I actually finished something.
Gossamer Stars Scarf, from the Summer 08 Interweave Knits. I used Tilli Tomas' Fil de la Mer in "Parchment".
It feels lovely. This is my first experience with a DK weight silk/seacell blend. I would love a silky cardi out of this stuff.
This is a super easy and fun knit--I was able to do most of it on public transportation and it's nice to not have to refer to a pattern.
My stick-to-it-iveness is really lacking, presently.
I blame these people.
I have a number of projects that I actually don't hate that I, nonetheless, cannot find the time to finish, opting instead to work on Neptune. Not the planet, the SKIF pattern, although Neptune the planet should be nice and cool at -200C--it's 94F here today, but I digress...
I started out, as I planned, using three strands of Habu yarns-- one strand of Shosenshi Paper, one strand of laceweight merino, and one strand of handpainted mohair/silk After a couple of inches, though, the sameness of it was starting to get to me and I was wondering if I should reconsider my choices. At the same time, I was still absorbing the images in the fabulous Setsuko Torii book.
Then, purely by chance, I was browsing at a yarn shop near where I had just left a late meeting and saw this stuff.
A-21 Tobe Moire. I haz green, too.
I think it had been there awhile, it was all covered with fuzz. At first, there was the kneejerk oooh-yuck-novelty-yarn reaction, but then I had a idea, a wonderful idea, a wonderful bunderful idea! What if I used these weird little caterpillar things sparingly to add to a little visual interest to the miles of plain stockinette stitch that is Neptune (at least my version)?
At first, I tried to randomly knit a bit in with the other three strands, but that didn't work. So, I went back to Setsuko Torii and noticed that this particular yarn was used in a fairly open stitch--you have to really, otherwise the caterpillars get squashed.
Also, I liked how the yarn is used in a striping effect. And, thus, Neptune was reborn under the sign of Setsuko Torii.
I'm dropping the paper for a few rows and picking up the Tobe Moire for one row in the middle of this lighter stripe.
You can see a bit of the green in the handpainted mohair, I may or may not introduce of bit of the green Tobe Moire--it will only be a scattering of green caterpillars at most. Also, I'm not sure if I'm going to take the striping all the way up or stop at the armholes. Is the back going to match the front? I don't know!
So, while it's patterned, there's still a seat-of-the-pants aspect to it that is invigorating.
Although I have mixed feelings about the result, the whole experience seems to have allowed for a creative breakthrough. Oddly, instead of thinking about what patterns I would like to knit from next, I seem to be thinking in terms of creating my own designs. This is really a first for me. I've been pretty happy to follow the lead of others since I started knitting, but all of a sudden, that doesn't seem to be enough. I was trained as a architect and work in the development field, so it's somewhat surprising that it has taken so long for this impulse to bubble to the surface. These things we knit have a spatial aspect, they have structure,
Who knows when or if I'll ever get around to acting on this impulse other than making a few sketches in a notebook, but it's an advancement--a bit of a leap--that it making this whole knitting enterprise suddenly a lot more interesting.
There was a somewhat primitive look about Gossamer Stars that appealed to me when I first saw it. Turns out that it may have been due to the wrong side being featured in Interweave Knits, according to the designer, Kat Coyle.
No matter. I still like it. I needed something easy to take on my commute and I need some silky scarves to help sheild myself from the sun this summer (Knitspot Anne has a ton of great lacy scarves I've been considering).
To compliment this primitive look, I chose a color that is completely out of character for me--a tea-stained looking color of Tilli Tomas "Fil de la Mer" called "Parchment".
This is my first time with the heavier weight version of the silk/seacell blends. I don't especially care for the construction of the this particular yarn. Because I could not resist the color, I picked up a couple of skeins of Tilli Tomas "Soie de la Mer" in "Caribbean."
I like it better--it's spun rather than plied.
Sheesh. I can't believe I'm taking more stash pics. I really need to let up on the lace yarn purchases--the stash is growing out of control while I continue my usual slow pace of knitting.
Pattern: Clapotis
Needle: US8
Yarn: Katia Jamaica (discontinued), a little more than 3 skeins. Color: 4002
Pattern Variation: I did one extra repeat in the main section.
I was a bit skeptical as I was knitting this, my second, Clapotis. Somehow it just seemed so plain jane on the needles with it's simple stitches and cotton yarn (perhaps because my WIP Honeybee Stole of lovely Sea Silk was lurking around within sight most of the time). But now that it's complete, I've grown to love it. There's no mystery why this pattern has been so popular over the years, it just feels great to wrap around oneself. The bias design give it a wonderful flow, both physically and visually. It seems to come alive.
