#88 She-Knits yearnings

I can't wait to finish my submission for a magazine and then formally write up my Autumn bag as I yearn to play with yarn and paper and pencil and and and......

#87 She-Knits birthday wonderings.

HERE is the latest episode

This is the beaded string Zing String from Mango Moon I talked about.

I feel a change coming, both in life and in knitting...and I talk about it in this episode.

Peace~
Sharon

#85 Dislocation and reduction x2

To listen to podcast #85, click HERE

In this episod, some of the things I talk about are

x1 Will we need to dislocate from where we live and relocate elsewhere, well eventually we will since they (the banks) will not reduce our mortgage.

x2 My husband has now dislocated his shoulder now for the 5th time. Its happened three times since the laparoscopic surgery....so it is on to the major surgery


Chakra yarn from Mango moon is awesome, it has beads and stones hand tied on it.

I am working on something for a mini-mystery (maybe)
and
I am getting so excited about Mystery 3....

announcements soon.

#84 She-Knits What should we call that knitting effect?

We must come up with a name of the effect that occurs when you knit that results in a sense of calm....for me I will even go further to say it is even healing. Any thoughts on a name -
Knitorphins
Knitoooommmm
Knitease - no not Knit tease, Knit ease
Whats your thought on a name?

I am thinking that the next She-Knits Mystery will begin towards the end of January. You know it will probably be another bag- however I would love some feedback from some of you - would you like another bag, or a shoulderette, hat scarf, wrap or????

A poll with a prize!
I put a poll at the bottom of the blog (scroll all the way down) for you to vote regarding She-Knits next Mystery KAL.If you plan on participating in another She-Knits Mystery please vote so I can get am idea of what you lovely mystery ladies want.

If you want to be put in to the random drawing for a surprise yarn prize, please leave a comment about your poll answer OR you can make up a name for that knitting effect mentioned above to put in your comment OR you can answer the question below. I will put all people that leave a comment in the random drawing for a free bit'o yarn. I will need your Ravelry name in your comment so I can contact you in case you win!
Please vote by 11/1 as I will pick the winner to announce on 11/2.

How do you find your inner peace? You can also optionally answer this question to enter the contest! Short and sweet answers are appreciated.

#83 Just do it

Just do it, as in record a show already She-Knits. Which I have tried to do numerous times since August. The problem was I became tremendously self conscious every time I tried to edit something out. I would listen to myself and think- yuck and erase the whole thing. Well, I am happy to say I got over myself.

Let's see - only note worthy thing is I talk about my new design and ask for help with calling it something besides a shawletter or scarf. Someone already told me a brilliant soloution...and I changed the designs name to reflect that

Here is the Francie Shoulderette!
I am selling it as a pattern or a 4 skein Cash Vero kit in which you get to pick the colors!





I am having so much fun with SHe-Knits Mystery 2. Most of the people in their are overwhelmingly kind, fun and totally up for it! Clue 2 goes out tomorrow and I am so very exvited!

#82 She-Knits end of summer rush + mystery KAL #2

I feel like this is my own personal end of summer as this is the last week I will only have 2 kids at home...next Monday the other 5 return. Its been beyond peaceful and quiet...really wonderful, however I am truly missing them all and saddened at the thought of yet another one (making 3) that will be off to college this year. Three kids all in college and 4 at home that's the new mix for Fall'09.

So in this podcast episode I ask the following two questions:

1. What is your favorite gift EVER?

2. If you holiday knit for others do you do so in a thoughtful manner, only knitting or crocheting for those that you know will appreciate it or do you just make the decisions that this year you are knitting gifts and that's that?

So, did you see my bag in Interweave Knits Fall '09? Here she is:

#81 Another camp visit and the fun of designing

She-Knits Small Tlak Podcast #81 - have a listen on i-tunes or HERE

Summary
I wonder how much of my life I spend saying "I can't believe....." Well, often the times i say this are when repeating something I have done multiple times before and then find myself there again. Like now, I can't believe we have been through another summer camp visit and that it is over.

