Finished Project!

I finished my stealth project this evening, a submission for the Handwoven contest, 'Not Just for Socks'. As usual, I was at the 11th hour working on it to get it done in time... last night I completed the weaving, late afternoon today I finished twisting the fringe and then washing, drying... nearly... (if truth be told, it's still slightly damp, but it was dry enough to do the photos). It took me nearly an hour to submit it through the contest form because the pics from my camera created files too big for their requirements. Geez I wish there were some standard sizes that people wanted that would make that part easier... what a time sucker to resize images, test, upload, find they are not right, repeat ad nauseum...

Anyway, here is a brief glimpse of my Antigua Bay Shawl... all out of sock yarns. Even if it's not accepted as an entry, I love, love, love this shawl. The drape is luscious! I can really see this a a wonderful wearable.

Now back to working on my shell, my hoodie, my socks, my 2nd bobbin of SOAR fiber spinning, my remaining 3/4lb of other SOAR fiber I'm spinning, my mittens... there are more. If I think about them all, I won't be able to work on anything!!

Mum's the Word

Well, no surprise to you, I've been quieter than usual lately. That's because I have a couple stealth projects I'm working on, both to deadlines. But tomorrow, I should have my weaving project done and, on Monday, I'll have the March Colorway of the Month ready for unveiling. The weaving is one of the nicest I've done, unless I mess it up at the final hour, and I'm really happy with the colorway for the month and just chompin on the bit to share... but that wouldn't be fair.

More on Monday!

Intuitive Knitters Make Lousy Pattern Writers

Ok, talk about a wild generalization, I admit it... But here's why I say this.

Intuitive knitters design wonderful pieces based on their experience and what they feel in the moment. They 'go with the flow' and modify existing designs or create new ones on the fly. If they look at their sweater, or cap, or scarf and think, 'gee, this really needs a color change, or a cable, or ___________", they just do it. They tell themselves that they'll write it down later (if they remember) because they don't want to break the wonderful rhythm and creative flow they are feeling. Why do I know this? I am one of those, by nature. Before I opened the shop, this is how I worked most all of the time.

Fast forward to today, when I follow patterns to the letter in order to be able to teach others and share important tidbits to make the designs successfully. I find that I understand more and more the challenge that newer knitters or knitters that prefer explicit directions have with so many patterns. Example: A few months ago, I started a cute little cardi by one of our vendors. I got about 2/3 done with it when I noticed that the lace charts did not reflect the armhole decreases and the pattern just said, "Continue in pattern." This required some rather unintuitive counting backwards to figure out what the first stitch of each row needed to be and where it was on the chart. I called the designer, who told me in no uncertain terms, that she is an intuitive knitter, writes the pattern after the design is done and assumes that others will just be able to figure out what she is intending because it's all "pretty obvious based on the pattern". I consider myself to be pretty darn good at recognizing patterns, but dang, this just seemed harder than it needed to be. She was very nice about it... that's just what she believes is the approach to design she chooses to embrace. I ripped out the cardi and made something else with the yarn. Why? because, while I knew I could figure it out for myself, I no longer knit just for myself and could not reasonably pass this confusion on to others.

I had nearly forgotten about that episode until today, when I began the decreases for my very lovely Mini Mochi Fair Isle Hat. It has a really simple 8 stitch, 6 row diamond fair isle pattern that is repeated throughout. When the decrease rows began for the crown, I was expecting some clear directions about how to maintain pattern while working on fewer stitches. But there it was... "maintaining diamond pattern, do thus and such decreases!" Ok, I admit that I thought, no problem, I'll just count and figure it out. After a row or so, I realized that I had no idea what the designer had in mind regarding maintaining the diamond pattern. I mean, it was morphing down to nothing with each row, so what part of the pattern did she want me to maintain?  Then it dawned on me... ahh, yes, another intuitive knitter who made the hat, then wrote the pattern!

I decided to proceed without the diamond fair isle pattern. How bad could it be? And the hat turned out just fine!

Here it is in it's unblocked state. Tomorrow, I'll block it, which will only make it nicer.

