Technique

I appreciate everyone's comments about colors, especially the idea that it's the combinations of colors that end up looking dated, rather than a specific color on its own. I really love vibrant colors, but it's the whole weeks-of-knitting thing that gives me pause about using them for a sweater. I think I'll hang onto to the magenta yarn and let it marinate in the stash until the weather is colder. I think that the strong color will look more 'right' as my color palette starts to darken for fall and winter.

In the meantime, I have been working on baby gifts, which I am electing not to show here so that no surprises are ruined. I've also knit three hats - but they are black, so no photos there. My best photo op is the Eyelet Cardi I posted about oh so long ago! I finally got up the nerve to set in the sleeve. Here's a pic:



I'm pretty proud of myself! I think this might be my first grownup-sized set-in sleeve. I've made a decent number of sweaters, but they are all raglan-shouldered. I used the slip-stitch crochet seam taught to me by this fine knittress. First I seamed the back of the sleeve and then pinned it into the armhole. This may be a pretty standard method, but I was so surprised at how easy it was. The pinning part is genius. I hope I can repeat my success on the other sleeve.

Anyway, that's about all for me. Have to get some shut-eye. I'm looking forward to this weekend, though. I'm headed to Madison, WI and Lakeside Fibers! Wee!

Thinking about Fall

As I said the other day, I've started thinking about my knitting projects -- patterns and colors -- for fall. I can't wait to read all the August magazines and see the new fashions. As far as colors go, here's what Pantone says we'll be wearing this season:


This season includes colors like magenta, mustard yellow, and shale green. I like magenta, and it's a good color for me - but I'm a little nervous about using it for handknits. (I just ordered this yarn from kpixie.com, but now I'm re-evaluating.) Will it look dated in a short amount of time? Or does this not matter if the color suits you well? I don't want to look like a 'blast from the past'.

Of course, there's always the 'neutrals' route, in order to be sure you are knitting a classic and not something too terribly trendy. I'm not sure how Pantone deals with neutrals, but it seems like they change with the seasons too. So, if I choose a favorite neutral that doesn't seem very popular this year, I might end up with a basic (but maybe boring) wardrobe staple.

How do you decide on colors for your handknits?

Summer Reading

Knitting has slowed to a crawl lately because I have been reading Anna Karenina. I was invited to join a friend's book club - just my luck that they read a 900-page book for my first meeting! Anyway, I just finished last night (the group meets on Tuesday). There were some slow parts, but on the whole, it was an excellent read. It covers most of the major issues in life: love, marriage, family, religion, politics, culture...with a few theories on agriculture and political economy thrown in. It's amazing how a book can tell a story so embedded in a particular time and place in history, and yet have such universal themes and truths about people. The end has a few twists and turns, and so I found myself thinking for hours about why things had happened, what the characters must have thought about it all, and whether there was any other ending I thought would make sense. I haven't decided yet.

I was surprised to learn that this was an Oprah Book Club selection. There was a whole page of Q & A about the book, which must have been done by some heavy duty scholars. I consider myself a fairly close reader, but there were so many things I hadn't even considered! It definitely gave me a deeper perspective on the book.

Anyway, for those looking for a little lighter reading, I commend this to your attention: the Pantone Fall 2007 fashion color report. Yay fall fashion! More on this later...

Day Off Baby Hat

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! I don't know about you, but today was a much-needed day off for me. It was so nice to sleep in and then spend the afternoon at a parade. We went to Evanston, IL, which - believe it or not - pulled off a three-hour parade! Luckily the weather was not too hot for all of these festivities, making it a perfect 4th.

On the way there, on the way back home and all evening I worked on this hat, which is now finished (although the seam needs fixing):


The pattern is from Debbie Bliss - this one is from the Baby Cashmerino 2 book, but it appears in various gauges in other books she's written. I had a run-in the first time I tried this pattern a few years ago - I tried to make it in one piece, instead of using a seam as the pattern is written. [Note to self: gauge in the round is NOT the same as gauge on a flat piece!] I used Pear Tree Yarn 4-ply, which just happens to be the same gauge as DB Baby Cashmerino (sorry, Debbie!). However, this yarn is not superwash, while the Baby Cash is (good job, Debbie!).

