the knitting buzz

linen lace

I can't lie.....I am smitten with linen laceweight yarn. 

 

Especially Claudia Handpaint Linen Lace Yarn. It has amazing body and knits up beautifully with an open lacework pattern, like Carly. Each hank has 540 yards of handpainted linen, available in over 140 colorways......the choices or inspirations are endless. I chose the colorway Indian Turquoise for my Carly Lace Wrap project.

The linen lace will require little to no blocking and gets softer and more supple with use.

Wrapping up the details: The Carly Lace Wrap is knit with a US# 6 or 4.0 mm needle and I will probably use approx 1.5 hanks.

Its knitting up quickly......BONUS......I will post the finished project soon.

Happy Knitting!

carlisle lace wrap KAL

Tomorrow (March 16th) is the start of the Carlisle Lace Wrap or Scarf KAL (Knit-a-long) at Loopy Yarns, Chicago.  We are meeting for 8 weeks to knit this wrap.

 Carlisle's design comes to life utilizing twisted stitches to emphasize the light and airy chevron pattern. I rarely get the opportunity to make a second lace wrap, so I am looking forward to this KAL myself.

 

The big decision is what yarn to choose.  My laceweight yarn stash is almost embarrassing.... I said ALMOST.  

I have been toying with lots of options, the amount of yardage is critical for me because I want to make it long and drapey.  Color is the next factor.....this is more an emotional decision.....what I'm feeling and what I will wear it with......what shoes.....will I need new shoes.....the answer to this question is always YES.  Then there is practicality......which is where I am leaning.  By practicality, I am referring to utilizing some lace yarns that had been previously wound into a ball for a prior project, but then abandoned due to change of heart or change of mind based on how the yarn knit up.

I am deciding between Mountain Colors Winter Lace in Teal Blue or Wollmeise Lace Garn in a Purpley color.  I have swatched up both and both look great in the Carlisle Lace pattern, once I found the best needle size. 

Originally, I decided on the Winter Lace but as of this morning, I changed my mind and will use the Wollmeise.   What you don't know....is that I am working on another design in a beautiful Linen Lace yarn that is named Indian Turquoise  .......very similar to the Teal Blue.   I know myself, I may not finish Carlisle #2 if I get to tired of working on the same color. I know this sounds crazy, but its true.  So Purple it is!

 

SPEAKING OF CRAZY.....................................

Normally, I am not obsessed about the weather, but yesterday it was 80 degrees and today its in the 70's......its March .....in Chicago.  And the next 10 days look the same.  Wow wee. So much better that the expected 40 - 60 degree temperatures. I have been spending as much free time out and about or on the balcony. SWEET! 

 

BACK to the KAL........

If you want to join the KAL, contact Loopy Yarns to reserve your seat.  Or if you just want to follow along online, I will be posting updates.

Happy Knitting!!!!

 

twitchy

I don't know what it is ..... but I'm getting twitchy.

My Pebbly Mesh Shawl is about 70% complete in length or about 50 inches long.  I should be driven to get it completed, the end is near. And I am anxious to get it finished........BUT...... I find myself getting distracted by yarn  ......especially newly purchased lace yarn......

and the thoughts of casting on another lace shawl/wrap or even a scarf. 

I find myself matching up the yarn to the design, only to get twitch twitch twichy fingers to want to start winding the yarn into a ball and grab for another set of needles.

F O C U S

But which color first...... should it be the beautiful coral or the blue green or the marine blue or the mossy green or the steely blue.....

F O C U S

F O C U S

F O C U S

You have to admit..... they are pretty.  Does James Brown get down?

RIGHT!!!!

Back to the Pebbly Mesh Lace Wrap/Scarf...... it will be done before I know it.

Happy Knitting!

latest mesh update

My knitting focus has been on the reconstructed knitted mesh lace wrap. Its progress is around the halfway mark.  

Most design projects, I have the end in mind, before I even cast on.  Not this one..... perhaps because it was deconstructed/reconstructed from another point of view......but I find myself making changes to this one on a regular bases.

First I was going to make it very simple and clean.  (And it will still be able to be knit that way.....I will just have to photograph it in stages.) Now I am thinking it will look better by adding a simple crochet border. 

As for the latest development...... I am beginning to toy with the idea of adding some embellishments (QUICK... call the doctor.....this is totally out of character).  More on that later.....

For this pattern to work, like I see it in my head, it will need to go thru some extreme blocking. This should open up the pattern enough read "mesh".   Keeping my fingers crossed & saying a little prayer  that it all works.   I have decided to name it Pebbly Mesh Lace Wrap & Scarf. 

Since I don't have good pictures to share with you just yest on the Mesh Project.  Here is very random picture for your enjoyment......

There are never too many needles......Happy Knitting!

 

changed changes

Not even sure where to begin.... the knitted lace shawl/wrap design project that I started just after the first of the year has had so many adaptations that its beginning to make my head spin or maybe just hurt.

So this is my story of RE.... 

Rethink, Ripout, Redo, Ripout, Rework, Ripout, Revise, Revamp, Rewrite, Reconstruct, Readapt, Restart

It started with the idea of a very lacey shell-like center panel wrap style shawl with a very wide heavy border to give it more stability.  About 10" into the project, I decided I really didn't like it as much as I thought I would, so I ripped it out.

