slouchy cardigan

Slouchy Cardigan
Source: Greetings from Knit Cafe
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight 100% Alpaca color #30, 10 skeins
US size 7(4.5 mm) needle

I modified this one by omitting the hood and adding a collar. I didn't exactly plan to do this, though I had it in mind that I might not wear a hood and then decided not to change the pattern since I liked it a lot as is. Wishy washy moment.
Then during the knitting I made an error with my math as I had to rework the numbers to fit my gauge, and ended with front pieces too narrow to wear. Hmmm, the subconscious once again steps in for me and makes up my mind.



A collar had to be made now so that the sweater would stay on. I picked up stitches and worked a stockinet, reverse stockinet collar with short row shaping and kind of just winged it. The general rule for picking up stitches is approx 3 sts for every 4 rows or some ratio there about. The buttonholes are worked on a diagonal to accommodate my bust and I put in four buttonholes but after trying it on two seemed sufficient. I had already ripped and knit the collar a few times to get the shaping and bind off right so the unused button holes are there for good and don't show up too badly.

After binding off the collar twice and hating how the chain bind off looked I worked a sewn bind off. That's the first time I've felt the need to use a sewn bind off and it did take quite a while to complete but it's the perfect edge for this particular yarn and collar because it doesn't draw attention to itself and folds quietly not competing with the stitch texture.

Since my gauge was off from the pattern gauge and I didn't feel like thinking too hard I decided to work set in sleeves in the round, top down with short row shaping. Also, I wasn't exactly sure how long to make the sleeves and this way it would be very easy to adjust the length. I'm trying to remember where I learned how to do this...(quick trip to the bookshelf) Sweater Design in Plain English by Maggie Righetti.


I found these buttons in a little shop where they were inside a box hidden in a drawer and they've been sitting in my stash for a few years. They're quite heavy but I love the warmth of all that shell, luckily they're not too heavy for the alpaca.

Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight alpaca is a DREAM to work with. Before blocking the stockinet stitch had a kind of crunchy look, after blocking the stitches even out and the drape is wonderful. The color is most like the top photo but I think this shade might be discontinued. Anyway, all their colors are gorgeous.
On a side note, yarn ends were joined by splicing as needed. I recommend doing this when possible, especially with this kind of knit where weaving ends mid row shows through to the public side.

sock talk

Tuesday night after a feverish knitting spree I grafted the 28 toe stitches and studied my work. Hmmm, the foot looked very small. I'm making these for a friend with small feet (US size 6 1/2 shoe), but the length from heel to toe was around 7 3/4". For myself, socks fit well at about 9 1/2" in length, I wear a US size 8 1/2 shoe.
I took out the graft, undid the short rows and knit another 3/4", then worked the toe (heel and toe measure 1 3/4” each). The sock now measures 8 3/4" and is too small and narrow on me but I'm guessing it will work for the recipient. I think another reason why the sock seemed child sized is because it only has 56 sts at a gauge of 8.3 sts per inch. So, it's narrow too.


I guess my point is: how do you like your socks to fit? Snug or not?
I prefer a negative ease all around otherwise when I wear closed shoes the sock heel gets pulled up.

Also, for knee socks do you sew in elastic at the top?

Okay, other thoughts: about stripes in this yarn (Lorna Laces Shepherd Sock)...on this particular sock with leg shaping and a change in needle size for the foot you get a wide variety of stripes. The top of the leg has 64 sts US size 2 needle, stripes look good if a little narrow, after the shaping down to 56 sts I like the stripes less, until the foot part and then I think the stripes work really well, especially at the heel and toes. These are random observations on striping. You're never too sure what you're going to get.

Here’s a finished sock from last year knit from Koigu. I’ve only hand washed them, but have worn them a lot. They’re holding up pretty well. I used the bluebell rib stitch from Sensational Knitted Socks and worked a picot hem.

