regiknits

2008-05-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

Blending

I think I'm in love. Really. Blending fiber with my hand cards is so addictive. I wasn't sure how easy it would be. I see all of the folks using drum carders to make the most wonderful batts. I've been incredibly jealous. So it's good to know that I can create many of the same effects with my cards.

This is a blend of merino (hand dyed by a mystery dyer), silk (hand dyed by me) and undyed angora fiber. As you can see above I cut the silk fiber to about the same staple length as the merino and it worked like a charm. The skein is 42 yards at 9 wpi. I think I have enough fiber left to spin another 150-200 yards at that weight, but I might try going finer.

Believe it or not I have been knitting. In fact I was knitting so much that I didn't even touch my computer for a week. This year my new years resolution was to not knit any more sweaters (not forever, but just for a while). Why? Because I start way more sweaters than I finish. I knit a sweater for my Mom last Christmas. I finished all of the pieces on time and I still haven't seamed it. Considering that this sweater has been frogged and reknit at least three times using a couple of different patterns, I think I shouldn't be promising them as gifts.

I just couldn't help myself this time. My nieces was turning 13 years old. I thought a special occasion like that deserved a special gift. So I knitted this sweater from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2006.

Its the #6 Short Sleeved Pullover (doesn't VK give it's pattern the most charming names). I knitted it using Berocco Comfort DK in color #2760 on size 6 needles. I really love how it came out. The yarn is very soft and machine washable and dryable, which is essential in my sister's household. It's very easy to snag while knitting so you have to be careful, but I think it's worth it.

I also made something not fiber related.

It was really yummy. It's buttermilk cake, filled with lemon curd, whipped cream, raspberries, and strawberries. It was a special request. The kids call it the Trifle Cake. I made a trifle with the same flavors that they loved so much that when they knew I was making a birthday cake, they begged me to make the same thing but cake-shaped.

Next post there will be weaving. I received my heddle and had to make a few loom adjustments (who knew the 24" heddle was actually over 25" long. Fortunately dowels are really cheap. The loom still costs less than half the price of the heddle.

2008-04-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't got the heddle for my homemade rigid heddle loom. It is caught up in the postal system somewhere, but I do have something extra special.....

my very first fleece.

Okay, so it's not negative micron merino lamb or the fleece from a cormo blessed by the Pope himself on that day when all the animals go to church (I can never remember what they call it, not being Catholic and all, but they always show elephants in some grand cathedral on TV.) It's a beautiful chocolate brown Marsh Romney (actually it's Gulf Coast Native, ed). I wasn't brave enough to buy a whole fleece. I bought a pound of Romney and a pound of Gulf Coast Native from Running Moon Farms in Louisiana.

I've been reading up on processing a fleece for a while and was therefore forewarned that the fleece was likely to be quite aromatic. I steadied myself as I opened the box. I was prepared for barnyard, heck I was ready to deal with an odor like that really stinky breed of fox. (I don't remember its name either, but they have one at the Houston Zoo. You can find it with you eyes closed.) Well, I opened the box and guess what? Nothing, no zoo, no sheep, no general wooliness. I mean I didn't bend down close and take a big whiff, but I was almost disappointed.

I was ready to go to battle. I had equipped myself with brand new gloves, several sweater laundering bags, and a big bottle of Dawn. I was going to get in touch with nature, the earth with all of its malodorous excrescences. Instead I had the pleasure of processing a clean fleece with a few small bits of vegetable matter. Honestly there's less VM in this fleece than your average ball of Noro Kureyon.

You have to understand that when I say clean I'm speaking relatively. This photo of the bathtub filled with hot water, a few squirts of Dawn and a little salt and laundry bags full of fleece will give you an idea of what can come off of a clean fleece.

This color is light. By the time the first soak was done the water was the color of coffee. After the first soak. I washed each bag by its lonesome in my kitchen sink. Once more with soap, then several rinses. Working in the tub is great, but it takes too long to refill the tub for successive washes. I then spun the water out of the fleece in the washing machine. It left the fleece so dry it only took a couple of hours for it to dry.

I then used my spanking new Louet cotton cards (yes they work on wool) to card fluffy little rolags.

I spun the rolags longdraw to produce a sample skein of my very first true woolen yarn.

I wished I had taken a picture of it before I finished it using Judith Mackenzie McCuin's fulling technique. The difference was startling. My yarn plumped up to about twice its original diameter. The fluffiness really helps hide the unevenness. It's like magic.

Now this yarn is not baby's bottom soft, but it is far softer than I thought it would be. I have spun Romney before. Really harsh scratchy stuff sold by Louet. This is nothing like it. (Because it is not Romney, ed.) It is rustic but not prickly or itchy at all (I'm not particularly sensitive mind you). I was going spin a yarn to weave a bag (whenever I get my %^&#* heddle), but I think I might knit a scarf and gloves instead.

Now back to carding.

Edited to correct the misidentification of this fleece as Marsh Romney in my first post.

2008-03-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

Do I really need a new hobby?

Probably not, but I just cannot resist the weaving bug. I think it's just a matter of time after you start spinning before you start thinking about weaving. Some hardy souls are able to hold back, but I'm in fiber overdrive. So now what?

I read everything I could find online. There is no way that I would even contemplate buying another piece of fiber related equipment that costs more than my wheel, unless it's a drum carder. Since my wheel was only $250, my options were pretty limited.

I've seen rigid heddle looms popping up everywhere lately and they are relatively affordable, from $120- 250. But extra heddles are $30-40. It's still too much, so guess what? I'm going to make a loom myself. It's just a frame with dowels on two ends.

I found the old dinner tray stand shown above in the garage. I'm using the long rails as the sides, the feet to hold the warp and cloth beams, and the hanging racks to hold the second beams(I don't know what they are called but they raise the warp above the frame.) I'm using hanger bolts and wing nuts to hold the warp and cloth beams so that I can tighten the warp and roll it forward as I work.

I went to the hardware store and bought two dowels and hardware. I still have to attach the last dowel, and the heddle blocks. In the end I think I will be out $10 and a couple of hours or work at most. Here it is in all of its glory.

Now to figure out a way to make a cheap heddle. I'm pretty sure making an 8 dent heddle would be no problem, but any finer is going to be really hard. I've tried string heddles and they are far more trouble than they are worth. I guess I'll keep looking.

2008-03-08T20:03:00.000-08:00

Turning over a new leaf...

I've decided that it just can't go on any longer. I can't keep ignoring this blog. I have been knitting and spinning continuously, but this poor baby has been too long ignored.

What have I been up to?

I am currently spinning for two projects. The skein on the left is spun from a Rose Garden rambouillet, silk and angora batt from Crystal Creek Fibers. The single on the bobbin on the left is spun from a Wild Sage rambouillet and silk batt from the same place. They really are lovely to spin. What I like most is the chunkyness of the batts. You can create so many different effects. To see what I mean, here is a sample of the same Rose Garden batt spun into a sportweight 2x2 cabled yarn.

Notice how muted and almost tweedy the yarn is compared to the above skein. I was planning to overdye the yarn, because I really didn't like the peachy tone. By spinning it thicker the chunks of color really stand out and the overall effect is far more to my liking.

The scarf in the photo is the Shredded Scarf from Intertwined by Lexi Boeger. I am really loving this book. Anyone who is interested in spinning novelty yarns should really take a look at it. It is beautifully photographed and produced. Honestly it's a steal at the full price of $29.95. If you know the basic techniques of spinning, the book will show you how to spin thick and thin, coils, fabric yarn, etc.

More than an instruction manual, it gives you a peak into the mind of a fiber artist. I think the biggest impact for me is in the ways I'm thinking about designing yarn. I've been wanting to spin something special for a very good fried of mine. Today I talked to her, and asked her what her favorite things were. One of them was a gingham sundress. Now I'm planning on spinning a fabric yarn with strips of gingham, lace butterflies and some sort of stand in for daisy petals(maybe little pieces of yellow silk). I think it will make a beautiful crocheted cloche.

On the knitting front, I am knitting a pair of socks in a broken rib pattern in Noro Kureyon Sock.

It's really beautiful and rustic. I like the stiff woolyness of the yarn, but people who like squishy and soft yarn just aren't going to get it. It does soften when washed, but not that much. It will probably take a few months of wear to get really soft, but I like it.

I have recently finished several scarves.

Jonna by Norah Gaughan from Norah Gaughan Collection: Volume 1 knit from 2+ skeins of Cascade 220.

And these two scarves. The first is knit with 1 skein of Dream In Color Classy and the second from two skeins of Patons Soy Wool Solids (do not like this yarn). I just made them up as I went along. They are both reversible cable scarves with ladders.

