From Scratch

While I was working in the food industry, I had a spirited debate with the VP of Sales over what constituted a meal "from scratch". I (like most consumers) believe that cooking dry pasta and topping it with sauce equals "scratch cooking". He (with a mother straight from Sicily) thought you had to grow the tomatoes and make the pasta for it to count as such. I suppose knitting follows the same sort of rationale. If we buy the prefab yarn and pattern and knit a pattern stitch for stitch designed by another - are we really creating or just facilitating?

I'm pondering this aspect of the creative process a lot these days. After making my first knitted item using my own hand spun last fall, I decided to enter the Five Counties Fair again this year with another item knitted with my own hand spun. I purchased some beautiful Shetland roving from Hopeful Shetlands in a natural ecru shade gilded with shots of silk in copper and gold shades. It's our Spinning Guild's 60th anniversary so the theme for the fair is "anniversaries". I've drawn the 13th anniversary and the traditional gift is lace. The 60th anniversary is know as the diamond anniversary so I'll be combining these two themes. Hence, I've chosen to make the Diamond Fantasy shawl.

I'm making a two ply lace weight yarn which means lots of spinning. For the first time, I spun to a desired grist for the single and then made two small bobbins of the single using empty toilet paper rolls. I plied the yarn into a two ply and then washed and set it. I then swatched the pattern to see how it would look.

I'm thrilled with the results. The silk stains the yarn nicely when drafted and plied to create shifts between a rose and gold hue to the natural Shetland. The shawl will be warm - not really a hob nobbing at the Christmas dance kind of piece but more of a casual piece.

To further highlight the diamond theme, I'll be placing beads on the centres of the small diamonds. I wanted Swarovski crystals but the holes weren't big enough for the yarn. You can see on the swatch how the clear bead with the silver lining really pops where the amber coloured bead (below it) blends in too much.

I'm almost finished the second bobbin and then I can ply and start knitting. I'll have to boogie because that fair will come sooner than I think. I admit it, it's incredibly satisfying to have had a hand in creating the yarn as well as stitch definition but no worries - I'm not totally carried away.

I suppose to truly create a project from scratch one must first create the universe.

Pacify


I'm itching to start something new. Alas - I cannot. You see, my WIPs are at just at a level where I can continue to make progress on all of them a bit each week. It's a delicate balance and if I add another to the queue, the house of cards comes tumbling down. To soothe my craving, I resort to swatching. Swatching allows me the thrill of casting on and of proving that I can master the pattern stitch without committing to a full project. The added bonus is it helps inform my knitting should I eventually get around to making the garment.



I've been jonesing to make the Printed Silk Cardigan from Interweave Knits by Connie Chang Chinchio . The prescribed yarn is La Luz which is pretty spendy. The ravelers who've made this design have used everything from RYC Cashsoft DK to Rowan Calmer. I love the idea of silk and wondered what sport weight yarn could deliver the drape with a wee bit of memory and some sheen. Oh yeah, and a great colour at a reasonable price.


At the Knitter's Frolic last Saturday (where I got to meet up with great knitters like Steph and Laura), I found a sport weight yarn at the Black Lamb booth. It was 50% superwash merino and 50% silk. At 347m per 100g and $15 per 100g skein, it seemed perfect. I also had some seawool also purchased from the Black Lamb last year in a nice olive green marinating in my stash. Curious to see how they both worked out - I swatched.




The merino/silk yarn was lovely. It worked up to a 24 x 36 gauge for 4 inches which is just a tad off the gauge suggested of 25 x 34. I was please with how nicely the twisted stitch diamond pattern popped (more on that in a moment) and after a bath the gauge stayed put. The colour shifts of the hand dye duplicated the original somewhat which is part of the charm of the design for me. My only hesitation here is that the swatch lacked the "heft" that I think helps it drape. It's pretty light and floaty.




The Olive coloured Sea Silk (seacell and merino blend - same base as HandMaiden) surprised me a bit. I expected to like this better and while I liked the drape a wee bit more, I felt the crispness of the blue swatch was lacking in this one (Geeze - I sound like the Simon Cowell of knitting). You can see that the diamond pattern is harder to discern and even the ribbing was a bit sloppier. The gauge was spot on the same as the blue swatch and it weighed 6g versus 5g for the blue one. This yarn clocks in at 303m (or thereabouts) per 100g.


