13 Days to Go!

Well I am working hard and almost ready.  Thirteen Days to go, then I will know what I will do over the next 12 months, will I be getting ready for the 2010 Tour or will I be going in a new direction?  Whatever happens, I will still be knitting on into the night.  Today I visited several craft shows in the area, just to see what is being featured.  Not a whole bunch of knitting but I did see some really cute doggie sweaters, they were awesome.  Looking at what is out there, I think I will be well within the range and there were not a lot of baby/children garments just lots of scarves, mittens, dish cloths, stuffed teddies, Christmas decorations and of course, doggie sweaters.  Very few children socks and sweaters so I should do ok. 

My little models are all ready to shine.  Thanks to my Big Brother, Bernard for the work he put into these wooden display units for me. 

I have also been busy making stock lables and pricing the projects.  So far for stock numbers I am at number 122 with still more to go.  I think there will be no problem filling the space.  Hope to see lots of people at the St. Thomas Church Hall in Shanty Bay, Oro Medonte.  Remember I will be there Friday November 20 and Saturday November 21.  After it is over I will post how it went. 

Now back to the sticks and string.  MommaBearKnits on into the night and first thing in the morning.

16 Days and I will be in the middle of it!

I have not been working the sticks and string very much today.  I walked Cruster Ruster this morning and then went to visit my Mom in Law.  She is still doing pretty good for 97.  I love her she is so cute and she still has strong opinions that she is not shy expressing, good for her.  Then I visited with Deb, my Knitting Guru. We had a talk about knitting and she gave me some good advice for my first craft show participation, I really appreciate help from someone who has been there (of course Cabin Fever Sisters go to much bigger venues than a local craft show, but the advise will still help me).  Then I came home, hauled out all my stock and worked all afternoon and into the early evening preparing the stock tags for everything.  Lots and lots of stock.  I still have some tags for hats to do and then all those socks.  I am winding down and will be ready ------

 It doesn't look that large in the picture but believe me it is.  I cannot believe that I actually knit all the items along with the designing and the huge project knitting my JJ Jacket. Thanks for retirement time. 

I have been wearing JJ and am truly amazed at how many people approach me and say how much they like it.  Makes me proud. 

MommaBear is going to rest now, that means of course, she will pick of the sticks and work an easy project to relax.  Love to knit, yes I do-------

Time is Running Out!

It is November 2, 2009.  I have only 18 days left until the 16th Annual Christmas Art and Craft Tour in Oro Medonte.  Oh My --- What was I thinking. 

I am busy getting all the yarn ends worked in, (my least enjoyable task of knitting).  I have solved the problem of sewing, working top down and multidirectional but still have to face the "Work in the Yarn Ends".  Here lay some stringy unfinished projects but they are well on their way to being part of the show.  Thanks Buffi for the opportunity to shine ---- I hope I shine.

 See below a baby hat knit from left over self patterning yarn knit double, really multicoloured and knit from the top down. 

Below is a circle (there are more coming) of warmth for cold hands in Oro Medonte.  Hope they get to do what they are meant to do...........

I will also have a circle (or pile) of hats and children's socks.  So warm heads and feet are in.............  I will have baby/children's hoodies, cardigans and pullovers.  Lots and lots to choose from.

I am now working on all the information/price tags for each and every item.  I had no idea just how many pieces I have produced.  If nothing else there will be plenty to choose from.  I am also still working on the Tween Hoodie that I asked for advice from my visitors over the past few days.  I am still open for suggestions - don't hesitate to post a comment or comments. 

I love my retirement, it enables my passion, how can that be a bad thing. 

MommaBearKnits, boy oh boy, does she knit.

Thanks

Thanks Ericah and Katrina.  You comments were greatly appreciated and trust me I listened.  I am looking forward to and hoping for more suggestions.  So far I have frogged a couple of ideas and started again.  Everyone out there, if you visit please offer your opinions, especially moms and grandmoms of teenage girls.  Knitting for teens is a big undertaking and I want to get it right. 

MommaBearKnits and Designs in Lake Country Canada.

Question!

I am trying to branch out and step up from the baby/toddler patterns.  I wonder what would a tweeny girl ( say 10 - 14 yrs) like to wear if I knit it for her.  I want it to be fashionable, multidirectional and no sew.  If those of you out in cyber world can just give me some hints, I can certainly work the multidirectional no sew concept into the project.  Just a few suggestions would be appreciated. 

1.   Do they like Cardigans, Pullovers, Hoodies, Vests, Jumpers, or what? 
2.   Do they like Lace, Cables, or just Stockinette or Garter stitch or perhaps a mix of two or more stitch patterns. 
3.   How about colours, do they like basic colours, self patterning, or out-of-this-world fabulous bright  colours? 
4. What do you knit for your daughters and/or grandaughters? 
5. I would like to know if the girls will wear them if they are cool and fresh in 2009 or just say 'thanks mom', and put them away in the closet never to see the light of day.
6. What works best for teens, DK, Worsted, Aran, Chunky?
7. Do you think teens will want to knit something themselves if it is their style?

