Now that the blocking is done, the mannequin packed and the car completely stuffed, it’s time to hit the road!

This week, the Chic Knits Trunk show wheels its way down to Columbus, Ohio, for the TNNA Fall show.

This is exciting in more ways than one!

First of all, it’s a JOLT to see the new designs all ready for their debut – at no other time does a new release have such energy! All blocked, pressed, primped: some even have extra clothes and accessories themselves to be displayed and will be all put together on Friday when we raise the roof/booth.

Then there’s the show itself. The floorplan shows over 1800 booths! Now, some companies will use mutilples spaces, but at the end of the day, I think it is still well over a thousand entities exhibiting! WOW! Go-go TNNA!

That and the fact that the Craft is going strong and all you fine knitters and stitchers are as in love with it as much as moi is enough to colour me proud! I’m taking evey single one of you with me this week – dare I say the wings beneath my wings – so when I get the inevitable stage fright of being in public at large, I will happily know you’ve got my back. :)

So here’s the skinny:

Chic Knits
Booth 628

TNNA Fall 2012
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Columbus, Ohio
June 23-25

Columbus, OH

There’s probably nothing sweeter here at Chez Chic than wrapping up a project!

Oh wait!

Casting on the Reward Project!

Now that I’m well away from a batch of sample making, I can have a little fun making something por moi. ;p

A few weeks ago, I decided that a black CINNIE in the long version would be a wonderful thing and today, VOILA!

Finding a warm weather yarn wasn’t too hard: this is a nice cotton/micro blend (Plymouth JEANNEE DK) that I’ve used in the worsted weight before. It’s held up pretty nicely in the wearing and washing, so I thought I’d give it a go with the smaller gauge version.

I love cotton sweaters! I know they might stretch out a bit, but all I’ve found that all you have to do is wash and dry them — mine always seem to pop back to their proper shape.

Lately, I’ve been shaping my sweaters with my hands, even more than usual. If you are a baker that’s made Doughs of any kind that require kneading or pinching or shaping, you probably have seen or used these moves.
 
I just finished a sample and steam pressed it from the wrong side, then touched up various details with the iron. I would hit is with a blast and then, waiting a beat, put some Baker’s Moves on selected areas to straighten and make them behave.
 
Do not be afraid to touch the knitting after it’s finished! Those little nudges can make it extraordinary, a real difference than just plain old blocking.
 
Now, this latest prettied up finisher is going to JoAnn’s for a button hunt – and because it’s pressed and patted it will be even easier to choose the final touch.

Another finishing idea:

This question was in the mailbox this morning and since it was about warm weather yarn…

“I am using cotton for my Cinnie. Could you give me your method of changing the skeins? I usually knit with wool, and am new to knitting lace. Where should I change the skein, and how to bury ends?”I join all yarns the same way: with a simple knot.
 
My answer: For a style that is knit all in one piece, I add the new skein at one of the areas that would be a “seam” ie. where the underarm shaping takes place on the body (a couple of sts away from the marker).
 
On a sleeve knit in the round, I add it in a couple of sts before the end of a round.
 
I weave in ends just like wool. If the yarn is extra slippery, I weave a slightly longer tail.
 
So far, I have never had a knot un-tie or a tail un-weave.

It’s so nice in Chicago today, that a little more needle and thread out on the porch is going to be very smooth indeed. ;p

Monday Morning Mirth

A little Knitting Musical? Guess I’m still jammin’ from last night’s Tony Awards! ;p

Check out the incredible sweater wardrobe of Your Neighbor…