2007-11-28T15:35:00.000-08:00

I've been spinning a lot lately, but I don't have that much to show for it, so I'll post this instead.

Way better than anything I can create, huh?

I actually have spun up a couple of nice things. Here is my first attempt at navaho plying. It's 2 oz of merino.

Here is some BFL I handdyed and spun and navaho plied. Its 2.5 oz , 97 yards and about 13 WPI.

I'm currently working on the lovely batts I got from Loop on Etsy. They are bamboo, merino, silk and corriedale. I am spinning them and plying with a wine colored corriedale. I spun up a sample and swatched.

Nice ,now I just have to spin up the rest.

2007-10-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

Guess what came in the mail...

I thought I should finally post my fabulous last package from my secret pal Christi. Not only did she send me the most amazing yarn in my favorite colors, but so much more.

I almost bought this issue of Interweave Crochet, but I stopped myself because I crochet like a monkey. As you can see I had to get into the yarn. I just couldn't wait until I got more batteries for my camera. Your eyes ain't lying, that's 2 skeins of Malabrigo laceweight (in my favorite color, no less) and one skein of the worsted. Plus she sent Burt's balms and a key chain and a knitting calender.

Christi has been an amazing secret pal. Not only because of the great things she sent me, but also because she started me off in a new hobby, spinning. Guess what came last week?

Lot's of pieces of wood and a picture? That jumble of lumber is my brand new Louet S17 spinning wheel. I got it from Adrian at Hello Yarn. I would definitely recommend anyone looking for a Louet to buy from her. Not only does she have the best prices I've found online, but she also sent extra instructions on assembly that she wrote herself. I really did need both sets of instructions to figure out a couple of things. Here she is finished.

I think her name might be Mavis. I've always loved the name and it just seems to fit. I didn't get the exact color I wanted, because the varnish I used had a slight amber color which really toned down her chartreuseness.

I really thought the biggest challenge in spinning was drafting. That was before I started using a wheel. I've been using a spindle for several months and I do a pretty good short draw, but there is so much more to think about with a wheel.

I should add a little background. Before I got my wheel, I had seen exactly two spinning wheels in person, both Ashfords neither in use. I had absolutely no idea how to start. I tried using my wits to figure out how to get the leader on and get the wheel to spin while actually adding twist and all hell broke loose. The drive band flew off, it was a mess.

Then I remembered that my secret pal sent me Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning by Judith MacKenzie McCuin in August. What a life saver. Even though I am pretty skeptical about any book series that has as its motto "read less-learn more", it was just what I needed. I quickly found a better way to attach the leader and even more important I learned to adjust the tension while the wheel is spinning.

I would show you my first spun fiber (that's right fiber not yarn), but I had read so much online about beginners over spinning that I under spun it so bad I could get it of the bobbin without it falling apart. I then threw caution to the wind and made this.

It's not very even and it's seriously over plied, but it's yarn. I used the Finn that comes with the wheel. It doesn't feel very nice, but it is very easy to draft. I got bored with all the white and it's so hard to see how much twist you are adding so I got out my food color and vinegar and dyed some of the roving. I folded it in half and painted it and dyed it in the microwave.

I then broke it in half. I spun each half from a different end.

I hoped to have two colors plied together in each section, but somehow the yellow lined up together.

The swatch looks lovely, doesn't it.

I made a really big swatch because I have no intention of using this for any garment. It is really scratchy. I kind of like that it's not a yarn I intend to use, because it takes all of the pressure off me while I learn. I have amassed a small stash of fiber that I would actually feel bad about ruining.

That is 8oz of undyed Bluefaced Leicester top , 8oz of wine Corriedale top, 2 oz of Dijon Merino top , 3.5 oz of Zitron Merino Pencil Roving, 4 oz of hand dyed lemon-lime Merino, and 8 oz of carded Romney roving ( a little less, because I had a nightmarish attempt at the long draw). I'm hoping that by the time I work my way through the Finn, I won't be so afraid of playing with the nicer stuff.

2007-09-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

Ode to Garter Stitch

I have long shared the opinion of many knitters, that garter stitch is ugly and tedious, best left to beginner's bulky scarves and size 15 needles. I've even looked at the many graphic designs of Hanne Falkenberg and thought: Wow that's nice, but all that garter stitch would drive me crazy. Well, everyone, I've been converted.

This past month I've been working on two projects that rely on garter stitch as their main design element. The first is the Scarf with open and solid diamond lace edging from Weldons, 1904 from Victorian Lace Today (Don't you just love those pithy titles. It's on page 90). I wanted a simple pattern to show of the beauty of the skein of Wagtail 4ply Kid Mohair I picked up at Hill Country Weavers in Austin. I think it was the perfect choice.

This would be a great pattern for someone relatively new to lace knitting. It would be a good introduction to adding a knitted on border, because each border is added differently. You knit the first border, then pick up stitches along the side and knit the body of the scarf. Then you knit on the second border. Fun and beautiful.

I'm using the Modern Quilt Wrap pattern from Folk Style by Mags Kandis to knit a throw using Vanna's Choice (I can't believe it either). I'm actually finding the 100% acrylic yarn nice to work with. It comes in lots of colors, it was on sale, and I was itching to start. I'm glad I took a risk. I'm not sure whether it will be a gift or not and I've decided if I'm not giving the gift to a knitter then it has to be machine washable. Modular knitting really does make long stretches of garter stitch more enjoyable, and it's pretty, see.

I'm knitting the pattern twice as wide as the original, just repeating the pattern twice before I start the next row of blocks.

I made myself a scale drawing of the pattern on graph paper which is much easier to follow then the written list of colors. There is a drawing with the pattern, but it's not exactly to scale so it can't be followed without the instructions. It doesn't take long to make the drawing and it will give you an excuse to play with markers. I'd show you mine, but even though its a free pattern available at the Knitting Daily website, I'm not sure that would be kosher.

I've also completed the Tilted Duster by Norah Gaughan from Interweave Knits Fall 2007. I finished the body of the sweater a while ago, but I ran out of yarn and had to order more. Fortunately it was a perfect match. Check it out.

Pattern: Tilted Duster by Norah Gaughan from Interweave Knits, Fall 2007

Yarn: Berkshire by Valley Yarns, 11 skeins

Needles: size 8 circular Susan Bates

I enjoyed knitting this pattern immensely, but I'm not sure about the yarn. I used a yarn that knits up at a larger gauge than the pattern calls for and while I got gauge it's a little heavier than I would like. Also the alpaca in the blend really stand out to much for my taste. Alpaca always takes up less dye in blends, but against the dark teal of the wool it kind of looks as if I've been rolling around in cat hair. My mother and sister really like it. I may let one of them have it. Of course this goes against the rule I stated earlier of only machine washables for non-knitters. Who says I have to be consistent?

2007-09-16T23:47:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a long time, but...

My hard drive died. I am still trying to fix an old laptop and get back online regularly. I have been knitting, but I have no pictures to show because I can't load them onto the computer that I am borrowing.

Stay tuned. I will be back with photos of a finished Tilted Duster, a beautiful scarf from Victorian Lace Today done in yummy Wagtail Mohair, and the beginning of my very first afghan.

2007-08-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

Well I'm back from vacation. Okay, so I got back about a week ago, but this trip took a lot out of me. I went to Sacramento to visit my oldest and dearest friend to help her move into her new house. It was really a working vacation. In the process of painting every room in her house and moving her things, I re injured my right arm. I haven't been able to knit much as a consequence.

I did receive a fabulous package from my Knitty Secret Pal. Just check out all of the goodies.

Habu Geelong Lamb, and every knitting notion known to human kind, and glow in the dark Silly Putty! By the time I took a photograph I was using the darning needles and the stitch markers. How could she have possibly known that my last needle that I usually keep somewhere in the dark crevices of my couch had gone missing? I've obviously got the best Secret Pal ever.

I know I'm supposed to be resting my arm, but I couldn't help casting on for the Tilted Duster by Norah Gaughan in the new Interweave Knits. I am using Valley Yarns Berkshire in Dark Teal. It's a great pattern. I probably won't finish it for a while, because I have promised myself (and my mother) that I will not knit for a least a week, maybe two.

I've had the yarn for a long time. I was using it to knit a fitted cable sweater of my own design. Once I had knit up the body I realized that it was ludicrous. I live in Texas. The only reasonable way for me to use wool yarn bigger than DK weight is in a garment that can be easily taken off, like a cardigan or jacket, but it does look kind of nice, see.

My only other news is that I finally got on Ravelry. I'm loving it. It has made me pull out all of my FOs and WIPS, even some very old and neglected ones. I also finally figured out how to turn off the flash on my camera. I know that it's ridiculous that I've been struggling with it for over a year without figuring it out. I have a problem finding easy solutions to simple problems. But at least now I will have better photographs.