I am a baby-gift-knitting storm right now! My sister-in-law and another friend had babies in June, another friend is due by the end of July, two more friends are due in the fall and one in the winter...there really is something in the water! (grin) I've got yarn queued up to make a little something for each of these special little ones who will join us in 2007.

Hope you all had a safe and relaxing holiday!

Fab Contest!

Blogger and designer Alison is having a contest, and the prize is a skein of Blue Sky Alpaca's brand-new yarn, Suri Merino!!!

Go here to enter. It's not even a hard contest! You just have to leave a comment letting her know at what age you learned to knit.

See, I'm looking out for you! Go win some yarn.

Now, with more knitting!

Hello! Long time no post. My mom came to visit, so I was too busy sightseeing, shopping and gabbing to knit OR post! We had a ball. We even saw The Color Purple, which is playing in Chicago! I give it a two-thumbs up.

So after my mom's visit I was back to working on my Eyelet Cardigan. See, I've made some progress!


I love this pattern. The extremely well-written pattern and soft yarn has made this project smooth sailing. I just made my first-ever button band! Unfortunately, I can't put on the other one until I figure out the button placement. Figuring out the button placement will require...buttons. Not sure when I can pick those up, so the project may be on hold.

Speaking of buttons, Tender Buttons just closed up shop. Their building, which housed a number of boutiques, is going to be demolished so something else can get built there. I am hoping they will reopen eventually, but they say they have not found a location yet. To think I've lived here for two years (in the same neighborhood no less) and have NEVER gone there...hopefully I will get a second chance!

I've started on another project...for my new nephew! I haven't seen him in person yet, but boy, is he cute! Even though it's not sweater weather I was so excited to knit for him, so I'm making a 6-9 month size sweater.



This is the Hooded Striped Top from Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino book. It's going to be sooo cute. I'm using the Baby Cashmerino and it knits up very easily and smoothly. You kinda have to watch the plies but it's still excellent.

I have bunches of other baby projects on deck, and some other project ideas. Lots of fun knitting to come!

More Progress

Just the sleeves & trim to go now:


Two Fronts! Woot!
Also, re: the magazines. I think I should keep Interweave, since I have found many beautiful items in it I'd like to wear (thanks for the reality check, Amelia!). But I will keep an open mind toward VK and consider subscribing (even though it may mean wallpapering my apartment in knitting magazines).

Laters, knitters!

Weekend

I finally, FINALLY started the Eyelet Cardi from Blue Sky Alpacas! Monica and Gay helped motivate me to get this on the needles. It's a terrific pattern - the stitch pattern is really only two rows, and the Blue Sky Dyed Cotton is chunky enough to keep the project moving. I started and nearly finished the back on Saturday.




Free Stuff!
Last Thursday's KIP was so fun! I saw Mary for the first time in I don't know how long, welcomed a new person to the group (hi Molly!), and hung out with the usual suspects. It must have been my lucky day, because Mary gave me an extra copy of Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing!! I had been eyeing this book, and it did not disappoint - it has TONS of well-designed, useful, and gift-worthy projects. Thank you Mary (and Carolyn)! It was so nice of you to think of me. And, Teresa was destashing as well - she brought a bunch of yarn and magazines to share. I scored these two Interweave back issues - there are some beautiful patterns in each, mainly nice warm pullovers. Excellent, excellent!!

Speaking of knitting magazines - I just bought the latest issue of Vogue Knitting, and was surprised to read that their editor is stepping down...but then I was excited to learn that the new editor will be Adina Klein! I've seen her on Knitty Gritty, and read her articles in Knit.1, and I really like her style. So now I have a crisis: do I subscribe to VK? And if so, do I dump Interweave? I kind of hate to, since Eunny will be the new editor, but two knitting mags seems like overkill since I never get rid of old issues. Decisions, decisions.

