Category: Knitting

Jun 16

Ann Norling #35: Feather and Fan

I started this blanket over a year ago and the intended recipient is already one year old. I’m sure I’m not the only knitter to have ever done this, right? My kids all loved blankets well into their grade school years and my daughter still has her favorite blanket, so I think it will still be well received.

It was my first time using Cascade Pacific, a machine-washable blend of merino (40%) and acrylic (60%). As soon as it was off the needles, I washed it on the delicate cycle with a small squirt of Soak (Lacey) and dried it in my dryer — it laundered beautifully. It’s a great choice for baby afghans.

The pattern is a classic and I’ve used it before — Fantastic Eyelet Crib Blanket.

Purple Feather and Fan

Feather and Fan with Cascade Pacific

What about you? What are your favorite blanket patterns for babies?

Even though I had it on the needles for over a year, it’s actually a quick knit. The pattern is easily memorized and it’s great TV knitting. I don’t knit much while I’m in school, so I’m catching up on my WIPs now that it’s summer. I have a lot to share (and not all of it is knitting — think jewelry!)

Feather & Fan

Feather & Fan with Cascade Pacific

 

 

4 comments Posted in Feather & Fan Baby Afghan, Knitting
Feb 18

Fretful : A Sock Story

Knitting, as a hobby rather than livelihood, makes no demands. Yarn doesn’t jockey for position or ask to be used, even though guilt (and shame?) sometimes suggests otherwise. It is just . . . there. When I started knitting it was to make something special for somebody, but it was also to engage in something with my hands in order to keep my attention on positive things. Stated in another way, I knit to stay out of trouble. And after almost ten years, I return to knitting over and over again for those same reasons.

Last week, I was feeling fretful and without much forethought, I began rummaging in my sock yarn bin. I have plenty of projects on the needles, but nothing I wanted to knit while I was fretful — gifts for others and baby blankets require (I think) a more positive mindset. I only wear socks a handful of times in any given year since it doesn’t get very cold here, so I don’t feel an urgency to knit them in order to keep my feet warm. I just knit socks because I love it.

And starting a sock turned out to be the right choice.

I’d made a deliberate decision to use the needles my daughter gifted me several years ago:

Sox Stix & Jansdotter Journal

The ebony 2.25 mm DPNs are probably my top choice for knitting socks — not too pointy, just the right length. But I avoid them because I’m afraid to break them (I’ve snapped expensive Lantern Moon DPNs before). I definitely wanted to knit with wood though, so I risked it. My intention was to pick up and knit the sock every time I felt anxious or worried. But I hardly put it down in the three days it took to finish it — I thought it would be on the needles for weeks (the second sock might).

A recent accomplishment . . .

The yarn is Phydeaux Designs fingering weight Soie – a silk and merino blend – in “Sugared Plum.” I took this photo indoors at sunset and you can really see the shiny silk:

Latest project . . . closer

Brenda’s yarns are beautiful. I also have the same yarn in the “Sansa” colorway.

I didn’t decide on a pattern until I knit two inches of plain K2, P2 ribbing. I’d used the cable twist in another project and thought the twisted bundles would be what I would focus on while I was knitting — as a mindfulness exercise. Following this urge even while I had many other projects on the needles was exactly what I needed — not just for relieving some of my worries, but also for daydreaming and planning — something that anxious feelings often keep me from doing.

One thing I decided NOT to fret about so much is how much yarn I have. I’ll release some of it and enjoy the rest and remember that there are worse things I could be doing to excess.

UPDATE: I’ve published the pattern and it’s available for purchase and download on Ravelry. Until March 23, 2013 the end of the day on March 19, 2013, the pattern is FREE.

24 comments Posted in Knitting, Reach 2013
Jan 19

Adiri Slouch Hat

Adiri Slouchy Hat

Adiri Slouchy Hat – Mind of Winter Designs
My project notes on Ravelry

The Adiri hat has been my post-season football-viewing companion and a great use of a basic stash yarn. I’m always excited when I come across a pattern that uses one skein of a basic worsted weight yarn (Cascade 220), because guess what I have a lot of in my stash?

Julia Trice, the designer behind all the Adiri design iterations, has been releasing these little treats (cowl and hat patterns) using the same stitch pattern featured in one of her sweater designs. I think it’s brilliant (Bonne Marie of Chic Knits occasionally does that too — Mondo Cable comes to mind) along with being an effective way to knit a useful, wearable “swatch” to see how yarn and pattern combinations behave.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a hat to finish and football news to catch up on.

17 comments Posted in Knitting
Dec 05

Adiri Cowl

Mind of Winter Designs - Adiri Cowl

Adiri in Cascade Venezia

For the past several years, my fellow co-workers and I have each created handmade ornaments for the annual holiday gift exchange. This year, the focus was slightly different — we drew names for our secret “cowl pals” and each of us worked on a cowl based on the intended recipient’s favorite colors, stitch patterns, and/or techniques. When Julia at Mind of Winter Designs posted a new pattern set (pullover and cowl), I thought the design was perfect for Debbie G. — she loves cables and Adiri has an understated feminine design — the cables aren’t bulky. I had several great colors of Cascade Venezia to choose from but ultimately took the advice of a friend who chose the deep purple.