I think this will be a summer favorite.
I think you can still find a bit of Jamaica around, eBay and such. It's an incredibly soft, cool, comfy cotton yarn and the striping works well to counter the diagonal stitching.
I have enough of color 4003 to make another someday, but that probably won't be anytime soon.
ps:
The new SKIF pattern "Martha" arrived.
pss:
Look what else arrived (at long last).
I love this:
It's fun to post about beginnings and endings. The "in-between" states, not so much. Of course, that's where we spend most of our knitting time and that's pretty much where I am right now. I can show you increments.
A few more rows of a Honeybee Stole:
A few more inches of a Clapotis:
A few inches of the left side of a Fluttersleeve:
I'm off to the beach for a few days. Perhaps I'll have more to show.
Shopping on the Intertubes is great--one can find so many interesting things that you'll just never find at the nearest megamall. Even if they had these things, you wouldn't know to look for them.
Three cool internet purchases I've made in the past 30 days. And they're all vaguely knitting related.
An original artwork:
By this artist Susie Ghahremani, purchased from this gallery. It's very tiny--maybe 2'X3"?--that's about all the original artwork I can afford. Susie has a lot of great stuff for sale at her online shop--she even has notepads with a similar kitty/ball of yarn motif.
Shoes for summer:
Fabulous artist Camilla Engman's version of Converse All Stars low-tops purchased here. Camilla is, of course, renowned also for her unique crocheted animals. Alright, that's crochet-related, not knitting, but still...
A set of photographic prints:
purchased from knitblogger (and knitwear model) sixoneseven (purchased here).
Bonus cool purchase:
Yes, more Handmaiden Sea Silk. This color is called "Ireland" (purchased here). Purdy.
I really didn't like the seed stitch edging on the Fluttersleeve cardi I've been working on. Normally, I don't have a problem with the stitch, but with the nubby yarn I was using, it just looked lumpy and messy. Unfortunately, I didn't decide it was untenable until I had nearly finished the back. I hated to rip it all out, because I was liking the piece otherwise, and knowing me, I would have never gotten around to restarting it.
So, away the seed stitch went:
I reknitted the bottom edge in a K2P1 rib and grafted it onto the bottom.
And, voilà!
A new ribbed edge. Much better.
OK, what I'm not showing you is that I knitted the band about 8 stitches short (yet another dumb mistake), so I guess I'll have to knit another little section and graft and seam it in. Sheesh.
The last thing I need to be doing is starting another project--I already have three I'm actively working on and numerous UFOs. Still, I was craving some Handmaiden Sea Silk--there is little that is more pleasant for me than knitting sea silk lace with bamboo needles.
Then it came to me in a flash: "Dandelion" Sea Silk and the Honeybee Stole. Together.
However, I'm still not completely over my recent doldrums. I spent hours this past weekend trying to set up this project. I started and restarted--perhaps four or five times, managing each time to make a small mistake and throwing off the stitch count. I scoured the web to make sure there wasn't a mistake in the pattern or something tricksy that other knitters were stumbling over.
No.
It was just me.
In fact, now that I've gotten into the first section of the pattern, I can see that it's quite simple. I just wasn't paying enough attention, my mind was wandering, I was zoning. I'd better get it together, that next section looks unfamiliar.
I'm already eyeing another seasilk project--Kat Coyle's Gossamer Stars Scarf in the upcoming Interweave Knits. The pattern calls for Fiesta La Luz, but I'm thinking some Tilli Tomas Fil de la Mer would be a nice alternative. Or Double Sea Silk.
Although, I should really be trying to find projects for my stockpile of beautiful laceweight yarns.
My last post was on January 30. Yikes!
Winter is gone and it's Virginia bluebell season.
The sad thing is that I don't have too much to show for all the time that has passed. I'm loathe to admit it, but just a little of the magic has gone out of knitting for me. At least for the time being. I'm not sure what happened. Knitting just seems kind of tedious. My stash, which isn't even that huge, feels like a burden.
I started and stopped a dozen projects in the past couple of months. Nothing seems to satisfy, but I, also, I was making too many not-paying-attention types of mistakes.
So, what have I been up to?
