There seems to be a bit of a craze sweeping the nation at the moment, a whirlwind of activity that can only be described as a mitten maelstrom. I am feeling its pull for sure as I have cast on for two pair this week. I believe that Ms. Through-The-Loops is personally responsible for much of this mania--have you been checking out her designs recently? I'm getting exhausted just thinking about all the work she's doing. She is quite the force of nature... The Specs: Pattern: All the Water by Kirsten Kapur Yarn: Cascade 220 Quattro in 'Tahiti', almost one full skein. This yarn was just an ok choice--I think I've been spoiled by the softness of a certain other yarn, but I was resolved to knit it up because I'm trying to keep with my whole 'knit what I just bought' drill. Needles: Size 7 HiyaHiya Mods: None at all except for the flake out moments when I muffed up the cables. Pay attention much? I am cautiously optimistic that I will have the juice to finish the other pair I cast on for: the Postwar mittens. These mittens stopped me dead in my tracks when I first saw them due to their extreme visual appeal, however the small dpns are becoming too fiddly and I just might have to Magic Loop these in order to deal--a shame because I had opted to use wooden needles because of the warmth and tactile pleasure of the wood. I am hoping that this switch will prevent my élan from fizzling out...the last thing anyone needs is a project that feels like a chore, right?
I know that my next mittens will be another Kapur Kreation: Breathe Deep, people! And for these I will be breaking out the you-know-what (almost rhymes with impetigo)...
A color as truly insane as Malabrigo 'Apple Green' demands a lot: a perfect pattern that will take full advantage of its rad chromatic stylings without veering off into complete clownishness, a recipient armed with enough self-confidence to make a bold statement, and of course, one big-ass pom pom. To go any smaller than the pom you see pictured here would have been a disservice. Luckily for me Peeper-lou needed a hat for ski club! I had been wanting to make a variation of this hat ever since seeing the last episode of Sex and the City (the one where Carrie was wandering all alone around Paris *sniff*) in which our heroine sported the cutest joli-laid cabled hat ever. I looked long and hard for a picture to copy, but to no avail. The Fall 07 of Interweave Knits arrived several months later, and I knew that making this hat was my destiny. Seeing Pam's version about a month ago sent me into further paroxysms of delight, and the deal was sealed. The Specs: Pattern: Snowball Hat by Katie Himmelberg, IK FA 07. Yarn: Malabrigo worsted in 'Green Apple'. Thanks again for this yarn, Jodi!! Needles: Size 7 Time: a day or two with time off to contemplate the pom.
You might recall that Jodi sent me two skeins of this yarn, and I hoping that by the end of the week I'll have another Scrunchable to add to my collection...
The words of Rev. Joseph Lowery's benediction at the inauguration and his wish for a day when 'yellow could be mellow' are still ringing in my ears. Mellow yellow--I am already there, Reverend. I started this Scrunchable Scarf last March, and it wasn't until Earthchick reminded of this pattern that I decided to pick it up and finish it. Such a great pattern--you could practically knit this while driving, if you were so inclined...
The Specs: Pattern: Scrunchable Scarf by Susan McConne Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Butter. Has a yarn ever been more aptly named? Needles: Size 10 Verdict: Love it! I have another one on the needles at the moment as well in the crazy Apple Green and it is going to be a stunner for sure.
Today I acquired what might be the ultimate yellow--Malabrigo Silky Merino in 'Narciso' (pictured above). I stand in awe of its yellow beauty and am determined to make this my next shawl. Isn't it amazing?
I am starting to recognize something about my stash habits that is quite valuable--I have realized that I like to knit whatever yarn I have just purchased. There is a window sill in our living room that has gradually become a holding tank for my recently purchased yarn. After a few months in this spot, yarn that has failed to spark my interest is most likely to be carted away to the stash on the third floor and likely not see the light of day for a very, very long time. This bothers me because a. it is a waste of money and yarn, b. makes me feel like a glutton and c. just seems like something a crazy person with spending issues would do (dingdingding for all of the above!!). So I'm thinking about something radical, like getting rid of my entire upstairs stash except for a few choice skeins of this 'n that and sticking to the yarn on the window sill.
I think I am the kind of knitter that was meant to not have a stash.
