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.

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.