Rosie's Knitting Circle

Just in time for the holidays!

2009-12-20T11:46:00.002-05:00

It's a Giraffe! This is the Giraffe pattern from Susan B. Anderson's Itty Bitty Toys that came out earlier this year. I knit this little bugger out of Berroco Comfort (Buttercup and Kidz Orange).

Never thought I'd knit toys, but when I started seeing pictures of finished projects (rav link) from this book on Ravelry, I knew I had to get it!

I used barely 1 ball of of the Kidz Orange and just over 1 ball of the Daffodil. It's got poly pellets in the feet and a little in the body. Rest is stuffed with poly fill. I can't wait to see my niece's face when she unwraps it. I'm sure she'll love it!

knitted christmas ornaments and tree topper

2009-11-29T19:44:00.002-05:00

ok, amber again.

i really like the holidays. i have thought for a good, long time about knitting all the ornaments for a christmas tree one day. and this year, i did it. i am surprised that of all the years i COULD have done it, i managed it in the year i have two children under the age of two, but in a way that was the point -- we needed a very childproof tree this year, so all new, cool-to-touch LED lights -- and knitted ornaments -- were the way to go.

i used ornament "patterns" from debbie new's "unexpected knitting". the star-shaped tree topper is just a larger version of her star-shaped ornament. i really loved knitting the double-funnel pieces, but also did squares, lantern shapes, and spherical things. all the ornaments were blocked with a combination of water and elmer's glue. most were then stitched to embroidery hoops to keep their shape, but the spherical ones had balloons blown up into them. the blocking was much more irritating to me than the knitting. the knitting went very fast and was easy to carry to the playground, etc.

happy holidays!

halloween 2009: johnny rotten and sid vicious (by amber)

2009-10-27T12:47:00.002-05:00

this is probably the last year my children will allow me to dress them the way i want to dress them for halloween. i anticipate that next year i will have to honor requests for disney princesses and star wars or other things i do not care for.

so i wanted to make the most of this year. and yet, my kids are both toddlers who are very mobile and into telling me "NO." i knew their costumes would have to be as close to street clothes as possible, or there would be an instant meltdown.

and so: johnny rotten and sid vicious.

claudia is johnny because of her sense of superiority, her lack of respect for authority, and her political activism. lisa myers helped me get the striped mohair sweater right; i hope that both babies will get some more wear out of it this winter. it was knit in le gran mohair.

the headpiece (i hesitate to say "wig") is a bit... hyperbolic, i think someone called it. just as much ronald mc donald as johnny rotten. but come on, it's halloween. the headpiece was made, like the sweater, with le gran mohair. it began as a piece of knitting, and then sort of spread into sewing and latchhook -- with some tucking, felting, and a little mod podge.

béla is sid vicious, because he is more of a follower than a leader (so far); and, he's a softie, although he tries to make it seem otherwise. also, he had the hair for it naturally. the only thing that was knit for his costume is his chain and bike lock. that was just stash yarn -- it might have been baby ull.

i have already learned to get the "official" halloween picture before the actual parties and events on halloween -- it makes for a much more relaxed holiday. happy halloween! oh, and DESTROY.

Knitters With Busy Lifestyles

2009-09-06T07:55:00.002-05:00

Dear Rosie Knitters,

I wanted to re-introduce myself because I am listed as a contributor yet have not contributed anything recently to this blog. I've spent my morning reading through all the amazing projects and such and am really inspired by what everyone has created.

I, sadly, have not been knitting lately, but that doesn't mean I haven't been craving all things creative. Reading about all the yarns I missed....oh my goodness.

The good news is the holiday season is coming quickly and I have several new babies in my immediate family. I'm looking forward to rejoining the 'knitting society'.

Joan McGowan-Michael's Alyce

2009-03-30T07:43:00.008-05:00

Last year, I took a class at Rosie's, and anxiously ordered yarn to make Joan's Alyce Sweater. It is lacy and made of Classic Elite Premiere, a luxe creamy shiny cotton that I just love! I had a hard time getting started (think of the recent Yarn Harlot post about not being able to cast on the right number of stiches over and over). By my ravelry notes, I had ripped back to row four on March 1st, so everything past the 4th row has been knit in the last month, while I was watching tv. I've actually finished the back and am starting the two small (21 stiches) x 8" pieces that go over the shoulders and come down near the lace panels to finish up the top of the arm holes. Some sleeves, and this will be ready to wear for summer!

