b r o o k l y n t w e e d
7.06.2009
Tweed Baby Blanket Pattern Now Available
Is anyone else feeling the post-holiday-weekend-Monday blues? I escaped for a long weekend in the Catskills with friends - fireworks, bonfire, barbecue and knitting - lots of knitting! I thought about posting this pattern before the weekend and then thought it might be a fun pick-me-up for the aftermath. I hope it finds you feeling restored wherever you might be.
The pattern for the Tweed Baby Blanket (see my original post on this piece here) is now available for purchase in either my Ravelry Pattern Store or through PayPal.
The pattern -- which I knit for my soon-to-be nephew (yes, it's a boy!), arriving in October -- was inspired by traditional Hap Shawls of Shetland. Here are the details:
If you're a Ravelry member and prefer acquiring this pattern there, click on the Ravelry button. If you aren't on Ravelry or prefer PayPal directly, click on the PayPal button.
I have plenty of knitting to show - it just needs to be photographed. I'm closing in on my merino/cashmere pullover and having fun with new yarns and Shetland lace. Oh my!
The BT Design Guarantee: As always, this pattern has been test-knit and tech-edited in an effort to bring the most enjoyable and error-free process to you - the knitter! I have personally prepared all diagrams and charts as well as knit/photographed samples and designed pattern layouts - soliciting the opinions of knitters prior to publication in an effort to streamline this product. I have done my very best to bring you a pattern that I am proud to stand behind fully. I do my best to respond to concerns or comments as soon as possible and, as always, thank you for your support and encouragement. Happy knitting! -Jared ¶ 11:48 AM 25 comments
The pattern for the Tweed Baby Blanket (see my original post on this piece here) is now available for purchase in either my Ravelry Pattern Store or through PayPal.
The pattern -- which I knit for my soon-to-be nephew (yes, it's a boy!), arriving in October -- was inspired by traditional Hap Shawls of Shetland. Here are the details:
Finished Measurements: Approx 38 x 38 inches square
Materials: DK-Weight Wool in 2-colors -- approx 585 yards of Main Color & 275 of Contrasting Color
Gauge: 4 sts and 4 ridges (8 rows) per inch in Garter Stitch after blocking (as for lace)
Needles: I used a US8/5mm 32" circular for the whole project. I recommend one double pointed needle, one size larger for working the applied I-Cord edging
Notions: You'll need 4 stitch markers - I recommend having one in an alternate color to be used to indicate the beg of round. Blocking wires or blocking pins - whatever suits your fancy for blocking lace-type pieces, and as always, a trusty, blunt tapestry needle.
Other notes: Pattern instructions for lace portion are charted clearly with corresponding legend. The pattern is written using 2 colors but I encourage you to experiment with more as you see fit. This is also a great stash-busting project for yarns you have lying around. If you want a larger blanket, work this up in a worsted weight yarn on larger needles. Price for the pattern is $5.75 USD
If you're a Ravelry member and prefer acquiring this pattern there, click on the Ravelry button. If you aren't on Ravelry or prefer PayPal directly, click on the PayPal button.
I have plenty of knitting to show - it just needs to be photographed. I'm closing in on my merino/cashmere pullover and having fun with new yarns and Shetland lace. Oh my!
The BT Design Guarantee: As always, this pattern has been test-knit and tech-edited in an effort to bring the most enjoyable and error-free process to you - the knitter! I have personally prepared all diagrams and charts as well as knit/photographed samples and designed pattern layouts - soliciting the opinions of knitters prior to publication in an effort to streamline this product. I have done my very best to bring you a pattern that I am proud to stand behind fully. I do my best to respond to concerns or comments as soon as possible and, as always, thank you for your support and encouragement. Happy knitting! -Jared ¶ 11:48 AM 25 comments
6.21.2009
New Acquisitions
What a crazy month it's been! Now that I'm finally home and the dust has settled, it's time to get back to my knitting. And that's something worth celebrating! As I've been unpacking (it never ends), reorganizing and regrouping, the full realization of how much yarn I actually acquired during my travels has hit. I was a bit of a magnet - I SWEAR I try to keep yarn intake down to the absolute essentials... but then I black out and find a suitcase full of the stuff splayed out on the floor when I get back.