2007-07-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Look what the Post Office drug in...

I received an amazing package from my secret pal last week. I had hinted that I was interested in learning to spin. So what did she send me?

A super glitzy spindle, a book on spinning, and lovely yellow and green merino roving, yum.

I am so happy. I don't know why I never bought myself a spindle before this. I am now trying desperately to draft evenly. Here's the first yarn from my brand new sparkly spindle.

Not very even so far, but you know what, it's actual yarn. I can't describe the pleasure of taking that lumpy mass and knitting up something. Check out the swatch from my first yarn. If you look closely you can see that it's pretty regular at the bottom and bumpy lumpy at the top.

Have you ever noticed that the first time you try something new it goes incredibly smoothly, you think "wow, that's not as hard as I thought", and then you try it the second time and realize you have no idea what you are doing.

I think it went a little better with the beautiful handpainted merino roving. Check out swatch number two.

Not so bad. Sorry I don't have pictures of the yarn to post, but I couldn't wait to start knitting it up as soon as it dried. I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to blow dry yarn, but for your information, it worked just fine.

2007-07-24T13:01:00.000-07:00

The Fall 2007 Interweave Knits preview is up. I just have to say, "Wow." It looks to be the best issue I've seen in the last couple of years. I have never seen so many items that I want to knit in a single magazine.

Here are some of my favorites:

Eunny Jang's Tangled Yoke Cardigan

Her attention to detail is incredible. The ribbed neckline hem is the sort of touch that elevates her designs beyond the standard fare.

The Dickinson Pullover by Kathy Zimmerman

It is classic and beautiful. All of those cables will make a fun and challenging knit for anyone who likes traditional elegance.

The Tilted Duster by Norah Gaughan

This looks modern, clean, and very flattering.

Kate Gilbert's Cinnabar Pullover

I really like the simplicity of this garment. I think it would look great with a contrasting color at the hem and at the collar. How about a colorwork pattern for the body with a solid contrast at the hems and collar. My mind is churning with possibilities.

The Cobblestone Pullover by Jared Flood.

Jared, otherwise known as Brooklyn Tweed, sure does know his way around garter stitch. He seems to have an unlimited ability to turn that simple stitch into a thing of beauty.

The Mirapoix Bodice by Mary Jane Mucklestone

Yay, another chance to delve into fairisle in a modern way. Very nice.

Bryant's Slipover by Jennifer Lang

Flattering and feminine in a sleek and contemporary way.

What's especially good about this issue is that it has such a variety of patterns. It has 5 cardigans, 7 pullovers, 3 vests, 3 hats, 2 scarves, 2 dresses, one pair of mitts, and 7 socks.

5 of the patterns have cablework (not including the socks), 4 fairisle, 3 lace, and one looks like a slipstitch pattern. There is something for everyone.

2007-07-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

In the last week I have broken up at least ten fights, wrangled a wild animal, and repeatedly used that hackneyed phrase "because I said so". In other words I have been babysitting my nieces and nephew.

Of course that means no knitting. But it doesn't mean no knitting disaster stories. A couple of days ago I woke up around 7:30 and groggily made my way to the living room. I could hear more than one television going, but I was expecting it. My sister brings her kids over very early, while I am still asleep. They are supposed to lay down and go back to sleep for a few more hours. In reality they watch every television in the house and get on the computer, while playing Gameboys and listening to music. It's quite soothing.

I entered the room and spied my nephew sitting on the couch watching sitcoms. I was still half asleep, so it took me a while to realize that the small blurry object running circles around the room was my sister's lovable but untrained new puppy. And the jumble of crap lying in the middle of the floor was my unfinished Venezia, several balls of yarn and a big steaming pile of dog poop.

Now remember, I was still half asleep. I was completely incapable of conscious thought. By the time I came to, I found myself screaming, "Get him out of here get him out of here get him out of here!"
I was using a voice down at the bottom of my register that I had never heard before. I sounded as if I were possessed by the devil. My throat hurt for hours afterwards.

My nephew grabbed the puppy and ran out of the room. I felt kind of bad. I didn't say anything inappropriate, but I have never spoken to him in that tone. That's not to say I have never yelled at him. I have, but I have never yelled at anyone like that.

It's true. There was something about seeing this piece of knitting, which I have already invested hours in, looking as if it might be ruined that just brought out roaring lion in me. In that brief moment I screamed as if it were my baby under a car instead of some very colorful string interlaced in a pretty pattern. I guess I am a confirmed knitting addict after all.

Everything turned out fine. My sweater didn't actually have any poop on it. My nephew was convinced that I was a maniac for a couple of hours, during which he was very well behaved. It wore off after a couple of hugs, and it was back to complete and utter chaos.

In other words, all was well in the end.

2007-07-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

Because I can.... new FPS pictures

Okay I can't resist posting this really cute picture of my niece wearing the Forest Path Stole.

I think this shows the color better than the previous ones, and look it floats in the wind.

I've just started a series of baby sweaters which will hopefully exhaust all of the machine washable yarn in my stash. Here's the first one in progress.

I started last night. It's Guernsey Frock by Kim Hargreaves from "A Treasury of Rowan Knits."

I just picked it up on remainder. It's a book worth having, especially if you live in the south. Almost all of the patterns are knit with cotton or cotton blend yarns like Rowan Denim, Wool Cotton, or Cotton Glace. There are a lot of drop shoulders, but I am no longer convinced that drop shoulders in themselves are evil. I think it's the combination of drop shoulders and eight to ten inches of ease that's the real nightmare. Anyway check it out.

I think there is some cold barbecue I should be eating right now. I'll be back when the leftovers run out.

2007-07-02T13:23:00.000-07:00

The Forest Path Stole... is finished!

Forest Path Stole by Faina Latoutchaia

Measurements: 77"x32"
Yarn: Coulourmart 2/28 Cashmere in Lemongrass (less than a 150 gm cone)
Needles: US #3 (3.25mm) Crystal Palace Bamboo 40 " circulars

Can you believe it? I have finally finished this monsterpiece. I thought I loved it while I was knitting it, but I knew I did when I finished blocking.

It is as light as a cloud. Unfortunately it's raining outside so I can't take the best pictures, but here we go.

Blocking:

I don't know what I would have done without blocking wires. It would have taken three times as long, and I doubt I would have gotten such straight edges.

After blocking on the floor:

It's 32"x77". I'm sure I could have blocked it longer, but not at 4 a.m.

On a table:

I think I will leave it here while I try to find a home for it. I can't quite bear the thought of putting it away. I've got to spend a few weeks just looking at it first.

2007-06-24T18:11:00.001-07:00

Just a quick shot of Venezia...

I am making great progress. I have to say that so far this is the most enjoyable knitting experience I've ever had. Knitting fair isle two handed is also much less tiring. When I knit for a long time I tend to get soreness in my left hand, even though that hand just stays still (maybe because that hand stays still). That has not been a problem at all. I think having both hands equally engaged keeps them from tensing up.

I can't wait to experiment with more of KnitPicks new heathered Palette. I'm thinking fair isle hats and gloves, by the boatload. I'm letting everyone who knows me know now, that is what you are getting for Christmas, whether you like it or not.

I am definitely knitting this this fall (check out pictures 2 and 3)

The first time I saw this sweater on Eunny Jang's blog I was bowled over, but that shot is even more incredible. I love the colors, the fit, the neckline. I am going to save up so that I can splurge for the required yarn. If there ever was a sweater worth $150, this is it.

I have got to make myself take a break from the sweater so I can finish the border of the Forest Path Stole, but it is very, very hard to tear myself away.

2007-06-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

So I cast on for Venezia. It's a lot of fun. I am just loving this combination of yarn, pattern and needles. I recreated the charts in a larger, more readable form so following them has been a breeze. Here's my progress so far.

Anyone who has been afraid of fair isle please just jump in. This is my first fair isle done in the traditional fingering gauge. It's both faster and easier than I thought it would be. The pattern is interesting enough that it makes up for the relatively slow progress.

If you are knitting Venezia do watch out. I quickly read through the instructions and started knitting. I knew I would have to decrease, but it didn't occur to me to check until I had knit eleven rows. I was supposed to start decreasing after 2 rows. Oh well, I guess my sweater is just going to be an inch and a half longer than the original.

2007-06-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

At Last....

I have returned. I was postless because of a short vacation plus a long stretch of severe back pain. What better project is there for someone who can hardly move their arms than the Forest Path Stole. Just Kidding. I have finished all 23 tiers. I am currently working on the border.

Reading the directions for the border I thought it would be very tedious, but it knits up rather fast.