Designing is beyond fun. Fun sounds like such a trite word for one my most passionate experiences in my life however there is so much fun invloved I wanted to share a little of it.

Here is my Laporte Avenue Bag in the upcoming Interweae Knits Fall '09 - howdoyoulikemenow? ;)




She-Knits Mystery KAL finished Emma's

She-Knits Mystery KAL #2 - sign up now!


Check out Gundrun Johstons's Aestlight Shawl...I bought the pattern, and I rarely buy patterns or do shawls. I may very likely never do this one either, but at least I have it just in case!

#80 She-Knits - On the road again andMystery KAL 1 and announcing Mystery KAL #2!

On the road to Wisconsin, knitting away -listeing to the end of Wally Lamb's The Moment I first believed and starting The Tortilla Curtin.
Can I just say it was 5 hours of bliss driving to Wisconsin...and believe it or not, it really was bliss even with the seven year old in the car!
SO what are your postivie and negative memories about going to overnight camp or maybe your first experiences being away from home. I was never very good at it or interested in it, but I did it
I would love to read your comments!

She-Knits Mystery KAL is coming to end ....sniff....it has been amazing and wonderful and I know so many of you shared that you learned so much...which is FANTASTIC.
I too learned so much....not about knitting , but about how to make the KAL better and better.
You can sign up for the 2nd Mystery KAL until August 23.

You can listen to She-Knits Small Talk Podcast #80 HERE or go to to She-Knits on i-Tunes.

She-Knits Mystery KAL's

What are She-Knits Mystery KAL's?
Well, to start with a KAL (knit-along) is an adventure in which knitters are working on a common project at the same time. She-Knits Mystery KAL, are the same idea however, though you know what the object is that you are going to knit (i.e. a purse or a shawl etc) and are given the materials information, you do not know what your project looks like until you knit the weekly clues and see as it emerges off your needles.

How does the Mystery KAL work?

CLUES - After you purchase the “pattern” from She-Knits Ravelry Shop HERE it will be sent to your e-mail as a PDF, in small achievable sections, known as ‘clues’, on a weekly basis for the duration of the KAL.

VIDEO's - There are always accompanying on-line free YouTube videos created by Sharon that will visually support the knitter through specific techniques used within the pattern. You can view or join my YouTube Channel, SheKnitsSharonD, at any time.

COMMUNITY -There is also an optional to join accompanying group in Ravelry of people whom all are participating in the mystery KAL
It is a group that Sharon creates within Ravelry specifically for She-Knits Mystery KAL’ers. Sharon is the moderator and a participant in the group discussion. The group provides education, support and a very friendly community in which to chat. If you are interested in checking out a prior She-Knits Mystery group, take a look at the She-Knits Mystery 3 group from ROBIN.
and read through some of the threads to get a sense of what to expect. The group is optional to join however I always ask those participating in the KAL to at a minimum join the group so they can stay aware of the IMPORTANT UPDATES thread that I alone post in. You needn't participate in the thread if that kind of thing doesn't float your boat.

To be or not to be She-Knits NOTIFIED! -

If you want to receive the She-Knits once monthly brief Newlsetter, which will tell you when the next She-Knits Mystery KAL is going to be open for sign-ups as well as if there are are any newly published She-Knits patterns, please enter your e-mail addy HERE in the box on the right side of that page.

What others and Sharon thinks about She-Knits Mystery KAL's -

Here is where as a good self promoter I should post some of the good comments people have said but instead I will humbly link you to the Thank Sharon thread one of the participants started in Mystery KAL 2. Holey Moley, these knitters are so nice.
I will be so bold as to say the following:
She-Knits Mystery KAL's have no bad language (maybe a little innuendo)
~no calories,
~you won't go broke
~you may very likey learn a new skill or two and improve your knitterly knowledge
~or at a minimum you will definitely have fun!