And lately, I am in total grandmom baby love mode. Gabe came down to have lunch with me on Friday, and I happened to have plans to meet with Courtney and Clyde, so there was a playdate. Gabe was very interested in Clyde. But Clyde, having just learned how to walk, and seeing some steps, really wasn't that into Gabe.

Clyde and Gabe

Kate's a Ravelry Star

2008-11-19T09:15:00.007-05:00

A big Woot for Kate and Selbu Modern! It's made it to the Ravelry new and popular list - making her a Ravelry phenomenon. Thanks for the wonderful pattern, Kate, and thanks to everyone at Rosie's for making cool patterns for us!

claudia, the pile of leaves

2008-10-19T18:23:00.002-05:00

sorry to be posting as "knithappy" again but i don't use blogger for anything but this blog and have a slippery hold on my identity herein.

i am amber, and here is my daughter claudia, previewing her halloween costume. she is a pile of leaves. notice the rake. it is the most important part of the costume, if you are claudia, anyway.

all the leaves are knit from manos del uruguay. quite a few of them are knit from color 121, "cornucopia", of which one might say i am particularly fond. there is a machine-sewn shell under the body, headpiece, and both feeties of the costume. the leaves were then handsewn onto the shell. she is wearing a brown turtleneck onesie and brown cableknit stockings from baby gap underneath.

she can't fit into her stroller in it, but give her the rake and she is happy to sit in one spot and just be a pile for a good long time.

Thank you Courtney!

2008-09-02T22:45:00.004-05:00

Aside from the fact that there hasn't been a post on here in a while, I wanted to give a shout out to Courtney. I don't know how to crochet. In the past, Courtney has taught me how to do a single crochet for a shell edging, and I just about got by. Well, today I went in for some crochet help for a hat/mitten pattern. Of course, I forgot the pattern and the book had sold out at Rosie's. Still, Courtney knew what I needed to do and helped explain some of the terms.

Tonight, I went home and read the directions again. I did a test swatch and then felt confident enough to start the crocheted picot edging on the hat. Check out my first attempt at more than just a crochet chain:

Here's the final product:

It's Susan Anderson's Cupcake Set (minus the scarf) from Itty Bitty Nursery. I knit it in Rowan Cashsoft DK (Pixie, Snowman, and Poppy). I knit the 6-12 months size.

Thanks so much Courtney!

Baby James Dean Hat (Rosie Knits pattern)

2008-07-21T09:03:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to share the Baby James Dean hat I finished and gifted to a co-worker and his wife's new baby.

Thanks to Courtney's Max for the idea. I used Koigu mill ends and a size one circular needle. I didn't even mind the kitchenering over 50 stitches at the end since it was for a baby (maybe I should make socks for babies instead of myself - nah)

i am not "knithappy", i am amber dorko stopper. and i can't remember my login. but i want to show off my daughter in her new cotton tunic.

2008-06-10T09:32:00.001-05:00

while i knit all summer long, i am not that interested in "summer knitting"-- but wanted to make something for my daughter to wear before autumn.

this tunic is from the "knitting pure and simple little girl's sundress or jumper" pattern and is knit in nashua's creative focus ecologie cotton in "chestnut".

the pattern is very easy to resize -- it barely requires any math, and can just be done with eyeballing. it's a toddler-sized pattern and claudia is only three months old.

this may very well be the one garment she is wearing next summer too, as a top. i made the armholes extra deep so that it might be possible.

i also added a folded picot edge, as that extra weight gives the bottom of the garment some swing, which is cute as heck.

as you can see, claudia's very amenable to having her photograph taken.

Don't forget- Wine and Wind is tonight!

2008-05-07T10:21:00.005-05:00

Just a friendly reminder tonight is our Wine and Wind party at Rosie's! Bring all your stash from Maryland Sheep and Wool to show off and wind while enjoying some fabulous cheese and wine.

Festivities start at 6pm!

Toys Without Tonsils

2008-04-28T17:34:00.003-05:00

Hi Knitters!

I'm a new blogger and Courtney was kind enough to allow me into the circle! I've been reading your blogs online for awhile now, and am amazed at all the wonderful work you have all created! I am a fairly new knitter- self taught and am just picking up shaping techniques and trying my best to learn about all the different yarns out there.

A little about myself: I'm 28, been knitting for about 3 years and work as a resident at Hahnemann Hospital.

