Yarns From The Southland

Spreading Wings

2012-02-10T07:36:00.000-08:00

The first Wingspan is dry and ready to fly.

Notes for the next one (which is so close to the cast on action that the yarn is snuggling the needles at this very moment):

* Eight sections, per the pattern, is enough for my small size
* More sections, requiring more yardage, will wrap about the neck/shoulder area grandly
* Four rows across top is sufficient for all
* Bind off LOOSELY (never hurts to repeat that advice)
* For a deeper shawl, simply case on more stitches, or use the sock weight counts for a DK yarn
* Block triangles into perfect right angle sections or into a curve - Knitters Choice!
* Make several as your friends will get that "look" in their eye the first time you wear Wingspan

Keep The Knowledge Coming

2012-02-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

One thing I truly enjoy about making a personal commitment to joining groups is the education that is freely passed along. This is especially true amongst those who love fiber. This week brought a wonderful presentation by the Davies family from A Simpler Time Alpacas & Mill. You guessed it. They raise alpacas.

Owing to the location of the meeting, which was smack dab in the middle of a city, none of the creatures made an appearance. Well, not in the flesh. But they were there on screen and in spirit.

There was yarn available for stash building. You'll note that some of it was dyed. But much was natural in all the fabulous shades that are alpaca.

Science has never held a great fascination for me, but the easy description that was given concerning microns and softness began to make sense. Sheep vs. alpaca vs llama vs etc. I feel a bit more knowledgeable. Not proficient. Just able to to listen with some background and nod at all the right times.

This was a popular table. Those yarn cakes in the back were put up at the mill from the neck/leg fiber and best used for felting.

One of the hot items available was a bit too much of an oxymoron to tempt me. But others swarmed the display and were stockpiling grandchild gifts!

What was the hit of the day?

What really caused yarnies to part with a pence or two?

Paca Bears.

These were the last few available for adoption.

If you are ever down near El Cajon - or just want a wonderful weekend trek, go visit A Simpler Time. Give the Davies family a holler (check the website link above for contact info) and enjoy a day of learning, loving and enjoying the sweetness of alpaca.

Fast Progress

2012-02-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

Fast progress is being made on the fast project. This is Wingspan which can be had on Ravelry here. As you can see, this version is worked on a #4 with sock yarn. A quick look through the stash turned up this Zauberball in the black, grey and cream colorway.

Any sock yarn would work, depending on the effect that is desired. The pattern includes suggestions for changing yarn weight. The concept is so simple - just a series of right triangles - that all manner of manipulations are possible and still the final impact will be wearable.

My goal is to complete this in the next few days and immediately cast on again - in a different yarn! Because each incarnation will be unique, no boredom is expected.

To The Point

2012-02-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

In the past few days, three - that is a big THREE - projects came off the needles. As in finished. To be sure there is still a bit of blocking to be done, but with the turn in the weather from hot sunshine to cold wind, I have lost all inclination to block a cotton short sleeve pullover. Today a wool shawl is firmly settled about my shoulders.

Having both a big project and a fast project going at the same time fits my work style best. So, with all those empty needles hanging about in the stash closet, the work bag and the coffee table, it was time to start several new things. Without elaboration, I offer for your amusement the following:

Here is the big project. It is lace, has multiple charts and is worked on a #4 needle. This one will take quite a while, especially one of the charts. I just might have to lock myself in a padded room away from people & pets to get through that upcoming section.

At least the beginning is underway. Now don't go thinking that this is a huge of size project. It is big only in that it will take a long time due to the chart work required to give life to this scarf. My head needs a challenge right now and this is it.

This is the fast project. A series of right triangles also worked on a #4 needle. This one will take almost no time at all, even though the pattern asks for eight triangles. Mindless work.

I do love geometry applied to yarn and this one fits the bill perfectly. It can be knitted on in public whilst carrying on a conversation and very little can go awry. My head needs a break from the challenge of the lace. (see big project above)

The real point here is that I have more than one #4 Addi lace point. I love these needles and use them even when not working lace. Needle stash - - ahh!

Almost Too Short - Or Just Long Enough?

2012-01-30T10:07:00.000-08:00

It was eighty degrees here last week. That is nigh on to summer and a good thing that the new cotton is almost completed. A bit of weaving of ends and a good soak to hopefully remove the hard evidence of row gauge shift from flat to in the round and I'll be looking good.

The sleeves decided to go against my plan. These are not 3/4 length. That was just going to look odd and out of proportion. So, a very fast thirty-five rounds and one repeat of the slip stitch garter work from the hem and voila! Task completed.

For these sleeves, I tried something new. New for me, that is. Typically I enjoy working sleeves on two circs - ala socks. Click on this photo to enlarge and take a look at this short 12" wonder of a circular needle.

It took some time to get the hang of the thing. Especially with this "no stretch" cotton. The bent angle of the needles is vital to being able to work such a tight space. After working both sleeves, I am fairly OK with the knit part. For some reason I really struggled with the purl bind off.

The final decision is still up in the air on using such a short circumference. Since I own the little bugger, it will be used again. When next it holds stitches, it will probably be a nice stretchy and bouncy wool.

Again? Why Not?

2012-01-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

Four days away from the needles, due to a wonderful working committee experience, and I was itching to return home and dig in the bag to complete the cotton pullover. Alas and alack - no such luck.

What greeted me was the realization that I had agreed (aka - offered in a moment of weakness that was manipulated by a sly and sneaky personage who shall remain nameless) to frog a Dragon Scarf that was one third complete and re-knit the whole thing. This would be my third Dragon Scarf and suddenly there was much fretting that I was tired of the repetition of the thing.

Adding a bead to each tip along the tail is not an issue. Honestly, it is fun to look forward to that little bit of celebration at the end of each section. Each small accomplishment (the bead followed by a few bind off stitches) builds to the final big accomplishment of handing this back to that sneaky personage who shall remain nameless.

It did not take much to re-knit this scarf. Working with linen is no bother. Doing this one again means I don't even need to consult the pattern - it is that repetitious and predictable. Already the thing could be ready to bind off. There are still plenty of beads remaining and enough linen for several more repeats.

And owing to the height of "she who..." it is appropriate to add length. So, I shall.

I shall do this again even though my feet keep kicking the four projects of my own that languish under the table whilst I make a dragon tail again. Why not - it is for a dear friend. And she has offered to drive me to a new yarn store today. Me thinks she is driving so that I can finish her scarf. Did I happen to mention that she is a sly and sneaky personage?

Interlocking Pieces

2012-01-20T07:54:00.000-08:00

Don't start reading expecting some great universal insight into the yarn-o-sphere. This is a quick and simple post to remind both you, gentle reader, and moi that life is not all about the sticks and string. For into each life much enjoyment must fall from many avenues of pleasure.

Sometimes I fret that due to my passion for colorful lengths of fiber and how those lengths can be twined into uniqueness with no two ever being exactly alike, the outside world (aka family, friends and foes) see me as one dimensional.

Here, for all to see and witness, is proof that I am multi-dimensional. Enough said.

Theme On!

2012-01-17T12:46:00.001-08:00

Never let it be said that I don't carry a theme beyond its logical conclusion. The slipped stitch hem is so lovely, if I do say so myself, that incorporating that reverse stockinette contrast elsewhere required no brain power at all.

And - somewhat with respect to the original pattern that must be hiding around her somewhere - this is a rolled edge.

A very short six rows of stockinette around the v-neck just happen to roll into a reverse stockinette neckline that matches perfectly with the hem theme. Adding in this contrast yarn in a very casual style has turned the raglan pullover into a casual top. That is exactly what my goal was from the beginning. A casual, wear anytime, Springtime cotton pullover. I must admit, that when the whole thing was very solid jade, it had a tendency to want to go dressy. It was begging for a leather flower embellishment or a bit a sparkle filling up the neckline.

As you can see, sleeves are still required. I'm thinking that you can easily figure out how I might be planning to edge the sleeves. Only issue left on the design table is the sleeve length. I'm leaning toward 3/4 length, but given that this top has changed directions several times during the making, the old knitting muse might have a swift turn to make before blocking occurs.

And speaking of blocking, do you notice the extreme change in row gauge when I moved from back & forth to in the round (after the v-neck join)? It is almost as stark in person as in the photos. [insert huge sigh here]

A New Ending

2012-01-16T13:44:00.000-08:00

It came to me in a flash of boredom. Since I have my own roll right about where most tops end, I know that following the pattern and ending this pullover with a rolled edge is just wrong - wrong for me to wear and wrong for the rest of the world to gaze upon.

At first, something open or lacy was swirling about in my mind. Books were consulted. Online resources were perused. Nothing just right jumped forth to proclaim, "pick me!"

So, I knit another boring round of stockinette and suddenly it was clear. I could pull out the coordinating colorway and slip a few stitches with success.

So simple. I wonder why it took so long to come to mind?

Swiftly Go The Hands That Knit

2012-01-13T08:57:00.000-08:00

Lest you think that my recent absence from the blog sphere indicates an absence from the needles, work is moving swiftly on the new cotton raglan.

Not much to say about miles of stockinette now that no increases are being worked. Y'all missed the fun part.

I am checking through my library for something of interest to add to the hem and/or sleeves. The final weight of this piece (aran weight 100% mercerized cotton) has me concerned. This one pullover, when completed, just might put my luggage overweight for air travel. Rather than the expected ribbing, the hunt is on for a bit of open work that will add both length and visual interest while using less yarn and thereby saving that last ounce of weight when packing.

To The Swift. . .

2012-01-05T09:33:00.000-08:00

Many a race does indeed go to the swift. Many a yarnaholic is in a race, swiftly, to use up the stash thereby making space for the new. I am that person.

To the swift go I.

Plymouth Fantasy Naturale is an aran yarn of 100% mercerized cotton.

How could I have forgotten it was safely stored in the dark under layers of the stash? Well, given that Mother Nature thinks it is summer in this southland, cotton is about the only thing that is comfortable this week. This is just a tad over 1200 yards. When purchasing (whenever that was) I had the foresight to acquire both the jade and enough contrasting yardage to allow a lot of flexibility in the project selection.

After standing at the swift and winding though all the hanks, this stuff has decided to be a nice comfy loose summer tee. Raglan sleeves will help in the comfort department so I'm planning a basic, no frills top down so that the finishing is minimized.

Sure do hope that the making goes swiftly.

Wrapping Along

2012-01-02T12:27:00.000-08:00

The tulip panels are all done. The whole wrap is completed. Even the ends have been woven with care. There is absolutely nothing wrong that a good blocking could not solve.

All in all, this was a quick crochet. But that is probably owing to the fact that it is holiday season with lots of time devoted to staying close to friends and family and college football. There were a few days when I worked a lot - meaning that I think I have crochet shoulder. Does that malady even exist?

This Lapis Wrap, which is not lapis but closer to garnet/ruby, is crocheted in a swing style. The one piece construction means that after ends are secured it is finished. Gotta love the no sewing.

Click on the photo and check out those tulip panels. The four row pattern is very easy and could transfer into many other projects. But the star is definitely the collar. Well, it is a collar on the back and just extends down the front as luscious lapels.

Beautiful design work. And my execution is not shabby. The puffy work for the collar panel is easy to memorize - one row at a time. But this is not beginner stitching. Some experience in the intermediate or advanced levels will help things along.

I found it fascinating that the eight rows of the collar are so much wider than eight rows of double crochet. That is the way that lace goes. Once blocked, the scalloped edge will really stand out.

Please understand that this is not a fitted vest. It is a loose and swingy wrap (with armholes) that flows according to the whim of the yarn.

Speaking of which:

Frog Tree sport alpaca - eight balls

Pattern specifies using a 'H' hook

Lenora is a bit loosey goosey and had to work with a 'G'

PS - clearly, I am not the model. Thanks to Sarah for so willingly posing in the winter sunshine.

Getting A Jump On Tulips

2011-12-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

Even here in the California southland, it is too early to see tulips available in abundance. But I've got a jump on the little bulbs.

The pattern is Lapis Wrap published in Interweave Crochet or check it out on Ravelry. Note the word 'lapis' and compare to my work. Clearly this is not lapis blue yarn. Whilst quizzing the staff at my LYS concerning the amount of sport weight in stock, another customer joined the conversation with a sentiment that caused me to pause.

Reds, offered she, are the most versatile shades. The thinking behind that pronouncement is thus: red fits with Valentines, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Christmas and looks great during the Olympics. That is a whole heap of holiday celebrations during which red can be worn successfully. (Mardi Gras, St. Paddy's & Halloween are of course excepted)

And there was this in the red section of the store - twelve balls of Frog Tree Alpaca, sport in color #204.

Oh, yes.

Tulips. The point of this post. Almost forgot.

The Lapis Wrap pattern includes several inserts of openwork that is referred to as tulip panel. Three puff stitches arise from one space and simulate the petals of a tulip blossom.

At this point, I'm not quite half way done with the wrap. But Valentine's Day is weeks (and a whole new year) away. That gives me
plenty of time to get all of the tulips growing throughout this wrap!

