tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174608382024-03-13T17:15:30.110-04:00b r o o k l y n t w e e dsharing the ministry of tweed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-44990289351015541942010-05-21T10:39:00.004-04:002016-07-26T12:23:46.508-04:00Brooklyn Tweed is Moving!<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51 , 102 , 102); font-family: "verdana";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Brooklyn Tweed is moving to a clean, fresh space -- one that is integrated into the structure of the rest of my website. Please stop by and check out my new digs and be sure to update your bookmarks, feed readers, etc!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #336666;"><a href="http://www.brooklyntweed.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img alt="Errata Button.jpg" height="81" src="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/4627017818_6afff98483_o.jpg" width="216" /></span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stay tuned in the new space for a pattern or two...</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">See you there!</span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-18774485608314804022010-05-07T11:24:00.004-04:002010-05-07T13:21:41.437-04:00The Exquisite Corpse Project: Collaborative Garment Design<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Today's sweater is a rare and special bird. Last Fall I was given the opportunity to produce an art-sweater for </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.esopusmag.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">ESOPUS magazine</span></span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"> -- a very special publication that is produced by the ESOPUS foundation here in New York (</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.esopusmag.com/foundation.php?Id=3106"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">read more about the ESOPUS Foundation here</span></span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">). I spun my wheels on this project for quite a while trying to think of a way of incorporating knitting into the publication in a fresh and interesting way. After enduring a long creative void, I found myself thinking about the </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exquisite_corpse"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Exquisite Corpse</span></span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"> process-drawings that were done by Surrealists in the 1920's</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/4587006354_f5a0f6cca2.jpg" alt="The Exquisite Corpse Project" height="500" width="335" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">The Exquisite Corpse is a collaborative process in which multiple artists create a single image (typically the human figure) in sequence with one another. Each artist is permitted only a glimpse at the contribution of the previous artist without knowing its connection to the whole. The imaginative drawings that are created in this way are spontaneous, random, and very interesting. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4587006168_b4d9f17880.jpg" alt="The Exquisite Corpse Project" height="500" width="335" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">With this process in mind came the spark of an idea for a design experiment that resulted in the sweater you see photographed here. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4587006274_51c549ddd5.jpg" alt="The Exquisite Corpse Project" height="500" width="335" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I got in contact with a few of my favorite indie-designers to see if they were up for a design challenge: to create a collaborative garment in random sequence working directly off of the piece or pieces that were presented to them from the previous designer. Starting with a general set of garment dimensions provided by me (so that the garment would fit the body at the conclusion of the process) each designer was given complete creative freedom for their portion of the sweater. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4586381571_0908ba062f.jpg" alt="The Exquisite Corpse Project" height="500" width="335" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I chose a bulky, rustic sheepswool in hopes that the materials would inspire textural experimentation and highlight the multi-directional quality of the fabrics. As you can see from the images, the garment is a veritable explosion of texture! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4587006132_e9f6c64f9e.jpg" alt="The Exquisite Corpse Project" height="500" width="335" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">The designers who collaborated on this project, each from a different location around the country, were: <a href="http://www.conniechangchinchio.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Connie Chang Chinchio</span></a>, <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.tanisknits.com/">Tanis Gray</a>, <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://maddermade.com/">Carrie Hoge</a>, <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.knittingschooldropout.com/">Melissa LaBarre</a> & <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.elliphantom.com/">Elli Stubenrauch</a>. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4586381647_2b380c3fe4.jpg" alt="The Exquisite Corpse Project" height="500" width="335" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Below is a schematic of the finished garment, a Dolman cardigan, and how each designers contribution comes together to create the finished whole. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4586550201_946ce797e9.jpg" width="500" height="398" alt="The Exquisite Corpse Project" /></center></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">It was a wonderful experiment and created a garment that I find interesting for so many reasons. The magazine is accompanied by a gallery show in which all pieces from the current issue are on view at the ESOPUS space in New York. For those readers who are local, <a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/4587083792_c1b3824882_b.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">click here</span></a> for the show information if you'd like to see the physical garment on view at the gallery. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4587006304_2cfed12cae.jpg" alt="The Exquisite Corpse Project" height="500" width="335" /></center></span></span></span></div><meta charset="utf-8"><div><center></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I want to give a special thank you to all the designers who joined me to put this together as well as my lovely model (does she look familiar? Yes, that's famed Cookie A. looking fierce). </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4587006196_0faeb54f0a.jpg" alt="The Exquisite Corpse Project" height="500" width="335" /></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">The garment is a true one-of-a-kind and the result of each designers immediate response to the garment pieces as they were presented to them. I hope you enjoy it!</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-43074544816267437032010-04-23T18:33:00.006-04:002010-05-03T11:48:06.362-04:00The Juneberry Triangle<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm so happy to share with you a new lace design that was published this week -- I've been itching to show you photos ever since I finished it in January. I designed this lace triangle for Veronik's second issue of </span><a href="http://stdenisyarns.com/blog/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">St. Denis</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Magazine and got another chance to use her lovely wool </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nordique</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4546890752_fd399a26ca.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Juneberry Triangle" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I love yarns that sport rich, full palettes and Nordique sure delivers where color is concerned. In the dead of winter, when nights seemed endless and I had woolly lace on the brain, this amazingly rich burgundy was the perfect inspiration and spurred many long winter evenings of lace knitting.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4546890692_1d5b726426.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Juneberry Triangle" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At the time, I was feeling particularly scrappy and wanted to design a lace project that would give me a good challenge to sink my teeth into. What resulted is a piece that is not for the faint of heart! The majority of the lace motifs are true </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">knitted lace</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> in the traditional sense, meaning that the patterning falls on every row (both RS and WS), with no free stockinette rows in between. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4546257191_b353259d02.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Juneberry Triangle" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Because the triangle is knit flat (back and forth) and patterned on both sides, it requires a bit more concentration than your average lace project and does involve getting familiar with directional decreasing from the Wrong Side (Slip, Slip, Purl & Purl 2 Together), but if you're up for a challenge this one is for you!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4546257061_b6f1f952ac.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Juneberry Triangle" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The magazine is a wonderful issue and full of designs from some of my favorite designers -- be sure to check out some of the other patterns from this issue on Ravelry </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/st-denis-magazine-issue-2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. To look up project details just for the Juneberry Triangle, click </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/juneberry-triangle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4546890414_edba12d376.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Juneberry Triangle" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Veronik has also already knit a stunning version of the same pattern in her new, lighter-weight yarn </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Boreale</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> that is fantastic! How wonderful it is to knit lace in a variety of different gauges and yarn constructions. The </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nordique</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> version is warm and woolly with a more substantial 'fabric' feel. From what I can tell of </span><a href="http://stdenisyarns.com/blog/2010/juneberry/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the ice blue </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Boreal</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> version</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, it's delicate, feather-light lace at its finest! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4546257133_8674a5485c.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Juneberry Triangle" /></span></center></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The triangle is finished with a wide, traditional knitted-on edging in place of a conventional bind-off to keep every part of the fabric equally elastic and to provide some directional contrast. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4546256703_2e1110964a.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Juneberry Triangle" /></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Juneberry continues my nostalgic fascination with bobbles... this was an experimentation in bobble-laden lace patterns and has a very berry-like texture as a result. I think it feels sophisticated while remaining fun and playful at the same time. I hope you enjoy it!</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com87tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-10434438471329098682010-04-20T14:26:00.005-04:002010-04-20T15:07:23.706-04:00Romney Kerchief<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Shortly after returning from vacation, I completed work on this simple handspun triangle. Since I was shooting to use up every last bit of this special yarn, I waited until I was home again and armed with my trusty kitchen scale to aid in calculations so that every last yard could be enjoyed, stress-free.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/4538724054_5fefdc4036.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Romney Kerchief" /></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It's probably no surprise to anyone, but a simple shape of fabric with a good wool and suitable texture is a recipe for success </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">every</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> single time in my book. Simple knitting allows for the enjoyment of the special characteristics of our materials and I think this might just be one of the things that keeps me devoted to my knitting. One of the many things.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4538724088_f4cc6422f6.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Romney Kerchief" /></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">This piece was worked in the standard method, starting with just 10 stitches at center-top and increased regular along both edges as well as the center 'spine' to create a simple triangle. I love working from the top down (from the top 'out' seems more appropriate in this case) when you know you have limited yardage and want to stay in control of your process. By working with with a scale and measuring the remaining grams of unworked yarn remaining, you have good solid numbers telling you when you need to start thinking about binding off. This scenario is almost always better to me than spending the last 20% of the project wondering if there will be enough yarn to get me across the finish line. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4538093275_341421ea01.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Romney Kerchief" /></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The simple stitch pattern is a subtle variation of garter stitch -- knitting, knitting, knitting, and purling every 6th row (or every 3rd RS row) to create a 'valley' in place of every third Garter Stitch Ridge. I think this stitch pattern is beautiful in its simplicity and highlights the diagonal directional fabric in a sweet way. I kept the first and last 3 stitches of each row (the stitches running along the top, flat edge of the triangle) in pure Garter Stitch and ended with 3 consecutive ridges to give a touch of weight to the outer edge of the shape. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4538093227_3b26cf6ff4.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Romney Kerchief" /></center> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I estimate that I used approximately 275 yards of a very light, handspun 2-ply yarn, the weight of which danced around between a DK-weight and a light-worsted weight, as handspun yarns tend to do. I loved the lightness of this yarn and wanted to play that up by knitting it at a looser-than-average gauge and block the finished piece as for lace. The result is a feather-light fabric that is toasty-warm and wooly-soft. Surprisingly soft for a Romney, but that has a lot to do with the amount of air that is trapped in the finished yarn.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4538723938_d21cbcd498.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Romney Kerchief" /></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The finished dimensions of the piece came out to about 43 inches across the top, flat length of the triangle, and a 21 inch depth at the center 'spine'. Perfect size for a wool-lovers alternative to a bandana, no? </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4538093145_2b01d37222.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Romney Kerchief" /></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I don't know if I'll ever stop singing the praises of blocking wires -- their precision in making perfectly symmetrical shapes while blocking brings me an unlimited amount of satisfaction. They really play to my inner Geometer. To maximize the blocking potential, I worked a sewn bind-off for as much added elasticity as possible. Traditional bind-offs, when worked along the perimeter of larger pieces that will be blocked severely is a recipe for disaster. The sewn bind off, while taking a bit longer to execute is so absolutely worth the fuss. