Well, nobody has done that yet, possibly because they’ve already marketed their kits and can’t recall them, but Addi is trying to improve their kit bit by bit. While I was at the VKL Seattle, I discovered one of the ways they’re fixing a little oversight in their interchangeable kits – the SOS Lifeline Cordpacks.

If you recall, one of my critiques of the Addi system, was that they didn’t allow for a lifeline. My first thought was that they could have drilled a hole through each needle to allow for you to thread a lifeline when knitting lace or anything else requiring a lifeline. Again, since they can’t recall all their needles, and since not everybody uses lifelines, they came up with an even better solution. They created the Lifeline cords and you simply have to get these cords in the lengths you desire.

In the end of each cord there is a slit that opens up when you apply a little pressure on the ends of it. I have to admit that I had to get Mr. Addi himself to show me how to use it, but it’s quite ingenious. Once it’s open, simply thread your yarn through the hole, and knit away. Your lifeline will get carried along your work and will be in place when your row is finished! When not in use it clamps shut like a zip lock bag and is ready for regular knitting.

I have to admit that I prefer this method of creating a lifeline friendly interchangeable circular knitting needle. It doesn’t jeopardize the integrity of the needle, reduces the cost of manufacturing drastically, and allows you to use a lifeline whenever you want! Way to go Addi – top marks on this. The SOS Lifeline cords are sold in packs in lengths of 24″, 32″, and 40″ at your LYS. I’ve also talked to Addi about a multi-pack interchangeable needle case and they said they were working on it! Yeah!

Hugzzzz

As usual, there were lots of instructors teaching everything from casting on and learning to knit, to advanced design techniques that you could incorporate into your next project. The Marketplace was great with a lot of exhibitors – some of the usual suspects and some new ones. Personally I had a great time as I made some new friends and even though I’m north of the border, they’re fairly “local” to me, which means knitting road trips!

I have a few things that I want to take an entire post to write about (and I will in the next little bit), but I’ll still mention a few of the highlights. Addi had a fastest knitter of the Northwest competition. Liisa eventually won the showdown during the Gala dinner event, but the fastest qualifier (the 3 fastest had a showdown) did a blazing 192 stitches in 3 minutes. I was 4th (I’ll get it next year) with 173! Drat, but not bad for not training and having to use 4mm needles.

Suzanne Tidwell had a fantastic display of her Fiber Art. It goes beyond yarn bombing and takes knitting art to a whole new level. There was also an interactive display where anyone and everyone was encouraged to help with a display was was set up. You can see Suzanne’s work here – Fiber Art.

Probably the most astounding display was Caro Milne’s Knitted Glass. I’ll be doing an entire post on this later, but yes, she actually knits with glass. Here’s a picture and if you click on it it will take you to her website – you should definitely check it out!

One of my favorite new friends is Katie Musante with High Desert Fiberworks. Katie specializes in high quality German Angora by itself and spun with select fibers. I got a sample of Polar Buns Worsted in white which is screaming at me to make a set of hand warmers! it’s 80% angora and 20% cormo wool, which makes it ultra soft yet very resilient. I’ll include pictures of the completed project soon with a full post about this amazing lady and her rabbits!

When I went to VKL in Chicago, I met Pam and her partner from Indian Lake Artisans. They are the makers of custom, hand crafted, hexagonal needles. I was very interested in the needles but there wasn’t a circular one with a long enough shaft for my hands. This time I have ordered a pair of 4.5mm, 40″ circulars with a 6″ shaft. As soon as I have them I’ll do a report on them, but you should check out their website in the meantime. While the shorter ones weren’t ideal for me, they were still very nice to work with and everyone trying them was pleased. They also make straight needles too. Here’s a little video explaining the concept and the materials used!

Aside from these highlights, there was also the Fashion Shows from Skacel and Vogue Knitting, Cascade Yarns had their 220 falling from the sky in their yarn drop, Trisha Malcolm hosted 2 discussion panels on knitting as your business, and there were many, many more.

I’ll do another highlight post and also feature some of these mentioned in future posts, but there was more to see than I can sum up in one post. I’m hoping that this show was successful for everyone(and from what I heard from vendors it was) that Vogue will want to come back next year! And maybe I’ll get another crack at the fastest needles contest!

Hugzzz

Creating it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would have been. As a matter of fact, it took 6 tries and 3 different yarns until I finally settled on a pattern I was happy with. The pattern is written with 1 set of instructions, but there is advice on how you can change the size of the slouchie depending on the yarn you’re using.

I used the yarn that I recently started carrying, Maisie. It is a 100% Organic Merino Wool that has to be felt to be believed. I have had people who are allergic to wool like this stuff! It is currently only available in Natural, but there will be colors shortly.

It uses 2 balls and you’ll have enough left over to make the brim and/or hat longer if you wish.

If you choose to get the Knit Kit, you are actually getting a great deal as the yarn is at a lower price than by itself, and the pattern is basically thrown in for free! There is also a guarantee that you will be entirely satisfied with the yarn or you can return it at my expense for a full refund – and keep the pattern!

Below are link to either the pattern download for $5.00 or the Knit Kit (pattern and yarn) for $40.

The Ashley Pattern download …

The Ashley Slouchie KnitKit

Enjoy!

Hugzzz

Kauri is a worsted weight yarn composing of 60% NZ Merino, 30% Possum, and 10% Silk. It comes in 50g balls of approximately 86m or 94y. The suggested gauge for this yarn is 20 stitches to 4 inches using 4.5mm needles. I have found though that it will knit up anywhere from 16 – 20 stitches quite nicely simply by changing the needles. Being a loose knitter I get 18 stitches with 4.5mm and 16 with 5mm. Your results may vary, but you’ll be pleased with the look of the fabric created regardless which of these needles you choose.

When I feel Kauri, I think sweater right away. It is soft, yet not cashmere soft, more like pillow soft. I don’t know how to describe it, but it has the feeling of strength. I’m certain this comes from the Merino AND the Silk. The silk adds that je ne sais quois that makes this yarn stand out. I did a swatch, with cables, and liked it immediately. It holds the cables well, and the stitch definition is very good. As I said, I immediately thought of making a sweater, and that is exactly what I’m making now. There’s just something about the feel of it that says this which is great as I haven’t made myself anything for quite some time now!

Being made of all natural fibers, Kauri will felt and I have been told it felts well. Since I haven’t tried (and won’t be with this batch) I can only comment on what I have heard. I was able to easily spit felt the ends together though when joining a new ball so I don’t think felting a project would be very difficult. There aren’t any names for the colors, but i would describe the one I’m using as a dark oatmeal. It’s called K1 according to the label. I love the mixture of shades in it and the classic look of this color. Ironically, it is a color I had picked out ages ago to make myself a shawl collared sweater to replace a favorite one I had been given about 20 years back. This is the perfect fit.

I’ll definitely post pictures when it’s finished and leave you with this little teaser for now. This is the back, with a simple 2×2 rib going into a stocking stitch fabric for the main body. This sweater will be fairly plain, with accents on the sleeves and the collar. Stay tuned!

Hugzzz 8-)97

Hugzzz