I reacquainted myself with knitting with Denise Needles and I was thrilled with how the yarn and needle combo worked well together. The Venezia would have been a bit too slippery for my Addi Clicks and a little too draggy for my Clover bamboo circulars.

While I have admired Julia’s designs for years, this might be the first time I’ve knit one — but it won’t be my last because I’m eyeing the Adiri pullover for myself (and definitely the slouchy Adiri hat)

Mind of Winter Designs - Adiri Cowl

Adiri Cowl – Stitch Pattern

19 comments Posted in Knitting, Twisted Yarns
Aug 29

Clark Cable

Soakbox : Clark Cable

Soakbox

The Instagram shot doesn’t do justice to the red yarn, but it’s stunning (Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sport – 200 yards). Included is a Fiona Ellis pattern for fingerless mitts in an interesting cable and diamond pattern. The nail color is “Poor Lil Rich Girl.” I can’t find a good swatch photo online, but it’s a classic plummy red.

My first day of school went well yesterday — only a mild amount of stress and difficulty (confusion regarding which of the published classroom numbers was correct). I had a great non-Starbucks latte (read: less expensive) and had time to enjoy it. Last week, I was feeling a little cowardly for having taken just one class last semester and only two this semester. But I’m now convinced that it was a wise move to continue with the slow transition. It will be challenging to keep up with all the writing requirements in both classes and keep up with my non-collegiate life.

Creative Writing (Speculative Fiction & Screenwriting) will definitely be my more challenging class. It’s been years since I’ve practiced writing fiction with any regularity or purpose and we’ll be writing (and sharing – eeep!) in class every time we meet. While I love speculative fiction as a reader, I’m a little timid about sharing what I write. Among other learning outcomes, we are expected to produce, share, and revise a body of original work and demonstrate an ability to prepare and format work for publication. (3 short stories, 1 screenplay adaptation, 1 original screenplay).

Texas History – a survey of political, social, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of Texas from the pre-Columbian era to the present. I’m very excited about this class and have completed some of the required reading already (Empire of the Summer Moon, Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History). It’s a brilliant book. There’s a LOT more to Texas than this former Oklahoman realized, and Quanah Parker figures prominently in the history of both states.

Knitting-wise, I’m trying to finish (or frog) some lingering WIPs. I have at least four projects close to completion and that will be my weekend focus for the next couple of months. I’ll also reward myself with knitting during my self-imposed study breaks.

13 comments Posted in Beauty Products, Choice 2012, Knitting, Lonestar Montgomery, Twisted Yarns
Aug 25

Nail Color of the Week: RBL Santa Fe

GOMM: Santa Fe & Shibui sock yarn in Pagoda

RBL GOMM Nail Lacquer in “Santa Fe” and Shibui sock yarn in Pagoda

I had the chance to try what’s going to be my newest addition to Top Five Favorite Nail Colors. It’s Rescue Beauty Lounge’s (RBL’s) Santa Fe from the GOMM collection. One clue that it’s going to be a favorite color is finding a complementary yarn in a similar shade. I haven’t bought the Shibui yarn yet, but isn’t it pretty?

I’m not changing my nail color anywhere close to once a week (when I wear polish at all), but I’m still a nail polish fan! In less than 72 hours, I’ll be back in class (Texas History and Creative Writing this semester), and I’m catching up on some of my overdue blogging in anticipation of being even more preoccupied (offline) than usual. So you can probably expect my nail color blog entries to be infrequent through the end of the semester.

4 comments Posted in Knitting, Nail Color of the Week, Top Five Favorite Nail Colors
Aug 24

Starting is easy

Noro Taiyo Sock

Magic Loop and Noro Taiyo sock

I bought this yarn last year intending to knit a scarf, but quickly learned it wasn’t going to work out the way I envisioned. It was a little unwieldy working from the center of the skein, so I decided to wind it into a looser ball/cake and stashed it away in my sock yarn bin. I came across it the other day when I was evaluating my stash for potential weaving yarns and decided to swatch the Noro Taiyo as a sock (since it *is* sock yarn after all). I opted for Magic Loop since the Taiyo is single-ply and I was fearful of breaking the yarn if I tugged too hard.

Did you notice how my “swatch” turned in to a sock-in-progress?

It never fails that when I start knitting with a self-striping sock yarn, I can’t stop. I’m eager to watch the colors transition — it’s so satisfying. The added plus is that it’s a little bit of anticipation that enhances what would otherwise be a “plain” sock. And while I love knitting with double-pointed needles, I think that this yarn (and other Noro sock yarns) calls for Magic Loop.