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4538093187_598d3da084.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Romney Kerchief" /></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Wool-wearing weather is beginning to slowly retreat, but at least this little triangle will provide a graceful (desperate) transition before the official hibernation of my cold-weather wardrobe.</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-4213207259952922462010-04-15T10:21:00.008-04:002010-05-03T11:45:22.675-04:00Made (Over) in Brooklyn: PDF Downloads Now Available<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've spent a lot of time over the last two months giving the patterns in Made in Brooklyn a </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">complete</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> make over for their release as individual PDF downloads. I'm very happy with the result, and even happier to announce that they are all now available both through my Ravelry store as well as BrooklynTweed proper. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4522830615_da6b235bf0.jpg" width="500" height="268" alt="Let the PDFs Free!" /></span></center></center> </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of the most beautiful things about PDF downloads is that there are no page restrictions. Thanks to my rather verbose style of writing patterns, I really pushed the limit on my page-count when writing the print-version of the book, which ended up significantly affecting the size of the charts which was, while understandable, a real bummer. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That said, the biggest change to the patterns is definitely chart size and clarity -- in most cases they have been re-illustrated and blown up to have their own, spacious page to spread out on. The texts have also been given more breathing room and in some cases have been extended. Each pattern begins with a Pattern Blueprint page which lists all the specifics about the garment and needed materials and includes an alternate photograph as well as a large, clear schematic. </span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As mentioned above, all the patterns are available either through my Ravelry store or through BrooklynTweed.net -- follow the buttons below to visit either:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/brooklyn-tweed-design"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4522821687_aac51ce383_o.jpg" width="324" height="121" alt="Ravelry Store Button" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/book.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4523455968_b719436599_o.jpg" width="324" height="121" alt="MiB Blog Button" /></span></a></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I worked closely with a tech editor for all the new layouts and corrected any existing errata that was present in the 1st edition of the print version. I hope you enjoy them and thank you so much, as always, for your continued support! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS</span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I figure I might as well use this post to discuss a few of the other things that I've been meaning to bring to your attention:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Social Media</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: I finally got around to setting up </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-NY/Brooklyn-Tweed/108685452500201"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">a Facebook page</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (took long enough, right?) -- please feel free to stop by or to become a fan if you're a Facebook user. I plan on using it as an alternate way of posting my teaching schedule and teaching-related announcements (Dates are also always posted on my website), as well as other informal announcements, snapshots, etc. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And if that isn't enough social media for you, you can also catch Brooklyn </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tweets</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (sorry, I had to) </span><a href="http://twitter.com/brooklyntweed"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">on Twitter here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, if you're into that sort of thing. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pattern Wholesale</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: In the last 6 months I've been wholesaling many of my designs to Local Yarn Shops. If you are a shop owner and interested in wholesaling print patterns, please send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to put you in contact with my distributor.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Phew! I think that's all the housecleaning for the day... although I'll expand this post if I realize there is anything that I've forgotten, which there most likely will be.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Thank you!</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-26394382515991866462010-04-10T12:32:00.004-04:002010-04-10T13:16:50.820-04:00Vacation Knitting<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I travel a lot, but rarely for the express purpose of vacationing. My considerations for travel-knitting, in general, are designs that are in-process works that are at a point where a significant amount of mindless, or at least not-difficult-to-record knitting is in store. This way, I get 'work' knitting done without having to sit in front of Illustrator or InDesign, activities which I prefer to do only on the Homefront.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">So, when a true Vacation came along I thought my travel knitting should reflect this change, and I decided to bring simple, 100% pleasure-knitting that required no pattern, no notes, and very little brainwork. I wanted projects that were geared towards my hands and allowed enjoyment of the simple act of knitting. And oh how wonderful it was! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I took small amounts of two special yarns that were both worthy of a special occasion. First, one beautiful skein of <a href="http://www.knittersreview.com/article_yarn.asp?article=/review/product/080207_a.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Buffalo Gals Yarn</span></a> -- a very special 2-ply Bison/Merino yarn, hand-dyed by Fiber Sage Judith MacKenzie McCuin -- which I was fortunate enough to acquire directly from the source (Judith's hands) and have been savoring ever since. The other, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/68971937@N00/4441361450/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">my recently spun Romney 2-Ply</span></a>, which is as light as a feather and wonderfully woolly. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I fell deeply in love with Judith's dye work, and this rust orange skein stole my breath. Bison, as it turns out, takes dye incredibly well and this skein seemed to almost shimmer with some other-worldly presence (again, I attribute this to Judith's sage-like energy.) </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2156/4507746159_542e16f909.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Buffalo Gals" /></center> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Armed with one beautiful skein, I threw a prized set of Ebony needles into my luggage and started thinking of the possibilities for something luxurious and simple. A feast for the fingers! I ended up deciding to knit a top-down hat in a simple waffle-stitch pattern. The yarn is a sport weight and creates a beautiful, light-weight and butter-soft fabric. A perfect companion for being in the passenger seat of a car for miles of Italian Autostrade.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2067/4507746063_de70e88767.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Romney Kerchief" /></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Alternatively, the skein of Romney created just enough variety to keep me constantly entertained, bouncing between two projects from day to day. For this, I began work on a simple, almost-garter-stitch triangle. Because I had limited amounts of both yarns, I decided to work both projects from the top down (in the triangle's case, from top-center, opposite of Triangle Tip) and work mindlessly until I used up all of my yarn. I love working in this way -- armed with a simple kitchen scale, you can always be sure of using as many yards as is possible without having to spend the last 20% of your knitting time biting your nails, wondering if you'll have enough yarn to finish. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I didn't complete either project on my trip, which was a good lesson toward learning that I often need less yarn than I think I will while on the road. I have, since being home, just about finished both projects with very satisfying results. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Also, upon return, I was stricken by an incredible urge to have some Unspun Icelandic yarn back in my life (<a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2008/01/pi-shawl-blanket.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">this is what happened the last time</span></a>), and ordered yarn for a new lace project in this lovely stuff. It reminds me of a chocolate layer cake. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4494127641_121c79a1a0.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Layer Cake" /></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><a href="http://www.schoolhousepress.com/UnSpun_ice.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Unspun Icelandic Wool</span></a> ranks high on my list of favorite yarns, largely because it is so unique and unlike anything else out there for knitters. The majority of the yarn is air, after all!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">So, it turns out that I ended up learn something important from vacationing -- keeping it simple, even though my instincts were screaming to bring more yarn, was absolutely the perfect choice for enjoying knitting every day and savoring every stitch of these special yarns. </span></span></span></div></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-2854971353347688592010-04-01T12:23:00.005-04:002010-04-01T13:03:34.794-04:00Home, With Cables<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'm home after a wonderful week of adventures -- simple knitting projects, simple foods, and many a click on the old odometer (people drive fast in Italy) -- oh what fun! I took the opportunity of being in the middle of such a visually rich country (texture, texture everywhere) to shoot some new accessory patterns that I've been working on this Winter. I'm happy to introduce </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dryad</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> -- which has become an instant wardrobe luxury around BT headquarters, even despite the slow thaw that brings Spring. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4482056498_58eb080708.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Dryad" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In the Fall I found myself frequently experiencing the urge for a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">serious</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> cabled scarf -- one that pulls out all the stops and doesn't apologize for being dramatic. I wanted something wide and long, with big, plump cables that still retained a non-oppressive weight and elegant drape. As is usually the case, finding the right yarn for the job was the key to solidifying design, and made all of the above listed requirements possible.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4481407313_18b43c9239.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Dryad" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The scarf is knit with Blackstone Tweed, new from Berocco last Fall, a yarn that is special and unique and in my opinion stands out among the commercially available tweeds. Blackstone Tweed has a rustic look, but a surprising drape and hand, due in part to its interesting fiber composition (Wool, Superkid Mohair, Angora). Don't be fooled though, this is not your average mohair/angora sneezy fuzzfest. The yarn is prepared with minimal halo and a lightly spun, crisp hand. The touch of angora (just 10%) adds amazing softness and really makes this a luxurious material. The drape that can be achieved, even in heavily cabled fabric is something definitely worth taking a second look at!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4481407345_f11bcae9a4.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Dryad" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">All that said, it makes a perfect fit for a scarf that may otherwise be overly heavy or rigid. Even with 6-stitch cables, which begin to be voluptuously plump, the fabric still drapes and moves beautifully, and is quite visually appealing as well. A </span></span></span><a href="http://berroco.com/shade_cards/blackstone_tweed_sh.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">great color palette</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> doesn't hurt either.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691/4481407241_494e41a929.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Dryad" /></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Back to my ever-present desire to be swathed in cables: this one definitely fits the bill. In general, I usually wait to absorb a new piece of knitting into regular wardrobe rotation until the pattern is written and the photo shoot complete... not only as a way to keep the work fresh for its close-up, but also to trick myself into getting the work done faster. This scarf has been burning a hole in my pile of finished knitting and I'll be honest that I've been wrapped up in it ever since we wrapped the shoot. Even indoors. Which makes me think I may have a problem. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4481407283_29c9d8f8be.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Dryad" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The pattern has been provided for three differing lengths: 60, 75, and 90 inches. All sizes have a width of approximately 8.5 inches. The sample shown is the long version and can be wrapped and wrapped if you require a nest of cabled fabric around your face. If you're less about the drama, a shorter version can be worked without problem. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4481407167_80007e9943.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Dryad" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The pattern is now available in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/brooklyn-tweed-design"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Ravelry Store here</span></a>, and will be available through BrooklynTweed downloads shortly. Pattern instructions for this piece are charted. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4482056316_66eeaf354c.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Dryad" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Thanks also to my dear friend Sara for modeling -- a Contemporary Italian Literature Scholar and truly fashionable Tuscan -- she wears knitting quite well, wouldn't you say? We shot these photos on location in a tower-filled, Medieval hilltown outside of Siena.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I hope you enjoy! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center></center></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-67063788893165386342010-03-18T22:11:00.007-04:002010-03-18T23:21:46.768-04:00Pattern Store Update, and Splitting the Country<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I've been scurrying around the US so much in the last few weeks that I completely forgot to mention that I have two patterns that are now available as PDF downloads in my store, both on Brooklyn Tweed and on Ravelry. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">The Alberta vest was published last year in Wild Fibers Magazine and can now be purchased as a stand-alone pattern. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3346/3291140623_dacfc01573.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Alberta Vest" /></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Upon request I've also made the Wool Leaves Baby Blanket available as well, for any of you who were interested in making one too! There are links below to both Ravelry as well as BT. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4290756025_de2601a439.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Wool Leaves" /></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">* * * * * *</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><center><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4444723322_ea54b7f8cc.jpg" width="500" height="137" alt="*Alberta Preview.jpg" /></center></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>A L B E R T A</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alberta-2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Ravelry</span></a> | on <a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/alberta.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">BrooklynTweed</span></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4444723338_09da6e6625_o.jpg" width="573" height="180" alt="*Wool Leaves Preview.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><b>W O O L L E A V E S</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wool-leaves"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Ravelry</span></a> | on <a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/woolleaves.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">BrooklynTweed</span></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">* * * * * *</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">As for me, I'm currently having that frantic moment before a long trip when you have to decide what (oh, what) knitting to bring. I tend to always </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">over</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">compensate and bring too much, so I'm trying to be reasonable. I won't finish 3 lace shawls on vacation. I know that. And I </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">can</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> exercise control to be away from said shawls for a week... in theory.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">I'll be back at the end of the month. Until then, I'll be knitting (and eating) in Italy. Have a wonderful week! </span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-23968641948825574592010-03-17T13:14:00.006-04:002010-03-17T17:54:04.136-04:00A Spin-aissance<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The organization of yarn inevitably meant the organization of projects (major bonus), which meant that I've been stricken by that wonderful feeling of falling-in-love-all-over-again (or what I like to call Knitter's Christmas). When a project that we once fell out-of-love with comes rushing back into our lives and we see it with fresh eyes as we once did. One previously stalled project of mine gave me the familiar rush and has been welcomed back onto the regular roster of nightly knitting with open arms. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4441361334_83fc42f716.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Corriedale Cloud" /></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My thick-and-thin handspun corriedale lace blanket dates back to circa Spring of 2008, as best as I can tell, and is just the type of project I've been craving lately. It's already large enough that I can use it as a lap blanket as I work. I consider this a major plus.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I originally put this project aside because I ran out of yarn and didn't feel up to spinning more right away... which in turn meant that this fluffy cloud of handspun got inadvertantly buried and has been lying dormant ever since. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4441361532_ffa34b03ea.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="White Corriedale" /></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />The construction is almost identical to the </span><a href="http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2009/08/http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2009/08/made-in-brooklyn-laces.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bridgewater Shawl</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> from Made in Brooklyn, and in fact when I was starting work on the book I still had this piece knocking around in my head. Aside from the obvious difference in materials and a simpler knitted-on edging, there is virtually no difference between how the two pieces are constructed. Which is yet another example of my favorite part about lace -- the same piece can be completely different with decidedly different materials. Each more delicious than the other!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4441361516_67df0878ef.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="White Corriedale" /></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So, yes -- I've fallen for it again, which leads me to my next admission: I've been having a love session with my Spinning wheel this week. I went back to spin up the remaining Corriedale fiber so I could finish my blanket... but when the yarn came off the wheel and was ready to knit, I didn't feel like stopping. So I consulted my humble fiber stash and just kept spinning. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4441362948_3ba7446b23.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Romney Bobbin" /></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And I've been spinning all week! It feels fresh and relaxing and is the perfect activity for sitting next to the window and enjoying the wonderful sunlight (after endless days of monsoon rain) that reminds me Spring is almost here. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I've spent the last few days spinning up a some beautiful, smokey Romney that a friend had given me last Summer. The wool is a perfect warm-grey heather and light as a feather while being very warm (my favorite combo.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4441361418_96c9f4ca22.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Rom-Rom-Romney" /></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I've spun up about 300 yards of dk-weight 2-ply, lightly plied and can barely wait for it to dry so I can get it on my needles and start making fabric. In a few days I'll be leaving for a ... wait for it... VACATION (I can hardly believe it myself) and I think this handspun will be my treat for mindless vacation knitting. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4441361450_f6980774dc.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Rom-Rom-Romney" /></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As for the lace blanket -- I'm closing in on her. I have a little less than half the edging to finish, although I'm worried I might run out of yarn (again) just before the end. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4440583973_08a2a4af7c.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Closing In" /></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But you know what? I'm happy to spin more right now... just in case. </span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-20440171472004090232010-03-08T11:43:00.003-05:002010-03-08T12:07:45.251-05:00Full Power<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After days and </span></span></span><span style="font-style:italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">days</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> of honest (and sometimes tortured) sorting, I feel like I've been through a gauntlet and come out on the other side amazed at what was lurking in the depths. When you commit to giving your stash a deep-cleaning you expect to feel organized afterwards... but what I wasn't expecting was how inspired my own stash has made me. Assessing the whole scope of it caused me to start making connections between yarns that have probably never even been in the same room with one another.<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4416811721_9807b015d2.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Sea of Color" /></span></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />Aside from being organized, I'm now living amongst a beautiful palette of wools that has my head spinning with ideas. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4417575742_01a6832b81.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="All My Favorite Colors" /></span></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I was lucky enough to be able to find grateful hands for all the yarns that were jettisoned, which is probably the reason for the sense of lightness that I now feel, and ended up donating a small amount of yarn to a local charity. All that remains are yarns that I'm absolutely itching to work with - oh what a feeling! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4417575708_aeaf1b3baf.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Sea of Color" /></span></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The crown jewel of them all: I rounded up all my Shetland yarns and put them together in color groups (shown above) -- what a thing of beauty! I couldn't resist taking photo after photo of these amazing colors all lined up together. A kid in a candy store comes to mind.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4417575686_71e57d2f91.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="BonBons" /></span></span></center></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Better than a box of truffles</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It looks like there's nothing left to do but start nibbling... </span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-78226682148198595892010-02-22T15:17:00.006-05:002010-02-22T16:41:18.935-05:00The Reality Check<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Is there anything more humbling, dare I say embarrassing, at least for a knitter than coming face to face with the whole of your Knitting Materials? This would include Stash (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">all of it</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">), unfinished projects (old, new, and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">reaaaally</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> old), & Tools both large and small (everything from swifts and winders to all 18 of your floating tapestry needles). Well this is what happens </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">when knitters move</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. And generally the amount of years you've lived in your own Knitting Paradise exponentially increases the scope of just how many loads you'll be making out to that van. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Aside from about 13 days of travel, my life has been eaten by a stressful urban move. And while I absolutely love the architecture of Brooklyn brownstones, and wouldn't trade them for </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">anything</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, Moving Day is probably the only time I find myself truly cursing the day I ever heard the term "3rd flood walk-up". And when you move from one "3rd floor walk-up" to another, by my math, it's more like a "6th floor walk-up". Multiply that by every box of yarn you own (knitting books too) and you might find yourself wistful and dreamy for even the smallest of elevators. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4379493509_ab531ccca3.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Moving Day" /></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Of course it's not all drama, especially in hindsight. I'm in a place with great light and more space (for all that yarn) and while it's easy to complain, I really do appreciate a good purge every few years. Which brings me to today's post about being honest about what we have, and more importantly what we, as knitters, need. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It makes sense that our knitting palettes become more refined as our craftsmanship does. That happens in any artistic discipline. And in studying what I've held onto over the years, I began doing what I do whenever I'm faced with an overabundance of information -- organizing and categorizing. In doing so, I've started to notice that my stash (which I used to brag as very modest... somehow I don't feel comfortable with this description any longer) falling into three main groups.</span></span></span></div><meta charset="utf-8" id="webkit-interchange-charset"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/3307360259_0b81e40230.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Shetland Silk" /></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The first is the group that is most obvious and, I think, most important. Those are yarns that really excite me. Often recent acquisitions, or older, special acquisitions that still retain that spark that gets ideas running around like crazy in my head. These are the yarns that usually live on top of a given pile or drawer, or at least are never far enough away that I can't have immediate access to them. These yarns have no surprises -- I know I have them, I know I want them, and I know I'd make a fuss if someone took them away from me. These yarns have evolved with me and I believe are very valuable in terms of how I use my time as I continue to make projects with my collection of materials. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The second group is actually the hardest for me to reconcile. These are yarns that, at one time or another gave me <i>The Spark</i>, but have not retained it as I've grown as a knitter. These are yarns I definitely still like a lot, but I wouldn't say I love, or couldn't live without (if I'm </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">really</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> honest). These are the yarns I'd be grateful for if I ended up stranded in the arctic with nothing but yarn and time... but the yarns that,over the long run, will probably end up taking up the most room and take the longest time for me to give away because I *might* use them. When I finally do end up stranded in the Arctic and somehow my yarn is magically there with me, maybe I'll kick myself for getting rid of much of this group, but until that happens, I probably will appreciate the extra space (both physical and headspace) they allow.</span></span></span></div><meta charset="utf-8" id="webkit-interchange-charset"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The third group is easy -- it's the group that randomly finds its way in and sneaks around my generally thorough screening process (which, when you're living small, is very very important). This includes all the yarn that has been given to me when people are cleaning </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">their</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> apartments and know that I'm a knitter, or yarns that were so reasonably priced that I couldn't bear to see them go to waste, even though that's kinda what they're doing anyway. Now they're just doing it in my closet. Or they could just be those few odd mystery "What-Was-I-Thinking" skeins. There are some of those too.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">All this to say that I'm being diligent and most of all honest with myself about what I need and what is surely overabundance. Too much yarn sitting un-knit starts making me feel nervous and greedy, especially if I think how much more beautiful this yarn is in the hands of someone who is enjoying every stitch. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4380248688_0ea1709387.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Old Projects" /></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Among other things that were lurking in the shadows: baskets of unfinished projects, some of which I promptly frogged for salvaging yarn (Group 1), and others that genuinely got me excited again and have rematerialized alongside my current project baskets. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And then there was my trusty (dusty) minstrel... just waiting to be used to turn all that excess fiber (did I mention, there is fiber too?) into more... yep, yarn. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4380248648_bba80883cc.