Now you can also see that the left twisting stitches on both don't pop quite as much as the right one. After reading Lolly's blog and drooling over the cardigan she made her sister, I discovered that the designer had suggested knitting through the back loop of the second stitch then through the back loop of both stitches to remedy this. I tried it on the green swatch and it does work better.


Honestly, I'm partial to the blue yarn but I still don't think I've found the perfect fit. Maybe Lisa Souza glacier? Or, if there's another sport weight silk/cotton or silk/wool blend that's tone on tone variegated - drop me a line.

Slipped Stitch
Hello there. It's been a while. You see, I've been having a wee crisis of (knitting) faith. Not that I don't think I still love knitting - I definitely do. I just don't know what to knit. Perhaps it's the change of seasons. I find within any given week I'm wearing both my Ugg boots and sandals and every coat in my closet from wooliest to lightest gets a test drive. One day is crisp another sunny and warm. What's a girl to do?

In the absence of anything profound to report as far as finished objects or acquisitions - I thought I'd do a random progress report on my WIPs with a few thoughts on Spring projects that may see the needles soon.

First up is an update on the Tulip Cardigan:



This is my niece. Let's call her "Ginger". My SIL e mailed me to say that she's worn the cardigan every day and that it fits perfectly. My SIL gives the cardigan two thumbs up. I think Ginger has a different opinion on this. Judging from the look on her face here I think she's saying "Can you say Baby GAP?" Yes - we finally got our red head!




I love this baby blanket from Nashua and have the yarn stashed to make it so perhaps this will please our young princess.




Cobblestone:

Yes, I gave Cobblestone a second chance. A 3.5mm needle on the ribbing helped to cinch it in a wee bit and avoid the dreaded "tutu flaring". The yarn is O-Wool balance (Is Oprah making yarn now?) which is 50% merino and 50% cotton - both organic. Cobblestone has been getting lots of love because it's a mindless project that runs pretty much on autopilot until you reach the yoke.



Roam:
The back of Roam is done and I've begun the first of two front panels. This is another straightforward but highly wearable knit. I feel as though I'm running out of time here with the weather warming up but I'm sure I've got about another month or so before it gets too warm to tolerate the Alpaca and silk. Lisa Souza rocks - this is the Mahogany colourway. My buddy Steph. has finished her Roam and it looks great. I'm hoping to see it in person at the Toronto Guild Spring Frolic next Saturday.




Evie:
I've begun a nice easy sleeve because the first front panel I began I fear is incorrect. The simplicity of the purl stitches, shaping and the amazing yarn make this my "comfort knitting". After a crazy day at the office (and it's been really busy lately) this is like a glass of Merlot.




I'm pleased to see that Kim Hargreaves is launching a Spring book to follow up her Heartfelt collection from the Fall. I heart Kim.





Maritime:

Is last year's WIP with only one sleeve done and the back just begun. This design is from Rowan 41 and is made out of Rowan cotton 4 ply. It's lovely to work with and I think this will be highly wearable. This one on Ravelry is so pretty that I just had to dig it out to get going again.





Feather and Fan Cardigan:

Have the book. Did the swatch...saw the sample garment. Julie has this on display in her store and YOWZA - it is delicious. I can't wait to make this.





Rock Star Cardigan:


This crochet cardigan by Anny Blatt has been in process for years. I'm making it in the original yarn but in blue and I think it'll be cute. Crochet may just provide the diversion I need to kick start my mojo again.




I suppose the downside of being a "process knitter" lies in the lack of finished projects. I love starting new things and having different projects to work on. When the seasons change however, there's always a bit of grieving for those that didn't make it in time for last call. It's not a big deal because I can pick them up again when their season comes around but I know not all of them will make the cut again. I have a funny feeling all of this wistful thinking will come to a screeching halt at the Knitter's Frolic in Toronto next week.

Veni, Vedi, Visa.

