In the studio

Crochet hat

This is coming along nicely - photo of finished hat soon!

In the studio

A second capelet from the ivory yarns, mixed fibers, size 13 cable needle, 16 in length, stockinette stitch

I've just finished the first decrease, to begin the shoulder slope. I like the frothy result, brought about by using lightweight yarns on large needles and the way the yarns of differing weights are combined. It's light and will make a good spring garment.

In the studio

Hat, crochet, 100% wool, size D/3.25mm crochet hook

I love this yarn! It has three plies, all of which have different luscious colors that are variegated along each ply.

Ivory capelet

Capelet, mixed fibers, size 13 cable needle, 16 in.

I was worried a bit about the choice of yarns, but when I bound off this morning and put this on myself, I became very pleased.

I used it as an excuse to shop at the charming Sip and Knit shop in Orlando (Maitland), and bought lots of balls in these colors. I'm going to do several variations in this combination of yarns.

I like using the 16in cable needle because I can then make quite a small neckline without going to double pointed needles to finish. I'm not very fond of the larger necklines for myself because of the way they look on me, but I have made several for other people.

In the studio

Purse, garter stitch, size 5 cable needle, multi-fiber yarn, with teal wool knit lining

I think the purse is going to be yummy with the teal lining. Then I think I'm going to take the knit fabric and cut it into a long strip and knit another purse with it. I'm not sure if I've had this fabric more than 10 years or more than 15 years, but it's certainly time to do something with it.

In the studio

Scarf, rib stitch, size 11 cable needle


I love this yarn! It's three strands of wool that are woven together with thread into a flat ribbon. The wool is variagated from creamy white to charcoal gray in each strand so that the strands change individually and the color sort of undulates in wonderful ways through the yarn. It's quite bulky. This scarf feels great, and I'm thinking that I will embroider the long edges with a red. I'm ruminating about whether to use a scarlet or a more blue red and loving every minute of it.

In the studio

Capelet, cotton and silk chenile yarn: Noro "Sumile", rib stitch, size 11 cable needle, crochet neck edge, button closure (to come soon)

This is my first stab at decreasing in the rib stitch pattern, and I'm not entirely pleased, but have lots of ideas about how to do it next time. This is basically the pattern that I've been using for the past six or seven capelets, but I knitted it back and forth with the idea that I wanted to try some closures and experiment with various combinations of buttons and loops, etc.

I had almost this exact same yarn in the 70s and didn't know what to do with it. This time I'm enjoying every second of it and wish I had about twice this much. But...I'll be happy with what's coming up next nonetheless.

Purse

Purse, garter stitch, recycled silk yarn, size 4 needles, large white button closure, braided strap, silk twill lining.

These purses are all around 5x7 inch - ish size. That's the optimum size to obtain the best "body" for the fabric. Any larger and it would get weirdly stretchy and any smaller and it would be stiff and too bulky.

So this is the last photo of what was up over the winter and spring. Now I'll start showing what's in progress.

Cashmere knit purse

Cashmere knit fabric, cut into one continuous strip for knitting, size 13 cable needle, rib stitch, lined with China silk, suede button closure.

I had a blast making this purse! The fabric is a very luxurious cashmere knit, a scrap that I got from a clothing designer a couple years ago. The strip is less than a half inch wide, and I think that was the key to it being a very flexible but sturdy fabric. The lining gives it the perfect body. I gave it to my sister for her birthday last week and she's enjoying it.

Silk purse

Recycled silk yarn, garter stitch, size 5 cable needle, lined with China silk

I love making purses. The silk lining is a wonderful touch and keeps things from working their way through the knitted fabric as well as adds body to the purse. I have braded the strap and added a large green suede button closure.

Sky blue capelet

After wrestling with Blogger all day trying to get this thing posted, I'm too tired to write.

Triangle shawl

Triangle shawl, garter stitch, size 10 cable needle, "Cancun" nylon and polyester with cotton and viscose black yarn

This shawl sat in the "in progress" bin for almost two years as I developed a huge passion for knitting. At last it was time to take it out and get it done this winter. I have hung it up in my booth and many many women have complimented it, although I think it's done rather crudely. I won't tell you what I think are the really glaring problems, but the drape is superb. I also enjoy the jewel-like quality of the Cancun colors.