Happy Valentine's Day
Mona the camel and me. 
She's the sweetest valentine I've had in years.
Ene times two
I probably should be more embarrassed by how long it has taken me to post about my finished Ene and my trade with Grumperina, but my pride in actually finishing the shawl far surpasses any other emotion. Just to refresh your memory, Grumperina and I knit each other Nancy Bush's Ene shawl from Scarf Style.
Because she is always more on the ball than I am, I actually got to have both of the shawls in my possession at one time. Not that any of the photos I took properly reflect the event.
One cannot discern it from my photos, but I am a much tighter knitter than Mrs. Grumperina. She got a smaller shawl than I did. I think I got the better deal in the trade, because the Ene she knit for me is super-fantastically gorgeous and you can see it here. Her photos are much better than mine.
So thank you Kathy! I adore my shawl and love having something knit by you!
This shawl is a pretty tortuous knit to start, but once you get half way through, it picks up and makes for an enjoyable knitting. We knit these on US 0, and I'd probably switch to US 1s if I did it over again, just because it would make it a slightly bigger shawl rather than the neck kerchief we ended up with.
We both used my silk lace, the red is a nonrepeatable color and the pinkish-purple I used for Grumperina's is a color I don't sell anymore, but Blush or Orchid are the closest to it.
I tried to get more photographs of the shawl on, but my mom was unhelpful and left after about five photos. I'm not sure why she thinks she gets to have a life when I need photographs for this neglected blog.
I will readily admit that I am a full on silk addict when it comes to lace knitting. I think the silk makes for such a light and graceful fabric that pairs well with the airiness of lace. Every time I look at the shawl, I immediately want to cast on for a lace project. But, I have little time for the patience and attention lace knitting requires. So sad!
I also want to let what few readers I still have left of this hopelessly neglected blog that this will be my last blog post. I'll be launching a Sundara Yarn blog sometime soon and that will need regular posting. So I'll be blogging on a regular basis again, just not here. Even though I have barely posted in the last year, it's sad to stop. This blog completely changed my life and the direction it has taken. To those of you who have been with me from the beginning and to everyone else who has joined along the way, thanks for reading. Without your support my life would be very, very different and right now, I am the happiest I have ever been. I'm a lucky, lucky girl who counts her blessings each and every day. Thank you!!
The soulsucking project that is Ene
So I had actually planned on posting about Ene back when I said I would. I took the photos, I photoshopped the photos, I thought about what I wanted to say. I guess after all that, it felt like I had actually posted. Oops.
Anyway, for those of you who don't pay close attention to these things, Grumperina and I are knitting each other Ene. She gives an excellent recap of the project here. Although let me be clear, I would never be mad with Grumperina for posting the details about the project. I was actually surprised she didn't tell the whole story from the beginning. And for the record, I am the reason for the long and drawn-out-ness of this project. I'm usually too tired at the end of my day to deal with the complexity that is this pattern. And it isn't all that complex, it's just really thin yarn on teeny tiny needles, and for about the first 80 bazillion rows, it took me about an hour to make it through one row. I'm nearing the end of the third repeat of chart three, and it's now only taking me about 20 minutes to complete a row. But it still feels like this project will never, ever end and I'll be knitting this for the rest of my life.
These photos were actually taken right after I'd finished the second repeat of chart three, hence the two pins.
The yarn is my silk lace, but in a color I discontinued because I had too many pinks and purples that didn't have enough color variation. This color was right between Blush and Plum, so go with one of those if you are looking to knit something similar. Blush is a bit pinker and Plum is a bit more violet.
And, since a few of you have emailed and asked, I think if I were to knit lace again out of my silk lace, I'd probably use US 1 or US 2 needles. I'm not a huge fan of huge stitches and big holes in my lace, I guess I prefer something a little denser and sturdier. But, I am beginning to think the US 0s I insisted on in this project might be overkill. Kathy, do you have an opinion on this? Of course, I may totally change my mind when the thing is blocked.
Funny story about this project. I took a class from Nancy Bush (the designer for those of you who don't keep random details in your head) a while ago. And when I showed her this, I told her Ene was just soul crushing to start. And she said "You think it is! Try having to make it up as you go with all those stitches."
(I don't think those were her exact words, but that was the gist of it.)