You get to work on your project with the group or completely at your own pace in the comfort of your own home, or wherever it is you like to knit.
These are the greatest things EVA! To get on She-Knits notification list which consists of a once monthly breif newsletter that will tell you when the next She-Knits Mystery KAL is open for sign ups and when new She-Knits patterns are published please go to She-Knits.com

Do you want to see more?
All completed KAL patterns become available to the public as a regular pattern once the KAL is officially over. Below are some links and pictures from previous She-Knits Mystery KAL's

To see what went on with She-knits first and second Mystery's check out the companion groups HERE and HERE to get a sense of what they are about.

She-Knits Mystery KAL #1 was in Summer of '09, and is called EMMA. The pattern is for sale HERE in Ravelry or HERE in my Etsy shop. There is also a complete kit available (which includes the pattern for free) HERE.
Here is EMMA.


She-Knits Mystery KAL #2 was done in Fall of '09 and called Autumn Bag, which is now available HERE and HERE.
AUTUMN BAG AUTUMN SCARF


Next was She-Knits Mini-Mystery called SHOSHIE and is a lace and beaded shawlette/scarf. This was incredibly fun and popular, so much so that I decided to do another lace and beaded shawl for the next Mystery after Shoshie.
SHOSHIE


Then She-Knits Mystery KAL #3 was ROBIN + Robin Flew the coop, a beaded shawl or no beads...your choice. Both are now available to the public.
ROBIN

#79 She-Knits knows there's an idea in there somewhere

Tap into your creativity...even if you don't think what you are doing has room for creative thought, I bet it does. where do those creative sparks come from. Mine often come to me when I first awaken just before the chatter of my 'gotta go go go ' brain chatter begins.
Give a listern to episode #79 for some creative talk and some Mystery Kal talk.

#78 She-Knits unwinds.

Wow, TNNA was so intense. I felt like I had been hit by a truck for two days afterwords. Now life is in the summer groove which is a bizarre and initially difficult one for me when 5 of the kids go to summer camp...and then slowly turns in to the freest lightest feeling with a household of only 2 kids being here...then a feeling of excitement (upon the other kids return) and dread when getting closer to Fall...when the whole cycle of the year , beginning with the school year start-up happens all over again. I have got many more years of this ahead of me since my youngest is only 7. Must enjoy the ride!

#77 She-Knits Random mumblings

The end of the school year is insane- all seven kids were home- oldest was intensely studying for LSAT, 20 year old is home for the summer doing summer school and working...if she finds a job, 18 yr old graduated HS, 16 year old is in the midst of finals, 14 yr. old is graduating 6th grade tomorrow, 12 year old is finishing up 6th grade and 7 year old HAS SWINE FLU and I am leaving tomorrow night for TNNA..........I need to take some big deep breaths

#76 She-Knits Random thoughts and mac and cheese

Here is a nummy mac and cheese recipe:

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Prep Time:

20 min

Inactive Prep Time:

hr min

Cook Time:

45 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon powdered mustard
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 large egg
• 12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Fresh black pepper

Topping:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.
Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.
Remember to save leftovers for fried Macaroni and Chees

#75 So what would you be doing if you weren't knitting and mystery thoughts and kits.

How do you find community? Were/are you lonely when your kids were little. Do you use the internet to build community especially within your knitting world. I also give up more Mystery KAL information.
Peace
Sharon

#74 She-Knits mystery anticipation continues and designing as I go

#74 is up and I can't do notes yet as for one there really aren't specific ones and i MUST KNIT!

#73 She-Knits is a mystery and what are your expectations about magazine publications....

Most importantly....have you heard the word about She-Knits first eva Mystery Bag KAL???You have until April 27th to sign up, it is being held in Ravelry and 'clues' will be e-mailed to you. I will also be talking on the podcast about tips etc.. Its going to be FUN!!! PM (private message) me in Ravelry with your e-mail and join the She-Knits Mystery KAL in Ravelry. I will add you and you will ge a reply from me in there.