Perhaps fantasizing about getting rid of one's stash is in fact part of the sickness. Is this idea deeply nutty?
Thanks to all of you that gave me the many recs for what to do with two skeins in Malabrigo in Apple Green. I learned about so many new patterns and have queued many of them. In the end, Earthchick and her Scrunchable Scarf suggestion have carried the day. Thanks Stacey!
I am, at bottom, a hat knitter. I just really can never have too many hats at my disposal--I even made a little private (pointless?) vow to wear a different hat to campus every day this month. And since I am teaching a M-W-F schedule plus a day for advising and other duties, that's 16. Well I have just increased my chances of realizing my secret plan by two, as I proudly add these two darlings into the rotation:
This is the perfect project that helps you remember what you loved about the Noro in the first place. The sheen of the Cash Iroha + the tripped-out color changes of the Silk Garden = extreme hat joy. Their gauges are spot on with one another and so pairing them together is a cinch. Think of this combo as the Garanimals of the yarn world. I am now crestfallen as finding that link has caused me to discover that this brand is now sold only at Satan's Lair, i.e. Walmart. Is nothing sacred? Is the world of my youth completely gone?
The Specs Pattern: Turn-A-Square by Jared Flood Yarn: Hat #1 (light green), Silk Garden #242 and Cash Iroha #106; Hat #2 (dark green), Silk Garden #255 and Cash Iroha #100. Needles; Size 6 and 7, HiyaHiya circs. Time: Each hat takes basically two days of leisurely knitting, with time off for other projects. Check the name of the blog, people.
I could have easily entitled this post 'What a difference a green makes', as the two greens here couldn't be more dissimilar. On the skein I much prefer the lighter shade, but knitted up I can see that the darker shade has its merits as well. Different strokes and all that...
One of the most appealing aspects of this project is that it introduced me to the jogless stripes technique. Umm HELLO where have you been all my life, jogless stripes technique? I can't believe I had never tried this or heard about it. It has improved the joins to the point that you almost don't see them. Man I wish I had this technique back when I was doing the Kauni cardi and was getting trashed on the Ravelry discussion board for trying to not make a cardigan and proposed knitting it in the round. But what about the jogs?!!! The board became alarmed, my knowledge was questioned. Humiliated and shamed, I gave up. But if I would have had this technique maybe I could have triumphed over the Rav trolls. Whatevs.
This is a great pattern, and I hope to make bunch more, just not now. Tiennie, how do you do it?
While inspecting my stash (Rav link here, don't judge me) I noticed that before I had my head turned by the sexy Malabrigo, there were many other yarns that caught my fancy--so why not knit them up or something? There are worse fates in life than having to knit the yarn you bought on a lark, right? Luckily this is where the cowl becomes a stash bloated knitter's best friend. So all purpose and ready for action. First up...Darkside Cowl in Artyarns Supermerino!
I have a major love-hate with variegated yarns (hence the whole Malabrigo obsession to begin with. Don't the stitches just pop ever so perfectly?), and the variegation on this cowl is just the right amount and is almost on the verge of annoying me, but in the end, it doesn't. The pattern is very quick and make a really nice, elastic fabric.
I seem to have a real thing for the Noro as well and was happy to discover in the above-mentioned stash (still not judging, remember?) more than a few skeins of Cash Iroha. Fourteen of these skeins are set aside for an Hourglass sweater-- Babs has banned me from mentioning this sweater, but just say the word Babs and the Hourglass is ON--but there are several other random colors that seem very cowl worthy.
The Specs: Pattern: Stacked Eyelet Cowl by Ami Madison, modeled by the Curmudgeon. Yarn: Cash Iroha, #110, 1.5 skeins Needles: Size 6
This pattern is really a gem, a classic cowl for sure. Cash Iroha, your silkiness to too much to resist, however your yardage, well, it's no Malabrigo, that's for sure. Sigh.
This non-Malabrigo kick is destined to fail, I can see. To that end, look what the giant sweetheart of a knitter Jodi sent me in the mail, all because I said I liked the color:
Can you believe it? Two skeins! Such a nice surprise. Since I have been on a one skein kick recently, no patterns are immediately coming to mind. Any ideas? Suggest a good pattern and I will have Peeper-Lou draw a name and send you a skein of the Artyarns Supermerino pictured above. Let's pay it forward, people. I'll shut the whole thing down around noon on Tuesday. It's all gimmicks, all the time around this joint. Suggest away!