I learned Magic Loop very recently, after trying unsuccessfully to teach myself. My friend Gayle proposed a coffee/knitting session in order to learn it and I eagerly accepted, and it turned out that my former trouble with Magic Loop was in getting started (imagine that) so after getting everything situated, Magic Loop is just like knitting in the round on two circulars. If you’re a sock knitter, I hope you try it. But if you don’t have a local yarn shop where you can take a Magic Loop class, I recommend Very Pink’s pattern and video.

Didn’t you feel like starting something today?

10 comments Posted in Knitting
Jun 27

Little Leaves : Baby Sweater

Little Leaves Baby Sweater

On Ravelry: Little Leaves Baby Sweater

You saw a glimpse of the baby sweater yesterday — unblocked, sans buttons, and not yet seamed. But now that it’s on the first leg of its journey to the intended recipient, I can share the finished photo. So that’s one less thing to speculate about.

I highly recommend this pattern (if you know that a baby girl is on the way). I wish I could remember whose project page to credit for my discovery of the pattern, but I can’t remember! If you want to try it, you’ll need this book:


Knit Lace & Leaves for Baby (Leisure Arts #4577)

13 comments Posted in Knitting
May 20

Finally

So my first semester is over — and I got an A. The first week of class, I thought I was in over my head — it was so difficult and unfamiliar, but I didn’t miss a single day and I studied my butt off. The unexpected bonus? I discovered I really enjoy Biology.

This transition (back) to college wasn’t easy. Administratively, it’s not as smooth a process as it could be (for adult learners like me), and there was a lot of misinformation about which classes I need to take. But the good thing is that most of that is behind me and I know what to expect now. And I confirmed what I already suspected: I was a little out of practice sticking to something through the hard parts. The entire semester was a challenge — academically, administratively, and personally; life didn’t stop happening when I was at school.

In order to do well in my course, I didn’t spend a lot of time knitting (or cleaning, or cooking), so it became something to look forward to as a reward. As a result, I have a lot of projects in various states of completion, things I want to re-work, finish, or frog and I’m looking forward to finally being able to tackle that as well as reconnect with my favorite blogs and friends! And I found my camera (buried on my desk under two swatches), so expect to see more actual photos instead of iPhone photos.

In my last blog entry, I mentioned the Latvian Mitten class and my reasoning for wedging in a class during the weekend before my final exam in Biology: I really wanted to learn the skills to knit these mittens:

Beth Brown-Reinsel's Latvian Fingerless Mitts - Knitting Traditions

Knitting Traditions Winter 2011
Latvian Fingerless Mitts

I started them when I got home from the class. I don’t think I would have figured out the tricky bits on my own, so this class was indispensable. I’m at the point on my mitts where it’s time to knit the Latvian braid — and it’s one of the skills I had trouble with on the sample, so I set it aside until I could work on it uninterrupted. Here’s a link to an excellent video showing how to knit the braid.

If I finish all my mitts- and mittens-in-progress, I’ll have a full wardrobe of hand warmers for the (blessedly-short Texas) winter.

9 comments Posted in Knitting, Latvian Mittens, Twisted Yarns
May 07

Knitting for the troubled spirit

The outcome of my 3-hour Beth Brown-Reinsel "Latvian Wristers" class

Some of you already know the Elizabeth Zimmermann quote:

Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn’t hurt the untroubled spirit either

It’s so appropriate — yet knitting was the last thing on my mind (see Heaviness) this past week until I went to the 3-hour class I signed up for in March: Latvian Wristers (taught by Beth Brown-Reinsel). I’m so glad I did. Not only was it incredibly nourishing and comforting being around friends and fellow knitters, but picking up double-pointed needles and yarn was actually just what I needed.

I am so grateful for your comments on my previous post and I appreciate all your thoughtful words of comfort during this difficult time. Grief is a full-body experience and at the end of the day (if not some time before), I am just overcome with exhaustion. It is so helpful to know that you understand . . . and that losing somebody we love is a shared experience. I no longer need to worry that my words of sympathy for others will ring hollow and shallow — because every comment left here last week was deeply felt and every one of them is so appreciated. Thank you.

Doing something creative this weekend, however short-lived, was a hopeful endeavor. I’m strengthened by it and can finally appreciate how fulfilling it can be to pick up yarn and busy my hands. I also loved learning about the history of Latvian mittens — so fascinating!

When I signed up for the class, it was for the sole purpose of gaining the skills I needed to knit the mittens on the cover of Knitting Traditions Winter 2011 issue. Along with the magazine, last year I also purchased all the yarn in the same colorway as the mittens on the cover. To see more, please check my Ravelry pages for both the completed wrister from the class as well as my Latvian mittens in progress.

Postscript: I went a little nuts and reworked my blog template and WordPress theme. If you’re viewing this in a reader and you’re curious to see the changes, please click through to the blog.

8 comments Posted in Family, Knitting
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