Guess what I got in the mail a couple of days ago.

All of the yarn and needles for Eunny Jang's Venezia Pullover from Interweave Knits Winter 2006. Yes, I know I made a pledge to knit no sweaters in 2007, but Knitpicks Palette comes in great new heathered colors that are just perfect for this project. A large fair isle sweater for $30. How could I resist.

These are my first Knitpicks needles and I am in love. I got the classic circulars, so I still don't know how good the Options are, but if they anywhere as nice as these I may have to buy a set.
The points are perfect and not nearly as sharp as I had heard. I once stabbed myself in the arm with no.5 Susan Bates needles as I sat down while holding them in a bag points up. I just don't think the Knitpicks needles would draw blood.

I have already swatched.

Sand = Cream
Mooskit /White = Tan
Mooskit = Twig
Yellow Ochre - Golden Heather
Pine Forest = Navy (there is no really dark green in Palette)
Peacock = Marine Heather
Rosemary = Rainforest Heather
Turf = Tidepool Heather
Old Gold = Brindle Heather

Pretty good, eh? The Brindle is a little dark, but I like it.

I would show you my progress, but I have had to frog the hem, because of five additional stitches that snuck in even though I counted twice and used stitch markers. It's really hard not to make a mistake when you are casting on 324 stitches. I'll post a picture of the finished hem soon. I promise it be another month until I post again.

2007-05-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

Belated Mother's Day

I finished it at last. It was only five days late. I think this shows it was worth it.

That's my mom wearing the Short Sleeved Lace Cardigan from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2007. I enjoyed knitting this pattern so much. It is extremely simple. I think it would be a perfect first lace project for someone. The slanting eyelet pattern is very easy to memorize, or even better, it is so easy to read the knitting that you don't have to memorize the pattern at all.

I love the eyelet ribbing detail. You don''t even have to knit buttonholes. The eyelets are used instead. I haven't added the buttons yet, and I don't know that I will. My mother seems to prefer to wear it open.

I just realized that this is my first FO in three months. I've been knitting almost everyday, but I haven't been making much progress on my WIPs. I have to remember to keep adding small projects to my to do list. The satisfaction of actually completing something reenergizes me and helps me focus on the bigger things, like the sadly neglected Forest Path Stole.

I picked up my FPS last night for the first time in a month. I'm going to try to knit a little of it every day. I do want to finish it. It is just so hard to be disciplined when there are so many other crafty distractions.

2007-05-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

All hail the return of Cotton Ease. I humbly bow to her graces. Until last week I really never understood what the fuss was about. Sure I noticed the online uproar when it was discontinued, but it never occurred to me that a Lion Brand yarn could be all that great.

I have purchased and used wool ease in the past. When I first started knitting, I decided to knit my nieces and nephew scarves. The only thing I could stand at the local Michaels was the Wool Ease. I didn't really like the colors or the feel, but I thought, "At least it's machine washable". I knit all of the scarves, but I didn't enjoy one minute of it. I just can't stand how plastic the stuff feels. I've also knit with Homespun (arghhh!) and the suede one (ho-hum). I have to say that I don't generally have a positive view of the yarns at all.

But then last week I noticed Cotton Ease at Michaels. I had been looking for an inexpensive machine washable yarn to sub for a summer top pattern. At first I was just going to but a couple of balls to check it out. When I picked up and felt it, I could resist. I bought ten balls, 4 in a light blue and 6 in violet.

After a Mother's Day knitting fiasco which I will relate later, I needed to whip up a quick replacement gift and I remembered this pattern from the latest Vogue Knitting.

The pattern calls for Lion Brand Organic Cotton which is the same gauge as Cotton Ease. Boy does this pattern show this yarn to it best effect. Cotton Ease knits like a dream. It shows of textural knitting beautifully. Here are a couple of close ups:

The eyelet pattern is just gorgeous:

It is also incredibly light. Cotton is much heavier than wool, but the added acrylic makes this blend (208 yards to 100 grams) exact the standard weight of wool. This means you can add all of the cables, texture, and bobbles that you want, without creating a garment it takes a forklift to pick up. I have wanted to knit a cotton blanket for a long time, but I hadn't yet found a good inexpensive sturdy light weight yarn for the job. This is definitely it.

The only negative comment I have about the yarn is the limited and slightly depressing color selection. It is clear that Lion Brand tried to come up with a more sophisticated color palate. I do think the taupe color and the lime are lovely, but this yarns calls out for rich and vibrant colors. Hopefully if the relaunch is successful enough they will expand the colors choices.

2007-05-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

I hate your baby..

I started a crazy quilt months ago for the baby of a friend of mine. I thought I had chosen my fabrics well and the piecing method seemed very forgiving. So I had just about finished the top when I realized that I was making the ugliest quilt I had ever seen. It was so bad that I was afraid that if I gave it as a gift it would not signify love and hope and comfort, all of the things a baby quilt should communicate. No, it would say loud and clear: "I hate your baby!"

I'm a good person. I don't hate babies. Okay maybe one or two, but in general no. So I had to come up with a solution. I saw an fabric ad in a quilting magazine that had a lovely quilt draped on a chair. I had to make it. I didn't stop to take pictures until the top was done and I was basting the layers together. Here she is:

My piecing skills are not so good, but I've decided that the wonkiness of my seams can be read as charmingly naive rather than sloppy. I'm rather proud of it right now. My first quilt will say: "I love your baby."

2007-04-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

Da-da-da-da, Superlace!...

Fleegle has another interesting post today about what she calls superimposed lace. She gives a lovely example from a Japanese knitting book. I decided to give it a go. I started my swatch with a circular needle and two double points and two strands of contrasting yarn. Anyone who decides to try this should know that each extra pattern repeat will require one more double point or better yet the whole thing should be knitted on two circulars.

It doesn't start out spectacularly.

It is a kind of double knitting.

The reverse stockinette between the motifs is knit with both strands of yarn. Then the number of stitches required to knit the motif are picked up in white on the double point and the stitches in the yellow are placed on the circular. Then the background is purled using the yellow yarn to the end of the motif. The motif is then picked up and the lace pattern is knit with the white yarn . Finally both strands of yarn are used to knit the reverse stockinette.

Whew, is it really worth it? Check this out

I think I love it. I wouldn't want to make a huge garment with lots of pattern repeats, but what a cute baby sweater this could make, or maybe socks. I think you could make a very nice scarf with this technique because the back is very pretty.

I guess I should mention the doily I am currently working on. It's called "Gotthold" and it is in Kunststricken: Grosse und Kleine Decke which you can get here or here.

I am enjoying it a great deal as it is the perfect distraction from the never ending Forest Path Stole.

2007-04-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

Goodies Galore

Check out the goodies I've recently received from far and wide.

The issue of Anna on top is the June 1986 edition containing Herbert Niebling's Lyra. It also has a couple of simple and pretty lace scarves and lovely yellow rose needlework designs. I'm definitely loving it.

Next is Pitsilised Koerkirjad the fabulous Estonian lace book I mentioned earlier. This book is even better than I thought it would be. There are almost 300 different stitch patterns inside. It is in Estonian, which looks kind of like Finnish. (I know it's strange but I had a little Finnish obsession when I was 19, which culminated in learning to conjugate one verb 'to divide' and say "Where is the ashtray?") There is a chart symbol translation key available online here. You can't get this fabulous book in the states but it is available from Martina's. Beware of the shipping, it is very expensive, but if you stock up on Addi Turbo's which she has at shockingly low prices, it's totally worth it.

Last, but certainly not least is Kunstricken: Grosse un kleine Decken. This little booklet has thirty doilies and tablecloths, several designed by Herbert Niebling. It comes with great big clear charts. The only possible negative is that the crocheted bindoffs are not charted and as far as I can tell not described in the limited German written instructions.

Knitting lately has not been going well. I whipped up this nifty swatch for Eunny Jang's Print of the Wave Shawl.

I used the same yarn and shade Eunny used for hers. I've never done that before and it was kind of an accident. It is Merino Oro from Ornaghi Filati. This yarn has been calling out to me every time I go to my LYS, Yarns2Ewe, but I'd never seen this color before. It just bowled me over. You can't begin to appreciate it's loveliness from a picture.

Well knitting the swatch was a breeze. I used the only size 0s I had at the time which were bamboo double points I usually knit socks with. I finally cast on for the shawl a couple of nights ago, and it was a total disaster. I have never had to frog a lace pattern four times during the first pattern repeat. I don't even think knitting my very first project was as frustrating. I dropped stitches, my stitch count was all over the place, totally dismal. I finally realized that dark yarn on size 0 Addi Turbos, requires a lot more light.