Moebius
Last fall, I took a class with Cat Bordhi. She is seriously adorable and charming. I definitely recommend taking a class from her if you have the chance.
We were told to bring yarn for a moebius project. I had originally planned to use some of my aran silky merino, but I had the date wrong and ended up not having enough time to dye some in time. Oops. So, I headed out to the yarn stores. My only requirements for yarn was that it was pretty (duh), not too scratchy for my neck (my neck can't even handle alpaca or superfine merino wool), and that it could be knit on big needles, as I didn't have a lot of time for knitting.
I ended up with some Noro Kochoran. It was way too scratchy, but it was the only yarn big enough and pretty enough for me. Plus, the colorway was discontinued, so I figured I may as well try.
I knit all that day, but then abandoned the poor project for months. I finally finished it sometime early this year. And I only just now got around to photographing it.
I was going for a capelet-shrug thingy, like this one, but I was too lazy to check gauge, so it ended up way to wide, circumference-wise, so I figured it could be a scarf thingy instead. But, seeing as how it is way too itchy for me, it's going home with my mother.
I do love the yarn and how it knit up. And knitting a moebius, especially taught by Cat herself, was too fun. I really can't say enough great things about Cat. Go buy her books and knit yourself a moebius.
Getting my knitting mojo back
For the last week, I've been purging the majority of my knitting projects or plans to knit something. I had a lot of projects in progress, most of which have never been blogged about. I've had a tendency to start something in a fit of knitting desire, but then abandon it because I got too busy to knit or actually had something that had to be knit and finished by a deadline.
I finally had had enough and couldn't take all the projects and, when taking an honest look at how I want to spend my precious knitting time, most of them weren't something I wanted to put my time and effort into. So I purged and I purged hard. And I felt free and happy and actually excited about knitting again. So I started something I've been wanting to knit for about 10 months, the "Headgear I" hat from Catherine Lowe's The Ravell'd Sleeve.
For those of you who were interested in Catherine Lowe from my post on swatches, here is my take on the Ravell'd Sleeve. (For those who aren't, keep scrolling, I've got lots of pictures coming up.) It's a journal, with four volumes. The first three have been written and the fourth one should be out in the near future. Anyone can subscribe and she'll send you the first three and then the fourth one when it is ready. They are $40 for the series ($50 for outside the US) and they describe her theory and practice of couture knitting. The breakdown:
Volume One: background on couture knitting, selvedges and why they are important, and a comprehensive glossary of selvedge stitch patterns.
Volume Two: the terms of couture knitting, picking up stitches for garment construction and design detail, marking stitches for construction, and a "practicum", which is a pattern for a hat, Headgear I, that uses the techniques she has described in this volume.
Volume Three: edges and their finishes, swatching and blocking: part one - gauge and the swatch (part two on blocking methods will be in volume four), and a practicum, a pattern for a scarf, Neckwear IV, that uses the techniques she writes about in this volume.
I find these fascinating, albeit a bit dry and technical. But, if you are someone who can learn from reading a description of a process and don't need photos, these will teach you the basics of her techniques. I have a jump start on everything, as I took her workshop and actually got to learn these techniques from her. I'm honestly not sure if I would be able to get what she is doing if I hadn't had that background.
But back to the actual knitting. "Headgear I" calls for a DK weight extra-fine merino. I knew she had written the pattern for Jaeger DK extra fine merino, but the local yarn store didn't have any in the color I wanted and I didn't want to wait the few weeks if I had ordered the yarn from Catherine. So I used some of my DK silky merino. I swatched extensively, to the point where my younger sister who knits mocked me. It was a lot of swatching for a hat, especially since I had to get gauge for both the ottoman ribbing and stockinette. And the stockinette had to be knit at a tighter gauge and then blocked out.
Nona was interested in what the resulting fabric was like when I knit at a tight gauge and then blocked it to a slightly larger gauge. Answer: fabulous and dreamy. The fabric starts out tight and stiff and ends up drapey and soft and divine. I highly recommend it.
And then I knit. And let me warn you, I'm starting you out easy with this first photo. But you might want to take a deep breath before you look at the second photo.
Kind of overwhelming with all those pins, huh? I simply followed the very thorough directions. So let me walk you through what I'm doing here.