So, lesson learned? When you find directions that suggest that you just continue on 'in pattern' while making numerous alterations and expect that you figure it out, assume it is not you that is lacking. Think that you may have encountered an intuitive knitter that has written a pattern from an already-produced design. Don't give up, don't give yourself 30 lashes and throw it in the wip basket.  It can be worked through or modified so that you will love it and it will be just your own! It's just that the pattern doesn't have the roadmap to get that done.

Note to self... make sure all of my written patterns give step-by-step directions...

What to Do with Odd Lots

Today, I spent a bit of time talking to Dawn and Judy about what to make out of Judy's special beaded stash yarn. It is a gorgeous multi-stranded luxury yarn that just begs to be wrapped around the neck over a black simple top, but there was not enough for a scarf or shawlette, or so they thought.  What to do, oh what to do...

Beware, when you ask me for ideas, you will get at least one, and today was no exception. In fact, I was pretty proud of myself because not only did I have an idea but I had a pattern ready and waiting. It was the Marvelous Mobius Scarf.

Believe me, if you have never tried one of these, you need to. They are truly a marvel. Why? because, apart from the novelty of making a scarf that is circular (with a twist) and lays perfectly flat and never goes flying off your body because of wind or other mishap, you can use up all those lovely odd ends of handspun or handpainted yarns to their best effect.

Case in point, here is the one I made today to demonstrate the process and overall coolness of this technique... (did I also mention that they are fast, fast, fast to do?)

Look at how the colors shift due to it's being worked from the center out. I would venture to say that there is really no other knitting technique that will give this kind of look. Wish you could see a closeup of the stitch, too, as I was able to build in a chevron pattern that is really attractive. All in all, this took maybe 100 yds on a size 4, 26" circular needle. A perfect way to show off small amounts of special yarns, no?

Coco says, "Oh my... that looks good enough to eat! kissy, kissy!"

Fair Isle... why do I love thee?

Have you noticed how many magazine and book patterns are done using stranded colorwork or intarsia these days? So, it did not surprise me when, a couple or so weeks ago, the Wednesday morning intarsia class said they wanted to learn more colorwork techniques, as in fair isle. And being one who is ever ready with ideas that I never have time to execute, I thought this might be just the opportunity to make a fair isle hat using a Crystal Palace pattern I had seen out of mini mochi. So we set the class date for this coming Tuesday and I made a note that I better get on it...

Today, I realized that the clock was ticking and I better get a head start on this to make sure I was at the top of my game with all the techniques. As luck would have it, this morning we got the first copies of the reprint of Alice Starmore's Fair Isle knitting book, the classic that was used eons ago to make those fabulous ski sweaters and such that were popular back so long ago. But, leafing through it again, it was all fresh and new!

Tonight, I turned on the Olympics on the tely and began the hat. It has a corrugated ribbing, which is a marvel. I had forgotten how much I LOVE this ribbing. It's not the stretchiest, but is it ever beautiful!

Using one ball for the knits, one for the purls, it creates a very impactful edge. In this case, what is even more fun is that the yarn is variegated, so each set of knits and purls unfold the colors in different sequences. What a pleasure!

One of the things that this project has driven home is how wonderful fair isle is when done with finer yarns. The fabrics are soft, supple, drapeable and artwear like. 

This project has reminded me of so many reasons why I love fair isle. Maybe by the time I'm done with it, I will list and count all the ways!

The Best Spinning Gadget Ever

Some of you may know that I'm a gadget girl. A serious gadget girl. I think I have tried nearly every spinning, weaving, knitting tool or gadget out there. So when Sherri came into the shop yesterday talking about her desire to spin a more consistent yarn and asking for help in understanding her new iPhone spinning app, I was excited. What in the world could a spinning app do for you on the phone?

To my surprise, the app is fantastic! It's called iSpinToolkit and has a wraps per inch gauge where you just lay your yarn over the screen and you can size it exactly to determine the wpi, there's a twists per inch gauge, too, and a tool for determining your twist angle exactly, Z or S twist. And there's more that I haven't had time to play with yet, including explanations of how these are all used. What does this mean? You can spin your yarn and recreate it exactly for a large project or just because all with one tool on your phone that you are already always carrying around. Pure genius!! I downloaded it as quickly as I could! You spinners will want to try this out. Now I'm imagining a weaving app that would show you the sett of cloth based on different threads you lay over the screen. Wouldn't that be the greatest?