I recently had to have an emergent tonsilectomy, which put me out of work and into bed for the last week and half! Needless to say, I've done NOTHING but knit. I just finished a toy dog for my brother's soon to be baby! I'll try to attach a pic. I went to Rosie's last week and picked up some Rowan Cashsoft Aran yarn for a garter stitch square grid baby blanket. I just hope this kid isn't allergic to yarn!!!

I'm looking forward to blogging with you and learning from you all!

Sincerely,

LJ Van Scoy

Politics of Knitting Article(featuring Rosie's regulars)

2008-04-28T11:12:00.003-05:00

Hey guys, look an article featuring Politics, knitting, and our own Carol Sulcoski and Sherry Weller!

Karen's Anthracite Shawl

2008-04-03T09:08:00.003-05:00

I am working on a yummy shawl to use at my weekend retreat. It's worked log cabin style, and once you pick up the stitches on each edge, you just knit, knit, knit, until you have a certain number of rows (which are very easy to count using the garter ridges :). Perfect for knitting circle. I love knitting circle, but it is especially precious when you are dealing with life's curves and have some friends to listen (and Clyde to play with).

Robin's Vladivostock

2008-03-31T11:55:00.004-05:00

Courtney and others encouraged me to post pictures of the Vladivostock I made in sea silk. This is a RosieKnits pattern and the second one I have made (the first being in koigu). I used 2 skeins of Handmaiden's Sea Silk in the Ivory colorway. I cast on only 96 stitches to make sure that I still got the length while only using 2 skeins. The measurements are approximately 20 x 70.

Inspired by Knitting Circle

2008-03-10T16:54:00.003-05:00

I decided these two colors go perfect together at last week's knitting circle, when scraps of the two intertwined each other in my knitting bag. I signed up for a toe up sock class, intent on knitting Ode to Eames Mosaic Socks by Zeitgeist Yarns.

Now back to my homework to knit up to the heel before next Sunday's class.

Knitting Circle Baby Shower

2007-11-05T16:12:00.000-05:00

They are throwing me a "surprise" baby shower this Wednesday, Nov. 7th during knitting circle from 6-8pm. I know Kate emailed some people, but I figured this was a perfect opportunity to use the Knitting Circle Blog, since it's things like this that I created it for in the first place. No gifts necessary just come and eat cake! I assume they are getting me cake?...

Winners!

2007-07-31T12:52:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone, the Socksational Sock Race is coming to a close. And Sherry has kicked all of our butts. I failed miserably and have reconciled myself to the fact that while I love buying sock yarn I do not love knitting socks apparently. Tomorrow at knitting circle (live) we shall shower Sherry in her winning socky gifts. Pictures will be posted. Also, Krista C. wherever you are we have a prize for you for daring to wear your handknit socks in 85 degree weather. I hope you all enjoyed the socky fun, and all the free patterns and stuff. Soon, hopefully, any day now we will have revamped the RYC Sock Boutique to have some of our new sock yarns on it since so much new stuff is coming in. In the meantime, get your sock fix this weekend at Rosie's Sidewalk Sale! We'll have lotsa stuff on sale, really good prices! Saturday 9-5, be there or be spending more money on yarn somewhere else.

Done!

2007-07-30T17:36:00.001-05:00

My sock race socks are done, just in time.

Did someone say Black Bunny?

2007-07-27T10:42:00.001-05:00

Hello all and welcome to the final installment of Socksational July. We are going out in style this time, our yarn of the week and free pattern are courtesy of Carol from Black Bunny Fibers! Whoo-hoo! Check here to order the yarn (there is only one skein of each color so get it while it lasts!) and click on the image below to download pattern.

On to the cuffs

2007-07-23T00:33:00.001-05:00

I have the two cuffs to finish in a week!
(mopping the floor may be further delayed).

Socksational Sock of...next week.

2007-07-20T16:41:00.000-05:00

Seriously, I am so behind! Don't kill me! I promise that I will have a new pattern and everything up ASAP, but probably not until Monday. ACK!

2007-07-14T23:15:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd post a sock race update. I changed my mind on the Tofusies and switched to some orange Koigu. I'm pretty sure I saw some of this color still at Rosie's last week if you like it. It's slightly more 'Caution Cone' in person, and I have to keep myself from buying more of it.

Some sunshine right there on my feet to chase away those future Winter Blahs.

I normally work on US1 needles for socks, but I really don't like working with this yarn that tight. This means I'm off gauge and will have to think a minute about the rib when I get to the cuff.