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Dusty Minstrel" /></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'm committing to at least giving this all a good try and passing on some wonderful materials to appreciative fingers. And with the survivors of the purge? Well I think I'll just get knitting with those.</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-69396203751672003462010-01-20T15:50:00.006-05:002010-01-20T16:22:46.728-05:00Travel Companion: A Giant Swatch<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">At this point I'm starting to accept that being stranded in an airport due to cancelled flights/blizzards is fast becoming my new holiday tradition. That said, I guess I should also say that off-the-cuff, knitting-is-my-only-sanity gift projects are also becoming a customary form of combat when faced with this unfortunate and mind-numbing fate. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4290756025_de2601a439.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Wool Leaves" /></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This year, I willed myself to knit through the stress with something simple that would take care of one of the many handknit gifts I had planned on getting done by December 25th but, well, never quite got around to. In need of simple, mindless, therapy knitting, a giant swatch seemed just the ticket. After all, that's all a baby blanket really is, right? </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4291495500_922b6d9399.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Wool Leaves" /></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I've been binging on a generous</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> diet of wool lace recently so this was naturally already where my brain was. Since fine yarns and detailed patterns were out of the question under such duress, I grabbed a leftover skein of Ecological Wool, conveniently pre-wound into a center pull ball (always travel prepared), took one end from each side and started knitting a chunky and fast project on 13's with yarn held double. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Instant stress relief.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4290756155_7372f7fc94.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Wool Leaves" /></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The result isn't the most heart-stopping piece of knitting I've ever seen, but it served it's purpose, both for me and its little recipient, very well. The center rectangle is a simple Shetland Leaf pattern, trimmed with double-seed stitch on all sides. I really meant it when I said Giant Swatch.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And by the time we finally landed on the other side of the country... it was blocking time.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4291495540_1368baf80b.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Wool Leaves" /></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There's definitely more interesting lace knitting on my needles at the moment, (including a color that I've fallen head-over-heels in love with and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">must</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> photograph for your viewing pleasure) but sometimes keeping it simple makes for such welcome company. </span></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com93tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-45403462019512372862010-01-01T16:20:00.005-05:002010-01-01T16:27:08.530-05:00Happy 2010!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A very happy new year from BT Headquarters. Thank you all so much for your continued support and inspiration this year -- I am so very grateful.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3504/3864268397_8e024fd9e0.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Sheep Just Never Stop Being Beautiful" /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2010 has some exciting things in store for us and I'm looking forward to yet another year of woolly projects! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wishing you the best for a new decade...</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-91531571986297358722009-12-05T11:51:00.007-05:002009-12-05T17:56:53.140-05:00The Story of The Honeycomb<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">One of the things I love about knitting is that each project has a story -- a history -- that sometimes only we as the Makers know, but regardless always serves as a secret source of pleasure each time we wear a handknit garment, or better, see a loved one wearing one. Mostly I'm reminded of the places I was at the time I was knitting, or the things that I was thinking about and exploring during that period. It's funny the things you remember based on the texture and fiber you had in your hands at the time. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">So today I look at a small project that carries a random collection of memories from the last few years. Not such a long time in the grand scheme of things, but my life has changed so much during this period, that I feel particularly nostalgic and grateful looking back on it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/4160708388_896bb00f4c.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Honeycomb Scarf" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I'll often remember where I was when I cast-on for a new project. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the whole </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">genesis</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"> moment of something you hope will be a lifetime heirloom, or maybe it's just that heightened feeling of excitement when your hands, in anticipatory delight, finally get to test-drive a special new yarn. This memory usually serves as a channel marker for how long a project has been in-process. See, my knitting memory is very random -- it doesn't serve well for dates, durations or time periods but rather sensory and emotional outposts. In this case I know that this scarf has been hanging around for about three years, because I distinctly remember casting on in my old Brooklyn apartment on a Fall afternoon. Funny I thought then that I'd be done with it in time for winter, but projects tend to have their own plan. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4160708922_659929e6f1.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Honeycomb Scarf" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">The pattern for this scarf is another story too -- which brings back other funny memories. It was a free pattern I found in a random knitter's flickr photostream during one of my many unhappy days at my (former) 9-5 office job with eyes glazed in front of a computer screen. I spent many of those long days wishing I was home knitting and escaping by finding beautiful and inspiring knitting online to dream about. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Well, as it turns out, the pattern was posted on flickr illegally and taken down shortly thereafter by the request of the original author who, despite lots of sleuthing, I have been unable to locate again. [<b>ETA -- the pattern has been found! See the notes at the end of the post for details</b>] At that point, however, I had the pattern in hand (your partially-knitted fabric is the best pattern you can get!) and did little to worry about the fact that it had up and disappeared. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/4160708796_70233334cb.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Honeycomb Scarf" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Fast forward to late summer 2009 when I stumbled across this half-knit gem at the bottom of one of my drawers, just in time for giddy Fall knitting -- an almost finished Yak scarf with cables in my favorite shade of grey? Perfection. And back into the light of day it came until its finish just weeks ago. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">The yarn is a special one, too: a 50/50 Yak Merino blend with a smooth, 6-ply construction (perfect for popping cables) which I purchased at one of my favorite Manhattan locations, </span></span></span><a href="http://www.schoolproducts.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">School Products</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">. Because SP carries so many one-of-a-kind yarn imports from Italy, you never know what beautiful things you'll discover behind their doors, often finding yarns you'll never have the opportunity for again (which makes yardage planning more important than usual!)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/4160708590_717f87b6c1.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Honeycomb Scarf" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, serif; color: rgb(51, 102, 102); ">A good old fashioned cabled scarf is never out of fashion in my mind -- This one is great, super simple - but very elegant and, in the right yarn, a new scarf staple for the steadfast lover of Classics.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><b>ETA</b>: The pattern has been found! Thanks to those of you so speedily joined the hunt! The scarf was designed by Beth Walker O'Brien and is entitled the "Aran Cashmere Scarf" [<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aran-cashmere-scarf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Ravelry Link</span></a>] The pattern can be found in the book <i><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Simple-1-2-3-Knitting/Jean-Lampe/e/9781412713382"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Simple 1-2-3 Knitting</span></a></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><br /></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/4159954487_db8f56c72d.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Honeycomb Scarf" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">It's my most favorite time of year for hunkering down at home surrounded by wool yarns and half-knit projects to quietly work and enjoy the start of Winter telling you to stay inside, enjoy what you have, and make beautiful things you feel proud of. Whether gift knitting or diligently keeping pace on long-term heirloom projects, I find the simple act of making stitches even more rewarding than usual this time of year. I hope you're enjoying yours as well. </span></span></span></center></div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-24269521961940291072009-11-04T19:49:00.012-05:002009-11-04T20:24:12.550-05:00New Look. Same Great Wool.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I'm proud to say that today welcomes a woefully overdue makeover to Brooklyn Tweed Proper. I've been slowly but surely redesigning my website with hopes of finishing it up by the first of the month. I may have missed my mark by a day or two, but I'm happy to show you my new duds at the new fangled <a href="http://www.brooklyntweed.net/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">www.brooklyntweed.ne</span></a>t!</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><a href="http://www.brooklyntweed.net/"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3494/4075629995_4951de8573.jpg" width="500" height="307" alt="Re-Design" /></a></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Click the image above for a peek.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Most notably, <a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/teaching.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">my travel schedule</span></a> is now available all in one place for easy viewing, and easy locating! I have all my scheduled workshops through the end of the year listed presently and will be listing 2010 dates shortly. Additionally, the <i>design</i> section of the site has all my patterns in one place for ease in looking up pattern specifics or for purchasing where applicable.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I've gone for a clean, light look with hopes that things are easy to find and the space is nice on your eyes. I hope you like it! As for the blog -- my blogger site is linked directly from the main site at the moment. I intend on a more seamless (har, har) integration in the future, but I think we shouldn't change too much too fast, for fear of overstimulation or disorientation! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">As for the knitting. Well. It's cable season.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/4075951117_5dbf1c5187.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="A Cabler's Life For Me" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I've been spending a good portion of my days on airplanes or in hotels and therefore have filled my life with small (portable) cable projects in some of my favorite yarns. Projects that don't require carrying anything other than a good sturdy circular needle and the knitting that's hanging off of it. Leave the cable needles and papers at home. That's my kind of travel! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I even squeezed in a little time for some... wait for it... <i>handspinning</i>. I know. I can hear you gasping from across The Expanse. It's been awhile! It felt wonderful hearing that comforting <i>whirrrr</i> of the wheel and letting the fiber flow. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2580/4076704152_e79e637d5a.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Alpaca Merino" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">This is a skein of 70% alpaca, 30% blue faced leicester wool spun rather lazily into a bulky, textural single. I'm new to alpaca spinning so this was a fun experiment. I intentionally fulled the yarn a bit during washing and love the finished texture. Who knows what this skein will become one day... for now I'm happy petting it on my way out the door.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">AND. I finished something. (Audible Gasp #2) It's nice to know that when life is spiraling, we can at least finish a little luxuries for ourselves here and there, isn't it? This scarf has been 3 years in the making and will get a post of its own... but here's a sneak preview:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/4075950993_95838e50c5.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="A Fall Present To Myself" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I'm off to Texas tomorrow and then jetting on to the West Coast (home!) to get a little reminder of how great Fall in the Pacific NW is. That and, oh did I mention, I'm an uncle now?! Prepare yourself for the Wool Onslaught, little one! (You have no idea what you've been born into....)</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-32920237433227432822009-10-14T11:45:00.005-04:002009-10-14T12:39:16.415-04:00Fall Loves You, Wool. And So Do I.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Well. It's been a wild month of travel for me -- from Oklahoma City, to Philadelphia, to Texas, to New England and many a space in between. I've had the wonderful fortune of knitting with folks from all over the country and it has been an absolute pleasure. When I returned to Brooklyn on Monday for a two week break from airplanes, I sat down at my knitting window and realized that transition-time was over and Fall has, in my absence, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">m</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ade itself quite at home here in the city. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The click of the seasons is something that gives me pleasure beyond words, and Summer to Fall, not surprisingly, has got to be the most special time of year for us knitters. It's usually about the second week of October when my fingers start to twitch even more than usual for soft, wool sweaters on my needles and my eyes desire a bath of materials in rich, autumn heathers. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What else does October mean? It's the one time of year that I knowingly cast my self-control to the wind and embrace even my most irrational wool cravings, which means I generally acquire more during this period than any other. So, in the spirit of full disclosure, I might as well share with you some recent acquisitions from my travels and yarns that are frankly keeping me up at night with giddy anticipation. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/4011821398_4ecab291c6.