Motherhood . Necessity . Invention

I both love and hate knitting for infants. On the positive side of the equation - projects are small and often deliciously cute. On the negative side; the clock ticks loud and fast. The Tulip Sweater by Dream in Colour is this year's Baby Surprise. It's all over the Net and while I'd not want to spend the money on a baby I barely knew, my new niece deserved every stitch. I cast on during the third trimester and last week gave myself a kick in the butt to get it done. She's just turning six months and this is a six month size. Imagine my angst when I realized that I wouldn't have enough of the turquoise to finish the I cord neckline.

I did get the kit from Lettuce Knit and in their defense, all other shades were well provided for so, my guess is that I've misplaced one small ball of the turquoise shade. I did rummage through the knitting bags to see if I could locate the missing yarn but St. Anthony (supposed patron of all lost items) just wasn't tuned into my case. I quickly determined that since the baby is growing by the second and since I'd frittered away all of my wriggle room by pushing this to the last minute - putting this project on ice to find the missing yarn wasn't the most prudent decision. I could probably have borrowed, begged or stolen a small amount from a knitting comrade but we'd still have transit time for the yarn or for me to get said yarn. I decided that necessity would be the motherhood of invention. I surveyed the remaining colours and while I probably could have squeaked out the I cord ties and neckline out of one of the colours; I decided to have a bit of fun.

I've been wearing this knitted bracelet given to everyone in the class Kathryn Alexander taught at Madrona. I love the happy colours and have been wondering what a multi coloured I cord would look like as a finish. I wasn't entirely sure how to make one but a quick peek at Nicky Epstein's embellishment book confirmed that you simply cast on the required stitches with the first shade then immediately join in the second shade to complete the first row. After that, you just alternate rows. LK had subbed Wisterious for the Pink Shade when I bought the kit and I liked the royal purple and the Wisterous together and quite frankly, they had the most left overs so it was a no brainer.

Voila - here are the results and I'm quite pleased. While the turquoise (as prescribed in the pattern) is great to anchor the busy colour transitions of the main design, I do like the whimsy of the bi coloured neckline. I don't think it competes with the main design too much.

Now I must get my butt over to see my niece and deliver the jacket. Chalk this one up to motherhood making it necessary to be inventive.

Sequestered

Be careful of what you wish for. I've been longing lately for a day with absolutely no external obligations. A day to lounge in the sweats with pretty yarn, family gathered around and nice wine. I got that day today. Don't get me wrong - it was all in all a lovely day but it came in the form of one of the most vicious snow storms in recent memory. Of course, the Niagara and Ottawa regions were elected meteorological pinatas for this round and we've been told to brace for 50 cm of snow when all is said and done. Here is what our front yard looked like BEFORE the big storm. We're not quite sure where we'll be putting it all but I guess that's half the fun. I have spent the day straddled nicely between making headway on current projects and flirting with thoughts of spring projects. I did a bit of finishing and a bit of swatching so here's the latest.

Roam: I had to frog about 6inches of it back at Madrona. My second go at it was much more successful and the finished piece is bang on spec. I'm making the 40" size in Lisa Souza Baby Alpaca Silk in Mahogany colour way. The back piece has been pinned to my blocking pad and is covered with a wet towel to block. The piece is blocking face down so the nice slip stitch design doesn't get flattened. This techique works well on cables too. I'll start the fronts next but won't do both at the same time as I was thinking of doing. If I screw up - less to frog back.

Tulip Cardigan: My niece is five months old and this little cardi is the six month size. Fortunately, my brother tells me she's a wee lass clocking in at 15 lbs so this will work still. I often put things aside when faced with a technique new to me. In this case it's knitted I cord which I need to do for Roam and Mermaid eventually. It went on well but I think too few stitches are prescribed for picking up the front bands - it seems to pull a bit. If you're making this, you may want to pick up more stitches before starting the I cord. Many of the Tulips I see on Ravelry seem to pull as well. Steaming does help a bit though.

Modern Lace Henley: I've never made a Pam Allen design but I suspect she creates a well written pattern. I love this wearable summer sweater and have picked up some Blue Sky Skinny Organic Cotton in a pale pink for this. My swatch is bang on gauge but knitter beware. The chart is incorrect. There is an extra column to the right included in the repeat.