Socksational Sock of the Week

2007-07-13T12:21:00.000-05:00

We have another lovely FREE sock pattern for your enjoyment. I have finally finished the pattern for these suckers, and it's proof that I do in fact knit two socks, sometimes. Especially when the gauge is 5.25 sts/1".

Click on the picture for a pdf of the pattern. In the future you can go to www.smithislandpatternfactory.com to purchase the pattern for $6. Let me know via my blog or in the comments here what you think! And if you need yarn, and who doesn't?, go here to purchase the yarn!

Sock Race Start Over

2007-07-09T10:24:00.000-05:00

I frogged a couple inches on my sock. The rib pattern just wasn't showing up enough to make it worth the effort. After a brief conference with My knittin' buds, I decided this Tofusies colorway is just going to be a plain sock.

I have some subtle variegated tangerine Koigu I'm going to replace it with. Now it will be a challenge since I have to start over-I'm the slowest sock knitter known to man. However, maybe with the Koigu I can use a US2 needle...

New Free Pattern of the Week!!!

2007-07-06T10:31:00.000-05:00

This week we bring you the second installment of the Socksational July sock pattern of the week. "Ode to Eames Mosaic Socks", the first of (hopefully) many patterns from Zeitgeist Yarns Knitting Patterns.

Click on the photo below for a link to the .pdf. Enjoy!!!

My entry

2007-07-02T21:11:00.000-05:00

Hello! As some of you have seen I'm making The undulating rib pattern from Favorite socks.

It's in Tofutsies and I'm changing it to toe-up and a short row heel.

I adore the rib pattern so far, but sadly the yarn is less striped and more variegated (at least at my gauge). I don't think it's going to show a lot. It does add texture and knitting interest, so I think I'm going to press on. I may want to make it again in something like a semi-solid.

Sock fun

2007-07-02T15:24:00.001-05:00

I'm sorry I missed Sunday at the shop - but I am at the shore and brought along lots of sock yarn, so I am working along with you! Right now I am working on my second pair of helix hiker socks - I brainstormed how to eliminate the jog between rows (which resulted in either 6 knit or 6 purl stitches instead of the usual 3 knit 3 purl -- I did my one inch of 3x3 rib on 72 stitches, then the first row of the helix pattern, I took the first six stitches and reduced them to 3 by purling 3 together - the 69 stitches result in an uneven number, so that the jog is gone! I am so proud of my clever self.

Karen

My sock race dreams

2007-07-02T09:55:00.000-05:00

I am going to attempt to actually begin and end TWO socks instead of the one or 1/2 a sock that I usually manage to finish. Kate's mosaic socks (coming soon as a free socksational sock pattern) need test knitting and they are freakin' awesome (to use Kate language) so I have agreed to check the sizing for a size 7. And, damnit, I will finish them!!
Sunday was great by the way! Thanks to all who came!

Socksational Sock of the Week

2007-06-29T14:12:00.000-05:00

This is the first installment of the Socksational Sock of the Week. Each week we will host a free sock pattern that you can download from the blog with a link to purchase it as a kit from Rosie's Yarn Cellar. I know it isn't quite July yet, but I'd thought it'd be nice to have it up for the weekend. And, this weekend all the sock yarn in Rosie's Sock Boutique is 20% off! Nifty, eh?

And don't forget, Sunday is the Socksational July Kick-off Party at Rosie's, 2017 Locust Street. All sock yarn is on mega sale and there are snacks and stuff.

So, without futher ado, click on the picture below for the pattern. And go here for details on the kit.
PS, the pattern doesn't have gauge listed because I am somewhat absent-minded (see here for details). But the gauge should be 7 sts/1" over pattern stitch. Happy sock knitting!

Socksational July!

2007-06-27T15:18:00.001-05:00

(Stacy is painting the window, we haven't trapped her in a strange glass cage. Promise.)

July is all about sock knitting at Rosie's Yarn Cellar. Socks are perfect summer knitting: they aren't heavy, they pack easily, and they’re a breeze to whip out on a plane, on the beach or while waiting for the kids to get on the Super-Dooper-Looper. So here are the special events we’ve planned to help you fall in step:

July 1st, 12-5 Socksational July Kick-off Party!
All sock yarn and patterns are on sale. How much on sale? You tell us: the percentage off is double your shoe size. Wear an 8? Get 16% off your sock purchases. Find your largest-footed friend and drop in for refreshments, sales and prizes. Everyone wearing handknit socks will be entered into a drawing for a basket of sock-making goodies, including a gift certificate for a pedicure.

