PUDDLETOWN KNITTERS GUILD
  • Home
  • Guild Meetings
  • Guild Events
  • Guild Service Project
  • Guild Business Members
  • Sister Guild
  • Community Events
  • Membership
  • Business Memberships
  • Meeting & Event Recaps
  • About
  • Past Speakers
  • Newsletter Archive
  • Referrals
  • Shop

​Meeting and Event Recaps

September Meeting: ​"Ten Top Sweater Tips Before I Cast On"

9/30/2019

1 Comment

 
This month, our own Volunteer Coordinator Kim Winter stepped up to share her Tip Top Sweater Tips before casting on. As a knitting teacher herself, Kim is full of amazing information. Thank you, Kim, for sharing your expertise! Here are her tips, in her own words!
Picture
PKG Volunteer Coordinator Kim Winter shared her sweater secrets!
​
  1. Read the pattern repeatedly. I read tags and description on Ravelry. Do I know how it is knit? It helps me to visualize what I will be doing and when it will happen. I try not to panic if there is something I don’t understand. This is quite normal and usually when I “get there”, I know what to do or do the research to find out.  
  2. Schematics-Finished Measurements. Depending on how it is knit, I often need finished: bust, total length from cast on to armhole, length from under the arm, circumference around (neckline, sleeve at widest point, wrist), total sleeve length, yoke depth, width across back and front. If none is available, I draw it out and put in the measurements I will need based on my swatch (stitch and row gauge). Depending on what type of sweater it is (outdoor football sweater, inside kick-around sweater, fancy party sweater, etc.), I know the length I prefer based on how I like my sweaters to fit.  
  3. Size-Ease. These two are critical issues. In discussing size with my students I stress the finished bust measurement number. For example, it doesn’t help if designer only lists the size as XS, when the finished bust measurement is 52”. The size “word” only is for brevity’s sake, in my opinion and I think knitters should get comfortable with the number they are making. In addition, ease is very important. Ease listed in a pattern is defined as the amount of room a sweater will have based on the design. For example an outer wear sweater will usually have 4 inches of “positive” ease so if your bust measurement is 38” inches, the design is meant to look like the picture if you make it with 4 more inches. Thus you would be knitting the 42” size. If the design calls for “zero” or “negative” ease, this means that the sweater will be form fitting or will fit like a close T-shirt.
  4. Techniques used. I read the designer’s abbreviations. They may differ from what I know and even what the designer stated. I generally follow the way the designer lists the techniques even if I know how to do it a different way. I love it when designers include video tutorials to describe the techniques.
  5. Look for any errata. Errata is defined as errors on the pattern. It can most often be found on the Ravelry page or on the designer or publisher’s website. However if the pattern is newer, it may not be listed there. I read the designer’s comments and chat thread to look for it. Once I do, I WRITE IT ON MY PATTERN!
  6. Look at finished projects on Ravelry where people are wearing the sweater, especially those folks who have a similar body type. I analyze the photos. I especially look at necklines, arm areas and bust. I want to see if the neck rides up or sits lower than my taste. I want to see if there is too much or little room at the arm to body join. I want to see if it fits too tight in the bust. I also look at color motifs and symmetry. This helps me decide what size will look acceptable on me.
  7.  Read comments and “helpful projects” on finished garments on Ravelry. If the designer has a group, I read that thread. I read everything there is to read about the sweater beforehand. 
  8. SWATCH until I get stitch gauge. I do the math if I don’t. I write it all on the pattern: size, yarn used, row gauge, needles used. Swatching gives me more information than just stitch and row gauge. It shows me how much or little drape the sweater will have and if I like the color combinations, if doing a color work sweater. 
  9. Start a Ravelry page with all listed above. 
  10. I circle all my numbers in pencil and cross out sections that are not my  size. I do this in pencil because once I begin; I may change my mind about the size and start again. It is easier to do this to if all I have to do is erase.

Once I have begun my sweater, I keep the pattern, all the yarn and needles in the same project bag. If I need that needle for another project, I never put it on another needle but instead put the sweater wip on waste yarn or just a needle holder. I make copious notes on my project and even will put a note to myself as to where I left off in case I don’t get back to my project in a timely manner. 
 
They say an average sweater takes 30-60 hours to complete. The ten hints listed above usually take me under an hour and by doing this “homework”, I knit successful and wearable sweaters. I encourage you to delve into the world of sweater knitting! It is so much fun!
Thank you, Kim!

Join us next time, October 10, with JC Briar.
1 Comment

August Meeting Recap: Wendy Hanson of Shaggy Bear Farms

9/9/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Wendy Hanson of Shaggy Bear Farms and her delightful farm-to-needle yarns.
Puddletown had the pleasure of hosting Wendy Hanson of Shaggy Bear Farms to our August Guild Meeting.

Wendy and her husband moved to Scio, Oregon about 15 years ago and began a fiber farm where they breed and raise a variety of goats, sheep, and alpacas. This growing farm now boasts more than 25 different breeds of sheep and they currently have over 400 animals in their "farm to needle" operation. Many of the sheep were originally rescue animals.

Wendy described the characters of her sheep and has enjoyed giving them names and personalities. She enjoys singing while shearing them. She also provided information about intentional breeding versus accidental breeding and what it takes to continue a fiber farm. A self-described hard worker, Wendy rises about 3:30 in the morning to tend to her "babies" before working a full day's job and coming home to more farm work before retiring in the evenings.

Wendy's inventory of yarns were truly beautiful; from vibrant colors to a natural/neutral palette. Wendy brought many hanks and rovings of her self-dyed yarn to show and sell. Wendy describes her inspiration for color choices from "Mother Nature".

Thank you, Wendy, for sharing a glimpse into your incredible life with us.

Please join us at our next week, Thursday September 12th, for finishing techniques with Shellie Anderson. 
Picture
A Shaggy Bear Farms resident enjoying some attention.
0 Comments

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

The Guild

About
Membership 
Guild Business Members

Meetings

Meetings
Past Speakers
Blog

Events

Guild Events
Community Events
Service Project
© COPYRIGHT 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Guild Meetings
  • Guild Events
  • Guild Service Project
  • Guild Business Members
  • Sister Guild
  • Community Events
  • Membership
  • Business Memberships
  • Meeting & Event Recaps
  • About
  • Past Speakers
  • Newsletter Archive
  • Referrals
  • Shop