Alabama

The SOUTH - With Tennessee to it's north, Georgia to it's east, Florida to it's south, and Mississippi to it's west, Alabama is truly in the heart of dixie.  When I think of Alabama, so many things come to mind, the Civil War, rich agriculture, the military, the music, and the legendary Hank Aaron.  I lived in Montgomery, Alabama for three years in my youth and have many memories.  I love a southern accent, and I love southern cooking.  Alabama has so much to offer.  Whether you are biking at Oak Mountain, birding, or playing golf at one of the regions classic courses, you are sure to enjoy yourself, and the scenery.  They have beautiful beaches and tons of shopping too.  Alabama has 10 yarn shops in 8 different towns.  I would love for the country to get to know the south through Alabama.  I want to hear from knitters, yarn shops, any designers that reside in the region to any yarns that come out of Alabama.  Go to the contact page and email me your information - this month belongs to you!               GO ALABAMA~

Here is another Elizabeth, only this one lives in Madison, Alabama.  Elizabeth knit the Queen Anne's Lace by MMario using Jojoland Melody Superwash.  Elizabeth's LYS is Yarn Expressions.  Thanks Elizabeth - love the shawl!!

Elizabeth of Birmingham, Alabama, knit the Cassidy hooded cardigan by Bonne Marie Burns.  The yarn used was Miss Babs Yowza-Whatta Skein.  Elizabeth not only knits, but she loves spinning as well.  To read more on Elizabeth, please visit her blog. Nice work Elizabeth~

Stephanie lives in Mobile, Alabama, and she designed the sweater below.  She was inspired by a sweater she saw in the Fossil catalog.  The yarn Stephanie used is Patons Classic Wool.  I think it's amazing when people can look at a sweater and recreate a similar sweater by themselves.  Thanks Stephanie for sharing your work, and if you like to learn more about Stephanie, here is her blog.

Erin Whittemore of Opelika, Alabama, knit this Airy Scarf.....no that's the name of it! The designer of the scarf is Brenda Overstrom, and the pattern is published in the book Last-Minute Gifts by Joelle Hoverson; ask for this book at your LYS.  Erin chose Rowan's Tapestry yarn in the colorway Moorland.  I love the colors, very versatile, yet light and fresh.  Nice work Erin and thanks for sharing your work and representing Alabama.

Alabama knitter Joyce has two projects to share.....first, her Noni Bag - #112 Adventure Bags by Nora J. Bellows.  Joyce knit her bag using Cascade Yarns 220 Wool.  I love the hardware, the lining, and the zipper - what a great job you did Joyce.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!  To see some of Joyce's other creative works, visit her blog.

Joyce's second project is this adorable skirt she made for her daughter.  Joyce used Bee Sweet Magic Ball to make the skirt.  What a pretty picture - thanks for sharing your work Joyce!

Carrie lives in Montgomery, Alabama, and she knit this adorable sweater called Juliet by Sarah & Rachel of ZephyrGals.  She used Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted.  The colorway is Applewood.  Nice work Carrie!

Anita of Fairhope, Alabama, knit the Knucks by Pamela Grossman.  Anita used Patons Classic Wool Merino and dyed the yarn herself using Kool Aid.  I think these are cuper cool.....way to go Anita, and thanks for participating~

Mandy Welch lives in Montevallo, Alabama.  She knits these adorable "skirties" as she calls them.  She starts with a Soaker pattern, and picks up stitches where she wants the skirt part to start.  Here you see the ruffled version, but she also makes an a-line skirtie and a pleated skirtie.  The yarn she used is Cestari Super Fine Merino - 2 ply.  Very creative Mandy and I'll bet they are adorable on.  Mandy's LYS in Montevallo is Sheep to Shawl.  Thank you so much for sharing your idea and your knitting.

Claudia of Birmingham, Alabama loves to knit dishclothes.  Here you see the Ballband Dishcloth by Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc.  The yarn used is Lily's Sugar'n Cream Ombre & Prints in Yellow-Green.  I'm going to have to give this one a try.  Thanks Claudia.....

Sara, used the Sweet Lorraine Lace Throw by Doris Chan, as her inspiration for her scarf shown in the photo. You can find the pattern for the throw in the fall 2008 issue of Interweave Crochet.  Although Sara used the craft yarn TLC Baby Solid White, her local yarn shop of choice is Serendipity Needleworks in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  I really like your scarf Sara, it's perfect for spring.

Jessica Sullens, an Alabama knitter, knit this adorable bunny for her son's Easter basket this year.  The pattern is titled "Well-Dressed Bunny" by Barbara Prime of Fuzzy Mitten.  She used Paton's Classic Merino Wool for the bunny and Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride for the little sweater.  It's super cute Jessica, and thanks for sharing your work.

You remember Tonni from further down this list.....she was the gal from Helena with the multi colored shawl - well, these are her socks too.  These socks came not only in kit form, but also as a gift from Darlene in Trussville.  Darlene knit the pink & green socks below (scroll down).  The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill in Peacock and the pattern is the Diagonal Cross Rib from the "Favorite Socks" book - ask for this at your LYS.  Thanks Tonni, you are a wonderful knitter for sure!

