Think I FINALLY have this knitting machine thing figured out

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OK OK OK .... I know it's been ages, but the project I've been on at work as taken over my life and barely left room for Christmas .... so blogging has been REALLY low on my priority list. however, here's what I wrote, back in November, that was meant to be posted way back then ...

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wow, I cant believe that November is almost over!! work has been taking FAR too much time from me lately, and I've hardly had time to get much knitting done. the good news is I've made some good progress with some Christmas pressies

Saturday DD and I went to Cardiknits for a Christmas crafts knitting machine workshop with the intent of learning how to do one of those fancy Christmas stockings .... hahahahah!!! it was definitely a learning experience, but I dont think we're that far advanced yet.

within minutes of getting to Pat's place and looking around DD spotted some funky black "fun yarn" and had plans for it immediately. one lovely suprise was Pat's offer to let DD borrow a machine, so that we didnt have to share. DD used an "LK something or other" and it worked out great. I was originally worried that her using a different machine would confuse both of us, but it turns out that it is made by the same company as the one I have (even though they have different names) so the set-up, switches & levers are the same. the LK is a bulky weight machine, and very basic, so it was perfect for DD ....a great machine to try for the very first time, and also a good match for her "fun yarn".

DD got help casting on the fun yarn, and dealt with the beginning frustration of the yarn texture and messing around with the machines tension ... but once she found her groove, there was no stopping her.

she finished the loveliest scarf you've ever seen shortly after lunch, and now has a wonderful Christmas pressent for her Grandmother, who has been not well for the last few months. this will definitely dress up her holiday !!!



I followed along with the class as we all worked on a mini Christmas stocking. this was a flat stocking, knit in 2 pieces and then joined together with a very cool "pie crust" edging. this was a great exercise and included a new double e-wrap increase, hidden decrease, punch card pattern with 2 colours, crochet cast-on detail trim, pie-crust style edging. the wee stocking isn't perfect, but I'm pleased with what I learned !!

looks like I'll have to move the laundry off my knitting table, and set-up my machine ..... it will be interesting to see if I can get the thing to work without the "experts" in the room to bail me out when I'm all jamed up.