Feather and Fan Cardigan: Another Pam Allen design. I love this one to bits. I picked up the Soft Linen from Julie on Thursday in a great burnt orange shade called Cathay. I rarely work with orange because it tends to clash with my hair. This one has lots of brown in it and is a really pretty clay pot colour. This yarn is a blend of Linen, Alpaca and Wool. A motley crew of a mixture but what a great summer yarn. I swatched for size and did a bit of the feather and fan pattern. This one is going to be fun.

Printed Silk Cardigan from Spring IK: Yes, I'm into tunics this spring. So pretty but the Fiesta La Luz is a bit spendy. I do have some yarn purchased from the Black Lamb in stash. It's the same base yarn as Fleece Artist Sea Wool (merino and seacell). It's hand dyed a pretty green and knits to sport weight so should be perfect. I have yet to swatch but that's on deck for tomorrow hopefully.

Evie: Love, love love this pattern. I suspect I've screwed up the first piece I'm working on so I plan to begin the back piece which should be more straight forward. I'll leave this one on holders for now just in case I am in fact correct. No need to frog if it's not truly necessary.

So, there you have it. One snowy day - many UFOs. When even the weather man has had it, you know there's no where to go but up. If we can't have spring we might as well swatch for spring. Just maybe then mother nature will get the hint.

P.S: This is what it all looked like Sunday morning. I predict a nice green lawn this Spring.

Still Waiting for Spring


I really look forward to the Spring Rowan magazine every year. It heralds the fact that Winter has reached about the half way point and reminds me that any casting on from here on in should be for warm weather projects. Julie sent my Rowan out to me on Feb. 1 and I received it as I was shoveling the driveway with freezing rain crystallizing on my glasses. I'll come clean here and state that I think this issue of Rowan was a big miss for them. It was technically adequate in most places but it lacked - emotion. My grandmother used to point out how some musicians could bang out a tune on the piano while others had a "nice touch". That makes all the difference.



Rowan 43 has three "stories". They've given them fancy names but I think of them as "Cavorting in the Gardens", "Grunge" and "Katie Couric discovers Pentax".






The grouping of Kid Silk Haze garments is pretty. I do love this lacy tee. This pink cardigan has wonderful eyelet detailing along the seams.













This appeals to my inner Stevie Nicks.





I applaud Sharon Miller for continuing to re invent the shawl issue after issue.








On the grunge side, this black crochet wrap cardigan has some cool beading. I hope someone on Ravelry makes this.




This last grouping is positioned as "London in the sixties and seventies". The styling just isn't clicking for me.







This reminds me of a toilet paper roll cover.






Kaffe rocks and I bet this would really shine if shown with a red T-shirt and a pair of jeans. The dress underneath seems like a blah styling choice.


I would wager that Rowan deems an issue a success if people buy lots of their yarn because they're inspired by the issue. It's also been suggested that alot of the creative attention has already shifted to the 30th anniversary issue due out this fall. As always, I will love seeing real knitters make this stuff and post their pictures on line so we can really see the garments.



Perhaps in six months I should report on those designs we dismissed a bit too early. If you see any diamonds in the rough here - let me know.

Sheepless in Seattle

I realize I've been a wee bit MIA. I had 4 editorial deadlines bearing down on me early February and then the Internet went down on us. It's been 2.5 weeks of negotiating with Ma Bell as to whether it's our phone line or not. Trust me - it's the phone line. I hear crackling when I call people. I'll have to type this post quickly as this connection may be gone in a heart beat.

The other big news is that I went to the Madrona Winter Retreat last week in Tacoma Washington. Five glorious days of spinning, knitting and shopping for fibre related products. I met up with Vanessa, Diane, Hope, Jessica, and a host of other great knitters. The company was as great as the program.

The trip out was a bit hairy since a raging snow storm hit Toronto right about the time I was preparing to leave for the airport. Barreling down a runway in a blizzard ain't for the faint of heart but we made it to Seattle safely. Imagine a hotel with comfy sofas and a long fireplace crawling with knitters every where. Yes, we'd all found our tribe.