SPC

Pomegranate plucked from a friend's tree a couple of days ago. As soon as I cut it open and saw the garnet seeds my appetite awakened. I love the taste of sweet juice with a bitter core. And, the thought of people enjoying this food for centuries, just as it is off the tree, inspires. Is there any food more beautiful than a pomegranate?

more self portraits here

some knitting love

I got a new book, just because it is pretty but also because it has good information; though the sock I'm knitting isn't from the book, it's a reworking of the greenish knee socks. The yarn is Lorna Laces in Bee Stripe #202 colorway but don't you want to call it Absolutely Halloweeney?



Finally, finished the Pimlico Shrug and have barely taken it off since Saturday night. Wow, I really like this so much more than I thought I would. It's hard to tell what the heck it looks like with this self-portrait-with-arm-extended shot but for some reason I can't get my act together to figure out the self timer. I modified the pattern a bit by shortening the main body to 28" (from 34) and working 3/4" less of collar ribbing. These changes were made because I didn't have enough yarn, but I think it's fine not being any bigger. I substituted the yarn in the pattern for Rio de La Plata Yarn in the cigar colorway and used almost 7 full skeins. I only have a teeny little bit left. The yarn is super soft. It feels very cozy against the skin which makes up for the fact that I was getting cranky knitting with heavy wool. It's my wrists, they're very tempermental!



I thought the weather would NEVER get cool enough to wear all this wool but it did and I'm enjoying the sweater weather because it feels like knitting weather and that makes me Happy!

Holiday knitting

I have two scarf patterns in the Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2007 issue. Candy Stripes Kerchief is made up with luscious angora in fun stripes and the

Huckleberry Ascot is worked in Blue Sky Alpacas melange.



There are a lot of great designs in this issue. I'm going to try to find the time to knit the hat on the cover (December Lights Tam) by Mary Jane Mucklestone. Ages ago I bought yarn for a stranded tam but I still haven't done anything about it. Maybe now's the time.

And, thank you everyone for all the warm congratulations on my book!

Edited to add: Both patterns, The Huckleberry Ascot and the Candy Stripes Kerchief are available for purchase at the Knitting Daily online shop.

my book!

Last week my advance copy of Boho Baby Knits arrived at my doorstep in a beat up box. I was so nervous to look inside. But was thrilled to find what I did. A beautiful, real book.


Here are some peeks at the back cover and inside.


A good friend of mine said when she saw the Woodland Fairy Wings, "classic Coyle"; she's familiar with my love of lace and mohair.


These darling knee socks were designed by Julia Trice. There's also a baby footie version.


Mimi and Bobbi, my beatnik dolls enjoying a day at the cafe.

Of course, there's much more! The other designers that contributed designs are Edna Hart, Mary-Heather Cogar, Beth Abaravich, Marnie MacLean and Julia Trice.

stranded

Pattern: Socks from Ivo from Andean Folk Knits.

After I finished the Fancy Silk Socks I thought for sure I was done with socks. I loved them but was tired of tiny stitches going around and around. So, I picked up an old project I had started before the summer heat made it difficult to have a heap of wool in my lap. And after a few days of feverish knitting I realized that I wasn't on deadline and I didn't need to finish a shrug for myself in less than a week. Suddenly, socks seemed like a relief.
I found that I was feeling angry and resentful towards the thick yarn (heavy work hurts my wrists) -so I went back to socks.
All these emotions about knitting and projects. It's funny. I find myself drawn to projects and I try to follow my whims since one thing leads to another and sometimes a brain storming session of new ideas will strike as I knit on something mindless.


The main yarn is Lang Jawoll and the contrast yarn is Paca-Peds. I love how the stranded knitting with a monochromatic variegate yarn looks. I really really like these socks! This pair is for a friend who has a birthday coming soon. But, I'm pretty sure I'll be making another pair in different colors soon.
Has anyone used the yarn Paca-Peds-from the Alpaca Yarn Company? I tried looking for finished socks but didn't see any out there (except for the ones on the yarn companys site).

gifts

While on vacation we stayed with my aunts who lavished us with love, food and gifts. I love my new blouse with Mexican embroidery insert and trimmed with navy rickrack. My great grandmother made blouses like this to sell back in the day, way back.

I mentioned to my aunt that I had been making dolls. She told me that my great great grandmother used to sew cloth dolls and sell them door-to-door. I never met her but I did know my great grandmother and remember working on a doll with her. I feel really lucky to have had that experience and that I can still recall the magic of making something with her.