You all are too sweet--I appreciate the kind words regarding my dad and I am so glad to know that you have my back in the 'paybacks' department. Many of you expressed concern that the Curmudgeon had not adequately paid his debt to society and had somehow gotten off easy at Needlework Unlimited with the measly Jitterbug and J.Knits purchase. Fear not! This girl took your words to heart. Before leaving the Twin Cities, I high tailed it over to St. Paul to the Yarnery and picked up the three skeins of my new bff, Pagewood Farms St. Elias sock yarn (pictured above). This yarn is so utterly gorgeous that I might even cast on a pair of socks right away--yes, it'sthat good. I am very pleased to note that Kiri is finished and in the can. Is there anything more satisfying than blocking a shawl? To watch it unfurl, inspect it in its final form and look out on the great expanse of it and think that over series of weeks that you somehow managed to follow the pattern and made that gigantic thing, well, that's quite a feeling, isn't it? I strongly recommend this pattern--at any given moment, you always know where you are. This might be the case with other shawl patterns and I have just revealed my shawl ineptitude, but Kiri is by no means intricate and thus very likely to not lead you astray... Thanks to Ashley for suggesting this pattern--as usual her recommendation was spot on! The Specs: Pattern : Kiri by Polly Outhwaite Yarn: 1855 Fiber Company Alpaca Merino. Three skeins in 'Sweet Pea'. I purchased this yarn at Maryland Sheep and Wool this past May and since I am hell bent on knitting all of the yarn purchased at that event, it was a good choice for this pattern and allows me to continue with my 'knitting shawls out of counter-intuitive fibers' drill. Time: October to January, off and on.
My next knitting endeavor is going to truly blow your minds. The teaser title : A Series of Small Knitted Accessories Not Made Out Of Malabrigo...
I am feeling frisky and unburdened in the WIP dept. as I have recently finished two long term projects that were clogging my Ravelry projects page and making me feel mentally ill. Kiri is finally done and blocking as I write this, but the big news is that I completed Kirsten Kapur's (love her) Dr. G's Memory Vest at about 2 am on 12/24, just in time to give it to my dad for Christmas. The Specs: Pattern: Dr. G's Memory Vest by Kirsten Kapur at Through the Loops Size: XL Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Naturally Nazareth in Moonlight, 6 skeins. Needles: Size 7 Time: Sept. to Dec., off and on. Mods: Only that I didn't put ribbing around the arm holes. The pattern is a gem.
This gift was important to me for a number of reasons. I seem to have been in a small accessories/baby knits phase these days, so finishing an adult sized garment has significantly raised my knitting stature in my own eyes, whatever that's worth. "That and a dime will get you a cup of coffee", as my dad used to say.
More importantly it allowed me to contribute to a cause--Alzheimer's Research--that has touched my life in ways that I wish I could pretend it hadn't. My dad has an advanced form of the disease and is fading away before our eyes. He was a whipsmart titan in his day, but the disease has taken away so much--it's like watching someone you love on a dimmer switch, and soon the volume will be turned all the way down. Another added bonus to this pattern is that it is a vest--and my dad is a huge vest enthusiast. I shed a few tears as he tried it on, his gratitude and pleasure overwhelmed me. He said it was "a real honey." Thanks to Kirsten for creating such a gorgeous, gorgeous pattern.
Some of you know that my dad was a bit of a showman in a former life. As a curator of a museum of quack medical devices, he had many opportunities to do his W.C. Fields routine for the public, and enjoyed this part of the job immensely. Here is a link to him firing on all cylinders and holding his own on late-night television with a tough customer.
