« July 2007 | Main | September 2007 »
August 30, 2007
Details
My joy in life is details.
The Bag is knit circularly, and the colors alternate every two rounds - two yellow, two green, two yellow, and so on. Because many of the stitches are slipped, the fabric compacts in both the vertical and horizontal directions. I'm certain that carrying the yarns without twisting would not result in noticeable holes. However, I've chosen to twist ;). The neat barber pole created at the start of the round makes me oh-so happy!
The focus of the Focus on Fringe scarf is, naturally, fringe. The extensive mane is formed along the long side of the scarf: the yarn is cut every two rows, and the tails are knotted together. This easily lends itself to various striping whimsies. At the moment, I'm tying every two tails into a knot, close to the edge of the scarf. I may make a second row of knots about 1" away from the edge (just as the pattern suggests) before trimming the fringe.
You've seen this blanket countless times on my blog - I frequently use it as a backdrop in my photographs. Its color is pretty neutral, so it doesn't distort the colors of my projects too much.
What you don't know is that it is the softest, cuddliest, most wonderful blanket ever - 43 bucks, 50% cotton, 50% bamboo, 100% the type of blanket you give to a baby (okay, triplets - it's a big blankie!) and it's still a treasured possession 18 years later.
But it's starting to pill, and while I don't mind continuing to sleep under it, it's becoming less and less attractive when used as a backdrop for my knitting photos. So sad. Harumph!
Posted by Kathy at 04:43 PM | Comments (20)August 28, 2007
Happily onward!
Coming clean liberated me, allowed me to breathe, made me feel fantastic! And if that wasn't enough, your comments assured me that I'm not alone! You perfectly encapsulated some of my thoughts, I couldn't have said it better myself.
Allyson's advice had the most impact: there's no reason to slip into the "I'm beyond scarves" mentality. I think buying into this notion has been weighing me down for a good year or two. No more! Knitting sweaters, even if they come out ooh-worthy, doesn't put me (or anyone else!) on a higher pedestal. Why should it?!? I'm not beyond scarves, and I'm proud!
Of course any good idea deserves a button, right?
Feel free to steal this button, but not my bandwidth! :)
Veni, vidi, vici, and now back to our regularly-scheduled scarf and sock knitting!
Ingrid's scarf: growing!
The Bag: growing!
Meida's socks: two attempts to be frogged. I'll need to tweak the sizing a bit if they are to fit my grandma's feet. Or perhaps I'll just knit a different pattern.
Closing thought: Knitting sweaters can be interesting, educational, and even amusing. And I know you like watching me do it (e.g., comments here, here, here, and so on). I only hope my abstinence from this activity doesn't cause you to seek your daily grumpy dose elsewhere ;). No sweater knitting does NOT mean no grumpiness. Rarrr!
Posted by Kathy at 09:06 PM | Comments (49)August 27, 2007
A "complete" knitter
Hey, that looks familiar!
Formerly known as "the Egyptian dress," it's Cleopatra from Annie Modesitt's new book, Romantic Hand Knits
The other patterns in the book are equally inspiring. If you'd like to see some photos and read a review or two, visit Claudia, Colleen, Christie, or all three!
All I'd like to add is that the stylist, Karen Schaupeter, did an amazing job. Every outfit is stylish and insightful, perfectly showcasing the handknit item without looking haphazard. You know the gorgeous Show-Off Ruffle Skirt in Lace Style
Although many of the projects in this book are drop dead gorgeous, I don't think I'll be knitting any of them. In fact, going through this book caused a little lump to form in my throat. Lately this lump has been forming any time I leaf through a pattern book focusing on women's wear, and I think it's time I process my feelings and come clean to my friends.
I don't think I'm a sweater knitter.
At first, several years ago, I knit (women's) sweaters to see if I could do it. Could I make a sweater which fit decently? Could I make the sleeve cap fit into the armhole? Could I accommodate small shoulders, big biceps, a curvy figure, and so on? What could I learn about finishing or estimating yardage?