I've been doing a lot of swatching in the last couple of days - my head is full of ideas and I'm ready to explore them! Today, though, I thought I might feature a few highlights from my collection of travel souvenirs.
Serious British Wool Alert: Have you heard of Garthenor? I hadn't until I was over in the UK and picked up these two balls of beautiful black sheep's wool in London. Garthenor produces organic wool for spinners and knitters from UK grown sheep. Their website has info about what wools are actually in their yarns, which is (oddly) rare and always a major plus in my book! I have a weakness for black wools - this yarn is a rustic DK-weight Black Welsh Mountain breed, and is begging to become a pair of sturdy, woolly mittens!
And speaking of black sheep... here's something that has got my spinning mojo rip-roaring again! A 70/30 black shetland/tussah silk combed top from Old Maiden Aunt. This stuff is beaaautiful and just waiting for the wheel (this week I hope!). Shetland is my favorite spinning material, so I'm psyched to see how the silk feels blended in. Color-wise I think it works incredibly well together. I'm planning for a totally zen evening with this one.
Oh and the blue? Yeah, it's kind of a stunner, isn't it. It's a fingering weight merino from the same dyer's Homecoming Collection - "Lon Dubh (Blackbird)" - a deep, saturated, smokey blue that definitely WORKS. Both of the gems above were gifts from the generous and talented Old Maiden Aunt in Scotland - I'm thrilled!
At TNNA, back in Ohio, I stowed away with a few choice balls of new yarn for Fall and this one got me really excited. Now - I'm not a big alpaca head - but this yarn commands some attention! It's a new worsted alpaca from Rowan called "Lima." Aside from the beautiful palette of colors and great heathered blending that's happening, the construction of the yarn I think is notable as utilizing some of alpacas best qualities and ditching some of its worst. The yarn is basically a miniature 2-stitch I-Cord which, most importantly, traps a lot of air in the yarn - keeping it LIGHT - while at the same time maintaining great elasticity. Elasticity and lightness are words I don't often use to describe alpaca so I really think this yarn was designed well. Now all there is left to do is appreciate the lofty, butter-soft jewel-tones, which I will proceed to do now.
And lastly - this one doesn't really count as an official souvenir but it was waiting for me when I got home from traveling (I ordered it just before I left, as a bit of incentive) and is certainly a show stopper! I've spoken about Marr Haven before, but this is one of my very favorite yarns and I do like to treat myself to it every now and again. The folks at Marr Haven grow purebred Merino-Rambouillet sheep (soft wool, but with body!) in Michigan and mule-spin it to keep the true integrity of the fibers intact. They don't offer a ton of color selection, but if you're happy knitting with naturals until you die, like me, you're set. Aside from that wonderfuly soft, lofty, lanolin-y experience while knitting, the texture is a game-changer! I'm smitten.
I certainly have plenty to keep me busy this summer - the yarns above are just a sampling! When it rains it pours, doesn't it?
Are your air-conditioners fired up? Summer knitting, here we come.
¶ 11:07 AM 41 comments
I've been doing a lot of swatching in the last couple of days - my head is full of ideas and I'm ready to explore them! Today, though, I thought I might feature a few highlights from my collection of travel souvenirs.
Serious British Wool Alert: Have you heard of Garthenor? I hadn't until I was over in the UK and picked up these two balls of beautiful black sheep's wool in London. Garthenor produces organic wool for spinners and knitters from UK grown sheep. Their website has info about what wools are actually in their yarns, which is (oddly) rare and always a major plus in my book! I have a weakness for black wools - this yarn is a rustic DK-weight Black Welsh Mountain breed, and is begging to become a pair of sturdy, woolly mittens!
