Finished hat

Hat, stockinette stitch, mixed fibers: wool, silk, cotton, mohair, acrylic, nylon, cable needle size 10.5, 16in., changed to double pointed needles (dpn) at the top for descreasing to the crown; rib stitch at the bottom done with size 8 dpn

I'm having a great time banging out these hats, and they provide the perfect contrast to larger projects such as the afghan. This one will get a little embellishment in the way of pom poms or "twirly things".

In the studio

Afghan, mixed fibers, "woven" stitch, size 13 cable needle, 29 in.

It grows and grows. I added in the bag of yarns I'm using so it's clear how many I'm including in this baby. I'm loving every minute of it!

I'm taking a break to make a few small things like hats and purses.

In the studio

Afghan, mixed fibers, "woven" stitch, size 13 cable needle, 29 in.

I decided to get a photo after I completed a row and stretched the afghan out on the needle. I've practiced the "woven" stitch enough now so that I'm not getting mixed up very often. It's starting to feel normal.

In the studio

Afghan, mixed fibers, "woven" stitch, size 13 cable needle, 29 in.

I finally started an afghan. I know it looks like a capelet. That's an accident of it being on cable needles. I cast on 201 stitches and decided to gather together some of my favorite yarns and let her rip. More photos to come.

In the studio

Purse, red linen, woven stitch, size 5 needles

This has been one of the most difficult pieces I've worked on lately. The lack of stretch in the linen yarn makes it hard for me to work in the middle of each row in this particular stitch pattern. I also have a huge problem concentrating on the pattern and often make mistakes. It's one of those that requires I work in silence, and really stay conscioous of what's going on in my hands. I recently ripped out about three inches of knitting because there were so many mistakes that I was wondering whether to keep going. I'm happy that I re-knitted all those rows, and am finally beginning to be able to read the stitch pattern and figure out where I am and what to do next, and how to find where things have gone wrong. *whew* With size 5 needles I'm also glad this is a small project. I'm trying to decide whether to keep it plain or make it very gaudy.

Finished dress

Dress with halter top, cotton/silk blend yarn, size 10 cable needle, 24 in. stockinette stitch and rib stitch with I cord for halter

I decided to quit fiddling with photos and just get the best one I had. et voila! I left it as the most simple possible dress with no embellishments. They'll come in subsequent iterations. I'm looking at Nicky Epstein's book on knitted embellishments every day at lunch time. I've worn it a little bit and it's very comfy. I almost began one last night on smaller needles. The proof of the practicality of this one will be how it behaves once washed.

Finished capelet - circle scarf

Capelet, mixed fibers, size 11 cable needle, 16 in.

I couldn't resist these autumn colors, and I'm delighted with the results.

Design notes

Today I completed a dress I designed from scratch. Photo to come soon. I'm trying to figure out *how* to photograph it in a way that makes me happy.

This is the project for which I did a swatch, figured out measurements from the swatch and started. It's a shift with a halter strap, and is meant for hanging out at home.

I started knitting from the bottom edge, so I had time to contemplate what to do at the top. I began with stockinette so that I could mindlessly knit for hours on end, and that was highly satisfying. I wanted a loose shift for lounging at home, something like a mu mu. Remember mu mus? Since I am under five ft. in height, it is almost impossible for me to find a dress that is knee length, so I thought since I'm making it myself I'd get that knee length for which I yearn. At about the waist I decided to change to a rib stitch, thinking it'd draw in just a bit and have a little shape to it, and that was a great idea. Then a little above the waist I decided that I'd like to try something besides a straight tube, and I went for the halter, open back design. I began to knit back and forth, binding off about 25 stitches to give a straight bottom to the open back. Then I began to decrease one stitch each row to give a graceful curve to the back. It has a fabulous loose and comfy feel to it and is a refreshing change from a straight band at the top with gathering in the mu mu style.

So - my sojourn into garment design has taken a giant step forward. I'm ready to try something else, or do this shift idea again with some variations. I could use two or three of these house dress/nightgown thingies, so I may stick with this for awhile.

Finished capelet - circle scarf

Capelet, "Melody" yarn by Southwest Trading Company, nylon and rayon, size 10.5 cable needle, 16in.

I do love the way this yarn takes on a frothy texture when knitted on large needles. I confess to making this same cape with this same yarn in at least four colors. It's a request from a gallery manager.