Must knit.......

She-Knits Mystery Bag KAL

This was only born yesterday and already their are 70 people. Details are as below (these are copied from the thread in the She-Knits Podcast group in Raverly HERE. If you are in Ravelry and intersted in participating read those details and PM me within Rav. If you are not in Ravelry (and I am not sure why you wouldn't want to be) and want to sign up, read the details below and contact me through She-Knits.com with your e-mail address.

posted 1 day ago (Wednesday, April 15), edited about 13 hours ago

1

In my most recent podcast #72 I realized I loved the energy of knit-a-longs that I have started in here but sadly never personally complete whatever the item is.

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in doing a Mystery Bag Knit-a-long that I lead. It will be the same idea as the Mystery Shawl KAL’s -I will give tips in e-mail and on the podcast about the project and in the end you will have a free bag pattern in pieces which I will also be putting up as a complete pattern for sale.

I am super excited about the idea! Here are some of the initial details:

All I want to say regarding the bag at this point ….(the design of which came to me just this morning ;)…. is the bag will either be worked in single or more likely double bulky weight feltable yarn, most likely doubled (which is the same as super bulky single strand or quadrubled worsted weight) and comparing it to the size of my other bags, specifically the double bulky ones like Melly Bag which is about the size I want to make it will require somewhere around 800-1000 yds. I want to try my best to keep it so it will be under $60.

I am thinking of offering a nicely priced kit in my shop if there is enough interest in that. The kit would have all the yarns needed and the magnetic snap closure. The yarn I sell is Lambs Pride Bulky which normally sells for between about $7.25 and $7.95 for 125 yd. skein. I will try to see if I can do it for $7.00 per skein. Please let me know if you might be interested in a kit in a PM entitled Mystery Kit so I can see if this is worth it for us all! I will announce specifics (yardage and basic color ideas in terms of lights and darks) after I decide (should be soon) The KAL which realistically will begin in June maybe even after TNNA ( am so swamped with getting ready for it) which is mid June.

The way it will work is that you will PM me your e-mail address with the heading Mystery Bag on the PM please . Please kindly spread the word, and if you are kindly spreading the word to non-Ravelry users they will need to e-mail me through She-Knits.com where there there is a contact button. If you are spreading the word in here link it to this thread you are now reading for people to see details please. I will then invite you to participate via e-mail. You can PM me (or e-mail me) starting today and sign ups will close by May 15th

I will be giving the pattern parts out week by week to your e-mail and will possible have a Blogger blog too. I will be mostly communicating via e-mail and the Blog with less private info in here perhaps…. again any super pertinent info will be e-mail only to keep it private.

Since this is a “mystery” Kal I would expect anyone that signs up to not share the pattern with non-members, or give away anything especially in here where it is public. Clearly all the members of the blog will be getting that pattern bit by bit as we go along. In the end I will be putting the pattern up for sale in my shop so all copyright stuff does pertain…blah blah blah.

Soooooo PM me your e-mails and spread the word. This should be super super fun!!!!

Updates

SIGN-UPS
Sign ups are still open, as of this moment we are up to approx 70 bag ladies! My thought is to keep sign ups open until mid May. I am going to try as hard as I can to get more details out in the next two weeks. PLEASE keep checking in here for information before you ask a question, the answer may already be here.

CHOICE OF FOLLOWING ADVANCED BEGINNER OR INTERMEDIATE DIRECTIONS- YOU WILL RECEIVE BOTH
I already have sketched out the design, I think everyone will be happy with it. I am interested and excited about the idea of being inclusive of less and more advanced knitters/felters. So, there will be the choice of keeping the bag more simple and straight forward without additional design (maybe cables, maybe embroidery…maybe????) or to do the more challenging pattern…..in other words I will say easier version do this, and more advanced version do this so level of bag is either advanced beginner or intermediate…..your choice

COLORS COMING SOON
As far as the colors, I will most likely announce the colors and main yardage amounts within the next two weeks and of course you can substitute or keep the same as you wish.