I decided I liked the idea of a wide border, but less heavy, so I incorporated a dense mesh stitch to replace the heavier border from before.  It was looking good, but then after about 12" into the project, I felt the borders now were too wide and made the open lace work look insignificant. 

So instead of ripping it out, I started with a different lace yarn to work on deconstructing the original idea and turning it into an entirely new idea.  Sheer and Mesh tops and coverups are all over the runway for late spring/summer.....so why not. 

With the new lace yarn I chose, I'm a little nervous about the yardage. Even though the yardage was a little over 1000 yards, I felt like I had to limit the width in order to get the length I desired out of the yarn (I really always need to buy at least 1200 to 1500+ yards, it makes things so much easier "down the road").

Even though I was now 18" into this new readapted pattern, I started wondering or rather second guessing myself that perhaps I should have used bigger needles.  So since I had quite a bit knit, I decided to do a premature wet block while on the needles. I am liking the effect I'm getting and I think this pattern will look good in a solid or a multi-colored yarn because of its mesh-nature. Thru this little "blocking" exercise, it looks like I should be able to get the width I had hoped for without sacrificing too much on the length. Although, going up a needle size would work nicely too.

While I am waiting for the newer yarn to dry, I started swatching another pattern with some Wollmeise Lace that I have.  The stitch pattern is looking good, BUT the yarn which looked like tones of purples and grays has way too many colors running thru it and is too distracting to the lace pattern.  It just won't work.  I also think I need to go down to a US#3 if I use Wollmeise for this pattern. 

Then I got to thinking,....... always dangerous.....since I'm still waiting for the mesh pattern to dry.....I could restart my mesh design in the Wollmeise lace that knits more open and has beautiful color changes.  This could be a win-win.  Making a quick swatch now to validate my theory.  More later.....

 

Now I haven't forgot about my original lacey shell pattern.  But I will be ripping it out.  While at TNNA, I found some yarns that will give my pattern  more stability without the heavy border.  Just waiting for the selections of yarns to arrive, then swatch,  before beginning that pattern.  I also think that instead of turning this into a wrap, it will be a pretty lacey  summer scarf.

 

Even though my Knitting New Year seems to have taken a slow start, I'm still energized. And......

I have a plan!

Happy Knitting!

carlisle lace wrap and scarf

My first pattern for 2012 is now complete and ready to share.  Carlisle Lace Wrap is the result of my Green Shoe Project and one that I couldn't be more thrilled that its ready to accessorize.

 

Carlisle Lace Wrap is available on Ravelry.com from Knitting Buzz Designs.  Its knit with the beautiful Madelinetosh Tosh Lace, colorway Thyme.

 

This is the first time I had test knitters and it was a wonderful experience.  I appreciated the feedback and seeing how different yarns knit in the pattern. Thank you Test Knitters. 

Below is a picture of Marian's WIP Pink Carlisle.  I think it exhibits beautifully how this pattern looks great without blocking.....BONUS!

On my quest of being intentional..... I would like to invite anyone who may be interested in test knitting one of my upcoming patterns please contact me on Ravelry.com, my user name is knittingbuzz

 Happy Knitting!

ohhh noooo...

I can't believe it...... I did it to myself...... a double whammy!

I was finishing up the Carlisle Lace Wrap and "talked myself" into making it shorter than I had originally planned.

Used the P2tog Bind Off method and it was looking perfect!  But once all the stitches were bound off, I felt like the piece looked a little short. This is so typical me, but I decided to give it a hard block and convinced it would be fine.  I think this could be a  knitters version of ....."Buyers Remorse".

Just before getting it ready to be emmersed in a Eucalan bath, I happened to notice that a few of my stitches didn't get bound off correctly.  I am so happy that I saw this before the piece got wet and before I started stretching it madly for blocking. 

As bad as I feel about having to put it back on the needles, to attach the loose stitches..... I am totally relieved that I spied it before begining the blocking process.....it could have been so much worse.....a disaster.

Lesson learned......Some mistakes are just meant to happen.  Stick with the plan. And since I am having to put it back on the needles, I am definitely going to make it longer.  My hopes of blocking, photographing and publishing this pattern this week is dashed. But I am shooting to get it completed before leaving for TNNA in a couple of weeks.

Happy Knitting!

new year project updates

Anxious to get started on my Intentional Journey, I have updates and finishing up of some projects or.....some proverbial housekeeping to do.

Carlisle Lace Wrap Pattern (the one that will go with my green shoes) is nearly completed and should be ready to be published by the end of the week.

Retro Ripple Afghan  (a told pic)....a tribute and fond memory of my Grandma, I love her so much..... is only 6 or so rows before my yarns runs out.  I am really anxious to finish it because its so warm and cozy.  If nothing else, motivated by the current  temps that are in the teens and 20's.  Brrrr.....   Once I finish, I do have a portion of the blanket that I will need to weave in ends (because not being an avid crocheter, I just learned the "trick" about how to weave in ends as you go....love that trick!).

Longaberger Sock Pattern a fun basketweave pattern that I havn't decided if I will publish or not. If there is enough interest, I certainly will put it out there.