I have gone on the web, seached for teen specific patterns and they are scarce.  There is and will always be the classic cardigans, pullovers, and shells in all sizes but I want new stuff.  For every other size there are thousands, but fashionable specific teen patterns, not so much,  Help me please.  Send pictures, descriptions, web sites and blogs that I can visit, where I might get some ideas or find patterns that I can purchase and download or free pattern sites as well.  

Contact me: berniebydesign@gmail.com or even just post a comment.

I need to feed my addiction and this will help.  MommaBearKnits on and on.

MY ADDICTION IS GETTING WORSE

I am addicted; I admit it; I can live with it (although, not sure if PapaBear can); and I am looking forward the the 'Arts and Craft Christmas Tour in Oro Medonte'.  I have finished some projects and am working on more:

This one (above) is a pullover version of the Jr. J.  It is worked in superwash wool and is size 2-3.  I have added a little different edging on the cuffs and bottom but the #'s are the same.  I encourage anyone who has worked the "J" series ('Baby J'; 'Jr. J'; and the latest cabin fever release 'J J Jacket') to branch out and be creative. The numbers can be worked for a sweatshirt style pullover; a crew neck pullover; a vest; and a hip length, waist length or I bet a full length coat would be great.  Go for it and if you do, please send me a picture, it will make me very happy to see my beloved "J" in many many different ways. I have worn my 'J J Jacket' in the public a few times already and it has never failed to attract attention and receive compliments.  Everyone is facinated with the directions and the no sewing.  If you are interested in seeing the leaflet patterns that I have self published and Cabin Fever published click on the link at the top of the left side panel.

This one (above) is similar to Sam's Delight, but not!  This one is size 8-10 and will be available for sale at the upcoming craft show.  I will likely write it up as a new pattern as the neckline is different, the yarn weight different, body texture different and there will be more sizes (2-52 hopefully).  That will likely not happen until January 2010 as I am kind of busy with the Craft show and working with Deb, Dana, Lynda and Sophie on the new Cabin Fever book.  Keep an eye out for it, you will like it, I promise. 

Hanging on my clothes line (I love outdoor clothes lines) are some more small projects, not quite finished but soon.  I gifted my Son, Daughter-in-Law, Grandaughter with the first three pairs of Fingerless Gloves, so will have to keep on knitting some more before November 20.  I think they are very popular now.  The hat looks weird right now but in my head it looks real neat.  Will post the finished hat, if it works.

I am also working on another multi-directional garment.  This one is just for ideas, so it is just size 1-2, but it will help me with the ideas and various panel stitch patterns.

Close-up of the back 2 panels.  Keep watching, it will change a lot before it is done.

As alway the addicted MommaBear cannot stop, is there help out there for me? Or if you don't have any help, join me, I love knitting with other knitters, awesome networking opportunity.

Countdown to the Oro Medonte Christmas Tour

I am counting down to my first Art and Craft Show participation (6 weeks to go).  Scary, but I need to do it or else I will have to add on a room or two for my stash and my projects and take out a second mortgage to keep me in yarn; just kidding, my stash would keep me knitting forever.  No matter how the show goes, I will still "Knit On Into the Night".  This morning I decided to sort out the sweaters by size.  I have overdone it with the Preemie/Newborn sizes, they are sooooo cute and very quick to knit.  I have 13 Preemie/Newborn; 6 Three months; 8 six months; 5 nine months; 9 twelve months; 9 childrens sizes 2-10.  Total 50, I think--- I keep finding more tucked away with other projects. Quite a few of the baby cardigans will also have matching hats and booties or socks.  I will also have many Baby/Children/Adult hats.  There will be a special price for the ones that I call my Scrap Hats.  Dish cloths, mitts, scarfs; baby/toddler socks and fingerless gloves will be for sale as well.  My Huggy Bear and my Hoodie Bear patterns will be available and there will be a special show price.  I plan to take copies of my Friends of Cabin Fever Patterns and if anyone is interested I will be proud to direct them to http://www.patternfish.com/ or http://www.cabinfever.ca/ to see all the Cabin Fever Designs and, if they are interested, they can be purchased for download on line. 

So, one more time:  The 16th Annual Christmas Art & Craft Tour in Oro-Medonte will be held Friday November 20; 9:00 am - 7:00 pm and Saturday November 21; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.  Four locations, all within 10 minutes of each other; Old Town Hall, Oro Fairgrounds; Oro Station Community Hall; St Thomas' Church Hall, Shanty Bay; Art and Sale Show at the White House, 628 Ridge Road East, Oro Medonte.

MommaBearKnits will be located at the St. Thomas' Church Hall in Shanty Bay.  Please drop by, I would love to meet everyone and there will be a great variety of arts and crafts of all kinds at each of the locations. 

-----MommaBearKnits on into the night. 

Long Time No Post - I am Back

Catch up time: 
First of all I want to thank Cynthia McDougall, http://www.cgknitters.ca/ for the write up in the current issue of "Knit Together" (the quarterly publication of Canadian Guild of Knitters).  I was featured under the category "Meet a Canadian Designer" and am totally flattered by the recognition.

