Pattern : Raewyn from Rowan #29
Yarn : Cascade 220 (pattern calls for Rowan Handknit DK)
Color : #8011 [grey heather]
Content : 100% pure wool; 100g; 220 yds
Gauge : 5 sts/inch
Needles : US 5 and 7
# of balls : ten
Designer : Debbie Bliss
This was the first sweater I ever made. It was a wonderful learning exercise because it has straight st st for the first several inches so I could get used to the needles and yarn. It was made for my boyfriend (now husband), Bob.
I didn’t appreciate the article from KnitNet on Learning to Knit Online where it’s inferred that the average knitting enthusiast “doleing” out personal advice is a “fool” or a “bozo”, as I would never be so arrogant to call another knitter either. Bozo? Really, who wrote that?
However, the video instructions that are offered on their site for casting on, knitting and purling are actually fantastic tools for learning how to knit.
Familiar with Debbie Bliss’ Toy Knits? I think being able to make little toy creatures for kids has got to be one of the greater joys in life. I made one of those lamb kits - it had giant boucle wool, filled with lanolin, and wool stuffing…I need to photograph that little guy and show you. His eyes are crooked and his ears don’t match, but he has become the fearless mascot of my knitting basket. Today I discovered Vivian Høxbro (thanks to a link from dangerouschunky). Vivian is the author of Domino Knitting and she also has some adorable free patterns for dolls and teddy bears. So cute! Love it love it love it.
I’m headed to San Francisco this weekend and hoping to finally make my way to some SF Yarn Shops. Art Fibers is on my list - does anyone have any other suggestions? We’re also headed to Monterey and Carmel; trying to see as much as we can before Bob finally moves home at the end of this month. He’s been in Oakland for 4 months, which was about 3 months, 3 weeks too long! 
Happy weekend knitting!
…from a fellow Portlander: Greg of Grumpy Voices
