My little guy is very thoughtful.
I caught him sitting in my atelier today just staring …. I’m not sure if he’s admiring the lovely wool that was gifted to me or if he was missing his favorite porch in Maine (the bags are from my knitting shop in Waterville … circa 1985 bags). Maybe he’s simply pondering my craft.
Gone knitting.
Today was spa day for my two little dogs and I decided, despite a not-so-good sleeping last night that I’d zip on down to the I-drive (aka tourist) area to see what the Florida Fiber In was all about. I’ve been here for seven of their ten years and haven’t made the event yet.
I made it just in time to catch the important particulars on Cool-Aid dying fibers.
Dying Yarn with Cool Aid
I wish that I had thought, at the end of my time there, to take a picture of the finished yarn. It was amazingly colorful (and so were the hands of the dyer!) and I can’t wait to give this a try! She was working with a Brown Sheep natural wool yarn but you can use any natural fiber yarn.
The rest of my time was spent shopping and gabbing since I forgot to bring my knitting bag. Mostly because I left before having my coffee and my head wasn’t all together yet! Regardless, I loved seeing our Florida fiber truck!
Four Purls Yarn Truck
Four Purls has been in business for several years and Laura decided to add the yarn truck to make it possible to take her business out to local events, fairs, etc. What she didn’t realize was that she couldn’t be everywhere at the same time. The truck is sleek and a really great way to spread the love of fiber! Four Purls was one of the vendors this year inside the event space and the truck was outside. I did, I must confess, buy a little yarn and a new project bag … seems I can help myself!
The vendors were great. There were multiple people demonstrating carding, spinning, and weaving on a giant triangular loom.
Seven Foot Triangular Loom
The Orlando spinners were in full force as they are at all fiber events in our area.
Spinners!
I still am waffling about whether I want to learn to spin … or not. And until then my mother’s reproduction spinning wheel (which is still broken from my move to Florida seven years ago) sits idle. And I buy yarn rather than roving! The same woman who did the class on dying gave me the name of a woman who might be able to fix my wheel for me … and that would be super cool. Even if I don’t choose to spin right now.
And, as I said before, despite saying that I wasn’t going to buy any yarn, I did manage to buy some fun things including a lovely Atenti project bag. I just loved the colors so much and the size is perfect for small projects to carry around with me!
My bag – outside!
My bag inside … dontcha just love the leopard fabric?
My haul!
I got away with the Unofficial Downton Abbey book, two patterns, four hanks of Cascade’s Souk (color 5 colorway) and the Groovy shawl pattern by Annie Lee to knit with it. Swallow Hill Creations’ April (a skinny scarf with beads) and the necessary supplies to knit it up. And a Christmas present or two will be coming from my purchases so it’s not all selfish buying!
I had a great time at the Florida Fiber In! What a great start to my day!
Gone knitting!
OK, so I am knitting another couple of squares for our “charity” project, a Lizard Ridge Afghan for Linda in our Friday knitting group. I’m knitting two more because I knit more quickly than Beverly does. Hmm. I’m thinking that she wanted me to knit them because she didn’t enjoy it! Right, Bev? LOL. Well, I have to admit that I do enjoy it and can get one finished in a couple of hours. An enjoyable quick project. And the yarn …
I adore the Noro colorways. I picked one ball for my original square that showed me that it was going to have greens and pinks (very 70’s preppy) and it knitted up into this …
Noro Kureyon
Color #95, Lot U
It’s gorgeous!
Today I’m knitting my second square and it’s knitting up like this …
Noro Kureyon
Color # 250 Lot F
And I have this one left to knit.
Noro Kureyon
Color # 284 Lot B
I wonder how it will knit up! It’s always a bit of a surprise!
It’s a pleasure to knit with this yarn and a wonder to watch as one more color or a different shade slips out of the ball. It may feel scratchy (it is wool) but in my experience it softens up as it’s worked. And the colors. Oh, the colors … they are exquisite. Thank you, Mr. Noro!
Gone knitting.
Yesterday we decided to take a drive. It’s an old-fashioned idea, I know. My dad used to take us on a drive on Sundays. We’d all climb into the back seat of his car (sometimes with the top down) and, though there was always some “Mom, he’s over the line” bickering, off we’d go. Once I recall my brother letting go of a cloth diaper when the convertible top was down. Not sure how he survived that one!
Anyway, I’ve wandered from my purpose here.
Yesterday we decided to take a drive. We had a slow, lazy start to the day with coffee on the front porch and then packed up the dogs and headed to Bath.