I know it's not the needles, because last night I gave up and cast on for one of the doilies with the same needles and things are just fine. If the needles were too slippery, size 20 cotton would have been hard to knit with, but it gripped just fine. I didn't add a lamp or anything, but the yarn is pure white so no problem. I guess I should get one of those fancy natural light lamps you see advertised in craft catalogues, but they are so expensive.

Well, fortunately days are getting longer so I may be able to make some progress on the Print of the Wave in the next few months. As for the never ending Forest Path Stole, I guess I should just admit that it is on hiatus. I finished the fourteenth tier about a week and a half ago and I haven't picked up since. I refuse to put it away, because out of sight really is out of mind. I find that if I put a project I'm stuck on away it never gets finished.

I really do think I just need a break. I worked on it and only it for several weeks and I don't think that was a good idea. I usually work on several projects at the same time. I think I over did it and I need to get re-energized with some new projects.

2007-04-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Forest Path Stole had a lovely picnic in the backyard...

I thought it would help her feel a little less neglected. I haven't been knitting much at all lately. I've managed to finish the 12th tier, but I haven't touched it for a week. I have been thinking about knitting though. I tend to go through these periods of obsessing about new projects... what yarn to buy, which books to order or borrow. For some reason, all of the actual knitting just stops cold.

So what's the problem? Well by the time the books are available at the library and the yarn has come in, I'll just be getting back into the swing of things. So now I'll be distracted by all the new yumminess, and next thing you know I'll need the needles I'm using for my current WIPs for the new WIPS. This is how you end up with a huge pile of unfinished objects mouldering in the back of the closet.

I would make a public vow to finish what I start and get a little more disciplined, but that's just not going to happen. So in light of my current frame of mind, here is my ridiculously overthought, terribly underplanned, and totally preposterous list of future projects:

1. Niebling's Lyra.

Okay, what you should be thinking is: "Girl, you haven't even finished those simple little doilies you started months ago. Who you think you're fooling?" Well, you are absolutely right, but I know that I am far more likely to complete tedious finishing if it's on a complicated project that I have invested hundreds of hours on. Those other doilies were just practice. And besides fooling myself is fun.

2. A fairisle scarf based on Eunny Jang's Venezia pullover from Interweave Knits.

Don't even say it. I know it will likely cost about 50% more than the sweater, and take even longer. I've been lusting after that sweater for a long time, but a) I have sworn off knitting sweaters for myself for the next two years, and b) a gorgeous 12" wide double sided fairisle scarf always fits you and never goes out of style. If I'm going to invest that much money and time in a project I want my niece to be able to wear it in 2050.

3. A masculine yet fashionable cashmere/silk scarf for He Who Will Not Be Named as thanks for all of the wining and dining. I haven't yet decided on a pattern. This one's hard. I need the perfect scarf for a male fashionista, glam, yet subdued. See, I'm starting to have more reasonable expectations.

4. A pair of Jaywalkers in the Cestari sock yarn I picked up a while ago. Oh my, I've gotten almost pedestrian now, but this is a really great pattern. It's just about the only one I've found that works for this yarn that's not just a plain sock.

5. Best Friend Cardigan from Big City Knits by Wen Len Chai.

It would look smashing on a good friend of mine with a not so busty figure. Wow, now I've finally succumbed to huge needles and rope-like yarn.

6. Mary Lynn Patrick's multidirectional lace cardigan from the new Vogue Knitting.

I know I swore off knitting sweaters, but don't worry. Things this far down on the list never get done anyway.

2007-03-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring

I recently had a birthday. My very good friend was in town. He was very festive, he even wore his 'Yellow Rose of Texas' shirt in commemoration of the trip.

He who will not be named fed me lavishly for three days and squired me across three or four counties. By the way if you happen to go to Marks on Westheimer get the fois gras appetizer. It rocks! The quail that goes with it is a little overpowered by the bacon, but once again... the fois gras rocks!

This is my attempt to capture the sight of bluebonnets as they begin to explode across Texas highways.

Kinda sorry, I know. But, we weren't about to stop to get a better view.

I did do some knitting. I've now finished 9 tiers of the Forest Path Stole. Even though the ninth tier of the Forest Path Stole doesn't look any different than the fifth tier, I will grace y'all with a picture.

That 'y'all' was in commemoration of he who will not be named.

2007-03-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

Color me...

I haven't been knitting much the last couple of days, because I've become overwhelmed by the project of choosing colors for a fair isle pattern. I've read about color theory. I've looked at a lot of examples, but I am forced to admit that I just can't do it without laying out the money for some color cards. I know the color families I want to work with and I thought of just buying seven tones of each color and picking out my nine colors from them in person. But, I can't even tell whether colors are warm or cool from catalogues.

Why have I been so resistant to ordering color cards? Well it's money spent that could be spent on yarn. I know it's illogical, but I have a hard time spending money on knitting related items that aren't yarn. I don't have a full set of needles. Every time I need a needle I don't have, I go to my LYS and pick up a set of needles, but by the time I check out I've put them back and bought yarn instead. That's not cheap, that's irrational.

Here is my progress on the Forest Path Stole:

As you can see I have finished the fourth Tier. I t really is an easy project. The lace patterns are simple and easy to memorize. The only difficulty is the size of the project. I think it can be hard to maintain a commitment to a piece that will take several months to complete. I guess I've completed about one seventh of the project (21 tiers plus the border). I think I might try knitting one using different lace patterns after I finish this one.

I mentioned the quilt I am making for my friend's baby before, but I didn't show any pictures, because it wasn't ready. Well it still isn't done and the baby is a month old. Maybe if I post a picture of a section of the unfinished quilt top I will be inspired to finish it. This is for little Maxine:

I tried to choose bright colors that wouldn't make her mom gag, I even stuck in quite a bit of pink. The over all impression when you stand back is red, but its full of orange and magenta and yellow. This photo captures about one ninth of the top. I've been almost done with the piecing for two months now. I better get on with it.

2007-03-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

All Hail Eunny Jang...

and ever may she reign as the new editor of Interweave Knits. I know it's going to be sad to loose her voice in blogland. Oh wait a minute I forgot for a moment that she has supernatural powers. If there is anyone in existence that can edit a major magazine and continue to design and knit spectacular garments and write about them it is she. It is unlikely that she will be able to do it in the current format, but she should be able to expand IK's design sensibilities and encourage them to increase their reach online.

There has been so much media backlash against the embrace of bloggers by the publishing and political worlds. Lots of stories on silly book deals and bloggers gone wild in political campaigns. This elevation of Eunny Jang to the top of the preeminent knitting magazine in the country should serve as a useful corrective.

Eunny Jang did not get this post because of her loyal fan base online, but because this medium allowed her to augment her published work with more in depth examples of her writing, design and technical expertise. It would have taken much longer for a woman in her twenties to convince publishers and the knitting public of her fitness for this position in the past.

Just go look at her blog. Explore the wealth of information on fair isle, lace, ...etc., all written in a clear and professional yet approachable tone. Her design sense is impeccable and I can only imagine that she will be the perfect person to shepherd IK as it moves through what may be a tricky period for the knitting industry. As large numbers of knitters seem to be yearning for more challenging patterns with contemporary styling, Eunny offers a perfect example of a knitter whose designs are connected to traditional techniques and yet utterly modern. I can hardly wait until winter when we will see the first IK develop wholly under her guidance.

Go, Eunny, go!

2007-03-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

Knitting with a cloud...

Guess what came in the mail Friday? Why it's a cone of laceweight cashmere from Colourmart.

Isn't it gorgeous? The color is called lemongrass, which perfectly describes the tone. I had been warned that Coulourmart laceweight is considerably smaller than regular laceweight, so I was a little worried. But I shouldn't havebeen. Knitting with this yarn is a breeze. Its as light as a feather and so soft. Even covered in the spinning oil it's like knitting with a cloud.

I got the yarn in the mail Friday night and had to start the Forest Path Stole immediately. I've made some progress and am now just beginning Tier 3. The pattern (though not the most well written pattern I've ever read) is delightful to knit. Entrelac and lace may seem like an intimidating combination, but the actual knitting is really quite simple. It helps to have knitted entrelac previously, in order to understand the too brief instructions. I really like the extra touch of exposing the selvages on the surface of the stole. This highlights the lace patterns beautifully.

My favorite of the lace patterns is the lily of the valley. Why? I just love a nupp! I know purling all of those stitches together can be a chore, but on balance the depth they add to lace is worth it. They aren't really so difficult to make if you as long as you knit the stitches loosely. I'm so in love with the nupp that about ten minutes ago I ordered Pitsilised Koekirjad, a book of Estonian lace patterns, from Martina's Bastel und Hobbykiste. I've seen several nuppful patterns from the book and I just have to have it.

