Nothin' but Knit

Hope everyone enjoyed the interview with Shobhana. I think Yarnplay is a stellar book, and you should all run out and get a copy - or make your local library buy one so you can borrow it.

Other than the interview, it's been a little quiet here on the blog. I've had a little startitis, because I had thought I'd be making tons of knitted holiday gifts at this time. However, upon further reflection, I've pretty much made all the gifts I'm going to this year, for the people I know will appreciate them, and that's about it. No need to break my neck on something that's beautiful to me, but not to the recipient. Onward!

This is what's new in my corner of the world:


1) A ribbed scarf, in Malabrigo Tuscan Sky. Wow, is this stuff great! It's a completely different animal than Manos...so much softer, more evenly spun (although thinner over all), more yardage...it's awesome. And the color in this picture? Competely accurate - like a beautiful blue sky with light, puffy clouds. I thought this would be a gift, but we'll see about that...


2) Jo Sharp Shawl Collared Cardigan. I've just started on the fab cardi pictured on the cover of this magazine. Here's a better picture. I'm using Jaeger Luxury Tweed. It will take forever to finish, so I've started on another project:


3) Swatches for a chunky sweater. It's heavily inspired by the Rusted Root pattern from Zephyr Style. I'm using Cascade 128 - but not tweed, in a color called Maize (the bottom swatch). This yarn is so soft and springy. Should make a nice, cozy sweater.

BTW - The red yarn above is Berkshire from Webs Valley Yarns line. I bought some to try out this new yarn, and I thought I'd make a Red Scarf at the same time. I think it's meant to be like Lamb's Pride and it sort of is, but it's softer. Very smooth to knit with and less hairy than Lamb's Pride. Good price, too!

Well, that's all I've got for tonight. Hope all your projects are flying off the needles!

Knitting in Color! Yarnplay author Lisa Shobhana Mason

Today I am so excited to be talking with Lisa Shobhana Mason. You may know her by her Big Bad Baby Blanket pattern in Stitch’n’Bitch, or by her blog, My Life in Stitches. And now, with her new book Yarnplay, there’s even more of Shobhana to love! The title Yarnplay is apt – Shobhana encourages her readers to play with beautiful fibers and striking colors to create fabulous projects. She combines these fibers and colors with modern shapes, creating cool, wearable designs.

Regular Knitting Aloud readers will know that although I love color and rarely knit with neutrals, I’m a little shy about mixing things up. So when I had the chance to talk with Shobhana about her book, I wanted to talk about color and how to work with it for the best results.

I'm pretty new to mixing colors in my knitting projects. Where would you recommend I start?

There seem to be two groups of knitters, those who are into color and those who are into intricate stitch patterns. Working with color is so second nature to me that I'm often stunned when I find someone struggling with color. (similarly, my friends are shocked when I reveal my lack of patience and skills when it comes to intricate lacework.) I've seen some really dreadful color combinations. It makes me wonder if some people are hard of color perception. Seriously. where to start? The more intricate the design, the less color you want. If it's a really simple pattern you can go crazy with color. Depending upon the intensity of the design, choose a few colors that you like. Take them out into the sunlight. Colors tend to look much different outdoors than they look in the shop or at home. Give yourself a few days to hang out with the colors that you've chosen. Chances are you'll make a few changes before settling upon a final selection. Get feedback from a friend whose taste you trust. If you can't even get started than you probably need a little inspiration. I find that quilts and wallpaper are good resources for color.

I love pastels (think duck egg blue), but I think an all-pastel sweater would be too blah. What are some ways to spice up a pastel/light colored garment?

Try using a different color for the trim. You could use a crocheted border around the neckline, cuffs, and hem. Or you could use a contrasting color for the first couple of rows at the hem and cuffs. I love duck egg blue with fire engine red, baby pink with black, powder blue with dark brown, and both pale yellow and peach work well with charcoal. As for seafoam green -- I don't have much use for that with or without a contrasting color!

When selecting a color palette for a project, is it all trial and error? What is your process for doing this?

It depends on my mood and what I feel drawn to at the moment. My personal preferences seem to change about every 6 months or so. I try to go for combinations that I’ve never worked with before and that I haven't seen anyone else work with lately. I start with one or two colors that I like and then I try to add a color that is unexpected. For example, when I started the 'Everything but the Kitchen Sink' sweater I was really into blues and greens. I added lavender to shake things up a little.