 

Next knitted lace wrap/shawl that I have swatched and hanging in the wings is Carly. Carly Lace Wrap is a knitting pattern that reminds me of the seashore. I am making it in a pretty tonal teal color in Winter Lace by Mountain Colors.  Its when its cold and snow-y that my mind drifts to long walks on the seashore, sand between my toes and the warm glow of the sun.  Let's go!

 

That' it for now.....

Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

new year

With 2012 just around the corner, I find myself looking toward the New Year to seek out ways to improve ...... a better way, better habits, in short, a better me......

So my resolution for 2012 is to be INTENTIONAL. Intentional in everything I do.  Specifically, I want to turn my knitting design patterns into an intentional source of wealth. 

I want to thank all who have followed, supported and offered words of encouragement to me over the past few years.  For this I am eternally grateful.  And until there is a word that is capable of expressing all my gratitude, THANK YOU will have to do.

To get started, I took some time and gathered together all the thoughts & ideas, knitted swatches, drawings & sketches and that I had scribbled down on note cards, on loose sheets of paper or even in a notebook.  Then compiled them together into a three ring binder utilizing sheet protector sleeves for each project idea.  My "cocktail napkin" approach or random scraps of paper to jot down ideas or making sketches had resulted in ovewhelming clutter, disjointed thoughts and even lost or misplaced thoughts, now has bloomed into an intentional organized course of action. 

By the way, much to my own surprise, this gathering and sorting process resulted in 20+ new lace shawl/wrap & cowl designs and a dozen or so sock patterns.  Now this should be a good place to start for me to be intentional ;-) 

Next, I have also started keeping track of expenses.  I had never done this until now, always thought that I should but just hadn't done it.  To be intentional this seems like a prudent practice..... especially for tax purposes.

I'm really happy with this new "system" because its simple and gives me an excellent place to reference, as well as, update. Easy to intentionally add to previous thoughts and ideas, edit changes on projects in progress and its in a simple format to intentionally add new ideas, sketches, swatches, etc.  Feeling very liberated today.

NOW....all that is left for me to do is to some test swatches and start knitting my sample pieces to be photographed.   Its time to get busy knitting.

Knitting every chance I get......

Happy Knitting!!!!

best friend lace scarf

Happy Thanksgiving

 I love Thanksgiving..... it's my favorite holiday.  I love that it is  a time to be deliberate about are gratitude.  I have so much to be grateful for that I could go on all day.

I am so grateful for my my readers who endure my unending prose on knitting or related topics and even sometimes unrelated topics. Thank you. I am grateful for my many friends and family who both share my passion of knitting. And for those who don't understand what all the fuss is about when it comes to my knitting, that they at least enjoy or perhapas tolerate receiving hand knit items.

To express my gratitude to my readers....... I would like to share the pattern for my Best Friend Lace Scarf.

This lace scarf came about because my very best friend, who NEVER wears much in the way of accessories, not to mention a lacey scarf......shared a story with me that she wore one of my "cast-off" (my words, not hers) lace scarves to a work and got raves and tons of compliments.  She even went so far to say, that she liked it too.

What knitter needs more encouragement than that. Right?  Well around the same time she saw me working with a self-striping yarn (a scarf for Xander) that she also commented that she liked.

Soooo..... I put two and two together and knew I had some Jojoland Melody (color MS18) in my stash and thought she might like it.......resulting in my Best Friend Lace Scarf.

This pattern can be done with ANY weight yarn, adjusting the needle sizes accordingly.

Materials:  I used a 440 yards of fingering weight on US #6 needle.

Finished Size: 7" x 86" (length is your preference of course or determined about the amout of yarn you have.) 

Abbreviations: pm = place marker, k = knit, p = purl, yo = yarnover, k2tog = knit two stitches together as one, k2togtbl = knit two stitches together as one thru the back loops, sk2p = slip 1 stitch knitwise to right-hand needle, k2tog, pass slip stitch over just knit stitch.

Best Friend Lace Scarf Pattern 

The pattern has a 3 stitch garter edge on each side of the knitted pattern.  These stitches are not included in the pattern, except to pm (place markers) on the Set Up row.

Cast on 37 stitches. Knit 6 rows (Garter stitch).

Set up row: k3, pm, purl to last 3 stitches, pm, k3

Row 1: k1, *yo, k2togtbl, k1, k2tog yo, k1....... rep from * to pm

Row 2 and all EVEN rows: Purl

Row 3:  k1, *yo, k1, sk2p, k1, yo, k1.....rep from * to pm

Row 5: k1, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2togtbl, k1......rep from * to pm

Row 7: k2tog, * k1, (yo, k1)2x, sk2p,......to last 5 stitches, k1, (yo, k1)2x, k2togtbl

Repeat rows 1 - 8 until desired length. Ending on Row 8. Knit 7 rows and bind off loosely as follows:

*p2tog, return this stitch from right hand needle to left hand needle ......repeat from * until all stitches have been bound off one at a time.

Weave in ends and block lightly.

 

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving......................and Thanks again!

 

31 Knitting Days till Christmas...........

Gifts Completed:  4

frugal

Feeling very frugal and I'm not sure why.

Frugal is not something I would say is my nature naturally, but definitely something that I grew up with...... (we re-used aluminum foil at my house).