And speaking of black sheep... here's something that has got my spinning mojo rip-roaring again! A 70/30 black shetland/tussah silk combed top from Old Maiden Aunt. This stuff is beaaautiful and just waiting for the wheel (this week I hope!). Shetland is my favorite spinning material, so I'm psyched to see how the silk feels blended in. Color-wise I think it works incredibly well together. I'm planning for a totally zen evening with this one.
Oh and the blue? Yeah, it's kind of a stunner, isn't it. It's a fingering weight merino from the same dyer's Homecoming Collection - "Lon Dubh (Blackbird)" - a deep, saturated, smokey blue that definitely WORKS. Both of the gems above were gifts from the generous and talented Old Maiden Aunt in Scotland - I'm thrilled!
At TNNA, back in Ohio, I stowed away with a few choice balls of new yarn for Fall and this one got me really excited. Now - I'm not a big alpaca head - but this yarn commands some attention! It's a new worsted alpaca from Rowan called "Lima." Aside from the beautiful palette of colors and great heathered blending that's happening, the construction of the yarn I think is notable as utilizing some of alpacas best qualities and ditching some of its worst. The yarn is basically a miniature 2-stitch I-Cord which, most importantly, traps a lot of air in the yarn - keeping it LIGHT - while at the same time maintaining great elasticity. Elasticity and lightness are words I don't often use to describe alpaca so I really think this yarn was designed well. Now all there is left to do is appreciate the lofty, butter-soft jewel-tones, which I will proceed to do now.
And lastly - this one doesn't really count as an official souvenir but it was waiting for me when I got home from traveling (I ordered it just before I left, as a bit of incentive) and is certainly a show stopper! I've spoken about Marr Haven before, but this is one of my very favorite yarns and I do like to treat myself to it every now and again. The folks at Marr Haven grow purebred Merino-Rambouillet sheep (soft wool, but with body!) in Michigan and mule-spin it to keep the true integrity of the fibers intact. They don't offer a ton of color selection, but if you're happy knitting with naturals until you die, like me, you're set. Aside from that wonderfuly soft, lofty, lanolin-y experience while knitting, the texture is a game-changer! I'm smitten.
I certainly have plenty to keep me busy this summer - the yarns above are just a sampling! When it rains it pours, doesn't it?
Are your air-conditioners fired up? Summer knitting, here we come.
¶ 11:07 AM 41 comments
6.12.2009
Cheers!
I've been knitting my way around the UK over the last week and a half, having an absolutely wonderful time and meeting some great UK knitters!
There have been so many highlights - not least of which was getting some quality time with Meg Swansen, what a treat! Meg and I appeared on BBC radio to promote Ravelry, British Wool, and most of all, Knitting with a capital K! Meg taught our host how to knit on the air - I'm glad I had my camera!
I'm headed back stateside this weekend for TNNA in Columbus. If you're there, stop by and say hello!
After TNNA, I'll have some much needed down time - my knitting and I are in need of some one-on-one in a desperate way!
¶ 12:47 PM 50 comments
5.23.2009
My Requests For A Wool Tassle Were Ignored
But this one works too! It's been a turbulent 2 years - too quiet around the blog on my part and all-too unquiet everywhere else! Thanks for sticking with me as I powered through my MFA.
I'm taking a week off (from everything), then I'll be headed over the pond to go bananas at UK Ravelry Day. I'll be teaching alongside Meg Swansen, Wooly Wormhead, Debbie Bliss, and many others whose presence I am absolutely honored to be in!
Here's to a new chapter - one where there is much more time for knitting! ¶ 9:49 AM 182 comments
I'm taking a week off (from everything), then I'll be headed over the pond to go bananas at UK Ravelry Day. I'll be teaching alongside Meg Swansen, Wooly Wormhead, Debbie Bliss, and many others whose presence I am absolutely honored to be in!
Here's to a new chapter - one where there is much more time for knitting! ¶ 9:49 AM 182 comments
5.07.2009
Tweed Baby Blanket
Ooh this was a fun one! Back in February when I heard of my impending uncle-dom, I began working on a garter stitch square with the intention of turning it into a baby blanket/shawl for the little one. I never tire of a good garter stitch square trimmed with a lacy edge - I think they're simple, elegant and wonderful to knit. They never do you wrong. Ever.