Hope you all have had a great weekend!

San Francisco

Downtown

Redwoods at Muir Woods

Bread Pudding at Tartine
S.F. was terrif. Really fun. Not sure if I've ever mentioned it, but my little brother lives there. Being a sister never gets old...it was so nice to see him every day during our visit. The trip was full of great food, time with close friends, yarn, baseball, wine tasting, etc. etc. You can cram a lot into four days - it was busy but still relaxing.

Artfibers was a blast. It was totally overwhelming to have so many choices in fiber, texture, and design. They will create a custom pattern for a very reasonable price, based on the yarn you choose, your gauge (or a standard one), and your exact measurements. I went there thinking, "I need a cardigan"; I should have gone in thinking, "If I could design the perfect cardigan, what would it look/feel like?" I think I made a good choice, but you could create a whole wardrobe using their yarns and a series of custom designs. I chose a yarn called Shizen - a 75% silk, 25% mohair blend with a sorta scrunchy texture. Here's a closeup where you can (hopefully) see the colors/shading. I believe this is color 12.


Artfibers Shizen
I was so lucky to get a chance to visit Artfibers. If you go, give yourself a good chunk of time to really take it all in.

Anyway, I should go. We've got houseguests! But I really wanted to tell you about my trip. I'll be more chatty later - promise!

Some Squares to Spare

Here's my contribution to the Rebuilding Greensburg project:


I feel pretty good about this! I made nine squares, and they went faster than I would have thought. If I find any more odd balls of worsted weight, I'll make some more. You can make some too! Go here and get the info.

We go to San Fran tomorrow morning. I tell you, I'm not sure I've ever been more excited to get out of town than I am today! Huzzah!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend, everybody!

Thoughts

Have you noticed that the twinset has faded almost completely? Other than the most staid versions on the Talbots website, no one is even selling them. Maybe I am too classic (read: boring) in my taste - but I LOVE a twinset. There are so many pretty cardigans these days, so it would be easy, but it seems that ala Anthropologie, the trend has moved away from looking 'matchy-matchy' in favor of a more thrown-together, eclectic style. I like that style too, but - I'm waiting for the fashion pendulum to swing the other way...

...I'm going to San Francisco next week, and this time - I'm going to go to Artfibers! I've never made it there because I always seem to show up on a holiday weekend, but this time we will arrive Friday morning and I'm going there first! I think I may spring for some Kyoto. Artfibers will also design a pattern for the yarn you buy...so I will be able to make something fabulous, no doubt!

There's a great picture of a completed Eyelet Cardigan on KPixie's blog here. Tempting, no?

Also, I started a LMKG Chevron Scarf! I am totally addicted. I love the interplay of the flashes of color in the hand-dyed yarns I'm working with. Here's a progress shot:

The colors are hard to photograph, but this is pretty close. Hopefully it's not garish. I've decided to use all my sock yarn for more of these scarves! I may never knit another pair, but I can scarf along with the best of 'em!

Squares I have Known

This past week, my knitting has centered around squares. I'm making afghan squares for the Rebuilding Greensburg project. I've knit these simple garter stitch squares while focusing on the people of this town. I am thinking so hard, it's like I'm trying to 'beam' my thoughts there, to give them the strength they will need to have in order to rebuild.


It's also been fun to use up small amounts of yarn left over from other projects. On the left is Rowan Kid Classic. A great yarn - very soft but still substantial. The burgundy is Elann's Peruvian Highland Wool. Even though this yarn is a little scratchy, it has a really nice 'bounce.' I've put this yarn back on my mental list of ones to use in the future. The light blue is Malabrigo. Incredibly soft, but it doesn't seem to pill too much. The last one is Karabella Aurora 8. I have a hard time getting gauge with this yarn because it's so sproing-y, but for something like this, it was perfect. This is a very smooth yarn to knit with. The big honking ball of red yarn is a full skein of Valley Yarns Berkshire. I should get a few squares out of it.