My plan was to visit Halcyon Yarns. (N had his cameras and can always keep himself busy for a couple of hours while waiting for me to shop for yarn. And it was cool enough for the dogs to come with us rather than be crated in the house.)
Part of why I love to visit Halcyon Yarns is because it’s not just a knitting shop. I can while away hours imagining learning all the crafts that they carry the stuff for – needle felting, spinning, rug hooking, tatting, weaving, and crochet. I’ve probably missed a few. Aisles and aisles of fiber from warp (or is it weft?) to cotton, and wool and alpaca and silk threads and many different weights of each. Some are actually Halcyon yarns and some are from well-known companies like Noro and Cascade. And a room full of pattern books and mugs and yarn bowls and … well, you get my drift.
I carefully paced myself as it can be a dangerous thing, shopping for yarn. But this time I was “good”. I only bought a few things …
Noro Taiyo Sock – Color S17 Lot D
Cotton, Wool, Polyamide & Silk
24-26 sts x 36-38 rows = 4 inches on US 2-3 needles
Two skeins of Noro Taiyo Sock yarn (in Color S17-D) for another (more colorful) Bermuda Shawl. And, yes, the two skeins are the same colorway! I can’t wait to start knitting with this yarn!
Noro Taiyo – Color 35 Lot A
100 grams, 200 meters
Cotton, Silk, Wool & Nylon
One skein of Noro Taiyo (Color 35-A which was on sale) for a knitted lamb from the new Noro (Spring/Summer) Magazine. I also bought the magazine.
Hlacyon Gemstone Soft Twist Silk – Lot 15989 – 240 yards
100% silk, Sport weight
5-7 sts = 1 inch on US 3-5 needles
I bought a hank of Halcyon’s Gemstone Soft Twist Silk in a silver color (not sure what the gemstone is … diamond? I like diamonds!) This is to knit a necklace that I saw online … on Facebook, if my memory serves.
Indulgence Sock Yarn – Color 105 Lot 18411
426 yards, 21 sts x 27 rows = 4 inches on size US 3-6 needles
Merino wool & Polyamide
And last, a ball of Indulgence 6-ply (also on sale) Sock Yarn with which I’ll make socks. I just loved the colors in the yarn (and it’s really soft, too.) The sample that was on the table was a tubular scarf knitted in all of the different colorways … I almost bought one of each. Almost.
Halcyon also has a bunch of wonderful-sounding classes available if you’re looking to take one! And the people who work there are very friendly and helpful … if you don’t mind wandering aimlessly, you can do it for hours at Halcyon Yarn! You’re going to enjoy the ever-changing samples at Halcyon, too! I saw no fewer than three sweaters that I would like to knit. Too bad I brought three projects with me from Florida!
And while you’re visiting Bath, it’s worth your while to visit the Bath Iron Works and the Maine Maritime Museum. For $27 (adults) you’ll get admission to both a 1-hour tour of the place where our US naval warships are being built. Some are so super secret that you’re not allowed to take photographs! Really fascinating! You can also visit Popham Beach (beware, the water in Maine is wicked cold!) and Reid State Park.
Parks, new things to learn and fiber. Just a few of the reasons that I return to the area every year!
Gone knitting.
I got to Maine this summer by air. Typically we drive together but since I had to work, I had to fly. SO … I could only bring a suitcase and a carry-on bag and I needed to bring my yarn which meant that I didn’t have any slippers to wear when I got here.
What the yarn was going to be …
Luckily, I had the cowl (partly knitted picture above) that I had finished and found a (glaring) mistake as I was blocking it. The yarn was bulky and just what I needed for this pattern. And since I’ll never WEAR a bulky cowl in Florida, and I WILL wear slippers in Maine, what better use to put the yarn to?
Starting Non-Felted Slippers by Yuko Nakamura
This pattern, Non-Felted Slippers by Yuko Nakamura, caught my eye somewhere (perhaps on Ravelry). I thought the slippers looked comfy and I liked the idea that they didn’t need to be felted. When I found out it was with bulky yarn, so much the better because they’ll also be a quick knit!
My gauge was 8 sts = 2 inches and what the pattern said was 13 sts = 10cm. So, I had a few more stitches than the pattern called for. But I thought that would be OK since I have bigger than “medium” size feet. Unfortunately, I was “off” again … I would not make a good banker … and the first pair of slippers would stretch to fit me but they were stretched too far. So that pair will go to my little mentee who has a birthday coming up quickly. And on the second pair, I decided to add a few more stitches (a little more than an inch worth) to make the second pair fit me a bit better.