Check out this nuppliness :

This is Divine from the new Ella Rae book 7. I thing it's smashing. Of course, not on me. My chest is way too large for that to look attractive, but I wish I could wear it.

I'm current thinking of whipping up some gloves with a lily of the valley pattern on the back of the hand. I'm thinking very short, cuffless. I don't know when I'll have the time.

Well, I guess I should be knitting.

2007-03-09T12:15:00.000-08:00

Oh Doily!

I've been practicing my doily knitting with two patterns from Marianne Kinzel. I definitely enjoy the process of knitting doilies. They are small and can be very intricate, but you don't have to invest a lot of time or money. I will say that knitting in cotton certainly does show off all of your imperfections.

Over the last two days I have tried to knit Azalea and Valentine from First Book of Modern Lace Knitting. Check out the mess I made of the center of Azalea.

Sloppy! I tried to fix it when sewing up the center, but it all looked so bad that I undid it. Now I don't know whether to finish the darn thing anyway. I used larger yarn than the pattern calls for (size 20) on the same size needles and I just don't like the way any of it looks.

Kinzel gives two methods for starting in the round. Cast on and join which I used for Azalea and pick up from crochet chain which I used for Valentine.

See how much better the crochet works for me. I still have to close the center, but the first few rows of knitting are so much neater. I still don't know if I like the doily over all. I have to order some size 60 crochet thread and see what I think. I've started the crochet bind off and it's a bit of a pain. I mucked up the beginning, because around midnight last night I decided to bind off and completely forgot how to double crochet for a little while. I think the first couple are half doubles. I didn't think it would make that much of a difference at the time, but now I know it is going to bug me until I frog back and fix it.

2007-03-06T16:46:00.000-08:00

Things are getting lacy...

Look at what came in the mail this week.

That's right, Marianne Kinzel's First and Second Book of Modern Lace Knitting. I've wanted to buy these for quite a while. Now that I have them I don't know what took so long. While I certainly don't want to knit everything in these books, there are at least three tablecloths, one set of curtains, two tea cloths, one shawl and one doily I want to knit. These are very inexpensive books that give you quite a lot of bang for your buck. I still need to invest in a book with more round doilies. I found one at Amazon Germany, but I just don't know if I want to cough up the shipping.

As for knitting, the only thing I've worked on this week is Cookie A.'s Monkey Sock from Knitty. They are a very easy knit. The lace pattern is easy to memorize and a lot of fun. There are very few lace patterns that I like with variegated yarn. I know she designed this pattern especially for variegation and she did a swell job. I used Skacel Step which is a slightly mottled self-striping yarn with aloe and jojoba. I think it looks great. See for yourself:

I'm still waiting for the yarn for the Forest Path Stole to come in. I only ordered it a week and a half ago, but I don't have a lot of patience. The pattern came in yesterday. It has only made me more excited to start.

2007-02-28T07:38:00.000-08:00

Hey y'all, I got my camera back. So now I can show you what I've been working on lately. A few days ago I was checking out Brooklyn Tweed's site and I saw this stunner:

Red Light Special Hat

I immediately decided to make one for myself. It's made in KnitPick's Telemark and I just happened to have several balls of Cream in my stash. Even though it was almost midnight, I knew I had to start as soon as possible. So I pulled out the food color and vinegar and produced this.

I'm not sure I made the best color choices, but I was almost out of yellow, so I made do.

Here is my version of the Red Light Special.

I'm not completely happy with the colors, but I do like the pattern, especially the decreases enclosing the band of colorwork on the top.

I don't know if you can tell, but I had to shrink it to size. I knew I was off gauge, but I've knit telemark in fairisle at the suggested gauge and haven't liked the stiffness of the fabric. It was too big in exactly the right ratio for felting to fit. It took about twenty minutes to get the right amount of felting, by hand. I also didn't knit a 3 inch lining as in the pattern. I live in Texas and sportweight stranding is already too warm for most of the winter, so I just did a one inch hem to maintain the lovely edge of Brooklyn Tweed's pattern. I like the pattern a lot and will likely knit it again.

Okay, I just have to share a little sunshine. This is Gianni.

Isn't he gorgeous. He's my sister's new puppy. He's full of boundless puppy energy. I was puppysitting when I took this picture. It took two days to recover. I love looking at puppies, but I really don't have the energy for them. Give me a ten year old dog any day.

I got these rosewood needles for Christmas and put them away. I just took them out and look at what I noticed.

That's about an inch difference in size. I love them anyway, because they were a gift from my brother. But I can't believe whatever shop sold them didn't notice or care.

I'm still desperately waiting for the yarn and pattern for my Forest Path stole. I'm hoping it will come this week. My fingers are itching.

2007-02-24T16:59:00.000-08:00

Of socks and stoles...

Wow, I didn't mean to stay away for so long. I haven't done much knitting in the past week, unless you count all of the swatches I've started and frogged (about 10). I have been trying to find the perfect not too girly lace pattern for socks. I think I have finally decided on the Eyelet Check pattern. I would show you all (see I am a Texan), but I forgot to download the pictures from my camera which I believe is currently in the trunk of someones car. It's pretty great. I'm not sure, but it may be a lace pattern you could get some men to wear.

I've also decided to knit the Forest Path Stole from The Alpaca Yarn Co. Check out the loveliness:

It is a lace entrelac rectangular stole. It will be quite a challenge, but I have been wanting to knit for some time now. I have been practicing knitting backwards in preparation. I can do it, but I don't like it. I know it's a hassle to be constantly turning your work in entrelac, but I think I'm probably going to stick with purling.

I spent a ridiculous amount of time deciding on the yarn to use. Trying to pick out yarn online for a specific project can be such a drag. The color you see on your screen is rarely even close to the color of yarn you will receive. When deciding between fibers you have never used before you have to imagine what would this pattern look like in silk or cashmere or merino (I've never knit with lace weight silk or cashmere). I couldn't decide between Zephyr, Colourmart cashmere, silk and Knit Picks Shadow. Ultimately I ordered the Colourmart cashmere. I really wanted a luxurious yarn for the project. I mean, if I am going to spend hundreds of hours on something I want the yarn to be worth all the effort. I've heard so many good things about Colourmart that I just had to try it and at $34 including shipping from England for 2400 yards of lace weight cashmere, how could I go wrong. I chose a color called Lemongrass which appears to be a light gold-green color. I will have a lot more to say about the yarn when I get it in my hands and start knitting up a swatch.

2007-02-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

I think I'm in love.
My love is not an obvious beauty. Many would call her homely and a little masculine, but that's what I love about her. I just met her on Saturday in an very unlikly looking, but friendly little yarn shop near my house. I had been looking in the shop for some time before I spotted her, she really kind of blends into the background. But, when I picked her up and took her home she finally revealed her manifold charms. Here she is :

That's right Cestari sock yarn. She's a two ply cotton wool blend with a lovely hearty texture. When knit up she makes me think of evergreens and hiking boots. The yarns is a little bit fluffy and crunchy at the same time. Think Summer Tweed but soft and without the little hard bits. There are some quite coarse looking hairs poking out, but there is no itchiness. I really want to knit a summer sweater with this yarn. Considering that I live in Houston, it would be a fall and most of the winter sweater. The yarn has a really nice drape and knits up very fast on size three needles. I started knitting a pair of socks, but I frogged them after a while. I want these to be perfect house socks (I think sport weight is too bulky for socks to be worn with shoes). I've got to find or design a pattern that isn't overwhelmed by the visual texture of the yarn, yet is still special enough for this yarn. I purchased the yarn for $6.95 for 193 Yds. Not dirt cheap, but not overpriced either.

2007-02-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

I decided to knit a simple little baby sweater this week. It's going to have to substitute for the baby quilt I am so behind on . I would post a picture of the quilt, but I would then have to acknowledge the depths of my procrastination. I've been 90 percent finished with the quilt top for a month and a half. I promise to post pictures when I get it together.

This sweater brings up a problem I've noticed with my knitting process. I find that if a project is difficult, I will carefully study the pattern and make necessary changes before I start. With an easy project I jump in without thinking about the incredibly simple things I could do to make it better.

Here is the sweater from Knit It

I don't know if the woven in ends are visible in the picture, but they are in person. I wanted the ends to be secure, so I wove them in using duplicate stitch. Because they are dark and the background colour is white they stand out like a sore thumb. This sweater is just two squares sewn together. I really should have knit it in the round and picked up stitches for the button band, creating a facing for the ends. It wouldn't have been harder, but I didn't think about it until I was faced with all those ends poking through to the right side. I know I could frog it and start over. It only took two days to finish, but as cute as the sweater is it's not that interesting and I don't know If I want to spend the extra time on it. Oh well, I think my rush to find an quick and easy gift has once again shown the benefits of patience and deliberation.