WOULD YOU LIKE A KIT?
Again, please let me know if you are even interested in the kit idea so I can decide if I am going to offer it. If I do offer it I am trying my best to work out the best price I can and it will be a limited time in which you can order the kit so I can order the yarns in one shipment to me and pass on that savings to you….that is my best way of keeping the price down. Kit decision on my part will be made on my part in the nest two weeks and kit ordering will take place mid May.

You will either have a virtual multitude of colors to choose from of either :
Cascade Yarns Chunky 128 colors (100% Highlands Peruvian Wool)
or possibly
Lambs Pride Bulky colors (85% wool/15% mohair)

I will decide which companies yarn to offer after I get more feedback about interest (or lack there of) of purchasing a kit.

#72 New beginnings

The above is my one and only summer knit I have ever made. I think its from 1990 (shudder)

I fantasize about making a lightweight cardigan...lightweight as in sheer barely there ala Knitty's
Sea Tangles have you made a super lightweight cardi? If you have let's here about it.

Would you like it if I lead a mystery bag KAL? If so please let me know either here or in the thread on Ravelry in the She-Knits Podcast group.

Things aren't easy out there, we need to try to not sit frozen in fear and frustrations of what we had but rather go forward with what we have.


Here are the quotes I read regarding determination..sorry I don't have the authors:
"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination " Tommy Lasorda

"If you doubt you can accomplish something then you can't accomplish it. You have to have confidence in your ability and then be tough enough to follow it though" Rosalyn Carter

"There is no chance, no destiny, no faith that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul." Ella Wheeler Wilcox

#71 Suprise, surprise, surprise...for ME!

What can I say...THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I am touched beyond words.
I feel loved....ridiculously so.
I am grateful for the generosity of spirit of each and every one of you and especially to Jill....who is simply an angel.

Not only is this beautiful, it is soft and scrumptious and I can truly feel the energy and good intention within it. I feel like I should send it around to each of you to have for a month just to see it and feel it...but guess what....I ain't lettin' it go for a second!

Now that I have read the notes, I know that Fiddlelee made the Tree of Life, and interesting point she made is that it has 9 points or leaves and that represents the 9 members of my family! Thank you Erica.

Fibbergeek made the fish, and I was right ...as I said in the podcast
it was for "just keep swimming".....thank you Liz.

LJWT created the fun textured green square below...it tickles and sproings so nicely. Thank you Lorri.

My inclination that the Japanese
character was from Camarra was right. I then doubted it (and thought perhaps it was Shrinkyknitter) because of her being so far away....thanks so much Kathleen. It's the one in mauve below, sorry you can't see it better. She said it means "Tomo" which means a friend.

Jill created my SHe-Knits logo with intarsia- I thought it was done on a machine because it is so perfect. There are so many more, I wrote more about it on Ravelry in the She-Knits Podcast group in the thread entitled The Afghan- I JUST LOVE THIS AFGHAN, it is truly one of the most meaningful gifts I have ever (and probably will ever) received. A huge thank you to Jill for organizing, Lorrit and Jill for assembling and every single one of the square makers. I am memorizing the key and will soon know by heart who made which square!

#70 A Whiter Shade of Pale

She-Knits podcast is at a new feed - http://sheknits.libsyn.com/rss

Click on the link on the side bar of my blog to hear this podcast or go to i-Tunes and click on advanced at the top of the screen and type in http://sheknits.libsyn.com/rss and the new show will download and I think you will be re-subscribing to the new host if you want to get automatic downloads. Please give me a new review once you see me officially posted in i-Tunes.

#70
It is that time of year here in the Midwest in which one can't become more pale then they now are! Just at this time is when we FINALLY start hearing the birdies chirping!! Yay for chirping birdies!

#69 - A perfect party for a 7 yr. old and what is a ply anyway?