Slipping For Effect

2011-12-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

What follows is a review of playing around with a crochet hook and Trendsetter Bodega fluffery.

Yours truly with a boa made from Bodega. This version is created by using said crochet hook to slip stitch along the edge. Each insertion of the hook was about 3/4 inch apart. But that varied.

Precision of stitch placement is not required. That is important as this yarn makes a great beginner project.

And, might I note that if one does not like the resulting fluff or twist, it is extremely easy to pull out the slip work and start over. Love that.

This is the same yarn with the slip stitch moved to the center of the yarn. Again, precision is not required. I did try very hard to place the hook at a fairly consistent distance from one stitch to the next. The result is totally different.

More narrow & more twisted this scarf version is well suited to a smaller frame. It still has that artistic wow, so that is not lost.

Side by side comparison of the two techniques.

On the left is the version with the crochet slip stitches placed along the edge.

On the right is the version with with crochet slip stitches moved to the center.

Check out the close up of each.

Edge

Center

The Specifics: Trendsetter Yarn Bodega in colorway 414 - Mardi Gras. Surely you sensed that coming. You had to see this Cajun getting all excited about those colors!

Phew!

2011-12-19T09:33:00.001-08:00

This is a story of tired fingers. It is brief as my digits don't even want to stay on the keyboard very long.

The "suddenly I need one more hat" is completed. As in ready to go. So ready that immediately upon the photo opportunity, it was sealed safely in festive wrapping and set under the tree.

And - quite the surprise to my early morning brain - I even remembered to insert the yarn band with the washing instructions! Often I have forgotten that little luxury.

This is Berroco Vintage which is a machine washable blend. Of course I'll probably get a little focused on the recipient and point out way too many times that it is machine washable. NOT to be tossed in a hot dryer. But, 'tis blue as was requested. Plain old fashioned navy blue.

It turns out that I have some blocking still to accomplish. This is a second Dragon's Tail scarf. That's all I have to say about it. Anything else can be tracked, guessed or otherwise figured out.

Yep, my fingers are tired. But it is a good tired. Know what I mean?

Brief Shining Moment

2011-12-15T08:39:00.000-08:00

For one brief shining moment of time, I was caught up. The time line was under control. You hear that, Madame Fate. I was in control! And then.

And then.

And then. . .

opportunity came my way and all semblance of calm control vanished as though it were smoke up the chimney.

It seems that my hat knitting days are not over. Unfortunately, the blue stash was used up for the hats that where shipped away. What is it with blue this year? I thought grey was the new black, but maybe it is blue that is the new black. Oh, well. I was forced (Forced, I tell you. 'Twas not my fault) to go shopping for more yarn. And, what does "blue" mean when standing in the midst of temptation. Weaker women will state that it only takes one skein to make a hat. But, I am a woman of strength and I know that the odds are strong that more than one skein of blue yarn will be needed in my knitterly life. That's all I'm saying on that topic.

So, the black scarf and a second dragon scarf are on hold while I whip out another hat. This makes the top of the coffee table look rather disorganized.

It is organized in my own special fashion. The black alpaca is in a bag and contained in a bowl on top of pattern that one day will be cast on. The second dragon scarf is under the beginnings of the necessary blue hat (work order - finish the blue and discover the dragon). Off to the side is a new phone sock that still needs a button. And placed just so is the ball 'o blue and the dragon cone with beads at the ready.

But that is not all! Nay, Madame Fate has dropped another in my lap. Under the table at my feet and surrounded by potato chip crumbs (late night energy) is a bag of organic cotton that wants to become a donation of wash cloths for an activity in early 2012.

I love knitting or crocheting for moi. But I adore making items for others. Maybe the job of Madame Fate is to prevent narcissism and keep me looking outward to the needs of others.

Oh, that Madame Fate - - she is one smart cookie.

Maggie Mae - a free pattern for you

2011-12-12T13:38:00.000-08:00

Maggie Mae

LenoraFrançois Stewart

FrançoisStewart Designs^TM

Maggie Mae is a simple sleevelesspullover with a deep neckline. The top is worked in one piecebeginning at the arm opening and continuing across the front then around theback and ending with a simple kitchenerstitch join. Short shoulder seamscomplete the construction. Neckedge and arm openings are finished with reverse single crochet.

NOTICE: Pattern fit is easily adjustable. To add to circumference you may add tworows of stockinette under each arm, add two rows ofseed stitch to each front side or/and add and even number of seed stitch rowsto the back. For every four rowsadded, the blocked width is increasedby 1 inch.

Size: S (M, L)

Chest: 32” (34”,37”) pattern is sized for a close fit and to accommodatestretch inherent in cotton garments.

Length: 20.5 (20.5, 23) NOTE: Blocked length is actuallydetermined by your stitch gauge. Cotton will give.

Yarn: Noro Taiyo (40% cotton, 30 %silk, 15% wool, 15% nylon, 100 g/ 201m), 3 balls

Needles: size #10 (6mm) circular, 24”. Use needle size to get gauge or knitloosely

Hook: size I (5.5mm) crochet hook

Notions: tapestry needle, stitchmarker, waste yarn (used for provisional cast on)

Gauge: 16 sts = 4”(10 cm) Because the entire top is worked side to side, this gauge does not indicatethe final length of the garment. The cotton content of the suggested yarn,the weight and the downward pull all combine to make the final length afterblocking approximately 20.5 – 23 “

CO 32(32, 36) stitches plus provisional CO41 (41, 45) additional stitches. 73(73, 81) TOTAL stitches cast on. If using a different yarn, increase theprovisional CO stitches based upon your gauge.

Front Side

WS Seed Stitch

RS Seed Stitch (place stitch marker to indicate rightside)

RepeatSeed Stitch as established for 4.5” (5”, 5.5”)

Endon WS row

Begin Neck Shaping

RS BO 3 stitches at beginning(neck edge) and continue in seed stitch

WS Seed stitch

Repeatthese two rows 9 more times (Total of 30 stitches bound off)

RS CO 3 stitches then work RS rowin seed stitch. Be careful to work the 3 new cast on stitches in pattern!

WS Seed Stitch

Repeatthese two rows 9 more times (total of 30 stitches cast on = 73 ((73,81)) totalstitches)

Front Side

Workingon stitches as established, continue in seed stitch until this side measures 4.5”(5”, 5.5”). Measure from beginning of 73 (73, 81) stitches after completing neck.

Arm Hole

RS Loosely BO 32 (32, 36) stitches, kacross remaining 41 (41, 45)

WS p 41 (41, 45)

RS k 41 (41, 45)

WS p 41 (41, 45)

RSk 41 (41, 45))

Large Size Only work four more rows:

WS p 45

RS k 45

WS p 45

RS k 45

Back

WS seed stitch across 41 (41, 45) stitches

RS CO 32 (32, 36) stitches thenwork entire row in seed stitch pattern 73 (73, 81) stitches aftercompleting cast on

Continuein seed stitch for 15 (16, 17) inches ending with a WS row

RS BO 32 (32, 36) stitches, k across remaining 41(41, 45)

WS p 41 (41, 45)

RS k 41 (41, 45)

WS p 41 (41, 45)

Large Size Only work four more rows:

RS p 45

WS k 45

RS p 45

WS k 45

Removeprovisional cast on and return stitches to other end of circular needles (oruse a spare needle)

Graft(kitchener stitch) 41 (41, 45) stitches together.

Sewshoulders

Weavein all ends

Beginning at right shoulder seam, work reverse single crochet aroundentire neck edge.

Work reverse single crochetaround arm holes.

This pattern is for your personal, non-commercial use only.

You are not allowed to make garments from this pattern forsale anywhere.

You are not allowed to mass produce this pattern or garments made from thispattern.

I've Got A Dragon By The Tail

2011-12-10T09:25:00.001-08:00

Looky here! A dragon's tail made from linen and beads. Yippie. Each little point along the top spine has one bead at the tip. And then the long straight edge has beads added in during the bind off.

Now, I readily admit that taken from this overhead view it does not look like much. And I could have taken more care and placed the lower curve just so. Given my poor photo skills, perhaps this next view will be more pleasing. Just look at the scarf and ignore the model.

Voila!

A few notes for those who might score the pattern and consider grabbing this dragon by the tail.

I added two extra points to give more wrapping length.

The last four points were expanded to ten rows rather than the eight row repeat of the pattern directions

This linen went through the dryer in two separate fifteen minute cycles: wet, dryer, lay out points, finish drying whilst flat. Repeat.

And then it still was not wanting to begin to soften up.

So. . . .

Tossed it in the dryer with NO HEAT for 45 minutes and beat the softness into it.

That did the trick as now it feels worn. Not as comfortable as it will be with time, but soft enough to drape well.

Did I already say Yippie?

Joyous Class

2011-12-07T16:34:00.001-08:00

It was with eager anticipation that we showed up for a scarf class. Nothing fancy was on the agenda, nothing wild and untried was expected. What was on tap was a group experience of two dozen knitters of all skill levels coming together to start knitting along on a linen scarf.

Yes, linen. In the winter. Perhaps linen is not high on the winter fibers if you live in a cold and snowy climate. However, for three reasons, linen was the perfect choice for this December class.

First, linen is the yarn preferred by the designer. The scarf pattern is Dragon's Tail Scarf by Jane Tea-Hajosy from Two Sisters and Ewe. Her suggestion is Louet Euroflax. Many of us (including moi) took that suggestion and interpreted it with a Claudia Hand Painted colorway.

Second reason why linen is a perfect choice is physical. While I did not snap a photo of the over crowded tables, one look at the average age and any informed woman would also opt for the coolest possible string to twirl about the neck. Our aim in life is to reduce heat surges!

The third reason that I am convinced linen is a perfect winter knit is pragmatic. Even if we get all caught up in holiday celebrations and the new year, surely we will all have this beaded swath completed by spring time.

During our group knit-a-long class I managed to complete seven points. Today, armed with a spiced tea I set my self to getting much farther along.

This scarf is a simple eight row repeat. Once you go through the increase, bead, bind off series a few times, it becomes very zen and repetitive.

This is color is Ocean Depth and filled with undulating greens and purples. This hank has been front and center in the stash because I love the shades so very much.

Each point - as in the blades of a dragon tail - has one bead. Then, when it is time to bind off, more beads are added. The final result will be asymmetrical. The neck edge is filled with increases so that it will wrap around the neck and let the beaded points be the focus.

One pot of tea and much progress later, the scarf is already half way completed. Now the real time sink begins because each row get progressively longer. In looking at my personal calendar, there should be time enough available to have this one completed by the end of the weekend.

So, what is the moral to the story? When you work your tail off getting all the gifts knitted and shipped by December 7th, you can work on a new tail (scarf) for yourself.

Fluff 'N Stuff

2011-12-06T09:09:00.001-08:00

Happy Fluffy Day! Finally a fresh shipment of Katia Triana Lux arrived down at my go to source for string. Weeks ago I scored a ball of the grey/blackish/ecrulike stuff for moi. And it is a hit every time I wear it now that sparkle season has arrived.

Unfortunately, that colorway was not in this latest shipment and I was forced to choose new festive shades for gifting. The deep dark blue (there in the background) really dresses up an old pair of jeans. The golden swath is right in tune with this December holiday season.

And, it turns out, the gold also looks fabulous with jeans and makes an evening at home into a very special occasion.

The folks that I know are all knitting this specialty yarn. It took a while, but I did figure out how best to turn it into a neck fluff with a crochet hook. The final effect is not the same as when knit, but it does work and holds up well.

Here is the method that worked best. It is based on Tunisian Simple Stitch if you get lost.

Fold in the end as for knitting and pick up four "stitches" on the hook.

YO and pull through two "stitches"

Repeat back until there is only one stitch (loop) on the hook.

Pick up three new "stitches" on the hook (for a total of four) and repeat the YO, pull through two process.

Need a better explanation? Leave a comment and I'll be working on a better description to send out.

Rubber Bands & Knitting

2011-11-30T08:37:00.001-08:00

The rows and rows of seed stitch have become quite a big field of possibility. Boredom has set in and progress is delayed. This long vest is made from ShiBui heichi and will ultimately have almost 500 g of the stuff hanging from my shoulders. I got to fretting if that weight would pull downward and stretch the arm holes. I don't mind if the total length stretches as that as already been shortened by one inch due to my being short.

What to do? Is it possible to stop fretting and just get on with the endless planting of seed stitch? What came to mind was the need to test the weight of only the vest and pre-stretch the arm holes without blocking an incomplete item. Now, readily do I admit that this idea might be anathema to Master Knitters, but I did not think of it on my own and might not be totally to blame for suggesting it.

What we have here is two rubber bands (actually hair bands donated by daughter #1 to the cause - this is all her inventive contraption) that hold the circulars together and allow hanging from a hanger without fear of a mishap and loss of stitches. Check out the chord of the circs and you see that it is pulling downward.

Way down at the bottom of the closet are the yarn balls that correspond to the fronts and back of the vest.