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Harrisville Shetland Cones" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span></span></center> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting </span><a href="http://www.harrisville.com/history_of_harrisville_designs.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">H</span></span></a><a href="http://www.harrisville.com/history_of_harrisville_designs.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">istoric Harrisville</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> in New Hampshire -- home of some of my very favorite American-milled yarns and a historic treasure for our national textile tradition. I've been on a major lace knitting stint lately (before the sweater monster came to bite) and these are both slated for woollie shawls. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.harrisville.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Harrisville Designs</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> is like a wool-lovers paradise: walls of colorful, sturdy wools housed in a 2-century-old brick building nestled directly over a stream (if you peak through a knot-hole in the floor boards you'll see the flowing waters of the stream below). A destination for any knitter's New England itinerary... and a destination I hope to return to in the future. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/4011821096_a750210aa0.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Imperial Stock Ranch" /> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span></span></center> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Another wool that has recently sent me headlong into infatuation comes from the opposite coast and my home region of the Pacific Northwest. </span><a href="http://www.imperialstockranch.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Imperial Stock Ranch</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> makes beautiful, Oregon-grown yarns from their 125+ year old flock of Columbia Sheep (the farm, which is a National Historic District, has been responsible in part for developing this wonderful breed). The yarns are minimally processed using antique spinning techniques (a la many other favorite yarns you've heard me wax poetic about in the past -- </span><a href="http://www.beaverslide.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Beaverslide Dry Goods</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> in MT and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><a href="http://www.marrhaven.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Marr Haven</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">in MI, most notably) and come in both two-ply woolen spun yarns (yum!) and a wonderful unspun bulky "puck", similar to Unspun Icelandic Wool. While the company has been in business for decades, their recent push into the world of hand knitting is one that I think is a very welcome addition to the industry.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/4011055285_7da0cfb728.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Jamieson and Smith Jumper Weight" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And no Fall knitting would be complete without a healthy dose of Shetland Jumper-Weight wools straight from the island. You may be sick of me talking about my wool-standby, but I do start to get nervous if I'm away from this stuff for too long. To me, Shetland yarns are truly fine wines in our world of materials. With these? More lace. Always more lace. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I must sound like a glutton at this point, pulling in all this wool for Fall (there's more too...but we won't go there today) but if you can't be a wool glutton in the Fall, when can you be? And there's no better way to spend the afternoon than quietly working stitches in a good, solid wool as you watch the fading golden light play across the increasingly bare branches. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Despite the natural world telling us that Fall symbolizes the end of something, to me it represents a new beginning and a new inspiration. I hope you are feeling inspired by the wools under your roof and the cooler breezes that are causing us to grab our woolens on the way out the door. Lets enjoy it while it's here!</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-82161701020241097222009-09-15T15:39:00.012-04:002009-09-15T19:34:47.858-04:00EZ Was Here<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'm a bit behind on sharing some of the wonderful experiences I've had in the past couple of months -- like, oh I don't know.... the day an original Elizabeth Zimmermann came walking through my door?</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/3924034272_f19d79dbde.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="EZ's Green Sweater" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Many of you have hopefully already read about the surfacing of this historic garment over at </span></span><a href="http://twistcollective.com/2009/autumn/magazinepage_01.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Twist Collective</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and, if you haven't, don't worry -- I'll be directing you to the good stuff in just a moment. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/3924033250_6261ce8d95.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="EZ's Green Sweater" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Back in the spring, the lovely ladies of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Twist</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> came a calling with a question: Would I be interested in photographing an Elizabeth Zimmermann sweater that had recently surfaced through an old family friend in New Jersey? I paused momentarily to wonder seriously if I had slipped into one of my many knitting-fantasy-daydreams. When it seemed that, yes, this was actually happening, I mustered all of my self-control in an attempt to respond in a professional manner. "Yes. Yes, that would be fine."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Juuuuust fine.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3923248479_7cea6541fb.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="EZ's Green Sweater" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; color: rgb(51, 102, 102); "></span></span></span></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The sweater, knit with a heathered green, firmly spun, single ply wool, entered the apartment with a palpable silence, and, upon immediate inspection I found myself admiring its industrious, masterful technique. Right away the sheer Integrity with which this sweater was achieved became evident: not just its obvious cleverness, or knitterly construction (EZ's Hallmark) but rather the serendipitous balance of tenacity and care that is so clearly present as your eyes maneuver over mitered hems, prim buttonholes and directional details. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">At that point I muttered to myself something colossally obvious yet seemingly so epiphanous: "Elizabeth could really </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">knit</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">!" </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/3924032788_ecf93af4dc.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="EZ's Green Sweater" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; color: rgb(51, 102, 102); "></span></span></span></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sunday Holm recreated the sweater after it was presented to her at a New Jersey LYS by Joan Morhard Smith, a childhood neighbor and friend of Elizabeth and Arnold. Read Sunday's account of decoding and re-knitting the original </span></span></span><a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/35-features/369-channeling-elizabeth-recreatiing-a-family-heirloom"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">here</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, and Joan Morhard Smith's recollections of Elizabeth ("Betty") </span></span><a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/index.php/component/content/article/35-features/370-the-tale-of-the-green-sweater"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">here</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What a pleasure to spend an afternoon with this sweater and its re-incarnated version. I was truly grateful for the experience.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3924034124_c478f7b975.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="EZ's Green Sweater" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; color: rgb(51, 102, 102); "></span></span></span></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The original sweater, so well-worn after two generations of love and adoration under Joan's roof, is a testament to the lasting power of good materials, good technique, and a good home -- all the ingredients for Knitting's finest heirlooms. Elbow holes aside (which I find make the sweater even more endearing, if that's possible) this garment has taken its ardent wearers through two lifetimes with strength and grace. What could be better than that?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3431/3923248657_bbf0af6d53.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="EZ's Green Sweater" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; color: rgb(51, 102, 102); "></span></span></span></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Among the other appreciations this garment conjured up that day, it incited me to reflect on one of our loftiest and most noble knitting aspirations -- to spend a life making beautiful, lasting, technique-rich garments whose value and worth can never diminish. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Adding to the the thousands of times I've uttered these same words before in my life, both privately and publicly: </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Thank you, Elizabeth</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com102tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-55523075137511815062009-08-31T12:23:00.005-04:002009-09-03T11:42:01.455-04:00Baby Leggings<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I've been doing a fair bit of traveling in the last two weeks and have committed to finishing a gaggle of small projects that I have lying around the house half-done. Knowing that I'll want to tackle lots of large, woolly projects in the very near future (hello, Fall weather!), I feel the need to do a little bit of project-house-cleaning. Consider yourself warned - you may see a few baby knits and old, forgotten accessories cropping up around here in the next couple of weeks. And today - the first one!</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3874343437_8f50ef7282.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Baby Leggings" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I put the finishing touches on the baby leggings last week and finally got around to shooting them this morning. Oh how I love those rich, golden colors! Seems fitting for those ghostly hints of Fall crispness that are taunting me these days. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/3874343553_c24839717d.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Baby Leggings" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pattern</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: A modified version of </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shibui Knits Baby Leggings</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> by Heather Saal [</span></span></span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-leggings-2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rav Link</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">]</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Size</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: 1 Year Old</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Materials</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: </span></span></span><a href="http://www.shibuiknits.com/Yarn/Colorways.php?Yarn=9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shibui Sock</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> in "Honey"</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Amount</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: 98g -- skating in at just barely under 2 skeins (Pattern Size calls for 3)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Needles</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: US 3 Circulars</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I made a small number of modifications to the pattern. The original is written to be knit flat and seamed up at center front during finishing. That wasn't gonna fly around here, so the first item of business was to convert the pattern to in-the-round knitting, which wasn't hard at all. I didn't change any stitch counts, just ignored the back and forth instructions in favor of joining the end of the row to the beginning and working circularly. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2656/3875130882_0cdba6a7aa.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Baby Leggings" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; color: rgb(51, 102, 102); font-family:verdana, serif;"></span></span></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I also opted for twisted stitch ribbing at the waist band and ankle-cuffs - a choice made to achieve a bit more elasticity - a great little perk of knitting things through the back loops. Since babies have stumpy little limbs, I figured the more elasticity the better. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3874343295_1e7e7a8dfa.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Baby Leggings" /></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The rest of the pattern is sweet and simple -- sizing for both 6 mos. and 1 year are given. I like to knit the larger sizes so the little growers can wear them longer. Plus, how cute is a 6 month-year-old in oversized baby pants? </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The "diaper shaping" as I like to call it incorporates short rows and increases down center back to create an extra pouch-like space for baby 'bulk' (See Above Photo). The cord running through the eyelets at the waist band is crocheted (nice and firm but still elastic due to the nature of this bouncy, bouncy yarn) -- I tied two small knots on either end to keep it from slipping out of the holes.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3495/3875130112_af6ace8a0e.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Baby Leggings" /></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All in all, a simple pattern with a charming result. You know I'm not a huge fan of The Superwash, but sometimes you gotta do it for the kids (and the parents, too)! And they really do suck up those saturated colors brilliantly, so there's plenty of hypnotic stitching to be had. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3875130362_e7114e9a07.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Baby Leggings" /></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><center style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you're interested in knitting a pair, be sure to check out </span></span></span><a href="http://www.shibuiknits.com/Patterns/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shibui's Pattern Page</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - lots of great patterns there to peruse if you have a few minutes! Now... time to send these babies back to Portland, from whence they came!</span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-81089388963444486392009-08-18T11:24:00.005-04:002009-08-18T14:50:41.587-04:00Made in Brooklyn | Accessories<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today we wrap up with a few stragglers from the collection who haven't fit into any other category yet. Both projects make great travel or gift knitting. And while I don't fancy myself an expert crocheter by any means, I thought I'd be crazy and throw something in for fun for the hook-lovers. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Meet Grove.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3776454778_039514d44c.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Grove" /></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These mittens are an ornate little treasure for the hands. I've always loved the relief-like quality of twisted stitch knitting (knitting all knit stitches through the back loops) and how sculptural and graceful they look when used in travelling-stitch and lace patterns. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/3776454620_09302e6821.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Grove" /></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The interesting thing about the main motif on the tops of the hands is that there is no cabling involved - the motif is formed by yarn overs and twisted knit decreases so I guess </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">technically</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> should be considered lace, albeit a well-disguised version. The cuffs on both hands do utilize traveling stitches in a spiral pattern that is mirror-imaged on either side to add that special detail. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3776454172_2a8d57c22a.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Grove" /></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There's something enticing about mitten knitting - maybe the way they remind us of childhood winters, or how they don't </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">really</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> make sense for adults who are constantly in need of finger dexterity (mittens are a great way to drop expensive little electronics down a large flight of stairs - ask me, I know), or that they're just more enjoyable to knit than other things for your hands? Nevertheless, it seems that mitten knitting is alive and well, and that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And finally, Metropolitan.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3775672067_04c8ec6d42.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Metropolitan" /></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So these. I spent a lot of time staring at a few big, beautiful hanks of </span><a href="http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/product_page_detail.php?category_id=1&item_id=27"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Aspen</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - a super bulky, heathered wool/alpaca blend that comes in a gorgeous array of autumnal colors - thinking What, Oh What am I to do with you? Super bulky presents a funny problem: it's fun to knit for the instant gratification and larger-than-life sculptural quality of your stitches, but not as practical for daily wear because it's, well... </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">super</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> bulky. The other sticking point is that the yardage isn't exactly what you'd call generous - the fiber you could use for thousands of yards of lace schlumps itself into mere double digits in the super-bulky arena.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3775672369_6de30daa09.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Metropolitan" /></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So my personal design challenge was this: what can you do with one skein (approx. 51 yards) of Aspen that isn't a hat? And as I was mulling this over on my morning commutes to and from school, I found myself marveling at how all of my fellow commuters, while jammed together on a crowded train, were so perfectly isolated from one another by virtue of a fantastic modern wonder that we call Noise Cancelling Headphones. You know, the big, shell-like headphones that make you look like a cool, urban fighter pilot? Do you see where I'm going with this?</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Then: the light bulb. Earmuffs! Inspired by these insular electronic devices! Or even, earmuffs to wear </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">over</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> your insular electronic devices! Well, now I was getting a little carried away, but more or less this is how these things came to be. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3435/3775672273_a7d7743eff.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Metropolitan" /></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Metropolitan is a simple crochet project, worked on two different sizes of giant hooks (Huge and Really Huge) for a structural pair of muffs. The ear "shell" is shaped by changing hook size - trust me, I'm not fancy enough to design other means of shaping in crochet with super-bulky yarn - we're keeping it simple. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But the best news about this is that they use just under one skein (including tassels), can be worked in about an hour or less and are perfect for last minute gifts for that person in your life with quirky winter style. And if I can hook it, so can you - trust me.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And with that, we wrap up our official coverage of </span><a href="http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/pattern_detail.php?patternID=90"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Made in Brooklyn</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - I hope you enjoy the collection and thank you already to all of you who have sent such supportive and wonderful e-mails about the work. It is very much appreciated. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In travel news - I'll be headed out to Western Mass this weekend with the trunk show for some teaching workshops. Be sure to stop by </span><a href="http://www.yarn.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">WEBS</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to see the garments in person if you're a local and need a knitting fix! </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ETA</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: If you've been searching for a copy of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Made in Brooklyn</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and haven't been able to find a retailer, you can use CE's "Where to Buy" page to find local shops that stock it </span><a href="http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/where_to_buy.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The booklet is also available online through CE's website </span><a href="http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/pattern_detail.php?patternID=90"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">__________________________________________________________________________</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">RAVELRY LINKS</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grove-2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Grove</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> on Ravelry</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/metropolitan-2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Metropolitan</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> on Ravelry</span></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-74159476989201981542009-08-13T10:29:00.007-04:002009-08-13T11:43:36.966-04:00Made in Brooklyn | Sweaters for Her<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">More sweaters today - this time for the ladies!</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">OH! Before we get in to that, though, I wanted to remember to mention this: although MiB's sweaters may be written out for men or women, I encourage everyone to experiment! Sometimes the only difference between a men's sweater and a women's sweater is the presence of waist shaping and some simple proportion changes (like yoke depth, arm/body length). If you've fallen for a specific design but it's for the wrong gender, please feel free to use the pattern as a guide: take measurements off of a sweater you love (and whose fit you agree with) and go for it! And with that brief soap-box moment out of the way, I present the sweaters:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Meet Stilwell.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2478/3775640749_3e2d53d5d8.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Stilwell" /></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">More colorwork. More tweed. When I first got the colorcard for Portland Tweed, I was playing with a lot of combos and this one kept coming back to me as something I'd like to knit with. A rich, chocolaty brown coupled with a very dusty, subtle, almost grey (my favorite adjectives for almost any color) shade of pink. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It's a good old fashioned seamless raglan ("If it ain't broke, don't fix it" comes to mind) with some colorwork detailing on the yokes and cuffs. I wanted to do a bit of mixing and matching of styles with traditional Norwegian star motifs and more contemporary elements like a fitted body, 3 quarter length sleeves and shaped collar. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3776446828_8b82ff78e4.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Stilwell" /></span></span></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The piece is worked with a henley neck as well. For colorwork patterns, I instruct knitters to use one needle size for one-color stockinette portions, and a larger needle size (2 or 3 sizes up, whatever gets you correct gauge) for all colorwork portions. This is necessary to obtain the same stitch gauge between two different fabrics within one garment. Row gauge is significantly different in colorwork, but that's been accounted for in the design, so stitch gauge is the key - in this way the tension in the fabric is kept constant throughout. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2439/3776446946_d3da619c69.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Stilwell" /></span></span></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I remember knitting a colorwork yoke sweater from a pattern years ago, all with the same needle size, and how the tension change in the yoke drove me crazy. I've since been experimenting with ways of never making that happen again. This works for me! Anyway - I guess what I'm trying to say is, to save time and frustration when knitting projects with both one-color and two-color stockinette portions, find what gets you the same stitch gauge for each and use those two needle sizes for best results. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Tangents! Tangents! Ahem. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Meet Redhook.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/3776487218_4768217fee.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Redhook" /></span></span></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One of the reasons I love Fall so much is the prevalence of layering. People are rocking the layered look everywhere you look and that makes for interesting and inspiring style, not to mention a good way to mix up a wardrobe that can start to feel reeeeaally boring after all those stifling summer months of wearing one thing at a time. Layering is all about contrast: long and short garments, fabric weights and warmths, and maybe most importantly, color! So with all of that in mind, Redhook was conceived as a fun monkey wrench to throw into your layering mix. Vests in general are great for this type of thing because they can be worn under outerwear with no bulk at the arms, and less overheating. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I wanted a garment that could be worn as a stand-alone, or layered easily, had a simple shape and a couple of nice details - like a luxurious collar! I can't get enough of those.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/3776487066_a60630895d.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Redhook" /></span></span></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I also fell in love with this color. </span><a href="http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/product_page_detail.php?category_id=1&item_id=4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Moorland</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> is a single-ply heathered yarn that comes in a wonderful group of earthtones (very, very hard to make color decisions on this one). The thing that really floored me about the yarn was the drape after washing - it got super silky and smooth, and very much took me by surprise after I picked it up off the blocking board (who am I kidding, the carpet of a guest room in Portland, Oregon). It was warm and light, and even more perfect for pairing with other clothes. Bonus points! </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3466/3776486902_93f14d1ddc.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Redhook" /></span></span></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Redhook involves lots of fun with short-rows. Both sleeve caps and shawl collar/buttonband are all worked directly off of the body fabric from picked-up sts and shaped with short rows. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And finally, Seneca.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2604/3776502186_5cf4b9b575.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Seneca" /></span></span></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sometimes, scratch that, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">most</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> times, design ideas hit you at the oddest times. Like when you're sitting, twitching, in jury duty (which makes it even more unbearable, as you're already thinking about how much you'd rather be at home knitting). I had been wanting to knit a rounded yoke pullover with cables that weren't vertical, and desperately wanted to keep it all in one piece. I had been chewing on that idea until BAM! Jury duty brought me to sideways cables. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3776501940_8cd7f80fd3.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Seneca" /></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sideways cables are interesting - if you've never worked them, here's how they roll: They seem as if to appear out of nowhere on a stockinette or reverse stockinette background. This occurs by a severe increase, usually 5 stitches into one and working the cable directly from that point. When the cable is done, you use a fancy 5-to-1 decrease and you're back to your stockinette fabric. They're like little intermissions from your mindless stockinette meditation. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">AND - they perfectly suit round yoke sweaters, which are shaped with intermittent decrease rings throughout the yoke - in Seneca, they're stashed between cable motifs, so that the stitch counts are never interrupted when cabling, which is a major sigh of relief.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/3776502020_7871cd37f6.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Seneca" /></span></span></span></center></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A note before I forget about this one: Because of the rather dramatic nature of the fabric manipulation - the severe increasing for the cables and severe decreasing for the round yoke - you'll definitely want to do an official blocking job (I really recommend full-immersion for this) to smooth all of that out after completion. Sweater fabric always looks better after this process, (always) but this sweater benefits from it especially.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sidways cables are also thrown in on the cuffs for a little extra interest and weight there. Because the sweater is a worsted weight fabric, I generally advise about 3-5" of ease for a classic fit. My model was about 5-6" smaller than the garment and liked the cozy feeling of a little ease added in. I'm a big fan of a little room in my sweaters, especially in warmer fibers like angora. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/3775694987_6207e905b2.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Seneca" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 102, 102); font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;"></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">That rounds out the sweater portion of this tour. Stay tuned for the last two stragglers from the booklet in the next couple of days. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">____________________________________________</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">RAVELRY Links</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stilwell"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Stilwell</span></a> on Ravelry</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/redhook"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Redhook</span></a> on Ravelry</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seneca"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Seneca</span></a> on Ravelry (Also available as an individual PDF download)</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', -webkit-fantasy;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:11px;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-27131667979246064362009-08-10T15:19:00.005-04:002009-08-10T16:17:29.476-04:00Made in Brooklyn | Sweaters for Him<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Well it's about time we got some sweater talk here, no? Seems like it's been forever! Today's sweaters are two near and dear to me -- probably because I love wearing them both so much. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So I'll state the obvious: I am in love with colorwork. I can't </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">not</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> do it. It's a compulsion. I love graphic motifs and patterns and pairing yarn colors. The sheer amount of </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">possibilities</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> makes my head swim. So I decided early on to just go with that and indulge the colorwork factor this year, and these two pieces pulled me right back into that vortex.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Meet Rockaway.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/3776523402_8f211d6908.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Rockaway" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Indulgent indeed! This is one of those epic patterns I catch myself daydreaming about on the subway but rarely realize. It started out as an oft and intense wish for a classic Cowichan Cardigan -- traditional bulky wool sweaters featuring animal and geometric patterns, knit by the Cowichan Tribes of the Pacific NW and Western Canada. Traditional Cowichan patterns are worked with thick, bulky wool and often sport dramatic shawl collars worked in garter stitch (sounds good right?) - here are some </span></span></span><a href="http://cowichantrading.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">examples</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I made some changes to my inspiration but would be lying if I told you that this design didn't come directly out of this sweater genre! Ariosa is a chunky merino/cashmere single, very lightly spun (almost roving-like) which keeps this cardigan from becoming too heavy. It's oddly soft for something that looks more like rustic outerwear. I traded a shawl collar for a hood, cause you know, hooded cardigans are always welcome here. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3775715749_a3f04ee565.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Rockaway" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As for the knitting - the sweater is steeked (cut) down the middle to open up the front, which means all this colorwork patterning is knit in the ROUND (intoxicating!) - if you were worried about working stranded colorwork from the wrong side, rest assured we'll be having </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">none</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> of that around here.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I did a machine-sewn steek rather than my usual crochet method, because merino and cashmere are short-stapled, slippery fibers and need to be well enforced to really stay put. Actually, this was the first time I had ever worked a steek with a sewing machine. I guess it's not so terrible after all (despite my still-strong fear of bringing machines close to my unfinished knitting - although I do remember thinking at the time that the hammering needle resembled a small battering ram). </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2584/3776522598_9a5230088a.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Rockaway" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In my finishing frenzy I forgot to snap some photos of the inside, but will be sure to do that when the garments stop travelling and return to Brooklyn, later in the winter. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And, Huron.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/3775660881_14724bf244.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Huron" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There's a funny story about this one. Prior to giving an official name to this sweater I was referring to it as the Pinch Hit. See, there was another sweater slated for this book, back when Huron was a mere scribble in a notebook somewhere. The other garment just wasn't working for me - it didn't feel right and it didn't fit in, and time was running </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">very</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> short. With 8 days left before my deadline, and an unflappable feeling of defiance ("I won't lose to you, Problem-Sweater!") I thought throwing in another, completely new, completely unworked-out sweater design was somehow a good idea. In retrospect, I'm glad I did, but... that was a rough week. Aside from calling up CE for a last minute shot of yarn, I don't remember much from that period, other than that Huron was born from start to finish in about 6 days. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/3775660623_99d2a3c0ae.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Huron" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> But I guess when you're knitting yourself silly on a garment deadline, you can't ask for something much better than a seamless stockinette pullover with a colorwork yoke. Just when I thought I couldn't take any more stockinette (something I almost </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">never</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> say), the stranded portion swoops in and saves the day. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/3776467058_5c96c2260d.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Huron" /></span></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Live and learn I guess. The funny things is, I wouldn't mind knitting this again. I didn't feel like I really got to enjoy the knitting to its fullest because of said insane-situation (kinda like inhaling a gourmet meal </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">way</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> too fast to enjoy it). Round yokes are hard to beat on my list of favorite project types.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anyway - it's here, nonetheless, which is what really matters I guess. As for the other, sidelined sweater, it'll have its time in the sun. Someday. Just not today. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And speaking of sweaters, there will be more sweater profiling (for the lady-folk) appearing here shortly! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">__________________________________________</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ravelry Links:</span></span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rockaway"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rockaway</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> on Ravelry</span></span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/huron"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Huron</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> on Ravelry</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-28906848259005895242009-08-08T15:35:00.004-04:002009-08-08T16:41:30.679-04:00Made in Brooklyn | The Laces<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Continuing on with the projects - today we look at The Laces! These are some of my favorites. There are two lace patterns included in the collection - one requiring a modest commitment, the other one requiring the Long Haul labor-of-love. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/3801194015_fd231d363e.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Meet the Laces!" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Meet Bridgewater.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2489/3776439448_91e3f98ddb.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Bridgewater Shawl" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><center></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A large lace square worked in a laceweight </span><a href="http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/product_page_detail.php?category_id=1&item_id=25"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">alpaca silk 2-ply</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - this was the first project I started last Fall and one of the final finishes in the Spring. Don't get me wrong though - we had many, many happy hours together. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2519/3776438890_c1da62f54c.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Bridgewater Shawl" /></span></span></center></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Although I generally favor working lace projects with slightly heavier yarns that have a bit of body to them (mostly cause I like watching the architecture of the stitches play out as I work), there's really nothing like a fine laceweight shawl after it's blocked. Fine knitted lace has a way of taking your breath away when it's whisping around!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/3775632169_5f33068a34.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Bridgewater Shawl" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The piece is a perfect square, with the center garter stitch portion (okay, so I guess I got a little more garter in than I may have originally let on) worked first, back and forth with lots of satisfying, mindless knitting. Just when you're ready to ditch the simple stuff you'll work the second section of horseshoe lace, picked up from the square's perimeter and worked in the round, working increases at each of four corners. The delicate edging is worked last and knitted-on in place of a bind off. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And, Willoughby.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/3776515166_6340471ced.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Willoughby" /></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here we have our DK-weight lace contender. This piece is a true bit of luxury knitting. </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/product_page_detail.php?category_id=2&item_id=9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Marly</span></span></a></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, an incredibly light (even for cashmere) 100% cashmere will stop you in your tracks the first time you touch it. When blocked for lace, it feels even lighter - I couldn't believe it!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The pattern provides two sizes - an average length (about 60") and a long length (72") depending on how much yarn you'd like to use. The final piece is wide enough to be considered a stole but can be scrunched down to be worn as a scarf just as easily. I love lace pieces that can be dressed down for street styling or classed up with evening wear. Versatility is always a plus!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3801193823_a3c6bf40f4.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Willoughby Stole" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The stole is worked in two halves - starting in the center with a provisional cast-on and worked out towards the edges. The lace edging is worked concurrently and changes direction at finish to be worked as a knitted-on-edging in place of a bind off. The second half is worked directly off of the provisionally cast-on sts at center and worked outward in the exact same manner as the first. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3776514720_06ed40bd31.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="Willoughby" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As a side note - I want to take this opportunity to extol the virtues of blocking wires. I've been using them exclusively for a few years and have to say that they reign as one of my very favorite (and necessary) knitting tools. I'm a big believer in the magic of blocking - not only for lace, but everything - it can really be the key to putting that extra professional touch to your work. That said, I like square edges, sharp corners and even tension - which </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">can</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> be achieved with pins, but you may drive yourself nuts trying if you err on the side of perfectionism (neurosis) *cough*. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Blocking wires do all the hard work and leave your lace projects coming out perfectly crisp and symmetrical. The joy!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3802012580_d9962fa7cc.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Extolling the Virtues of Blocking Wires" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: normal; "></span></span></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'll leave you with this photo - taken in early Spring as I was communing with camera, blocking wires and at-long-last-finished-shawl. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lace knitters - I hope you enjoy!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">_____________________________________________________</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">RAVELRY LINKS:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bridgewater"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bridgewater</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> on Ravelry</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/willoughby"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Willoughby</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> on Ravelry (also available as an individual PDF download)</span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-10085255217946665722009-08-02T15:25:00.006-04:002009-08-06T10:31:29.164-04:00Made in Brooklyn | The Hats<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I continue to love designing and making hats - they're satisfying on so many levels. They involve just enough shaping to play with interesting motifs or techniques and take just long enough to feel substantial without being a major commitment. They're a great canvas for </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">colorwork</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> or cables and a great way to show off that special yarn. Aside from all of those things, I think that they can really make an outfit. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/3776533524_6a8060ec3a_m.jpg" width="161" height="240" alt="Quincy" /> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/3776543218_fbef73b4a9_m.jpg" width="161" height="240" alt="Laurel" /> </span></span></span></span></center><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2564/3776551348_6dc1e00c4e_m.jpg" width="161" height="240" alt="Beaumont Tam" /> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/3775749739_763de1ab63_m.jpg" width="161" height="240" alt="<span class=" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" /></span></span></span></span></center><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></center></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That said, a good little mix of hat designs made their way into this collection - each with their own technique, flavor and fiber. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Meet Quincy.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/3776533626_6d5a6ce37b.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Quincy" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Garter stitch anyone? I had to get it in there </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">somewhere</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. Quincy is a hat with a bit of a jaunty twist... literally. I was surprised after I finished it to learn that it can be worn in three rather different styles: (1) twist in the front, for an updated flapper-like style, (2) twist on the side (my personal favorite) for what I like to call the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Urban Robin Hood</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, or thirdly (3) twist in the back - which makes for a more traditional looking beanie from the front and sports a hidden detail behind - its got that whole </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">business-in-the-front-party-in-the-back</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> thing going for it.