When the Yarn Knows Your Name

I finished my Weekend Jacket... well, not exactly -- it's not blocked or sewn together. I remind myself of my corp life when I used to admonish my team members who said their software programs were finished when they hadn't been tested or through quality control. I can't call it finished, dang it, until it's really FINISHED, as in ready for prime time wearing.

Still, I can now understand why they wanted to call their work finished... it means you can give yourself permission to move on to start the next shiny, exciting thing that calls us. And for me, it's been a lovely yarn called Cotton Twirl in a color called BBQ Sauce. Ever since it arrived, it's been calling out to me. So, with the jacket project off the needles, and the new project needing just those same needles, I used the lame excuse that it makes more sense to start the new project than put the needles back in their case. I'd only have to take them out again in another day or two for the very same project, so why not just try them out, right?... nothing serious... just a swatch!

Here's my 'swatch' with the needles and the Cotton Twirl...  looks like the start of a shell to me... 10" done just in sitting watching the opening Olympics ceremonies. This one might get done under the radar!!

The yarn is even nicer than I imagined it would be. No splitting, colors are pretty without pooling. I even found myself plotting the making of something else with it as I worked on this, and that's rare for me...

We won't talk about the Central Park Hoodie... we don't want her to get jealous!

Simple Can Be Wonderful!

I love to weave (don't tell spinning...), as I adore the wonder of making cloth - all aspects of it! So you would imagine that I, also, enjoy all those intricate patterns, drafts, treadlings and threadings that make up remarkable fabrics that make us all oh and ah...overshot, crackle, all kinds of lace, doubleweave fabrics and more. And I do, most days.

Still, when I want to calm my heart and soul with the making of cloth, I am drawn, seriously drawn, to simple, simple weaves in beautiful yarns and organic designs. This scarf that I just finished is one of those pieces. Started some weeks ago on a simple rigid heddle loom, then set aside for more pressing projects, I returned to it this week and found that feeling of serenity once again through simplicity. On one end, I wove a two-pick stripe, on the other end, a 4-pick stripe... no symmetry at all, which was part of the beauty and joy of working on this. I love how it turned out!

It's made from the wonderful Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, plain weave, threaded as 'color and weave'. When finished, it's soft, amazingly wrinkle resistent and comfy. For those who have said they want to make one, too, I'm making up kits with the draft and yarn so you can make one just like it, or in a different colorway and striping, following your own organic vision.

Did I say that I seriously love this scarf? (as does every man who has seen and felt it!)

Ishbel is Real!

Some of you had said that you are questioning if the Ishbel shawl is real... because, yes, I started it, and yes, I showed some progress, but then I was nothing but excuses!!

Well, let me unveil the lovely Ishbel, in all her splendor!

I wish you could feel the fabic... it's soft and comfy, a perfect little wrap for a chilly mornng or a day when you need just a little extra.

This is a lovely pattern, too, and one I want to make again (and again!). Ysolda is so very clever with her designs.

I, also, finished a woven shawl in charcoal and brown. Just need to even out the fringe and trim it and then it will be ready for presentation :). This one is a perfect rigid heddle project and I'll be making up kits to keep things simple, with the yarn and the draft all ready to go, so you will be all ready to make one just like it in the colorway of your choice. The Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool makes a yummy, velvety texture that I love.

As you guessed, no progress on the luscious Central Park Hoodie, but I do take it out of the bag every day just to admire and pet her. I know you understand what I'm talking about! She just purrs!!! I'm thinking I won't be working on her until next week, as I'm trying to finish up my boat anchor project, the Weekend Jacket.

You've all had one of these types of projects, right? There is absolutely nothing wrong with it... the yarn is nice, the pattern is nice, there aren't any mistakes in it (that I know of). But, I'm so over the top bored with it. I've finished the fronts, the sleeves and am on the back...that's it! Lots of stitches, just enough of a pattern to be less than mindless... I've so lost my momentum of this one and just have to push my way through to finish it. I won't allow myself to start another sweater until I finish this one, so that is my goal for this week! Nothing else matters!! (nearly...)

Chanel is not buying it... (can you hear her?? whaa, whaa, whaaa)

On Making Promises...

I know better... really I do. I know not to say that I will do something when it's dependent on me having time and all to complete the promised task. So I went and promised a pic of my loverly Ishbel shawl which I had completed. All I needed to do was take a pic of it and upload it. How hard is that?