As I mentioned in my last post I am going to be a vendor at the 16th Annual Christmas Art and Craft Tour in Oro Medonte.
You all know I have lots of stock but, hopefully will need more.  I will also take my Huggy and Hoodie Bear Patterns for sale.  I am working hard, finishing up the Baby Compass pattern, making smaller items for display and hopefully they will sell at the November event.  I just finished a child's version of a hooded sweatshirt style pullover and of course more socks, hats and mitts. 

Pictured here are more of my stock.  I cannot believe it, I have even started to knit Fingerless Gloves.  I never could see the reasoning behind them but they are popular and as I worked through several pairs, I began to like them on my hands and I bet they will be handy when I walk Cruster Ruster. So, I will likely keep one pair for me.   I am also working on a updated version of my Sam's Delight pattern, it will be called Samorel and will be written for children 1-6; 8-14; and an adult version will eventually be available, likely not until January at the earliest. (Picture will follow, I have completed the yoke and about 3 inches of the body.  Still have to do the sleeves.) 

Deb, Dana, Lynda, Sophie and I have held our first meeting to discuss yet another Cabin Fever Book.  It will be different from the previous ones, and will feature some very interesting designs.  Keep watching the Cabin Fever Sisters, for the release of another pattern book------------ 

Until next time ---- MommaBearKnits.

16th Annual Christmas Art & Craft Tour in Oro-Medonte

The show is coming up November 20-21, 2009.  This year there are 4 locations.  The show was born in the White House and grew to 3 Township Halls and this year, in addition to the three locations, there is an Art Show & Sale in the White House.  The White House location will be an Art Show & Sale only (628 Ridge Road East, Oro Medonte).  I will be located at St. Thomas' Church Hall in Shanty Bay along with other crafter's.  The other two locations are: Old Town Hall, Oro Fairgrounds and Oro Station Community Hall.  I have received many encouraging comments about the event from locals who have attended in the past.

I met with Buffi this afternoon, received brochures for distribution and discussed the tour as this is my very first experience participating in such a great event.  I came home and realized just how much I have to do to get ready.  I look forward to the show, big time.  I must get started tagging all the items, that is a lot more work than I expected.   For now my stock is just laying out in the spare room waiting to shine for me.  Trust me, what you see is only a small portion of the work I have completed over the last year.  Hope I am successful. 

 No matter what, MommaBear will continue to knit on into the night. 
 -MommaBear

BACK ON TRACK

I went to the Waterloo County Knitters' Fair with Deb on Saturday.  A whole day spent in the company of other knitters was great.  Of course Deb had to work in the Cabin Fever Booth, but I had the freedom to wander.  I did purchase yarn even though I have lots in my stash.  How can a knitting kook like me resist.  I met with friends that were also at the show as well as networked with others of similar interest.  You always learn something at an event like that.  It was a great show and the drive to Aurora with Deb was an opportunity to talk about, what else, but Knitting and Designing.  Then we joined the Aurora Guild and had a wonderful time on a school bus full of knitters from Aurora to the show.  The guild held draws for great prizes on the way to the show and of course Show-and-Tell on the way home.  Full Day!


JJ Jacket is done!!!! 


Now I am back at the keyboard, determined to get all the designs that are in my head on paper.  Baby Compass is my first project to finish.  It is multidirectional and after discussing the difficulty of writing, what is so easy to knit, with Deb; I am taking her advise and creating schematics for the sections.  It is time consuming but really will make the pattern easier to follow.

Above are sections 1-4 of 8 sections when complete.  Make any sense to anybody?  Trust me it will.  I am back in the saddle and loving it. 
- MommaBearKnits on into tomorrow

Break from the usual -- FABULOUS WEDDING

The bride danced with her grandson - beauty & handsome couple, even if they are a couple of generations apart.

The groom danced with his new step grand daughter. Is she a beauty or what!!! - & he is a handsome groom.

The bride's son gave her away, oh my, tears in my eyes.

What a fabulous event. The minister was wonderful, fabulous ceremony filled with laughter and love. Wow what a weekend.

No comment here, what more can you say about the most beautiful bride's grand daughters.
P.S. Jada (my inspiration for Baby J) on the left and Sophia (Sophia's Ridged Cardigan inspiration) on the right.

The groom on the right and his best man (first born son) on the left.

We had a fabulous wedding weekend, so wonderful for two of the most loving seniors on the planet. Great party.

Oh, yeah, the bride is the recipient of my knitted shawls.

Wow what a party!!!!!

-mommabearknits

"JJ" Jacket is Done!!!!

JJ was glad to get out of my hands and just chill out in a tree. I found her in the back yard, she looked so comfy I took a photo. I will miss you JJ when you go to the upcoming Knit Shows with Deb and Lynda.

Here she is just before she ran outside. The angle of the picture makes the sleeve look a little short but they fit me perfectly. Perhaps it is because the body of the jacket goes down to the hip, more like a coat. I am happy with the turnout of the finished project. Deb and I will critic our versions likely tomorrow at the shop. One good thing for my blog visitors, there will be no more JJ pictures, just a link to the pattern, hopefully soon, if Lynda decides to post it on Patternfish, otherwise it will be available at Cabin Fever.

- MommaBearKnits