My Favorite Tool

This is for the Tool Project of Etsy, developed by Bre Pettis.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/thisHandmadeLife/article/the-tool-project/2203/

In the studio - mohair and linen

Capelet, mohair and linen, stockinette stitch, size 4 cable needle, 24 in.

I've tried this combination of yarns on about three new projects, all having failed. Now I think I have the winning formula. It's almost complete after a big gob of work on it this weekend.

In the studio - the linen series

Scarf, linen, seed stitch, size 1 "mystery metal" needles

I've collected quite a linen stash, and have decided to make a series of pieces. The idea of this one is to make a solid scarf, then a ruffle all the way around the edge. With the needle size it's taking forever to get anywhere, but I like the texture.

In the studio - playing with new silk

Test swatch - silk

I was lucky to go to the great yarn studio in Brattleboro with Allison and Dr. Brat and found this very wonderful yarn along with a few others. I've been playing with it and trying to get a good idea. I always sort of get lost in the colors and textures when I get it out to play. Yum!!

In the studio - sea greens, blues, pinks

Triangle Shawl, mixed fibers: nylon, cotton, silk, polyester; size 11 cable needle, 24 in.

Since I have been so inspired by this shawl of greens and pinks I decided to take many of the same yarns and add a touch of this zippy silk and cotton tape of sea greens and blues. All the "yarns" are tapes, and they have an interesting weight.

In the studio: cotton capelet

Capelet, cotton, reverse stockinette stitch, size 9 cable needle, 24 in.

I decided to include this to show that I have my fair share of doomed projects. Now that I've accomplished this much, I know that I don't like this thing at all. I'll rip it out and try to think of yet another idea for this very problematic yarn.

In the studio - blues

Shawl, mixed fibers: mohair, silk, wool, cotton, nylon; stockinette stitch, size 9 cable needle, 24in

I love working with all the blue colors and coming up with exciting combinations.

In the studio - bronze shawl

Triangle shawl, nylon and lurex, garter stitch, size 5 cable needle, 24" and size 13 cable needle, 16"

Since my Mac is sitting right here where I do most of my knitting, I decided to try the camera - yes, I'm lazy.

Compare with March 7, 2008 in the studio, which was soon after I started. Now that I'm closer to taking it off the needles I have to decide about the applique pieces. I have the horizontal panels the way I want them and will put the applique in the larger panels. Because of the needle size this has ended up being an enormous amount of knitting, but it's worth it for the texture. I think with a larger needle it would just be too flabby.

Since I happen to be working with a number of different pieces of this guage, I feel like I'm not getting anywhere with any of them!

In the studio - banjo cable

Scarf, silk, banjo cable stitch pattern, size 5 plastic needles

This is another: "look ma - I'm doin' CABLES!" scarf. For a few weeks this spring I was starting pieces based on a knitting pattern library volume that I acquired about 20 years ago. It's still a fountain of inspiration when I'm looking for a stretch in my creative work.



The scarf has fallen into what my friend Dr. Brat called the "soup" of my knitting couch. But I haven't given up on it altogether. I've been distracted by the other several projects that have been holding my attention over the past couple weeks. More photos soon!