I wonder how many squares people will knit. I think it's possible that Laura (the afghan project organizer) will end up with a LOT more than she planned on. I guess it's enough to hope the response will meet the need.

Happy knitting, all!

A Few Things

Looptopia is this Friday! Are you going? Let me know! As one knitter pointed out, any event with 'loop' in the name should definitely have knitters in full force! The Windy City Knitting Guild is sponsoring a knit night from 10 to midnight..but there are plenty of other things happening too!

Also, thank you THANK YOU for the nice comments on my sewing project! They were so fun to read. Yes, I do feel like I've come along way - definitely in my confidence with sewing, and somewhat in my technique.

In other news - my knitting world is somewhat monotonous of late. I finished the knitting on Flair, save picking up the neckband, so that's set aside for some quiet couch-side knitting. Other than that, the only project I have going is the lacy Kidsilk Haze shawl. It keeps getting longer, but there's really no reason to post a pic.

So, I'll share some fun colors instead. I am planning to make a scarf for my mother-in-law. She requested blues and purples, so here's what I've got:


This is Dream in Color yarn - the left Colorway is Nightwatch and the right is Some Summer Sky. It doesn't show up so well on my monitor, but the darker one has plummy purples in it. I'm thinking about making a LMKG Chevron scarf...but I'm looking for other ideas as well. I'm also thinking about whether these are the right colors...I may need to look for something with more purple since that's what she asked for. On the other hand, she does have beautiful blue eyes, so maybe I should stick with these.

Also, I have a new toy:


I bought this Ashford niddy noddy so I could reskein some previously-knitted yarn - I know you don't need a tool to do this, but my back-of-chair attempts were wholly unsuccessful. And, the niddy noddy was under $15 from Webs. Plus, who could argue with how beautiful this yarn looks against the smooth wood?

One other thing - I'm madly in love with this cardigan. I may have to rip this off for fall. We'll see if the swingy sweater trend continues!

Hope you are all enjoying spring!!

More Sewing!

Okay, I sewed again this weekend. Now I see what some people mean about sewing providing 'instant' gratification' - in this case, a few hours of sewing and pressing and I have this great bag!


Basted & Pinned


Taking Shape


All Over but the Hand Sewin'
It's not perfect, but I wouldn't be embarrassed to carry it, either. This bag is the perfect size for a weekend 'go bag' - snacks, sunscreen, book/magazine, knitting - all your necessities! The shoulder straps are the perfect length too.

As a sewing newbie, I give this pattern two thumbs up. The main challenge for me was stitching around a curve - but the more I practice, the easier it is. It also helped me figure out how many fabric layers my sewing machine will go through before it starts whining. :)

I look forward to making a few more of these bags. I would love to give some as gifts, with the fabric colors/patterns customized for the recipient.

I have also been knitting! The lion's share of a sweater has materialized this week - I'll post pics when the sleeves are done!

Hope everyone had a terrific weekend!

The Money $hot

This is no surprise to those of you who are stylists and/or know how to make things look beautiful...but it's so interesting how the way a knit design is styled can affect your perception of the pattern. For example...

...Blue Sky Alpacas' Eyelet Cardigan pattern. I saw the picture they are using to sell the pattern, and I thought, hmm - does that woman have really broad shoulders? Or is it the pattern? Since I'm kind of a linebacker, maybe that's not the pattern for me. Plus, I think it's a v-neck and I like round necklines.

Later, I ran across this image on the store blog for Loop. Whoa! Now THAT'S a sweater I'd like to knit and wear. The color and the head-on shot really help to sell the design - I don't even mind that it's on a mannequin and not a person. Money in the bank! I will definitely buy this pattern, and I will buy Dyed Cotton for the project.

