Xerox Phaser 8560 MFP - FOR SALE

My day yesterday was a busy, but satisfying. Fire Marshall wants my boxes cleared away from the switch box, and yesterday was that day for me. Much to my dismay I have 2 switch boxes in my unit. Obviously I've got someone elses as well as mine. So I had to clear out substantial floor space. But it is done. It's always a good feeling to sort and toss! In the process, one of my printers is now ready to be sold. It's a super-duper printer. I've got two, and I only need one these days. If you are local, and can pick up, call me!!! (see more details at bottom of this posting)

Also, a big box of brand new yarns from Plymouth arrived today. They are all in the computer, but will take a few days to get online. Stiletto is a striping sock yarn with gold and silver in the strands. 3 bright colors in Baby Alpaca Grande that were just too uplifting not to stock. Juli is a soft wool blend with flicks of silver. and more! Come in and see them now. They are in my new "newest arrivals" rack!

$1,000.00 Xerox Phaser 8560mfp (multifunction printer: Scan, Copy, Fax and printer. Full Beautiful Color). Have used these for years for full color catalogs, faxing, color copying and scanning too. Great Printers!! Includes installed 40gb hard drive to save files to (for walk-up printing). Makes for fast printing. Also includes this beefy xerox stand with drawer (new $299.00) Phaser 8560MFP: 30ppm Color Multifunction System, 2-Sided Print And Scan, Fax, Auto Doc Feeder, Networking, 2400 Finepoint Image Quality, 512MB Memory, 40GB HD, 2X525 Letter/Legal Input Tray, System Cart, Na Pwr Cord. (New $2700.00)/em>

Tom's Knitting Prank

Access Hollywood had a piece on the trick that Tom Hank's knitting prank on Julia Roberts. Did you see it?? As many of us already know, Julia is a devoted knitter. Knitting between scenes is something I've been away of for, gosh, 10 years now?






Charmie of Elegant Heirlooms has two new Christmas Stocking Designs in her line of Googleheim Christmas Stockings. It always amazes me that her stockings sell consistantly all year round. I always get a surge in November, but it continues to surge through January. And all year round. This June, another big surge of kits being shipped occurred. And that was even before I was able to get her newest kits up!

This one above is called Through the Woods. Santa with his bag of gifts on his back, a reindeer and a sheepie, fluffy lamb.

Noah's Ark is the name of her 2nd design. What a cutie! Note the cute fluffly sheep, and wait, is that a pink flamingo? OMG! How much fun is that!

Look at all the Googleheim Christmas Stocking designs at

http://www.yarn-store.com/Elegant-Heirlooms-Googleheim.html

Keeping things in line!

This past weekend, it took me 3 times to stitch in a sleeve cap, capturing all the excess fabric at the top of the sleeve. Yesterday these clips arrived....sure could have used them this weekend!!

Knit Klips from Susan Bates. 10 Knit Klips per package. Aligns edges for quick seaming! Comes in assorted colors.

Clover Wonder Clips These clips were designed with the seamstress in mind. But they spoke to me! - - They have a strong grip and will hold the edges of my knitting together so I can seam evenly. (where were these when I struggled to stitch my mohair sleeve cap into the armhole!). - - I've also grabbed a few to "bull-dog" clip some papers together. Sweet! - - and Finally, I've been using them with my knitting machine, to hold down my yarn until I get a few rows knit. - - There's 50 clips...enough to last pretty much forever, and they store in this strong hinged box that won't come open even if it is stored in your knitting supply bag. Clover says: Clip and hold, Clip and Sew right where you need it! Open wide for holding multiple layers of fabric. It won't damage or distort the fabric. Great Holding capacity for different types of crafts. 1/4" and 1/2" seam allowance markings on on the base of clip of clip. Clip base is flat for easy feeding to presser foot. The Wonder Clips are great alternative to pins, especially when working with heavy weight fabrics, piles, and vinyls. It can hold layered sections of sewing projects such as handle connectors to handbags and piping without distortion. It holds quilt binding while sewing and it's easy to see and easy to find when dropped on the floor. Works well with sergers.

NEW COLORS FROM LORNA'S LACES!

Fully stocked in Shepherd Sock, Shepherd Sport, Shepherd Worsted, Shepherd Bulky and Helen's Lace!

NEW PATTERNS FROM OAT COUTURE

The Manzanita Jacket
uses Aran Weight Yarn

Wind River Pullover
Sport Weight Yarn

Sweet Home Sweater
uses Worsted Weight Yarn

Amalie Top
2 versions: Fingering Weight or DK Weight

Such a good feeling!