When mixing colors, I'm never sure how to deal with warm and cool tones. Is okay to use both in one project?

Sure! I think it works well with 2 colors, like violet and lavender, or with a few pairs of warm/cool combinations.

The color combinations in your book are modern without being overly trendy. How can I select colors for knitting projects that will still look great years from now?

That's tough. I find that color dates garments just as much as style. When I see grass green, I immediately think of summer / autumn 2004. When I see certain shades of pink I think of 2003. I'm sure that a couple of years from now when I see plum I'll think of autumn 2006 (and, if the runway shows are any indication, spring 2007). If we're talking about anything beyond red, navy, and your basic neutrals, color dating is hard to avoid. My advice is to choose colors that you know you'll still feel comfortable wearing in a few years.

I love seeing kids' knits in more modern colors, as in your "Baby A" design. It seems we're moving away from dressing kids like crayons! At the same time, it can be hard to choose colors for kids that aren't too 'grown up'. What colors and shades are you enjoying in kids' designs right now?


I like anything that makes kids look like people and not like dress up dolls. I really like to see kids dressed in blacks and charcoals and greys, but I’m just goth that way.

The holiday season is approaching! Although I love to give hand-knit gifts, sometimes it's hard to select a color for another person. How can I think about color when I'm making something as a gift?

This can be tough. Not tough to figure out, but tough to execute. What I mean by that is that you can observe what colors a person tends to wear and make your decision pretty easily. Unfortunately, I find that when I knit for someone the colors that they wear are usually colors that I find pretty boring to knit with. There's nothing worse than having to endure a whole project's worth of knitting in a color that doesn't inspire you. Choosing a color for someone that you think they should like or that you think that might look good in, but that you haven't actually seen them wear is usually a big mistake.

What do you think about sweaters made entirely of striping, bright yarns like Silk Garden?

The key is that the pattern needs to be really simple. Otherwise, it just gets a bit too noisy if you know what I mean.

Is there such a thing as too much color?

No! I knit a Koigu coat with about 65 different colors! If you're going to work with multiple colors or yarns you need either 7 or 37. Seriously. A weird thing happens when you have like 11 or 18. Somehow it just doesn't seem to work. Again, with something like this you need to keep in mind that the project is meant to showcase the colors and not the pattern. Keep it super simple!

I love how your Poppy pattern uses color to shape the silhouette of the wearer. How can I choose colors and combinations that show off my figure like this?

Honestly, I have no idea. I'm on the skinny side and I design sweaters that I want to wear. I, mostly, like garments that are fitted. I think it's sexier. I don't like to see anyone wearing a tent. I think bigger women look fabulous in sexy, fitted sweaters. The key is that the gauge needs to be fine. Chunky sweaters make you look bigger and nobody wants that!

Thanks, Shobhana for your wonderful book and your thoughtful comments. I can’t wait to get started on some of these fabulous Yarnplay patterns! You should too. Pick up a copy of her book -- Amazon link here-- and then hop over to Lolly Knitting Around on Monday for more discussion about the book.

Because I never do these...

...and I'm trying to distract you until I can upload some pictures! Besides, everybody's doin' it....

48 Things You Could Care Less About

1. FIRST NAME? Dana

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? No, although my parents found out after they named me that I had a great-great aunt with the same first name.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Mmm. Can’t remember. Probably at my wedding, 4/1?

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I LOVE my handwriting, mainly because I can change it at will.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Corned beef

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Tough question! Probably sometimes.

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Yes, but the entries are infrequent.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Um...no.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Fruit Loops, as a snack food.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Yes, most of the time.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes – hence my handle, sturdygirl.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Coffee.

14. SHOE SIZE? 10.

5. RED OR PINK? Definitely pink!

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? That sometimes it is hard for me to be optimistic and worry-free.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My grandma Ginny, who passed away when I was 14.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No thanks! But I would be curious to see other people’s answers.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Grey pinstripe pants, white shirt, and black shoes (with purple stripes).

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Coffee (this morning), movie popcorn (last night)

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The heating ducts in my office.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Periwinkle!

23. FAVORITE SMELL? My husband’s laundry/facewash/deodorant/general aroma. Second place: lemon verbena.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My little brother David.

