In the studio

Scarf, pima cotton, size 5 cable needle, 24", garter stitch

This is a very luxurious yarn and I like the colors. It did take me several tries to get the colors to work the way I wanted, but it was worth it!

In the studio

Capelet, mixed fibers but mostly "Melody" yarn by Southwest Trading Company, stockinette stitch, size 11 cable needle, 16" length

I decided to try a real color experiment and not mix in the high number of colors I have been using in this series of capelets. So I have a sort of "ground" color and a few accents. I at first thought I would do just red and a black yarn with a silver filament running through it. Then I couldn't help myself and added the brighter colors in for more variety. It's been difficult for me to use restraint with the contrasting colors, but I'm keeping strict watch on myself.

Finished capelet

Filet crochet, black/silver metallic ribbon, US size N hook, picot border on lower edge

Oh yeah -- I've ended up really loving this piece. I can't count how many patterns and ideas I had to try before I found something that I liked with this ribbon. It was in the $3.00 bin at my local yarn shop, so I got bunches. It was a difficult challenge! It's over 1cm wide. I feel that it's quite heavy when knitted up, so I like an airy pattern to keep the weight from getting to be too much. I tried large shell patterns with the N needle, then finally settled on the filet. The shells were too bulky, and looked very cool until the thing was on a real body, then it was not so good. I think it works beautifully in the filet and has the drape I was seeking.

Do you think it looks like chain mail?

In the studio

Small purse, size 5 needles, seed stitch, Noro "Kujaku", wool yarn wrapped with a polyester floss - just about worsted weight

The needles bear mentioning because they are Pony Pearl needles from India and they have metal rods molded inside the plastic, which weights them so that they are very balanced and comfortable. This is a tightly knit, firm fabric so that the purse will hold together and not be stretchy. The fabric is working up very quickly.

In the studio

Capelet, bamboo cable needle, size 13, reverse stockinette, mixed fibers

These are the yarns used in the ivory capelets with some black and colors. I'm enjoying the contrast. I'm trying many combinations of stitches and fibers in this capelet structure. I'll have a wide array at the art fair I'm doing in a couple weeks.

In my knitting bag

I've been browsing around on Men Who Knit and Women Who Knit and came across a What's in your knitting bag?" post.

I don't really have a knitting bag. I think my equivalent is my "in progress" bin. It's so full of projects that I quail at the thought of trying to describe all of them. But I'm trying to get ready for a local street festival called "Art on Lark" so I'm running flat out to finish lots of stuff.

While down at the Woodstock Wool Company a couple weeks ago I picked up one of their mondo skeins of beautiful pima cotton. They dye it there, and the colors reminded me of Florida, where I spent the winter. I'm making it a derivation of Sally Melville's "Shape it!" scarf, and the colors of the yarn are the most beautiful in the long, slim rows, almost like ikat woven color changes. Me likes!

Webs - a Day in Paradise

I'm close enough to be able to go to Webs, the terrific yarn emporium in Northampton, Mass. Yesterday was a special day because it was my first day trip to webs since late summer last year. And it was a doozie. Not only are they in the middle of their normal anniversary sale, but they are having a two-day tent sale as well. The weather cooperated, although it looked threatening all day. I got into town a little early, so I went to a favorite local cafe just down Pleasant Street and waited eagerly, dreaming of all the yarns I had previewed on the store's website the day before. The tents were up, and local spinners were set up around the grounds with their wares as well, making it a true mind-expanding experience for the yarn lover. And the bargains were there. I'm a fan of cones, because I love to be able to get through a whole piece without having to tie together the small balls of yarn, and Webs has 'em. The sale prices weren't the 50% discounts and greater like some of the other yarns, but it was still easy to get an amount of tweedy silk/cotton yarn it takes to do a long sleeve sweater for US $20.00. There were luscious cones of mohair upon which I merely drooled because by the time I got to them my HUGE tub was full of yarn. And so on. I shopped for two hours and it was all good. It's always impressive to go back into the warehouse and shop, but with loads of prices dropped down for the sale it was mind-boggling to try to choose.