On to better news. Yesterday I finally found the closest LYS. The yarn shop I usually go to is about thirty miles away. I live in Houston, so that is the other side of town. Marie's Yarn Shop is located at 411 S. Friendswood in Friendswood, TX. It is a very cute little shop. The customer service was excellent on my visit and I will definitely be shopping there again. Now the shop does not carry the kinds of yarn that I usually buy. It is largely stocked with acrylics and acrylics blends from Sirdar and Reynolds. But they also carry Lopi and Saucy Sport and Elizabeth Lavold's Hempathy. I noticed several ribbon type novelty yarns, I didn't pay attention to what they were because that's not my thing. I also noticed several skeins of a hand dyed worsted weight wool. I purchased four skeins of Cestari sock yarn, which was a real revelation. Even if you don't like any of the yarns on offer, it the closest place to get good needles on the southeast side of town. I usually run to Michael's when I need inexpensive machine washable yarn for gifts, now I'll go to Marie's instead.

2007-01-31T10:59:00.000-08:00

I am very worried about my neighbor kitty. She is always in my yard, even when it is freezing outside. I've brought her inside a couple of times when it sleeted. I am pretty sure she has an owner, because she wouldn't eat the cat food I put out for her when she was looking really skinny. I'm now afraid she is pregnant. It's not that cold in Houston, but it could freeze again and I don't think newborn kitties would make it in freezing weather.

I've tried to find her owner, but no luck. I can't take her in. I'm afraid to take her to the SPCA because she could have an owner, and she's just jacked up enough to get euthanized. I think the tongue sticking out to one side and the constant stream of drool is cute. I'm not sure that she would be appreciated by the masses. I just don't know what to do.

Here is a picture of her at her best.

She's got her tongue tucked in and she looks less like some strange cross-species genetic experiment than she usually does. It's all in the lighting.

2007-01-30T10:55:00.000-08:00

Yummy. This is Danica from Knitty made using four balls of Rowan Tapetstry in #172 and #174. I knit using size 6 needles and added an extra repeat of the pattern.

Blogger and I had a very long talk last night and we have decided to resolve our problems and behave like adults from now on. Now I can show you the Trellis Scarf from Interweave Knits, Spring 2006 that I am working on.

Here it is on the needles

A closeup

I am using Kid Silk Night in shade#608. I've never been big into sparkly, but this yarn is lovely.

I am trying to commit to finishing my WIPs before starting anything new, but it is so hard. I still have to finish my mothers birthday sweater, a cabled sweater for myself, two pairs of socks, a glove, Eunny Jangs Endpaper Mitts, two doilies, a toddler dress and, oh yes, I'm making a baby quilt for a baby due in two weeks.

In fact I better get to it.

2007-01-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

I'm Baa-ack!

Due to the overwhelming calls for my return, I have decided to start updating again. Okay it was only two people, and one of them was my sister.

I have done a lot of knitting over the last four months. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures of most of it, because I was a blogger in recovery. I now realize the foolishness of my ways and vow to photograph everything I make, whether I post it or not.

My Favorite FO:

This shrug is my own design made from five skeins of Noro Transitions. The yarn is incredible. The yarn changes not only color but fiber as well: from wool and silk to wool and mohair to wool and angora to wool and camel to wool and cashmere. Yummy. It is expensive, but if you can get it on sale (I think its still 40% off at Webs) it is worth it. I have worn this shrug more than anything else I have ever made.

I am currently obsessed with doilies. This is my first one:

This is "Weihnachsstern" from Diana: Die schoensten Strickdeckchen #5937. I used size 10 cotton crochet thread on size 2 needles.

I am currently knitting "Stor Lysedug" from Nuhann's site, Yarn Over, which has translations of German and Danish doily patterns from size 30 cotton crochet thread.

Unfortunately, when I moved from size 2 double points to circulars I accidently started knitting with needles a size larger. When I first noticed, I thought I could live with it, but I don't like the way the yarn is knittting up on size 3s. I'm going to try to frog back to where I made the change, 30 rows ago. No fun.

I am also knitting the Trellis Scarf from Interweave Knits, Spring 2006. But you can't see a picture of it because Blogger hates me.

I'm using Kid Silk Night in color #608. I've never really been into sparkly, but this is great. Checkout this closeup of the pattern: Oh no you can't do that either. Remember, Blogger hates me.

I believe Blogger may be holding a grudge. Dear blogger, I promise I won't ignore you for more than a week ever again. Maybe one day, when Blogger and I have rebuilt our shaky relationship, I will be able to shock and amaze you with these photos. The patterns really is lovely in mohair.

As you can (and cannot) see I'm currently in love with lace. I'm now trying to decide which lace patterns are must haves. Ive looked through Victorian Lace Today a couple of times. I almost bought it, but I only really like the rectangular shawls in the book. I think it would be easy to design my own if I got one of the Barbara Walker pattern books with lots of lace patterns in it.

On the other hand, doilies and round tablecloths are totally beyond my limited design skills. I couldn't even chart out the Stor Lysedug pattern from Yarn Over. I just couldn't get beyond the assymetrical increases. How do you represent them on a chart so that all the stitches line up properly? I gave up and started knitting from the written pattern.

What I really want is a book with lots of round lace patterns, both small and large. I've seen several on the web, but it's hard to decide without seeing the patterns in each one. So far I think I'll probably pick up Marianne Kinzel's books. They're inexpensive and I know each has at least one pattern I am interested in.

Hopefully I'll have all my Blogger kinks worked out by my next post. I promise that will be sooner than four month from now.

2006-08-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

Wow it's been a long time. Well I've been so busy working on Breezy Cables I haven't had much time to write. That's not totally true, I have also managed to wasted a lot of time trying to find the perfect pattern and yarn for a sweater for a certain baby I know in Austin. I know, not a week ago I promised that I wouldn't be knitting any more gifts for other people for a while. Well, I lied.

As much as it frustrates me, I love knitting for friends. It's the perfect way to experience designs that you love, but know wouldn't suit you. The best thing is knitting for your super skinny friends. There are a lot of patterns that require very little yarn, yet have a lot of impact. I'm thinking of patterns like Ms Marigold and Green Gables from Zephyr Style. The smallest sizes require less than $20 of yarn. There aren't that many items that cost less to knit than to buy in a store. With just a few alterations, either of those sweaters can look very fancy and time consuming to the giftee, but they're not.

I also spent a lot of time dithering over whether or not to splurge on yarn for myself. Webs is having another great sale. It took at least four hours over two days to commit to purchase six skeins of Noro Transitions from Webs. Before I could go through with it I had to have several possible patterns for a sweater. It was a great deal, with shipping less than $90 for 800 yards of the most amazing yarn in all wooldom. Not cheap, but considering that Transitions is a bulky weight combination of camel, mohair, cashmere, silk, angora, and wool at 50% off the regular price I couldn't pass it up.

That's the worst thing about sales. You get so excited by the discount that sometimes you buy things you don't even want. I restrained myself. I have wanted to try Cash Iroha for over two years and it was on sale as well. I almost gave in, but the only colors on sale are shades of blue. I think this is progress. I have thirty five skeins of a crazy furry brilliant orange yarn that I got on sale from a craft store for a dollar a ball, because I convinced myself that I really needed a big fuzzy neon orange floor length coat. When I got home I realized that I did not. But it was 85% off.

I'll try to post some pictures of Breezy Cables tomorrow.

2006-08-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

What did you knit for Armageddon, Daddy?

Everyone seems to be thinking about the apocalypse. Every other conversation I've had recently somehow works itself around to gloomy prophesying. Maybe it's the war that seems to have no end. Maybe it's the fact that no one in politics or out seems to have a clear vision of an alternate future. It also maybe that I spend to many hours perusing the websites of esoteric doomsday cults. Oh well, there's always knitting.

I mean really what do you knit for the dystopian future? I'm thinking of baclavas with openings adjusted to fit gas masks. I wonder if Habu has thought of distributing yarns created from Kevlar. I mean Dale of Norway already has a yarn coated with Teflon. It seems like a logical progression of protection, from rain to shrapnel.

I don't really believe things are that bleak. For every action there is ultimately some sort of reaction. You attack and weaken Iraq and you strengthen Iran. Similarly in politics and culture the actions of one generation produce a reaction in the next. At this very bleak political moment, the very radical nature of the current administrations ideology is sowing the seeds of its own destruction. Or so I hope.