Once I knit a few sweaters and started to formulate answers to some of these questions, my focus shifted to the actual process of knitting. The actual handling of the yarn, the feel of the knit fabric, the soothing stitches, the casting on, the slickness of the needles, the smoothness (or furriness) of the yarn... Process knitters like me know exactly what I'm talking about.
And if I'm knitting for the process alone (and I am), I'd rather knit something other than a sweater. I enjoy knitting accessories like a gazillion times more than I enjoy knitting sweaters. Shawls, hats, bags, socks, scarves, mittens, even baby things - I'm still entertained by them. Each one is a chance to try out something new, but on a much smaller scale than a sweater. Process knitter satisfied? Check!
My love for the art form of "sweater knitting" is dwindling and disappearing. Patterns for lace stoles, baby blankets, and mittens are overtaking the space once bursting at the seams with sweater patterns. And the mere act of looking at sweater patterns makes me feel unsettled, causing the disturbing lump in my throat. "I admire you, but I don't want to knit you, or the likes of you."
You know what's really weird? Somehow I feel like I'm not a "complete" knitter unless I'm cranking out sweaters. Do you ever feel that?
I must say I am relieved right now. I feel that by revealing my true feelings to you, I now have permission to never knit another women's sweater again. So liberating.
Posted by Kathy at 10:16 PM | Comments (123)August 22, 2007
Elegant scarf
Thanks for encouraging and supporting my newest project! I think the Focus on Fringe scarf will be simple, elegant, and meaningful. What more could I possibly want?!?
The traveling ribbing is a great alternative to the typical arrangement, and gives the scarf a really nice texture without drawing in the fabric too much.
Because I have two pink skeins and only one burgundy, I'm alternating the stripes accordingly - two pink, one burgundy. The extensive fringe is definitely not a yarn-saving design element, and I definitely do not have an abundance of this yarn, but somehow it feels exactly right. Watch me eat my words when I end up with a 40" scarf, haha! (I hope not)
As promised, here are some of my favorite projects from The Elegant Knitter
Posted by Kathy at 12:47 PM | Comments (26)
August 20, 2007
Thank you, Ingrid.
While this blog is typically "all business," I'm going to get sentimental and sappy for a second in order to introduce my newest project.
Two thousand four was in many ways the worst year of my life. Lab work and teaching were stressful and time-consuming, being out of classes strained my friendships with my classmates, and I was in a rollercoaster relationship from hell. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I cried myself to sleep every single day of that year. I was lonely, sad, moving through my life in a daze.
During the summer I taught myself to knit - the circumstances of that glorious event are documented here. I wish I could say that knitting fixed all my problems, but fairy tale endings occur very infrequently in real life. While life marched on, knitting provided me with a nice distraction in my spare time. Instead of being consumed with panic, I would flip through pattern books and troll various knitting boards.
And thus, I made my first set of internet knitting contacts - a handful of wonderful ladies on the about.com knitting forum. They held my hand as I learned the most basic techniques: (I was "surprisegirl" on the forum)
We were all beginners once, right? ;)
In October, one of the ladies invited me to the Wool Arts Tour in New Hampshire. I was thrilled to pieces! Just a few days before going I had my heart broken, chewed up, and spit out, so a trip out to the country was just what the doctor ordered. I was beyond excited.
Knowing that we'd be visiting small farms, I came with cold hard cash in hand. Two hundred dollars, to be exact. Oh yeah, I was going to be the big spender that Monday. I had been knitting for a whole two months, and I was ready! But of course once I was actually faced with wooly goods, I was completely lost. While my hostess knowingly combed through fiber, yarns, shawl pins, and spindles, all I could do is grin at the angora bunnies.
The day was coming to a close, and I had purchased nothing. At the very last farm we visited, I spotted a basket of hand-dyed yarns - small hanks in many juicy colors. I dragged the basket out into the dwindling sunlight, and with the help of my hostess, selected 3 skeins - two pink, and one burgundy. Total purchase price: $11.90.
I know this because three years later, I still have the receipt. And I still have the receipt because I'm a sentimental fool, because that day was so incredibly meaningful to me. Because that day defined me in some way, inspired me to keep going, propelled me to seek balance once again.