In the studio

Scarf, garter stitch, mixed fibers, size 13 wood needles

This is a very different palette and texture for me. I wanted to try very bulky yarns and the palest pastels I could find. I've found that with the slip stitch selvedge the knots on each row start to push out the selvedge edge, and I'm not entirely happy with the results. The left edge looks different from the right, so there's a visually asymmetrical thing happening.

I've moved the studio into my apartment and have been taking photos literally on the drawing board. I'll be playing with backgrounds and having fun tacking things to the board. So there will probably be a bit different look and feel in the photos.

Oh yeah...right here in the studio

Scarf, garter stitch, alpaca, wool, nylon, size 11 cable needle

I wrestled with the basic photo editor on this machine, having got a new machine with no Adobe Photoshop on it. *whew* So here is, at last, what I've been doing lately. I chose this palette of dreamy aquas with a sprinkle of other pastels because it just felt like time to do something frothy. It all started at the farmer's market in the stall of a spinner who raises sheep and makes the most of them, including spinning and knitting. She does a bang-up job with dyes, AND the wool was on sale. Then I saw some Alpaca at a shop in Saratoga Springs, New York, and I was already putting this scarf together in my head.

I'm apparently not done with the shaggy effect, even though I think it's going to happen each time I finish a project. Maybe this is the last one.

Where was I?

I was vacationing for a couple weeks, knitting all the while, so when I get the camera and my work together in the same place, there'll be more photos. I was crocheting also, using this wonderful hemp yarn, in a raspberry color [this photo was altered to get close to the color]. It's a little bit fatter than crochet cotton, and I'm knitting it now also, with a size 3 needle. My plan is to sew some beads into it as well, to give it a little flash and weight.

So while you're waiting for photos to show up, get yourself to Franklin's Panopticon and enjoy his reports of Stitches Midwest.

In the studio

I'm starting to do some of the things that wise knitters who write books recommend, and I'm pleased with the results.

Although it has taken more than a year to get up and running, I now have a knitting journal that contains all the labels of the yarns that I use with a sample strand of the yarn wrapped around the label. That way I not only know what I've used for projects, but the care instructions and fiber contents. I use transparent tape to stick the label to the page, or a stapler.

And now I've begun to make swatches, but that's still a rough practice and I wouldn't call it a habit yet. I've swatched a few yarns and put them on the pages of the journal with the labels, just to see what they look like worked up into fabrics, not much writing. Over the past few days I swatched a cotton and silk blend, then figured out from the swatch how to create a nightgown by using measurements to figure out how many stitches to cast on and approximately how many rows it's going to take.

The swatch is stapled onto the journal page along with sketches of the garment and measurements as well as a record of the guage and which needles I'm using. Tape will eventually let go, so I'll probably start to use the stapler to fasten things to the pages or sew them in, which I have also tried successfully.

It's not a complicated garment, but it was very cool to design it using a plan rather than something in my head that has no rational basis for completion, just a hunch. Once I'm done with the gown, I'm going to make a hip length kimono with short sleeves from the same yarn, same guage. I'm diggin' it. And I also need the gown and kimono.

Photos to come when I get in the mood with the camera.

Book

Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments: 350 Ways to Enhance Your Knitting, by Nicky Epstein, 1999, Interweave Press, ISBN: 1-883010-39-X, 276p. $31.95(US)

I'm getting a thing for Nicky Epstein. I like the illustrations and directions in her books and the way the pattern ideas are organized. This is the third reference work, I'll call it, that I've appreciated not only for the sheer volume of ideas, but the way it's not about specific projects, but about an aspect of knitting. The three I happen to like are all about ways to embellish. But I'm all about embellishment, so she's my gal. She takes a form and then illustrates many variations, so I feel like I've really gained an understanding of what the embellishment form can do, how to expand it if I want to or how to alter it in other ways that make it just right for my current project. This sort of thing keeps me going for years. I've already thought of dozens of ways I can spruce up my own knitting from ideas in this book, and I'm not contrained by specific patterns. Since I don't usually work from patterns, this is a good thing.

