Because I can. Pt 7

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am up to the heels on the project.  I wasn’t sure what kind of heel I wanted to do, so I broke out some more skacel collection, Inc. yarns and did some experimenting.

The first heel I tried out (A) was made using Trekking Hand Art (Color #505).  I used a worksheet from Chrissy Gardiner’s “Toe Up!” for the hybrid heel.  This is a heel with a gusset, short row heel turn and then the heel flap.

Heel A

The next heel I tried (B) was from a class with Judy Becker of “Judy’s Magic Cast On” fame.  She calls it “Judy’s Magic Heel” and it is similar to the hybrid heel but uses a shorter gusset increase and a slightly different heel turn.  This sample is made in Trekking XXL.

Heel B

The final heel (C) was simply a short row heel, using Zauberball.  The directions for this type of heel are available in many books and online resources, and this is a compilation of those techniques.

Heel C

You can see that to test the heels I worked JUST the heel.  Not only did this save test knitting a whole sock, but it serves as a measuring tool when making the toe up socks.  Put the test heel on your foot, and then try on the toe.  Once the sock reaches where the heel begins, you know you can start your heel!

So … drum roll …I decided to go with Heel A, because it fits the foot the best.  Each heel has its place and will likely become a part of my sock knitting repertoire, but when making socks to fit my heel, the hybrid heel is going to be the best.

Prince Entrelac, ESQ

Zitron – Earth Friendly Fibers!

Over the last few years, environmentalism has taken center stage in the business world.  The terms “eco-friendly” and “green” are commonly used buzz words intended to parlay the idea of inflicting little to no harm on the environment.   However, many companies have found that actually going “green” isn’t as easy as it sounds.  This is not the case for Zitron.  You are no doubt familiar with Zitron’s luscious yarns, but you may not be as familiar with Zitron’s manufacturing ethics.

Cambio

Zitron began the shift to “green” long before it was a trend.  Their processing leaves virtually no carbon footprints, and all of their yarns are manufactured from start to finish in Germany – a country with one of the  highest ecological standards in the world.  They rigorously test their wool and wool/nylon blends for harmful substances and residues, of which none can be found.  We are proud to announce that this line of yarns boasts the highest rating possible from Oeko-Tex (a European Textile company that tests yarns for authenticity of various natures).  Thus, all of their fibers have been approved for use by children.  There are no chemical residuals remaining after the production and dying process – thus if a child chews on it, there are no problems!

Polo

Zitron yarns such as Nimbus, Nimbus Color, Gobi, Lifestyle, Ecco, Trekking, Unikat, Loft, Turmalin, Cambio (which uses no dye whatsoever) all qualify for the Oeko-Tex label.  While Filou, Polo, Kokon and a few other do not, these yarns are still manufactured in plants that leave virtually no carbon footprints, and are still considered “green”.

Nimbus

Numerous knitting/crochet publications are realizing the benefits of earth-friendly fibers, and turning to Zitron yarns for their “green” background and fabulous feel.  In fact, you will see Zitron yarns being used in Creative Knitting, Interweave Crochet, Interweave Knits, Knit1, Knit ‘n Style, Knit Simple, Knit Scene, Knitter’s Magazine, Verena, and Vogue Knitting!  Designers and authors such as Vickie Howell and Cat Bordhi sing the praises of Zitron yarns.  In fact, Cat makes use of Zitron’s Trekking XXL sock yarns in all of her books to date, and Vickie has just released a wonderful book entitled AwareKnits, which uses Zitron’s Nimbus (a yarn that she notes is “one of [her] all-time faves”).

If you haven’t had the opportunity to knit with a Zitron yarn, I would highly suggest giving it a try!  You’ll be glad you did!

Happy Knitting,

Rob

It’s raining men…!

On any given day the maximum number of men in our building is four, our average number of women is…hold on I have to count…17, so you can imagine how mind-boggling it was to have 28 men descend on Skacel, all at the very same time! Us women were outnumbered; I think it was a first.

