Wrestling with Seduce–still

About that jacket in that Berroco Seduce which was the most gorgeous yarn I had ever seen and I lusted for it for over a year before yielding to temptation—ya da, ya da, ya da.

In July I said I hadn’t quite decided what it would be. 

I drew this and liked it but then was diverted by the idea of designing a yoke sweater.  Amy Herzog said in her marvelous Fit to Flatter series that I would look good in a yoke sweater.  So it was to be a yoke sweater–

Voila a yoke.  I managed to deal with this briefly only to determine that you are probably not capable of designing a yoke sweater pattern if you have never, ever, knitted a yoke sweater.

Thus it became a hybrid raglan that turns into a set in sleeve which I have theorized about repeatedly.  I wanted to add a solid something to it as in the drawing.  I was moving toward a different idea entirely.

This had possibilities but I already had the shoulders started and I was tired of taking it out.  I just kept on.

I posted it as a cardigan jacket on Ravelry updated with this picture. And with this paragraph . . .

This yarn has obsessed me, has been swatched repeatedly, and finally I just cast on. I am attempting to explore a better raglan sleeve and an unstructured jacket with very open stitches–mostly stockinette, with wide rib bottom.

The V neck was not great coming out of the raglan neckline.  The wonderful wide rib drew the whole front to the back and left the “girls” and my tummy as the main view.  I really couldn’t get the shoulders to stay centered on my shoulders, and the back hiked up for some strange reason.  No, I did not even consider quiting.  Nor burning.

Pick up and add on was the battle cry.  And I did.  I really like the collar.

The cotton on size 5 needles in seed st does not complement the open stockinette of the Seduce.  The add on merely emphasizes that the Seduce isn’t cooperating and somehow emphasizes the large areas of my body more so that just letting them be exposed.  It was just heavy–aesthetically heavy.  But I really like the collar.

There comes a time when you have to take drastic action.  But I’m not quite there yet.

I’ve frogged all the plum cotton including my lovely collar.  I’ve frogged the ribbing and and am restarting  just below the armhole with some increases to flare the bottom.  The sleeves are going–it’s back to a vest.  I like vests.  I have a new long sleeve purple turtleneck that will look good with this vest.

I haven’t taken a picture yet, but I promise I will before I frog this plan.

Next time you wonder why a pattern costs so much, think of this.  I’m not sure drug companies spend this much energy on a product.

I still like this yarn, but maybe not as much.

More later–

Knitting with my Handspun

I’ve been doing some research about knitting with handspun singles.  Even though I’m not a big fan of singles, not plying yarn is an easy way for a spinner to keep the colors pure, much like Mr. Noro does.

This fiber was purchased years and years ago on the then young ebay site.  It is 100% wool and was dyed by Ruth Fortune in a colorway she named Fiesta.  (Thank goodness for those little tags on a string that stay firmly fastened.)  I spun this yarn, probably on my old Ashford Traveler, in a single so that I could control the color.  After all the pure color was what attracted me to it.  It is worsted spun–and, as always, by the seat of my pants.  Details, wpi, ratios interest me NOT AT ALL.  Spinning for me is rhythm, touch, meditation—all process.

Spun singles are easy to over spin and if you do that, the yarn will bias or slant your stitches when you knit.  (See above)  You probably don’t want this.  There are finishing processes that can minimize some of this. Or, like me, you can do nothing–but you have to do nothing for a long time.  When yarn sits without any tension on it, Mother Nature uses physics to balance it.  Slowly, over time, like making diamonds, the twist migrates along the yarn until it is balanced.

The zigzaggy swatch beside the two balls of yarn was my first attempt to knit this yarn umpteen years ago.  I’m guessing the bias is still there because the yarn was knit in small bound off pieces.  I chose garter swtitch for the swatch because garter balances normal yarn.  However, you see the result.

The new swatches look pretty good.  The mitered square is square and the seed stitch is even, yet they still retain the “energy” we treasure in our handspun singles.

The stockinette swatch shows you the effect of needle sizes.  I began knitting this DK weight with a US3.  The middle section is a size 5 and the top a 7.  I like all three for different purposes.  I especially like the energy effect of the size 7 swatch.

Now what to do with this yarn.  Color purity directed the spinning, but what if you want to knit it which will mix the colors?  How?  I hate it when a beautiful skein of hand dye knits up into a blah fabric.  I’m thinking slip stitch patterns are helpful here.

Which is more important to you?  The stitch pattern or the color? You have to choose one.  I chose color.  Here’s what I did and what I challenge you to do.

I made a hat.

I started with four stitches cast on to my magic loop.  I increased (Kf&b) 8 sts every other row until it reached the largest circumference I wanted–pretty big actually–128 sts.  I threw in an occasional K2, sl 1 wyif row and one yo, k2tog row.  Most of the energy came from the handspun.