Everything is nice and tidy with no pressure except for the weight of the garment. . .

In the middle of the rubber bands and the yarn balls is the vest. This is as close as we could get to having only the weight of the garment itself impacting the stretch on the arm holes. It is kind of like "dry blocking" if that concept actually exists.

The goal is to mimic wearing and test out what will happen by the end of the day - or several days later. Based on our dry hang test, I will be deleting almost an inch from the pattern specified depth of the arm holes.

My guess is that I will get raked over the proverbial coals on this one. I'm sure that all manner of folks will tell me this does not work or it should not be done or that I have finally lost it and should resign from the knit world. It's OK. I saved about 30 minutes of knitting and those arm holes are customized to my body - - not some standard.

Rubber bands & knitting. It's a good thing in my book of tricks.

Thankful

2011-11-22T14:34:00.001-08:00

At this time of year the calendar urges each one to pause and give thanks. Of late, I have felt more burdened by a blue mood than lightened by rose colored glasses. Consider what is on the needles:

black alpaca scarf
dark blue silk vest
black & blue wool blend hat

The colors seemed to reflect the cloud hanging over me. Dark and foreboding with no silver lining anywhere to be seen. So, I went looking for reasons to cast aside the funk and get on with the Thanksgiving.

Funds are sufficient enough to purchase quality fiber. I am thankful that the coffers are not dry.
My health allows me to participate in a friendly competition with a fellow knitter trying to discover who can complete a vest the fastest. I am thankful for a pain free life.
My extended family brings bright moments to life and I know that the chosen hat recipient will be grateful. I am thankful that close by or far away, family is family.

When looked at it all from a perspective of thanksgiving, my blue mood is very sunny!

Planting Seeds

2011-11-16T08:27:00.001-08:00

That's what is happening around these parts. Planting seeds. Row after row after row of seeds.

Over the hills and through the valleys, nothing but seed stitch. This is what happens when one casually (and with no other intention than to spend a few minutes chatting) strolls into a yarn store and is struck with Commandment breaking covetousness at the simple sight of a ~~competitor~~ fellow knitter casting on for a new project.

Even before the Muscadine socks were photographed for this running rant of a blog, I had signed on the dotted line and possessed ten skeins of silk and a pattern known as Shadow. I knit all weekend. Regular readers know that at this time of year, I am partial to mindless knitting that does not interfere with weekend football watching.

GEAUX LSU!

The mindless seed planting is broken up with two cable inserts that, for this long vest, become the side seams (well, wannabe seams).

It's looking might fine up to this point. Which is not even half way.

Good thing this is mostly mindless as I've half a mind to chuck it all and whip up bulky hat for a preemie!

Please jump in anytime with a comment of encouragement.

Muscadine Wine Socks

2011-11-15T08:31:00.001-08:00

Perfection is complete!

Well, these are perfection if you discount the cuff seam on one sock. Try as I might, that seam just looked off. Thus - - the photo taken from the front.

Socks are so portable, perhaps that is why the working of them is quite popular. What's that you say? Have you never owned a pair of hand knit socks perfectly matched to your foot and calf with even the gusset precisely placed for your anatomy? For shame. It is time to either learn to knit socks OR make nice with a sock knitter.

For those in the know, the sideways cuff of this pattern did give me pause. I fretted a bit on whether the garter work would be as effective as plain ribbing or if it would fail in the wearing. So far, I am pleased.

A gentle reminder:

Muscadine Socks by Star Athena available here on Ravelry and also in Sockupied, Spring 2011.

made with Grape Vine (a limited edition) colorway by Baah!

Holiday Fluff

2011-11-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

Many a woman loves a bit of sparkle for the upcoming holiday season. Adding a little something new is easy and brings joy to both wearer and observer.

This is the latest craze to go through my favorite LYS. Katia Triana Lux which comes in a variety of shades, this fabulous black/grey/cream combo with gold sparkles is my personal favorite. Basically this is a variety of the popular mesh ruffle yarns with glitz added.

Luckily, I managed to grab a ball before it was all gone. Currently, the staff just says "its on back order" to those of us waiting not so patiently for a new supply.

In less time than it takes to watch a football game, a marvelous swath of festivity can be worked. Folks are working this simple boa scarf with anywhere from five to ten stitches per row and using everything from a size 8 to a 13 needle. The point here is that no new supplies are needed. One ball, any needle, any number of stitches and VOILA! In about two hours a gift is ready.

I love the way that this makes a ruffle when wound about the neckline. It is spiffy whether worn as a traditional scarf or twirled and tucked like a huge collar.

With something this wonderful, and a whole cadre of knitters & crocheters waiting impatiently, I sure hope that back order is already shipped!

Ready To Go

2011-11-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

Perhaps my most flexible piece of wooly work ever completed is ready to go.

Check out the completed pullover! This was an extremely fast knit, a quick seaming and then voila! Done. Here I have used the short sleeved sweater as an over garment in attempt to stay warm in the sudden global chilling that is Riverside. Temps are below comfy and down toward the "how do you turn on the heat?" stage.

I did check out the ability to wear this under a plain button front shirt and that too will work. The short sleeves are really just a continuation of the body and are worked entirely as ribbing. That flexibility of the stretchy rib is what gives this sweater its flexibility.

This just might become a favorite packing wardrobe staple. Notice how squarely and compactly it folds. Love that! Do take time to enlarge the photo and notice the cable and lattice work that makes this special.

The pattern includes optional long sleeves, so it is flexible if you live in or often visit a perpetually chilly climate.

The specifics:

Yarn is Rustic Tweed from Queensland Collection. 63% Wool, 27% Alpaca, 10% Donegal. It comes in 100g hanks so the 278 yards goes really far.

Pattern is Lattice Cable Sweater from the book Easy Cable Knits for all seasons by Andra Knight-Bowman. This is the second time I've made something from the book. And I have my eye on yet a third pattern. If you are looking for a good book filled with quick but attractive patterns, this is the ticket.

Color Works!

2011-11-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

I am one of those who depend on others to tell me if a color works. As in does one go with another (or two or three). The trick I have learned is to depend heavily on the indie dyers out there. They have it rocking! My current favorite is Baah! from which the Muscadine socks are knit. By the, should you be wondering, one sock is complete but finding time to cast on the second is turning out to be the real challenge for this pair.

But, back to color. For more that several years Colleen Davis has inspired me to go bold with color. This week, Colleen spoke to the San Diego North Coast Knitters Guild in Encinitas, CA. We all need a refresher course in color gradation, color blips for pizazz and general success with a project.

Colleen brought a whole heap of items to share and show how her color sense works. This is more organized than the photo appears - there was a fashion show, items on a womannequin as well as the table of samples.

To my right, just sitting there as knitters are want to do was this inspiration. In the foreground, a knee length vest knit of textures in green and taupe with a shot of orange. Talk about a blip of color! But it worked! Fabulously. And I say that as one who does not do orange.

Just beyond, is a knitter after my own heart. She bought a colorway that sways from bright to deeply shaded green and let the yarn do the talking with out interruption.

Here is one of Colleen's creations. Notice the gradation of purples on the back of this jacket. Moving along the color spectrum as well as the texture spectrum gives her work a dimensionality that is like sculpture.

But then comes the pop of those reds and oranges broken up by the darkest repeating of the purple. Absolutely fabulous.

I have several of Colleen's patterns. The one that I did make - it was a vest in brown/black/gold - went away to an admirer. Me thinks it is time to pull the stash and put together the colors for another Bold Knit.

Check this out! Talk about inspirational. And Bold. And so Colleen Davis. I love the bottom two rows of color. But moving into the middle and the top and I start to panic over the orange.

Major hint from Colleen: Stick to black to unify a color scheme. White, when used in the same way as black, sucks the life out of all the surrounding color.

I know that I tend to play it too safe with mixing it up. I know that I am too safe (or wimpy) because I adore every thing in this basket. Shades of Grey. Only shades of grey. Ahh. Peaceful times both in the working and the wearing. And so easy to blend in when what I'm wearing does not stand out in any way.

My heart belongs here, though. Teal, jade and everything in and around those colors. This to me is inspiring. Not a blip of orange anywhere.

Thank you Colleen, you are an inspiration and living proof that color works!

Perfect Match

2011-10-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

Every so often it happens. That perfect match of pattern to yarn. This is one of those times. Witness:

Muscadine Socks by Star Athena available here on Ravelry and also in Sockupied, Spring 2011.

made with Grape Vine (a limited edition) colorway by Baah!

The pattern is fabulously simple. Easy to remember and even if you forget, it is a two row repeat, so all the weary brain needs to do is read what has already been knit. As you can see, it is a toe-up design.

More importantly, it is almost time to work the gusset and then the moment that all sock knitters love takes place. Yep, I'll put my big girl panties on and turn that heel!

Happy Autumn

2011-10-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Quicker than the next project can be planned, the new shawl/scarf is complete. The construction here is quite simple.

The body follows a typical pattern of increases at center back and each shoulder to make the piece hug the neck and shoulders. This piece is only about eight inches in depth.

Then an edging is worked to match the total outer measurement of the body. The most difficult part of this was sewing the edging to the body.

Black yarn is not my easiest endeavor these days.

The yarn really makes the little shawl special. All of those dangling bits add flair.

I thought I was being very swift by purchasing the yarn as soon as it arrived on Friday and returning to my yarn store just a few days later to share this sample of the yarn. One weekend of sales and there were only three skeins remaining when I hung up this sample.

That should tell you how gorgeous this stuff is!

If you have not already, check out the color selection here. And don't forget the free pattern that is available on the same page.

Dark Edge to Autumn

2011-10-24T19:19:00.000-07:00

The new black shawl made from Autumn is a more of a scarf than a true shawl. My stitch count of the body matches the pattern perfectly with almost all of one skein used up. And I've laid the lace edge against the body to judge how wide the "shawl" will be when the two parts are sewn together. Definitely not of a depth that fits my definition of a shawl.

It is looking like the finished product will be more of a shaped scarf. And that is perfectly fine because the yarn is the star - not the pattern. Black yarn, dangling bits and a simple edging that hints at a repeating leaf. That is what you should see in the photo. Alas, black yarn is just black yarn and my skills to edit are not so great.

Forgive me for not sharing each stitch with you. Already I am fretting the final photo. Shall it be taken of the shawl/scarf elegantly and artistically tossed over a white shirt? Or will a beige turtleneck show off the casualness better?

These are weighty issues for sure. Pondering the next blog post and photo can be distracting. So distracting that Bert can feel ignored even when I sit with him to ponder the knit world.

Here is the man himself, wondering what I am wondering about. Click on the photo to enlarge and follow the arrow to Bert's new blanket. Of late, nothing for him has come from my needles. Luckily, Bert has another lady in his life who loves him enough to crochet new blankets.

Seduced By The Dark Side

2011-10-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

There I was, sitting amongst friends enjoying the chatter that is Designer Hand Knits, working merrily along on the green vest. After all, the back which is composed of one hundred twenty bazillion rows of nothing but stockinette makes a fine diversion from the laughter and camaraderie of the shop. Less than one week of work and the vest is 3/4 complete. Not bad for a rank amateur!

Any way, we all heard it. Yes, two tables of knitters all heard that sound that causes any yarnaholic to pause, set the needles aside and jump out of the chair with a speed unmatched by the launch of a rocket. That one sound, which when it breaks into the merriment causes us all to stretch up, body at the ready and looking like a clan of meerkats posing for National Geographic.

What sound? The slicing/yanking of the closure on a huge box. DELIVERY TIME!

Now, where did I put that green vest??

Specifics:

A New Yarn: Autumn, which is made for KFI.

Color: black with stuffage (beads & dangling polyester leaves)

Content: 47% Acrylic, 44% cotton, 9% polyester

I do believe that I have found my Halloween Costume. It should be ready a whole week early.

WIP - Fast & Furious

2011-10-19T16:18:00.000-07:00

It does not feel as though my fingers are flying quickly. Every now and then I sit and knit. Already the front of the vest is nearing completion.

So much progress has been made that it actually looks like a garment. I like that. This combination of yarn and pattern is one of the best bits of luck I've had recently. The subtle shading results in a casually muted stripe, but the tweed breaks it up. The shades are most visible in the stockinette sections.

The pattern is one of those that works out well, is easy to memorize, and looks much more complicated that it actually is. The cables and lattice are interesting to work without requiring huge amounts of concentration.

I think that starting this wool vest has brought a bit of luck my way. Nice cool evenings, foggy mornings and this afternoon the temp did not break 80. Maybe the temperature is correlated to what I knit in the same way that rain correlates to getting my car washed.

It's a thought. . . .

Onward

2011-10-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

The slippers are completed but not photo worthy as they are just utilitarian slippers awaiting my next trip. Moving onward, the next project is cast on with hopes that the triple digit temperatures have moved onward for the year and even the current high afternoon heat will give way to daytime temperatures that complement the cool evenings.

Onward to something wooly and of a worsted weight.

Onward to cables and a center panel of lattice stitchery.

