Knit Quest

June 2006

That’s when I started this blanket. I remembering swinging into the yarn shop, seeing the gorgeous colors and thinking how perfectly they went with my home.

Hmm…I’ll make a throw. Yeah. Big needles, big yarn, it won’t take long. It will be so cozy. Yes!

I went straight from the shop to the park for a playdate/picnic, made a random ass guess at the number of stitches and cast on.

Knit, knit, knit….. good lord these are big needles, kind of makes my hands hurt. Pause.

 

Then - Knit, knit, knit…. it’s a little warm to be knitting this big ole whack of wool. Maybe I’ll wait till fall to finish. Pause.

Then - Knit, knit, knit…. gheesh this a lot of yarn to be carrying around. Maybe I should work on some socks too. Pause.

Then – Knit, knit, knit …. this is a lot of garter stitch, so boring. Pause.

Then – Knit, knit, knit… holy crap is this thing getting heavy. Pause.

I think you get the picture. So while this was certainly not a challenging knit, all the little irritations and time outs added up to a very long knit. Almost 4 years! 

But now it’s done, it is cozy, it is gorgeous and it is perfect on my favorite chair. I’ve been toting it around like my own little pacifier. I love it.

However, if you ever here me suggesting to make another, entirely garter stitch, big needles, cut the yarn everyrow, blanket please give me a knock upside the head and pray that I come to my senses before I wake up.

Maybe now I’ll dig out the cable sampler blanket and finish that one for the couch. It’s only been hanging around for 2 years though, so no hurry.

A Little Jazz

**Loopy Ewe Sock Club spoiler! If you don’t want your surprise ruined look away quick.**

Guess who designed one of this month’s Loopy Ewe Sock Club patterns?  Me!

Meet A Little Jazz.

It’s a mini-shawl/scarf made from a single skein of Baby Boom from Fiesta

Right now the only way you can get the pattern is if you’re a member of the Loopy Ewe Sock Club but after a bit (6 months I think) you’ll be able to buy it at the Loopy Ewe.

 

I liked it so much, I made two!

Thanks so much Sheri for asking me to be a part of the club!!

Totally Tubular Dude!

I feel like I’ve been talking about this forever but today is the day. My first ever video pattern is done!!

Totally Tubular is my solution for a sock that requires almost no measuring, counting or thinking during the majority of your knitting time. It’s a project you can cast on and start working with nothing but needles and yarn. No thought necessary, end of day, glass of wine, peaceful knitting with a very useful end result.

The unique construction method lets you customize the fit and finish at the end, allowing you to stock up on “tubes” and have a gift ready in no time at all. Or giving you the freedom to make progress even when you don’t have time to work out all the details. All you need to get started is yarn and needles!

Visit the Totally Tubular site to see all the videos and get a pdf of the pattern.

The videos are broken down step by step so you can knit every step along with me or just watch the sections you need help with. Techniques covered include: Judy’s Magic Cast On, Magic Loop, knitting in the round, cutting your knitting, Afterthought Heel, standard wedge toe, Kitchner Stitch and weaving in ends.

Even if you don’t want to knit the socks you can watch the videos for tips and help with the techniques.

The pattern is free to give you a chance to see how my video patterns will work and to check out my teaching style. It also gives me a chance to work out any kinks and get some experience without feeling like everything has to be totally perfect.

I hope you like the pattern and the new video format. Please take the time to leave me some feedback so I can make future patterns better, it really helps.

If you like the pattern and the idea please spread the word to your knitting buddies. I’m also using this as a test to gauge interest in video patterns.  Thanks so much!!

Sprint to the Finish

Every time the Olympics come I have visions of sitting in my living room, cup of tea or glass of beer nearby, knitting in my lap and the drama and excitement of the games on my TV. I plan my projects, stock up on snacks and get generally amped up. They finally begin and I’m promptly given a large and unpleasant dose of reality.

The kids want the TV, the laundry needs to be done,  homework is due and the family still wants to be fed. In short the rest of my life goes on as usual and since I don’t have my own support team I’m left to deal with it.