It's always a good feeling when a project is completed, and you are truly satified with the end result !! Knit on my Silver Reed LK150 using Feza Fanatic yarn. Pattern was designed and hand drafted by me.

Some people think machine knitting is cheating. But is it truly?? Beside the obvious . . . . "do you sew without a sewing machine?" . . . and my all time favorite "do you mow the lawn with your teeth?" (never fails to make a man laugh.) there is quite a lot of time in the planning of a machine knit garment. 100% of my "winging it" machine knit projects failed. But I've learn to enjoy it Preplanning can be inspirational. It's like when you are planning on a home remodel. So many choices, so many ideas.

In the case of this project, I ended up knitting both sleeves twice. Discovered this AFTER I put the sleeves in. Had to remove the button band once and put it on the correct, female, side of jacket. In a few spots, the machine split the yarn. I was really pushing the LK150 to knit bulky weight yarn. I knit it slightly firmer than a hand knit garment. I wanted a bit more body so it would hold its shape. Where the yarn was split I had to graft it back together.

I started this jacket on April 15th. Today, 5 weeks later, I am putting the finishing touches on it. Cheating? Many hand knitters could do this project in less time, others could not. A machine is just another tool. Some people like riding mowers, others prefer the walk behind. Some like big trucks, others like BMW convertibles. Some like to quilt, others like to crochet. Knowing you have choices is a wonderful thing!! When it comes to crafts, you need to do what brings you the greatest satisfaction. (While I might get the greatest joy from riding in a BMW convertible, I think that choice might be out of my hands! (hahahaha) )

Stay tuned! Another project is already on the machine. This time it is the Athena Tank from Knit One Crochet Too. This Tank is in the June issue of Knit n' Style. The magazine included machine knit instructions (by Mary Anne Oger). This one should go much faster as I'm not drafting from scratch. But things do go awry! Wish me luck!

Have you notice our new logo??

Summer Cardigan Package Deal

It is rare for me to knit a pattern twice. But Knitting Pure and Simple's Summer Cardigan # 221 I did knit twice a few years ago. Comfortable over a shell, or even just fully buttoned up like a top. Perfect for cool summer mornings.

One of my cardigans is done out of Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb. Today, for a limited time, depending on existing stock availability, I am packaging up a Summer Cardigan Deal for you.

In finished chest measurements of 36, (40, 44, 48, 52)", knit it fairly close to your bust measurement or just barely above. The knit will ease to fit without looking oversized and clumsy.

For a limited time, I will offer prices of
$120 (value $175.50) for 36";
$120 (value $175.50) for 40";
$144 (value $209.50) for 44";
$144 (value $209.50) for 48";
$168 (value $243.50) for 52".

This includes the yarn and the pattern, and free shipping within the U.S. (International orders will have a shipping charge).
Many colors are deeply stocked, so your color selection is excellent. Check my Lion and Lamb page for stock availability, and then call (503-200-5991) Henry or I right away to place your order. If you are a current customer, it may only be necessary to email us (store@yarn-store.com) to get your order placed. But don't hesitate! This offer only applies to the stock on my shelves, and it first come first shipped!

The continueing saga of my Fanatic Jacket. . . .
. . . you have all probably heard of the 2nd sock syndrome? Well, it has been verified that I have 2nd sleeve syndrome!

I'm always gun-ho on sweaters beginning with the backs, then to the fronts, slowing on the 1st sleeve, and stopping before the 2nd sleeve. I've two sweaters in progress. One by hand and one in Feza Fanatic on the Silver Reed LK150 knitting machine , both which came to a dead stop after the first sleeve. But the prognosis is good and the issue has been addressed and cured (for the moment!) The hand knit cardigan is in the bands stage. And my machine knit jacket (shown here) is now in the hood stage.

The wonderful thing about machine knit garments is the ease at which you can reknit pieces. After I completed both sleeves and had them sewn in, I had an uneasy pit in my stomach. After trying on, it was confirmed. Darn sleeves were way too short. I should have know better! I've long arms for my size! After removing the sleeves, I unraveled back to the armhole bind off and rehung on the machine, knit an add'l two inches, reshaped the cap, and reblocked the sleeve. Repeated for 2nd sleeve, and by the end of the afternoon, both sleeves were back into the garment and their length is perfect! Hood will be in garter stitch, a stitch that is a bit tedious on the machine, so will take longer. Plus the row gauge will be slightly off, so there is a good chance the hood will need to be knit twice. But I'm on a roll again!