Amanda lives in Cullman, Alabama, and knit Lion Brands Reversible Cable Scarf using Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn! Solids.  I think every knitter needs a pattern like this in their arsenal.  Thanks Amanda.....

Elisha of Anniston, Alabama, loves the needle arts.  She knit her Dad these fine socks for Father Day.  The yarn she used is by S. R. Kertzer - On Your Toes, and the color is Camo Stripe.  The pattern Elisha followed is the Basic Top Down With Heel Flap by Charlene Schurch, out of her book Sensational Knitted Socks.  Here's dad in his socks.....

Kathy lives in Birmingham, Alabama, and she knit this stole using Elsebeth Lavold's Cable Cotton.  The pattern can be found in the small book entitled "Vogue Knitting Shawls".  Ask for this book at your LYS.  This is really pretty and feminine and perfect for spring, or even to take to the movie theater - it's always chill in there.  Kathy purchased her yarn for this stole at In The Making also in Birmingham, BUT, is now getting ready to open her new shop Knit In Time, hopefully by the end of April.  Congratulations Kathy on your new venture, and thanks for sharing your work and representing Alabama.

Paula, of Centre, Alabama knit the Entrelac Scarf by Allison LoCicero using Noro's Silk Garden.  I've never done any  entrelac knitting, but I think this would be a fantastic introduction into entrelac knitting.  Thanks Paula, thanks Allison~

Amy is from Birmingham, Alabama, and she is a big fan of Sublime yarns and patterns.  She knit this sweater vest entitled Little Scout.  Scout was the character in Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird".  This is Amy's all time favorite book and movie, so it was a must knit!   The sweater used Sublime Yarns Extra Fine Merino Wool DK, and you can find this pattern in Sublime's #613 book (Childrens double knitting book) - ask for it at your LYS.  Amy loves Tammy and the rest of the staff at In The Making also in Birmingham.  Thanks for sharing your work Amy - nice!

Kittie of Grady, Alabama, knit the "Rustic Garden Cap" using two Noro yarns; Cash Iroha and Kureyon.  I love the butterflies.  If you want the pattern, you have to contact Bluebonnet Yarn Shoppe as it is a house pattern.  Thank you Kitty for sharing your hat.

Betty Ann lives in Montgomery, Alabama.  These socks are her own design and they are toe-up.  She used a 3x1 rib pattern and shifted one stitch to the right every six rows. I love it when people are creative like that.  The yarn Betty Ann used is by Jojland.  It's called Melody Superwash and she used the turkish cast on.  Thanks Betty Ann for sharing your work and your design with us.  Betty Ann's LYS is Yarn Expressions out of Huntsville, Alabama~

Emily Ivey is a blogger that lives in Alabama.  Here she has knit the Cable and Lace All-in-One by Lois Daykin.  You can find this pattern in the book Baby Knits, ask for it at your LYS.  Emily knit this for her daughter Ellie, and she decided to knit hers jumpsuit style with no sleeves.  Emily hosts her annual "Wee Tiny Sock Swap", and registration is soon.  It's a great way to make a new friend - please check out her blog.  Nice to meet you Emily~

Tonni is from Helena, Alabama, and she sent in her Flower Basket Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark. The yarn that Tonni used is her own handspun yarn and dyed by Gale's Art.  It's a Black Blue Face Leicester and the colorway is called Deep Blue Sea.  You may already own this pattern if you have Interweave Knits Fall 2004 issue or you can get it at your LYS, as it is a Fiber Trends pattern.  Fiber Trends is one of the sponsors of this website, and they just launched their new website, so please make sure to take a look.  Her sponsor ad is at the bottom the map page.   Tonni's LYS is Sheep to Shawl in Montevallo, Alabama.  Your shawl is truly art work Tonni, thanks for sharing.

Rachel lives in Florence, Alabama and she knit this great aran pillow.  She was attending a knitting retreat, and took an aran class from Melissa Dunning when she created the center panel.  After returning home, she though to add two side panels to creat this pillow as a Christmas gift for her daughter.  I think it's beautiful.  Rachel used Cascade Yarns 220 Wool to knit her pillow.  Way to go Rachel!!

First Daphne, now Darlene - Darlene lives in Trussville, Alabama and she loves SOCKS!  She knit Cookie A's Monkey Socks with a twist.  A gal by the name of Megann came up with an idea to knit all the purls in Cookie's socks and name them the No-Purl Monkey Socks.  That was the version you see below in Darlene's socks.  Nice work Darlene, and thanks for participating in Alabama month.  Darlene & I both joined the "turned 50 club" this year, and to read more on Darlene, visit her blog.  The yarn Darlene used on her socks is from Sunshine Yarns and it's called Soft Sock Yarn.  Megann is from So. Orange County, California~

Daphne lives in Fort Payne Alabama.  She crocheted Inga's Haekelbeutel by Inga Joana Mertens.  Daphne used Lily's Sugar'n Cream Stripes yarn in Tie Dye Stripes.  Way to kick things off for us Daphne.....I think your bag is perfect for spring and summer - NICE~