Did I Mention that Christmas is Coming????

Here's the latest! A Fair Isle Christmas stocking that my most beginner students, with direction, are able to manage. I am proud of them since they are "getting" the 2 styles of knitting using a color in each hand. Before you write in and tell me there are many more than 2 styles of knitting, don't bother. I know that! In fact, I've been teaching "Portuguese" knitting. And I've reviewed a book that talks about "Andean" knitting which is pretty much the same as the Portuguese style.

Ahem.

Most of us are pickers or throwers and here in Nevada, that's what we do.

The stocking was born from the need to develop a Fair Isle instruction class, and since it was close to Christmas-time (2002) this is what I came up with. I can't thank my students enough for their input on this pattern, and fellow Chameleo Jeanne gets the prize for her input. Watch for tips offered on our website, http://www.2askewdesigns.com/ for explanations to the tricky stuff on this and all of our patterns. I look forward to establishing an FAQ section. Oy. We are such newbies, still.

It's fall here in the Great Basin and I've got some lovely pictures taken this month. First of all, 10/10 and it's snowing. I mean SNOWING! Poor hummers at the feeder, but it warmed up, they seem to have had their fill, and as of today, I haven't seen them for at least a week. Unlike some of us (me included), they can take a hint and be gone.

Taos Wool Fest - what a fun time and our patterns were a smash! I did my damage and bought some lovely camelid fibers - mind you - I've been on a "fiber diet" for some time now. But as you know, when you're on a diet, you're allowed to cheat a little while away from home and that's just what I did. =0) As soon as I can upload some photos, you will see them here. If my DH were to say, "Let's move to Taos", I'd say, "Race you to the car!"

As always, Happy Knitting from your Chameleon buddies -

Allie

Not your Grandmother's Pocketbook!

Well, I have finally surrendered and Amber, of Never Ender, has been brought on board to help me create some Website Templates and make the site more a place you will want to visit. Between Jimmy's, knitting, and teenagers; I am bushed! I can't wait to see what Amber has up her cyber sleeve for us.

This little guy is the beginning of our much awaited logo! There is still some tweaking going on but I think we are getting somewhere! Let me know what you think of
him.

On the knitting front my newest pattern The Contemporary
Pocketbook is just being proofed and should hit the shops in the next couple of days.




Happy whatever to all of you and a good night! Oh wait it's not even Halloween yet, um, BOO!

Tiny Bubble Socks

Well they are here at last! My Tiny Bubble Socks and I have had such fun with these, as so many people have asked what is that pattern you are doing? It looks so hard! It is a very simple pattern and knits up quickly. You should be able to memorize the repeat in no time.

I wish you all happy sock knitting and am glad that Allison is now back from Taos and I hope she will let me come and pet all of her treasures. She has done some marketing on this trip and 2 Askew Designs will begin to show up in more LYS's!! Yeah Allison, thanks for your hard works.

Taos Wool Festival, here we come!

I'm so happy to be leaving Reno this Wednesday and be on my way to Taos, NM. Traveling with Patti, my sister-in-law, and Patty, our cousin. Both are avid knitters and spinners and having 6 days to spend with them doing all we can that is fiber is something we've been saying we'd do for a long time, but as we all know, life gets in the way and we have kept putting it off. Til now! Zero minus 2 days and I can't wait. I've ordered a Taos Wool Fest t-shirt for myself, not knowing if there will be any left by the time we get there, so I can look like I belong =0). Dragging bags of fiber and yarn behind me might also leave some clue....I'm suspending my "fiber diet" for this weekend. My stash can always use a little enhancement, and finding new yarns to work with helps with inspiration for more patterns.

I've contacted some of the vendors who will be selling their wares in Taos to give them a heads up that I'll be stopping by with our patterns for them to look at. Knowing from first hand how hectic it is to be at a show, I'm trying to be as gentle and respective of their time constraints as possible. I just want to show them our product, leave a card, generate interest for our fledgeling operation, and be on my way. Picking up an order or two would be a welcome bonus! AND - Jeanne promises a new pattern for me to bring along! I can't wait to see it!