In my search for a particular yarn in my stash, I came across many little bits of cotton yarn that was leftover from a multitude of face-cloth projects.  OK. True confessions, I do knit and/or crochet my own face-cloths because they are just sooo much nicer than anything store bought.  I know you are probably thinking I'm pulling your leg or just plain flipping out.... but its true.  I digress.

ANYWAY..... for some crazy reason, I got the idea to make a face-cloth out of all of them combined together for a homespun-y thing.  Can't explain it.....really.  In fact, I'm shaking my head in my own disbelief while I write this post.

 

Crazy! Right?

Getting back to my yarn search and to make this crazy story go on and on......... the yarn I was looking for was Jojoland Melody, a self-stripeing fingering weight yarn. 

My dear friend recently told me about all the compliments she got at work when she was wearing a lace scarf I had knit her. And also recently, after showing her the scarf and mitts I made for Xander, she told me how much she loved the self-stripeing yarn.  So I got to thinking......always dangerous.....thought I could put them together for another scarf for her.

 

I promise to keep you entertained by showing you pictures of both of these projects as they near completion.  

Hope you had a good week and wishing you a relaxing weekend.

Happy Knitting!

 

test knitters

Having test knitters is something totally new for me and I am thoroughly loving it.  For my Carlisle Lace Wrap and Scarf (perhaps better known is the wrap to go with my green shoes), I now have two test knitters, Marian and Camila. 

This has forced me to get the pattern written earlier, which will make it faster to publish once its blocked and photographed.  Writing it while I am working on it, also forces me to take better notes and leave less to memory (always dangerous) ....... The best part its getting feedback on its clarity and ease of understanding.

So a big thank you to Marian and Camila for all there help.  I would also like to invite others who may be intersted in test knitting any of my future lace shawls/scarves or sock patterns.  To contact me, send me a pm on Ravelry, my user name is:  knittingbuzz.

Happy Knitting!   Another random picture for your enjoyment.....

its not easy being green

I am not really a green (the color) person by nature, but for some reason I have been in pursuit of green.  It all started with the infamous green shoes.  I have never owned green shoes before (until now) and I can't really explain why I had to have them ...... but I did....

So....this led to the search for the perfect green yarn for the perfect accessory to my beautiful green shoes. I found Madelintosh Tosh Lace in Thyme which I was sure to satisfy my accessory notion.

 

And recently started a knit lace wrap that I think will be perfect accessory and works perfectly with the yarn construction. (The Tosh Lace is tightly plied and knits up differently than other laceweight yarns I have worked with previously).

Then......dun dun dun duuunnnn....... there was Stitches Midwest.  Where I found myself drawn to more green laceweight yarn.   

 
 This is Ivy Brambles Romantica (above) 100% merino laceweight yarn in colorway Pine Tree (1000 yards per hank). My photo really doesn't do the color justice.  Anyway,  it is a perfect match to my shoes.

 
Then...... there was Miss Babs Yasmin Lace (above) 80% merino wool 20% tussah silk, 1250 yards in colorway Nori.  Which looks forest green in my picture, but is really more like a dark olive color. It doesn't match the shoes but it blends beautifully with them.

 

Now I have enough yarn for three knitted lace wraps.... in green..... to go with ONE pair of green shoes.  Got to ask the obvious question.......

Will this ONE pair of green shoes survive the knitting and wearing of THREE knitted lace wraps ......

OR......

are there more green shoes in my future?  I guess I could have worse problems....blush.


Enough about green!

 

On a separate topic..... I have decided to include in each post in the forseeable future a random picture (and I do mean random) of something I have seen or found that may or most likely may not have anything to do with anything......

Are you ready?

 

Happy Knitting!

 

 

 

 

inspired

"Shoulda, woulda, coulda" gave me the "kick in the pants" inspiration I needed to set a goal to get the beautiful lace knitted wrap/scarf design completed, so I could wear it to TNNA (The National Needlearts Association) Trade Show in Columbus.  I calculated that I needed to complete 20 rows every day, giving me enough time for blocking and pack it for my trip. Twenty rows sounded ambitious even to me, but I was determined to give it my all

The first two days of this challenge, were indeed challenging, but 40 rows were completed. I pushed myself and got it done. 

Day 3 was a different story...... I got up at 4:30 am to knit with the endless cup of Starbucks House Blend, then off to work.  Came home to look after Xander, then resumed knitting around 9pm and stayed up to till around 11:30pm kniitng groggily and at times falling asleep. Still not completing my 20 rows....OOFDAH!!!

Day 4 was worse..... this is the day I found the mistakes I made under heavy eyelids, late the night before.  Kind of like a Day of Reckoning.  I quickly faced the fact that this beautiful wrap/scarf knit in Dream In Color's Its Native, will be finished at a later date and will not be going to Columbus with me in any form other than a UFO (un-finished object).

So, this opened up season on knitting up something else to wear at TNNA. Not surprised, I'm positve.

shoulda, woulda, coulda

Or translation..... EXCUSES.......

Its been awhile since I worked on my wrap/scarf design that I'm knitting with Dream in Color, It's Native;  53% U.S. Superfine Kid Mohair, 48% U.S. Superfine Merino Wool, 1000 yards.  I LOVE this yarn and I really like the pattern design, BUT it tends to be the first project to get pushed aside for another.

For instance.... over the last month or so, it quickly got moved to the "back burner" to crank out some gift knits and then there was the interruption of my Dandelion Lace Scarf and now another one in PINK.