Isn't it great that no matter what age you are, coming back to your parents always means reverting to adolescent behaviors like eating potato chips, stealing beers from under the stairs, taking pictures in locations where it is strictly forbidden (see shots of Walker Art Center above) and picking fights with everyone in sight? You can add settling a score to that list of puerile behaviors, as today I was able to exact payment from the recalcitrant Curmudgeon for the Koolhaas-on-windshield incident. He was willing to shell out the cash for more yarn but still doesn't quite get why his actions were like a hot branding iron on my soul. Luckily for me all the knitters in Needleworks Unlimited were aghast at his infraction and showed their scorn and disdain with sighs of disbelief and disapproving glares. Did I mention shaming and piling on as another awesome teen age behavior in my arsenal of immaturity? Don't let the smile fool you, he's not sorry. He is holding in his very un-contrite hands two hanks of Jitterbug and several skeins of J.Knits. He is very lucky that I wasn't in a spendy mood, don't you agree?
I had the pleasure of hooking up with old friends from high school during my visit and was able to quickly whip up a pair of mittens for their five year old for another greenhouse FO shot. Mittens are so satisfying to make and give away. The Specs Pattern: Basic Mittens from Ann Budd's Basic Book of Patterns Yarn: Malabrigo worsted in Vermilion Needles: Size 5 and 7 addi turbos Time: two days, lickety split! Next up for me in my cavalcade of finished objects will be my finished Dr. G's Memory Vest, a project that caused me to shed a few tears when it was opened on Christmas Day...
We have arrived safely in Minneapolis for some Family Holiday Funtimes™, a place where it is currently -8 with a forecasted wind chill of -36 later tonight. Seriously. Well at least I'll have my fingerless Evangelines to keep me warm. Oh wait. The Specs: Pattern: Evangelines Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted in 'Prairie Goldenrod', i.e. the most amazing color in the history of the world. Needles: Size 7 addi turbos. Mods: None. Since arriving, my brother and I have been trying to cook up schemes for making extra ca$h during the economic downturn. He suggested making batches of fingerless mitts as they seem so hobo-appropriate for these hard times. This is a special photoshoot as is is brought to you from my parents' greenhouse. During the much more prosperous 1970s, my parents presented the family with two options for an addition to our house: a pool or a greenhouse. You can imagine what the kids wanted, but for maybe the only time in our family history, my mom got what she wanted instead. Looking back this was such the better decision as it has brought so much joy to everyone.
The drive here from Pennsylvania was truly special with a personal highlight being watching my husband take the Shokay Koolhaas I made him last year off his head at a Wisconsin rest stop and wipe the windshield with it. Yes, he rendered a hand knit into a rag. I informed him that for this infraction he would be taking me on a shopping spree at the Twin Cities LYS of my choice, which I am now plotting. Yes, he will pay. Happy Holidays everyone!
I know that I frequently joke about having a big Irish head. It's one of my go-to self-directed barbs in my arsenal of self loathing criticisms. It's sort of convenient to have flaws that you know you can't change, right? I mean, if you have a big head, you just do. End of story. But if it's good enough for Conan O'Brien, well then I suppose for me it will have to do as well.
One of the outcomes of having a magnum sized head is that patterns that are supposed to be très slouchy in a carefree, boho sort of way end up looking just le tight on folks like me. The jaunty beret becomes beanie-esque rather quickly. That's fine. I was the Brownie scout who hated the sash and the vest (I did love the outdoor cooking badge, however) but was all over the beanie. Beanies are deeply cool. And warmer! The Specs: Pattern: Opus Spicatum by Kate Gagnon. I am two-for-two with her hat patterns! After the national craze that was the Selbu Modern, this one a huge winner and knits up fast like nobody's business. Adore!
Yarn: Naturespun worsted in Mango (202) and A Bit of Blue (115), a third of a skein of each. I had this yarn forever in my stash and am pleased to have used it--it's like a slightly less soft version of Cascade 220 (the gold standard for this price point), however the superwash angle kind of scares me like it might have been dipped in a vat of toxic chemicals to get it that way. I'm sure I'm wrong about this, however.
Needles: Addi Turbo, size 6 and 8. The pattern calls for a size 9, but I got gauge with the smaller needle.
Mods: None whatsoever. All in all excited to wear this hat later today, although I cringe at the thought of the 'wintry mix' that is in the forecast. In my opinion those words should never been combined under any circumstances.
