Hey, Jan,
The annual Big Event of the MN Knitters’ Guild, Yarnover, has come and gone. I took Japanese Knitting with Donna Druchuna, she of Ethnic Knitting Discovery. Awesome class. I learned how to convert this
to this
.
.
.
.
And how to turn this
into a full sweater.
The Japanese patterns are amazing. A small block of text, a few schematics and maybe a stitch chart, and there it is, everything you need to knit a garment. That they are all sized small or extra small means some adjustments are needed, but that is why knitting is good for your brain. Ya gotta keep thinkin’.
Anyway, it made for a very fun day, and yes, my brain is tired. In 3 weeks and 10 minutes, my little girl will be walking down the aisle, so I think it is time I go concentrate on other things. Like the sweater I am supposed to wear that is still no more than a peplum. A very lovely peplum, but it needs a bit more, really.
Love,
Ellen
Jan and Ellen are identical twins who have always had an innate fashion sense. Crafting is an integral part of their lives and they stay stitched together sharing their love of knitting, family and community.
April 18th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I don’t want to work that hard on knitting!! Okay, if I didn’t work so hard that I missed getting to my e-mail, much less the website for 3 days straight, maybe I’d be willing to work that hard on knitting. I’ll get a post up tomorrow…promise!
April 19th, 2009 at 5:53 am
I would love to be able to read those japanese patterns- but I so don’t want to do math to size up. I think I’d rather lose enough weight to fit into a small than do the math! (or maybe I’d just use larger needles……)
April 19th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Now I’m imagining you tying a peplum around your waist for the wedding — probably better to knit the top! The class sounds fascinating, I do wish I could read those patterns. I’ve not bought any yet, just because of the accessibility issue. Someday…
April 20th, 2009 at 4:27 am
I’ve always much preferred to work with Japanese patterns and it’s easier to calculate and follow through.
The risk with English instructions is that sometimes I won’t know if there’s an error that results from my mis-reading or an actual pattern instruction mistake.
congrats on acquiring the skill!
April 21st, 2009 at 5:07 am
Wow! What an amazing skill, and so ripe with promise. Can’t wait to see what comes of it. But can’t wait to see MOB lace first. I hope everything’s going swimmingly leading up to the big day.
All the best,
Susette
April 21st, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I’d really like to learn to read the Japanese patterns. They’re so efficient. I have a few of their stitch dictionaries (haven’t ventured too deep yet), but it would be fun to expand. Someday…