Onward to an Irish green tweed.

Yes, Onward.

The calendar says that it is squarely autumn time even though the daylight has not yet done the "fall back" thing. I'm ready for a stretch of days - dare I pray for an entire week - of cool days, a bowl of soup and the flicker of a flame in the evening. And this design is perfect for creating the mood associated with changing seasons.

I have to tell you that the photo is a bit misleading. On the left side of the picture, above the knitting and below the bowl of yarn is a cable needle. Funny thing that cable needle. It is really just a security needle as I do not use the things. I prefer to work all cables (well, maybe not when made of slippy sliddy yarn on the Addi lace points) sans additional needles. Sure, using a cable needle is the way most of us were taught. But I find that method to be slow, cumbersome and it breaks the rhythm of knitting.

Emotionally, I am feeling better just because of working on a heavier wool blend and creating cold weather patterns. Realistically, it never gets cold enough for a traditional heavy sweater here in Riverside. Being the wise woman that I am, this one will not have sleeves - a vest of many cables!

Onward.

Productive Waiting

2011-10-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

Waiting for a much anticipated delivery in Memory of Steve Jobs. (huge hint)

After the delivery, there is an oil change scheduled which involves waiting and boredom.

Fresh oil is reason to celebrate; but I'll be forced to wait until dinner time to enjoy family.

Then it will be time to push FlightTrack (app) over and over waiting for the man to travel the time zones.

Lots of waiting today. Good day to start a new quick project.

Slippers, because sometimes all I want is for time to quickly slip away. I am not skilled at waiting. It's a good thing that I am skilled with string.

Burn, Baby, Burn

2011-10-12T13:24:00.000-07:00

Untagged, unlabeled, unidentified. While stash diving, two skeins of mystery un-anything yarn fell from the lower shelf. What? You have never had skeins of yarn fall from a shelf and go "plop" at your feet? Clearly you don't have a big enough stash - get out there and shop!

What really gets my goat about these two skeins is that I had them together in a plastic bag as though they are supposed to be something. But alas, no tag or any identifying anything was in the bag with the stuff. How odd is that? In today's yarn world everyone puts their personal logo and all manner of information on everything! One would think that this should have a clear label.

What is an out of luck woman to do? Burn, baby, burn.

This day did begin with a list of chores. Missing from the list was conduct burn test on mystery yarn. But that is exactly what I did. My experience with identification through the burn test is somewhat limited. I've done it a few times, but by no stretch of the imagination am I an expert at fiber identification. What can I say but that I like labels.

Look at that very bright yellow/orange flame! Talk about fast burning and hot! Even with my limited experience this is obviously not wool. But I already knew that. It did not feel like wool and it did not smell like wool when I wet a piece. I only wet some of the stuff in an effort to see if it would felt and fall into the "animal" category. If it had felted or smelled, then I would have been far down the ID line.

Just because yarn burns and is not self-extinguishing doesn't mean that it is easy to identify. In fact, it barely tells me anything. I have a not so secret weapon that gets me fairly close.

Check out this link to help determine fiber content. It is a dandy of a reference.

So, the stuff does not felt nor smell of animal. In it's dry condition is it very flexible and "soft". Today's burn test results are:

burns and not self-extinguishing
huge bright yellow/orange flame
fast burning flame
ember continued to glow for a bit
smelled faintly of paper, no leaf smell
a tiny bit of ash that was more black than gray

Taken all together, I am leaning toward a very high rayon content - maybe even 100%, but something about the feel of the yarn makes me want to conclude that it has a touch of cotton as well. It is entirely too soft to have a linen mixed in there.

What do you think?

Fiesta Time

2011-10-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

The weekend was filled with joy and merriment. The greatest fun was visiting the Fiber Arts Fiesta down in Vista. In the same location was a gem & mineral show and both events were free. Free parking, free admission, free conversations, free knowledge. Let's give a cheer for local independent entrepreneurs.

Before enjoying the fiber folks, we visited the gem & mineral exhibitors. That was quite fun because there was everything from unpolished natural minerals to gorgeous gems set in wrapped wire. Beads, glass work, buttons....all manner of items that could embellish fiber art.

Among the exhibits, with free knowledge, was the weaver's barn. This area is filled with over fifty looms and is really a mini-museum. It is also the active workshop for area weavers. Very fascinating, even though I know absolutely nothing about weaving.

I did talk to a weaver who is laying out all of her warp and hand dying the string with sections of color that bleed from one to the next. Very similar to much of the artisan yarns that we all love. The resulting fabric is mind blowing! Sorry, I forgot to get a photo, but do be on the lookout for this type of work.

If you are into crochet, as is my daughter who was on this adventure, check out Ami Amour (on Ravelry she is all one word, no space) for critter patterns. Whether you are into amigurumi or just need a plushie for the grandkids, her patterns will fit the bill. And you can even find her work at her Etsy shop.

And then there was Tino. He is a regal alpaca who came to the fiesta with his family from Alpacas of Anza Valley. We could have spent the entire afternoon visiting with Julie & Don Roy and learning all about alpacas. Talk about a wealth of knowledge for this under informed lover of the yarn. Alpacas are considered mild-tempered, gregarious animals with an inquisitive nature and would never be caught parading around in a Ronald McDonald wig. (Out of context, that wig statement does not make any sense. You had to be there. Apparently llamas have no dignity and will wear said wig in a parade.)

Here is Tino and friends doing what comes natural to alpaca. Herding up in a pack and being friendly to each other and their many human admirers. After spending time with these guys, it makes me love the fiber even more.

And, apparently back at the farm of Julie & Don is a lovely lady named Ebony Rose. She did not make the trip down for this fiesta. But 6.2 oz of her did. That's about 722 yards of lace weight black yarn from Ebony Rose. And no, the yarn was not free. But - - and here is the joy of visiting with local folks - - I did get an invitation to go meet Miss Ebony Rose up in Anza.

I do think I'll call and find out when she is receiving worshipers.

One Down. Two More To Go.

2011-10-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

Just laying there flat and unfulfilled, she looks rather sad. But she is done. This gift bag that is destined to bring joy to a recipient is completed.

The contrast of the sparkly knitted ribbon woven with matte gross grain ribbon excites me. There are times when too much glitz is uncomfortable simply because it is all the same level of "wow." In this instance, the humble ribbon in that green shade that goes so well with the gold undertone, lets the sparkle be the star without having to compete with anything else.

For a while, I considered using a gold cord with beaded tassel as the drawstring. But in the end, simple won out.

One bag completed. And it only took about 5 minutes to move this from the Work In Progress column to the Done column.

Vision But No Completion

2011-10-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

Oh yes. I have vision. Various posts over the summer waxed poetic about the beverage bags for gift giving in a few months. Well, I'm still at the project but have expanded beyond the simple bottle cover.

Unfortunately it seems that for right now, my vision is out of sync with my fingers. Witness the current state of the desk.

Front bag with red yarn - - should be a completed gift bag for something small and delicate as we all know that good things come in small hand made packages. Not even started, but envisioned.

The length of white/gold still on the needles is a half completed swath that will be just the right size to hold needles and a skein because fantastic gifts should come in fantastic packages. Vision, but no completion.

And then under the needles is a seamless drawstring bag of a suitable size to hold a hat or scarf - either of which will fall out unless the bottom is seamed up! Because everyone needs to receive a hand made project in its own project bag. Near completion per the vision.

Lots of vision around here. These three are in the "not complete" column. They are not, I repeat NOT, ufo's. They are each a work in progress. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Out Of Space

2011-09-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

Three weeks after casting on, the Bono Kimono was laying out on an old beach towel. Friends are amazed and darn near astonished at the speed put into this project. I don't know why they are so in awe. Have we not, each one of us, at some point in our yarn history managed the impossible to meet a deadline? This is/was one of those times.

Goal + mind set + finish line = Done!

Well, that and two weekends of watching football from the comfy sofa in order to mentally survive the unending garter.

You might not want to enlarge the photo as this one was taken early on in the smoothing and straightening process. Many a wiggle is still in the stitching. But, if you do happen to enlarge the photo, you will discover:

a bright green stitch marker indicating the possibility of a dropped stitch that needed a bit of weaving to make hold whilst disappearing into the garter ribs.
ends that are not woven in due to wanting to have the cotton setting its mind to a comfortable gauge before weaving in the straggles.

I did not modify the patter....much. I made it a length that barely skims the top of my hip line. This resulted in sleeves that are definitely 3/4 length. It is important to note that the design of this open front kimono is not meant to close. No, it does not slip off the shoulders, but the front edges do not meet/touch. It is a light cover up perfect for this in between season or over air conditioned restaurants.

Reminder:

Bono Kimono from Loops here.

Schaefer Yarn Laurel which your LYS can order for you.

Soak

2011-09-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I listened to a shop owner wax poetic on the absolute superiority of steam blocking vs wet blocking of garments. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. Even when that opinion is that "if a garment is steam blocked the way I am telling you it will never, for the life of the garment, revert back to uneven stitches or to the preblocked stitch gauge."

And I have an opinion as well. Here is why I like to soak the daylights out of my stuff.

Because soaking the daylights out of the yarn also soaks the excess dye out of the garment! Imagine, if you will, wearing the future kimono jacket over a lovely white shirt. Guess where that excess dye is going to end up? Yep, transferred to the white, that's where.

Look at what was left in the basin! That is not egg dye waiting for a spring holiday. This is photo evidence of why I wet block almost everything. Steam is good for generating power and treating the very delicate yarns or for massaging a seam into releasing puckers, etc. But, with so many indie yarn dying out there giving us the shade and colorways we demand, I feel that I should do my part and get the last of the color released from the fiber before my new white shirt is tainted by berry shades.

Thank you for listening.

Football Knitting

2011-09-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

OK, this knitting project really is not football related. No team colors are involved and it is not a scarf that can be waved maniacally about the head whilst screaming in a stadium. The only reason this is football knitting is because it is a whole heap of mindless knitting that can easily be accomplished when kicking back on a Sunday afternoon to watch the Saints romp up and down the field.

Right now, it does not look like much and you are most assuredly underwhelmed. If you've a mind to investigate:

Pattern is Bono Kimono which can be had here via Loops Knitting

Yarn is Laurel for Schaefer Yarns in the Sinrock Mary colorway.

Not much else can be said at this point. Just a whole bunch of garter stitching that keeps growing and growing and growing, but still measures seventeen inches. I hate when that happens.

Falling In Love

2011-09-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

Last week, I finished another project. Yeah for me! The Lace Tunic is now ready for the color palette change that takes place at this time of year.

The thing about seaming lace is that great moments of concentration are required. Here you see the front and back lining up side by side. The markers are my attempt to perfectly match the rows of lace and ensure that the seam does not go askew. It takes a bit of smoothing, even post blocking, to massage the lace into mirror image holes and stitches.

It is so worth the extra time it takes to slowly, stitch by stitch and row by row, sew up the seams. For me, it works best to do this type of seaming with the project mostly flat and that usually involves the dining table. A vital last step involves removing all remnants of wool dust before eating!

Here she is. I am in love with the big shawl collar and how casual it looks. Having studied the fashions currently being displayed about the mall stores, it is possible that I'll add a leather belt when wearing this one. Yesterday afternoon, it was ninety-three degrees hot. Thus, the tank top as an underpinning.

But when the temps drop, I'll gradually shift to 3/4 sleeves and then a turtleneck long sleeve top for underneath.

It feels good to finish a "big" project rather and another scarf or gift bag. A true sense of accomplishment and giddiness. Too bad you missed the site of me patting my self on the back for a job well done. I did my happy dance!

A Decision Is Possible

2011-09-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

The Straw Girl scarf is completed, blocked and worn in public. It is a fine accessory and not too strangling hot to wear in this late summer/early autumn weather. Quite enjoyable in the evenings!

I like the length. You will note in the photo that it wraps and dangles appropriately for my body length. The ends are a bit fiddly when they encounter the seat belt. Practically strangled myself the first time I buckled up! But a mere flip of the trailing ends and I could breathe again.

So, what did I decide about the ends?

I decided that the squared-off ends were just not working. The pretty graphic beads worked best, but the weight of them had me concerned. So, and you may click the photo to see it larger and then return to finish reading, I crocheted flowers and used the beads as the centers.

The flowers have dimension with two levels of petals and I used two flowers on each end so that the whole scarf has no right or wrong side. Before sewing on the flowers & bead centers, I gathered the scarf ends tightly and that gave a "mass" into which the stitching would hold firm. All of the sewing ends were left long and knotted up under the flowers to be tendrils.

All in all, this airplane knit has turned out well. The random placement of the twisted drop stitches plays well with my asymmetrical leanings, no underside makes fussing with it unnecessary, and the beaded flower ends add just enough weight to help the ends hang perfectly.

More Options To Consider

2011-09-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

The decision matrix is getting quite complex. There are new options to consider for embellishing the airplane scarf.