At the same time the garter stitch knitting was happening (academic de-tox) I was amassing a stack of Shetland Knitting History Books (pleasure reading) on the bedside table. Being exposed to pages and pages of the most unbelievable Shetland lace, the beautiful Hap Shawls put a spell on me (I think I'll make an 'official' one this year) and, when it came time for choosing a suitable edge to incorporate my second-color, Feather-and-Fan struck back with a vengeance!
The nice folks over at KnitPicks sent me some of their new City Tweed yarn to play with. It's super soft and allowed me to create a shawl that's baby-skin-friendly while masquerading as something a bit more rustic (rustique?). I knit the (DK-weight) yarn up on an 8 and blocked the piece as for lace with blocking wires and a nice drumskin tension. I love how it came out - the softness and squishiness remains but with a drapey, shawl-like quality.
The garter stitch is worked on the bias, starting with one stitch and increasing one stitch on each row to create the square - at the halfway point, just replace a decrease for your increase and you end up shaping it back down to one stitch. Then it was just a matter of picking up stitches and Feather and Fanning myself into oblivion. I finished off with an applied I-Cord to keep simple, felxible edge and of course adhere to the 'no-hard-bind-offs' rule of lace blocking.
It's a bit early for October, but I guess it just means we'll have more woolens to chat about between now and then. Is there anything better than knitting for a Fall arrival?
¶ 2:20 PM 112 comments
At the same time the garter stitch knitting was happening (academic de-tox) I was amassing a stack of Shetland Knitting History Books (pleasure reading) on the bedside table. Being exposed to pages and pages of the most unbelievable Shetland lace, the beautiful Hap Shawls put a spell on me (I think I'll make an 'official' one this year) and, when it came time for choosing a suitable edge to incorporate my second-color, Feather-and-Fan struck back with a vengeance!
Pattern: A Shetland-Inspired Improvisation
Yarn: KnitPicks (new) "City Tweed DK" in Tahitian Pearl (MC) & Orca (CC)
Needles: US 8/5.0 mm circulars
Finished Dimensions: 38" x 38" square
Started: Late February 09
Finished: Mid-April 09
Yarn: KnitPicks (new) "City Tweed DK" in Tahitian Pearl (MC) & Orca (CC)
Needles: US 8/5.0 mm circulars
Finished Dimensions: 38" x 38" square
Started: Late February 09
Finished: Mid-April 09
The nice folks over at KnitPicks sent me some of their new City Tweed yarn to play with. It's super soft and allowed me to create a shawl that's baby-skin-friendly while masquerading as something a bit more rustic (rustique?). I knit the (DK-weight) yarn up on an 8 and blocked the piece as for lace with blocking wires and a nice drumskin tension. I love how it came out - the softness and squishiness remains but with a drapey, shawl-like quality.
The garter stitch is worked on the bias, starting with one stitch and increasing one stitch on each row to create the square - at the halfway point, just replace a decrease for your increase and you end up shaping it back down to one stitch. Then it was just a matter of picking up stitches and Feather and Fanning myself into oblivion. I finished off with an applied I-Cord to keep simple, felxible edge and of course adhere to the 'no-hard-bind-offs' rule of lace blocking.
It's a bit early for October, but I guess it just means we'll have more woolens to chat about between now and then. Is there anything better than knitting for a Fall arrival?
¶ 2:20 PM 112 comments
4.17.2009
Knitting Bits
Ooh, this is going to be a bit all-over-the-place, but there are so many little projects needing updating here that I figured I'd just cram them all in. Between baby knitting and de-stress knitting, The Piles (you know what I'm talking about) have been growing growing growing.
First, I finished my Shetland mittens and due to all this schizophrenic weather we've been having, they've gotten a lot of play in the last couple of weeks. I think they may now be officially retired for the warmer months, but hey, we could wake up (again) to hail tomorrow and biting winds. You never know these days.