I was surprised to find out that the sweater pictured on the Loop blog is actually from a Blue Sky trunk show. Unfortunately, most of us will not get to see the sweater in person. I love Blue Sky yarns, especially the Dyed Cotton used for this project. It's so soft and has a beautiful pearly luster. It does pill somewhat, but that's the trade-off for the off-the-charts softness. If you've never used it, maybe this project will tempt you!

Updated to add: it's been pointed out to me that I never said that these two photos are of the same pattern! That was really the whole point of this post. How embarrassing, that I edited my post to the point of not making sense. *Sigh*

Sewing Weekend

I spent my crafting time this weekend sewing. I can't help but feel a little guilty - sorry if you stopped by to see knitting! Anyway, I thought I'd post a pic of the top I'm working on - it's not finished because I seem to have misplaced the elastic. (And it needs a hem.)


It's just a little peasant blouse - I made it longer so it's more of a tunic. The sleeves are going to be a little poufy too (hence the need for the elastic). The red is a little blinding but, for spring and summer I love color! I'm considering adding some embellishment but I don't know what yet. I think this will look great with a pair of fitted white or dark denim capri pants and ballet flats (or espadrilles), and a chunky beaded necklace.

I also picked out fabric and a pattern for my second sewing project. I got the fabric from a cool store here in Chicago called Quiltology. Here I've started on Amy Butler's Swing Bag. I haven't gotten very far, but the pattern instructions seem fairly straightforward. The bag will be reversible - but I plan to use it with the polka dots on the inside most of the time.


Since they're focused on piecework, all of their fabric is cotton but they've got Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett, Denyse Schmidt and other beautiful fabrics. I am planning to take their beginning quilting class, but just haven't freed up the mental space and physical time to do it.

I consider learning to quilt to be one of my lifetime goals. When I was in college, my parents lived in upstate New York (near the Finger Lakes - a very crafty part of the country). One of their neighbors was a quilter, and my mom and I briefly discussed having her make us a quilt. Sometime after that, it occurred to me that I could learn to quilt, and pass on my own family heirlooms. One day I'll make quilts for my children, and some day long after that they will hand them down to their children. It's a dream right now, but one that I can definitely make real.

Have a good week, everyone!

Yarn Choices

The Ott-Lite is really helpful for seeing the true color of yarn or fabric. The other day I mentioned that I had bought two kinds of yarn in a pool green/blue color. The second batch finally arrived in the mail, and I was trying to decide which to use for my project. I decided to put them under the Ott-Lite and photograph them to see which color I liked best. Here's what I saw:


The yarn on the top clearly has more blue in it, while the yarn on the bottom is much more green. In natural light - especially under a camera's flash - their shades look almost identical (even though the Blue Sky is darker). I'm going with the Blue Sky...and debating whether to return the Cameo Cotton from Ram Wools. Is it too seafoam-y? Should I keep it for baby gifts?

I love the Ott-Lite! I'm going to use it to choose/match/sort colors from now on. I'm also planning to use it this weekend while I'm sewing - so hopefully I will have pictures of my new garment soon.

I'm already focused on the weekend because hubby is going out of town today and won't be back until Sunday night. What's on the agenda for me? Knitting, sewing (and hopefully finishing my first solo garment) a trip to the spa...which is plenty to keep me busy. But after the sad events at V. Tech, it seemed harder to let him leave. It just seems like a time for holding your loved ones close.

Take good care, everybody!

Le Weekend

Some great things about this weekend:

• WE MIGHT GET THE OLYMPICS! GO CHICAGO!!
  
• Cupcakes from Sarah's Candies. This place has some of the best cupcakes I've ever had. My husband and I are regulars - they even know our order. :)
  
• A movie. We saw The Lookout. That Third Rock kid was pretty good. Definitely fun to watch.
  
• A sale at Joann's! See below for my great deal.
  
• The Bleeding Heart Bakery, which I discovered while waiting for the bus this afternoon. It is the only USDA-certified organic bakery in the country! Tasty ginger scones, too...
  