If I have such attachment to the receipt, you can just imagine the meaning I ascribe to the yarn. It's just some wool, yet for three years no project has been good enough. This one won't show the variegation, and this one requires way more yarn than I have, and this one is better suited to cotton... In addition, I really wanted the project to be simple, in accord with my knitting experience (or lack thereof) when I bought it.
Finally, something caught my eye, and I decided to break out the only yarn in my stash that is truly irreplaceable:
by Gina MacrisThe Focus on Fringe scarf is exactly what I wanted - simple, delicate, interesting, easy to incorporate into my wardrobe. There are other wonderful scarves in this book
I'm not sure who Ingrid is, but her handiwork is very special to me. I've touched this yarn and looked at those jagged-edged labels enough times to know them by heart. Thank you, Ingrid.
Posted by Kathy at 09:09 PM | Comments (83)August 17, 2007
Letter Candy Friday: customer service edition
I'm very happy to tell you that Schaefer Yarn customer service got in touch with me about my Andrea scarf and is making everything all better.
In a very nice e-mail, Schaefer's Laura Nelkin (who can be reached at laura@schaeferyarn.com) wrote:
This is Schaefer Yarn customer service coming to your aid... I hope. My good friend let me know about your blog entries. I have to say I am so sorry! We discovered last year that Clara Barton in Andrea is a problem, and in fact discontinued it as we were having problems similar to yours.
We would be happy to replace your yarn with anything else of your choosing to help redeem Schaefer in your eyes (and hopefully those of your blog readers). We are a small company and strive to maintain an excellent rapport with the knitting community.
... As for helping the scarf you have to feel better, I would try some softener in a warm soak for a bit. Then reblock... argh... I know..., or you can try the steam technique mentioned by others on your blog first. Synthrapol can leave silk with a horrible feeling hand, so you want to get that taken care of one way or another. Soaking it in a vinegar/water bath would have probably been your best bet to set the dye.
Just what I wanted to hear! A company discovered that one of its yarn & dye combos wasn't up to par, and discontinued it - isn't that exactly what we (the knitters) would want them to do? It was my bad luck that I already had some of this yarn in my stash. According to my records, I bought it on April 30th, 2006, which I guess was before the recall.
The Fir Cone scarf, leftover yarn, and all my other Schaefer stash (just in case) is currently on its way to June. As a friend and very talented dyer, she will attempt to set the dye for me, test the bleeding, and so forth. She is a gem to come to my rescue, because I'm sort of done dealing with this right now.
For completeness' sake I'll mention that the Synthrapol was long gone by the time I pinned out the scarf (I added it around rinse #10 out of 20 total), and that I block most of my goodies, including this scarf, in Pantene's Clarifying Shampoo. If the scarf was still in my possession, I would try to steam it, I guess, though I know it would bleed like crazy and need re-blocking, so... in any case I'd need to set the dye first. Which I'm not about to do - thanks, June!
Anyway, yay! Customer Service to the rescue! It's good to be informed, so I'm very happy to pass this info to you. If you're having any issues with any Schaefer Yarns, or have any questions, Laura urges you to contact Schaefer Yarn customer service at customerservice@schaeferyarn.com.
Have a fantastic Friday!
Posted by Kathy at 09:16 AM | Comments (49)August 16, 2007
ISO: fabric softener
Yes, blocking my dear Fir Cone scarf did a number on my hands, my bathtub, and my quilt. I knew the yarn would bleed, but I was not expecting fruit punch consistency wash after wash after wash. At one point I tossed some Synthrapol in there, which did nothing. After hours and hours of rinsing, I'm certain there is still loose dye in the fabric. Maybe it will rub off on my neck and my clothes - I don't know.
And, please, do not worry about my stained quilt. This is my dedicated blocking surface (evidence: here, here, here, here, etc.), and believe me when I say, this is a promotion. At one point this (thirty dollar at Bed Bath and Beyond) quilt covered my college apartment couch and everything else that implies. Serving as a blocking quilt is ultimately better for its ego. I'll spritz it with some stuff before its next laundering, but I won't obsess over these pink stains because they perfectly match the brown "mystery" stains on the other side :).
And the scarf? It's quite lovely.