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? The smile!

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? YES! Hi Bonne and Lisa!

27. FAVORITE DRINK? Gin and tonic (with extra lime, please!).

28. FAVORITE SPORT? Speed skating. But since I can’t watch it very often – next choice is baseball.

29. EYE COLOR? Brown.

30. HAT SIZE? Don’t know!

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Used to, and will again – but right now, I am 4-eyes.

32. FAVORITE FOOD? A toss up between fettucine alfredo and asparagus

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings all the way!!

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Definitely summer.

36. HUGS OR KISSES? Definitely hugs.

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Crème brulee.

38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? No idea!

39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Surprise me!

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Billy Phelan's Greatest Game by William Kennedy (author of Ironweed)

41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? Don’t have one

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? I didn't, I was at a private screening of a new movie, Bobby

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Waves/water, the slurping sound mac & cheese makes when you stir it :)

44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Stones

45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Honduras

46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Coming up with theories about stuff that I know nothing about

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Ohio

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Nabbed from Bonne Marie’s blog

News Flash!!!

I have some very exciting news!!


I’m kicking off the blog tour for Shobhana’s new book, Yarnplay! On October 22, Shobhana will be featured here at Knitting Aloud. We’ll be talking about color – how to choose it, how to mix it! – as well as discussing some of the amazing designs in the book. So tune in next Sunday! Tell all your friends! Also, check out the rest of the blog tour – see below for a list of Shobhana’s blog visits next week:

Monday, 10/23: Lolly Knitting Around
Tuesday, 10/24: Knit And The City
Wednesday, 10/25: Purl Jam
Thursday, 10/26: Hook & Needles
Friday, 10/27: Serendipity
Saturday, 10/28: Scout's Knitted Swag

Yee-Hah!

I was in the Big D this weekend...Dallas. We were there for a wedding which was mostly Vietnamese with a little Texas thrown in. Exhibit A:


Me on the mechanical bull. On my first try, I was on for all of 4 seconds. On the second try (shown here), I made it to about 35 seconds. Putting an arm up in the air seemed to help, but that thing can really whip you around!

And last week, I finished a hat! This one is notable because it actually fits me! See?



This pattern is from Exquisite Little Knits by Iris Schreier and Laurie Kimmelstiel. In the book, it's done with Karabella Aurora 8 and a Blue Heron Beaded Rayon - I subbed an orphan skein of Koigu Kersti for the latter. I think the seed stitch makes it stretchy enough to fit easily. It's done on pretty large needles, too - so this could be a good pattern for holiday gifts.

That's all for now - I'm off to enjoy the last gasps of the holiday weekend. Ciao -

Projects

In sewing class yesterday, we...USED A SEWING MACHINE! This was the first time in my life that I have ever operated a sewing machine. It was fun, but a little like a 16 year-old driving a fancy sportscar - you want to go fast, really REALLY fast, but it probably wouldn't be a great idea. I was a little slow this week, so I didn't start seaming; I just finished the edges on my pieces. Can't wait for the next class!

I am also starting on Christmas gifts. This holiday season will be "FFF" - Full Frontal Family! We'll be seeing about 80% of my husband's family a couple weeks before Christmas, and about 80% of my family on the holiday. I don't expect that everyone will get knitted gifts (if so, I should have started in March), but I think some people might really enjoy one, so I plan to whip up a few things.

To that end, I started a scarf. This is Manos in the Wildflowers colorway, 30 stitches on a US9. K1, P1. Lather, rinse, repeat.


(Take another look at this colorway here. I think this is their most beautiful one.)

I made a scarf just like this a couple years ago and in the process felt my heart sing right along with my needles. Yesterday while knitting on the current one, I thought to myself: this is not just any scarf...for me, this scarf is l'essence of knitting. A simple pattern; a beautiful yarn made with a conscience; smooth, strong needles; combine all of these things with a few quiet moments and This, my friends, Is Why I Knit.

I'm planning to make at least three or four more of these this holiday season. I don't know how most of my friends and family feel about hand-dyed, multi-colored, thick-thin yarn...but I'm going to encourage a few of them to broaden their horizons by giving them scarves like this. We'll see how it goes!

Hope everyone is well. I, for one, will be glad when this work week is over! It's already busy...