Option 4 is beads that wow me. Totally forgot that I even owned these and that makes it more special. Love the graphics of the beads with the twisted drop stitch in the scarf. The weight of the beads don't add up like those other beads in the earlier option (see yesterday's post). HMM - strong contender.

Option 5 solves the weight issue. These fake pearls weigh very little, but they look rather lady-ish. Don't get me wrong. I wear pearls quite often. But the fake looking pearls on the quality silk of the scarf is offensive and shall not happen. This option was tossed out almost as soon as I took the photo.

Option 6 is really out of the box thinking. Stitch markers! Yep, these custom made stitch markers from my buddy Joan are just the thing. They look fabulous on the stitches.

So - six options so far and # 4 & #6 are at the head of the pack in my mind's eye. But, if I use the stitch markers to embellish the scarf, what am I going to use on the raglan sweater to keep a nice straight increase line?

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Decisions, Decisions

2011-09-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

Applause please. Something is actually past the bind off stage. Past the soak stage. Past the blocking stage. All the way past dry! But, alas, it is not finished. The "airplane" scarf was long enough for me, so it came off the needles and went through the typical post knit, make it pretty stage. And then I looked at that swath of silk and though BLAH!

Embellishment required.

Option 1 is beads that are already strung for another project but can easily come off the black and go onto the teal. Fairly basic and frankly - uninspired.

Option 2 is different beads. Hey, maybe the problem is those beads in #1 are too small and offer nothing other than color contrast. How about a fringe made of these left overs. Hard to see in the photo, but these beads look "printed" all around. Kinda heavy though when you add up enough beads to fringe both ends. And noisy. I think that these would "clank" rather than "tink". Not so good.

Option 3 gets me out of a jam. This is a necklace that I have a love/hate relationship with. Love the wood beads that dangle, hate the way it wraps around my neck like a choker - - literally a choking feeling. I could take the necklace apart and put the dangles on the scarf in an asymmetrical manner and feel quite the artist. Very asymmetrical because no matter how many times I count the dangling bits, the number never changes and I want something on both ends of the scarf and there aren't enough bits to make it equal and then I'd have to figure out a way to string the beads from the necklace to look similar to the dangling bits and it would just string out and cause frustration and all that jazz.

Clearly, I need more options. Stay tuned!

Slowly And Surely

2011-09-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

Well, the work continues on the lace tunic that began last month. Frankly, the crochet work required to make this is not a month worth of Sundays. Travel (I simply must stop using that as an excuse), pain and pure laziness have caused this to drag on longer than necessary.

But when the temps stay above 100 degrees, it is difficult to get excited about autumnal shades and warm wool. Slowly and surely it is getting done. Thanks in large part to the amount of labor put to hook during the Labor Day weekend.

Please do notice how I am concentrating on ticking off the rows of this side to ensure that it exactly matches the other side. Back in my free wheeling days when I could return to a project after months of ignoring it, pick up the pattern mid row and know exactly what to do, I never did put little marks on paper and pray that I remembered at the end of each row to put the friggin' mark on the piece of paper and get it in the right spot/row so as to.......! [rant complete - please return to casual reading pace] Alas, the youthful days of perfect memory are gone. Thus, the constant ticking off of rows on almost every project.

So, the row count and pattern repeating from front to back shall be perfectly matched. Unfortunately, due to the pain in the working shoulder, these stitches are just a tad looser. Each row a tad looser somehow multiplies to a noticeable difference once lots of rows are worked. HMMM. It is going to take some fancy thinking to block that out!

Maybe Not

2011-09-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

Now that my arm is feeling better and the muscle does not cause me to make strange facial expression whilst uttering the un-utterable, yarn work is progressing. Witness the completed pieces of the TSS fingerless mitts.

Let's just acknowledge that this photo is the underside, which is kinda cool in a funky way, but it gives a good glimpse into just how curly these pieces are. Seaming is definitely required.

What I like about these finished pieces is the sturdy fabric. So, I am thinking that maybe these are not mitts but rather they are the beginnings of a new travel pouch. My old standby little packing bag is on its last legs. About the only thing left that is not fraying on it are the snaps.

The right side of the TSS fabric looks mighty fine. There is a funky, almost but not quite, plaid look on this side. The curled wrong side is more stripe like. Because of the wonky plaid vibe, I am really thinking that these should become a nice little travel bag. Just big enough to hold the ID, valued paperwork (folded of course), phone, keys and color for the lips. I rarely have pockets safe enough for the valuables, so I depend on simple functional light weight accessory pouches when encountering TSA and the new empty pocket rule or running towards the next flight.

And this fall, I do have several excursions on the schedule.

So - - initially intended to be fingerless mitts for sitting on the patio during the chill of desert winter. But maybe not. Maybe a new travel bag.

I think that the many days of being barely functional due to the muscle mishap has left my brain in a fog. I'll save the decision process for the moment that I feel like seaming.

Confession

2011-08-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

Ten whole days without touching yarn. That's a painful confession. It has been a long dry spell with nothing to show for it. Should you be wondering what is happening, these days have been filled with inspirational moments from nature. I have just returned from a visit to Alaska and remain eternally in awe at the beauty of nature when mankind stands off to the side an allows her to just be.

Blue glacial ice. Stunning blue so perfect that no photo can ever capture the beauty.

Green foliage. Verdant and so many tints, shades and tones that the word "green" is insufficient.

Pattern against solid. Shapes, dots and unusual markings distinguishing one whale from the next, one salmon from a million.

Majesty in motion. Bald eagles skimming over the waters only to zoom up and find a perch from which to scan the world.

Quiet. Yes, quiet moments when humanity shuts up and let's nature speak her song.

Is There A Model In The Yard?

2011-08-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

Please and thrilled only scratch the surface. As much as I love the South Bay Shawlette, and as many of those that I have made, this might just top the joyous high of pulling the blocking pins!

Get thee a Lazy Katy pattern - it is the best $5.00 you will spend this year. Go ahead and support a home artist. If we all order just one pattern we will be on the way to solving the world economic woes.

A picture is worth a thousand words - pretend that I wrote three thousand totally outstanding words.

TA DA!

The Big Picture

2011-08-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here she is. Lazy Katy mid pinning.

She blocks beautifully.

The Zauberball shades are soothing.

Love her.

She wants to go on vacation.

Perhaps I shall take her on a cruise so that many may admire her.

Not Missing - Just Busy

2011-08-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

Ten whole days since last I paused long enough to put fingers to the keyboard. So much has happened and all of it is good. In and amongst other things (like red beverage bags) an entire swath of beauty came off the needles today.

This is Lazy Katy by Birgit Freyer, which can be purchased through her Ravely shop. Of course you are looking at the unblocked version which is here just to show you why I love this pattern so much. Lots and lots of straight knitting with strategically worked increases and Voila! Curves appear. Oh, come on. You know that geometry is all over yarn work so just smile and say, "look at that!"

For the most part, the pattern is so repetitive that boredom sets in. Then comes the lace, which as it turns out is a non threatening twelve rows of which six are just purling back to the beginning.

Lace does tend to get away from the YOs. Even after all these years, a life line is my friend. Since this was the first time that I made the pattern, I put in a line through every purl row of the lace. Quick, easy and it saves my sanity.

If you are not familiar with using a life line in knitting, there are many resources online including this one here.

The thing about lace is that it grows. A lot. Even with the stockinette portion being the majority of this shawl, it increases significantly when blocked.

Unblocked, this Lazy Katy was about 29 inches across. Maybe it is really a shawlette rather than a true shawl. Or a scarf. That is possible also.

The blocking process brought the width across the curve out to approximately 38 - 39 inches. Ten inches just because it got wet. I like that. It makes me feel as though I knit a whole lot more than I did.

If you are wondering:

Zauberball; used maybe 2/3 of it; lots left over.

Worked on Size 9 (5.5 mm) Addi Turbo.

Crochet bind off worked on a 5.5 hook.

Brain In High Gear

2011-08-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I waxed poetic on all things alchemy. Today, another shameless advertisement for a superb yarn that I discovered about two years ago

Get thee over to Artfibers in San Francisco! Or at least check out the offerings here on the web. Rox rocks via this great yarn and fabulous store. I first discovered Artfibers yarns at a yarn tasting and very recently told you about my current project via this post. It is sad, but true, that the current tunic on the hook is using up the very last of the Artfibers in my stash. Oh - - the horror. Luckily for moi, I managed to tag along on a trip to the foggy golden bay with the single purpose of riding that elevator up to the light filled third floor space that is Artfibers. No stranger has ever entered the store. There is always time for a calm and unrushed visit.

This is not your typical LYS. This is a focused airy display of only the yarns produced for one label. And get this! You may purchase your yarn undyed or dyed. And, even more of a miracle all yarns are available to the yard (meter)! Can you believe it. Give it a try. Go to the store, place an order online or call up and ask. If you want 514 yards of Brie, that is what you pay for and that is what you get. Not sure how much you need. Well, the website has a handy dandy calculator for figuring out the yardage needed for your planned project. (use the link for Brie and play with the calculator) If you are at the store, they will figure it out for you and even custom design a pattern for your measurements while you wait! Life just does not get any easier than Artfibers customer service.

Witness this. I walked in hoping that Ming in this fantabulous Color #8 was available and that there was enough to make another FLS, which I once made and sold right off of my back. Score! Three cones were in the bin. Cone #1 had 594 yards which is not quite enough. No worries as Rox immediately wound off 156 yards which adds up to exactly 700 yards. How is that for service?

What else caught my fancy? What has put my brain in high gear?

Casanova. 50% Tussah Silk, 30% Mulberry Silk & 12% Superkid Mohair in a colorway that looks like it was designed solely for my pleasure. This is something that will definitely be tucked away whilst my brain works up the courage to design a lacy shell for wearing with a suit. I'm thinking beads and glitz and champagne!

Check out this. Undyed 100% Yak. You absolutely must read about Yaqui on this page.

Right now I have no idea what this will become. It is going to take some brain power for sure. I want to use every inch of the 619 yards that I purchased. Because this felts so wonderfully, that might enter into the equation.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I am open to your input.

Twisted Stitches

2011-08-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

This past weekend included a bit of travel. Let me confess right up front that I have a fear of running out of power and being no where near an electric plug. So, often I rely on personal power and a ball of yarn to keep me entertained. It always works!

This is a scarf made with Alchemy Silken Straw. If your local favorite yarn store does not carry Alchemy yarns, you must encourage, beg and plead to get this stuff in stock. Beautiful shades in beautiful fiber make for beautiful results.

The garter stitch scarf is no pattern other than random sections of twenty stitches interrupted by a row of twisted drop stitches.

What's that you say? You are not familiar with a twisted drop stitch. How sad. One simple maneuver adds a bit of interest to what otherwise would be just short lengths of yarn.

A very easy to understand video of the twisted drop stitch can be had here.

Essentially all that you do is:

* insert needle as if to knit

* wrap yarn around BOTH needles and then

* wrap yarn around back (working) needle and

* complete the knit stitch

This leaves only one loop on the right needle per stitch rather than all of the wraps that result when working a plain drop stitch. Now, don't get confused with a dropped stitch - either on purpose or by accident - as that is something else entirely.

So, anyway, the twisted drop stitch adds a twist into each length. Brilliant name, don't you agree? The stitch drops down in an elongated manner and it has a twist. Such a concept.

Perhaps you ponder why I am incorporating the stitch into this simple scarf. Well, it looks nice and I only have one skein of the precious Silken Straw. Often, when making a scarf to be wrapped about the neck casually but abundantly, length matters.

Same Thing, Different Result

2011-08-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

Last year several posts were devoted to the quick, fabulous South Bay Shawlette from Lion Brand. I made several and delighted in each. That same stitch pattern is also used to crochet the New Lace Tunic from the same source.

I'm making the tunic with the yarn from yesterday's post. Having made the stitches before, it is almost too easy to create a rectangle. The tunic, as it turns out, is just two rectangles seamed appropriately to create the effect. The rows are churning out quickly and one hour of work produces as much lace as does twice that time spent on a new pattern.

There just might be something to this whole repetition thing. The brain is in balance and all cylinders are firing!

Art + Fiber = Artfibers

2011-08-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

For quite some time, this cone of yarn was the first thing that greeted me when I opened the door to the yarn stash closet. I absolutely adore the stuff.

This was purchased at a yarn tasting party and the color way is more muted than normal for me. But each of the tones is so "me" that I had to have it. I waited and waited and lost patience. So much so that I started talking to the cone and stopped waiting for it to speak to me.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?'

"What are your strengths?"

"What thrills your soul?"

"When you envision happiness, what does it look like?"

"Speak!

Now!

Or forever hold your peace!"

Finally, we were able to communicate, this yarn and I. We have decided to join forces and become a lacy tunic. Such a shock. Imagine it, please. Fingering yarn wanting to be a bit of open air patterning about the body. Hey, at least we are now communicating on the same wave length and united in a common goal.

This is from Artfibers and as I recall, it is Carezza. Feels fabulous to work, now that the ding dang cone of yarn has come out from its resting place and decided to play nice with me!

