Upcoming Changes

Hi there, if you’ve been hanging out here on ClubKnit, I just wanted to update you on some upcoming changes. I’ve been attempting to maintain two websites (knittingtoday.com and clubknit.knittingtoday.com) for the past several years. It has been a challenge and one I’m ready and willing to give up now that I’ve found membership/course software that will do what I need it to just using the knittingtoday.com website. Yay!!!!

I’ll post here when its updated and ready to go, but just wanted to give you a heads up that I’m still here and still working on it and soon we’ll have bigger, better, more fun, and more interactivity available without remembering dozens of URLs or passwords.

Thanks for hanging in there! Lea-Ann

Fisher Lassie Lesson Plans

Fisher Lassie Pattern

When I first bought the Fisher Lassie pattern I was only intending to knit it for myself as my new winter coat. But as I read through it, it quickly became apparent there was a series of hand knitting lessons I could share with others. Thus I started the lesson plan list:

Construction discussion
changing size
long tail cast on
reading chart
remembering M1L/M1R
right twist demo
reading the pattern/preview
inc 1 st frm edge why
how to work new sts into pattern
cast on sts for right front button band
how to cast on at end of row
what does work in pattern mean
what is 1-row 4-st buttonhole?
fit check: row gauge off? changing length, need to adjust buttonhole placement; adjust sleeve shaping too.
transfer to scrap yarn
measure off ?
p/u & knit @ shoulder off cast on edge (ie reason for long tail)
joining sections in right order
cast on @ underarm
tricks for counting sts
*mathing* sleeve construction; p/u ratio based on st/row gauge
p/u along edge; p/u underarms (and avoid hole)
magic loop
collar: p/u along edge; in back nec; along edge
w&t
BO loosely
slip stitch?
weaving in ends
sewing on buttons

Delivery Medium

And, now, the issue is how to convert that lesson plan list into something useable that everyone who is knitting the project can access. Blog posts? Videos? WP Courseware? All of the above? I’m going to give the brand new updated WP Courseware a go. I’ll post as I proceed.

Buying the Project

No, its not too late to buy into the project. Just go to the Knitting Today Store and choose your color and size. Also, if you want a different Superwash color, we can special order that. Just let me know. Link: Buy Fisher Lassie Kit.

— Let’s Get Knitting!!

November 2017 News: backzip baby jacket, website design, family

Three Things for November, Thanksgiving 2017

  1. Website Design
  2. Back Zip baby jacket for an online colleague
  3. time with family

Website Design

One day while enroute to Great Lakes for a coffee, I just had this vision of what I want knittingtoday.com to look like. I had to pull off the road, and into a turnout at Cree Lake, to get it all on paper. This happens to me occasionally. Bam! Its like the clarity is just crystal clear and I have to get it out. The last time was when I envisioned the “studio” at Knitting Today as being a location and resource for those who want to teach classes of a sort (sewing, bible study, financial, knitting, etc.) and have no facilities to do so. While that hasn’t happened yet, I’m not ruling it out. But this vision, the knittingtoday.com website . . . . I really hope I can bring it to fruition because I think it’ll be a great resource for anyone who wants to talk Knitting. I’ll post here as I get things updated and figured out.

Back Zip Baby Jacket

I have an online colleague who is pregnant. She thought she would never have a baby as she had previously undergone cancer treatments. I’m soooo excited for her and her husband and their baby-to-come. I don’t do a whole lot of knitting for anyone except for myself and occasionally family, so this is a special event. Even my own grandkids had their sweaters knit by Lyn. I dug out the old standby Plymouth’s Back Zip Baby Jacket, saw that the gauge matches Stonehedge Shepherd’s Superwash DK and voila . . . I’m really enjoying taking time every day to work on it. I’m going to make a pair of Christine’s baby booties to go along with it. Do you have some old favorite standby projects for baby knitting? I’m really fascinated at how this hood came about and am going to try and interpret it to a machine project. And, I’m loving the Superwash DK and have ordered in all the colors. I’ll be updating the knittingtoday.com website as soon as possible so you can all experience it as well.

Family

Things have changed a bit in our family. Tom now works 12 hour days. I NEVER see him anymore. It has forced me to focus all of my energy on a few things to support him including cooking and laundry. I have always said I’m not the maid, cook, or housekeeper. But, I have become all of that because that’s what we need to do in our family right now. That being said, I’m still headed over to the Studio on an “as-needed” basis so I can work on YouTube videos and try and get the “live” functions working. I want to work on the ClubKnit projects, but my energy level is just very low right now. Do you know what would help me? Knowing what you all want to see and need help with. I’m so people-oriented, I just need a kick in the pants to know that what I’m doing is going to help someone. Let me know what you need, okay?

I’m going to wrap up this November letter by saying a big “thank you” to all of you for being a part of my knitting life. Without you, Knitting Today would not be here, and I would have to find a J.O.B. for my people fix . . . enjoy your family, work on your projects, and I’ll talk with you all again when I have more to report.

— Lea-Ann

P.S. I just had to repair a $400 part in the Studio furnace that was not budgeted for. If you are so inclined, you can help me with business expenses by either purchasing a project at knittingtoday.com or buying the beta-subscriber membership level. I appreciate you! Also, if you come to Knit28, please enjoy the warm heat and think about throwing a couple of bucks in the pot to keep the heat on. Thanks!

behind the scenes software updates

Hi everyone, can you buzz around the site and make sure everything works? Send me an email at lea-ann@knittingtoday.com if there are any broken links or problems you find.

Don’t forget to request access to the facebook group ClubKnit Connect. 

