More fun with cables!

So Thursday was my second cabling class and boy did I have some sharp thumbtacks in the box. Look at the progress these 4 women made!


I never cease to be amazed at how different one pattern can be when knit up with different yarns, in different colors, and, most importantly, at different gauges! Everyone used about US 7-8s and still the width of the scarfs varies so much.


And take a look at Sheila's scarf below! She was worried she wouldn't catch on so she got the pattern at the first class and then actually participated in the second class. She did all this in two weeks -- looks like someone didn't really need a teacher she's so quick to catch on!


All in all, definitely a very fun process for me. Several of the women from my first class were in the shop again and all are making great progress. I can't wait to see the finish products all of them make. I'm convinced they'll all be beautiful!

Want your own? Remember I've got the Gemma Cabled Scarf pattern up as a free ravelry download here.

In other news, I've been knitting too. I've finished up a couple of projects I'll post once I have photos. Of course, really what I've been spending my time on is a Twilight binge. I got the 3 disk DVD from target first thing saturday morning and have spent endless hours watching all the extras. Fun!

Teaching is Fun!

So a week ago Thursday was my first knitting class. Jayne at the purlSide, my new favorite LYS, asked me to teach a class on cabling. That's what prompted me to create the Gemma Cabled Scarf (now a free ravelry download available to anyone) -- I needed a pattern to teach.

I was worried we wouldn't have any takers. I had 12 people show up for class! Good thing I was prepared with lots of patterns and with a big giant example to teach from (see that big sage green scarf on the end of the table... that's my low-tech power point demonstration for the class... grin).


I had a super fun time teaching them the basics and everyone did such a great job! I think one of the things that's always interesting, and good for a teacher, is to see what you can improve on... what the common mistakes are. I picked up a few ideas for next time.


Look at how studious they all are... such good students!

There were a few small boo-boos as would be expected when starting anything new, but by the end of class everyone seemed well on their way to a scarf (despite my scary look below, no one had any scary mistakes that couldn't be easily fixed).


This Thursday at regular knit night, a few people from class brought in their progress... look at this!!


Very exciting to see everyone have that "lightbulb" moment and realize they too can do something new. I love cables... and I think these guys do too now. I'm looking forward to seeing their final projects even more than I was to getting my own done!

And more fun... I get to teach the class again this week! A new group to bring to the cable side this Thursday evening at the purlSide!

Gemma Cabled Scarf (with pattern info)

Long time no chat friends! I've been busy in my absence, having both fun and doing work. And I know which of those two things you'll want to hear about -- the fun!

And the first fun thing ... I finished the pattern for the Gemma Cabled Scarf and taught my first knitting class!


The class was at the purlSide (in Glendora, CA), my new favorite LYS. Jayne, the owner, took photos and said she'd share those with me so I'll post those later if I get them.

Today, I'd like to share the pattern with you.



Since this was for a class, I wanted to design something not too complicated and something that could be done as a quicker project -- hence the shorter scarf secured by a pin. I knit mine up in Lion's Brand Wool-Ease but any worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn should work just fine.

This pattern looks very complicated so it gives you a lot of "WOW" for the work. It isn't simple, simple, but was successfully accomplished by the 12 women who took my class this week. The cables are basic, simple forms with lots of repeats so once you "get" how to do the cabling, the rest is simple.

I'll be teaching the same class again next Thursday (3/19) evening if anyone wants the taught version, otherwise the pattern is available as a free Ravelry download for everyone.



Gemma Cabled Scarf (link will open up a downloadable pdf)
<1 ball Lion Brand Wool Ease in Natural Heather
US 7 circulars
Cast on February 7, 2009
Finished a short time later .. February 12, 2009

Ravelry details here.