Pattern: Scarf with fir cone lace border from Victorian Lace Today
Needles: Addi Lace circular needles, 2.50 mm (approximately US 1.5). While wonderful in many ways, I wish they were as slippery as the originals. There, I said it.
Yarn: Schaefer Andrea in Clara Barton, 100% silk, about 800 yards (3/4 of a single 1093 yard skein).
Finished dimensions: approximately 10.25" wide and 83" long.
Well, it's certainly a gorgeous pattern. Those googly mooglies of the highest caliber are a fantastic three-dimensional detail, and the main part of the pattern is light, airy, and easy to knit.
However, I think my yarn choice brings the beauty of this project down a notch. After bleeding like all hell, I feel the silk has lost much of its former luster and sheen. It's very stiff now, like thin tissue paper in desperate need of fabric softener. Considering the buckets of fruit punch-like water that I washed down the drain, it's not surprising that the color of the scarf is duller compared to the skein. The brilliant crimson that first attracted me to this yarn is now a washed-out magenta.
Disregard the pasty whiteness of my skin: the colors of the skein and the scarf are accurate.
Perhaps with some time I'll see the pattern past the yarn - it IS gorgeous. Perhaps with some time the yarn will soften up and become more malleable. But certainly when considering silks, I'll look at others before Andrea.
Posted by Kathy at 08:47 AM | Comments (71)August 14, 2007
Insert favorite expletive here
On the heels of one FO (thank you for all the stripey love!), here comes another.
I won't even mention what it did to my quilt, and to my PRISTINE bathtub that I scrubbed on my hands and knees on Sunday and changed the shower liners and laundered the shower curtain and the whole nine yards. Bah.
Posted by Kathy at 10:49 PM | Comments (49)August 13, 2007
Stripey!
Pattern: Ribbons Baby Blanket, Evelyn Clark for Fibertrends.
Needles: a variety of US 6 (4 mm) circs
Yarn: Gedifra Korfu, colors 2011, 2061, 2025, 2022, and 2068; Classic Elite Sundance, color 6249. Both yarns are 50% cotton, 50% microfiber, but contrary to my first hunch, they are not exactly identical.
Based on the weight of this blanket (1 lb. 4 oz.), I used a total of 12 balls of yarn, about 1000 yards, though I didn't keep track of the usage of each individual color. There are 15 stripes, plus the garter stitch border.
Finished size: 34.25" square. Hey, look at that! The power of math at work!
Though a little cumbersome towards the end, I'm very happy with this blankie. My favorite part has to be the subtle ruffles formed by the alternating knit and purled stripes.
Weaving in the ends was an exercise in patience: the Russian Join worked awkwardly with this cotton yarn, so I turned to the Overcast Method whenever I could. What remained had to be woven in at the end, one at a time.
I didn't use any special trickery - just a very long tail (oh, about 10", I'd say), weaving in 9" of it, and leaving about an inch hanging in the air. The little doodle in the back fluffed up after the washer and dryer, and I'm hoping that will prevent it from snaking around. It's not the neatest thing in the world, but I don't think it's awful, either.
Other than mentioning the tidy crochet cast-on at the center and working all the corner stitches as knits, I'm not sure there is much to add! It's a lovely, easy pattern.
Well, I guess there's one last thing to show you:
Posted by Kathy at 09:50 AM | Comments (59)
August 10, 2007
Eye Candy Friday: Sockapalooza edition
Sockapalooza has concluded, and I really lucked out this time around!
Thank you, wonderful pal Krista from the Naked Sheep blog! I could not imagine anything more perfect: a wonderful fit, my favorite sherbert-y colors, plus a yarn and pattern I've been meaning to try!
See how nice?!?
And the Scala socks I knit for my pal? They have landed, and my pal from the Cheesehead with Sticks blog loved them. Wheww!
I call this one a success all the way around ;). I hope your feet are dancing in pretty socks this weekend, too!
Posted by Kathy at 06:55 PM | Comments (23)August 09, 2007
Beast!
You have no idea how happy I am to have this Beast off my needles.
