the knitting buzz

feels good

I was able to get a couple of knitted projects completed, which always feels good and some swatches knit on some future designs, which also feels good, and made some progress on at least one big project, which also feels quite good.

So, I am happy to report, I'm in a feel good kind of way. Which is where I totally need to be with the looming gift projects I have committed to knitting. I have only committed these knitted projects to myself....I have learned the hard way to stay as elusive as possible and avoiding disappointment on the receivers end and angst on my end.

 

I finished my plum scarf or rather, as noted previously, my drunken lace scarf to go with a taupe colored jacket.  I think this is the first time, that I didn't rip out knitting that initially I didn't care for but it ended up growing on me as I pressed on. 

 

I will add it to available patterns on Ravelry

And my first pair of wee socks for my love, Xander. I think the yarn, Filatura di Crosa Zarina makes up a super cute lil' man's sock.

 

focused or not

This past week has been focused .....but not necessarily on those things (like the Great Blanket Race) that I made the bold statement that..... "I was only going to work on my Retro Crochet Blanket and the Teal Knitted Blanket". 

Intentions were good; they always are..... but not realistic ..... at least not for me.

So in the meantime,

1.  I have published a super cute Argyle Check Cowl pattern inspired by all the great plaids that are out. (Available on Ravelry)

2.  I have started a pair of socks for Xander that are about 60% complete.

3.  I needed a plum lace scarf (notice "needed", its true) to go with a jacket that I started knitting and is now also about 60% complete.

4.  I stayed up past 2 am working on some new lace designs for scarves and wraps, that I am anxious to get started on, but promised myself I would even think about starting them until the plum scarf is off the needles.

5.  Due to lots of requests, published the Teal Knit Afghan and named it the Reversible Eyelet Check Blanket/Afghan (more of a descriptive name than clever, I would say) in two sizes: crib size 30 x 36 and adult throw size 48 x 60. (Available on Ravelry)

6.  I have NOT worked on my Retro Crochet Blanket at all, but its 57% complete. For now, I am officially putting it to the side..... for all of the above reasons.

7.  I need to get started on my Christmas Sock knitting....some time soon....yikes...it will be that time before ai know it.

Believe it or not ..... this is very focused for me.

I never do this

Over the past week, I have had so many requests for the knitting  pattern for my Teal Blue Afghan. Its the one that  I have been diligently knitting for the Great Blanket Race. 

I have never done this before, ........until now.

I have made the pattern available before the original is complete.  I have called it the Reversible Eyelet Check Blanket/Afghan. I am knitting it with Misti Alpaca Tonos, a worsted weight, 50% baby alpaca 50% merino wool. It is available on Ravelry. 

I amknitting anl adult size afghan ( 48" x 60"), all the details are included as the original is planned. In addition, I have included directions for a crib size version as well, I think it would make a sweet baby blanket.

In the pattern notes, I have included lots of yarn substitutions for a washable version.

For those of you that have been so kind....... thanks for asking. =)

Plaid - WSJ. Magazine - WSJ

Plaid

From Scottish clansmen to modern runways, traditional tartan gets turned on its head this season

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By Jenny Studenroth

MENThe beginning:Cloth patterned with interlocking stripes in multiple colors and thicknesses, or “tartan,” is famously connected to the Scots, who, from the 1600s forward, wore the fabric, most notably to signify clanship, but its origins can be traced to ancient Celtic populations in 400 B.C. In 1822, King George IV of England attended a Scottish tartan celebration and brought the trend home. Americans were crazy for the pattern by the 1850s—and rechristened it plaid. The print hit a high note in the 1970s when Scottish pop sensation the Bay City Rollers added tartan edging—plaid is strictly a North American term—to their
wide-leg pants.
The look:Dapper, down-home or punk. The “Mad Men” of the ’60s stylishly wore three-piece plaid suits. Since the ’80s, Bruce Springsteen has celebrated the American working class in his plaid flannel shirts. Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain inspired scores of youths to pair plaid with everything—especially if torn or dirty.
The news:Michael Bastian combined a bow tie, a vest and trousers, varying the check’s widths and colors. Banana Republic was all about muted gray plaids on heavy peacoats, classic cardigans and V-neck sweaters. Duckie Brown pushed the envelope, putting contrasting plaids on cropped pants with combat boots.
How to wear it:On a belted fall coat in blac

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Don't you just love autumn? Have fun and get your plaid on!

fall fashions

I love the Fall and I especially love Fall Fashions.  All the knitwear, the beautiful plaids, the gorgeous wools, did I mention the knitwear. 