I digress with repressed aggression and beg your pardon, dear reader.

We are actually getting along fine, this yarn and I. We meet by the window in the afternoon light and play happily while sweet jungle screams punctuate the air.

Bert says 'Ello!

A Poem

2011-07-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

Years ago, in a failed attempt to be clever at words and somehow profit from it, I penned the following:

On how to spend my time

I pondered away an hour.

And having thus spent all my time

I pondered on where went the hour.

Such has been this week. Life kept me occupied will all manner of things except updating you with a yarn or two. The week included five meetings that required prep time, two lunches with friends, one knit group outing (Hi Joan, Brenda, et al) that required driving an hour each way, a long delayed trip to the big box to purchase big quantities of necessities including the chocolate covered acai/blueberry treats and weekly date night.

This morning, needing a yarn about yarn to share, I crocheted this little puff from left over organic cotton. It is either a palm size puff for gently washing a face, baby or baby face or it is a holiday ornament.

The concept is very simple and reminds me of that old potato chip scarf. There are a whole bunch of stitches on this and I have no idea how many. My guess is over three hundred double crochet stitches on the final round. But the final round is really just round two so there isn't much to making this.

So - that is it for the week. A very simple yarn about some yarn.

Hopefully my blogness next week will be more interesting.

No Special Tool Needed

2011-07-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

Either a very simple bag or the first of a pair of fingerless mitts is on the hook. I've not yet decided what I'm making. I'll just be happy if this yarn makes a decision. It has been ripped out so often that I'm sick of the color and still have nothing to show for all the work.

Currently, the incarnation is Tunisian Crochet across 35 stitches. I don't own a Tunisian hook, so this is about the limit of how many stitches, in a DK weight, that fit across my regular hook.

You can see where the bigger bumpy part of my old hook stretches the stitches. This does not seem to matter at all. Of course I never put the hook down with just this first pass of the TSS completed. I always make the return quickly so that only one loop is on the hook when I stop working.

If this wants to be for the hand, I'll just work until it stretches around my palm and then seam up the wrist and finger sections leaving an opening for the thumb. That is surely the simplest of all fingerless mitts. If it decides to become a small purse, I'll keep on working until it is an appropriate depth when folded and stop. Then, a simple side gusset/handle/side gusset will fit in place to add width and a strap all in one.

This is a discontinued wool that I found down in the bottom of the secondary stash location. As I stated earlier, it has been ripped out several times. This is as close to "something" as I've gotten with the stuff. I sure hope it speaks to me soon. I'm tired of winding the ball!

A Slice Of Color

2011-07-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

All that is left to accomplish is to sew down the casing, insert elastic and voila! I shall be stepping out in style.

The bias stripes of the skirt become flirty with the pop of the short row color wedges. I've been working on this skirt for quite a while, and now that the end is near, it has all been worth it.

Should you be inclined to cast on:

Interweave Knits Summer 2011 magazine Swirl Skirt pattern by AnneLena Mattison

My version is made from Twisted Sisters Oasis in the Mink color (from my stash) and Plymouth Yarn Vita color 120 (purchased special for this skirt). I really think that I like the Vita. It is 85% recycled cotton with 15% recycled cashmere. This sure feels nice while working it and never did dry my skin the way some cotton does.

I have now knit three skirts. Each is very different. Each has been a test of patience - but no more so than seaming a sweater after the same amount of knitting. Maybe that is the real difference and why I enjoy making skirts. The first two that I made were top down and constructed in rounds which means no seams to make. This one did require grafting but that was not too difficult.

So, the skirt saga ends with a swirl and a slice of color. I like that.

The Sweet Sigh of AAHHH!

2011-07-20T09:31:00.000-07:00

One hundred fifty-six stitches on each needle to start, heaps of patience, lots of breathing and caffeine, about eighty-five inches of yarn and it all turned out equal!

There was a lot of joy here this morning when the last of the matching one hundred fifty-six stitches was grafted together. Let me tell you straight out. That's a whole heap of kitchener stitching. A whole heap. I am exhausted.

But getting to the end and seeing those final stitches match up with no left over "oops" was a thrill. I didn't even have to fake anything. Does this mean that I have skill?

The skirt is nearing completion. Click on this photo to enlarge the unblocked grafted seam. There is a needle jammed in the stitches so that you can follow the seam. Once blocked, I am certain that this will truly be an invisible join and the skirt stripes will be visually unbroken.

Can I hear a Hallelujah!

In addition to the joy of a well grafted seam, I am pleased that I remembered to weave in ends as I knit this beauty. Just look at these tails. A simple snip and the underside will be a work of art without all that extra fiddly needle work.

Enough celebrating for now. There are still one hundred eighty bazillion stitches to pick up around the waist and a casing to knit.

How Did This Happen?

2011-07-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

There sat I, fiddling with a stick and some sparkly string and when I looked up I'd been overtaken by them! "Them" being three other masses of string and associated sticks. How did this happen?

Just look at this work space. It is completely taken over and I don't think that I am responsible.

First, ignore the upper left where lies a crochet scarf that added a bit of zing to a recent ensemble. I'm not the best housekeeper on the block and occasionally, things are untidy.

Check out the foreground for the current state of the skirt that I'm knitting. The end is finally in sight and so it is always at the ready lest I be overtaken with a sudden desire for miles and miles of mindless stripes.

Skip on over to the back of the photo and a dark mass (actually it is blue boucle) is spilling out from a bag. As though stockinette and garter stripes are not mindless enough, I started a blanket. Stupid thing to do given what else is on the sticks, but at a very weak moment of needing a "lap" project, I cast on for this and brought it to knit nite. And that is when, I believe, I was overtaken by "them."

Look carefully at the photo and over to the right, in the middle of the frame, is a scarf that followed me home. I think that it is the scarf that is to blame for this state of uncontrolled yarnage. And yes, the scarf followed me home. Some crazed knitter, who claims to be my friend, foisted this half completed bit of lace on me because she - and I quote - "ran out of time to finish this thing that I [meaning my friend] started last summer." She seemed to think that I have nothing better to do than to pick up her cast off (ha ha - I made a funny) and adopt it into my work stream.

I have decided to be the bigger person and still call her my friend. And it just so happens that finding snippets of time for another scarf (after all, it is half done!) from the Strangling Vine pattern is not that difficult. You will be pleased to know that I did not strangle my friend, I did thank her politely.

But how did this happen? I knit and knit, crochet and crochet and never seem to get ahead.

Christmas in July

2011-07-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

While it is true that I can rant with great negativity about retail outlets already touting the season of the Turkey, I have no negative comments about yarn-a-holics busily working on seasonal gifts months ahead. After all, loving hands need time to create.

This is my current quick crochet project. It is a simple beverage bag made in a nice washable acrylic with a thread of sparkle twisted about the string. Two are completed and I have the yarn for two more.

These will either be used individually as gift bags during the holidays. Or, and this is my inclination, the set of four will be used as presentation covers for a wine tasting party. So much more festive than a paper bag with a big number scribbled on it, don't you think?

Day Tripping

2011-07-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

Oh, the pure joy of a summer day and a train to the beach. Surely one of the best deals right now here in my soCal area is the Metrolink Weekend Pass. Ten dollars buys unlimited rides from Friday night through Sunday night. Gas & parking can easily be five times that amount. It was, to my way of thinking, my moral duty to spend ten dollars and ride the train. Can't let those seats go the waste.

San Clemente was the destination. Riding the train to the beach is very entertaining. There are all manner of families and friend groups schlepping all manner of items for a day on the sand. By far, the most entertaining was the young gentleman (a teen, and yes he was a gentleman) who brought out his guitar and strummed softly. Initially my seat mates and I thought that a soundtrack had been added to the services of Metrolink. It was only when we turned around to scope out the rest of the riders that we discovered the group and our own personal rolling minstrel.

Strolling the farmer's market was just what one would expect. Mostly. A few free samples, flowers, succulents, bread, fish, lots of fruit and some veggies. Strolling the shops in San Clemente can easily chew up most of the afternoon.

Best of Britain is small and filled with gentle surprises like this one. According to the website Mitchell's Wool Fat Soap was "first produced in the early 1930's under the premise that the natural lanolin content of wool fat, which kept the hands of sheep shearers and wool sorters soft, could also be beneficial to delicate complexions and sensitive skins." Displaying it in the ram soap dish added to the charm.

This jolly greeter guards the door to Strands Knitting Studio where I was lucky enough to snag a skein of Pagewood Farms sock yarn in the Forest Camo colorway. Christine runs a calm beach community yarn shop and it is fun just to chat with her and poke through the bins of seasonal colors.

This was view that accompanied lunch. Sitting by the pier, sipping something cool, enjoying a meal with friends and sharing dessert.

Thanks to Metrolink, a visit to paradise is only ten dollars - - such a deal.

PS - no knitting, but there was crocheting. More on that later.

Closing The Loop

2011-07-08T09:55:00.000-07:00

Let's close the loop on this post. And close it we shall, in two distinct ways. First, I owe you a finished project, which has been languishing beneath the ceiling fan hoping for enough coolness to prod me to weaving in the ends of this merino. Second, the little neck scarf makes a loop of it's own.

Close the loop! Some days I'm about a funny as spit in the wind.

Here it is all finished and looking for a chill in the air. To me, this looks extremely out of place with the summer colors and short sleeves. But then, earlier this week I saw a young thing wearing brown knee high boots, socks sticking out the top, a skirt, tank top and five miles a gauze twirled about her neck area in a sorely misguided attempt to hide her lack of undergarment from the world.

So, perhaps a few inches of skinny merino in not so unusual in this 100 degree heat.

Pause

Pause, part deux

Pause, the third

.
.

Nope, can't do it. Some days I might be on the verge of tragic. But I'll not be consciously and tragically chic. Not even this close to Hollyweird.

Ready for Summer Cleaning

2011-07-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

Imagine my dismay and disbelief when, during the midst of laundering all things kitchen, I discovered a very definite lack of hand made cotton dishcloths. Shocking! I know. For a bi-yarn artists such as I, neither a spare knit nor crochet dishcloth, could be found. Given that only two were in the washing machine, this was sad news indeed.

So, as a Celebrate America activity, I made these:

Both are, quite obviously crocheted in simple patterns. This first one is a shell pattern that would be more effective in a solid color. In person, it is interesting to see the color changes make subtle diagonal wanderings across the fabric.

This one also would look better in a solid color. I had fun with this pattern because the tilted blocks are crochet on the side of a double crochet stitch. Very fun - well, 'twas fun after I muttered the dreaded, "what?"

I love crocheted or knitted dish/wash/spa cloths. So quick, so satisfying and so practical.

Can You See Me Now?

2011-06-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

I am knitting stripes. These are not shrinking violet strips. These are high contrast stripes in shades and textures that jump out and say, "look at me!"

Even though these particular stripes speak to me, they are quite boring to knit. The same thing

over

and over

and over even more.

But every now and again, there are wedges to be knit and that breaks up the monotony of stripe after stripe.

Watch out world, here I come!

Well, after a massive amount of monotony broken up by bright wedgie-ness.

Modelette Time

2011-06-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

One of the charms of any LYS is the availability of willing models. No arms were twisted in the taking of these photos of the Fantasy Jacket.

Remember - this is advanced crochet. So, wipe off that drool and choose one of the following:

1. Grab stick and string. Hook On

2. Grab stick and string. Take a Class

3. Grab stick and string. Negotiate a Deal

No matter which option you choose, this Rowan Magazine is required.

The sizing on this pattern is very forgiving. The model here is not the intended final owner and yet, it fits her well. You'll want to know that the jacket hangs longer in the back on moi (given my height) and thus covers more of what I have to cover. That's a good thing for me.

Don't stare too closely at this photo. The photo was taken rather quickly before we fiddled with the cashmere over the cotton. The lower edges of the fronts are, I assure you, exactly even. Dare I state that they are "mirror images" so perfect is the result of those hours and hours of fretting and pining and measuring and re-doing ad infinitum.

(Stop it, Lenora! Quit dwelling on the struggle. Revel in the result)

Fantasy . . . . not entirely

2011-06-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

Confession time. Not every moment of the Fantasy Jacket is a fantasy of yarn-ness. Even when working 100% cashmere. Once I figured out the look of the pattern repeats, the making of the back and fronts was easy. Not easy peasy. Only easy. That is because the pattern lines up in a very repetitive manner - it does not increase or decrease oddly. Nice rows horizontally and vertically with a predictable offset that results in the peaks and valleys.

Then came the sewing. Easy turned to advanced. The past was prologue and somehow decades of experience coalesced into memory. Seaming loopy crochet into matchy matchy seams take time. And patience. And thought. And a clear head. And, in this case, a calculator.

A major hurdle was crossed when the fronts and back were seamed prior to creating the edging. That (along with a private conversation on Ravelry) refreshed my slip stitch skills when the vertical stitches from the front needed to exactly match the vertical stitches from the back and in between was the Solomon's Knot. Well, except when that center back section required, according to the pattern, to be eased to fit between markers. Memory was refreshed and I was reminded that patience is a virtue.