The lines at the cash registers were long. At first I was sort of non-plussed because I really wasn't feeling well. But as I settled and put my bin on the floor and began to observe what was around me I was delighted to see the numbers of knitters, weavers, spinners and fellow travelers milling around, touching, chatting and generally having a blast. Small groups of what were probably knitting circles were clustered around various displays, individuals were studying colors and textures, the buzz of people thinking of new projects and fun times ahead was energizing.

Finished hat

Hat, 100% wool, single crochet, wood crochet hook, unsized

This yarn is more bulky than the one used in the previous hat. It's Noro "Kuryon", which I happen to adore and horde. Again, I used a somewhat small hook so that the fabric is firm. I like this shape. All these hats are improvised to a certain degree, but are based loosely on a formula for increases. The are made from the top point down to the bottom, then twirly things are added.

Finished capelet

Ivory capelet, mixed fibers, size 13 cable needle, 16 in. length, stockinette stitch

I have cast on 195 stitches for the bottom of this capelet, making it one size fits most. I chose a "base" yarn to begin. I then used one length of that base yarn for the cast on and the first row of stitches. Then I began to select the other yarns and cut lengths of them that were about 20 inches to 36 inches. I switched from the base yarn to another yarn and every other yarn switched was back to the base yarn.

Finished hat

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


I used a hook that is on the small side so that the fabric would have a stiff, almost hard texture. Every stitch is single crochet, and I hooked into the back loop of each stitch from the previous row in order to get a line on the surface of the fabric, which I think added another dimension to the colors in the yarn.

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.

Scarf with sequins

Scarf, rib stitch, linen/cotton blend, sequins, size 9 cable needle

This yarn is almost antique, and they don't make it like this anymore. It's a thick and thin spin. I enjoy working with it, but I've come to the last skein now, after two of these thin, long scarves.

Finished poncho

Poncho, filet crochet, wool

This poncho is one that is a large rectangle.

Finished capelet

Capelet, mixed fibers, size 10, 16 in. cable needle, reverse stockinette stitch.

Do you get the idea that these things are fun to make? The Woodstock Wool Company co-owner Paul calls the patter a formula. Now that I've got the formula pretty much down pat, I'm playing with yarn combinations and having a ball! There's one more on the needle, and then I'm going to give it a rest - well...maybe until fall.

Finished capelet

Capelet, mixed fibers, size 10, 16 in. cable needle, reverse stockinette stitch

I enjoyed shifting to blues and lavenders and orchids with this capelet. I'm using the last of that shaggy yarn, I think it's called "squiggle", and I'm also finishing my stash of eyelash yarns.

Finished capelet

Capelet, mixed fibers, size 10, 24 in. cable needle, reverse stockinette stitch

I've been making these capelets with great enthusiasm. There are several I won't be able to photograph, but I decided to capture a few that I've been doing recently. They work up in a couple days of knitting. I'm back to my old tricks of using more than a dozen types of yarn in one piece. I keep shifting through my collection of yarns, using slightly different combinations for each capelet.

Shawl

Shawl, cotton chenille, garter stitch, one stitch added each row for triangle shape

This shawl is an "order" for a gift. I know the receiving party, and am doing special things for her. One special thing is a crochet fringe border.

I don't think chenille yarn does much other than just shed if you try to make the normal fringe, so the crochet maintains a similar effect without the down side.

A lot of time to knit

Ove the past four months I've had a lot of time to knit. It's been interesting to try to decide *what* to knit. I have been buying knitting magazines for inspiration and trying new stitches, and now that I've got the photo upload thing together, I'm about to go out with my camera and take photos of what I've been doing.

But in another medium, I've just finally purchased a book called The Art of Manipulating Fabric, and it's inspirational for anyone who works with textiles. I'm sure it's easy to find reviews, since the book has been out for a few years. It was one of those books that I've held in awe, and yet couldn't just *buy* outright.

Lorre-Bob sez check it out.

Hats

Hat, yellows, mixed fibers

This is the first couple hats I knitted in Florida for the gallery up in Woodstock New York. I haven't been taking more photos because I haven't felt like doing the work of learning how to upload and post from Florida until now.

I'm baaaaaaack

I don't have the ability to upload pictures at the moment, but that'll be coming as soon as I can swing the technology.

My latest project is a large triangle shawl made in garter stitch with black cotton chenille yarn. It's dreamy.