And this year is no exception.... Plaid, Argyle, Checks, Houndstooths are all back!

 
Plaids just make me happy. Could it be ingrained from parochial schooling (that may be a whole other story) ..... I don't want to think about that!

OR is it just a sign of the fresh crisp days of autumn.....the time for sweaters, wool socks, pumpkin spice latte and plaid.

So I couldn't resist and knit a fun cowl that is kind of plaid in nature. I call it my Argyle Check Cowl and it is made out of beautiful Malabrigo Twist.

And yes, if you've been paying attention, one of those projects that I promised to set aside during the Great Blanket Race had found its way out of my knitting basket and onto my knitting needles.  Oops =) ...... just couldn't resist.... again.

The pattern for the Argyle Check Cowl will be available on Ravelry soon. 

 

A Gripping Yarn - WSJ. Magazine - WSJ

A Gripping Yarn

As craftmaking finds respect in even the most rarefied design circles, knitting makes a high-concept comeback. Warm, fuzzy feeling still included

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Can knitting go too far? Never!

Couldn't wait to share this article with you from the Wall Street Journal.

distraction multiplied

What's the saying...."When it rains, it pours". Well that's what is going on here. My Great Blanket Race focus has been officially broken. Distraction has completely taken over.  Blame it on the rain or some chilly temps that we have had.....

The chilly temps have inspired some toasty socks for Xander. They shouldn't take long to finish and then I will rush back to the Great Blanket Race orrrrrrr.....my plum scarf.

The yarn I'm using is Filatura de Crosa Zarina, a very nice washable fine merino wool from Italy. Its lovely and will be super nice and toasty on Xander's tootsies.

something plum

Can't wait to get started on my plum colored lace scarf. And yes, it is a distraction from The Great Blanket Race.....it was only a matter of time. 

Once upon a time....when I knit something lacy for the first time, like many first lace projects was a feather and fan pattern. It was made out of the same type of yarn but in a pretty deep green color with some flecks of blue.  I lost/left my precious feather and fan scarf in a taxi.

In fond memory of that lost scarf, my thoughts were to knit something similar. 

Although looking at it now, it looks more like "drunken lace". Torn whether I should rip it out and start over or proceed with my drunken lace.  More later....

 

yearning for something plum

Or perhaps a rich wine color. I have this taupe jacket, which is not a particularly attractive color.... on me, that is. I am thinking a shade of plum or wine may be the answer.

So of course, my answer is a knitted lace scarf. Its usually always something knitted and lately always lace. In doing the due diligence of checking my stash first (I knew there would be nothing that would work, but of course must pay homage) for the perfect shade of plum wine. I actually find one. And its actually the oldest lace hank in my stash.....can you believe it?  I know I couldn't..... what a happy find.....kind of like a treasure. Stash to the rescue!!!

The colorway is Vineyard and its a heathered 100% Merino Wool....sounds perfect right!

I remember when I purchased it I bought 2 colors, 2 hanks each, but I can only find one AND I know I have not used its mate. So now I must go on a search and rescue mission to deep dark closet that holds an unmentionable number of stackable plastic bins that holds and protects my collection.

I have searched and searched through all the places that I think it could possibly be and can not find hank #2 anywhere. Rats!

But wait..... my hank is stated to have 440 yards..... I should be able to get a respectable scarf out of 440 yards. Now what will it be?  Hmmmm????

 

race update

Another week has passed and all blankets are moving right along. Two have passed the halfway mark and one is closing in. I want to thank Katie for engaging in the Great Blanket Race, without her I do not think I would have progressed as I have. And I am quite sure that one of them may have even found themselves into the UFO closet by now.  Oh no... I hope I didn't curse myself.....yikes...there is still time for that......