Head over to the Forums (Discourse) and see if you can read and reply to the messages. This one especially concerns me because I had to go way deep into the back end of the software and install the whole program. Sweating bullets.

And, can you see this video of the unboxing? I want to start doing private live feeds from YouTube so this is one of my tests.

Working on: Fisher Lassie class page, Classes in store for November and December, Essential Oil (DoTerra) make and take classes), and sewing the zipper in on Stormy Weather.

— Lea-Ann

P.S. Upcoming Meetup Knit28, October 28, 2-8pm at the Studio (Knitting Today, 8040 E 500 S, Wolcottville, IN 46795).

 

 

Join ClubKnit Connect on Facebook

Hi everyone, do you use Facebook? Now you can talk to other knitters from our group there. Just click
ClubKnit Connect and request to be added.

Inside ClubKnit Connect:

Morning Meanderings Live with Lea-Ann (10am with Lea-Ann): what’s on the needles, yarn unboxing, something learned.

Members Show and Tell

Sneak Peaks

One-of-a-kind specials

This is in addition to the Forums so don’t feel discouraged if you aren’t on Facebook.

See you there???

 

 

 

 

Going live!

I found out something about myself….I don’t work well solo. I need interaction, and feedback and questions. Enter live video!

On Tuesday, September 5, at 1pm est, I’ll be going live in a secret Facebook group just for you all. I’ll be machine knitting on the lk150 and the project is a hat for the course called Get It Out Of The Box. Would you like to watch me knit? We’ll have a live q&a before and after the knitting session.

The live Facebook broadcast takes place at clubKnit Connections group here. Can you request to join??

 

Do you use Facebook?

Hi members,

Facebook Yes/No? I’ve been kicking around adding a facebook group to our membership flow. I don’t want to add it though, if most of you don’t use facebook. Soooooo . . . . in the comments, facebook yes or no??

And, if Yes, what in particular would you like to see in the group?

I have some ideas but would like your input.

— Lea-Ann

Friday, April 7, 2017, Update

Is it spring?

Thanks to stock photos, I can pretend that spring has sprung here in Northeastern Indiana. In reality, it is cold and rainy and grey. But this weekend is supposed to be looking up. I’m thinking about gardening and what I’ll plant in our pots. What about you? What is your favorite spring activity?

Update Schedule

I’m stuck, I’m not sure how often to post updates here in ClubKnit on the ongoing projects. knitting as well as website work. I’ll shoot for every Friday right now. And, when its time to enroll in a course, I’ll send an email as well. If you have any feedback on what works for you, feel free to comment.

Project Updates:

LK150 class — working on a four project outline. Launch Goal is May 1.  Is there something you’d specifically like address? Post in the LK150 Questions Forum.

FIsher Lassie (Hand) — still taking enrollments. Lyn will be doing the project knitting for the videos as she is rolling right along. We met at the coffee shop last week to record a lesson on casting on at the end of the row. I need to edit that lesson and get it uploaded to the course.

Are you interested in knitting this cardigan? I’m going to be putting additional colorways online. Just let me know what you are looking for. Purchase the kit at knittingtoday.com {Fisher Lassie link}.

Yarn Club — thinking of introducing a Yarn Club for the summer instead of a new knitalong. One Skein? Delivery June, July, and August? Mystery or choose your colors??

Stormy Weather (LK150) — haven’t touched it. I am so close to getting mine done, but I’ve gained weight so lost enthusiasm to finish it. But, if any of you want to knit it, go buy the kit at knittingtoday.com {stormy weather link}.

ClubKnit 28 — mark your calendar for April 28, 2-8, for a meetup at Knitting Today.  I’ve added an events calendar to the dashboard login. Do you have a meetup you’d like to see added? Comment and I’ll add it.

Website Updates:

ClubKnit — remove the old login dashboard and point all links to the new dashboard.  Welcome series emails outline is in progress. I want to have a series of three emails delivered that shows how the website works for the Basic (Free) members.

Discourse — waiting on programmer to have the ability to add enrollees in the private discussion groups for the classes. In the meantime, did you know there is an app for devices? Download the app for Discourse. Use forum.knittingtoday.com as the site id. Your login info should be the ClubKnit login. Let me know if you have any trouble.

Courses — how do I put the links to new courses automatically? I’m actually looking at a few other course software options to make this easier for me.

 

Fisher Lassie Class now available!

It’s time! Fisher Lassie purchase information is now available at Knittingtoday.com.

Pattern Details

This handknit pattern written by Bonne Marie from ChicKnits introduces a cardigan version of the gansey sweater often worn by the 19th century fishermen of British coastline communities. While it features distinctive stitch patterning from the era, the pattern incorporates modern styling, fit and techniques.

Yarn Information

Shepherd’s Wool Superwash by Stonehedge Fiber Mill has a crisp, sharp hand that shows off the patterning detail precisely. Worsted spun, 3-ply, machine wash warn, machine dry low heat.

Three color choices, Natural, Granite, and Frosty Blue. Other colors available by special order in quantities of 1000 yards packages.

Class Lesson Plans

There are about 26 lessons to this online class. A brief list of some of the lessons includes:
Getting Started: lessons in winding off yarn, swatching, choosing sizes, reading charts, pattern preview.

Knitting Techniques: remembering M1L/M1R, right twist, increasing 1 stitch from edge, casting on for buttonband, 1-row 4-stitch buttonhole,

Adapting Pattern: adjusting length, *mathing* for sleeve construction.

Automatically enrolled for FREE with purchase of project pack!