My aunt happily offered me a beautiful assortment of buttons and beads to use as decoration for dolls.


Felix came home with presents too. But, here’s something he picked up on his own: a polka dot tan on his feet.

vacation days

We planned on a two day vacation but stayed five. It was wonderful. I forgot my camera, and didn't pack the laptop. My friend took these snaps for me. We went swimming,


ate junkfood and lounged by the sea.


Went for walks, did some sightseeing, forgot about cartoons, and knitting;


went to sleep by nine o'clock and spent most of everyday out doors in the fresh air.

We were gone long enough to get home sick. I'll upload some photos later of some goodies I got from my aunt.

friday

I spent a scattered week hobbling together my projects, slowly; one sock (Fancy Silk Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks) managed to get finished. It’s a sweet old-fashioned lace sock. Or, what I imagine old-fashioned socks to have been like.


My head is elsewhere, looking forward to the weekend and our get away to the beach.


Another sock may get knit in the next two days, or not!

projects

Usually, after I finish a deadline I feel tired. This time was no different. I have things I really need to work on but instead I took this week to start three new projects. Does anyone else ever feel actual fear when they think about what they're SUPPOSED to be doing? When anxiety strikes, I get knitting!
What better way to relax than slip into the imaginings that come with making a child's toy? I couldn't resist knitting the unicorn from Dream Toys by Claire Garland. We have a little friend who I think will LOVE it. I'm thinking ahead here for Christmas presents.


From one of my favorite sock books Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush, I cast on for the Fancy Silk Sock. These too will be a gift, but for an October birthday. I'm working with Trekking pro natura yarn; really like the color a lot (#1605), but the yarn doesn't feel soft I hope it's not too itchy for my friend. Maybe it will soften up after a wash.


And finally, I started to design a lace shawl in a triangle shape. The yarn feels like a wool rayon blend. It's from a large cone I bought years ago and I can't remember what it is. I'm excited about this one; I just love knitting lace so much. My first knitting love is lace.

self portrait challenge

I've only participated once before in SPC. I don't remember what the theme was but I took a photo of myself in my bathroom. Weirdly, I was in the mood to do another SPC and when I checked on the theme it was: bathroom.
The bathroom has been a place of a few battles lately; since I've been trying to potty train my kid. His new argument against using the potty is "I'm Scared OF the MONSTERS".
It took me a long time to get used to this mural. It's been two and a half years now and I can honestly say it's growing on me. And the bathtub is fantastic. Maybe, I'll take a portrait there next week.
For more self portraits go here.

dolly

Yesterday, I made another doll. Felix asked me, "what's her name mommy?" I told him to come up with one and the first thing he said was Freddy. But, he changed his mind to Dimples. In the evening when we sat down for a marathon imaginary tea party and (imaginary) video game session with the dolls he decided on Dolly. Dolly it is.

Her little dress is made of two hand knit rectangles with a centered cable. Dolls don't have shoulders so I just ran a drawstring around the top ribbing to shape it. The hem is a crocheted shell edging. I was thinking about embellishing her some more with big heart hair ornaments and some beaded necklaces but Felix was opposed to the hearts. He grabbed the heart out of my hands and tried to rip it in half. Boys!

The best part of making these little dolls is when Felix plays with them. He wants me to talk to him through the dolls. He says "talk to the dolls mommy" which means make the dolls talk to me. I love that. Before I had Felix I didn't spend a lot of time around kids so I forgot what goes on during play time.

pirate kitty

My days this week are spent playing with Felix, running errands and making a new toy, Pirate kitty for our little friend who has a birthday this coming Saturday with a pirate theme.
Nights are spent working furiously towards my fast approaching deadline for Interweave Knits next spring issue. I don't like knitting on work projects with Felix around because I tend to make a lot of mistakes that have to be ripped out. So, I've been knitting from 9 pm until 3 or 4 in the morning. After one in the morning I usually get a second wind, and as long as I don't have to think too hard I can knit without falling asleep in my chair. The pattern writing part has to happen much earlier in the night.