So I found that my camera battery needed a recharge... no prob.  Then I forgot that I was doing that as I moved on to my next project on my list. Early this morning, I remembered... briefly... only to forget to grab the charged battery on my way to the shop where the shawl is. 

I've spent the afternoon repeating... "don't forget the battery, don't forget the battery". I got home and got the battery and inserted it into camera first thing. Yay!! Only to remember that the shawl is, YES, at the shop!

I'm not promising anything, but tomorrow I am intending to have the shawl and the camera in the same place, taking a pic of the shawl's lovliness, and posting here. Week's karma is going to get back into a very good place... I can just feel it!!

Meanwhile, I finished weaving one of my WIP's, a shawl made from Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool. Tomorrow morning, it gets finished in the washer/dryer and it may make it to the photo shoot, too.

No promises, though...

On a Roll!

I finished the Ishmel shawl this evening... one more WIP from my rather long list completed.

That sounds like I'm not really enjoying myself, and that is so far from the truth. This shawl is a particularly lovely knit. The pattern has some interesting design elements, like an ingenious 3-stitch edge that makes a perfectly finished neck line, and a new (to me) bind off done on the reverse side that is flexible and stretchy, yet looks properly finished. Overall, this is fairly easy and I'd like to do another in 2-ply yarn. This was done from my handspun singles, and it gives a rustic look, that I really like, but it will be fun to see how it comes out in a smoother, more evenly spun and dyed yarn.

Normally, finishing one project would mean I could give myself permission to start another, but I allowed my WIP's to get just a BIT out of control! Right now, my WIP's include 2 weaving projects, 2 spinning projects, 1 knitted bag, 2 knitted sweaters, 2 pairs of socks. Hmmm, that actually doesn't sound so bad when I list it out! But it feels a little schizo when I get home after a hectic day to work on my calming activities and try to decide what to work on next. So I'll be working down my queue for the next few days and then will launch my next round of projects I've been planning. Maybe that's why I'm so anxious to finish up the already started ones... I'm just chomping on the bit to start the new ones!

Pics tomorrow... (camera ran out of battery... isn't that the way? :).

I so love to spin!

I've had a bit of a stressful week... I'm totally bogged down with accounting and tracking down an error that is more than a year old that has things out of balance. And being a libra, it drives me crazy to have my life out of balance! Add to that the fact that I have wayyy too many wip's going on at a time, I was needing to finish something BADLY!

So, imagine my glee when I got some more fiber in the mail this past week. It was some of Spunky Eclectics Pomegranite dyed on a brown shetland. And that's all I could think of doing in the little bit of time I had on Friday evening. I was too tired to deal with numbers, too bored to work on my knit jacket, too anxious to work the chart of my Ishmel... but never too tired, bored, anxious, lazy, crazy to spin. It calms me... it makes everything right with the world... it is my yoga!

I spent maybe 4 hours spinning and plying this into the lovely 2-ply, 352 yds of sportweight yarn. It wasn't a dream spin. I found I had to stop and start often to remove felted wads, lots of guard hairs and some vm. It probably took me 1/3 longer than it would have without all that gunk in there. But the colors are lovely and it was fun to watch as the spots of color became more. Here is the final product, which will probably become a manly man's scarf.

Also, I spent this past week testing colors and finalizing the February Colorway of the Month. Here it is, "First Sunburst". The initial inspiration came from the theme "Grace" and lots of input from you all. I really love the way the yellow/gold/reds pop out of the darker base, like when the sun is just bursting through the darkness on the horizon on a cloudy morning.

I kept admiring it today and came home to test drive some of this to show you all how it makes up... (not that I was wanting any of it for myself, you understand!).
Here are two samples... the bottom one was spun long draw and then 2 plied from a center-pull ball, to a very light, airy worsted yarn. I knit up the sample on size 9 needles. The top one was spun as a fine lace-weight using a forward worsted draw, and then navaho plied to keep the colors clear. That was knit on size 5 needles for a light shawl/scarf or cardi. Both are soft and nicely drapey.

See how dramatic the sunrise sections are against the darker contrast? I love that!

Tomorrow, I'm back at finishing the projects, I hope, as my goal is to get my accounting back to good and have my stress level return to my normal zen level!