Then I went to the reference books–for me, Barbara Walker.  I picked a pattern I’d never knitted before–”Quilted Lattice” in vol. 1.  I knit it just to see what it looked like in this hand dye.  I like it.  Oh, I had to add 4 sts to make the pattern work out but that was easy.

Then, I moved to my new favorite ribbing.  It’s a 3X3 rib with slip sts every other row.  I’ve used it with handpainted sock yarn, so I’m now trying it in a DK weight.  The hat was knit on a size 7 and then I changed to the 5 for the ribbing.  I’m trying to figure out a way to trim the edge before binding off, so it is still on the needles.

So, I feel good.  (Actually I have a cold) Here’s what I learned.

1–I’ve knit and learned from my own handspun, so I’ve used stash.

2–I’ve learned a new stitch pattern.

3–I’ve demonstrated a blind faith that some day, Charlotte, NC, will again be dry and cool and hat weather.

Do this!!!  I dare you.  It’s fun–even if it doesn’t work out well, you’ll learn.  If you hat turns out ugly, give it to someone you don’t like very much and continually ask if they are enjoying it.   I am so mean sometimes.

More later–

On the Needles

I got the laptop back when Steve came home last week, but haven’t gotten my writing mojo in gear until tonight.  Here’s an on the needle update:

Leaf and Nupp Shawl from Nancy Bush’s Lace Knitting in Estonia.  I’ve done enough for you to get the idea.  It really may be more large scarf size when finished, but I’m fine with that.  I love any leaf pattern I have ever seen, especially this one.  I’m so proud of those Nupps.  Yes, a few will need some secret repair, but most are whole and perfect.  That’s a big step forward for me.  Dorothy who is in the Daybreak Gold Knitalong has recently been to Estonia–covet, covet– and said yarn was very lovely and inexpensive.  That’s reason enough to go.  This won’t get much work in the near future, but more on that later.

Nope, that’s not a black and white photo.  It’s in full color–only there isn’t much.  I finally finished–don’t you love that word?–my Puffy Squares from the Zauberball black and white fingering yarn.  Yes, I fiddled with the colors a bit at the end to prevent a solid black piece.  Now to decide what to do with them.  I envision a scarf with four of these on each end.  Maybe all eight on one end and a plain finish at the other.  The problem is finding a yarn with a similar luster to the Zauberball.  This too goes to the back burner.

The knitting is finished.  The yarn was from Kate and I’ve lost the band.  But it is thick and thin and even the thin is pretty thick.  I knit seed stitch on a size 13 needle–just a 17″ square.Then I embellished with a smooth cotton DK yarn.  The “bow” or “flower” is a rectangle woven on a 4×6 Weavette.  Then there is backstitch.  I have an old remnant of upholstery material which will compliment the neutral embroidery.  I have an old pillow that needs a new cover.  No excuse for not finishing this and adding it to my den immediately.  Don’t hold your breath.  But I love it.

Here’s my Daybreak Gold shawl variation.  I stuck to the pattern for at least three inches and then remembered that I hate unshaped triangles.  So I decided to add short rows and shape it.  Just made up a plan and did it.  I don’t love what I did, but what I wrote down was what I should have done and I will test that on the other end.  The Knitalong started at the shop last Sunday.  We had a blast, all 13 of us.  It’s not to late to join us;  check the Charlotte Yarn website.  Next time I’ll take the camera.

Could not resist starting a sev[en] circle after seeing BJ’s last week.  This is a pleasure to knit.  No brains are really needed.  Love that about it

Zachary’s gansey is graphed and I’ve knit one inch of the back.  I’ve been doodling on a sweater for Steve.  The green linen skirt still just lies there.  And the Seduce jacket has taken an interesting turn.

Still other projects which I cannot show yet.  Obviously I have a problem.

Today I shook myself by the throat and yelled, “Get a grip!”  I need to FOCUS before I self destruct.  So–I have packed away some of the projects.  I will continue to work on the Knitalong–that’s my job and the group is great.  I will keep the Seduce jacket available.  I will finish the new socks on the needles.  Then I will look at the others.  Ah-h-h.  That feels better.

Aren’t you glad you aren’t ADHD?

More later–

Sev[en] Circle and BJ

I thought I was clever using the natural curl of stockinette stitch to create my Grecian border (see tutorial page above).  But Kirsten Johnstone trumped me big time.  BJ brought her Sev[en[ Circle to the shop this week and we all flipped.  It’s a scarf, a necklace, a gift, an opportunity to try new yarns and  . . . .

it’s free on ravelry!

Like Liesle, I missed this earlier while 305 other people made and posted it.

This pattern is bone simple–Cast on, join, knit, do some bind off, the cast on again, knit, etc.  Beginners can make it, You can knit it in public, while watching a TV movie, at the pool, maybe even on a treadmill– and then amaze people with its cuteness.