I have been quick to whip out the excuses.....

• Nearly halfway into the project and it feels like I should have used larger needles.  Feels like the mohair is filling in more than expected.  Now I did a knitted swatch (but not a blocked swatch), where I made the decision to take the needle size down.
• I should have blocked the swatch to better understand how the mohair would perform
• Why didn't I block the swatch? It meant cutting the yarn.   I was concerned that the yardage may be too skimpy for a full fledged wrap, I just couldn't part with losing any potential yardage.
• So I made the wrap one repeat less (slightly narrower) than intended to get some added length, which now feels too narrow (hoping that wet blocking will be my friend). I guess I should just surrender to the notion that its a gorgeous scarf.....and get over it!
• I am nearing the halfway mark, I feel like the wrap/scarf may be .....dare I say... too short. Blocking may be my answer. Time will tell.

What else?????

My normal reaction would be to frog the whole thing and start again......but since we are talking mohair, I have thought better.

Soooooo......I am going to persevere....whether its a bit too narrow or short for my liking(sounds kind of pitiful, sorry about that) ....its still going to be beautiful.  

More later.....

 

too many projects?

I am feeling like a mosquito..... I'm everywhere all at the same time. 

I have reached the point that I have surpassed my own comfort level (which I have a fairly high tolerance) of the number of projects I have on the needles. These are project  that I truly want and intend to finish.  My goal is to get one or several completed QUICKLY.

Project Progress Update

Dandelions (new design) - Scarf - about 75% complete (most focused on getting this one completed)

Its Native (new design) Shawl/Scarf - nearly 50% complete

Charlize for a gift - 90% complete (have a little time before this has to be finished)

Creatively Dyed Socks - 75% complete (time sensitive)

New Sock Design - 25% complete

Retro Ripple Crochet afghan - 90% complete (will probably dust this off when its gets cooler, unless the AC is cranked up)

Crochet Pillow Cover - about 10% complete (a me project using a pretty crochet stitch and the beautiful Ultra Pima Cotton from Cascade

Crochet Face Cloth - 25% complete (a side project that is fairly mindless and toteable, when I am not knitting socks).

Whew!!!

To make matters worse, I have three, maybe four designs that I'm aching to get some test swatches started for lace wraps and shawls.  It is my own level of uncomfort that is "holding this at bay" ...... at least for now.

So today......  after chores and errands, I hope to get some serious knitting time in.  OR perhaps it should be ......maybe I can squeeze some time in for chores and errands after knitting...... I think that sounds much better.

Happy Knitting!  =)

dandelions inspire

 
What is it about the dandelion?  Many consider it a pesky weed, a nuisance, especially if one shows up in your pristine lawn. And then, before you know it, more may be on there way, transformed from perky flower to the sculptural round white puff ball of seedlings that are carried away by the wind, like tiny parachutes.

 

Others consider it a valuable herb with many culinary and medical uses. Some use the leaves in salads or on sandwiches,  the roots can be found in some coffee substitutes & digestive aids, while the flowers have been used to make certain wines.

For me, I see them as beautiful, especially an entire field of the sunny yellow flowers. There is something about the color yellow that evokes happiness and joy.  So..... an entire field of dandelions can't help but make you smile.... unless of course its your front lawn. 

Its this stunning field of  sunny yellow blooming clusters that  is the inspiration for my next knitted lace scarf design.  Its on the needles ........ its making me so happy to knit it already......

Stay tuned for more photos and details on this new design.  Hope to get it done while the danelions are still around.

summer lace rib scarf pattern

I'm on a mission to make a "dent" in my fingering weight/ sock yarn.......its beyond bountiful......there is so much it just might exceed my life expectancy. Seriously...

I love sock yarn for lots of reasons.....its a single hank with generous yardage ranging usually from 400 - 450 yards of goodness. I am a love the gorgeous hand dyes and become weak in the knees when it comes to the MCN or MCS varieties (Merino/Cashmere/Nylon or Merino/Cashmere/Silk, respectively).

Besides socks, it can be easily knit into a scarf, a hat, a cowl and if I'm lucky enough of having two or more in the same color/dye lot, it can be a wrap/shawl or even a lightweight cardi.

It all started with the Charlize Shawlette by Vanessa Smith, a fun neck scarf that can be worn year round.

I want to share another..... my Summer Lace Rib Scarf. a fun decorative piece that can be used as an accessory as well as ward off a chill when the AC is too cold.

 

Summer Lace Rib - Free Pattern

Skill level - Easy

• Yarn: Shown in Fingering weight (any weight yarn can be used)
• Needle: US#7 - US #9  for Fingering 
• Gauge: Doesn't really matter here for a scarf

Stitches used: k (knit), p (purl), yo (yarn over), sk2p (slip 1 st knitwise, k2tog, psso)

 

Cast on 29 (or any multiple of 4 + 1)

Row 1  Purl

Row 2  K1, *yo, sk2p, yo, k1 ..... repeat from * to end of row

Knit to desired length, ending with Row 1.

Bind off *p2tog, slip purled st from right hand needle to left hand needle.....repeat till all sts are bound off.

 
I chose not to block this scarf to keep a more casual look and to focus on the color play.

Here is a couple of shots where I spread the stitches out a bit to see the stitch pattern up close.