First, I knit the ottoman ribbed portion of the hat flat. I know, knitting a hat flat seems stupid, but go with me on this one. Once the ottoman ribbed portion was done, I picked up stitches and started the stockinette portion, which is the top of the hat and includes all those decreases to spiral the knitting into the center of the hat. Catherine has an unusual style of picking up stitches. I'd love to do a tutorial, but because these are Catherine's techniques and the woman needs to make a living, I will not do so. If you want to learn about it, subscribe to her journal or order one of her kits.
Next up, came the joining of the two ends of the hat. Here is a very simplified breakdown.
You start out at "A" and pick up stitches (using her methods, not the traditional stitch pick up) on one end of the hat using one needle, and eventually getting to point "B." You then take another needle, and using the same yarn, i.e. not cutting it or anything, start picking up stitches on the other end, "C", and work your way back up to the other end, "D"
All those pins are simply marking where you actually pick up the stitches. They are a little awkward at first, but they make the process a lot easier.
The next step will be to do what Catherine calls a reverse joinery bind-off, more commonly known as a three needle bind off.
We did this in the workshop, and here is my sample. You can see what it looks like much better, as we did the stitch pickup in an alternate color (green).
And close up.
And here is another sample, where we actually did the bind off with an alternate color as well. You can see a little better what it looks like. I put the "v"s on the bind off and the straight lines on the portion that is the stitch pickup.
So basically, this is a way to join two pieces of knitting and is an alternative to the traditional seaming methods. Catherine tries to do all her finishing on the needles, rather than the usual mattress stitch or whatever. The benefits of this method are an extremely secure seam and is also quite pretty. It does take more effort. I find it pretty fun and well worth it.
Oh, and if you want to knit one of these yourself, but don't want to subscribe to her journal, you can order a kit from her. (click on price list) The merino kit is $45 and includes all the yarn you need, plus the instructions. In the journal, the instructions are 35 pages, so I assume that the kit would be pretty similar. They include EVERYTHING you need to know to knit this hat, so detailed descriptions of the techniques are in there.
Swatches
I'm a firm believer in bedrest at any sign of illness, so I took to the couch for the last four days, as I've had a terrible sore throat and the usual congestion and grossness of your average winter cold. I've been fortunate, as television watching has been good due to the Australian Open. Yay for tennis.
I eschewed all my current knitting projects, as they just took too much brain power. Instead, I swatched. Not quite the swatching frenzy that Nona has going, but I've got a few.
The plethora of pink was not planned. It was just what I happened to have around. The point of all this swatching was not really because I have any particular project planned and needed to check gauge, although a couple of these are gauge swatches for projects that will happen someday. I actually have been wanting to knit 3-4 swatches with each of my yarns, using different size needles. I did extensive swatching when I choose my base yarns, but that was before I took a class with the brilliant Catherine Lowe.
Last April, I took a four day Couture Knitting workshop with Catherine. I don't think I ever blogged about, but the class was on a particular methodology of knitting that Catherine has essentially come up with herself. Catherine believes that knitted garments, like haute couture fashion, should be as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside, and that the knitted garment retain the original look and feel through years of washing and wearing as it did when first knit. She has come up with many finishing techniques for this lofty goal. But I won't go into that today, as today's subject is all swatching, all the time.
In addition to her finishing techniques, Catherine advocates knitting at a smaller gauge than you actually plan on using for the garment, and then blocking the knitted piece so that, post-blocking, the knitting gauge is the intended. So if you wanted to knit something at a gauge of 6 stitches per inch and 9 rows per inch, you would actually knit at a gauge of 6.1-6.25 stitches per inch and 9.1-9.25 rows per inch, and then block the piece out to a gauge of 6 stitches per inch and 9 rows per inch.
Meticulous and overly perfectionist? Possibly. Her techniques and mindset are certainly not for everyone. But, what appeals to me about this is that why do we spend so much time on knitting something, only to have it stretch out after a few wearings and washings? I'd much prefer to start with a high quality yarn that might cost more, and then put in a few more hours on a project than I might for a more easily executed pattern, if the pay off is that I've got a sweater that will last me 5-10 years rather than a season. And she showed us some sweaters she'd knit and had for years. They looked fabulous and freshly knit.