I have yet to give them a proper photoshoot or a more appropriate blog-post of their own, but they were so quietly sitting in the sunlight this morning that I figured they warranted a little show-and-tell time.
And speaking of finished projects yet-to-be-photographed-or-written-about, I've finished a few more little baby knits. (As an update for those who have been asking, I'm going to be an official uncle (not a father) and I'm VERY excited about it!) Below is a charming little vintage-style baby bonnet - a free pattern from Larissa at Stitch Marker - that is sweet sweet sweet. I knit this with a linen/wool blend (stashbustin') and loved the crispness of the wavy ridges and soft-yet-sturdy quality of the fabric. The eyelets around the neck are for ribbon but I worked up a nice sturdy I-Cord instead.
I blocked this using pins and a blocking wire (pictured) to open up the fabric. I could go on and on about how much I love blocking wires. I find I use them for all sorts of things and they just give finished garments that extra OCD punch.
The stashbusting continues in the baby knitting arena: I had one skein of super-silky SWTC Bamboo - this stuff has great yardage (the skein feels a bit like a hockey puck - so weighty and satisfying) and I thought I'd challenge the skein to a duel. Is a one skein baby sweater possible? I believe so! I'm done with the yoke and body and just have the sleeves left - according to the weight of the remaining yarn (40g!), we should be golden for a newborn-sized EZ classic.
The pattern is the ever-popular and always-charming February Baby Sweater from EZ's Knitter's Almanac (I made one a couple years back in green).
Lastly: Remember my 'Reward Cone' of School Products Cashmere Merino? Well I couldn't wait until proper reward-time came around and felt a mindless stockinette pullover was in desperate need of conjuring. So I started. And it's making for some gooooood tactile gratification.
More details on many of these soon - apologies again for the random project purge session!
¶ 11:21 AM 44 comments
First, I finished my Shetland mittens and due to all this schizophrenic weather we've been having, they've gotten a lot of play in the last couple of weeks. I think they may now be officially retired for the warmer months, but hey, we could wake up (again) to hail tomorrow and biting winds. You never know these days.
I have yet to give them a proper photoshoot or a more appropriate blog-post of their own, but they were so quietly sitting in the sunlight this morning that I figured they warranted a little show-and-tell time.
And speaking of finished projects yet-to-be-photographed-or-written-about, I've finished a few more little baby knits. (As an update for those who have been asking, I'm going to be an official uncle (not a father) and I'm VERY excited about it!) Below is a charming little vintage-style baby bonnet - a free pattern from Larissa at Stitch Marker - that is sweet sweet sweet. I knit this with a linen/wool blend (stashbustin') and loved the crispness of the wavy ridges and soft-yet-sturdy quality of the fabric. The eyelets around the neck are for ribbon but I worked up a nice sturdy I-Cord instead.
I blocked this using pins and a blocking wire (pictured) to open up the fabric. I could go on and on about how much I love blocking wires. I find I use them for all sorts of things and they just give finished garments that extra OCD punch.
The stashbusting continues in the baby knitting arena: I had one skein of super-silky SWTC Bamboo - this stuff has great yardage (the skein feels a bit like a hockey puck - so weighty and satisfying) and I thought I'd challenge the skein to a duel. Is a one skein baby sweater possible? I believe so! I'm done with the yoke and body and just have the sleeves left - according to the weight of the remaining yarn (40g!), we should be golden for a newborn-sized EZ classic.
The pattern is the ever-popular and always-charming February Baby Sweater from EZ's Knitter's Almanac (I made one a couple years back in green).
Lastly: Remember my 'Reward Cone' of School Products Cashmere Merino? Well I couldn't wait until proper reward-time came around and felt a mindless stockinette pullover was in desperate need of conjuring. So I started. And it's making for some gooooood tactile gratification.
More details on many of these soon - apologies again for the random project purge session!