 

 

Its knit out of Creatively Dyed Yarn Calypso, You can easily find Dianne (owner of Creatively Dyed) at Fiber Shows, like Stitches and Midwest Folk and Fiber Festival (the website does not do justice to her beautiful work and technique).

 

and then there were two

Charlize Shawlette is finished and on the blocking board. I think it turned out quite nice, even with some initial struggles. Its a great and quick way to get thru some of the growing stash of fingering weight/sock yarn that I have accumulated. I knit it with Madelintosh Tosh Merino Light, color Norway Spruce. The second photo is truer to the actual color, the first appears a bit washed out.

 

 

 

 

It will make a nice gift for someone special, so nice that I have already started Charlize #2, for another special someone. This one I am knitting in Malabrigo Sock, color Alcaucil. So far NONE of the initial struggles with this pattern, clearly it was me, the pattern is written beautifully.

 

My wrap that I'm knitting with the Incredible "It's Native" from Dream in Color has been on a little hiatus. I guess the quickness and ease of Charlize was a welcomed break.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

life interrupted

Planning  a day trip by train for a change of pace.  I'm looking forward to getting a break from the city, especially when gelato is involved.... yum yum.

So a quick train jaunt is the perfect time to get in some knitting. Surprised? Travel knitting is my favorite, whether its train or plane.  But I like train knitting best because of the opportunity to spread out, not quite as crowded and has occasional stops.

What to take to knit does require some consideration. I don't dare take the knitted lace wrap I am knitting,  that has all the makings for a disaster, knitting disaster that is. 
Which leaves me the socks I have been knitting off & on.....lets be honest, its been more off than on.  So I'm all set & ready to go, right?

UNTIL, I spy Evelyn knitting Charlize Shawlette by Vanessa Smith. Yes, you guessed it, there was no turning back. It was perfect!  For all the right reasons..... I have some very special girls/women in my life that would look great in this piece..... and..... I have tons of gorgeous fingering weight yarn that is just yearning to be knit.......and ...... its lace, I love to knit anything lace ....and..... its simple enough that I could work on it on the train......and...... and ....... and.... and......

I told Evelyn that I was going to "blame" her for getting another project on the needles, BUT instead I must thank her. Its a great piece and thrilled to start it.  So Evelyn, here is a big THANK YOU for you.

off the needles, blocked and published

Whew!  Venetia Lace Wrap/Shawl is finally finished and ready to worn around town.  It went from coming off the needles.

 

 

To the blocking board.

 

To this.....its kind of like going from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly.

 
 

Venetia gets its name from the Diamond Mines in South Africa.  It's a gem! Badumbump

 

This lace knit wrap/shawl was knit using the beautiful Gossamer Lace Yarn from Sheepytime.  Its 80% Merino 20% Silk, 100 grams and 1312 yards.   I purchased this yarn a few years ago at Stitches Midwest and wonder why I waited so long to knit with it.  I thoroughly loved it ..... it knits and blocks beautifuly.  Lucky for me I have another hank.

Venetia Lace Wrap/Shawl & Scarf Pattern is available on Ravelry along with my other pattern designs.

finishing up, means its time to start up

Venetia Lace Shawl/Wrap is nearly finished ...hooray....I am on the final lace knit border, then onto the outer edge, bind off, soak and off to the blocking board.    Even admist all the distrative swatching for my "next" project, my Venetia Wrap is nearly done and I am looking forward to sporting it around town. 

 

The "need" to start swatching for the next project got me thinking.  Why am I compelled to do this even though the current project is  NOT finished?  It seems that the thought of going project-less weighs on me for some unknown (to me) reason.  I'm sure there is some psychological term for it, OR perhaps its just the theory.....If you don't know where you are going you will probably end up some place else.

Which brings up another issue.  Not being project-less also means that I tend to be in a constant "scout" mode when it comes to finding the "perfect" yarn......which could be interpreted that I may on occassion buy entirely too much yarn.....usually of the  lace and fingering weight variety. 

Now that's just absurd......there is no such thing as too much yarn.   Denial is a river in Egypt, right?

knitted lace vs. lace knitting

Did you know there was a difference?  Or more importantly..... did you care? 

It's true! Really.  After much reading, it appears that it is generally accepted that Lace Knitting is defined as a knitted fabric where there is a row of plain knitting (usually the wrong side/purl row) worked alternately with a row of knitted holes/yarnovers and decreases made in various patterns. 

Knitted Lace is knitted fabric where there are holes/yarnovers and corresponding decreases are made on every row. Giving more definition to a lace pattern utilizing stitches like p2tog, p2togb. p3tog, p3togb, sp2p, and s2pp2. I'll post more about these stitches later.

The easiest way to tell the difference that the strands separating the holes/yarnovers in lace kniiting are twisted. Where is knitted lace the strands appear more in a suspended manner and not twisted.

In this closeup photo of the Kalokairi Lace Wrap, both examples are exhibited in one piece.  The wave or leaf looking pattern is knitted lace or worked in pattern on both the front or right side and the back or wrong side.  Notice how the strands inbetween the holes/yarnovers are straight, without any twists. 

While the rows of faggoting separating, the wave pattern, are twisted and form distinctively round holes or lace knitting.

For me, I get the difference, but find the terminology confusing at best, and easily mixed up.