I spent two days taking a class with Kathryn Alexander on energized singles. My Kromski Sonata fit nicely into the hard sided suitcase I bought and traveled with no ill effects. Kathryn Alexander is truly a creative genius. Her sense of colour, shape and innovation leave me feeling rather inept but hopeful that I can expand my horizons. After class I tried on one of her designs and Hope tried it on too. It's a cute jacket - a sassy happy little design. I may just treat myself to this one for getting through winter.

I spent a half day with Judith (I could listen to her talk all day) MacKenzie McCuin. She has an avid fan base and I can see why. She gave a 1/2 day on wild textures and I was able to try my hand at boucle and novelty yarns. I don't tend to knit with these but there are times when they make great embellishments so knowing how to make them is kind of cool. She was the key note speaker at the banquet on Saturday night and I really found her story about the Bison very interesting. She's producing a Bison yarn that is so wonderfully soft. Very expensive but lucious in every way. The red colourway is amazing.

I picked up some Blue Moon Fiber Arts Laci in the Thraven colourway to make the Irtfa shawl from Knitspot. Vanessa's is to die for. The Thraven is a rich black with a fly green colour woven through it. Yummm.

I had Saturday afternoon to myself to walk the market. I snagged some Schaefer Miss Priss in the Mr. Green Jeans colourway to make Mr. Green Jeans. I also got an amazing glass button from Michael and Sheila Ernst which matches perfectly.

About 2 blocks away from the hotel sits a lovely little bakery. When you see a sign like this - it about sums up the opportunity.

Hello Cupcake - goodbye skinny jeans. The Red Velvet and Mocha Chocolate cup cakes were my favourites.

A great location. Beautiful yarn, exciting workshops, knitting and wonderful company. I know it was a great vacation because I keep re playing it in my head. Oh, and yes - I've already mentally booked the time off again next year!

Red Carpet Knitting

I had the pleasure of taking Susanna Hansson's Bohus knitting class this past Saturday. My buddy Stephannie predicted that the first thing we would learn is how to pronounce Bohus and sure enough - we discovered it's Bow (rhymes with low) Hoose (rhymes with goose). The seminar takes you through the history of these designs which would be considered artisan garments by any standards. The Shetland stranded knitting was all about warmth and production speed while Bohus was all about detail, luxury and the rich and famous.

I was intrigued to learn that amongst those women who owned these sweaters were both Princess Grace and Ingrid Bergman. What girl wouldn't want to be like those two classic beauties? They personify the Bohus "Euro-elegance" perfectly. Seeing these garments up close was such a treat. As Steph and I hovered over one particularly beautiful article analyzing the construction I looked at her and said "Do you think someday knitters will be looking at our stuff like this?" I'm guessing that in my case the answer is no but it does make me more inclined to correct those mistakes instead of bashing on through. I'd hate to be the slide on a presentation down the road marked "lazy novice knitter".

I have Wild Apple stashed and part of my objective on Saturday was to gain perspective that would allow me to truly do this project justice. I had a chance to see Steph's Grey Mist up close and it just GLOWS. The workshop includes materials and pattern to make a pair of wristlets in the Blue Shimmer pattern. My next Bohus will likely be a cardigan version of the Blue Shimmer. The main body is done in a pale blue - very sophistocated.

We both fell hard for this lovely design called Lemon. The main colour is a beautiful greeny-yellow with a collar including golds, pinks, creams and sage green. Steph and I both really liked the colour and it really suits her.

Here's a close up of The Swan - a new design just released by Solveig Gustafsson. She's the master dyer behind these kits. This older swatch used browns and greys but I think the recently released version uses blacks too.

This swatch in blue and green caught my eye too. The blue is quite electric. I'm told the design was called "Blue Light"...not blue light special or Blue Lite as in the FAB (festive adult beverage).

In my stashing quest for quality over quanitity - these sweaters fit the bill. I will probably take liberties with the shaping to make it more contemporary as other knitters have by adding waist shaping and a hemmed bottom but that glowing collar will definitely stay untouched.

I will also feel like a princess.