Which is why 2 years ago, I didn’t the reach to podium. It’s also why my color work shawl is not going to get me a medal this year.

I worked for 10 days, every spare minute I had, and managed to get 6 inches done. 6 inches. For those math challenged, that isn’t even close to the 30” I need to finish. Ack!

But all hope is not lost. Having learned from my last experience, I planned a backup project. So day 11 I busted out project #2 and set to work.

Plain socks. Doesn’t look like much of a challenge, does it?

The challenge here is not in the knitting. This is a pattern/idea, that I came up with almost 3 years ago, for a more brainless way to knit a standard sock. I’ve just never gotten around to doing anything with it and now seemed like the perfect time. Nothing like a firm deadline to get you moving!

By closing ceremonies I plan to have my very first every video pattern available. It will be free and obviously for this sock. I figured the deadline would pull me out of my funk and force me to just do it. I chose this pattern because I think it’s a great idea but not really a classic pattern that I could sell. Perfect for sharing with you and getting any video pattern making kinks worked out.

As you can see, the knitting is almost complete and so is the filming. Only the heel and kitchner to go. With 2 days left to edit all the videos, set up with site and upload it I think I can make it. Certainly a challenge but doable.

Icing

Think of that special skein tucked away in your stash.  You know the one – beautiful, luxurious and just a tad indulgent.  The one you have been saving, just waiting for the perfect project to show  it off.

Turn your small skein into a piece with big impact, one that will accentuate the subtle detail and texture of your little treasure. The clean lines and modern design will make your lace weight really shine, and like its namesake, Icing is the perfect topping to your outfit. Indulge yourself – you deserve it.

Ok marketing schmaltz aside, I did design Icing to make the most of a really fabulous yarn. In this case it’s one skein of Hedonism (see details below) but it could be any luxury yarn you want to use to it’s fullest.  I’m thinking I’ll knit one for me to keep (this one went back to Abstract Fibers for their booth) in Camelspin or some Artfibers cashmere I’ve had forever.

 

It’s a simple pattern, just interesting enough but not complicated knitting and it’s ready for you.

Yarn:  approximately 350 yards lace weight yarn. Shown in Abstract Fiber Hedonism: 350 yds/320 m per 50g skein, 15% Paco Vicuna, 15% SeaCell, 70% Optim Wool  (If you’re looking for this yarn, and you should, it’s not on their website right now but I know they will have some at Stitches)

Needles: 1 US size 3 needle, or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge: 14 sts and 19 rows per 4 inches pattern blocked

Size:  approximately 15” wide at center by 104” in length

The pattern includes charts and written instructions.

Olympic Glory

Is a long way off.

I’m loving the way the colors are coming together and enjoying the knitting, when it happens, but as usual wondering about my sanity.

In a frantic rush to sign up for the Knitting Olympics Thursday night I somehow decided that designing and knitting a 80” x 40” colorwork shawl in 17 days was totally doable. It’s not like having houseguests or planning birthday parties take a lot of time. I can totally spend 2 weeks doing nothing but knitting. Right? I’m mean, how hard could it be?

5 days, 6 sketches, 4 swatches and 3 inches later I’m doubting my ability to finish on time. I’m not giving up yet but I am wondering what I have to do to get some support staff. My chances of becoming a world class knitting athlete would be so much higher if I didn’t have do all the laundry.

(Yarn is BMFA BFL Sport in: Manly Yes, but I like it too, Saffron Jungle, & My Blue Heaven)

Madrona Tomorrow

Tomorrow & Friday I’ll be in Tacoma for the Madrona Fiber Arts Festival. I wasn’t able to get any classes but I’m looking forward to seeing friends, checking out the vendor fair and just plain getting out of the house and spending time with fiber folk.

Besides classes, coffee and chatting one of my favorite thing about going to knitting events is seeing what everyone is wearing. People seem to pull out all the stops to finish their sweaters and shawls for the informal fashion show. I always wonder what must go through a non-knitter’s head when they happen across a sea of people wearing wool. We must look like some kind of crazy flash mob.