Labor Day weekend was the Men’s Knitting Retreat hosted here in Seattle, Washinton. Our own Brian Kohler attended and co-hosted the retreat.  Skacel invited the group to come on a tour of our facility as well as let them do some shopping via All Points in Des Moines.  The owner of All Points, Morgan Hicks, was part of the Men’s Retreat as well.

It was great fun seeing that many men get excited over yarns, needles, and patterns. We also had some star guests with the group. Franklin Habit, Author of It Itches, was part of the retreat, as well as Cat Bordhi, famous sock knitter and author of many books including her newest book Personal Footprints for Insouciant Sock Knitters. Cat was an honorary man for the weekend and was given a token apple, to represent an adams apple. How sweet.  Literally.

Cat Bordhi and Franklin Habit

It is always refreshing and rejuvenating to hear and talk about a favorite craft with someone that has a completely different view of it.

But now that they have gone back to their respective cities, it has stopped raining men and Skacel is once more, a facility flooded with women.

~Candice

What’s your addiction?

Do you wake up with the urge to knit?  Do you own more addi needles than shoes?  Are you naming your next child “Addi”? Then you my friend, are a certified addi addict … and we want YOU!!!

For years you have sat in silence, knitting away, hoping one day that people would understand your addiction to the world’s best needles.  Your time is now.  We are calling for all addicts to come out of the closet to announce loud and proud, “I am an addi addict!

As addi addicts ourselves, we at Skacel are here to support your addiction.  To kick off this campaign, we will host a contest intended to bring addi addicts into the spotlight.  Be one of the first 100 knitters to prove to us that you’re addicted to addi, and receive a free addi “what’s your addiction” T-shirt (a true collector’s item).  To qualify, simply snap a picture of yourself with your addi stash.  Be creative, be crazy, and show us how much you’re really addicted.  Submit your picture to the email address listed below, and YOU might just be the next recipient of a complimentary collector’s shirt!

The best pictures will also be considered for placement in our “what’s your addiction” ad campaign, becoming instantly immortalized in the annals of addi history!

Rules:

1. Be as creative as you would like…show us what a real addi addict is like.
2. You and your addi stash must be in the picture.
3. Pictures must be emailed to contests@skacelknitting.com
4. Please ensure pictures are high resolution and saved in jpeg format.

PHOTO SUBMISSION RELEASE

Submitter hereby provides an electronic image or photograph via email at contests@skacelknitting.com, under the following terms, and in consideration of the potential publicity and promotional value to submitter from Skacel Collection’s use, internet transmission, or other further dissemination of the Photograph(s):

I consent to the unrestricted use, publication, scanning, editing, cropping, resizing, viewing, broadcast, distribution, reproduction, display, and/or duplication of the Photograph(s) by Skacel Collection for advertising and publicity purposes relating to Skacel Collection or any of their affiliated entities, or for any other lawful purpose, in any media now known or hereinafter invented without any additional financial or other compensation.  I consent to the use of the Photograph(s) or for any other lawful purpose, in any media now known or hereinafter invented without further notice or permission.  I understand and agree that I have no right to approve or control the manner in which the Photograph(s) may be used or displayed.

I acknowledge that Skacel Collection is and shall be the sole and exclusive owner of the Photograph(s) and shall have the right to exploit the Photograph(s).

Submitter has not accepted or agreed to accept, or paid or agreed to pay, any money, service or other valuable consideration for the inclusion of any matter in the Photograph(s).

Because I can. – Progress report

Hi folks! Just wanted to give you an update on the socks.

Some of you saw me at Stitch and Pitch in Seattle. I took a brief break from the socks to determine which type of heel I was going to use.

That decision has been made, so now begins the process of the gusset increases! It’s only going to take 32 rows!

32 rows x 1 hr per row = …um…stay tuned!

Prince Entrelac MCMXC