Labels

Labels: Rowan "rag" yarn, cotton embroidery

Here's the requested photo of the labels I've made to "sign" my hand loomed work. The rag "yarn" is a lovely cotton tricot, beautifully soft. Rowan designers have made it up into balls with the strip folded, much like those who braid rugs fold the fabric. I ironed it flat, and it's a bit more than 1cm wide. I have sewn my name on more narrow ribbons, so this is fairly roomy and I can backstitch the letters more comfortably. I just plunge in and do the letters free style, although someday when I want them to look more refined I'll probably draw them in pencil first. It is a great challenge to decide where to put the labels on the work. In some cases I use the label to mark a certain spot on a garmet to help the wearer put it on correctly, or at least the way I intended.

Oh yeah, and that's my latest magazine - I highly recommend it.

Winding balls for pulling from the inside

So I have to admit that I've been a bit blockheaded about this, but that's only after I now see the light. I was in a good little knitting group in my fair city a few weeks ago and one of the members talked about what he used for making balls that you can pull from the inside. A little spark dashed through the murkey goo that goes for my mind.

So last night as I was sitting with my 600 yard skein of Valley Yarns cotton/wool sage green yarn, I decided to try my newfound idea. Thanks Aaron!

I got out my big fat size 19 needles for knitting scarves and started winding the yarn around both of them, so as to get a nice open core in the ball that's not too big and not too small. I was glad I was watching the Dustin Hoffman interview on "Inside Actor's Studio", because the next very long while would have been quite boring without something else going on. Fairly soon I discovered how to wind it just like a ball winder does. So now I have a 600 yard ball that stands up without falling over on its flat bottom and is neatly pulled from the center. My winder could not have handled a ball that big, so I'm profoundly glad to have a 600 yard piece that doesn't have any knots.

Books

Folk Hats: 32 Knitting Patterns and Tales from Around the World, by Vicki Square, 2005, Interweave Press, ISBN: 1-931499-63-2; 144 p. $21.95(US)

I mostly just look at the photos when I get knitting books. I like many of the hats in this volume, but others seem just stupid, like the knitted version of the Samuri helmet and the European women's skull cap. Vicki Square looks at folk hats and then develops knitted interpretations of the designs. Many are wonderful, but several cause me to wonder about her point. Each hat gets a little "folklore lite" blurb. It's inspiring for the moment, but it's not a keeper and will be donated to my local library knitting collection soon.

In the studio

Open capelet, worked back and forth on size 11 cable needle, garter stitch, mixed fibers

I have a group of ice blues and spring greens that I've blended together in this fabric. I took the capelet idea and decided to try working back and forth, changing the yarn each row and leaving a fringed opening. I want to make a large, lightweight button for a closure, and will be looking around for materials. I saw some felt buttons recently, and they might be just the right weight. The loose knitting will be pulled out of shape by something heavy.

In the studio

Capelet, reverse stockinette stitch, size 11 cable needle, mixed fibers

This is the last in the series for awhile. I think I've done just about all I want to do in the way of capelets, and will be switching to other things. But I couldn't resist trying a pink frothy version. It's very girly and irresistible. My knitting will be slowing down in general now that the street fair is over. I'm ready to work on aprons, and I am imagining aprons made with crochet cotton at the moment. I'll be posting what comes out of my experimentation soon.

In the studio

Wool shawl, viariation of basket stitch, size 10 needles

Here's my homage to Kuryon yarn yet again. This time I want to show the tabs I'm putting on the ends instead of fringe. I decided to make them about 4 inches long, with points on the ends. I'm exploring more and more edging ideas thanks to Nicky Epstein and her recent books on edging, Knitting on the Edge and Knitting Over the Edge.
There are three stitches between each tab, and I think I may change that because they look a little bit too far apart. I'm also fantasizing about putting a small tuft on the end of each tab.

Finished capelet

Capelet, mixed fibers, largely "Melody" yarn from Southwest Trading Company, plus various wool and nylon yarns, size 13 cable needle, 16", reverse stockinette stitch

I'm having a great time cooking up various fabrics, and I have piles of vary simple pieces that show off the stitches and fibers now. While the red piece in a previous post is shot through with just a couple other colors, this piece is more like 80% of the Melody yarn, with sort of an "icing" of the fluffy white and ivory yarns. I'm playing with balances of like that. In this work the character remains very lacy, but the fabric is more substantial than the red one.

I'm taking them all to our local Art on Lark fair tomorrow, and I'll see how people respond to them in person.

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.