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2564/3782445974_282ebdea4f.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="The Double Q!" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Quincy is put together in a non-traditional way and is deceptively simple! It also employs one of my favorite techniques: built-in I-cord - worked on both edges of the sideways garter stitch portion to make a piping-like border. </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ariosa</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is a lightly spun, almost-roving-like merino cashmere blend. Super light and warm which makes the chunky hat disarmingly weightless. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Meet Laurel.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2593/3776543298_1811d7c54c.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Laurel" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Laurel was a response to a lot of Japanese knitwear that I was (slash am always) looking at. I love how cables and bobbles can be executed </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">unapologetically</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> but with restraint and control - one of my favorite things about Japanese knitting in general, and something that serves as consistent inspiration for me. It's all about details. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The hat motifs remind me of vines and berries and are sure to add a bit of whimsy to any ensemble.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/3775736087_17a5579105.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Laurel" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For the beret-shape, I blocked the hat over a kitchen plate, approximately 10" in diameter. Cardboard circles work great as well. For a less flared shape the hat can also be blocked without this form to have a more beanie-like silhouette. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And, meet the Beaumont Twins:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3775749949_5b5a26de45.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Beaumont Beanie" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Don't you love what a little angora can do to </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">colorwork</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">? Smokey! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/3776550974_814c2148d4.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Beaumont Tam" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The hat comes in two versions: A traditional tam worked in 2-colors, and a 4-color beanie in shades of grey. You'll notice that the beanie-version shown has a bit more of a halo than the other... that's because I wore it for about 4 months before I decided it could also be included in the collection. Oops! I had originally just planned on the Tam having the spotlight but then I figured I'd throw in the greys for good measure. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Aside from the number of colors used, the hat is worked from the same pattern at different gauges to create the different styles. Like Laurel, the Tam version is shaped over a 10"-</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ish</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> circular form during blocking (careful not to stretch the ribbing during that process!) </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3510/3776551202_75fd87b107.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Beaumont Tam" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I hope you enjoy these toppers - stay tuned for more pattern profiling this week!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">_____________________________________________________________</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For you </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ravelers</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> in the audience -- find </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rav</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">-Links for each of these patterns below:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beaumont-beanie"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Beaumont Beanie</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> on </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ravelry</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beaumont-tam"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Beaumont Tam</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> on </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ravelry</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quincy"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Quincy</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> on </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ravelry</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/laurel-3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Laurel</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> on </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ravelry</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;">
<br /></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-89329356753285999672009-07-31T13:46:00.010-04:002009-08-07T14:24:44.440-04:00My Second Thesis, or, The Birth of A Collection<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be writing this post -- it's been a loooong time coming, and I feel like I've spent a year holding out on you about the knitting that was </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">actually</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> going on here behind the scenes. It felt so wrong to be knitting my fingers to the bone on this end, with a quiet lack of output on the blog. Well, it's finally time to come clean and show you what I've been referring to over the last nine months as my </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Second Thesi</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">s</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/3774938353_9d7efe740b_o.jpg" width="402" height="600" alt="Made in Brooklyn Cover" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm happy to introduce </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Made in Brooklyn</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - a collection of original handknit designs in natural fibers, published with Classic Elite yarns and available beginning next week. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As you well know, the last year was a trying one here as I was finishing up my MFA and thesis, teaching and photographing regularly. So when the opportunity to take on a project like this presented itself, I was convinced I was absolutely crazy to take on an additional commitment of this magnitude and almost surely doomed to drive myself into the ground and bring all my projects crashing down along with me in the process. And yes, the last 11 months have not been without their low points, but now that the dust has settled and all is said and done, I'm so glad that the wonderful folks at CE trusted me enough to give me this period to work up this book.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The process started very organically and blossomed out of multiple friendly discussions that I was having last September with my dear friend Pam Allen, the artistic director of Classic Elite and designer extroidinaire, but most of all an absolute golden sweetheart. I had been expressing my desire to continue exploring new directions in print publishing for the yarn shop community while still being able to keep my online distribution and the independent publishing mojo that I love so much about the internet, Ravelry, etc. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We ultimately came up with a new model in which Classic Elite would give an independent designer like me the opportunity to create a publication of designs in which I was given complete creative control over designing, pattern writing and photography, while retaining the rights to my work and the ability to distribute them as online PDF downloads </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">as well as</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> having them available in print at your local yarn shop. Needles to say I was thrilled!</span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And I couldn't have been luckier to be working with a company whose range of yarns is absolutely epic. As a designer, having such a solid range of high quality, natural fibers in a wide range of weights, constructions and colors seemed like such a dream-opportunity. And it really has been a wonderful, wonderful process. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/3774938251_18974efdb7_o.jpg" width="550" height="550" alt="Made in Brooklyn Preview" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The booklet features 13 original designs that run the gamut from simple, versatile accessories to major sweater projects for both men and women to long-term lace projects. My ever-present bug for colorwork was seriously indulged so if you're a lover of stranded knitting be sure to give the patterns a look! You'll also see a range of fibers used -- wool (of course, and lots of it!), cashmere, alpaca, silk and angora -- oh my, what fun! I had a WONDERFUL time putting these pieces together. And as I said before, I can't tell you how happy I am to finally be able to share them with all of you. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The designs in the book are all named after streets in Brooklyn and I shot all the photography on location in the streets here - which I thought was only fitting, as they</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> are such a constant source of inspiration for me in my knitting and designing. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now f</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">or</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> the technical details</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">: The book will be arriving in shops later in the week, so be sure to check your local LYS for details and yarn selection. Online sales will begin through Classic Elite's website mid-week, and pre-orders have already begun so if you prefer to go that route, please visit their site </span></span></span><a href="http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/pattern_detail.php?patternID=90"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">here</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3775743794_b516792e6d_o.jpg" width="550" height="333" alt="PDF Downloadable Patterns" /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span></span></center></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As I mentioned before, the patterns will also be available for download as individual PDFs. The three patterns above will be available for purchase online immediately upon release of the book next week - both on Ravelry and here at Brooklyn Tweed. The remaining designs will become available as PDF downloads in the Spring. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Over the next week or so I'll be doing more in-depth coverage with plenty of photos here on the blog to introduce you to the new collection and these wonderful yarns, and catch up on showing you FO's from the past year! Stay tuned for more images and info on the patterns. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Before I end, I want to thank everyone for sticking around here on the blog through sparse times and for your continued support with my designs and photography. I very much hope you enjoy knitting this collection of designs -- I thought long and hard about enjoyable and intuitive ways to put these pieces together in hopes that you'll get as much enjoyment out of their </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">making</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> as I did. Thank you all so much.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;color:#336666;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com223tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17460838.post-42293181175372825412009-07-25T16:08:00.006-04:002009-07-25T16:33:32.360-04:00Of Press, Vintage Sweaters, and Baby Knitting<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'm back from a wonderful and restful vacation -- it's amazing what a little time off will do for your energy. It's also amazing what the ocean air can do for you when you have nothing to do but knit in front of the sea for 6 days. Dreamy!<br /><br />I came home to the new issue of </span><a href="http://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/store/displaystore.asp?sid=554"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Knitter</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> -- in which is featured an interview that Meg Swansen and I conducted with the wonderful ladies of The Knitter while in the UK. If you don't know this magazine, it's a great one - a bit hard to come by in the US, but getting easier, so I hear. The article features a few sneak peeks at some of my upcoming designs which will be out next month.<br /><br /></span></span></span><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/3755210447_e0d4c168ba.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Knitter Article" /></span></span></span></center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />And you know I can't take a trip with acquiring a few woolly souvenirs, despite trying desperately to pack light, and keep it that way! Behind the scenes here I run what I like to think of as a Sweater Rescue Program - searching thrift stores and flea markets for beautiful woolen cast-offs that have been slightly damaged, dirtied, or just plain overlooked. I like to take them in, mend them with matching scrap yarn, clean them up and give them new life. I do this rather often, which explains my large collection of machine knit sweaters (on top of all those hand-knit ones), which some people find puzzling. I say: Good Knitwear is Good Knitwear, right!?<br /><br />That said, I found a real BEAUTY in Portland at my favorite thrifting locale: "The Bins" (aka Buying-Sweaters-By-Weight-For-Change). This here is a vintage shetland pullover with great details and wonderful wool. It has plenty of small moth-holes and a few little stains that can be easily taken out with a good hand-washing. And since I seem to have somehow acquired every possible shade of Shetland Grey in existence all under one roof, I figured I'd be able to find a pretty good match for this one.<br /><br /></span></span></span><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3756009970_e49b0714fc.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Sweater Rescue Continues!" /></span></span></span></center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />Mending commences this week!<br /><br />In vacation-knitting news, I got some work done on new designs, but mostly zoned out with my stockinette project for the baby ... enjoying these beautiful shades of gold and soaking up the sounds of the ocean. I love knitting by the sea just after dusk and into evening - stockinette is nice cause you don't </span></span></span><span style="font-style:italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">really</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> need to look at your knitting, at least not that much.<br /><br /></span></span></span><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2509/3756009386_90ff78b478.jpg" width="335" height="500" alt="Leggings Needing One More Leg" /></span></span></span></center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />The leggings are in need of one more leg, which should be quick work for car knitting that will be happening in the next few days (passenger, not driver.... although I've been known to try. Keep that one quiet.)<br /><br />Stick around in the next week or so for some big announcements and blatant eye-candy. Until next time!</span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com44