The front of the Rowan Fantasy is a couture detail for sure. The uniquely pleated and folded front panels add to the endearing casualness of what otherwise would be a very formal swath of cashmere. But. And it is a huge BUT. Getting the two sides to match drained me to the core. All told it was about three hours of measuring, calculating, figuring percentages, readjusting markers, pinning, unpinning, trying on two different bodies, and then starting over from the beginning before I was comfortable putting yarn to seam and taking the deep breath of trust.

The trick that finally worked - caution: math follows - was to return to the pattern and put the calculator to the row/stitch gauge as written and discover that the front was to fold over to the side and meet at a point approximately one-third up from the lower edge. Owing either to my stitch gauge or blocking being off, a simple adjustment in the size of the pleat was required. Voila! That one-third point was finally made. Well, give or take a bit of hang stretch. But the point is that the drape no longer appeared to be a pocket for the female anatomy! Yeah for math.

And yes, it pains me to say that. Math is not my friend, I prefer to go with the flow and strive for the look.

Here it is. Two sides that match and drape visually the same. Even the front-to-back pattern is all lined up. Beauty. Sheer beauty. Now that it is all finished (photo with model to come) I am pleased to report that the fretting was worth it. You may turn this one inside out and look at my seams. Go ahead. It's OK. Sheer beauty, I tell you.

Rowan has done good. Just don't go thinking that Fantasy is an easy pattern. It is advanced - at minimum.

Fun Find...& a Product Review

2011-06-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

A good gadget is a wonderful and fun addition to any life. Indeed, my family enjoys a weekend stroll through "the gadget store." (That's a family term, we know what it means.) The love of gadgets extends into this yarn obsession. Recently, and even more fun unexpectedly, I discovered a new gadget for containing and protecting the circular needles.

What follows is a glowing product review and a link for spending money. So, if you are saving up for enough qiviut yarn to make a winter sweater, stop reading. You need every $5 you can put your hands on.

This metal tube is a circular Needle Keeper. Many know the agony of sitting on the Harmony tips and cracking the smithereens out of them. Never going to happen with this handy protector from One2Wow over on Etsy.

Go ahead and click over to read about Claudia's inspiration for this almost too simple gadget.

FULL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT: Claudia and I are both members of the same knitting guild and that is where I first discovered her inventiveness. I was lucky enough to purchase my Needle Keeper in person.

For me, I worry about a wandering bird getting to the tips of my precious Addi lace needles. That prompted my purchase. Just look at that photo! There is no way that Bert's beak can get to the good needles now.

All in all, a perfect $5 useful gadget. For your self or for gifting.

Yes indeed, I love this One2Wow Needle Keeper.

Owner's Choice

2011-06-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

The owner still needs to finalize the selection of one button, but otherwise this project is finished. In just over a month of occasional work, a very sturdy and quite functional bag is completed. This pattern was published as Heather Stripes Bag in the January 2009 issue of Crochet! magazine. The designer is Mary E. Nolfi and you will also find it as a free download from Caron yarns at this page. On the Caron website, it is known as Textured Purse, so don't get confused. It is the same pattern - two different names.

Crochet is normally quite fast for me. Unfortunately, at the same time that I agreed to make this bag for daughter #2, I also agreed to crochet a lot of lacy jacket-ness for a local store owner. Two involved and tedious projects at the same time, coupled with three weekends of travel and a holiday made for mighty slow progress all around. I'll finally hand off this "biggie" purse this weekend. Well, I'll hand it over after the owner makes the button selection.

Specifics:

Mary E. Nolfi's pattern, by any name.

Body is crocheted with two different solid colors.

1. Cotton Classic from Tahki Stacy Charles, Inc. (100% mercerised cotton and one of my most favorite yarns ever)

2. Venezia from Cascade Yarns (merino silk blend that always works up predictably and wonderfully)

The straps are worked in a sport weight linen from Claudia Hand Painted yarns.

The pattern offers a somewhat unique twist on lining the purse. After thinking long and hard about it, I kept to my tried and true regular lining with only one phone pocket added for functionality.

A few random thoughts about this pattern follow. So, if you don't like my opinions, stop reading now.

This is satchel sized bag. It is not a petite and dainty evening companion. It is a load-'er-up-and-have-a-full-day size bag.

If you decide to tackle the project, it is important to know that the body and side gussets are the fastest part. Edging, sewing together, making the straps and attaching the straps takes as much (if not more) time as does making the major pieces.

And speaking of the straps. Don't do it the way that I did it. Learn from my struggle. Edge the body piece and the gussets as instructed in the pattern. Then, sew the body straps into place leaving the top free and hold off on the metal links. After the body straps are sewn, then attach body to gussets and complete the purse top edging. Once that top is edged beautifully, then finish stitching the body straps and add the metal links. Finally, add the purse handles.

I put the whole purse together and then stitched on the body straps. I found it awkward to sew the straps on the rounded purse and deal with one hand on the inside and one on the outside and twisty yarn. It worked. Don't misunderstand. It was awkward.

All in all and lovely workable pattern. And my execution ain't bad either.

Too Busy To Type

2011-06-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

Way to busy to type up what I'm busy doing.

It involves three plies of linen.

Slip stitches.

And the purse.

Wrist hurts.

Definitely going to be worth it all.

Exchange To Learn

2011-06-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

What do you get when knitters love getting together? The opportunity to learn! That's what you get.

In the southern California area, there is no such thing as an isolated knitting Guild. It seems that there are always several folks who belong to more than one TKGA group and what with with coming and going and different meeting days, there is cross over of ideas, inspiration and intelligence amongst many local guilds.

Such was my experience earlier this week when four members of Riverside Knitting Guild were the program at North Coast Knitters (we four are also members there) and explained the Riverside Two-Ball Challenge.

Slide presentation, explanation of the rules, and six years of re-collected challenge items were displayed. When every one does a little part, it sure is easy to present a forty minute learning opportunity that excites knitters.

After our fantastic - if I do say so myself - show and share, there was much interest in comparing challenge items from the same year. Thanks to Pat (she of the PowerPoint presentation), Sue (our RKG President and presentation outline writer), Diane (who is the best ever at showing off what someone else hath knit) and the RKG members who allowed items to be displayed it was a really wonderful show.

Specific entries in the RKG annual Two Ball Challenge drew much attention for the detail and execution shown. All in all, the members of North Coast Knitters were a welcoming, joyous group and the cross-over sharing of Guild activities was well received.

We see it all the time in the yarn world. Saving the dollars to attend a regional or national event, participating in World Wide Knit In Public Day, visiting a new yarn shop, taking a class from a new teacher or belonging to more than one guild or knit group. The exchange of ideas and knowledge makes the world go around. Get out there and join in the learning. Find a way to share your knowledge. Participate - learn - grow.

Going Green

2011-06-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

After two weeks of getting absolutely nothing finished, success has come my way. There is nothing like the thrill of a quick knit or crochet that works up fast, causes no problems and has the potential to offer something practical to the end user.

You guessed it! An afghan square is complete. While it is true that I generally attempt one afghan per year, this year is woefully un-afghaned. No pattern picked, no recipient identified and no plans made for 2011. Each year, I do however, make one twelve-inch square for the Riverside Knitting Guild Afghan project. This annual endeavor is a fundraiser for the guild. Many of us are working away with our donation of a loving hands creation.

This year, the theme is Be Green. The provided yarn is Classic Worsted from Universal Yarn in Color 7087 (that being Linden green to go with the theme). My offered square is perhaps too predictable.

Green yarn, green theme, green bamboo needles- it was all so obvious. I can hardly wait to see what other members have accomplished. If I had anyone to bet with, I would place a bet that there will be at least one Prius, one more recycle symbol and one or two windmills. I wonder if it is possible to knit compost??

I just love the quickness of this square to break up the time commitment of the Fantasy vest and the crochet purse.

Juggling Projects

2011-06-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

I was sweating it out. And laughing at my self for falling into the trap of crocheting faster so as to not run out of yarn. It was a squeaker, but the blue hung in there and the gussets for the upcoming purse are completed - and they match! Which is always a good thing. The matching. But completing is a good thing as well.

Because of the shape, these gussets remind me of water vases. I like the fact that these are not just straight rectangular, but have a bit of bottom heavy girth.

Not much else to say today. Working on this purse and working on the Fantasy consume the available hours.

Nothing gets finished, but a lot gets done.

Looking Good

2011-05-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

The back of the Fantasy jacket is squarely stuck in the boring repetitive stage. This little lace swath is destined for someone else, so I'll never get to wear it. And perhaps that makes it more difficult to stick with the sameness of the pattern. A narcissistic attitude and I do admit it. What's in it for me?

Only nineteen more rows and the back will be complete. Now, it just looks like this.

This jacket has cap sleeves. As you probably know, cap sleeves often grow out of the body piece seamlessly. That is why the jacket back is widened at the under arm area rather than decreased for a set in sleeve. It is possible to add cap sleeves after the front and back are sewn together. I've done that and have no specific preference.

Frankly, given that this is a whole lot of crochet, I'm glad that the pattern has the sleeves added "as you go."

Although fuzzy, this photo is a better look at how the pattern works out. This openwork is written as an eight row repeat. Actually, there are only three rows - only two if you think about offsetting the zigzag row by a half pattern.

The first hours of working on this project were tedious. I had to read every one of those eight rows hoping not to make a mistake. Let me tell you, it was very slow going for quite a while.

But that is what it is all about, right? Perhaps, that is what is in it for me. Go slow and learn something new. Recall and work with out so much reading. Then put the pattern aside and trust your ability to read the crochet and just get it done.

This long weekend has plenty of time left and the back will be completed before long. All of this little cashmere lace needs to be interrupted by something different. But that is for another post, another time - but soon!

Don't Rush Your Fences!

2011-05-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

It is almost time. Every year, there are many who just can not wait it out and they rush to celebrate. I was raised at a time when jumping ahead simply was not done. Not at all.

Please, to make this old southern lady happy, wait just a few more days.

Memorial Day is on Monday. That is when we in America pause to remember the lost, offer respect to those still with us, and thank all family members who have silently waited for loved ones to return from their job protecting our American way of life. Let me be perfectly clear. My father served in WWII. Pacific theater. He had memories, some of which he shared with his family. Some memories remained private.

Rush your fences on this holiday all that you want. Spend the whole weekend saying Thank You to a soldier, veteran or military family. Keep saying it all year. I'll be right there with you honoring those who serve.

I do have one request.

Memorial Day is on Monday. Please, please, please don't put on the white shoes until Monday. For the love of all that is tradition - have some respect!

What Will It Look Like?

2011-05-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

I am not much of a lace maker. A few shawls here and there - the very few I have shared with you. A bit of lace edging on a sleeve or trim is OK. Honestly, lace is so time consuming that it either bores me with repetition or I loose interest due to the slowness and thus the time involved. When I start a project, I want it done.

So, why did I agree to take on this commission? Because of the cashmere. Hey, I'll endure a lot to work with 100% cashmere that I don't have to purchase!

Pure divinity. It is hook candy for sure.

This is a wad of crochet lace. Barely begun lace. There is much to accomplish. While the construction of the final piece is fairly simple, the working - or at least the getting started and setting the pattern over the first foundation and eight rows is advanced work for sure. Now, the pattern is set, both in my brain and in the crochet itself.

A crochet friend was looking and drooling near this wad and asked the right question. "What will it look like?"

Naturally, I set off on a lecture (diatribe?) about the process of soaking, stretching, pinning and drying. Otherwise known as basic blocking. This friend has not yet attempted lace work. She is more in the camp of making purses, tote bags and useful boxes. Toss in a washcloth or two and even an occasional gift blanket for my Bert and she is a very happy and accomplished wielder of the hook. But, as far as I know, she has not ever attempted lace weight and delicate stitch work.

Sensing that my lecture on blocking was a bit over the top, I invited her to help me stretch out the lace so as to simulate the final piece (post blocking).

Oh La La! That is going to become one fine piece of work!

This dry run has excited me so much that now I must finish just to see the final piece upon some lucky lady's body.

Wow! Even I am going to be impressed. When it is finished. Weeks from now. . . . . . sigh.

It Is Finished

2011-05-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

Just in time for for the windy blustery rainy day, the new summer V-neck shell is completed. The timing is poor - but I don't care.

This might look quite plain and unexciting in the photo. In person, it is marvelous.

Here is the back of the shell in all of its simplicity. At first I had a bit of concern that the three rounds of broken rib would be less than sufficient for the neck and sleeve openings.

This cotton (Sublime Organic Cotton) handles the short ribbing well! It looks fantastic and has body. If the yarn had been more "flowing" such as soy or silk, I do not think the three rows would stand the test of standing sturdy.

Soon, a photo of the embellished front. That needs to wait for a non windy, not rainy and very sunny day!

Why Did I Ask?

2011-05-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

It is my own fault, really. In the last post, I asked for suggestions related to my next project. Something to start just as soon as the new cotton v-neck shell was drying into my size. Why, oh why did I ask?

