work for a while. I have to do some charity work, and also want to finish one, if not both, of the blankets the Panera Group is doing for the "guys".

Last night's meeting of the Long Island Knitting & Crochet Guild was great. Carla from Vogue Knitting was there, and as usual, we had a fantastic program. The knitted pieces she brought were awe-inspiring. I can't wait for the fall issue of KnitSimple so can make the triple cable shawl.

I purchased the Swirl Shawl pattern from JoJoLand and practiced knitting the first two medallions with some yarn I had around, so I could see if I could manage that pattern (not an easy one) before investing in yarn for it. I had decided not to buy the kit since I wasn't familiar with the yarn. However, seeing the yarn (from the women who went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival) I realize it is absolutely perfect for the pattern, and will be getting it ASAP. Can't decide which color, but that's the least of it.

So I think it's like this: First -- I will work on the socks I currently have on my needle (yup -- one 40" circ -- Magic Loop), and then some charity project(s), the beads for the butterfly shawl -- and then I'll work on the Swirl Shawl, if I can wait, that is.

Spot -- in his new wardrobe!

Well, Jeanmarie decided that I was a cruel person, showing Spot absolutely naked. So last night I decided I had to cloth him ... and so here he is -- in his new coat. Since he doesn't care for animal products, the coat is made of Bamboo, and he seems quite pleased.

I had few plans for today -- so I decided I'd work on my butterfly -- and I am so happy. No -- it's not finished yet, but I did finished the "butterfly" part, and only the tippy-top of the antennae aren't finished as yet -- and the top border.

I received the beads I ordered (from www.artbeads.com) and they are a great match. This means that after I finish the few rows I have left on the shawl, I will be threading on all those pretty beads ... and we'll see then if I still think they are pretty. I also have to check the blocking pins I have to make sure they will not rust before I block this baby. Any suggestions as to whether I should block it before or after the beads are added? Thanks, in advance.

Sunday morning I am going to Atlantic City -- and will be returning sometime Monday afternoon. Hopefully I will win, since now that I have Spot to support (and clothe) I need all the cash I can get. I will let you know on Tuesday.