For a couple of years I've wanted to knit a Clapotis from Katia Jamaica (discontinued), here are a couple of very nice examples. I've had the yarn forever--for two different colors, no less--but I just never got around to starting it.
I was hoping this would be something I could just pick up and put down and it would not require much effort (I've even done a few rows on the train/bus). Plus, it would use stash yarn. So, I don't love it, but it'll do (I think I'll really like the end product, though). I'm just getting to the point of where I indulge in the perverse pleasure of deliberately dropping the stitches.
I started the Snap Cardigan with Blue Sky Cotton. I bought this yarn last summer.
It's a little tough knitting this worsted weight yarn with US6 needles, but I like the result so far.
I'm working on the Flutter Sleeve Cardigan from the current IK.
I'm not sure the nubby stash yarn I'm using was such a great idea--the seed stitching looks pretty bad, and, yet, I keep knitting.
Fugly--no? I wouldn't be surprised if this one ends up ripped.
I finished one Transitions mitt (well, except for weaving in the ends).
The part with two colors on US3 needles was fun, the end with ribbing done on US1 was hellish. I think this contributed greatly to my knitting funk. It just seemed to go on forever. Mitt 2 will have to wait for cold weather to roll around again. Love the Shibui yarn, though.
I finished the shawl from "Scottish Inspirations.
I like it, but the season is over. Couldn't get a good action shot, but this photo shows the color better:
On the stash acquisition front, my malaise has lessened my enthusiasm for yarn, too (oh noes!). However, how bummed out would you have to be to ignore this gorgeous Handmaiden Sea Silk in Dandelion? I just need to decide what to make with it.
A very sweet reader of this blog (and fellow Blythe fan), Bobbe (no bloggy?), sent me this gorgeous shawl pin.
I'm looking forward to using it with the above mentioned Sea silk and all my other lace shawls.
Speaking of readers, another reader, Dana, was asking about my Placed Cable (Dana, I tried to email a response, but the message kept bouncing). Alas, the Placed Cable, another victim of my funk, sits abandoned until cool weather roles around again.
Oh, and, look: Fabric stash! One of these days I may get around to doing something with these.
I scored a Lotta Jansdotter remnant bag:
And a bunch of pretty Denyse Schmidt prints:
So, that's the update. I do think things are getting better--actually, just bringing everything out and blogging it seems to have helped. Hopefully, I'll be back to more-or-less regular posting.
I can't go without one more bluebell pic.
I hope all of you are enjoying the seasons, wherever you are!
Herringbone Neck Warmer using Malabrigo worsted (in "Rose Vivacity") and Bainbridge Scarf in Rowan Wool Cotton (in "Moonstone")
Need something fast? These patterns are great.
I swiped a ball or so of Wool Cotton from the two sweater's worth I got on sale at Richesse when they were getting rid of their Rowan yarn awhile back (sadly, they seem to be no longer around). I likes Wool Cotton. I likes it a lot. Gotta think about what to do with my haul.
Oh, and Neptune it is. Definitely, Neptune.
My new yarn love is Shibui. It is delightful--gorgeous color and texture. I have three skeins of sock yarn (Peony, Chinese Red, and Pagoda, l to r) and one skein of Silk Cloud (Chinese Red). I've been looking forward to starting and pair of Transition Gloves, but was delayed a bit because I was sent a skein of Pagoda rather than the Peony which I ordered. The folks at Knit/Purl offered to make a very convenient and reasonable swap, but when there was a slight shipping delay on their part, they told me to keep both skeins! Knitting peoples are good peoples.
I still loves me some Rowan Cork, though. This is the aforementioned "Pete" from the Cork Collection in "Plunge"--a gorgeous deep navy blue with flecks of ultramarine. There were several lots of Cork on eBay recently. I resisted the urge, but instead of being proud of myself, I'm feeling regretful! Need. More. Cork!
I decreed yesterday, January 17, 2008, as my personal Happy Knitting Day. I'm took the day off from work and everything. Perfect, too, given the weather.
I had a brief loss of knitting mojo during the holiday season, but I think I've recovered. At one point, I went two entire days without knitting a stitch. And those times that I was knitting were plagued with mistakes and do-overs. Dumb stuff like using the wrong size needle or not reading the instructions.
But that's all over. I think.
On my Happy Knitting Day, I worked on new projects, revisted some old projects, and planned out the rest of my winter knitting determing what yarn and needles are required.
I worked on two new projects--this tie shrug from Scottish Inspirations and Pete from the Cork Collection (not pictured).