And did I mention how simple it it.  Therein lies the genius.

I bought Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn in the everlasting colorway #8.  The pattern gives the stitch numbers for sport and lace wt. yarn.  I’m using numbers midway between them, but I think the sport weight would work just fine for a sock yarn.

Here’s your assignment.  Look it up, download the pattern, grab some yarn and cast on.   Then let me know what yarn you are using and even share a picture.

I’m not terribly happy with my yarn choice for this project.  I do like how the long repeats look, but I’m not as thrilled with the texture of the yarn.  BJ used Mini Mochi.  I suspect the smoothness of Zauberball’s spin would look really good.

Kirsten has a beautiful blog and she designed the Japonica Cravat that I like so much.  Check out  the blog here.

Oh, BJ also knit this Damson by Ysolda Teague.  Pattern here and yarn was Zephyr in the dk weight.  Gorgeous.

Greenville, SC

Happy birthday, turtlegirl 76!!!

Shawl knitalong starts this Sunday

This is an all call to any Greenville, SC, knitters out there.  If you know anyone from the area, pass this on.

Steve is now working in Greenville.  The Charlotte office has loaned him to Greenville to work on a project for someone in Abu Dhabi.  I find that exciting.  If he gets to go to Abu Dhabi, I’m tagging along.  Rafik will surely give me some advice about the area, and I’ll just bet his mom knows where the yarn shops are.

Anyway, I will be spending some time during the week in Greenville.  Where are the knitters?  I know where Heidi’s bead shop is downtown, but haven’t a clue about yarn.  The internet indicates many of the surrounding yarn shops are no longer in business.  There is a guild; therefore, someone knits.

I’ll do a ravelry search, etc., but if you know a knitter from Greenville, I’d really love a personal contact.  Otherwise, I’ll just have to stalk George Hincapie to pass the time.  I wonder if he would like a little silk skull cap to wear under his bike helmet like Steve has.

In the meantime, locals should look for me at Charlotte Yarn.  I’ll be spending a lot more time there and I would love to have folks to knit with.

I was going to show you an update on my many OTN projects, but Steve has my Laptop (Windows) and I can’t seem to make the old iMac download my pics.  I’ll work on it—-or go visit Meghan’s computer.

Winners

Copyright Knitcircus

Congrats to Debra, Elizabeth and Katie.  They were selected by the online random generator to receive the Fall 2010 Collection of patterns from Knitcircus.  The email is on the way.

The most talked about patterns in the comments were the As Sweet As Honey blanket and the Winter Lilies shawl.  Every time I look through the patterns, I find another one I want to play with.  I wonder if I could do the Colorado yoked sweater in cotton. Hm-m-m-m.

If you didn’t win, all is not lost.  Turtlegirl76 is doing an  even bigger giveaway this week on her blog;  plus you get to see cute kitties.

Thank you for the comments and the lovely compliments on my work.  My feet won’t reach the ground for a few weeks yet.

More later …

Knitcircus Issue 11

Knitcircus Issue 11 is up and it’s a blockbuster.

Here’s how it works.  The articles, interviews, and project photos are is the online issue.  The photography is amazing.  Anyone can access these items.  To get the patterns, you must purchase a pdf which contains all 24 patterns in the issue.  Twenty four patterns for only $7.50.  This is the bargain of the year.

First you have to go “oooooooooh” over the cover.  That child is so precious I almost didn’t see the sweater.  Just almost.  Then you can page through the ezine and be awash in color.  Check out these:

• Wendy Johnson has written an article about charting.
• Natascha Grief interviewed Adrienne Martini who wrote Sweater Quest, My Year of Knitting Dangerously
• Miss T talks to Cat Bordhi about her design process.
• Jaala interviews Soulemama about nurturing your creativity in a busy, modern world.
• Techknitter has a tutorial on felted mittens.  If you like embellishing your knitting, this is a must see.
• Bezzie shares her Peanut Butter and Jelly cups recipe.  One of my favorite things about this magazine is that the editorial staff recognizes that knitters do more than knit.  Of course, I, who never enter the kitchen except to get a drink, will have to get Steve to make the recipe for me.

Copyright Knitcircus

Oh, yeah, my pattern is on page 40—the very first one in the issue.

I promised a giveaway and here is how that works.  Go to the website and check out the magazine.  Respond on this blog or a separate email to tell me which pattern you would knit second—we’ll all pretend mine is the one you would knit first.  I can pretend pretty well.

I will randomly draw three names and send you a link to the pattern booklet for this issue which contains all of the patterns.

If you are planning to join the lace shawl knitalong at Charlotte Yarn, you may want to check out Winter Lilies by Susannah IC.  You could make it with only one ball of Zephyr.