I realize, after being sent the yarn I am to use for my design that has been accepted in IK Fall '09 (pause for loud stadium style hooting and hollering of happiness), that I do not know a whole heck of a lot about the medium I use. When I am experimenting with designs and grabbing yarns I go for color first and don't think about whether something is 4 -ply or 10-ply, a single or multi-ply. I just grab what is around me and learn as I go.

When I was trying to describe to the magazine editor (Eunny herself) the kind of yarn I used for a particular part of the design and was wondering via e-mail whether the yarn she had sent would respond the same way as the yarn I submitted in I was embarrassed to find that I couldn't describe the yarn any better then when trying to describe to the car mechanic about the doo-hickey that was making the bang bang noise while making a right turn.....if you catch my drift...I felt like a real moron and am not sue where to turn. For now I have picked up my Knitters Book of Yarn to look for some initial answers. Do you know the ply and twist of the yarn you are using...could you describe it accurately. Well, then again you probably don't necessarily need to, do I?

I had one of the best birthday parties I have ever had for one of my kids. It was so low key and manageable and fun for all. I highly recommend you keep the amount of guests manageable, enlist the help of older kids, gets loads of inexpensive wrapped candies and "shtuff" from the $1.00 bins at Target....write up some clues that will run kids upstairs downstairs and all around (without shoes of course) and finally end up in the kitchen for cake and to let them blow those party horns until their hearts content, or until the 16 year old (in this case) older sister turns to the group and kindly asks them to stop...and they don't...and then she tells them" If one more of you blows your horn even just one more time, I will take it from you" Did they listen you ask? All but the birthday boy...which she then announced was acceptable as he was the birthday boy.

#69 Post TNNA

TNNA was so wonderful! I felt like an old timer, I mean after all this was my 2nd whole time going!

I am percolating with designs that I am submitting to many different publications...I hope I hope I hope they like them.

Have you seen my newest design in Knitscene? It is called the Ariadne Scarf. I didn't name it and have to be honest and tell you when they busted the not yet out on the stands magazine in the Interweave booth at TNNA where I saw it in print it for the first time and saw the name for the first time. I thought the scarfed looked purdy in the magazine, but the name was bizarre. I asked someone in the booth if they knew what it meant and they didn't. When I got home I e-mailed the editor and asked her what the deal was (in a kinder way then that of course) and when she explained what it meant it completely turned a weird name in to a wonderful one. Here is what Lisa Shroyer said:

The title is Ariadne Scarf. Ariadne, a heroine in Greek myth, used a piece of string unrolled behind her to find her way into and then back out of a labyrinth. The undulating lines on the scarf, plus the mythical/whimsical nature of the story, reminded me of this myth. There you go!

After reading this e-mail I felt both inspired and like a bleeding idiot as I had never ever ever even heard of this myth. Please tell me I am not the only one. Now that I have heard of it, it makes me want to study the Greek myths more....maybe there will be some inspiration there! I do have one other design that is a messenger bag that was named by one of my good cyber friends Lorri...she suggested calling it the Mercury Bag as Mercury was the messenger! You can buy the Ariadne Scarf Kit to make the one shown in my SheknitsforKnitters Shop...or you could do some serious stash diving. I will be putting up additional kits that are different price points in different color ways that don't have hand painted yarns but rather subtly shaded (beautiful) yarns soon

#68 On and on

In this episode it is mostly just chatty. We still haven't figured out if we are moving or staying...we are going to be putting the house on the market in a couple weeks...sigh... A few high points (really hihg) this week, I had a design accepted for Yarn Forward and a design accepted for Interweave Fall '09. I never believe this stuff for 100% until I see a contract...I am so excited.

Check out Shannon Oakey's new design, a cardigan with gorgeous detail in the back called
Rivulet

I am almost done designing a lace scarf that I am loving but boy does it feel endlessssssss...but also nice and meditatively obsessive...in a good way!

Do you love lace....or?