2006-08-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Swee Pea and Me

This is my favorite neighbor kitty. She appeared one day a few months ago hiding under our deck. She was just a few months old. She was terrified of me. I tried to feed her and she stuck around for a while. One day she disappeared and I didn't see her for several months. Then one night I heard blood curdling screams. The big bruiser kitty who lives down the street had chased her up a tree and was attacking her. I had never seen a cat fight in a tree. I was amazed that they could go at it like that and still hang on. I finally separated them, and they both ran away.

Ever since then, Swee Pea has appeared at my doorstep every time I step outside. I thought she might be homeless, but she doesn't act like she's starving. My cat food just isn't good enough for her. So I guess she has a home. She seems to know when I'm feeling down, because she'll appear out of nowhere and begin nibbling my toes. Too bad kitties don't need sweaters. I could get inspired.

My mother does need a sweater. Will she get one? My mother is convinced that I will never finish her sweater. Her fears are quite reasonable. Every other sweater I have started for my mother has ended in disaster. The first one, which was a lovely tank knitted in her sorority colors (pink and green), failed because I ran out of yarn and I couldn't get more to match. The next was what I thought was a pretty bias design. I was making it up as I went along and using very fine yarn. I didn't realize how boring it looked until I was well in. I tried to stick it out; but no, my mom ended up with another scarf.

This time is going to be different. I am committed. If I can knit for friends, I must be able to do this. I think my standards are too high. Instead of just finishing a project I no longer like, I just give up. I cannot do that again. My mother doesn't need anymore hats or scarves or gloves, and she doesn't wear shawls. She will have her birthday sweater.
When, I don't know.

2006-08-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

Fiasco

Okay, I'm giving up on the Hex Coat from Knitting Nature. I simply can't take it anymore. I haven't written much this week because I've been so frustrated with myself. I thought everything was going swimmingly. I had finished everything except the seaming and the hexagon trim. I had been in such a hurry that I didn't worry too much that the coat seemed a little long. Not just that, the armholes seemed long as well. I finally decided to try it on my mother (this was supposed to be her birthday present). Oops. What went wrong?

I had knitted a swatch. I thought I carefully measured the gauge. I obviously did not. My stitch gauge was right on, but my row gauge was off, way off.

When I thought about it, I realized that I usually don't depend on my row gauge that much because most patterns are written in a way that makes row gauge almost superfluous. You knit until you reach a certain length and then do armhole shaping, knit until you reach another length, do shoulder and neck shaping, and then bind off. If your row gauge is slightly off, you still get a fitting garment.

The hex coat pattern doesn't work like that. Once you start the armhole shaping you knit until you have completed so many rows, then bind off. Now, if I had measured better and realized that I was off, I could have adjusted things, but I didn't figure it out until I had gotten too far. I looked at the knitting I had done, and thought about how unpleasant it had been (all that repetitive, mind and finger numbing moss stitch). I just couldn't face knitting the top half over again. So I have given up.

I am now knitting Breezy Cables from Interweave Knits, Spring 2006 for my mom.

I didn't like this sweater when I first saw it in the magazine, but when I started desperately swatching for my mother's sweater, I really loved the way the pattern looked in my chosen yarn (Knitaly, by Colorado Yarns). Mom's birthday present is no longer slightly belated, but I would rather knit an entirely different garment than knit the Hex Coat again. I'm about 2/3's done with the back and I am so happy knitting something that I enjoy. Cables make me happy. Even if it takes longer, it's so much more fun.

2006-08-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I just love this time of year. Most of the knitting magazines begin publishing things I would actually think of knitting. New yarns come out. And, it's early enough to make ambitious plans for holiday knitting.

Here are a few things that I just can't wait to begin:

Coral Crossing from Interweave Knits, Fall 2006

I really want to knit it in Classic Elite Miracle, but I'm afraid that it will stretch out of shape, especially at the bottom. I've wanted to try this yarn for a long time, and there is a gorgeous new green this season.

Fair Isle U-Neck Pullover from Vogue Knitting, Fall 2006

This is a great modern shape. I think it would be perfect for my niece. I'll probably change the colors. Maybe something acid to change it from classic to funky.

Mohair Sweater from Junya Watanabe's fall 2006 collection

I have loved this from the first moment I glimpsed it while thumbing through the Vogue Fall Collections review at a local bookshop. I looks easy to knit. The main difficulty will be finding the right yarn, so it looks kind of trashed. Then of course there are the sleeves. I love too long sleeves, but that long might just be annoying.

I also want to try several new yarns: Pure, a new soysilk yarn by South West Trading Company (it looks luscious); Gloss, a new fingering weight merino/silk blend from Knit Picks (blah colors, but oh so cheap); and Di.Ve Autunno, a lovely variegated merino.

My eyes are always bigger than my fingers or my bank account this time of year, but I think anticipation is the best part of the process of knitting. Seeking out the perfect yarn. Swatching endlessly. Searching for the right pattern or designing your own. I enjoy the actual knitting, but every row I complete makes me think about how I will do it differently next time. I wonder what this stitch would look like in a different fiber or weight. I think that's why I give most of my completed garments away. To make room for what comes next.

2006-08-11T18:14:00.000-07:00

Can You Knit Just One?

I know I can't.
I'm knitting the Hex Coat from Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan on a deadline. I foolishly gave myself two weeks to complete it. I still have to knit the arms, seam it and do the hexagon trim and I was supposed to finish yesterday. I always underestimate the time it will take me to knit a large project, but this is ridiculous. I suppose I could finish it on time if I did nothing else. But I have a big problem that I am finally ready to admit to myself. I am simply unable to work on one item without constantly being overtaken by the irresistable urge to begin something else.

I think the problem is that knitting makes me think about knitting. And when I'm stuck in the middle of a long mindless stretch of simple stitches, my mind wanders. I just have to swatch that yarn that has been sitting in a drawer for six months. Once that's done, I've got to look at all of my pattern books and magazines for hours until I convince myself that I still have no idea what to do with it.

In the past two weeks when I should have been working on the coat, I have knit two hats and begun three more, finished the front of another sweater and a purse, and made too many swatches of ugly yarn in ridiculous colors that looked really good in the store because they were on sale.

So know I am making a promise to myself. No more. Don't get me wrong I'm not talking about forever, just until I finish this coat.

2006-08-10T20:47:00.000-07:00

Inaugural Address

This is my first ever post on my new blog (or any blog for that matter). I've been thinking about starting a one for quite some time, somehow today seemed the perfect day to take the plunge. While this is primarily to be a discussion of knitting and other fiber related fun, what inspired me today is my two day immersion in that dark dank place otherwise known as the family court system.

Today a person very close to me lost custody of her three children. I sat in a dingy hallway for eight hours yesterday and seven more today so that I could testify on her behalf for what seemed like three minutes. In those fifteen hours I learned more about the way the legal system perverts parental love than in the last thirty years. I witnessed dozens of little dramas, some reeking of Jerry Springer others more like Shakespeare, all of them tragedies. All I know today is loss. Everyone lost. One man lost because he used the worst of himself for what he believed were the best motives. One woman (my friend/sister/love/heart) lost everything.

I watched one woman stand alone, with her whole family arrayed against her. They had a lot of good reasons, and in their place I might of been one of them. She was almost a stereotype, just out of jail, no secure place to stay, no real place to care for her kids. Maybe on drugs. Maybe a little crazy. I probably wouldn't want her to have her kids either, but neither did I want her to be so alone.

I saw another woman, at first glance, well put together. As my eyes passed over her I quickly noted, blond, upper middle class. Not only didn't my heart bleed, I didn't pay her a second thought. Later a teenage girl entered with a large group of clearly affluent people. They had at least three attorneys and a couple of paralegals in tow. She asked one of them if she could see her mother. As she ran to the blond woman I had dismissed and hugged her with an intense longing I looked at the older woman again. I noticed that her shoes were a little worn and her clothing while selected with care was clearly a little old. She didn't stand a chance.

I saw a third woman. A well preserved formerly wealthy woman in her sixties who had to beg her husband to sell their country club membership so that she could have some money to pay for her health insurance.

I saw a couple of attorneys jousting over whether, in the joint custody agreement, the child should move from house to house every week or every three and a half days. I wanted to scream, " How about every hour. "

I have never had children and probably never will. My experience of the last two days certainly doesn't encourage me. It isn't the tales of those who have lost that saddens me most. It is what you must do to win.

Okay, this is no way to start my knitting blog, or maybe it is. For me knitting is about connection. I love to knit for myself, but I usually end up giving everything away, even items begun as presents for myself. You take your love and embody it, transform the invisible into the tactile. A scarf is a hug. A hat a kiss on the cheek. Gloves are like tracing the fingers of children with your own in that glowing amazement that such beings are possible.