July Project of the Month:
Each week there will be a free sock pattern on Rosie's Knitting Circle Blog. Shipping is free on the sock projects and the free patterns will only be available during the month of July so download them while you can!

Yarn of the Week:
Each week a new sock yarn will be marked 25% off with free shipping. Check the website every Friday to see what's new!

Rosie's Sock Race:
Go to rosiesknittingcircle.blogspot.com to join the Rosie's Sock Race anytime during the month (although the earlier the better). Join the blog, grab a button, and post your sock-knitting goal for the month. Some ideas: Create a team and race each other to finish the same project. Bet yourself that you can actually finish both socks. Cast on for one of those "Oh, one day I would love to make those" patterns that you never thought you'd have the time for. Everyone who reaches their goal by July 31st is entered to win a fabulous socky prize!!

Doing some good in the world

2007-06-26T10:11:00.000-05:00

The world can be a big bad place. It's nice to see that everyone is doing their part to help out a fellow creature in need. Even when that need is completely bizarre.
http://cavyshops.com/sweaters.html

Cecilia's Koigu Rambling Rows

2007-06-19T09:37:00.000-05:00

Cecilia had the dark blue Koigu and she and Stacy picked out a variety of mill ends for the other colors. It really turned out great! Lucky baby.

My boyfriend is so clever!

2007-05-18T17:27:00.000-05:00

Max made this baby James Dean hat out of Koigu but you'll have to tilt your head to the left. I am not as clever, apparently. One skein makes a hat and he just followed the instructions for the regular James Dean and used a size 3 needle. Clever guy.

I don't even know what to title this...

2007-04-10T16:25:00.000-05:00

But some people collect coins or stamps and others...well, you'll see.

Where in the world is Ed?

2007-03-20T14:33:00.000-05:00

I miss him.

New Tools

2007-02-22T15:20:00.000-05:00

Carly needed her needles back to start the left front before she'd finished the right front, so she improvised a stitch holder.

ben is handsome and his sweater is all linen.

2007-02-01T16:20:00.000-05:00

yes, you can make a linen sweater! it's harder on the hands than wool but not that bad. in fact it might just be the kind of hard that makes you get stronger rather than the kind that destroys you.

without rosie's yarn cellar's expertise ben would still be wearing his disgusting workout shirt that looked like a used swiffer, just because i thought the seams on it made him look sexy. now, he has a beautiful linen sweater that looks better every time we wash it. he loves the feel of this sweater and so do i. he said that the first time he wore it to the office, people were genuflecting, but i think he was kidding. we call it his "lion in winter" sweater or sometimes "brother cadfael" or "friar tuck".

the hat and moebius yarn came from rosie's too but it was years ago so i don't know what they are. i don't know what the linen is either. maybe euroflax.

linen sweaters are completely worth the effort.

Koigu Acquistion Days and More!

2007-01-31T11:48:00.000-05:00

Here are some pics or Pam and Claire's projects we snagged on a recent "Koigu Acquisition Day" (hereon referred to as "KAD").

They come in every now and then to get their fix and we are always happy to oblige.

Pam's got a lovely Koigu Rambling Rows baby blanket going on and Claire's Noni Bag is to die for!! Okay, so it's not Koigu but WOW! An excellent knitter, felter, and seamstress!

Simply amazing, ladies.

Flipping through our photos from the past couple of weeks I came across these amazing Alpacita gauntlets! Whose hands are these? Wendy? In any case I love the way the colors are spiraling around the arm, absolutely gorgeous and incredibly warm!

Lisa J, did you make these?

The pattern is interpreted from "Fetching" in the Summer 06 issue of Knitty.

And here is Mary doing an amazing amount of hairpin lace!

Rosie's Knitting Circle

2006-12-26T12:54:00.000-05:00

Hello!
Welcome to the Rosie's Yarn Cellar knitting circle. Here you can view staff and customer projects, and upload images and updates on your own projects! (but please, only projects purchased at Rosies!)
I thought this would be a fun way for us all to get inspiration and feedback from other knitters, and when you can't come to knitting circle in person at least you can check in on everyone.
FYI, Rosie's knitting circle is live every wednesday night from 6-8 pm at 2017 Locust Street in Philadelphia, PA. Everyone is welcome!