3.26.2009
Montera: Part Deux
I was rummaging through my photos today, as I'll often do when I'm seeking solace from stress (or when I'm just straight up procrastinating), and came across these pictures of the second version of the Montera Hat that I knit up at Christmas. After gifting this to a dear family friend, I completely forgot about the photos and hence forgot to share - good thing it didn't quite get away from us!
It's much the same story as the first one - aside from using a different yarn, they were both knit during snowstorm-induced airport hysteria (collective) at Christmas. Extra gift knitting, in retrospect was the silver lining of the story, if only a minor amount of silver proportional to the rest of the chaos. I'm over it though, can't you tell?
My gauge on US 10's was slightly tighter than instructed by the pattern, although I like the finished product with slightly less slouch. I blocked the hat over a 10" lid to the pot we use to boil water for pasta - it's my go-to form for blocking the slouchy and tam-like. Cardboard circles cut from old boxes work well too. This accounts for the shaping you see, although it would fit more like a beanie without this. Knitter's preference!
I squeaked in at just under one skein - it was a nail biter, since I only had that one skein and limited time. If you knit one, I'd play it safe and grab an extra skein. If you end up making it with just one, you can be sure you'll have enough yarn for another! I guess I should mention the one skein trick didn't include the survival of my swatch - I used everything.
Last week was "Spring Break" (term used loosely) - although I did take a day or two off for myself to knit, think, and re-acquaint myself with my spring priorities. The weather is warming up slowly but surely and the Perfect Storm of spring, as I've affectionately dubbed the coming season for myself is on its way. The good news is that I'm really having a light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel moment and there are some really exciting things on the near horizon - I'm really looking forward to sharing these with you, faithful friends! I'm entertaining the idea of taking summer off and knitting next to my air conditioner for three months as an effective transition into a new chapter... sounds good (and not at all irresponsible), doesn't it?
¶ 11:51 AM 39 comments
Pattern: Montera Hat by Pam Allen [Ravel it!]
Source: Classic Elite Alpaca Stories
Yarn: Classic Elite Montera in 3875 Inca Grey; Just barely under one skein (pattern calls for two)
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) and US 10 (6mm) circulars using the Magic Loop
When: Christmas Eve and surrounding hours, stuck in an airport due to snow storms.
Source: Classic Elite Alpaca Stories
Yarn: Classic Elite Montera in 3875 Inca Grey; Just barely under one skein (pattern calls for two)
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) and US 10 (6mm) circulars using the Magic Loop
When: Christmas Eve and surrounding hours, stuck in an airport due to snow storms.
It's much the same story as the first one - aside from using a different yarn, they were both knit during snowstorm-induced airport hysteria (collective) at Christmas. Extra gift knitting, in retrospect was the silver lining of the story, if only a minor amount of silver proportional to the rest of the chaos. I'm over it though, can't you tell?
My gauge on US 10's was slightly tighter than instructed by the pattern, although I like the finished product with slightly less slouch. I blocked the hat over a 10" lid to the pot we use to boil water for pasta - it's my go-to form for blocking the slouchy and tam-like. Cardboard circles cut from old boxes work well too. This accounts for the shaping you see, although it would fit more like a beanie without this. Knitter's preference!
I squeaked in at just under one skein - it was a nail biter, since I only had that one skein and limited time. If you knit one, I'd play it safe and grab an extra skein. If you end up making it with just one, you can be sure you'll have enough yarn for another! I guess I should mention the one skein trick didn't include the survival of my swatch - I used everything.
Last week was "Spring Break" (term used loosely) - although I did take a day or two off for myself to knit, think, and re-acquaint myself with my spring priorities. The weather is warming up slowly but surely and the Perfect Storm of spring, as I've affectionately dubbed the coming season for myself is on its way. The good news is that I'm really having a light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel moment and there are some really exciting things on the near horizon - I'm really looking forward to sharing these with you, faithful friends! I'm entertaining the idea of taking summer off and knitting next to my air conditioner for three months as an effective transition into a new chapter... sounds good (and not at all irresponsible), doesn't it?
¶ 11:51 AM 39 comments