I of course don’t want to be left out of the fun so my needles have been flying. I managed to finish my 6th FO for 2010 and my next shawl design just in time to wear! And in time to start my Ravelympics project (first I’d better decided what I’m doing).

I can’t wait until tomorrow. If you see me, come and say hello. I’ll be the one wearing the shawl.

Photo Shoot

Having a photo shoot sounds so glamorous. Not so much.

I hate them. I feel stupid, awkward, nervous and generally uncomfortable.

 

Take a camera into a public place, add a knitted item, and people start staring at you. Gives me the shudders just thinking about it.

Unfortunately patterns need photos and I don’t know anyone willing to model for free. Lucky for me, I have Kathy.

Not only does she take great photos, she puts up with my horrible modeling abilities (how do they keep their eyes from blinking anyway!) and suffers though all my whining about feeling like a “dork”. 

Most times, I drag her out and then turn into a big chicken. I make it through about 10 photos and decide we have enough and that I’m sure something will be fine, and can’t we please just stop taking photos. All edgy and flustered, that’s me.

By now Kathy has learned to “manage” me. She says ok, then some how convinces me to take just one more shot.  She says “The light is really good here, just one.” or “I really don’t think you’re going to like those last few, let’s try one over here.”

She puts the camera away and lets me think we’re done. I relax. She pulls it out and takes a few more. The essence of patience.

And to prove I’m not exaggerating about my sucky modeling abilities, here’s a few of the out takes…

My “Oh My God!” look.

My “Really. Another picture. I hate this.” look.

 

In this shot I was so distracted by the cupcakes, I decided to use the scarf to hold up my boob. Nice.

I seem to have deleted the nine million shots of me with my eyes closed, but trust me you have to have a lot of patience to get a good picture of me.

Can you believe she puts up with me? I think Kathy secretly likes to see me totally embarrassed and squirming. It’s pay back for all the times she took first crack at testing a new pattern for me.

At least we got cupcakes. I may have had two. All that discomfort deserves a little chocolate and lemon. Right?

Winner, Winner, Yarn for..

You. Ok it doesn’t rhyme but I don’t think you really want yarn for dinner.

Thanks for all you thoughtful comments and ideas for upcoming classes. Finishing and Blocking seemed to be the overwhelming favorites so that’s where I’ll start. I have a few more details to work out but next week I’ll post all the specifics and start sign ups. Class will begin in March!!

Exciting as that is for me, you want to know who won the yarn.

The random number goddess picked Maria from the comments and Lesley D from Fiberside Lounge!

Check your email for Serendipmitty ladies and be sure to reply. I’ll need your address to send the yarn.

Now that you know who the winners are you’re probably wondering what the photos have to do with the contest or classes. Nothing. Not a single thing except that they needed to be posted, and this is a post, and I don’t have time to do two. So there you go.

The photos are of my latest design Icing. It will be out in time for Madrona. I love it. More details soon.

Christmas Knitting

No I’m not still knitting Christmas gifts (thank god!). Somehow I never got around to showing you the one’s I did knit.

I didn’t knit a lot of gifts this year but I did manage sweaters for my two sweeties.

I think they liked their sweaters but stopping the present opening to get a picture clearly wasn’t her favorite.

Much happier to pose now that Christmas is over.

Both sweaters are basic drop shoulder, funnel-neck construction that I calculated from their measurements. Hers is done in BFL sport colorway ST-2. His sweater is also BFL in Grawk.

I love the slouchy look and cozy feel of the sweaters so much I’ve been dreaming of my own with a bigger, more cowl like, neck. I’ve got enough BFL in Fall on Tap now I just need the time to knit it.

How cute is he?

Dad is the best ever knit gift receiver. No matter what I give him he’s thrilled to wear it and show it off. This year he took home Scowl made from Crown Mountain Fibers Sockhop.

Lastly, proof that I am the worlds best daughter. I made a fuzzy, bumpy, novelty yarn, plain garter scarf for my wool hating Mom.

It was just what she wanted and totally worth it to see her cozy up to something I knit.