• Sunshine! It seems spring may have finally come to Chicago.
  

So, what did I get at Joann's? This, for 50% off:


Tabletop Ott-Lite! Sewing seems to strain my eyes, and I've heard lots of good things about these. We'll see if it helps.

The Kidsilk Haze shawl project is going great. I've gotten more comfortable working with the yarn, so my tension is evening out. I am totally addicted to this project...I can't put it down! I've knit about 12 inches so far:


Adrienne asked what size needles I'm working on - I'm using US 7s. The pattern called for 8s, but mine were not pointy enough. Even though the yarn is very fine, visible progress is much faster than I would have thought. I guess the mohair fills it out a bit. I will have to block it though - it won't be long enough as is. And it will look better anyway once blocked, just to even out the stitches.

Anyway, hope everyone is currently having a great weekend. Happy knitting!

Easy Lace

I have this book called Exquisite Little Knits by Iris Schreier and Laurie Kimmelstiel. It has beautiful patterns for accessories in moderate to luxury yarns. I feel like I should review the book and post some pattern pics - it's not a title you hear much about in the blogosphere. Anyway, there are couple of really nice designs for Kidsilk Haze. For some reason, I have really been wanting to try knitting with this yarn. I think it's because one day I'd like to make Melissa's Granny Smith! So, I'm taking the plunge!



You can barely see the pattern, but I found some pics of the full stole here. The pattern is only a two-row repeat, so I've got it memorized. The needles are Suzanne's Ebony, which are just pointy and rough enough to work perfectly. And, since it knits up just like it looks in the book, I think minimal blocking will be required. Add the fact that the yarn is so compact-able that I can easily fit everything in my (overstuffed) purse, and you have all the makings of a perfect on-the-go project!

Re: Flair - I found what looks to be a nice, inexpensive cotton from Ram Wools. It's called Cameo Cotton, and I ordered the Oriental Blue shade. However, then I went to Nina (a local LYS), and somehow managed to buy Blue Sky Cotton in Azul, a nearly identical color. I guess I just really like that color. So, I'm waiting to receive the Cameo Cotton to see which yarn I like better for this sweater. Plus...it's not nearly as portable as my Kidsilk Haze project.

Happy knitting, everyone!

Checking In

Just stopping in to say hi, even though I am not feeling all that bloggy...partly because last week, I took the time to write a review of Amy Singer's book, but Blogger and Bloglines conspired against me and failed to let people know it was there.

I haven't been knitting, but I have been working on a sewing project - my first since the class I took last fall. So far it's going pretty well. I just finished the neckline, and I tried it on - it's exciting that it actually fits! If it turns out well I will post pictures. I think I like sewing, but it is seriously time-consuming. Maybe I will get faster at it the more I do it.

Otherwise, I have plans to design a top in Euroflax Linen (sportweight). It was such an amazing experience to knit a swatch with this yarn, wash it, and see it turn from something like steel wool into a drapey, soft fabric.



I can't believe the weekend is over already. I'm headed into week three of my return to work. There are big changes going on in my office, requiring all of us to step up a little more. (okay, a LOT more) I would love another day in the weekend but barring that, an easy and satisfying knitting project would be a great stress reliever. Since I find myself almost totally project-less, I'm trying to decide on a yarn to make Flair. I love this jacket - the retro shape, the modern asymmetry, the total springiness...sigh. The problem is finding something that will 1) keep its shape, 2) be in a color I want to wear as much as I want to wear this sweater and 3) be easy to knit with (i.e. NOT linen). So far my top choices are Valley Yarns Goshen, Rowan Calmer, Online Linie 12 Clip, or maybe the Blue Sky Dyed Cotton in the pattern. I'm also thinking about a lightweight wool like Karabella Aurora 8. Choices, choices! I think finding the perfect color is more important to me than the yarn. Do you think that way too?

Anyway, Happy Easter, if that is your holiday, and hope everyone had a nice weekend. Later...