Cardi Gras

Free Pattern

Comfort Zone Cardi

Free pattern available from Caron.

Lace Waves Baby Blanket

Free pattern at Caron.com.

Lace Panel Throw

Free pattern at

Caron.com

Babes in the Woods

Free pattern at Caron.com

Aztec Shawl Errata

Full free pattern is at Caron yarns
A few errors have been found in the pattern. They will eventually be fixed on the web pattern.
In the meantime, here are just the corrections

CORRECTIONS:

Row 55: With B, k2tog, *[(sl 1, k1) 3 times, sl 1], k3, (sl 1, k1) 3 times, sl 1, k3; rep from * 10 times more, repeat between [ ], end k2tog--227 sts.


Row 149: With MC, k2tog, k2, *[(sl 1, k1) 3 times, sl 1], k3; repeat from * 11 times more, repeat between [ ], end k2, k2tog--133 sts.


Row 151: With B, k2tog, k2, *[(sl 1, k1) twice, sl 1], k5; repeat from * 11 times more, repeat between [ ], end k2, k2tog -- 129 sts.


Row 215: With B, k2tog, [(sl 1, k1) twice, sl 1], k5; repeat from * 5 times more, repeat between [ ], end k2tog--67 sts.

Xian Knit Kimono Jacket

Get the free pattern at NaturallyCaron.com

Green Goddess Cardigan

Find the pattern in the January 2011 issue of Creative Knitting

Free Pattern ~ Sophia Cardi

Constructed in one piece to the underarms, this cardi stitches up quickly and drapes like a dream.

Find your free pattern at http://www.caron.com/projects/ss_eco/sseco_sophia_cardi.html

Free Pattern--Aztec Shawl

Free pattern at http://bit.ly/8iWRTb

Knitting Podcasts

OK, so maybe I'm late to the party, having just discovered the wonderful world of knitting podcasts. For many years, I've been listening to books on cassette and cd while I stitch, but there is something special about listening to someone talk about knitting while you're knitting. Perhaps I'm only now discovering this treasure trove due to the fact that I have yet to invest in an Ipod. Of course, my daughter has a very nice one, but isn't that what moms do--go without so their children can have everything they need and as much of what they want as possible? No matter, I don't need an Ipod to listen to podcasts, as they play very well on the computer--which happens to be in my "studio", so it's all good.

So the next thought was, if I'm just now realizing what's available, maybe someone else is as behind the times as I am, and why not compile a list?
Wouldn't you know, someone has already done that as well---yay!

Check out the Knitting Podcast blog at

http://knittingpodcast.blogspot.com/

for a recently updated list.

The first two podcasts that I discovered and began to listen to are
Cast On http://www.cast-on.com/
and Sticks and String http://sticksandstring.wordpress.com/
both highly recommended. It doesn't matter that the beginning episodes are several years old by now. "Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop." (Alice in Wonderland-Lewis Carroll) The wonderful thing is, there are so many podcasts, and so much catching up to do, that the end is far away. For now, my books on tape are all going back to the library!

Free Pattern-San Antonio Tunic

Find the pattern for this fun-to-stitch tunic at

http://bit.ly/a7Aq

It uses the new NaturallyCaron.com wool-blend yarn, Country, and drapes like a dream.

The Colors of Autumn

Nothing like fall to inspire a fiber frenzy-

The colors, the cool crispness of the air, the gathering in of harvest, the knowledge that winter's chill is just around the corner-- inspire a need to hear the needles clicking, and see the hook a-flying.

I'm just back from a weekend trip. It was strange to find myself behaving like a tourist, stopping the car on mountain roads to snap photos; though they are the same roads I've traveled all my life. This year, the colors seem more vibrant, more achingly beautiful; and the need to capture them before they're gone... of critical importance.

Perhaps, finally, I'm returning to the self who never took for granted: one day, one breath, one single autumn leaf.

Free Pattern - Soft & Speedy Baby Blanket

Free pattern for this quick-to-knit baby blanket

Free Pattern Modular Throw

Find the pattern for this fun-to-do throw at
http://bit.ly/NTmm3

The Knitting Lesson

It is Thanksgiving, the turkey roasted and half-consumed, the dishes done, the ball games over, the dinner guests gone. I am 9 years old and it's just Grandma and me on a green couch with our backs to a low autumn sun streaming in through crocheted lace. The house is quiet but for the hum of the refrigerator and the ticking of a clock that has a real, glowing fireplace on it. The air is pie-scented--pumpkin, mince, and apple--with an undertone of coal burning in the heating stove. Braided rugs adorn the floor and family photos vie for space on the wall amid framed crochet pieces and paintings of horses and The Good Shepherd.


She sits close beside me in polyester slacks and a colorful blouse, her figure trim and solid even after raising 7 children, one leg neatly crossed over the other. Her hands are slender, nimble, and soft, in spite of working indoors and out all the days of her life. Her eyes are deep-set and wise, sparkling with good humor. Her long hair is braided and coiled, secured with tortoise shell combs.

The yarn is off-white, the needles are Boye, size 8, aluminum. She demonstrates a few stitches, then returns the swatch to me. "Loosen up a little", she says, as my stitches again grow too tight. End the row and begin another--yarn in the left hand, just like Grandma.

In the next room a queen-sized quilt is stretched on a wooden frame, awaiting her needle. Eight stitches to the inch, and all the same length. Roses and horses, until her neck and shoulders ache, but each child and grandchild must have a quilt. Neighbors pay only a fraction of their worth for handmade quilts, ordered for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries. There are whole boxes of yarn and a large glass jar filled with knitting needles. One wall is decorated with a family tree.... Grandma's photo on the trunk, and mine dangling from a branch nearby.

It is time to feed the cows; and Grandma puts on her gloves, coat, hat, and scarf, and leaves me alone to practice.....

Now, 35 years later, I am just home from the annual Family Reunion. Grandma will turn 96 this year. She is still tatting and crocheting and has sent a small handmade gift home with each and every member of her family. I have lost count of all the great, and great-great grandchildren, but none leave empty-handed. She remembers when she was 9 years old, but sometimes doesn't remember me. That's all right, Grandma, I'll remember for both of us.

Doily named for Grandma

Free Pattern-Arusha Cabled Jacket

http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/arusha/arusha_1.html

Using double strands of Naturally Caron "Country", and largish needles, it works up quickly.

It is incredibly soft and has a wonderful drape to the fabric.

Free Pattern-Knit Military Jacket

Find the pattern here:

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e07643&categoryid=32

This was a fun design. The stitching is easy, but interesting with slimming vertical lines. The sides are gently shaped. You could knit the I-cord yourself, but I used Bond America's "Embellish-Knit!" Automatic Spool Knitter.

http://www.bond-america.com/products/embellish-knit.html

It makes the cord so quickly, that I started having ideas about embellishing all kinds of things.

Crochet & Knitting in the news

I am always amazed and inspired by the many ways crocheters and knitters use their art to make the world a better place. Occasionally I will post links to read about such people.

Colors of Pride
http://www.dailycommercial.com/localnews/020909colleges

Woman helps another's talent expand
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090210/NEWS01/902100329/1060

Capreol women work to warm up Third World
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1426679

Share your peace with the origami crane project
http://www.oregonlive.com/events/index.ssf/2009/02/knit_purls_big_origami_crane_p.html

Economic Citizenship: The Politics of Handknitting
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/civicfeminism/archives/161295.asp?from=blog_last3

Alison's all at sea with her knitting
http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/news/Alison-s-sea-knitting/article-669844-detail/article.html

May your week be filled with opportunities to help others, and may you reap the joy of finding time to follow through.