First to offer guidance was daughter #2. It seems that she is searching for a new summer purse and really wants something "custom and individualized." Color me wimpy mom. I crumbled like feta cheese and even took her to the LYS to select her custom colorway.

My brain is now occupied. There is a goal.

Notice that two colors are required. One might immediately correctly surmise that the purse of the moment has stripes. Very simple two row pattern.

In order to make a sturdy hard working purse-worthy fabric, the entire piece is worked with two strands.

And a big hook.

There will be no felting which is what is hinted at by double strands and a larger hook size. Something felted is what #2 daughter suggested. But as the production artist, I am offended by felted wool in the summer. You, of course, are allowed your own opinion.

Two strands plus a big hook equals fast progress.

Repetitive repetition might be boring if not for the dimensionality resulting from the post stitches.

I know. I know. I have previously waxed poetic about crochet and post stitches. What can I say but that I know what I like and I like what I know.

More to come....especially the panic over running out of color #2 as there was not quite enough at the store to coincide with the amount requested in the pattern.

And you should know that another "friend" offered up the opportunity to make a little summer wearable. Because of swatching for that and working on the purse, I still have not finished MY project.

Why did I ask?

Thinking Required

2011-05-11T19:21:00.000-07:00

Today should have been the end of my new summer sleeveless shell. All that is need is to pick up stitches and work three rounds on each arm hole. Very easy. But alas, my brain started to explore possibilities. Or perhaps the better description is that my brain started to think, "and then what?"

That is all it took. How could I possibly finish the only project on needle or hook and be faced with nothing? As previously confessed, I do not do well with nothing in the work stream. Oh, yes. My brain started thinking. So, I sat and thought my way through back issues of favorite publications. I made a pot of green tea with the hope that the thinking would be enhanced.

I even - please insert your own huge gasp - checked out the stash for inspiration.

Nothing.

I could not think of any thing that made both my fingers and my brain happy.

I'm still thinking. And hoping. That inspiration is close at hand and will present as just the perfect next project. Because I really, really do want to finish the cotton shell and strut the simple beauty of cotton in the summer.

Encouragement is humbly solicited.

Vest of Many Colors

2011-05-09T10:04:00.000-07:00

The adage about yarn collectors must be true. I refer to the observation that we tend to collect within the same color palette because of some unseen or unacknowledged basic comfort level. For many a decade, I have acknowledged that my personal preferences are teal, jade and Merlot. A quick look at my stash or my closet will confirm that any variance from these favorites are black, white or red. Although, there is the occasional navy tossed in most often because it is a logo shirt.

If you are a member of The Knitting Guild Association, wander through the oldie but goodie patterns to discover the instructions for this Diagonal V Neck Shell by Laura Bryant of Prism yarns.

As you can see, I had much stash yarn that fell into the merlot color way. And, just to make it interesting, there is a bit of sari silk that leans toward the teal/jade shades.

If you have never experienced a large swath worked on the diagonal, try out this method. There are all manner of videos available to learn the simple increase to desired width, then decrease back down.

I had great fun changing colors throughout the project. Some yarns were held single, others doubled upon themselves or doubled up with another yarn to create a whole new adventure.

Here is the back. One thing that must be understood about knitting on the diagonal is the inherent flexibility of the resulting fabric. And, sometimes that flexibility of a good thing and sometimes it needs to be controlled.

Control in this case comes from a round of single crochet followed by a round of crab stitch (reverse sc) that finishes off all openings. I am particularly grateful for the pattern note impacting the arm openings. The direction to work the crab stitch a little tighter around the arms helps to control the flare that might other wise take place. It is little hints such as this that, when followed, help to add a professional finish to hand work. And that is just one more reason to actually read every word of a pattern. You never know what tidbit will become a part of your knitting bag 'o tricks.

Sitting In The Morning Sun

2011-05-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

One of the absolutely amazing things about knitters - or crochet fanatics, spinners, tatters, etc - is that we do not require participating in the great wired world. Often, I observe this fact upon boarding an airplane and hearing the "power down your equipment" announcement. Those of us who are wedded to the stick & string habit just keep on knittin' (or whatever). We rarely ever power down unless sleep overcomes or muscles tense.

Witness this fine summer day. No electric cords in sight! We are not of the wired generation. Although, truth be told, one iPod was connected to portable speakers whilst the classics wafted on the breeze. So there was pre-charging which might or might not count in the great scheme of this post.

To the left of me, there was knitting. No electricity needed.

Just beyond and cropped out of this photo was a sweet babe in his mother's arms. Turns out that knitting is conducive to sleep. Perhaps it is that rhythmic click click of the needles.

And to my right - more knitting. It is hard to capture the moment frozen in one frame, but the near knitter helped the far knitter work a bit of short row magic on the back collar of a sweater.

No electricity needed. Although, if I may digress, a quick YouTube video could also offer the needed instruction in a pinch. But that up close and personal sample of w&t really did the trick!

There was an opportunity to nibble and, as all good workers of the yarn know, wipes were supplied so that the chocolate never touched the fibers!

Perhaps the point of our outing in the morning sun is simply this. Hand knitting is a very green and environmentally friendly activity.

As she held tongue firmly in cheek and wondered at the hypocrisy of suggesting such a green activity while plugged in to the computer various wireless devices in an effort to encourage non use of electricity. HMMM. Must give this more thought.

Behind My Back

2011-05-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

It felt like it all happened behind my back. Oh, sure. All the hints were there. A spike reaching elegant and tall to the spring sun. Little tips ready to blush for the season. Yes, the signs were plentiful and my hopes were high.

And then life got in the way. Life in the form of a trip away from the yard and out of range of Mother Nature. Upon returning, all that had been merely a soft hint was now there in full glory.

This lovely gift is from an aloe that sits at the edge of the patio.

Words can not express my gratitude for the color play. The older blooms appear like miniscule bananas so bright is the color and softly hanging in a clump. Those yet to open wander off into green tints that look nothing like the first to blossom.

Another plant had offered a glimpse into glory, but only a hint. And, as these things so often take place, as soon as I was gone, the full beauty erupted.

And over in the corner, in view of my knitting spot, is this jade. Jade - - much of the year this is actually a jade colored plant. But when the warm power of the sun says "wake up sleepy head" this one puts on her lipstick and adds a lovely blush all over.

We have grown jade for many a year and this sturdy tolerant plant always delights me. I am continually baffled that his succulent grows equally well in this southern California desert as it does when I first encountered it as a patio plant in Louisiana.

My words fail. I shall quote another more eloquent that me:

Let us a little permit Nature to take her own way; she better understands her own affairs than we. ~Michel de Montaigne, translated

A Very Crabby Armhole

2011-04-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

This is the crabbiest arm opening that you will ever witness. Notice that it is crabby not crappy. Huge difference.

The more that I utilize the crab stitch (aka reverse single crochet) the more that I am enamored with what it can do. Crab stitch can:

Stabilize an edge - whether knit or crocheted
Add a decorative texture without much effort
Work up much faster than a knit ribbing
Reduce "flare" at an opening (for this I am grateful more than you will ever know)
Provide a sense of accomplishment
Cause the under-informed to look closely and put a pensive look upon the face.

The sleeve openings, neck edge, and lower bodice edge of the diagonal shell are all finished with a round of single crochet followed by crab stitch. All of that diagonal work in stockinette is now firmly controlled.

Due to the directionality of the knitting on front and back pieces, the arm opening has a tendency to flair at the top. The first round of single crochet (sc) worked tightly on the upper third of the opening did wonders to stabilize the knitting and prevent curling. It is, in my opinion, the crab stitch that prevents the flair. Not only did I continue to work the crab stitch with a specific tension, but I also skipped several single crochet stitches toward to top - and the bottom - of the opening so as to further draw in the opening. That did the trick!

No flare,

No curl,

Still flexible,

Very Crabby and
Not at all crappy.

Striped Fabric

2011-04-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

Call it a magic ball or random usage or well planned usage of yarn. However you refer to it, I enjoyed making this striped fabric.

As a member of TKGA, I often check out the website. During one of my searches into the good information, I discovered an oldie but goodie pattern for a Diagonal V Neck Shell designed by Laura Bryant and Prism Yarns.

I am very pleased to state that no new yarns were purchased for this fabric. Everything came from my stash! There is a bit of wool, cotton, various incarnations of silk and some chemical wonder string.

The pattern is very simple. Diagonal work that makes the back and the front. The only difference between back and front is the V-Neck.

To be honest, the only difficult thing about making this pattern is that there can be a whole lot of ends that must be woven in! Isn't it fortunate that over 50% of the time, I remembered to weave in as the knitting took place.

Because the yarns that I used are not all exactly the same weight, there is some variance in tension. So, it made sense to wet block both pieces prior to sewing and adding the edging to all openings.

So far, I'm pleased. This will probably become an over piece for layering next fall and winter. I am way ahead of the game.

My New Best Friend

2011-04-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

I have a new best friend and she is Jazzy!

Here she is. In just a few short days - five to be exact - we are bonded as only girls can. This is my first attempt at using a purse frame. While the lining tidiness is not quite up to my normal standards for sewing in a lining, it is sufficient for a first attempt.

She is lined simply. Although, I will admit that accomplishing my first ever acquaintance with such a frame whilst trying to simultaneously hide the edges in the frame and insert darling crystal beads to cover the outer holes was a task that needs some practice! Tedious is putting it mildly! An extra mug of caffeine and a full pint of water washed down with chocolate helped a little. But only a little.

A few specifics:

"Best Friend" by Kristin Goedert published on Knitty which is located here.

The yarn is not cashmere. This is Jazz from Twisted Sisters and you might want to peruse the current color offerings on this page. Jazz is 100% wool in a DK weight. This purse is worked on a US 3 which makes for mighty finely defined cables. Love it!

My best friend is a usable five inches wide and almost six inches deep. So far I have asked her to hang on to one phone, a jangly key chain, one folded bit it cash, panic card and proper ID. Bless her, she did not even drop a stitch.

However, truth be told, she did get a bit puffy around the middle.

We'll be best buds for a long time.

It's A Girly Thing

2011-04-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

My latest traveling project is so quick to complete that it barely lasted for the two short flights of this past weekend. Luckily, there was a twenty minute delay at the airport, which allowed for an extra bit of yarn work.

I love this very frilly and girly project. The unwritten pattern has become my go to project when time needs to be filled with a no-brainer. The edging is quite floral when bunched up like this.

You will note that this is crocheted with organic cotton. I'm trying to be green - even though the project is very snow white!

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I do fret that chemicals were used to process the cotton into this total lack of any shade or tint of the original cotton. However, the label is clearly printed ORGANIC and that's what I choose to believe.

This unwritten pattern is a very girly girl wash cloth. The base is actually single crochet and then I work chain loops to create a very open and flexible edging than culminates with a picot on the final round.

The loopy edge does have a reason for existence. As you'll note in the top photo, when bundled up the edging become a fantastic scrubby for exfoliating the aging skin cells. The cotton does the job well without scratching the living daylights out of my aging and delicate skin cells!

(I have no idea why this photo is not a snow white wash cloth. All three photos were adjusted exactly the same after being taken by the same camera, in the same location, in the same lighting glow and within mere minutes of each other. But I digress. Back to the real story)

The overall size of this washcloth is smaller than one might expect. But that is OK for me.

* my hands are small

* cotton stretches when wet

* the scrubby made by bunching the edging is just the right size

* it packs well in a plastic bag and thus provides a bit of luxury when traveling

* it is a fast crochet!

Ready For A Change In The Weather

2011-04-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

Mother Nature has fooled me once again. It is cooler than a cucumber this Spring morning. Down near cold if you ask me.

Rather than fretting over the thermometer, I shall keep my eye fixed on the calendar and declare that it is time to switch from wintery felted fibers to summery plant fibers. A few hours of edging and sewing yesterday was all it took to complete my new Summer Time bag.

The pattern is a freebie! Let's hear it for manufacturers and publishers who offer up so much free information. Check out Sugar N Cream for this Crochet Bag. The link is here.

I did make a few modifications to the pattern. First, owing to my total length, the length of the straps was shortened. No surprise there! As you can see in the photos, I edged the entire bag with a lovely black to match the button that was languishing in the button stash. (Yes, I have a stash of buttons also. Don't you? How many different stashes do I have? Don't ask and I won't tell!)

After much debate, I finally decided that this fabric is solid and sturdy enough that a lining is not required. Oh, to be sure it would be nice to open this bag and find a bright pink or orange pop of color. But in the end, simplicity and quick finish won out.

Although not specified in the pattern, a pocket seemed appropriate. And, for flexibility, this pocket is made from several rows of double crochet. The hdc of the body would have been very firm and unyielding when I try to cram way too many little things into the pocket.

All in all, this was a very pleasing project. The pattern (again, Thanks to Lily and Bernat for the freebie!) is excellent as written and easy to adapt to specific needs of the end user.

What will you be toting this summer??