Sole: I cast on 56 stitches (using a US 9 16″ circular needle as called for in the pattern.) I knit the first row and the the second row I split up as follows: K35, P11, K35. I followed the directions and simply added a couple of stitches to each of the designer’s number. At the end of for 12, I had 81 stitches. Since I was using a single color of yarn, I didn’t cut my yarn and kept on knitting.
Instep: Starting on my 81 stitches, I knit the first row and then start my toe decreases. So, row 2 will be: P35, PM, P11, PM, P35. The decreasing begins with row 3 (you’ll be decreasing 8 stitches every other row and purling all of the even rows). Row 3: K28, SSK twice, K3tog, K11, sl1, K2tog, psso, K2tog twice, K28. Again, I followed the designer’s steps with a couple of stitches added in each section and when I got to row 28: P27, P2tog, P15, I was ready to be on Easy Street (and I was!) with the two rows of knitting all stitches and a bind off knit wise.
I seamed these babies up and they are ready to wear (for the first time) tomorrow morning. I can hardly wait.
Now, back to my brother’s birthday socks – his birthday was only five or six weeks ago! 😉
Gone knitting.
Over the years, I learned to dislike the Christmas season … yes, I am a Grinch-y Christmas person. I’m not sure when I made the turn but somewhere along the line, the expectation of making Christmas perfect for everyone got bigger than me. And it grew and it grew like the Grinch’s heart. I keep trying to scale back the expectations and it’s difficult. Even with no kids in the house and even though the pressure really only comes from me. I’m still not in love with Christmas.
So, for this year’s goal for myself, it’s to try to keep it simple. Focusing on what’s important. I’m not going to have all the gifts ready – my daughter’s leg warmers are probably not going to be finished. But she knows they’ll get to her as soon as it’s humanly possible. The rest of the family I’m keeping in my heart with small gifts to acknowledge the day. The hundred and fifty cards may not be sent until after Christmas (Happy New Year!) I want to make cookies because it’s a tradition. I want to have a small something for my family to open on Christmas and know that they’re with me in spirit although we’re separated by many miles. I want to be relaxed and enjoy the season!
I know I’m blessed to have children and family that I’ll miss on Christmas because that means I have people in my life that I love. I want to hold that close and remember how grateful I am for my children, my family and my friends – and you, dear blog readers are in that extended family, too.
Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah, whatever you are celebrating I hope it’s filled with joy, wonder, good health – and maybe a little bit of yarn!
Gone knitting!
My daughter the actor wants a pair of leg warmers for Christmas. I love that she asked me to make them for her! Love it! And so, I got on Ravelry and found several patterns for her to give me an idea of what she had in her mind. This child knows what she wants!
The pattern that she liked is by Drops Designs and can be found here. They’re considered leg warmers or yoga socks. Yoga socks don’t have toes or heels. Leg warmers are over the knee length. So, when I was in New York visiting her (and seeing her show on Broadway) we went to Soho and visited Purl Soho. Oh. My. God! Talk about a little piece of heaven! I didn’t get nearly enough time to browse adequately … and I probably could have spent a couple of hours in the store. The colors, the fibers, the light wood and tea and it was so busy!
The Queen Bee at Purl Soho
I was so enthralled with the shop that I forgot to take photos inside! Sorry!
She picked a Madeline Tosh yarn in two colors and wants me to do the pattern design. (The Drops pattern was in a self-patterning yarn and much more .) The yarn is Madeline Tosh’s Tosh Sport (100% superwash merino wool; 270 yards; 5-6 sts = 1 inch) The colors that she chose are warm mushroom, a lovely neutral that is warm and the color of mushrooms – aptly named. The second color is fig. A deep, rich, reddish-brown that is a lovely contrast with the warm mushroom.
My swatch (yes, I made a swatch for this project!) was perfect! On the money – 26 stitches and 13 rows!
Swatched Stitches!
The yarn is yummy to knit with – and I am moving right along! As I’m knitting and designing at the same time, I am never sure if I’ll love the pattern. But I am pleased with it. The sample shown in the pattern is much more pattern-y so I had to make sure she was liking the direction I was taking. (I texted Kate a picture today for the stamp of approval and she liked it.) This is the picture that I texted to her …
Leg Warmer #1 … is on the needles!
So far, so good! Only about 36 inches left to knit. (Oh, yeah, and did I mention that I still have to knit two Christmas stockings?) Did I tell you before that I love knitting? Well, I do! I just hope that they fit her legs!
Gone Knitting!
Three Shades Mohair Cowl – Color Choices
Years ago, when I entered what we were allowed to call the Ravelympics, I had decided to try to make my first lace scarf. I hit a road block when I read the patter for the first time and saw that there was a provisional cast on required. Since this was before the Internet really took off in my house, it was really difficult to find instructions that were clear and well-written (and illustrated) for this very visual knitter. Needless to say, I fell on my needles and was injured enough to totally back out of the challenge. (I also had kids at home and was working … not a lot of time to spend on doing something for myself back then!)