My philosophy is ...... just keep knitting knitted lace and lace knitting!  =-)

Happy Knitting!

 

distracted

How does this happen?  Once my trip to Portland was cancelled,  I have lost my focus on my Venetia Shawl/Wrap project .....and I was doing so well.  Now that the deadline or rather goal has been removed, I find myself taking on new projects. 

I have started crocheting a pillow cover, testing out some patterns in the form of cotton facecloths and to top it off, I spent a good part of the weekend, swatching some knit lace designs for my next lace shawl/wrap design.

I can explain...... The distraction could happen to anyone.  I have recently acquired some beautiful laceweight and fingering weight yarn. A couple of hanks of Wollmeisse Lace Garn, Madelintosh Tosh Lace and Tosh Merino Light.  Ok, ok, ok.... who wouldn't be distracted by that.

Happy Knitting!

in demand

I have had so many requests for a wrap/shawl design version of my Venetian Scarf that I couldn't resist starting it.  I decided to exaggerate the borders and of course widen it as well. 

 
 

Since it hasn't been blocked, it doesn't look like much yet, but I'm happy with the proportions and can't wait to get it finished.  I would love to get done in time for my trip to Yarn Market News in Portland OR in early March.  So far I have 16" completed which is a long way away from the 63" (before blocking) that I have calculated I should be able to get out of the lace weight yarn.

Ok....so the inner nerd in me says that I need to knit about 2.5" a day.  Seems do-able but could be close. 

I am using some yarn I have had in my stash from a incredibly talented indie dyer from Indiana, Sheepytime Yarns.  I am using the Gossamer Lace that is 1312 yards of 80% Merino Wool, 20% Silk in color Black Water.  Its really been great for lace knitting.

 

 

 

 

lace class inspired

Finally, my lace class inspired scarf design  is finished, blocked, written and finally published.  I called it Venetia Lace Scarf, named for the famous Diamond Mine in South Africa. 

 I knit it with Punta Space Dyed Lace yarn, a 100% Merino Wool.  This yarn was very nice to work with and was super easy to block.  And if you remember my wip picture, it appeared to need pins, wires and the works......

 
But instead....... it was so easy that I didn't use any t-pins or blocking wires.  I just let it soak in wool wash for about 15 minutes, then gently squeezed out as much water as I could with my hands, rolled it in a towel, then positioned it to the blocked size with my hands.  I blocked it 2 inches wider and 14 inches longer.  It was a breeze!  Don't you love it when that happens.....I know I do.

The pattern is available on Ravelry, along with the rest of my designs.   

 

 

ultimate needles for lace

Since I am back in the swing with my lace thing, I just have to pay homage to the ultimate "Lace Girl" knitting needles.

So this is my tribute to Signature Needles. There are other fine needles available but there is nothing like a Signature Stiletto Point Knitting Needle. They are available straights, circulars and dpns.  The straights are available in U.S. sizes 0 thru 10 in three lengths, 7", 10" and 14" long needles. They also come in three different tips; stilletto (my personal favorite), middy and blunt AND three different caps or tops to show off your inner fancy; teardrop, bell and spiral.

  In the beginning, Signature only produced straights and dpn's. More recently, they entered into the circular arena with US sizes 5 - 7. And soon, circulars will be available  in size US 3 and US 4....... sweet!

This is my collection of the 7" needles, my personal favorites. An accolade for the 7" knitting needle it may be little... but its  mighty. I am able to comfortably get 300 lace stitches on these needles which makes it feel similar to working on circulars with out messing with the cable or a join to worry about.....its the best of both worlds.....especially when working with lace.  I also have a set of US 1 dpns, which are heaven and a US 6 circular. I look forward to getting the US 4 Circular (24") and adding to my dpn collection.

I wouldn't recommend this for the faint of heart, but I was able to travel (air) with both my dpn's and my 7" straights.  I was nervous, but definitely lucked out.

 

plan change

Today was one of those days. 

Had great plans for this forecasted incredibly cold day to take Katie and Xander to the Museum of Science and Industy.  Only to find my sweet Xander, sick with head/chest cold & congestion.  Better to keep him indoors and ward off any chance for something worse.  I was sad about the plan change, but .....now saw my day ripe full of opportunity.

Opportunity to catch up on some chores and the opportunity to work on knitting  my latest lace scarf design. 

 

So with some hot coffee, my new project bag from Lantern Moon, my trusty Knit Kit  and the afternoon to myself, I made some decent progress.

This scarf was inspired by a set of three patterns, from the Barbara Walker Treasury, that I use in the Intermediate Lace Class I teach. Many of my students wanted a scarf pattern and I told them I would work something up.  The lace details are really difficult to see until it has been blocked. 

So, I used two of the three designs to construct a bordered lace pattern.  The smaller pattern is the border and the larger pattern is the insert.  I think it could make a very nice wrap or shawl too. I am using the 100% Merino Wool Space Dyed Lace from Punta Yarns. They have a beautiful range of colors.  It should block nicely.

 
As I have been working on this piece, I have been getting a lot of requests for the pattern. So once I have finished the knitting and  blocked it......  I will get it written up, take better pictures and published.  Hopefully within the week....