So I'm on a mission to knit all my yarns on a range of needle sizes and in stockinette, determine my knitting gauge, and then block the swatch out to the blocked gauge, which will be slightly bigger than the knitting gauge. Not the most exciting project, but certainly perfect for my cold-infested brain. And Eddie thinks it is a good time as well.
Third time is a charm
Or at least I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is. This is my third stab at Ene.
Eddie approves. But will the recipient?
Six things knit in 2006!
I'm back from a slightly extended vacation, during which I was banned from the computer. It was absolutely needed and I'm starting to get back into the swing of things. I hope everyone is enjoying the new year!
I've been a bit sad about how little knitting I got done in 2006. It is understandable, but it still makes me sad. I actually did manage to finish up three projects before the new year, but two of them still need the ends woven in and blocking and all that, so I'm not counting them. But, the final finished project? My younger brother's socks he requested for Christmas.
Those puppies have a foot length of 11.5 inches. They are freakin' hysterical looking. I only had 2 skeins of this yarn, as I'd sold the rest, and I was concerned I would run out, so I kept the leg on the short side.
I didn't actually finish them in time for Christmas, but I think they were done the day after. He is thrilled with them and calls them the nicest socks he's ever had. Aaaw! Love him.
The pattern is my own. I plan to write it up for Sundara Yarn, although it needs to be adjusted for multiple sizes and test knit, so it will be a while. The pattern is quite simple, just little cables. I could have done right/left twisted stitches and gotten the same thing, but I thought it looked neater when cabled. I also finally decided to get off my ass and learn to cable without a cable needle. Thank you Miss Grumperina. It made it a much easier pattern to knit.
pattern: my own
yarn: 2 skeins Sundara Yarn sport merino in "Rust over Green" somewhat solid colorway
needles: Addi Turbos, US 3/3.25mm
Socks given and socks received
Thank you to everyone for all your kindness after my post about the storm. It means so much! Things are getting back to normal and I'm catching up. My loved ones are safe and sound and all our homes are intact, so I consider myself very lucky.
I have been extremely delinquent in showing off the awesome socks that Kris sent me. I got them weeks ago.
She knit them out of Baby Cashmerino and they are soft and cuddly and warm. Everything you'd want in a sock. And they are one of my favorite color reds. I've always oogled this red baby cashmerino in yarn stores, but had yet to get any. And now I can wear it whenever I need a pick-up.
These socks were flawless. Kris is uber-knitter extraordinaire. The stitches are amazingly even and there is not one error in the pattern that I can find. They were so perfect, that when I got them, I was so ashamed of the socks I had started for her, that I set them aside and started something new that would be up to her inspection. She's finally received them, so I can show them now.
They yarn is my sport merino, in a somewhat solid that I dyed up just for Kris. I also did the pattern myself, with the plan to write it up in three sizes so it will fit men and women. It's an easy cable pattern to remember and the cables have been approved by my boyfriend as manly enough for men. Heh.
I was quite pleased with the heel. This is my second attempt at this sort of heel, and I am getting the hang of it.
I'll get this pattern written up for multiple sizes and send it to my trusty test knitters early next year.
Grab a foot and win some yarn
My baby brother, who is now 20 and probably 6'3" or more, has requested handknit socks out of my yarn for Christmas. I'm the oldest of five kids and we draw names, so he is the only sibling I'll be gifting. I can't not honor this request. Actually, I'm a sucker for all my brothers and sisters and would knit them anything if they asked. Fortunately, none of them read this blog, so I'll keep that a secret.
I'm also fortunate that this brother has "small" feet. My other brother is 6'7" and has mammoth feet. Wide and long and a knitter's nightmare. I'd totally knit him socks though.
Anyway, point of my rambling, is that I've got the yarn dyed and the pattern planned and I figure I'll write this up for a Sundara Yarn pattern. I've done some measuring of the men's feet in my life, and I've got an idea of the sizing, but I'm curious what the range of men's foot sizes are. So! Grab your tape measure and a guy's foot and go measure for me. Leave me a comment with these three measurements:
circumference around the widest part of the foot
total length
actual shoe size
And, to reward you for your troubles, I'll leave comments open on this post until Friday (December 1) and put all the commenters in a hat and draw a few names. Winners will receive 2 skeins of Sundara Yarn Sport Merino. So you too can knit socks for the man in your life.