What's next for me on my own Magical Mystery Tour of Color, you ask? Well we'll be taking a break from the stranding for the next day of two so we can get a pair of Evangelines in Lamb's Pride off the ground. I feel that conjuring up the power of the word combination 'Prairie Goldenrod' will cancel out the two heinous words mentioned above. Ha!
Yes, you read that correctly. My Big Ass Project #1 is finished, although I admit that I had a head start as one half of these mittens had been skulking around for over a year in my Ravelry 'zzzz' pile , a wretched, interstitial black hole from which projects rarely emerge to see light of day. Usually it's just a resting place until I get around hitting the 'delete' button, but not this time! Specs Pattern:Herringbone Mittens by Elliphantom Knits Yarn: Cascade 220, two unknown colors, let's call them 'sky blue' and 'brown'. Needles: Size 4 and size 6 addi turbos Mods: Oops, didn't read the directions and did the 'cat butt' finishing up top rather than the grafting, which is a crying shame because I made kitchener stitch my b*tch a long time ago. Oh well. You'll also notice that the pom placement is way off, but I can live with it. Time: A year-ish. Sheesh. If you can wrap your head around this, please note that this is the first time I my entire life I have ever had the pleasure of making a pom pon (pom pom? pon pon?). Luckily I had some help from Youtube:
This video really excites me, to the point that I posted it to Facebook (don't judge me) and more than one friend privately emailed me wondering "umm, what the hell is going on with you? Are you ok?". Sort of sad really that they had to email me to tell me that and couldn't post it, because isn't Facebook one giant snarkfest anyway? I'm not that fragile, am I? No matter. I love watching that crafty individual snip that pom within a hair of its life! You'll see that I am also off and running with my next Big Ass Plan project, the Opus Spicatum. I've only done a few rows and am already head over heels. I am hoping that the determination I feel to work on this hat spills over to other parts of my life and helps me grade like a banshee this weekend...
Due to the nudging and encouragement I received from you all I decided to go ahead and finish the thumbs on the Morehouse Merino Trainwreck Striped Mittens. All in all I'm happy I finished them in a thrifty Scot kind of way, but I have to say that I might not be bum rushing the Morehouse Merino Yarn Stand at any upcoming fiber festivals anytime soon. Nope, just not feeling the yarn at all. Splitty, frayed and dessicated. Not a winning yarn profile. The Specs: Yarn: Morehouse Merino Two-Ply Needles: Size 8 Pattern: Morehouse Merino Striped Mitten Duo kit Mods: The only modification would involve traveling back in time and not buying the kit. How's that for a modification? However I will say that finishing these mittens has put me on a color jag that I am very excited about, and once I finish my dad's Dr. G's Memory Vest (awesome pattern from a GORGEOUS knitter and designer), I will be ready to dive into what I am calling BAP 'The Holiday Edition' : Big-Ass Plans for 2009. These big ass plans involve lots and lots of color work due to the following events:
-queueing the Opus Spicatum hat and getting some more Naturespun in the stash that will be perfect. If you were interested in the Selbu Modern, please take note as this hat is a worsted variation. Yo!
-speaking of the Selbu, wouldn't I sort of rule the world in one made of these new Jitterbug colors, Apricot Smoothie and Pastures New? I know, I'm on a roll.
-resurrecting my Herringbone Mittens from the bowels of my Ravelry zzzz pile and deciding that they completely blow doors off any current mitten pattern and finding some Naturespun in my stash that will do quite nicely for another pair.
-making a trip to Kathy's Kreations in Ligonier and finding a copy of Kristin Knits and nearly falling over gobsmacked by her use of color. For a split second while leafing through this book I do believe I felt a portion of my brain open up, and I haven't felt that feeling in a long, long time. Think of this book as sort of like poppers, for knitters. Her use of color is quite simply stupendous. Amazon Wish List this mother now! See the Julia collected above for two insane projects (Checks and Dots Mittens and Wild and Wooly Socks) that I just know I will complete...
-queueing the Matrix Mittens and finding the perfect Naturespun color combo for them. So. Excited.
-getting my grubby hands on what is perhaps the greatest shade of Lamb's Pride in the history of the world: Prairie Goldenrod. I am cribbing this color choice from Purlfriend and just know that mittens this color will stop traffic.