Patti is from Reno and we look forward to weather a little cooler than here. Patty is from Houston (recovering from Ike and grateful that she and her husband were out of power "only" for 4 1/2 days!) and hoping it's not too cold for her Texan blood! Gallery hopping and sheep watching will do all of our souls some good.

For those of you unfamiliar with this great fiber event, go to www.taoswoolfestival.org And hoping to meet up with some of you there!

As ever, Happy Knitting!
Allison
www.2aksewdesigns.com

Oops!

OOPS! Well, I made a mistake and I am sorry to all you who may have had troubles over this mistake. I think I caught it early enough and have emailed everyone who purchased their patterns from Jimmy Beans Wool, but just in case here goes:

Herringbone Shawl/Scarf

The yardage for the scarf should be 250-410 yards in worsted weight yarn

PM after the first 2 sts and then after every 15 sts thereafter.

Begin Pattern as follows:

Row 1 (RS) p2, *M1, k3, p2, p3tog, p2, k3, M1, p2* repeat * * to end
Row 2 (WS) *p4, k5, p4, k2*, k2
Row 3 (RS) p2, *M1, k4, p1, p3tog, p1, k4, M1, p2*
Row 4 (WS) *p5, k3, p5, k2*, k2
Row 5 (RS) p2, *M1, k5, p3tog, k5, M1, p2*
Row 6 (WS) *p6, k1, p6, k2*, k2

Send me your pattern with your mailing address and I will send you a revised copy:

Jeanne Giles
Pattern Replacement
P.O. Box 93
Reno, NV 89504

You can also email me for more information info@2askewdesigns.com

Please don't blame Jimmys for this mistake it is mine and mine alone. I am currently working on getting an Oops page up on our site 2 Askew Designs
but I had a bit of trouble getting the transfer to work this morning. Keep your eyes peeled, as that will be where we will post any mistakes we may make.

I really am not a webmaster, but will limp along as I can. I would rather be knitting (of course)! So it's off to work I go this morning to touch and feel wonderful yarns and get more ideas for new patterns. Phew! Life is tough for me, hee hee! Happy Knitting! Jeanne ;-}

Fall is fast approaching!

Inspired by a new colorway from Lorna's Laces, which is the blue & silver colors of the University of Nevada, Reno, designing a hat and handwarmers came to mind. Perfect for chilly days at a football game, the hat & mitts feature welts done in reverse stockinette stitch. I'm really liking the flat crown of the hat, topped with an i-cord knot, and the shaping of the thumb gussets on the handwarmers. I worked these from the top down, so the gussets are decreased rather than increased, and I think that makes for a nicer line along the thumb. The handwarmers are mostly done in a 2x2 rib, so one size fits most men and women. And if that's not enough, they are also in 2 lengths - the usual short version ending at the base of the fingers, and a long version - you double over the hand part to reveal fingers, un-double to cover them for warmth.

Sometimes it's hard to plan ahead, with our temperatures in the 90's and the tomatoes and squashes ripening nicely. But as knitters, you know that cooler weather is on it's way and you don't want to be caught by surprise with no new handknitted items to keep you warm!

By the way. Christmas is coming too!!

Happy Knitting!

Allie

Learning Curves and Fiber?

Well, I have made an effort to learn something new today and hopefully it will benefit 2 Askew Designs. I learned how to 'trace' an image, so that I can change the appearance and create our long awaited Chameleon logo! It may only take me 6 more months to actually get there, but there I will get. As Elizabeth Zimmerman is my witness I will never go hungry again!! LOL! Please don't hold your breath on this one; you may faint.

On the knitting front I just finished the pattern for my 'Silky Herringbone Shawl & Scarf' knit up in Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb. My beautiful daughter makes it look so lovely (but of course I am partial :)! It is one of the most scrumptious yarns around! Sooooo soft with it's 50/50 Silk and Wool blend, it is like knitting with butter. Now it is a bit pricey, so for those of you who would like to knit just the scarf version, I have included that in my pattern too. It should be available at my favorite knitting store, Jimmy Beans Wool, by the 1st of August.

I think this pattern will be a good starter lace project for any of you who would like to branch out a bit in your skill level.

Happy Knitting! Jeanne ;-p