And when I say "needles," I mean needles - four long circs, each barely containing 150 stitches. Yep, I was working 600-stitch rounds towards the end of this project. No wonder the last few stripes took forever to finish!
Knitting this blankie reminded me how cumbersome large cotton projects can get. Maneuvering this puppy on my lap, especially in this heat, was not exactly the most enjoyable part of this project. It's nothing new... I've knit cotton blankets before! But we knitters have a way of erasing negative connotations associated with a project, and happily diving into the deep end of the pool again and again. I think it's probably similar to loving your kids, forgetting the pain of childbirth, and having more.
Now that I'm finished...
Oh, wait, I'm not actually finished. There's that little detail of weaving in the ends:
Gah! Even though I wove in many ends as I knit, a bunch more are screaming for my attention. I will weave you in, you little beasties! I will weave you in good!
Tomorrow stay tuned for a very special Eye Candy Friday: Sockapalooza edition!
Posted by Kathy at 10:45 AM | Comments (43)August 05, 2007
Love it, like it, absolutely no way!
From Bella Knitting, via Karen, a most interesting meme!
What are your limits when it comes to creative pursuits? Mine, in alphabetical order:
4. Love it! This is my thing.
Graphic design (blogging, basic web design, image processing), knitting, photography, writing.
3. I do or have dabbled in it.
Collage, crochet, designing/pattern writing, embroidery and cross-stitch, jewelry making, macramé, papier-mâché, pattern editing, quilting, sewing, stamping, straw marquetry, stuffed toy making.
2. I'll give it a try.
Appliqué, basket weaving, beading, book binding, calligraphy, candle making, card making, dyeing, etching, felting, flower arranging, gardening, glass bead making, glass blowing, lace making (needle lace, cutwork), lucet, millinery, mosaics, pottery, shibori, soap making, string art, wood carving.
1. I've got absolutely no interest.
Baking, balloon animal making, cooking, doll house making, origami, rug hooking, scrapbooking, spinning (wheel or spindle), tatting, weaving.
Not surprisingly, "I'll give it a try" is the largest category :). How about you? Where do you draw the line?
Posted by Kathy at 01:07 PM | Comments (27)August 03, 2007
It's time to pack 'em up, and ship 'em out!
Sockapalooza 4 has come to an end, and it's time to mail the Scala Socks to their rightful owner. It's sad to say goodbye (they are pretty enough to be artwork!), but they were knit with a particular person in mind, and they must now join her.
Accompanying the socks: a custom-made sock label (visit Carole for instructions), some spare yarn, a chocolate bar, and a lovely card showing a 1916 map of Cambridge (published by WardMaps.com).
Once again I give myself a pat on the back for finding a creative alternative to the stereotypical postcard ;). I know I've mentioned that I collect antique maps and their reprints, so this note card immediately caught my eye. I got one for my pal, and one for myself, and then a few more for myself... In fact, I loved the WardMaps note cards so much, that I mounted three into a picture frame, displayed on the wall above my desk!
I got the idea from my parents, who have a similar montage of beautiful lighthouse note cards in their house.
Posted by Kathy at 01:54 PM | Comments (23)August 01, 2007
Korfu? Is that you?
A specific example escapes me, but you know how sometimes the same yarn is sold as two different brands? It comes from the same mill, with a fraction branded as ABC Yarns, a fraction as XYZ Yarns, and so on. But it's really all the same.
Well, my love for Gedifra Korfu is clouding my mind, and I'm starting to see it everywhere. Is this nameless yarn on eBay... Korfu?!? And most recently:
Oh my! I think I see Korfu! The little skein looks and feels the same, the way the yarn is plied and its thickness looks identical, the composition matches (50% cotton, 50% microfiber), both are made in Italy, the care instructions are the same... could it be?
The yardage varies slightly according to the labels: Korfu boasts 87 yards per skein, while Sundance is only 83. But I think I'm going to go ahead and claim that, if not twins, these two yarns are brothers! Welcome to the family, Sundance! Enjoy your journey as a stripe in the Underpants Blankie! Conveniently, I just finished a white stripe and need to knit a colored one next :)
Posted by Kathy at 05:34 PM | Comments (30)