This shrug was one of first things to catch my eye in the book. It is not quite what I expected--the stitch pattern is kinda weird--you end up with a doubled layer. But I like it.
And I love love love this "Celtic Mix" color of Scottish Tweed.
Some of the old:
Wicked: the only reason this one was abandoned is that I knit the little pouchy thing wrong and had to rip it out. For whatever reason, I never went back to it. So, I spent a little time restarting the pocket.
Swallowtail Shawl--I found this one a bit tedious, but I like it and would like to finish it.
And there are a few projects I intend to put out of their and my misery:
Knitting Pure and Simple Tunic -- life's too short for this boring project. I'm not sure why it appealled to me at the time, but after another dumb mistake I lost interest in it. I think I just wanted a bunch of stockinette at the time.
Sarcelle--a very nice pattern, but I accidently included too many repeats and have to rip so much back that I may as well give up on it. Plus, there were a few wonky stitches at the beginning when I was still working out that stitch pattern that I was just never too satisfied with. Besides, I think I found a better pattern for my PureKnits Bamboo. I'll try another Sarcelle someday, though. Maybe in a heavier yarn, though, like SeaSilk.
After having to rip out 4 or 5 inches from my Placed Cable Aran, I decided to set it aside for awhile and devote more time to screwing up some other stuff.
As to new projects on the horizon: Kathy, from the Cork Collection--I have icy blue Cork for this; Tilted Duster, Interweave Knits, using Berrocco Peruvia in "Dragon"; Ice Queen, Knitty--"Heaven" KSH. And a couple of others I'll mentioned over the weekend.
And, I really want to try the Fair Isle Sampler Hat from IK Winter 2004. I have a bunch of Jamieson's Spindrift (rather that the Jamieson & Smith Jumper Weight), but I'm not sure if these colors will do (plus, I'm one short).
Anyway, that's where things are for now. You'll note that I didn't mention my SKIF project. That's because I keep going back and forth about whether to knit "Jess" or "Neptune"--more about that later.
I hope all of you can arrange your own Happy Knitting Day soon and get back on track if you so need.
I really wanted to knit "Neptune" next, but I love this swatch. I don't think this yarn combination will yield Neptune's drapey neckline, therefore, I will knit "Jess", because I have to use this yarn combination.
One strand of Habu Shosenshi Paper in black, one strand of A-33 laceweight merino, and one strand of A-32D silk mohair hand-dyed kasrui in the color "Inky".
Casting on--tonight?
While I decide which SKIF to knit next, I started a "Placed Cable Aran" from the Fall 2007 Interweave Knits using some Misti Baby Alpaca Worsted (Raspberry Sorbet) that I actually had intended to use for something else. However, it's such a soft and cozy looking pullover and the alpaca seemed perfectly suited to it, so it was reassigned.
I was actually relieved that I only saw one item in the current IK that I would be inclined to knit. There were just too many great pieces in in the Fall issue. I have the yarn for both "Tilted Duster" and "Tangled Yoke", but I'm not betting that get to both of them anytime soon.
And, Anne at Knitspot is killing me! Her newest shawl (which will also be available in a stole version soon) is amazing. I haven't even gotten around to "Bee Fields" yet! The new pattern, Irtfa'a, is paired with Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn. They have a new line of colors, Raven Clan, that is beckoning me. I fear them due to bad pooling experiences with their "Socks That Rock" yarn, but I may have to give them another whirl.
If all this weren't enough, I received my copy of Kim Hargreaves new book. There are so many great projects. Oh, and Yahaira's book--Transparencies--oh, yeah. Can't have too many excuses to knit with Habu silk/mohair.
Not a very good pic, but I've started a swatch using the Habu silk/mohair, merino laceweight, and shosenshi paper.
Oh, fiddledy-dee. The post below was supposed to be saved as a draft.
Oh, well.
A few details regarding deviations to the pattern:
The result is a simpler Zena and simplicity works very well with the Habu yarn. The fabric is very open and drapey, but the fuzziness of the mohair fills in the open spaces of the stitches quite nicely.
Although I made a few changes and had battles with the wording, the pattern is fabulous and just a little brilliant given how the front and back are knit in one piece. It was challenging, but rewarding.
And the sweater itself? I've already worn it twice. I do believe Zena is going to be a favorite.
Lastly, I wanted to acknowledge my shamelessly Nora-esque photos (not that they succeed, no one shows off the beauty of yarn and stitches quite like Nora).
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