On a side note,  there is still some good football knitting this weekend......  GO BEARS!!!!

up in the air

I am a little behind in posting this.....perhaps its was the 61 pictures I took form the plane. I will spare you and share only some highlights.

Heading out and of course, I am equipped with my traveling sock for the 4 hour journey to Long Beach. I settled on the sock, yes another sock, because I resisted the idea of losing my precious Signatures, just so I could work on my lace scarf. This sock is being knit with Socks that Rock  by Blue Moon Fiber in my Dash sock pattern,

 

First of all, I am from the Midwest but know nothing about farming, I enjoyed looking out over the farmland, BUT then found myself mystified by large sections of land that appeared like crop circles but seemingly larger, throughout many different areas.

The picture is a little hard to see. But I found them very interesting. Can anyone tell me what these are.....I'm intrigued!

 

Here are some frosted version of circles, half circles and even some pacman shaped ones. What are these????

 

 
I could see my mystifying circles inspiring some design work down the road. They are beautiful.

I get the opportunity to see many mountains, so I couldn't help myself. There was alot of snow on some and none on others.

 

Canyons and steep ravines

 

This next shot  looks to me like it could have been taken on Mars....

Some were so majestic

 

 

And then after the mountain show, we land and alas, the Queen Mary. We are staying on this renovated ship while in Long Beach. So fun!

 

 


I will be posting on some new products, some features front the Fashion Show and  the fashion color forecast for Spring 2011.

 

heading for tnna

TNNA (The National Needlearts Association) hosts a show twice a year for retailers, offering classes, a fashion show, interesting speakers and the show to purchase yarn, needles , notions and accessories for the upcoming season. The best part is that it is hosted in Long Beach CA; a nice break from the down coat and Uggs routine.

We leave tomorrow, so today is filled with all the usual pre-travel errands, (hair cut, manicure/pedicure, dry cleaner and Walgreens) and what to pack, clothes and more importantly, which knitting projects to take. 

Don't laugh.....the projects are the most important part. Need to have a project that is somewhat mindless to have on hand during speakers presentations and classes. Something interesting to work on in the evening. And most important, something that will get through airport security.....we are talking about a 4 hour flight here. 

My history is that I have visions of grandeur and pack more projects than I can possibly work on. I think, secretly I have a fear of "what if I finish and nothing to work with on the way home"....YIKES!   

But this time, I am going to try to be more reasonable about the amount of project I take.

•  I have my lace scarf project which is a must have, but since they are on Signatures, I worry about them being taken by the TSA. So this will be packed in my checked luggage.
• A sock project that was abandoned during my holiday knitting because its recipient had a color change request, this could be my airport/plane knitting.
• A Linen lace scarf I started last year in my Bubbles pattern, this could also be airport/plane knitting
• A new sock design I started before the rash of holiday knits and its cowl compliment that has been cast on but really needs a gauge change. This may be too taxing a project and should probably stay home.
• There are others to consider, but so far, the lace scarf and the abandoned socks are definites.
  

Then there is the "other thing".....this is something that is only whispered. For some peculiar reason, I am compelled to take a plethora of needles, just in case. Just in case, there is a new yarn to try, just in case I score some yarn that has to be cast on immediately. Just in case, just in case, just in case......

More later on our TNNA findings.....

BTW.....we are staying on the renovated Queen Mary and it could be haunted....sounds exciting, right?

 

tools and tips

I am finding that my digital scale is becoming one of my favorite tools.  It is making me more accurate when determining remaing yardage and the size of a project. 

I had previously mentioned I used a scale to determine if a hank or skein was generous or skimpy. I am now using it in the midst of a project to determine a variable of size or rather when to start a finishing border or edge.  BUT WAIT.....there is more....

On my latest lace scarf, I want to try to keep the size to one skein. So in order to maximize the skein, I weighed it without the label or tag. I'm glad to say is weighed 2 grams more than the label. then after I finished the edge and beginning border and before starting the body of the scarf, I weighed the skein (without label) again to determine how much yarn I need to finish the scarf with the least amount of waste.  Or the difference from the beginning weight and the after border weight was 4 grams. Hence I will continue working on the length of the scarf till 4 grams remain.

I LOVE MY SCALE.  I also love starting a project with the end in mind..... this is my new mantra for 2011.

 

I found my scale at Knitpicks for $19.99. Its digital, weighs in grams or ounces and uses a battery. I love it.

craving lace

Since I can only work on my retro afghan when its colder (usually early morning or late at night), I need an alternative project or two, a lace project and a traveling project (Can't be left empty handed (if you know what I'm talking about, than you know and if you don't know what I'm talking about, then you just may be better off). 

 I am totally yearning to work on a knitted lace project, a lace scarf or shawl, or maybe even a lacey cowl or dare I say even socks.  Maybe not socks.  With all the gift sock knitting this year, 12 pairs or 24 socks or approx 250,000 stitches ..... no matter how I say it.....that's a lot of socks.  Socks may have to go on a back burner for a bit.

I took a couple of the stitch patterns that I usese in my Intermediate Lace Class teaching a variety of stitches and combined them into a pattern for a lace scarf, which could be easily adapted into shawl or a wider scarf. Here is a shot of my unblocked work in progess thus far.

I'm using a newer space-dyed laceweight yarn form Punta Yarns that is 100% plyed merino. This space-dyed yarn give a tonal effect.