Fast forward a few years and I have learned how to do a couple of provisional cast ons. One with a crocheted chain that you then pick up stitches in the little bumps on the back (do not try this with black “waste” yarn) and another where you use an extra needle and let it hang at the bottom of your piece. Since I’m not an adept crocheter, my bumps are never consistent. The extra needle hanging at the bottom is a little bit cumbersome. So, I was looking for another option and this morning I found it!
Wendy Bernard over at Knit and Tonic has a great illustrative article on this long-tail provisional cast on where, in essence, you make a slip knot with your working yarn and your “waste” yarn (preferably something that is slippery) and then with your waste yarn over your thumb (toward you) and your working yarn over your index finger/pointer finger (away from you) you cast on just as you would normally. When you’ve gotten to your desired number of stitches (don’t count the slip knot/first stitch) cut your waste yarn and start your project.
The waste yarn is sitting nice and neatly down at the bottom of your work and can be easily unwound when you need to put your stitches back on your needles at the end of the project. Cool, yes?
I’ve just cast on 80 stitches in no time! Thanks, Wendy! I love it when you can learn something new and apply it to your day to cut off a few hours of tedious work!
My new project is another mohair cowl. It’s knitted a bit on the bias which makes it a little bit more interesting. This one is a custom order from a client in New York. After I made the first one, I thought about making one in three shades and she liked the idea, too. So we’re using a silver, a charcoal and a denim color – I think it’s going to be lovely! Kind of like the ombre garments and home furnishings that you’re seeing everywhere! The yarn that I’m using is called DK weight (but I’d say it’s more a fingering weight) and it’s Rowan’s kidsilk haze in charcoal #639, Debbie Bliss Angel in denim #15008 and kid seta Madil in a silver (#408) colorway. I will start with the charcoal, then head into denim and last, add the silver. I’m pretty excited to see what it looks like – I’m sure we’ll all be delighted at the results!
So, there you go! Learn something new today!
Gone knitting!
Boot Candy
I bought this pattern ages ago. My daughter asked for them. I’ve been so busy with knitting projects for customers that I am only now getting around to knitting them!
She asked for a neutral color. I’ve chosen to use some of my stashed yarn (bulky) is what the pattern asks for! I’m knitting with Rowan Scottish Tweed Chunky in a black tweedy yarn (color 023). It has flecks of bright red, blue and yellow in it. What I’ve learned about knitting with black yarn is that it’s really difficult to see the stitches and I have to keep close attention on what row I’m on. Even with the chunky wool, it’s difficult to see the stitches to count the rows!
Bee-utiful Cables! – Yarn is really black, not gray. I’m such a great photographer! 🙂
The pattern is Boot Candy Boot Cuffs by Sara Gresbach of Addiesma Designs. Simple to follow with a cable that is very attractive. I’m a bit concerned, despite the fact that I am on gauge, that these are going to be too big for my daughter but they fit my legs so only time (and postage) will tell! It’s just about the perfect time to send to her in Chicago where it’s getting a bit chilly at this time of year.
I, frankly, am a bit jealous about the cooler weather. It’s still hot and humid here in Orlando! I love my girl (well, all my kids) and I hope they fit and she loves them!
Gone knitting.
Boxy Cardigan in Process
I’ve had another order for a top down sweater for a baby due this fall. So, in order to get myself moving, I am working to get at least one of my sweater projects finished. It seems that my work is paying off as the back and most of the front of my Boxy Cardigan are nearly finished. I love (LOVE!) the yarn from Seacolors! The green mottled yarn that is the bottom of the body of the sweater (topped with the salmon color) is even better when it’s knit up. There are splashes of the salmon in the green and it pops! The construction of the sweater is exactly as the title says, boxy. It’s color blocked and I am excited to get to the sleeves where the blue will be added. Just have to decide if I do two sleeves that are the same or whether I slightly alter one (I think I’m leaning to that side … at least for today!)
I haven’t spent a ton of time in the last few days knitting. I’ve been trying to get caught up and settled again into life in Florida – errands, phone calls, orders for tea and vitamins and supplements. With our construction or de-struction about to begin (long story, we have an outside wall that wasn’t built to code and needs to be … even if it wasn’t built by us) it’s likely that I will be needing to hide in my atelier with my little dogs and expect to get a lot of knitting completed.
I have a line-up of projects to knit already in the queue!
Gone knitting!
Queen Bee Knits 