Pirate kitty without her hat and eye patch, you can see her earring made from an I-cord in two shades of gold crochet cotton.
Felix and I looked at Jack Sparrow’s costume for some sash and jewelry inspiration. Her eyes and nose are from my vintage button collection.


Pirate kitty with her hat and eye patch, Johnny pitched in and built the hat with felt fused to a plastic form. He painted the skull and crossbones.
While digging through my drawers looking for scraps to use for the costume I realized that I have A LOT of knit swatches that will make fantastic doll clothes. I’m excited about making more dolls and dressing them up in knitted skirts. Most of my finished skirts have swatches that are miniature versions of their grown up selves.

shapes

My concentration is not very focused these days. I think the Internet has my brain hungry for more and more instant images and I'm feeling mentally restless and lazy at the same time. Or at least that's the excuse I'm using today. Felix and I stepped outside the house for a short walk and I noticed that the cactus garden is in bloom. Usually, I don't pay attention to this area because of the harsh sun and the wasps. But, today I took notice and the view captured my attention.
The organic action of blossoms on spiny dry cactus against the curvilinear rusted security bars is our version of Arts and Crafts. Not as refined or lush but not without its charm.


Outside on the sidewalk I took a second look at what I usually regard as ugly, the fence, and another welcome security feature. Maybe the rose offset its ugliness but for a second I saw the diamonds of the fence and thought how much I love diamond patterns in lace knitting.


The diagonal movements of the yarn overs and decreases never cease to amuse me while I'm knitting.

book crush

Knitprovisation by Cilla Ramnek
I'm crazy in love with this book I picked up Monday at a local bookstore. Felix and I were wandering around town looking for air-conditioned rooms trying to pass the day as cool as possible. Anyway, I found this gem and it's the kind of book that feels like home. The mixing of old and new in creative ways is how I naturally work and maybe I’m missing that freedom of improvisation right now as I am writing patterns.

scarf hat

The Nomad Hat in its original form:


Cooked up in 2003...I think. The yarn is Mondial Prestigio, (lace weight mohair) and the stripe on the hat is an old dk Rowan wool.
And, the swatch I sent in to IK.


The swatch looks so dreary today. I must have been going through a grey phase. I do like grey a lot. The swatch yarn is Knit One Crochet Too Douceur et Soie and the stripe is Classic Elite Inca Marl.

nomad hat

The new Interweave Knits is available, and it's a good fall issue filled with lots of interesting sweaters. I really want to make the Tangled Yoke cardigan. I'm pleased to be a part of the issue. My scarf hat pattern renamed more poetically Nomad Hat is featured in the Minimalist Knits section.


Just for fun, I thought I'd show you the sketch for the design submission. Occassionally, I get asked about what goes into a submission. I'm not sure if this is the right way to do it, but so far it's been working out. This particular design changed a bit from the original idea because the weight of yarn went from dk to bulky and from two colored stripes to one color textural stripes. I think the garter/stockinet stripes on the hat look great (oops if I do say so myself). Blogging is funny that way, I find myself feeling like such a show-off.

busy hands

Keeping my hands busy in this summer heat.
Last week I sent off a design for Classic Elite and I'm waiting for yarn for a project for Interweave Knits. That's my business report: in between projects for spring 2008.


Here is a finished pair of socks for a friend's birthday.
It is so hot outside I decided to hold the socks in my hands, for fear my feet might melt if I modeled them. The yarn is pretty cool though, it's Tofutsies from SWTC. And the pattern is obviously just a basic one; cast on 60 sts on US size 1 needles. Okay by me to keep it simple, it's knitting to pass the nervous moments away and bad moods too. I wait for everyone to sleep at night then I make small paintings as a way to climb out of the ordinary.


It works for me.

pink kitty

Here is another version of Cat from Sock and Glove by Miyako Kanamori; this one went to a friend who just had her fourth birthday princess party. I had so much fun embellishing the kitty with vintage buttons and ribbon and of course sewing the pants with a hole cut out for the tail was just too cute. I love how different boots kitty and pink kitty are even though they came from the same pattern.