Enough....must press on. So here are the latest pictures and stats.

Katie's Retro Blanket is on her 12th hank out of 23 and is 52% complete... more than halfway. Go Kate!

My Retro Afghan is on its 11th out of 19 hanks or 58% complete. Sweet!

My Teal Blue Blanket is on its 5th hank out of 11 and is 45% complete.....almost halfway.

I am certain that without this race and Katie's tenacity, I would have gotten distracted on many other projects. Again, a big THANK YOU to Kate!

weighing in

When there is the question of will I have enough yarn for a project, I have gotten into a new habit of weighing each ball of yarn (without ball band) before starting a project.....

Why you ask? Well you might just be surprised by the results.  And those times when you ran short of yarn or had more yardage leftover than you expected, you can stop doubting yourself or cursing the pattern.....it just may have been the yarn.

Before I share my findings, I will let you in on the "RULES" (this may surprise you as well), Yarn manufactures are allowed by law to be within + or - 10% of what is stated on the ball band, these weights can vary from ball to ball within the same style and color of the yarn.

That means that a skein that is described to have 100 yards may  have as much as 110 yards or as little as 90 yards......and if you have a sweaters worth of yarn that are on the light side, the project might have been short 170 yards. Surprised?  This was a little shocking and somewhat disappointing all at the same time. 

Enough teasing, back to my findings.... many yarn manufactures really deliver the goods by giving 10% or more yarn than in stated.....we all cheer.... hooray!  But there are some other yarn manufactures that abuse this privilege and usually, not always under deliver and short us on our precious yarn.

In a random sampling of manufacturers, fiber content and price point, here is what I found.... (Note: all manufactures were within the law limits, except for one very generous Indie Dyer)

 

Some of the most generous are:

Cascade Heritage -  +8% or an additional 35 yards

Brown Sheep Lambs Pride Worsted - +5% or an additional 10 yards

Creatively Dyed Sock - +18% or an additional 96 yards

Dream in Color Smooshy - +5% or an additional 22.5 yards

Schaefer Nicole  - +4% or an additional 16.2 yards

 

And in all fairness, some of the stingiest are:

Noro Kureyon -  -6% or a shortage of 6 yards

Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed - -8% or a shortage of 7 yards

Patons Classic Merino - -2% or a shortage of 4.5 yards

Schaefer Audrey Lace - -2.5% or a shortage of 17.5 yards

Malabrigo Worsted - -6% or a shortage of 12 yards

Rowan Denim - -2% or a shortage of 3 yards

 

Just wanted to restate, that the sample was random and another skein of the same yarn may weighed heavier or lighter.

If you had known that there was an an extra 96 yards on a skein that already offers generous yardage (like the Creatively Dyed Sock), you may choose to make something other than socks with it.  Having this knowledge is indeed quite powerful.

So when yardage is an issue of "will there be enough???", I definitely recommend weighing in.  A small scale is an essential piece of equipment to add to the craft arsenal. It doesn't have to be to fancy, but it is important that it weighs in both ounces and grams.  Personally, I prefer a digital scale, which eliminates alot of the guesswork

AND ALWAYS, when you can  purchase one more skein than you think you might need. Its always better to be safe than sorry.

the knit kit

The Knit Kit has been available for over a year, but I really wanted to take a moment to sing its praises.  If its new to you, it is essentially the Swiss Army Knife for knitters.

I must admit, I resisted for quite some time. In fact, I really didn't think I needed it at all.  I had everything that comes it it that I kept  in my small notions bag, ok, not so small, really a cosmetic gwp (gift with purchase), ok so its on the bulky side.

Then it happened, I was traveling and short on space in my carry-on, so I broke down and purchased, my first, that's right my first, knit kit.  It's perfect, for the most part it is everything you need and all in its own compartment, no digging or dumping. 

Since I had such a wonderful experience with my newly purchased Knit Kit, it certainly made sense to me that I truly needed one for each project bag.....I now have several and I always have one on me......I love it!

If I were King and could make one improvement, I would like a space large enough for a small cable needle.  Just saying.....

I still do have my trusty zippered notions bag, it stays at home and holds those notions that I need less often and duplicates. 

Happy Knitting!